Being able to talk to ghosts and falling for one who haunts a portrait of a Civil War soldier complicates Georgina Claythorne's summer plans at her grandmother's shop in Ocean Grove, New Jersey.

Seventeen year-old Georgina Claythorne's ability to talk to ghosts leads her to discover one haunting the portrait of Eric Toomey, a young Civil War soldier, at her grandmother's antique shop in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. The portrait, part of an heirloom collection is one of several items from which Georgina "picks up paranormal activity". Georgina becomes caught up in the mystery of Eric's former life, her unnatural attraction to the ghost, and her changing relationship with long-time friend and fellow ghost hunter, Jake Hanlon. All this complicates what was supposed to be a boring summer. Can Georgina help Eric's spirit or will doing so put those she cares for in danger?