Ensuring her company's success is Debra Laurie's life. But when she goes undercover to investigate a failing hotel in southern New Zealand, she finds her confidence crumbling. Masquerading as a waitress is a disaster—especially when the hotel's assistant manager is a former rugby star she once had a crush on. Jase McEwan is struggling to keep the hotel afloat. An unpredictable manager, ridiculous demands from the head office, and employee unrest are problems enough. Now a haughty new waitress is causing mayhem in the restaurant—and in his heart. Determined to be impartial, Debra sets out to discover if Jase is responsible for the hotel's drastic situation. But the more she investigates, the more she likes his work—and the more their attraction sizzles. Before long, Jase has turned Debra's world upside-down. But what happens when he learns the new waitress is really his CEO?

Shannon’s adrenaline-junkie husband gambled away their security and his life. She believes her twelve-year-old son’s memories border on hero worship. Shannon’s decisions, including leaving Auckland and returning to her hometown of Riversleigh, upset her son. The tension between them reaches the breaking point. Carefree adventurer Luke returns to the farm he escaped from years ago to raise his deceased brother’s children. Developing an adventure park might restore something of his previous life. His friend, Jase McEwan, introduces him to Shannon who is in desperate need of employment and a place to stay. Reluctant to associate with another risk-taker, Shannon finds Luke’s blasé attitude and claims of unlimited finances worrying. Even with Luke encouraging Thomas to escape Shannon’s “mollycoddling,” a friendship develops and soon deepens to something more. But will any chance of a lasting relationship be destroyed when Shannon discovers Luke is also a gambler?