New Year's Day 1986 dawns with Elliott holding his glittering prize, the young and pretty Nora, while his former best friend, the effervescent and beautiful Toni, celebrates her engagement to Bobby on a fantastical cruise ship in the Caribbean. Even Emma, Elliott's sister and indefatigable architect of his love life, surrenders her dream of Elliott's reunion with her best friend and his high school sweetheart, Donna. The ties that bind prove unexpectedly fragile, however, and, as they unravel and snap, seemingly unbreakable romances are thrown into doubt and turmoil. Beset by shocking secrets and fateful surprises, new ties form and all hearts soon learn that 1986 will be a year like no other.