It all
started with a mistyped e-mail address and a message about a pig. Soon Ellie
O’Neill finds herself in an online relationship with G. both seventeen, Ellie
lives in the tiny, seaside town of Henley, Maine and G lives in California.
Never revealing their names to one another, Ellie learns that the pig’s name is
Wilbur and G is the son of teachers and a fan of Charlotte’s Web. Quickly, Ellie finds she is staying up late to
chat and looks forward to G’s e-mail correspondence.
Ellie loves
sleepy little Henley during the off season but feels claustrophobic when the
tourists arrive beginning Memorial Day. She and her best friend Quinn work at
the ice cream shop, Sprinkles. On her way to work one morning, Ellie is
dismayed to see that the town has been taken over by a movie set and teen
heartthrob, Graham Larkin. Just before Ellie’s shift ends, Quinn has a mishap
with a chocolate milkshake. Ellie offers Quinn her monogrammed work shirt even
though it is too long. Stepping out onto the sidewalk, Ellie notices Graham
Larkin walking her way, trying to be inconspicuous. As he passes her by, he
looks up at Ellie and she is memorized by his eyes. She also realizes that he
looks sad and wonders why a famous movie star would be so sad. Ellie catches
Quinn’s eye as Graham, enters the ice cream shop as the paparazzi descends.
Quinn smiles as Ellie walks away.
Graham Larkin
is sad. His life has changed drastically since he was discovered during a high
school drama production in which he was trying to impress a girl. Alienated
from his parents and friends, the life of a Hollywood star isn’t for him. A
loner and somewhat of a homebody, Graham lives with his pig, Wilbur. When he accidentally
sends an e-mail to a seventeen-year-old girl in Maine, Graham sees the
opportunity as a clean slate. He can be himself, not the perceived public
image. Graham believes that E likes him for his true self and he is determined
to meet her.
When the
location for his next film falls through, Graham pushed for Henley, Maine.
Keeping his true intentions a secret, he arrives to the set a few days early to
look for the faceless girl that has captured his heart. Making his way to the
ice creams hop, he passes a “willowy girl with long red hair.” They make eye
contact and Graham realizes that the town of Henley might not be thrilled that
he is there. Too late to change his plans, Graham prepares to enter the shop.
Relieved to see a stunning girl behind the counter, he is too busy noticing the
name embroidered on her shirt, Ellie O’Neill. She eagerly asks him what he
wants to order. He is struck by her excited demeanor. Ordering rainbow sherbet
because it is both of their favorite, he is dismayed that she makes no comment.
Quinn makes small talk with a flirty attitude and Graham asks her for a
restaurant recommendation. He then asks her to join him. She agrees and Graham
doesn’t realize that he isn’t talking to Ellie.
On their date
that night, Graham quickly discovers that he asked out the wrong girl. Hearing
his story, Quinn is okay with the situation but wonders why Ellie never told
her. She lets Graham know that he probably passed Ellie on the sidewalk. Graham
realizes Ellie was the red head he made eye contact with outside of Sprinkles.
Quinn tells him to go after Ellie. She is probably at home. Quinn says she will
make the waiter (who has a crush on her) eat with her but Graham can pay for it.
Graham makes
it to Ellie’s house at nightfall. He sees her on the front porch in a swing.
Knowing she only sees him as a shadow, Graham is struck by the sight of her.
Ellie thinks that Quinn has stopped by to tell her about her date. She is
shocked to find Graham Larkin standing on her front porch. Ellie thinks the
situation is a joke when he tells her that he is looking for her. Ellie is
confused and wonders why it sounds like Graham is stalking her. Ellie is
floored when Graham refers to her dog by its name when he barks. Then he tells
her that he wasn’t very creative in naming his pig Wilbur. Ellie realizes that
Graham Larkin has been her nameless pen pal.
Feeling
embarrassed, Ellie is angry that Graham never revealed who he really was. He
apologizes and tells her in no way is she stupid. She got to know him. Thinking
about it, Ellie realizes that she did get to know the real Graham Larkin, not
the one portrayed in the tabloids. Her mother interrupts and is shocked by who
is standing on the front porch. Graham introduces himself to her mother. He then
tells them he is really glad someone told him about Henley and leaves. Ellie suddenly
realizes that she is too.Can two people from such different backgrounds find a way to get together? Will the secrets Ellie and her mother have worked so hard to keep buried be unearthed? Can Quinn forgive Ellie for keeping her online relationship a secret? And will this be the best or worse summer of Graham and Ellie’s lives?
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