His confidence on a hiatus, his swagger on sabbatical, and his ego bruised, Patrick Hayward is a shell of the man he once was. Cursing at and writing off love after the only woman he ever let himself fall for wound up marrying his older brother, Patrick enrolls himself at Stanford, hoping college life, the California girls, and the epic surf will get him back to his free-spirited, ladies'-man-extraordinaire self. Just when Patrick feels the shadow of himself returning, Emma Scarlett enters his life, seeing through his shenanigans and calling him on his crap. Intrigued by this fascinating creature who is ignorant to his charm, and surrounded by four older brothers who look at Patrick like he's a bug to squash, Patrick gravitates to Emma, knowing she's everything he shouldn't fall for. It doesn't help that she's in a long-term relationship with a guy who gives new meaning to the term territorial boyfriend. So, of course, Patrick can't help himself. It doesn't take long for Patrick to discover that Emma has as many secrets as he does. And hers may be just as dark as his. This time, falling for the girl could break not only his heart but his spirit.