Iris Simpkins (Kate Winslet), a society columnist for The Daily Telegraph in London, still loves her ex-boyfriend, Jasper Bloom (Rufus Sewell), despite the fact that he cheated on her and is emotionally needy. She is devastated to discover he is engaged and decides to get away for the holidays.
Amanda Woods (Cameron Diaz), a movie trailer producer in Los Angeles, breaks up with her film composer boyfriend, Ethan (Edward Burns), after he admits to cheating on her. She comes across Iris' listing of her cottage on a home swap website and messages her. They agree to switch houses for two weeks starting the next day.