Ronnie’s (Miley Cyrus) and her younger brother Jonah’s parents are divorced. They lived with their mother until this summer when they were sent to live with their father (Greg Kinnear) in a small beach town. Ronnie is not happy with her father and has no intention of being friendly or even speaking to him during the summer. But after meeting a handsome young man and falling in love, Ronnie rediscovers her love for music, which she shares with her father. Connecting through music helps to build a bond with her father, proving to be the most important relationship she may have ever encountered.