The Jealousy Test

Madison "Maddie" Morgan crafts steamy novels. However, she is weary after a dissolved, scandalous marriage with Dr. David Morgan, a narcissist who can't keep his pants zipped. Five years post-divorce, her love life is non-existent. Her only meaningful conversations are with her plants, and writer's block rocks her. Fate turns when Maddie relocates to a lively adult community in Central Florida to be closer to her aging mother. While she's not looking to date, she notices how the elderly married couples in the community seem to hold the secret of staying together. Enter Craig Vanning, a sardonic golf instructor with an alluring swing. The new neighbor, he quickly becomes the darling of the community's most persistent single ladies, but his heart is set on Maddie. His past with a suspicious ex-wife fuels his fear that the attention might deter Maddie, and her distant demeanor only heightens his neurotic complex. Craig’s friend, who nobody should listen to, tells Craig about a questionable psychiatrist's podcast. Intrigued by the doctor’s theory, Craig runs “The Jealousy Test” to measure Maddie’s mindset. The rules are simple: engage with his most assertive female students without romantic overtures while Maddie watches. If Maddie handles the interactions without psychotic outbursts, she might be “the one.” This experiment spirals out of control, prompting Maddie to wonder if Craig’s behavior reflects her ex’s. Yet she plays it cool. Craig stumbles upon the sultry depth of Maddie’s novels, questioning whether he can live up to her literary paramours. David resurfaces, determined to reclaim Maddie, and one of Craig's subjects – on the HOA board – becomes fiercely jealous of Maddie and sends her violations. Simultaneously, Maddie’s literary manager encourages her to form a focus group of four senior married couples - to research a non-fiction book… because her latest novel stinks. With Maddie and Craig’s emotional clutter on display, awkward moments ensue. Unexpectedly, they spend the night; Maddie breaks and confronts Craig about the women. Craig fesses up to the test. Maddie disappointingly learns from her charming focus group that there is no secret sauce. Still, stale old jokes and several deliciously enchanting stories are shared, giving Maddie hope that anyone can make love work. Maddie begins writing her first “self-help” book, and despite her disenchantment with Craig, he lays it all on the line. With the help of the podcaster who got him into this, Craig pleads for Maddie to join him on the ninth hole at his upcoming golf tournament. He knows she will give him another shot if she shows up. On the day of the charity event, with David doggedly pursuing, Maddie strides across a sand trap, steeling herself for whatever lies ahead in her renewed quest for love.