Valedictorian at New York med school, surgeon's daughter Zoe Hart declines an offer to join obscure Alabama Gulf town Bluebell's senior doctor Harley Wilkes to join his country practice, but he kept sending postcards. When she's told to get a year of practice experience to develop patient in order to be admitted to the surgical training, she finally accepts, to her mother Candice Hart's distress. Harley meanwhile died but named her heir to what's actually only his half of the practice which local Dr. Brick Breeland wanted to continue alone. Zoe hesitates whether to stay, appreciating helpful gentleman local lawyer George Tucker and ex-national sports hero Lavon Hayes, now the native mayor, but starting badly with womanizing estate caretaker Wade Kinsella and misled by her first patient who faked an eye test before running over George. Yet an unwanted pregnancy proves decisive.

Hoping it might help the residents of Bluebell accept her as one of their own, Zoe Hart agrees to join Mayor Lavon Hayes on his float during the Founder's Day Parade, but, unfortunately, accidentally crashing the float doesn't exactly help Zoe win over Lemon Breeland and the residents of Bluebell. To make matters worse, the town's golden boy, George Tucker, informs Zoe that contractually she needs to bring in thirty percent of the business or Dr. Brick Breeland will have the option to buy out her half of the medical practice.

In his playful way, Wade shows angelic patience with fickle Zoe's nocturnal fears, even spends a night on her bad couch. She not only crashes the mayor's borrowed car on a medical visit, but is convinced to have seen a fisherman whose portrait is on the pub's wall of deceased villagers. At examination, Leon Mercy, who seems to haunt her at night, was only reported missing, as she would have been looking for him in the wood hadn't Wade tracked them down. George finds the mayor unwilling to release on protected home for the happy couple to move into, but Lemon changes her mind about it after another incident with her unruly sister, which prompts George to make Brick face his parental duty.

The Christmas tree Wade promises George for the town square, from one of his many exes, is measly, so the boys set out to cut one from another ex together. Lack of actual owner agreement and Wade's lip to the sheriff lands the duo in jail for the night. Back home, Lemon trains kid sister Magnolia to become the next generation of Breeland Cinnamon pageant winners, but Zoe enters Rose, and the coaches rival more ruthlessly then the candidates can handle. Lemon is shocked to hear that her mother, who left years ago to pursue an acting career, landed back in Alabama and still never contacted Brick's family.

Veterinarian Judson Lyons accepts Zoe first asking him not to attend the town's annual Sweetie Pie dance 'too soon', then changing her mind after she notices even Rose manipulated her, but concludes she only really has eyes and thoughts for Wade and returns home. George realizes that he forgot mailing the wedding invitations out of Freudian frustration that Lemon spent all her time on vents since months, hardly any with him. A row with Brick leads to him and ultimately George learning she has been bottling up the frustration over her deserted mother. Zoe finally gets Wade to admit privately he has feelings for her, only to see him frolicking off with another easy date and the proceeds of a bet she wouldn't do it with Judson.

Zoe is convinced she and George are meant to be but he thinks they should just be friends. Zoe and Wade, as well as George & Lemon are reluctantly paired for the Bluebell Battle. Rose goes on a date with Frederick. Lemon and George see a minister

Zoe misinterprets Rose's symptoms for love sickness, but is really a appendicitis. The town turns cold to Zoe. Lemon tries to win George back with a romantic dinner. Zoe's father visits Bluebell again, and Zoe considers leaving.

Rose wants to host a musical extravaganza to compete with a classmate going to a major concert. Zoe helps Rose line up a singer, but when that falls through, they get George to sing. The party is a hit. Lemon is a terrible waitress.

Zoe treats the school football star and he develops a crush on Zoe. She tries to brush him off, but town wants her to wait until after the big game. Lemon wants to start a catering business or something. Lavon and Ruby start dating.

George and Lavon make a strawberry commercial. Wade's band has an out-of-town job and a flu epidemic keeps him away from Bluebell. Lemon and Walt plan to take the next step in their relationship. Zoe deals with the flu epidemic.

Zoe tries to get over Wade cheating on her, but thinks she sees deceit in others. Zoe thinks Max is cheating on Rose and tries to prove it. Lemon continues her quest to break up Brick and Shelby; she asks George to help her.

Zoe looks for a new boyfriend; Max & Rose set her up with Max's father. Lemon & Wade's restaurant is closed due to code violations; Brick lends them money for the repair. Shelby questions her role with Brick. George & Tansy argue over Zoe.

In the season premiere, after a summer in New York, Zoe is ready to move permanently, but first she must return to BlueBell. Lemon has a plan to help out Wade in front of Zoe.

When Zoe learns that Wade is interested in dating someone close to her, she tries everything she can do to put a stop to it. Lavon enlists George to help save BlueBell from merging with another town. To help keep the town in the dark about the planned merger, Zoe uses Joel and AnnaBeth to create a scandalous distraction to throw people off the trail. Meanwhile, Brick starts dating again, but finds himself in a tough predicament when someone from his past resurfaces.

Zoe learns that Joel has hired some unreliable workers to help with the renovations, but when one gets hurt on the job he becomes litigious. Lavon has organized BlueBell's Renaissance Faire to help keep busy, but when no one wants to buy tickets, he decides to use Lemon's two suitors as the main event. Meanwhile, Wade is excited about his upcoming anniversary with Vivian, but her son has other ideas.

Zoe and Joel are frustrated by all the snags they keep running into while trying to remodel their new home. Rose persuades Lavon to agree that BlueBell will be sister cities with a town in France. Lemon convinces George to help her out with a business venture, but in order for things to go smoothly, Wade has to play peacemaker. Meanwhile, Brick sees an opportunity to become BlueBell's Man of the Year, but he soon discovers he has some tough competition.

When Wade's dad, Earl, asks Zoe for help with his love life, she is happy to get involved, until Wade advises her that no good can come from it. Lavon recruits George to help persuade the city comptroller to change BlueBell's billing on an exit sign, but finds himself in competition against his rival, Mayor Gainey. Meanwhile, Lemon continues to try to raise the profile of Fancie's, but all her plans seem to go up in flames.

Zoe buries herself in work and, confused by Zoe's behavior, Wade seeks love advice from Lemon. Lemon and Brick are trying to keep the truth about their love lives from Grandma Bettie. In the meantime, Lavon and George reluctantly work together to find out more about Lemon's new boyfriend, Henry.

In hope of helping Lemon's financial woas, Lavon organizes a talent show featuring a cash prize; Wade and Zoe wind up in a compromising situation.

Zoe forces Wade to change his ways after seeing him flirting with some women; Lemon is blindsided by a person from her past; George and Annabeth find it difficult to make new adventures together.

When Zoe makes an important decision, Wade tries to take care of everything before the baby is born.

The Christmas tree Wade promises George for the town square, from one of his many exes, is measly, so the boys set out to cut one from another ex together. Lack of actual owner agreement and Wade's lip to the sheriff lands the duo in jail for the night. Back home, Lemon trains kid sister Magnolia to become the next generation of Breeland Cinnamon pageant winners, but Zoe enters Rose, and the coaches rival more ruthlessly then the candidates can handle. Lemon is shocked to hear that her mother, who left years ago to pursue an acting career, landed back in Alabama and still never contacted Brick's family.

Veterinarian Judson Lyons accepts Zoe first asking him not to attend the town's annual Sweetie Pie dance 'too soon', then changing her mind after she notices even Rose manipulated her, but concludes she only really has eyes and thoughts for Wade and returns home. George realizes that he forgot mailing the wedding invitations out of Freudian frustration that Lemon spent all her time on vents since months, hardly any with him. A row with Brick leads to him and ultimately George learning she has been bottling up the frustration over her deserted mother. Zoe finally gets Wade to admit privately he has feelings for her, only to see him frolicking off with another easy date and the proceeds of a bet she wouldn't do it with Judson.

Rose wants to host a musical extravaganza to compete with a classmate going to a major concert. Zoe helps Rose line up a singer, but when that falls through, they get George to sing. The party is a hit. Lemon is a terrible waitress.

Zoe misinterprets Rose's symptoms for love sickness, but is really a appendicitis. The town turns cold to Zoe. Lemon tries to win George back with a romantic dinner. Zoe's father visits Bluebell again, and Zoe considers leaving.

Hoping it might help the residents of Bluebell accept her as one of their own, Zoe Hart agrees to join Mayor Lavon Hayes on his float during the Founder's Day Parade, but, unfortunately, accidentally crashing the float doesn't exactly help Zoe win over Lemon Breeland and the residents of Bluebell. To make matters worse, the town's golden boy, George Tucker, informs Zoe that contractually she needs to bring in thirty percent of the business or Dr. Brick Breeland will have the option to buy out her half of the medical practice.

Zoe is convinced she and George are meant to be but he thinks they should just be friends. Zoe and Wade, as well as George & Lemon are reluctantly paired for the Bluebell Battle. Rose goes on a date with Frederick. Lemon and George see a minister

Zoe buries herself in work and, confused by Zoe's behavior, Wade seeks love advice from Lemon. Lemon and Brick are trying to keep the truth about their love lives from Grandma Bettie. In the meantime, Lavon and George reluctantly work together to find out more about Lemon's new boyfriend, Henry.

When Wade's dad, Earl, asks Zoe for help with his love life, she is happy to get involved, until Wade advises her that no good can come from it. Lavon recruits George to help persuade the city comptroller to change BlueBell's billing on an exit sign, but finds himself in competition against his rival, Mayor Gainey. Meanwhile, Lemon continues to try to raise the profile of Fancie's, but all her plans seem to go up in flames.

In the season premiere, after a summer in New York, Zoe is ready to move permanently, but first she must return to BlueBell. Lemon has a plan to help out Wade in front of Zoe.

Valedictorian at New York med school, surgeon's daughter Zoe Hart declines an offer to join obscure Alabama Gulf town Bluebell's senior doctor Harley Wilkes to join his country practice, but he kept sending postcards. When she's told to get a year of practice experience to develop patient in order to be admitted to the surgical training, she finally accepts, to her mother Candice Hart's distress. Harley meanwhile died but named her heir to what's actually only his half of the practice which local Dr. Brick Breeland wanted to continue alone. Zoe hesitates whether to stay, appreciating helpful gentleman local lawyer George Tucker and ex-national sports hero Lavon Hayes, now the native mayor, but starting badly with womanizing estate caretaker Wade Kinsella and misled by her first patient who faked an eye test before running over George. Yet an unwanted pregnancy proves decisive.