Elle Grey doesn't need anyone. She only needs herself, a paintbrush, and if she gets desperate enough, there are the few people she actually tolerates that she can talk to. She knows that there's more out there in the world - in fact, she spends most of her time either daydreaming or painting about it. She knows that the South Dakotan town she's grown up in is only suffocating her. That's why she finds Harry so intriguing. He's different and he brings out something in her that she wasn't sure was still there. Suddenly she's second-guessing everything she has known her entire life - maybe she does need someone.

When her boyfriend dumps her, Alex out of uncharacteristic fury throws his anniversary gift that by a cruel twist of fate dents Harry Styles' car. As a poor college student with no money, she is forced to spend 25 days with him to pay off her debts. But a lot can happen in 25 days, and Alex had no idea that her time with Mr. Arrogant would turn into something more.