Christmastime is here, and Cedar Cove is a flurry of activity. Justine is shocked to learn Warren is under investigation by the FBI. She and Seth fear all is lost when it looks like their new restaurant is the target of arson. Eric finally turns up in town, and Jack is eager to help his son become a responsible father. While Grace does her best to make up for past mistakes with Cliff, Maryellen finally tracks down the ever elusive John Bowman.
Judge Olivia Lockhart, whose Cedar Cove Municipal Court is the professional milieu and social microcosm of issues the judge will face in her own day-to-day life with family and friends. Veteran actor Dylan Neal plays Jack Griffith, the new editor of the Cedar Cove Chronicle, and budding love interest for Judge Lockhart.