Family court judge Olivia Lockhart is a single mother and respected town leader in the small, coastal town of Cedar Cove, Washington. She makes news when she denies the divorce petition of Cecilia and Ian Randall, attracting the attention of local newspaper editor and newcomer to town Jack Griffin. Olivia soon finds herself at a crossroads in life when she is given the opportunity of becoming a federal judge and moving away from the family and friends who depend on her.

When developer Warren Saget decides to tear down the town’s iconic lighthouse, Judge Olivia Lockhart finds her hands tied with no legal way to stop him. As tensions heat up, Olivia knows she must find a way to save the landmark before the trouble in town boils over.

In Cedar Cove, Jack is reunited with his estranged son, while Charlotte tries to find out the secret behind the identity of a stroke patient she is caring for. Meanwhile, Justine is learning how to deal with a long distance relationship, while Olivia tries to repair damage done to her relationship with Charlotte.

Bob and Peggy Beldon must deal with a suspicious death at their Bed and Breakfast, and Justine gets a chance to show her work at the local Art Walk. Meanwhile, Jack struggles with his relationship with his freeloading son Eric. When Olivia tries to help by giving Eric a job, things go from bad to worse and ends up threatening Olivia’s budding relationship with Jack.

Olivia presides over a messy divorce, while town librarian, Grace, must scramble to raise funds for the library when the town council decides to shut it down to save money. Meanwhile, Jack continues to struggle with his relationship with his son Eric. Things finally come to a head when Eric refuses to work and Jack must decide whether or not he is strong enough to give his son an ultimatum.

Justine and Olivia must each face their own fears when Seth goes missing in Alaska and Justine sets out to find him. Meanwhile, love is in the air in Cedar Cove as the local theater company puts on Romeo and Juliet while Jack wants to take his relationship with Olivia to the next level and Maryellen seeks to deepen her friendship with a handsome photographer.