To be honest after much skimming through the story, I ended up DNFing it at the 40% mark.

I found Imogen's coworkers to be so obnoxious. Maybe it's because I'm an introvert and am easily annoyed with those who keep pestering to know more. Geez, leave Imogen alone.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Canary Street Press for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Holiday Cottage is a touching tale of friendship, self-discovery, and the unexpected connections that unite us. Morgan's skillful storytelling guarantees that this novel will linger in your thoughts, much like the comforting embrace of a roaring fireplace on a cold winter evening.

I loved Imogen and her family. This was such an honest view of what family relationships can be like. This story really resignation with me. My heart went out to Imogen and her grandmother and aunt. In trying to fit in without revealing her true circumstances she put herself in some funny situations by making up an imaginary life. The animals and children just added extra pizzazz. It’s a lovely Christmas story that will have a lot of people relating to it. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

I requested to read and review this book for free from Harlequin Enterprise/Canary Street Press. This book has drama, mystery, romance. It's a great read anytime of the year. It has a great meaning on how family can come in many different forms. Imogen foe her entire life that she remembers has always been had to take care of things be the adult no matter the age. It has carried her turning into a an adult who loves to stay busy. But while staying busy has its advantages until things go down hill. Can she pick up the pieces of her life or will she have to start all over again. The Rutherford family has faced some tough loses in a short time and with time things get better right? Can Imogen, Dorothy, Sara find their way to the future and to what is in front of them. Or will their past hurt to much for them to move forward like they should. This story is for a mature audience.

This was a cute story, and I enjoyed the characters. Overall it wasn’t my favorite Sarah Morgan though. I wanted there to be a bit more growth on Imogen’s end, and the romance was introduced a bit too late into the novel.
It’s still a good Christmas read!

I was such a huge fan of The Book Club Hotel that now anything Sarah Morgan writes (especially with the wonderful cover art!) I want to buy and read as part of my cozy atmospheric reading. The Holiday Cottage is absolutely going on my to-buy list for Christmas books (also doubling as decorations) and after reading this eARC I am SO ready for the holidays despite it being the middle of July! lol

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

sarah does such a good job setting and describing the scene as if you are really there in the book. i definitely want to re read this come december at christmas time to get a better experience. it was a good one though!

I absolutely loved this book. Imogen is so strong and resilient yet afraid to trust others. Her mother is a piece of work and understand Imogen’s wish for family. Miles appears later in the story as a love interest which is perfect timing. The plot twist about her extended family was a wonderful surprise that I did not see coming. I would highly recommend this book.

Another fun Christmas read from Ms. Morgan. I always enjoy her books and this was no exception.

Imogen works as an event planner in London. She has pictures of a pretend family and a dog on her desk so she'll fit in with the others in her office. She also has a pretend boyfriend. She is so busy with work she has no time for anything else. As the holidays approach Imogen's boss is worried about Imogen experiencing burnout and makes her take a month off. Imogen is invited to spend some time in a client's cottage and decides to accept. Lots of things are revealed when Imogen spends time with Dorothy (the client) and her daughter Sara that will change Imogen's life. Add in Miles and his dog Ralph and Imogen's life is turned upside down for the better. Read this one to find out what is revealed and how everything works out.

This is my third Sarah Morgan, and she's grown to be a must-read author for me. What I love is that her stories center a location to start and then build with the stories of the people who find their way to that place. And yes, it's currently the heat of summer as I read this book, but I loved adding a seasonal read my July! This will be a great read to cozy up with when it's actually winter. The unique thing about this is one is that the story has a big twist at the halfway point that I did not see coming, and it's a big gamechanger. This was full of all the feels, and I loved the layers of relationships. Thanks to NetGalley for the early look at this September 2024 release!

Unfortunately I was unable the book because it was a pdf. My e-reader doesn't handle pdf files very well.

For your readers who absolutely love Christmas, this is the absolute perfect comfort read. Imogen, a successful young London event planning executive, has overcome a terrible childhood with a mother who just was not capable of caring for her. As the holidays approach, her hard work (and the stories she embroiders about her family, just to try to fit in and seem normal) are catching up with her. Her boss makes her take a month off, and a kindly client, Dorothy, offers her the use of a charming country cottage, Holly House, for the month. It's an understatement to say just how much Imogen finds out about herself during this month. This book is romantic, heartfelt, and super Christmasy!

Thank you to the Canary Street Press, HTPBooks, and NetGalley for this ARC. This is the perfect Christmas book to put me in the Christmas spirit in July. Sarah Morgan did an excellent job developing the characters and scenes in the book.

This book really captured that Christmas cottage magic. I loved how it incorporated romance, but had depth and focused on self discovery and family relationships as well.

I was really excited to read this book but it took forever to get going and reallt grab my interest. Overall it was a good story but I almost gave up in it a few times, which definitely impacted my rating. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion

The Holiday Cottage
by Sarah Morgan
Sept. 24, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
USA TODAY bestselling author Sarah Morgan returns with a heartfelt story of friendship, finding yourself, and the surprising ties that bring us together.
To the outside world, Imogen is the epitome of success, but beneath her professional image lies a woman struggling to maintain the illusion of happiness. Her childhood stories of joy and Christmas cheer are as fake as her enthusiasm for the holiday season. Working tirelessly has always been her coping mechanism, until burnout forces her to reevaluate her life.

Enter Dorothy, Imogen's favourite client and the owner of Holly Cottage. Dorothy extends an invitation for Imogen to stay at the picturesque thatched-roof cottage, offering her a chance to heal and rediscover herself. As Imogen grapples with her past and present, she finds solace in the cozy open fireplace and the Cotswold countryside. The cottage becomes a sanctuary, and is a place where Imogen can unravel her tightly wound emotions and confront her fears. Not my favorite SM read but a good holiday book.

In “The Holiday Cottage” by USA TODAY bestselling author Sarah Morgan, weaves a heartwarming story of friendship, finding oneself, and the surprising ties that bring people together. If you're looking for a heartwarming tale that celebrates love, friendship, and second chances, this book is a must-read. Morgan's storytelling prowess ensures that this novel will stay with you, much like the cozy warmth of a crackling fireplace on a chilly winter night.

Meet Imogen, a marketing dynamo with a carefully crafted facade of perfection. She faces a crossroads when a work-related mistake forces her to take a much-needed break. Little does she know that this enforced time off will lead her to an unexpected haven: the charming Holly Cottage in the Cotswolds.

To the outside world, Imogen is the epitome of success, but beneath her professional image lies a woman struggling to maintain the illusion of happiness. Her childhood stories of joy and Christmas cheer are as fake as her enthusiasm for the holiday season. Working tirelessly has always been her coping mechanism, until burnout forces her to reevaluate her life.

Enter Dorothy, Imogen's favourite client and the owner of Holly Cottage. Dorothy extends an invitation for Imogen to stay at the picturesque thatched-roof cottage, offering her a chance to heal and rediscover herself. As Imogen grapples with her past and present, she finds solace in the cozy open fireplace and the Cotswold countryside. The cottage becomes a sanctuary, and is a place where Imogen can unravel her tightly wound emotions and confront her fears.

But Dorothy's motives run deeper. She seeks redemption for her own past, and helping Imogen provides that opportunity. As mother and daughter, they navigate the complexities of their relationship, each taking a leap of courage to heal and grow. Together, they forge an unexpected bond, and it’s one that transcends the holiday season and touches the deepest corners of their hearts.

Morgan's prose is both tender and evocative, capturing the magic of Christmas and the transformative power of human connection. The Cotswolds setting comes alive through vivid descriptions, making readers yearn for their own escape to Holly Cottage. The characters are relatable, flawed, and endearing, and their emotional journeys resonate long after the last page.

“The Holiday Cottage” is a modern Christmas classic that reminds us of the importance of slowing down, embracing vulnerability, and cherishing the bonds that enrich our lives. Morgan's trademark warmth and humour shine through, making this novel a delightful read for the holiday season and beyond. Don’t miss out on this heartwarming tale of friendship and self-discovery.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Canary Street Press for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is my second Sarah Morgan book and I really enjoyed it. It felt slow in the beginning and I figured out some plot points quickly. I did enjoy the Christmas village feeling and I would love to reread this book in December! I have 3 Goldens, so that was a highlight. It felt like there was a lot of miscommunication and then everything moved very fast! This would make a great Hallmark movie! The love interests in those movies get together in only a matter of days too. The decor, the activities, the hot chocolate and cake, snow, trees, and complicated family dynamics...it all adds up to a great Christmas book.

Sarah Morgan writes some very engaging books. I really enjoyed this book. Fans of Sarah Morgan will enjoy it immensely. Pick this one up.

The Holiday Cottage is the story of Imogen, Dorothy & Sara, three women who have regrets in their lives. Imogen has made up a personal life to fit in with her colleagues at work. She spins stories of a loving pet, a wonderful, large family, and Christmas traditions to envy. Her true story is a very stark contrast, she is the only child of a single mother, who basically tells her that her birth was a mistake. When her mother delivers this cruel speech to Imogen, she spirals and misses a work function which is going off the rails. When she goes in to her office, expecting to be made redundant, her boss tells Imogen she is burnt out and needs to take a month off to recharge. With the holidays approaching, and no family at all, Imogen has no idea how to spend a month off. Enter Dorothy, her favorite client, they meet for lunch and Dorothy invites Imogen to spend the month at her rental cottage at the family winery that Dorothy owns. The cottage is lovely, and Imogen is enchanted with the cottage, Dorothy's daughter, Sara, and her kids, and the local veterinarian, Miles, who cares for all the stray animals that Dorothy can't help but take in, since she has the room on her property. Will all three women get the opportunity to resolve all their regrets from the past? Sarah Morgan is one of my favorite authors, she makes the settings always super appealing and has plenty of witty dialogue to keep me amused. My only complaint about The Holiday Cottage was that it ended rather abruptly. I kept expecting Imogen's mother to reappear. She was calling Imogen, but Imogen ignored all her calls, assuming she was calling to ask for money, I guess the resolution was that Imogen just ignored her mother. Thank you #NetGalley and #Harlequin for the advance reader ebook copy to review.