Everything is falling to pieces for Francesca Thayer Her beautiful, old house is full of leaks and in need of total restoration Then her relationship with lawyer Todd collapses and he moves out As the owner of a struggling art gallery she can't possibly manage the mortgage alone, so she is forced to do the one thing she never imagined she would: she advertises for lodgers First arrives Eileen - a young, attractive schoolteacher Then comes Chris, a newly-divorced father and graphic designer Last to arrive is Marya - a famous cookery author who is hoping to rebuild her life after the death of her husband And so Francesca finds that her house has become a whole new world - and that her accidental tenants have become the most important people in her life Over their year together, the house at 44 Charles Street fills with laughter, heartbreak and hope And Francesca discovers that she might be able to open her heart again after all