Tess has been through a painful divorce and wants to get her life back on an even keel. She is tired of feeling sorry for herself but is not ready to start dating again, so she hires a camper and heads to Dorset to follow in the footsteps of her literary namesake. She doesn't seek wild adventure or excitement; just a little distraction from her humdrum life, but nevertheless, adventure finds her, all centred on the villagers of her first port of call.

On her first day in the charming seaside village, the handsome Toby rescues her from a tricky situation. She, in turn, rescues him from an even more dangerous event and they strike up a friendship. However, she is determined that it stays as a friendship and he wisely recognises that she mustn't be hurried.

When Toby is implicated in a murder, she places her trust in him. The outcome is rather surprising.