When a heat wave rolls through Bluebell, Zoe realizes that the hot weather is affecting everyone's behavior and lowering their inhibitions. In fact, Zoe struggles to fight her heat-induced attraction to Wade until she finally gives in. Meanwhile, Lemon is determined to win over George's parents when they come to town for a visit, but she is caught off guard when Lavon shows up to the same restaurant with his date, Didi.

Zoe discovers something shocking about the local minister and his wife, causing quite a stir among the residents of Bluebell. Lemon is determined to find the funds to renovate the town’s historic bridge that was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, but first she is put in the extremely awkward position of having to convince Lavon to choose her proposal over so many other worthwhile submissions.

Driving home late one night from a house call, Zoe accidentally hits a man but can't find any signs of him when she gets out of her car. Later, she sees the man's photo hanging in the Rammer Jammer, and George has to break the news to her that the man in the picture died over a year ago. Meanwhile, Lemon and George are ready to buy their dream home until Lavon steps in and refuses to authorize the purchase because it is one of Bluebell's historic properties. Zoe's mom shows up in Bluebell hoping to reconcile with her daughter after keeping the identity of Zoe's real father a secret Zoe's entire life.

When Nascar’s Brian Vickers has to drop out of hosting Bluebell Junior League’s annual turtle race, Lemon is reluctantly convinced that the mayor is the perfect replacement as her co-host. Zoe is asked out on a date by a handsome local veterinarian, Dr. Judson Lyons. Wade has an unexpected visitor who stirs up all kinds of trouble for him.

While the residents of Bluebell prepare for their annual Planksgiving celebration, Zoe anxiously counts the days until her return home to New York for Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, getting out of town may be a bit trickier than Zoe anticipated due to the fact that she has to meet her thirty percent quota of patients by midnight or lose her share of the practice to Brick. Meanwhile, Lavon encourages Wade to be honest about his feelings for Zoe, and George’s father offers him an opportunity to join his law firm in Montgomery, which isn’t exactly music to Lemon’s ears.

Zoe is so uncharacteristically happy as of late that it causes her friends to speculate as to the possible reason behind her new attitude. Turns out that Zoe is hiding her new friendship with AnnaBeth, who doesn't want Lemon to find out since Zoe is Lemon's sworn enemy. Lemon campaigns to become the Belles' new Memory Matron, but she has to overcome a few obstacles to secure the honored position.

Zoe decides that it’s too soon in her relationship with Judson to go to the annual Sweetie Pie Dance so instead she makes plans to have a sleepover with Rose, whose parents are going out of town. George misplaces the save the dates for his upcoming wedding which causes major trouble in Lemon paradise. Lemon wants her father to finally move on from her mother leaving him, so she secretly gets him a date for the dance.

Zoe Hart is thrilled to see snow in Bluebell, but the rest of the town is superstitious that it will bring bad luck. When Lavon’s parents make a visit to Bluebell, Lavon thinks it’s the perfect opportunity to introduce them to Didi, but the introduction doesn’t exactly go according to plan. Lemon and George make a big decision about their future.

Zoe has conflicted feelings about seeing her estranged father, world-renowned surgeon Ethan Hart, who has agreed to travel to Bluebell to perform surgery on George’s father as a favor to Zoe. Fearful of losing George, Lemon decides she must befriend Zoe in order to prevent her from telling George about Lemon’s affair with Lavon. Meanwhile, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Rammer Jammer, the owner hosts a signature cocktail contest between Wade and Shelley.

Zoe blames herself when one of her friends faces a health crisis and she didn’t notice the symptoms. With much encouragement from Lavon, Wade explores the idea of opening his own bar in Bluebell. Meanwhile, Lemon plans a romantic night for George, hoping to get their relationship back on track. Gary Cole returns as Zoe’s father, Ethan Hart.