All or Nothing (Rustmere Tales Book 3)

Can Bess Face the Past She Tried to Leave Behind?

A fierce winter storm has left Rustmere’s beloved pub, The Boot, badly damaged—and its fiercely independent landlady, Bess Sprockett, facing weeks of recovery. But the storm brings more than destruction. Harry, the ex-husband she has spent years trying to forget, has returned to the village determined to help.

As old feelings resurface, Bess must decide whether Harry has truly changed or whether trusting him again will only reopen old wounds. Surrounded by the warmth, humour and friendship of the Rustmere community, she begins to discover that confronting the past may be the only way to build a happier future.

All or Nothing is the third book in Jennie Rose Adams’ Rustmere Tales series—a warm, uplifting village story filled with unforgettable characters, gentle romance and the possibility of second chances.

Return to Rustmere and discover whether Bess can find the courage to choose love again.

Excerpt from the book

“Bess! Bess! BESS!! ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?!”

The cries finally started to penetrate the nightmare which had been holding me captive.

My eyes flew open and I looked wildly around me, searching for an escape - any escape.

Gradually, I took in the familiar surroundings and exhaled shakily, my heart smashing against my ribs.

I was lying in my comfortable bed, with my familiar things around me, the pretty curtains, the cosy padded easy chair I loved to use for reading, the vase of delicate snowdrops on my dresser…. I was safe and I was home. Everything was OK.

I forced myself to release the death grip upon my duvet and attempted to breathe normally. In through the nose…and out through the mouth slooowly…the way I had learned a long time ago. My heart rate gradually started to ease.

“Bess! Bess!” The shouts had become more urgent in tone and were now accompanied by banging upon my bedroom door.

What an idiot I was! I clapped my hand to my forehead and stumbled out of bed, still not entirely steady on my feet after the nightmare.

I opened the door to see my friend and employee, Jo, standing there, eyes wide with alarm, hand raised for another bout of pounding upon my door.

I ran a hand over my disordered dark curls, horribly aware that I must have looked like I had been dragged through a hedge backwards by a horde of rabid mutant apes. Jo, on the other hand, never looked anything other than perfect. Her long blonde hair looked as though she had just left the salon and her green eyes were sparkling and alert, despite the hideously early hour.

“Bess! I was so worried about you! I heard you calling out and I thought you’d fallen and hurt yourself,” Jo said, scanning my face, obviously worried.

I endeavoured to compose my features into a semblance of normality to put her mind at rest.

Remorse flooded me as I was reminded that I had woken her up - again. There had been several nightmares recently - and they had all been about the same thing. I pushed the thought down, determined to conquer this lingering weakness. I had overcome it before - and I would do it again. I had to.

I forced myself to smile reassuringly at Jo, and I saw her features relax in response.

“I’m so sorry, Jo; it was just one of those stupid dreams,” I explained, trying to keep my tone light, although I still felt residual shocks - an aftermath from the nightmare - travel through my body.

Which I absolutely would NOT allow myself to dwell on, I told myself sternly, hoping my face was not betraying my thoughts.