With the housing market in the city, Penelope Roman has felt stuck living with her less-than-ideal boyfriend, but when she finds a listing for a cheap loft—with exposed brick? close to nightlife?? a parking spot???—she's convinced it's a scam but goes to check it out anyway. When she arrives, there's only one other prospective renter, a guy named Nolan Elliot around her age, and the eccentric owner, Flo Donovan with an apartment full of paper cranes.

Flo hands them both keys and says they've got three months to decide who should get the apartment and who wants it the most. In an escalating game of hijinks, Penny and Nolan butt heads as they try to win the competition and suck up to the owner. Slowly, they come to realize they have a lot in common, and it becomes clear that the little old lady has an even bigger plan. Could it be that the apartment is perfect for both of them?