Macalister Forest is a best-selling mystery author. Being a single dad, on the other hand, hasn't brought him many accolades. Just recently, his 5-year-old daughter, Josi, gave him a letter for Santa which he mailed without reading. Dumb. At least he's done one Christmas thing right. He's leased a magical home in snowy Sugar Plum, Georgia. Magical because it was once Santa's summer home. Best of all, it's for sale. And Macalister hopes to place the winning bid. Problem. He's on deadline and will need help minding Josi. Can he find a holiday nanny?

Wynter Sullivan, known as the real estate whisperer, has her eye on the perfect vacation property in Sugar Plumb, Georgia. Trouble is, only state residents can bid on the home. Determined to become eligible for the sale, she agrees to an impromptu stint as a holiday nanny for a young girl. When she arrives, she's stunned to discover the father is the same man she spent a mysterious, no-names-given summer with almost a decade ago. An experiment on her part that ended when she slipped away without saying goodbye.

Unprepared for the emotions his former muse revives, Macalister resolves to send her packing. Until Josi reveals just what she asked of Santa. A complicated ask for Mac's heart. To help Santa deliver, Mac needs a commitment from the nanny. Too bad she's the last person he would trust with his daughter's happiness.

The countdown to Christmas has begun. They are all about to find out if Santa's magic truly does hug the small town of Sugar Plum.