Lenore Rutland’s boyfriend of nearly eight years dumps her on Boxing Day and sneaks off to Florida. Why? she�d like to know. In hilarious yet touching letters that he never answers, Lenore makes excuses for him while recounting her adventures — adventures she couldn’t have had with him around.

She babysits two lapdogs while their maman serves on a murder jury, and becomes friends with a vibrant collection of feminists, firemen, and amateur musical theatre stars. By the next Boxing Day, Lenore’s world has grown rich and strange and her mended heart is stronger than ever.