I went into this book blind not thinking I would like it...BOY was I WRONG! I was mad at the ex-husband, FURIOUS, at his parents! And in disbelief at the other woman, but the more I read, the more I understood why she FMC was so kind and understanding. I recommend this book and look forward to the 2nd book of this new series. Thank you, netgalley, for allowing me to read the ARC of this book.

This book also kept you reading. After her husband passed away and she found herself wanting to move but first her in-laws needed her. Then one day she got in her car and left. She found a little town and was able to rent a little cottage. She didn’t want another man in her life but her neighbor/landlord changed that. She wanted to be excepted into this little town and they wouldn’t do that at first. It’s another love story.

When Marlow Heddings flees her old life for a lakeside cottage in Kentucky, she doesn’t expect to be sharing morning coffee with a charming Marine—or forming an unlikely bond with the last person she ever thought she’d welcome. What begins as escape quickly turns into friendship, healing, and the possibility of love in the most unexpected place.

I’ve always been a sucker for a good second chance story, and The Guest Cottage delivered in the best way. From the moment Marlow arrived in her small Kentucky town, I was rooting for her. She’s strong, resilient, and brave enough to take a risk by starting over after the heartbreak of her husband’s betrayal and death. Watching her trade her old life for a fresh start was both inspiring and heartwarming.

The chemistry between Marlow and Cort was such a highlight—equal parts playful banter and steady support. Cort’s patience and quiet strength balanced Marlow’s determination, and their lakeside moments together had such a cozy, romantic charm.

What surprised me most was Marlow’s unexpected friendship with Pixie. I honestly don’t know if I could welcome and care for someone who had been involved with my husband, but that storyline really showcased Marlow’s grace and depth of character. It added an emotional richness I didn’t see coming.

The small-town setting was just as much a character in the story as Marlow or Cort—the friendly bar scenes, the close-knit community, and of course, the peaceful lake made Bramble a place I didn’t want to leave. Lori Foster’s writing pulled me in, and now I’m excited to see where this series goes next.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for a gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was cute, in a very ordinary way. I loved the water setting, I liked the characters and the story. Redemption, forgiveness and growth were good themes. The hero was great. I loved the small community, and the friendships.

I didn't love how they weren't always welcome to strangers, and the rules of the town. I thought Marlow was great overall, but a little judgy and when Pixie comes a little controlling. I loved watching Pixie come into her own voice.

Overall a good summery read.

I would consider this an easy beach read. The setting was wonderfully described and I enjoyed the premise of peace and quiet and the need to get away from it all. I found it a bit unbelievable that the "other woman" would be so warmly embraced. Perhaps I am a bit cynical, but since that is the basis of this book, I didn't enjoy it that much.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the read.

The Guest Cottage
Author Lori Foster
Available now1

Thank you, @uplitreads @lorifoster and @kensingtonbooks, for my #gifted copy of this perfectly wholesome summer read!

Atmospheric and uplifting, Lori will have readers rooting for courageous Marlow as she navigates life down a new and unknown path after her unfaithful husband dies in a car accident. Small- town community and found family stories are always a favorite!

I enjoyed The Guest Cottage, even though it is in a genre that I don't usually seek out. I'm more of a mystery girl. Marlow Heddings is blindsided by her husband Dylan's affair with a younger woman, but before she can really come to terms with the fact they are divorcing, he dies in a car accident. The Heddings are a wealthy and influential family and Marlow has worked for them for the past ten years. She decides she needs distance and a fresh start, and when she sees a cute little cottage on a lake for rent a couple of state's away, she takes the risk.

What I found appealing about this charming feel-good book was a combination of factors. I liked that Marlow is a bit more of a mature protagonist, a mature mid-thirties. I enjoyed the quirky charm of Bramble, Kentucky and the characters who populate the small town. I liked the slow-moving romance without the salacious details. And the plot twist that comes about two thirds of the way into the book is a bit surprising and delivers a nice "feel-good factor".

If like me you aren't a traditional romance reader but like compelling family dramas with a positive spin, you may enjoy this sweet story, as I did.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lori Foster, and Kensington Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A great start to a new series! This was a sweet and emotional story all rolled up into one great book. Marlow has been through it…cheating husband, controlling in-laws. She is ready for a fresh start and a new outlook on life. So she rents a cottage in the small quaint town of Bramble. Cort is immediately smitten with his newest renter. She is quick, independent and he really wants to get to know her better. As Marlow gets acquainted with her new town and Cort she is also dealing with the in-laws that just won’t go away. Just when she thinks her life can’t get any more complicated…here comes Pixie. Pixie turns out to be a pleasant surprise and just what Marlow needed. This was a well layered story about friendship, trusting yourself to do the right thing and everything in between. This story was sweet and loving with an emotional undertone that will keep you wanting more. The characters all had incredible depth and back stories that only made the book that much more interesting. I really enjoyed the start to this series and can’t wait to get to know the other characters better. Bramble is a town where the people know all of your business. But will give you the shirt off of your back. I am already looking forward to seeing what Lori brings us next.

Marlow Heddings is trying to start all over again in her life. She’s carrying the shock of discovering her husband Dylan’s affair with a much younger woman and carrying the expectations of the families dominant Chicago holdings business long enough. Now she’s unapologetically moving on after another crushing twist of fate.

Marlow ends up in a small town of Bramble, Kentucky. She takes delight in exchanging her executive suits for pretty sundresses and trying to find a place for her dream boutique. She found her an adorable place to live on a beautiful lake with breathtaking views along with her landlord, former marine Cort Easton, being breathtaking too! Soon they are finding themselves together gaping at the fireflies and sharing coffee dockside on the lake. It’s a dream life for come true Marlow couldn’t have imagined.

Then appears on Marlow’s doorstep is Pixie Nolan with a surprising secret.

Dylan’s “other woman” has bewildered Marlow after seeing a desperate, destitute and exhausted young girl of the age of nineteen. This girl was disowned by her family. Marlow surprised herself and overruled her influencing in-laws’ demands by moving to Bramble and helping Pixie get on her feet. Once that happens they’ll part ways. But compassion forges bonds. Soon Marlow becomes like a big sister to Pixie more and more as the time they spend together increases. Pixie is such a hard-working, considerate young woman.

Now Marlow awakens each morning to the true life that she feels was really meant to be. One with deepening connections and strong friendship bonds and maybe even a second chance at love.

Lori foster captured my interest in this fabulous book right away. I couldn’t put it down! In fact, finished in the wee hours of the morning. Loved all the relatable characters and all the friendship bonds that were formed. She made you feel like you were sitting right at the same table with them at the town bar! She really brought out the true meaning of a small town. It showed what neighbor helping neighbor really means! You could really relate to this book. Brought out was the picturesque beauty of this area and she made you want to fall in love with the area and people. You won’t want to miss this new book of hers! A must read!

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers in letting me read this book and allowing me to leave an honest review.

I have conflicting feelings about this book. One one hand, it was just okay. The town was cute, the main characters were cute, and their story was cute. It was definitely missing something for me. Some comedy or tension would’ve pushed it up a notch for me.

But on the other hand, there was a turning point where the characters just weren’t as endearing. I don’t think FMC’s wealth needed to be brought up as much, and we get it, MMC is a man of few words. I also just didn’t feel any chemistry between the characters through their dialogue and interactions. I feel like we were just told it was there.

Overall, the book is fine. Just needed a little something.

I loved this book!! I could not put it down! Another great story from Lori Foster! I cannot wait to read her next book!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Guest Cottage (Firefly Summer #1) by Lori Foster

This cozy small-town romance swept me up with its themes of healing and second chances. Marlow, fresh from betrayal and tragedy, leaves behind her old life and finds hope, friendship and even love again in lakeside Bramble, Kentucky. Her bond with landlord-turned-love-interest Cort is tender and genuine, and the setting of sunrises, fireflies, and community connection feels absolutely welcoming.

Watching Marlow grow into herself, especially through her unexpected friendship with Pixie (her late husband’s young ex), is the emotional heart of the story. It’s all about kindness, forgiveness, and finding family in the most surprising places.

Overall, The Guest Cottage is a feel-good, heartfelt start to a new series… I’m looking forward to seeing where Bramble goes next.

The Guest Cottage was a very tender story, and Marlow really needed every tenderness there is, to get over everything she had to go through before her ex-husband passed away.
The whole mood was small-town-y, and it was a sweet story with more weight on the friendships and relationships between the villagers than the romance.

Marlow was divorcing her husband when he died suddenly. After the funeral she moves to a small town where she finds herself with a few twists along the way. ARC from NetGalley.

The Guest Cottage is the start of an uplifting series debut from Lori Foster dealing with forgiveness, romance, and an unlikely friendship that blossoms in the haven of a quiet Kentucky lakeside town. It captures beautifully the small-town charm and sense of community while finding yourself and choosing your family.

Marlow is a smart, capable and independent woman reeling from her late husband's infidelity but determined to choose a new life and a new path forward, in spite of her meddlesome and overbearing former in-laws. She loves the lakeside cottage she's renting and her landlord, former Marine hero Cort Easton, is nothing but kind and generous and incredibly handsome. Then Pixie Nolan arrives on Marlow's doorstep and the story ramps up.

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Marlow as a fierce, strong woman who overcomes hardship and lend her strength and support to Pixie who has so little. Cort is the tough guy cinnamon roll hero, and the townspeople are charming and fun to spend time with. The romance was sweet and closed door and Cort was as kind and welcoming as Marlow.

If you're looking for a warm and breezy, second-chance romance full of lakeside sunrises and firefly evenings, this is the perfect summer read for you.

The Guest Cottage was the perfect summer read! Bramble, Kentucky sounds like a town I’d like to live in. A simple life with amazing people. Does it all sound a bit unreal? Some will say yes. But for me? It sounded wonderful!
Small town
Family angst
Sweet romance
Second chances
Summer vibes
Beautiful friendships
Firefly’s
What a beautiful story of friendships, forgiveness and love.
I loved everything about this uplifting, feel good book. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series!

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Book one in the brand-new Firefly Summer series, The Guest Cottage is a heartfelt, feel-good story that feels like a warm hug on a breezy porch. This is women’s divorce fiction at its best—set in a cozy small town, filled with themes of resilience, found family, forgiveness, and hope. It celebrates the strength of women, the power of starting over, and the beauty of friendships that carry you through even the hardest seasons.

I especially appreciated the kindness woven throughout the story—reminding us that compassion is always in style. There’s something really comforting about books that center on everyday people trying their best and finding connection along the way.

If you’re looking for a clean, uplifting, small-town read with heart, The Guest Cottage is a lovely choice—perfect for vacation, a weekend escape, or just curling up with something cozy. I really enjoyed this one and the message it shared.

🛏️✨ Kindness is never out of fashion.

Thank you to Uplit Reads and Kensington for copies of a book that's perfect for summer. I started reading The Guest Cottage while on a reading retreat last weekend, and was quickly swept into the family drama facing main character Marlow. While divorcing her unfaithful husband, he dies in a car accident, devastating his parents and complicating her exit from their lives. She travels hundreds of miles away to begin her life again, and events don't unfold in the way she expects.

Ms. Foster develops a compelling sense of place in The Guest Cottage. The (closed door) romance is swoony, but the story requires serious suspension of disbelief for several plot points. I recommend going into this without reading the summary.

If fireflies, lakeside sunrises, an almost-too-good-to-be-true ex-Marine hero, and a small-town tavern appeal to you, prepare to become an honorary resident of Bramble, Kentucky through the pages of this book.

Terrific book about starting over, forgiveness, friendship, and love. After Marlow discovered her husband's infidelity, she began divorce proceedings. Unfortunately, Dylan passed away before the divorce was finalized. Now she is stuck with grief-stricken and clingy in-laws and their unrealistic expectations. Ready to move on, she rents a lakeside cabin in a small Kentucky town and sets out to rediscover who she is.

I loved how Marlow embraced her new life. Her joy in peaceful sunrises and sunsets illustrates how she heals from the emotional turmoil of her marriage. I laughed out loud at her enthusiasm for her new job as a waitress at the Dry Frog bar. The quirky characters added another layer of depth to the story's realism. And then there was Cort: former Marine, local handyman, and her landlord. Cort is a quiet man with a big heart. I loved his interactions with the locals, who see him as a hero and an essential member of the community.

I enjoyed watching Cort and Marlow's relationship develop. Sparks of attraction are there from the beginning, but they don't rush into anything. Cort joins Marlow for sunrise coffee and shares the peace of evenings watching fireflies. I loved his sensitivity to her moods and how he offers quiet support when she has issues with her in-laws. I loved the steady progress of their relationship and the cautious acceptance of their growing feelings.

Matters become complicated when Dylan's "other woman" shows up at Marlow's house. Instead of the manipulative homewrecker Marlow expected, Pixie is a desperate young woman who was used and discarded by Dylan. My heart broke for what she'd been through. Marlow's reaction wasn't what I expected, and I loved seeing her take Pixie under her wing. I liked Pixie and loved the growing closeness between the two women. A confrontation with the in-laws brings tension, but also closure.

As Cort and Marlow continue their relationship, the town's unique residency requirements may put a kink in their hopes for the future. The town meeting was terrific, and I loved how they resolved the issue. I look forward to the next book and seeing what is next for the residents of Bramble.

This was SO GOOD! The perfect summer read with lovable characters, emotional growth, and a sweet second-chance romance. Marlow is everything I aspire to be, strong, kind, and full of grace. And Cort? He sounds incredible! 😍🔥
If you are headed for a summer getaway this would be great to bring along!