With her best friend on the other side of the country and her brother on the other side of the ocean, Tara Brooks finds herself alone... Which is completely fine with her. It gives her all the time in the world to keep her head in the clouds and develop the world of her imaginary alter ego, 'A'rat the Barbarian'.

She plans to spend the rest of summer in her fantasy world and is delighted when a new specialty bookstore opens in town, giving her the chance to share her hobby with new friends, and maybe learn something about herself...