Return to Rustmere (Rustmere Tales Book 1)

Coming Home Wasn’t Part of the Plan—Until Everything Changed

When Briony's once-promising career unravels, she's forced to return to Rustmere, the quiet village she thought she’d left behind for good. But home isn’t the sanctuary she remembers. The family home is crumbling, her sister is distant, and her father’s health is failing.

An unexpected encounter with Jake—her childhood friend—complicates everything. As Briony takes a job at the local library, she uncovers a fight worth staying for: saving the library from closure. With the help of loyal friends, a determined community, and an anonymous donor, Briony finds herself at the center of something bigger than she imagined.

As old memories resurface and sparks fly between Briony and Jake, she must decide if she’s ready to open her heart again—and whether home might be exactly where she’s meant to be after all.

Discover Return to Rustmere by Jennie Rose Adams—a heartfelt story of second chances, unexpected love, and finding your place right where you started.

Get your copy today and begin your journey back to Rustmere.

Excerpt from the book

I howled with frustration as Mavis ground to a halt right in the middle of the tiny country lane. The windows of my ancient Metro were steamed up, and the windscreen wipers, which had been valiantly working overtime to clear the water cascading down the windscreen, had stopped. This was not good, I thought grimly, clambering out, only to encounter a biblical-style deluge. Not good at all. Hadn’t I had enough bad luck for one lifetime? I was instantly soaked to the skin by the driving rain. Mavis had certainly excelled herself this time.

“Great, just great,” I muttered. Homecoming of the century, this wasn’t.

I gasped as a torrent of icy water somehow found its way under the collar of my coat.

Without really having any clear idea of what I was looking for, I managed to pop open the bonnet and peered dubiously into the steaming mass of pipes and tubes that comprised Mavis’s ageing innards. I had never been especially mechanically minded — a fact that was now all too annoyingly apparent. Why hadn’t I taken more of an interest when Dad had tried to show me? And, even more importantly, why had I cancelled my car rescue? I cursed my own stupidity and lack of foresight.

Too late now, I thought wryly, trying to determine the source of the steam. Peering through the pouring rain, I did manage to check the oil, which, as far as my limited knowledge went, seemed OK. What else were you supposed to check? Oh yes, water! I gazed into Mavis once again, in the vain hope of deciphering her mechanical secrets. Well, there was plenty of water on the outside of Mavis, I thought, frowning, as I tentatively prodded a steaming pipe.

“Ow!” I withdrew my scalded hand swiftly.

I decided that enough was enough. I just wasn’t cut out for this car maintenance stuff.

Slamming the bonnet shut and cursing, I scrambled clumsily back into Mavis. At least it was dry in here. I tried praying to whatever deity might be listening as I turned the ignition key. Nothing. I also tried beating my hand against the steering wheel and calling Mavis every name under the sun, but, surprisingly, that didn’t work either.

There was nothing for it. I would have to wait until the rain eased off, and then walk into the village. Except that half an hour later, the rain was still going strong. I did wonder briefly if I should follow Noah’s example and build an ark. It was already late in the afternoon, and it would soon be getting dark. What was I going to do if this weather continued? I could hardly spend the night on Mavis’s back seat. I had to get to Rustmere today. I fished my mobile out of my bag — no reception. Terrific.

Taking a deep breath, I got out of Mavis for the second time and was soaked to the skin — again. Gritting my teeth and giving Mavis a well-deserved kick, I got my bag and was just preparing to head off into the elements like some spectacularly unprepared Captain Scott when, ahead, I saw what looked like giant headlights.