Card sharp and former wild child Hallie Palmer is in college nowโand Bernard Stockton, her legal guardian, has suddenly appeared during final exams. Heโs hysterical about his recent breakup with his longtime boyfriend, Gil, and wants to enlist Hallie in a scheme to win Gil back. So Hallie returns to Cosgrove County, Ohio, for the summer, to her job as live-in yard person for Bernard and his delightfully oddball mother, Olivia. Also present are Ottavio, Oliviaโs hot-tempered Italian lover, whoโs desperate for a wedding; Rocky, a chimpanzee whoโs one Singapore Sling away from an AA meeting for primates; and Hallieโs own ever-expanding family, which she fled as soon as she could slide down the drainpipe.
Around town, folks assume that since Hallie isnโt in jail, she clearly has no problems of her own and can therefore tackle theirs. But Hallie has plenty of troublesโa looming tuition bill, gambling temptations, and an ex-boyfriend whoโs back in town for the summer to upset any potential if highly unlikely (a girl can dream!) romantic flings.
Yet as Hallie and company navigate lifeโs unexpected paths of games lost and love found, the real truth begins to emerge: With friends, family, and a place to call home, your heartโs desire is always within reach.
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