Jack St. Bride arrives by chance in the sleepy New England town of Salem Falls, determined to reinvent himself. Once a beloved teacher and soccer coach, Jack's life was turned upside down by a student's crush, leading to accusations that shattered his reputation.

Now working at the Do-Or-Diner, Jack attempts to bury his past. He becomes the mysterious stranger, trying to fit into the town's routine. Addie Peabody, haunted by her own ghosts, finds herself drawn to Jack, and a gentle, healing love begins to blossom between them.

However, a group of bored, privileged teenage girls form a coven, crossing the line between amusement and malice. They notice Jack and make a shattering allegation, causing history to repeat itself. Jack must again proclaim his innocence, turning Salem Falls from a safe haven into a dangerous place.

As Jack's hidden past catches up with him, the town's seams begin to tear, and the truth becomes a slippery concept. Addie must look into her heart and Jack's secrets to find evidence that will either condemn or redeem the man she has come to love.