Campfire Romance

The film opens in Portland, where Peyton is struggling as an assistant to Mona, a high-powered publisher who repeatedly rejects Peyton's non-fiction manuscripts, including one about the Shanghai Tunnels, for lacking a 'personal connection.' Peyton's parents, who own Camp Evergreen in Montana, visit to announce their retirement and invite her to a final 'Christmas in July' reunion for alumni. Upon arriving at the camp, Peyton reunites with her old friends: Beckett, a Broadway actor; Janice and Dave, who own an outdoor gear company; and Thomas, her ex-boyfriend who is now an art teacher. The tension between Peyton and Thomas is immediate, stemming from a painful breakup ten years prior when Thomas ended things due to the difficulties of long-distance dating. As the week progresses, the group participates in various camp traditions, including a cabin-lighting ceremony, 'Capture the Wreath,' and a snowball fight. Beckett is forced to co-direct the camp pageant with his long-time rival, soap opera actor Chris Dreskin. During rehearsals, Chris reveals he has always had a crush on Beckett, leading to a romantic reconciliation between the two. Meanwhile, Janice and Dave deal with their own conflict regarding starting a family, which Dave eventually realizes he wants after talking to Thomas. Peyton spends her time researching the history of the camp at the local library, discovering that her great-grandmother started the Christmas in July tradition to help homesick campers feel a sense of family. She decides this is the personal story she needs for her book pitch. Thomas and Peyton grow closer, eventually sharing a kiss after a campfire where they reminisce about a disastrous gingerbread house incident involving real glue. However, Peyton remains guarded, fearing their connection is merely 'camp nostalgia.' The conflict peaks when Peyton pitches her book idea to Mona via phone; Mona loves the idea but refuses to let Peyton write it, wanting to hire a more experienced author instead. Disheartened, Peyton quits her job and briefly considers taking over the camp to preserve her family's legacy, but her parents reveal they are selling the land to be turned into a Christmas tree farm, encouraging her to follow her writing dreams elsewhere. In the finale, Thomas reveals he is moving to Portland to be with Peyton, proving his commitment. A flash-forward shows Peyton's book, 'Campfire Romance,' has been published with Thomas's illustrations, and Thomas proposes to her during a winter celebration.