Funny yet touching, the story centers on Settie Rose, family matriarch with an abundance of personality. She, her friends and their community take part in a competition every year on who has written the best holiday letter. But Settie's a horrible writer - hers is the worst. Every year. So this year she's bringing in a ringer... Juan, a struggling novelist who has written one brilliant book and needs the money. Confusion and miscommunication upon his arrival and with their neighborhood nemesis (Sue Taylor) leads to the ruse that Juan's engaged to their daughter, Lily. While he's living with and getting to know the Roses, Settie and the whole family have to keep everyone in the close-knit community off his trail long enough for him to write the perfect letter. Through various Christmas activities and family interviews, initially-reluctant Juan learns what makes this family special, notably Lily, as they help each other navigate this unusual situation and Juan overcomes his writer’s block. In the end, Settie realizes she had it in her all along, once she stops trying too hard and embraces her imperfect family, which has now expanded to include Juan's.