Phil Lester is sweet and cute; known for his kindness and enthusiasm. Dan Howell is a tough, cold outsider; known as the school's stereotypical 'bad boy'. But if he's so bad, then why on earth did he rescue Phil Lester and give him a smile which would melt anyone's heart?

An unlikely tale of odd affection and baffling fondness between a pair of outcasts in a ramshackle orphanage comes to be plagued by tragedy when they move away to the green idleness of Scotland. Six years scuttle by, and all that was promised to remain simple is replaced by the ugly misfortune of dirty secrets, traumatic yesterdays and Phil Lester's forbidden feelings for Dan Howell.