Ruth Watson returns to Hill Place, a Georgian villa in Swanmore, Hampshire, where a year ago she was plunged into the middle of a family feud. Will and Rebecca Dobson had to contend with expensive repairs as well as the scorn of Will's mother and aunts, who disapproved of plans to change the mansion into an upmarket wedding venue. Now the troubleshooter discovers whether her ideas have come to fruition.
Ruth revisits John and wife Flavia who took over the running of Heath House following his mother's death, but they were finding the property, along with over 480 acres of land, a financial and physical drain. Their eldest son called Ben was determined not see the property sold. Ruth finds out who things are going now.
Ruth revisits Charis Ward who has owned Abbey Dore Court since 1967. Charis' 26-year-old granddaughter Clare was determined to bring her formerly happy home back to life and turned to Ruth help and advise. Ruth's idea for a B&B was rejected in favour of turning the house into a self-catering holiday business. Ruth thought it was a bad idea but Charis was determined to press ahead. Ruth returns to find out how things are going now.
Ruth pays another visit to John and Ellie Henderson, who inherited Chesters in the Scottish Borders but were finding it hard to pay for the upkeep of the property. She learns whether the couple have managed to give up their jobs in London and taken on board her idea of using the stately home for corporate away-days.
Ruth travels to Gissing Hall in Norfolk and meets William and Ann Brennan who bought the place in 1986. They invested all of their savings into restoring the property and make it their dream family home. The huge costs of running the place though spiraled out of control and they were forced to open the doors to paying guests. The business is now struggling and William and Ann have turned to Ruth for help.