
Elizabeth Thatcher is a young teacher accustomed to high society, so she experiences culture shock when she gets her first classroom assignment in Coal Valley. Life in the small mining town is filled with challenges. A recent explosion has killed more than a dozen of the town's miners, compelling the widows of those men to work in the mines to earn money. Constable Jack Thornton, also a newcomer, is not as welcoming, because he believes Thatcher's wealthy father doomed his career by assigning him to Coal Valley so he could protect Elizabeth. Over time, though, Elizabeth and Jack become closer and begin a relationship. Janette Oke's books about the Canadian West inspired the series.
Elizabeth, Carson and Faith deal with an outbreak of chickenpox, resulting in Rosemary falling ill; when Gowen is sued, Bill must pull together Hope Valley's first jury.
Elizabeth gets a surprise bouquet of flowers, which has the town wondering who left them; Rosemary and Lee organize Jesse and Clara's bachelor and bachelorette parties.
When plans go awry, Elizabeth gets the town to band together to give Clara and Jesse the wedding of their dreams; Elizabeth struggles with the fact that she has two suitors.
Elizabeth goes on a trip with Lucas and must face her growing feelings for him; Jesse and Clara adjust to sharing a home; Lee and Rosemary are challenged with watching Little Jack.