Birdie Bell is a magazine features writer who thinks that she has found her perfect match when she meets successful grazier Joe Burt on a dating app. Despite a rocky first date, she finds herself falling head over heels for him.

Birdie declines a co-worker's offer to conduct a background check on Joe before a secluded trip - when Joe is called away during the break by a family emergency, he arranges a night at a luxury hotel for Birdie that is soured by sad news and a glimpse of Joe's ulterior motives.

Birdie, guided by her therapist, agrees to host her family on Joe's boat despite her anxiety.

Birdie interviews Tina's family and learns that she had always been a fantasist, with this in mind, Birdie is sure that she understands Joe when he makes grandiose promises about a magnificent property that he plans to buy for them.

Birdie is elated to attend Anton's wedding with Joe, but their plans are derailed when Joe urgently needs funds for a property deposit. With their future hanging in the balance, Birdie rushes to gather the money that they need before the deadline.

Joe raids his family, reunites with his girlfriend Kristy and refuses to sign divorce papers. He negotiates a deal with Allan, faces an altercation at his old school and scrambles to cancel the auction of his family home.