The premise of this exceedingly entertaining novel revolves around the character of Jim Emery. Jim is a new young doctor who arrives in the town of Eudora. Keen to fit neatly into his new role and his new home, he wants nothing more than to be accepted and to have his practice prosper. Now Eudora is a small town, in the middle of oil, wheat and cattle. The new man is single and this is seen by the townsfolk as a bit of an advantage. Their thinking being that if a single doctor comes in and marries a local girl, that doctor will stay. The local girl could fill him in on the way things are. And the Eudorans would relax and no longer feel a faint anxiety every time they sneezed.

Although the Doctor is certainly single, things don't quite go to plan as unfortunately Doctor Emery falls head over heels for Lottie Dougall, a part-time herbalist. A complete difference of opinion on medicinal approach is just one of the seeming barriers to a marriage made in heaven. Lottie has none of the qualities Eudorans value, neither reserved nor modest, she is not what they would call 'a safe pair of hands...'

The relationship between Dr Emery and Lottie and its subsequent dramatic highs and lows completely captivates the townsfolk and becomes a central link in a chain of events which tests the spirit of the community to its very core. A beautiful romantic tale, it is also incredibly funny.