A shy Ivy League student, Tom Townsend, finds himself inadvertently drawn into the world of New York City's debutante parties during the winter holiday season. After leaving a party, he encounters a group of wealthy Upper East Side socialites who invite him to join their nightly gatherings. Tom, hailing from a modest background, feels out of place but increasingly becomes an integral part of their circle. As he navigates this high-society landscape, he forms a complicated bond with Audrey Rouget, an earnest and literature-loving young woman who harbors romantic feelings for him. Though Tom is initially drawn to the glamorous and confident Serena Slocum, his interactions with Audrey prompt him to re-examine his own values and social standing.

Throughout the unfolding narrative, the group's conversations offer a window into the insecurities and preoccupations of privileged youth on the cusp of adulthood. The friends grapple with issues such as social expectations, political ideologies, and their own uncertain futures. Tom's persistent discomfort highlights the tension between his own socioeconomic status and the world he temporarily inhabits. As relationships deepen and tensions surface, Tom is forced to make decisions that will define his view of friendship and loyalty. What begins as a whimsical venture into an elite social scene evolves into a poignant examination of class, authenticity, and personal growth.