The story starts off in a nursing home with an elderly man (James Garner) reading love letters written longhand in a notebook to an Alzheimer's patient (Gena Rowlands). She seems confused and can't remember what happened a few minutes ago until stories are read from this book. Then she is focused and pays close attention.

The love letters follow a young couple during and just after World War II. A working guy Noah (Ryan Gosling) falls for a vacationing Allie (Rachel McAdams), a rich girl whose mom (Joan Allen) fights against their relationship. Thus the two lovers are torn apart by disapproving parents and the global conflict. He departs for the war and she resumes her life of wealth and leisure, eventually becoming engaged to a young man (James Marsden). After many years we see the relationship of Noah and Allie revisited and understand the story of the couple in the nursing home. In the world of violent and strange movies, it is nice to see a gentle love story among the onslaught of summer films.