Love Hard

Natalie Bauer, a dating column writer based in Los Angeles, begins to document her series of disastrous dates she encounters through a dating app. This sets the stage for her journey into the world of online dating and the unpredictability it entails.

After expanding the search radius on her dating app, Natalie matches with Josh Lin. Their connection deepens through several long phone calls, leading her to feel a strong affection for him, despite never having met in person.

Excited to surprise Josh for Christmas, Natalie travels to his hometown of Lake Placid, New York, promising her boss that this will mark the end of her dating disasters. She anticipates a joyful holiday with Josh, fueled by their growing bond.

Upon arriving, Natalie discovers she has been catfished by Josh, who used another man's pictures. While furious, she learns that the man behind the pictures, Tag Abbott, is Josh's childhood friend, complicating her feelings further.

Josh proposes that Natalie pretends to be his girlfriend for the holidays to save face. Reluctantly, she agrees and spends time with the Lin family, navigating the complexities of this newfound deception.

Josh sets up a date for Tag and Natalie, introducing her as his cousin. To impress Tag, she fabricates interests such as rock climbing, concealing her fear of heights until Josh steps in to help her at the climbing gym.

Natalie meets Osh's brother Owen, who feels overshadowed by his brother's success. During a Christmas caroling event, Owen's jealousy erupts when he announces his wife's pregnancy, prompting Josh to propose to Natalie in a moment that feels pressured.

The local newspaper prints Josh and Natalie's engagement announcement, forcing them to scramble to collect copies to prevent Tag from seeing it. This moment exposes the fragility of their fabricated relationship and further complicates their emotions.

Natalie finds herself at a steakhouse on a date with Tag, where Josh confronts her about compromising her vegetarian beliefs. Their argument reveals deeper issues in their relationship, particularly around honesty and integrity.

At a nursing home, Natalie and Josh lead a chaotic Q&A session about online dating. Josh delivers a heartfelt monologue about truthfulness, prompting both him and Natalie to confront their own burgeoning feelings amidst the distractions of the attendees.

The Lin family organizes a surprise engagement party for Josh and Natalie, where Tag introduces Natalie to his parents. Tensions rise when Natalie's boss informs Owen about her dating column, insinuating that Natalie may not be genuine in her feelings for Josh.

During the engagement party, Natalie makes a heartfelt speech in front of everyone, including Tag, where she reveals her true feelings. This act of honesty leads her to leave the Lin household, determined to resolve her internal conflicts.

Encouraged by Natalie’s bravery, Josh finds the courage to tell his father that he wants to pursue his passion for candle-making instead of running the family store. This marks a pivotal moment of self-discovery for Josh, reflecting the impact Natalie has on his life.

While waiting at a lodge overnight, Natalie sees Josh's new dating profile, which portrays his true self. Realizing that she has fallen for him, she heads back to his house to confront her feelings and seek a genuine connection.

Natalie returns to Josh's house, ready to embrace her true feelings. They share a kiss, solidifying their connection and the hope for a brighter future together, free from the lies that initially brought them together.