Ruby Grant has just moved to the country. Her husband, Oliver, is sceptical about anything rural, but he seizes the opportunity to leave Ruby's two grown-up yet inexplicably dependent children behind in the city. Life slows down alarmingly from the moment they set foot in Troy Cottage, but at least Ruby can finally start writing her novel in peace. Until her daughter, Poppy, turns up with boyfriend and dog in tow, announces she's pregnant and moves into Ruby's office. Then Josh needs somewhere to do his washing, and her father wants to stay for Christmas...Despite this, Ruby finds village life surprisingly seductive. The Christmas pantomime, the weekly pub quiz, the summer fete...she just can't say no. And especially not to Hamish, the handsome journalist who seems anxious to accompany her on investigations for the parish magazine. There's surely no harm in a little crush - but can Ruby avoid the hazards of country loving?