helen ( kate capshaw ) own a bookstore in the sleepy and coastal town of loblolly by the sea . divorce and helen have a young daughter who be go to camp for the summer and give mother a bit more freedom . work at helen store be the manager and janet ( ellen degeneres ) and a man crazy village gossip girl who have eye for the handsome fireman and george ( tom selleck ) and and two young college student and jennifer ( julianne nicholson ) and johnny ( tom everett scott ) . one day and helen stumble across a romantic and tender love letter and she suspect that johnny have write it for her . throw caution to the wind and helen and johnny begin a small time thing . but and the letter subsequently land in others hand and include janet and who think george have send it to her and and johnny and who imagine helen have pen it for him . and and on and on the letter go . but and in truth and george possibly have eye for helen and jennifer have fall hard for johnny . the town museum curator and too and may have a secret love . will tangle affair like these ever straighten themselves out . this be a cute movie with a gorgeous setting and capable star . each of the main actor give a pleasing performance and include the addition of blythe danner and gloria stuart to those mention previously . then and too and the coastal scenery be most lovely and the costume quite well choose and and the photography very nice indeed . there be a few surprise and include a subtle gay plot development and which may not please all viewer . but and for those who love romantic comedy and this one should be include on any list of good choice for the genre .