Cover Image: The Country Guesthouse

The Country Guesthouse

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

A fun, romantic story with a little suspense sprinkled in.
Hannah recently discovered her fiancée in bed with her assistant, and decided she needed a vacation. While getting things ready for her two weeks away, her best friend suddenly passed away and left her guardian to her five year old son, Noah. Noah and Hannah decide to go to the cabin she had rented and see if they could bond and form a relationship together. Upon arrival at the house, the owner, Owen and his Great Dane Romeo, meet the pair and instant connections are formed. When two weeks biomes a month, sparks continue to fly. Noah's maternal grandmother shows up out of the blue demanding custody of him, all are suspicious of her motives. IT takes a village to raise a child, and protect him form devious people, and that is what happens in the small mountain town. After custody issues are settled, will Hannah and Noah stay and live happily ever after with Owen, or go back to her home ?
Romantic book with great characters, lots of humor, and an entertaining plot.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This is the fifth book in this series but is considered a stand alone book. It is set in Sullivan’s Crossing as are other books in this series. I love getting to see returning characters. As usual, this is another great read by this author with wonderful characters and a feel good happy ending

Was this review helpful?

The Country Guesthouse is the fifth instalment in Sullivan's Crossing series, but it can read as a standalone. This is a small-town, women's fiction and romance series.

Hannah Russell’s life is not perfect at the moment because of frustrating colleagues and a cheating ex-fiance, but all her problems dissipate when life throws a curveball at her. Her best friend suddenly dies, leaving her the custody of her five-year-old son, Noah. Hannah needs to figure her life and Noah's life out. She ends up taking a vacation with Noah, bringing him to a cabin in Sullivan's Crossing.

Owen Abrams is the owner of the cabin and a photographer, who is staying in the renovated barn while renting the cabin, because of the cancellation of his plans. Our heroine, Hannah and Noah soon meet him, Noah and Owen immediately click and Owen's dog, Romeo too. Owen himself has grief from his past, he too comes out of his shell because of Hannah and Noah. The foursome quickly became close, though they had a few hurdles to overcome, they can be happy because they are together.

Noah was really cute and very admirable! I loved him. The people in the town were quite lovely as well! While reading this book, I kept thinking of the word 'healing'. It was definitely the theme of this book. I teared up while reading some parts and feeling real relief towards the end because these people so deserved something good to happen in their lives. Though somethings that happen in this book would normally feel like they're happening too fast, the writing was so good and the story so captivating, you are right there with the characters and its comes all naturally.

I recently started reading women's fiction books and Robyn Carr is becoming my fast favourite authors of this genre, so I highly recommend this book!

*Thank you for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.*

Was this review helpful?

I love happy endings and this book has one, which given the author, is no surprise. No, the book wasn't realistic. Hannah has next to no trouble with Noah, and, of course, she and Owen grow closer throughout the summer. Still, I liked the way Hannah was able to take a look at what she liked about her life, and what she didn't and how she decided to change the things she did not like.

There is a "bad guy" subplot that honestly just never made sense and the resolution of it was about as unrealistic as the rest of the subplot. Carr writes better romance than suspense.

I'd like to thank the publisher for providing a review copy via NetGalley. Grade: B.

Was this review helpful?

Give me a women's fiction book with an unlikely trio and a Great Dane and I'm in. This book was exactly what I needed - a visit with an old friend with new issues that we got to work out together!

Was this review helpful?

Sullivan's Crossing Series Book 5

Travel to where the Continental Divide Trail meets the Colorado Trail at Sullivan's Crossing

Tragedy strikes hitting a 5 year old with cerebral palsy in Hannah's care
So a vacation retreat to Sully's Crossing is a perfect antidote/plan.

Sully's Crossing- locals turn into family here!

Say a nightly prayer
hoping mom is on the party line

Read in 1 day! I could not stop reading.

Love this series
I want to live in Sully's Crossing
I have many friends there!!

Was this review helpful?

With Robyn Carr’s usual adeptness, readers return to the Crossing with Hannah. She has just broken up with her fiancé and her life has changed in many ways so she needs a break. She finds it in a big country house that she has rented for two weeks. ARC from NetGalley.

Was this review helpful?

While this book links to others in the Robyn Carr story universe, this one stands alone. It moves fast, and has enough mystery that you are left guessing,.....unless you read a LOT. Not saying it's formulaic at all, but it was easy to figure out the intentions of the antagonist, as well as who the antagonist really would be.
All in all, a sweet book about how lives intertwine and love happens in a moment, no matter the type.

Was this review helpful?

Another Robyn Carr win, like how do these keep getting better!! I call her writing smooth like butter as this new book is just so good! I love that we are back in Sullivan's Crossing with some of the normal characters! You will just fall in in love with Noah- he is just an amazing little boy and then also Hannah and Owen! This story might bring tears as I was so happy they got the Happy Ending! Some twists and turns that you think you know what is going to happen but never do. This is another great book that can be read standalone but just read the other books beforehand in the series and you will love the place and other side characters even more!
Can't wait to see what Carr does next!


Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

Was this review helpful?

I just loved this installment of Robyn Carr's Sullivan Crossing series. She seems to get better and better with each book. The Country Guesthouse focuses on Hannah who has become guardian to Noah, a totally charming little boy. His Mom, Erin,who was Hannah's best friend died suddenly. In trying to honor Erin's wishes for Noah, Hannah ends up in Sullivan's Crossing while she decides what's best for him. Here she meets Owen, a wonderful guy with a very sad past. Their friendship blossoms in a very sweet way during the course of the story. We also see lots of the characters from previous installments of the series. Such a wonderful town full of wonderful people. It's a shame the real world can't be like Sullivan's Crossing. I'm looking forward to another visit...hopefully there'll be a #6!
Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

ROBYN CARR CAN WRITE HEARTWARMING STORIES THAT TOUCH THE HEART!


When Hannah’s friend unexpectedly dies and leaves her as guardian to a young boy with disabilities, it brings about a cosmic change in her life.

Knowing they both need time away to recover from the loss and to become comfortable with each other, Hannah books a vacation in a remote cabin on a lake, but when they arrive it’s to find the owner ensconced in the barn.

Noah enjoys the solitude of his beautiful home when he’s not travelling as a professional photographer. He doesn’t mind renting the cabin out when he’s gone, though it can be inconvenient when his plans change. Like now.

He can’t help but like the engaging child who shows up on his doorstep, and his guardian… she’s pretty special, too.

Sullivan’s Crossing is portrayed as the perfect place to unwind from life’s hassles; the characters are engaging, the setting idyllic, there’s romance and a goofy Great Dane- what’s not to love?

I give The Country Guesthouse 4 lovely kisses- written like a warm breeze on a summer’s day; enjoyable!

“I voluntarily read an ARC of this book which was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.”

Was this review helpful?

Robyn Carr is a prolific writer of women's fiction.  Her Virgin River novels are now a series on Netflix. The Country Guesthouse is one of the author's Sullivan's Crossing books.  These stories take part in Colorado and are interconnected although they do not have to be read in order. 

This title is primarily about Owen, Hannah and Noah.  They face challenges although readers of this author know that usually things end well.  Owen is a world traveler and a photographer who had a significant tragedy in his life.  Hannah was a close friend to Noah's mother, who died and named Hannah to be his guardian.  Noah, who is five years old, has mild CP and is grieving the loss of his mom.  Over the course of this story, the three come together, heal and find love while also connecting with the characters from previous books. 

I recommend Robyn Carr's novels to those who enjoy women's fiction.  This one is an easy read that takes the reader to a beautiful place and the kind of caring community we dream about.


Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This book is part of a series but could easily be read as a stand alone. Hannah had her life all planned out, but it doesn’t go exactly as she plans. She returns home early from a corporate retreat and finds her fiancé in bed with her assistant. One of her best friends from college dies unexpectedly and has left Hannah as the guardian of her 5 year old child Noah, who has cerebral palsy. Hannah rents a country house to give Noah a chance to get to know her better. Owen, the owner of the house lives in the garage on the property with his dog. Noah loves the dog, and Owen soon becomes involved in their lives.

This is a heartwarming story with a great cast of characters. I loved seeing the relationship between Noah and Owen progress. Noah is a great character, lovable and vulnerable. Along the way there are some challenges that Noah and Hannah must face. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Was this review helpful?

I have been a fan of Robyn Carr's books for a very long time. I have to say that my opinions alone should not stop you from reading this book because if you are a fan of her books already, you are more likely going to read this book. Robyn is well known for her Virgin River book series. Now she has turned the series into 10 episodes on Netflix coming in December. This book is a stand alone book and it was heart warming, exciting, and inspiring. The main character Hannah had to deal with the loss of her best friend, raising her friend's son Noah, and learning to adapt to his Cerebral Palsy. Noah learned to cope with the loss of his mother and having a new family. This book will keep you on your toes and make you feel inspired. Pick up this book and see what I am talking about.

Was this review helpful?

The Country Guesthouse A Sullivan's Crossing Novel by Robyn Carr. I want to move to Sullivan's Crossing....anyone have a map as how to get there? Loved the new residents, Hannah and Noah. Owen and Romeo have become new favorites also. Interesting backgrounds, well defined characters, descriptive landscapes come together in very good edition to the Sullivan's Crossing series.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

Was this review helpful?

First let me say, I am huge Robyn Carr fan and I have read every book in this series and have enjoyed each one. That is why I was surprised when this book didn't work for me at all. Let me explain.

First, the way this book started out seemed abrupt and cheesy at the same time. Hannah attending a corporate retreat at the lake and returning with her newly adopted son just seemed obvious. Then the quick change from Hannah in corporate life to family life at the lake just seemed real quick.

The realist in me also had problems with her lack of job and ease to take leave. She talked about it often, but it still felt realistic and I kept wanting her to take an active role in Owen's business, I wanted this so much! There were other moments like these where I wanted the character or the story to go a way and it didn't - I know I am not the author, but it felt so obvious it was frustrating. I don't usually feel this way with Robyn Carr so I was sad to feel this way.

I have loved the lake as a setting and the main characters who have stayed as a constant in each book, so I will read the next one, but wasn't satisfied with this one.

Was this review helpful?

I've enjoyed this series. Every time I finish reading the latest book it's with the hope that there will be another. That's my sign of a good read/series. I loved this story of three people creating a new family. They face plenty of challenges but learn to trust their instincts and persevere. I liked how Robyn Carr let characters from previous books (Cal, Helen and Sully) play important roles in the plot. A great addition to the series. Recommended to fans of the author and the Sullivan's Crossing series.

Was this review helpful?

A truly beautiful story about a young woman who "inherits" her best friends son. She takes him on vacation right away to Sullivan's Crossing where we get to see all our old friends and also a new one. Owen is a photographer who
Had a devastating loss in his life.
Warm and well written. I enjoyed it.
Noah's handicap gives us a look at strength in children. There is so much more to this book. I recommend it.

Was this review helpful?

Fans of Carr's work will not be disappointed with Hannah, Noah and Owen's story. Carr specializes in building small communities of exceptional and famous people who all pull together to support each other. The Country Guesthouse is no different. Although it follows the same formula, it works. The characters have depth, selflessness and a good sense of humor while not giving up what made them personally successful. This is a strong, solid read.

Was this review helpful?

4.5 stars Hannah Russell's life changes when her best friend died and left her as guardian to her 5-year-old son.
She rents a house in Sullivan’s Crossing-a place where people are always ready to help and to try and figure out how she is going to raise a child. She meets a man who is dealing with his own issues and 
despite wanting to stay out of each other lives, they help heal each other with the help of everyone in town.
As usual, a feel-good story from Robyn Carr.

Was this review helpful?