The story revolves around two young people, Noah Calhoun and Allie Hamilton, who fall deeply in love during a summer in 1940s North Carolina. Noah is a humble, hard-working boy, while Allie comes from a wealthy family. Despite the opposition of Allie's parents, who disapprove of the relationship due to social differences, the young people experience a passionate romance.

After the summer, they are separated by the war and the interference of Allie's parents. For years, they have no contact, although Noah writes letters to Allie every day for a year.

Some time later, Allie sees a newspaper photo of Noah in front of a house he had promised to restore for her. Driven by memories, she goes to see him, and the two are reunited. They discover they still love each other.