With Ford's second novel, he shifts the setting from Provincetown, Massachusetts to a small town in northern New York called Cold Falls. While that might be different, he still centers his story on the shared experiences of a small group of people. Each of them is looking for it, but the "it" is not what you might expect.

Mike is at a turning point in his life. He lost his whole family when their car was hit by a drunk driver when he was in high school. Now, he is a bartender at a local gay bar called the Engine Room. His whole perspective on live changes when he is driving home from work late one night and he runs into the Father Thomas Dunn, the local Episcopal priest, ... literally. After helping the father sort out what is wrong with his car, Mike gives him a ride home and the two find that it is the start of a good friendship and, perhaps, something more.

Simon is the group "Auntie." In his mid-60's, he is still coming to terms with the fact that his partner of more than 40 years died just a year previously. He not only misses his partner, but he is also coming to terms with the fact that he is looking at the possibility that he will live the rest of his life all alone. It is not a pleasant thought.

John and Russell, who have been together for seven years, arrive at a crisis point. While there is no shortage of love between them, Russell is not sure he can continue living with a man who is so reserved, analytical, and self-focused. As a result, they start a period of separation that will allow them to decide where their future will take them, and whether it will be together.

John and Russell also start the story by playing matchmaker. Russell has a good friend and coworker named Gary, who they think would be perfect for their accountant Stephen. Unfortunately, Stephen is still sorting out life as a gay man. Not only does he live next door to his parents, but he is also ashamed of what being gay means for him.

As a result of Stephen's feelings, he not only fends of Gary's interest, but it leads him to explore his sexuality online and at seedy adult stores. At the latter, he runs into a self-loathing homophobe named Peter. Ashamed of his own feelings Peter finds a way to fulfill his sexual needs with other men, but usually concludes by beating them in order to hide his shame. Stephen is not the only one who ends up on the brunt end of Peter's attacks.

As with his first novel, the strength of Ford's writing is in the strong, realistic characters. Readers get to experience the pain, joy, and humor that the various characters go through the six weeks prior to the New Year. The story is one of an ensemble cast. Each of them is looking for something, but it is more tied to happiness and various types of love than anything else.