Holly & Ivy

The film begins with Melody Knapp moving to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, where she buys a dilapidated 'fixer-upper' house. She meets her neighbor Nina and Nina's daughters, Holly and Ivy. Melody, who holds a master's in library science, struggles to find a job due to a local hiring freeze but begins volunteering at the library and babysitting for Nina. During a trip to the hardware store, she meets Adam Yeager, a contractor who is being pressured by his father to join the family car dealership business despite his passion for furniture making. As Melody and Adam begin a tentative romance, the story takes a dramatic turn when Nina collapses and reveals that her lymphoma has returned for the third time. Nina, who grew up in the legal system herself, is terrified that her daughters will be placed in foster care if she passes away. Melody, who spent her childhood in foster care after being surrendered at age five, impulsively offers to become the girls' legal guardian. To qualify, Melody must pass a rigorous state home inspection and prove financial stability. She takes a temporary data management job to save money while Adam and his construction crew volunteer their time on Christmas Eve to bring Melody's house up to code. In a parallel subplot, Melody develops the 'Book Elf' bookmobile concept to serve the community. Adam's parents, moved by Melody's selflessness, donate a van for her project and finally support Adam's woodworking dreams. The film concludes with a poignant scene in court following Nina's death; Melody successfully petitions to adopt Holly and Ivy, fulfilling her promise to Nina and finally creating the permanent family she never had as a child.