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!

Marlow is a smart, newly widowed woman whose husband, Dylan, was killed in a car crash. She leaves her high level position in his family's Chicago company and moved to a lakeside cottage in Bramble (pop 201), with hopes of starting over.
Her landlord, Cort Easton, a former Marine owns her rental cottage on the lake and they develop a cozy romance.
In spite of leaving the family business, her in-laws pursue her and attempt to get her to return to Chicago, but she resists - she is all in for a new life.
Midway through the book, the "other woman" - a 19 yr old -appears on her doorstep desperate, destitute, with an infant child, begging for help to get on her feet.
The book was a quick read, and very predictable. I did like the setting, and the personalities of the characters, and felt positive vibes from the townsfolk.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher and the opinions expressed are my own.

This book as a great quick read for summer! The plot was light and the setting of the small lake town was very relatable. I can’t wait to see where the second book in the series takes the characters!

The Guest Cottage by Lori Foster checked all the right boxes for me. I've been a fan of Foster's books for years now so I pre-ordered this, but unfortunately time got away from me, and it took me longer than I expected to start this book. After her marriage ends due to her husband having affairs, Marlow decides to relocate and for a fresh start. She finds herself in a small town and rents a guest cottage on a lake from Cort. Shortly afterwards, she's surprised by the arrival of a 19-year-old girl named Pixie with an infant, named Andy, who needs her help. As Marlow gets to know the town, she falls in love with Cort and they work on building a future together that includes Pixie and Andy.

While this wasn't my favorite of Foster's books, I enjoyed it and would recommend it to people who enjoy slightly later in life romances with a found family, small town vibe, and a HEA ending.

THE GUEST COTTAGE is the first instalment in Lori Foster’s contemporary, adult FIREFLY SUMMER romance series. This is former US Marine Cort Easton, and thirty-five year old, widow Marlow Heddings’ story line.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Cort and Marlow THE GUEST COTTAGE follows in the wake of the death of Marlow Heddings’ husband. Months earlier, Marlow discovered her husband’s affair, and filed for divorce but fate had different plans, leaving Marlow a widow with a new direction in life, and in the ensuing time found herself moving to Bramble Kentucky where she will meet her future in the guise of former US Marine Cort Easton. Settling into a new life, Marlow will once again face another heartbreak with the arrival of her late husband’s other woman, a woman with some secrets of her own.

The world building is emotional as Marlow must come to terms with the past, the present, and eventually her future. The small town of Bramble protects their own but Marlow will discover there is only so much room in Bramble for outsiders, of which she is one. A twist to Marlow’s life is about to turn everything on its’ proverbial head, when a young woman announces she has no where else to go. We learn a little bit about Cort’s past, his time in the Marine’s and the dysfunctional family dynamics that forced Cort’s move to Bramble Kentucky.

The relationship between Cort and Marlow begins as landlord and tenant as Marlow is renting a small cottage on the lake. Cort is immediately enamored with our story line heroine, a woman who is determined to make it on her own. There are no $ex scenes.

There is a large ensemble cast of interesting and quirky secondary and supporting characters most of whom live and work in Bramble Kentucky.

THE GUEST COTTAGE is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and heart break,family and relationships, acceptance and love. The premise is inspiring; the characters are animated and charismatic; the romance is tender and subtle.

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This book was really good, but it's a 4.25 stars for me mostly because I walked into this book thinking it'll be a horror book about a guest cottage, so that's my fault and the person reading this review should read the book while thinking it's a romance and not horror, haha. I really liked the ending (ugh, idk what to say without spoiling) and how it all came together. I really liked Pixie, Marlow and Cort and everyone in the little town and I hate the boy who shall not be named (Dylan)

This was a great story of loss, love, and reinventing yourself. Marlow needed a change and she found more than she ever thought she needed. Its A good light read.

Marlow's starting over fresh in Bramble, KY, after her cheating, no good, liar of a husband passes away. She's uprooted her entire life and can't wait to build a new one for herself. And man, am I jealous of her! Well, not 100% jealous, as I'm not quite sure I'd be as accommodating as she was, when it came to he ahole husband's parents and mistress. Although Pixie won me over.

The Guest Cottage is one of my current favorite Lori Foster reads, I really enjoyed Marlow' story. And by extension, Cort's and Pixie's as well- although I'm hoping we'll get more of Pixie!
I was invested in the romance between Marlow and Cort- they both deserved their happily ever after and I'm glad they found it in each other!

Ms. Foster is one of the best at writing small town romances, and The Guest Cottage is no exception. I love the town and all the quirky characters that reside there- its enough to make you want to move there- hopefully the town council would allow it! I can't wait to come back for another visit to Bramble!

All the feels with this story! Betrayal, heartbreak, grace, love- it’s all here.

Marlow is a character almost too good to be realistic, but she isn’t a perfect character, thank goodness. A lot of things do fall into place for her… a perfectly charming cottage in a perfectly quirky town, where she befriends the 401 locals before easing into a relationship with one of the 401. Then, her deceased ex-husband’s lover and their child appears at her door. You’ll have to read the story to see how all of the drama plays out.

Lori Foster always creates the best settings, and showcases how these wonderful settings impact all of those around it. She could deliver a masterclass just on setting development.

Marlow was in the process of divorcing her husband, for many reasons, but most of all because of his affair with another woman. When he died before the divorce was complete she had to close his affairs, and deal with his parents who were convinced that their son was perfect, and how could she possibly even consider divorcing him. After the funeral she decides to leave town and tell no-one where she was going. She loved the small community where she rented a house. And, though she had absolutely no interest in romance, the handsome man who owned the house she rented offered possibilities for new beginnings. A bit predictable, but a comfortable beach read. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc without pressure for a positive review..

Sweet romantic read from Lori Foster. Love her writing style. This one was definitely not as drama filled as a lot of her other works. Still a good read if you're looking for something low key and drama free.

Marlow has left her old world behind after her husband's passing, especially since they were in the middle of a divorce when it happened. After everything he put her through, she is ready to start over. She didn't realize how much she had changed herself to conform to his world. Unfortunately, her new start is interrupted by quite a few factors. Her in-laws won't leave her alone and keep harassing her to come home...mainly so they can save face with their peers. And then the woman that her husband cheated on her with shows up on Marlow's door with a baby unexpectedly looking for help. Turns out "the other woman" is only 19 years old and had no idea the man she was with was married. The only good thing going for Marlow is her landlord, Cort. As much as she doesn't want to deal with any man right now, Cort fascinates her...and that fascination goes both ways. So while Marlow is finding herself, standing up to her in-laws and helping a sick 19 year old, Cort is there to help her the entire time.

A really sweet story. Found the town very interesting!

4.25⭐

Heartwarming story of Marlow Heddington who came to the guest cottage in a tiny town to start over having just buried her cheating husband. Her reinvention of herself and creating a new family, a found family, will keep you engaged and warm your heart. I basically read it in one session. My only quibble is the characters were almost too perfect, but what can I say, I still loved it. Thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Guest Cottage introduces us to a new town, Bramble, when Marlow move to start over after the death of her almost ex husband.

The town and community are so nice!
I enjoyed getting to meet Marlow and her landlord turned friend turned more, Cort. These are both people who come with different baggage that makes them relate to each other even more.
Add in the unexpected twist of Pixie and it gave Marlow, Cort, and the town even more of a chance to shine. This is definitely a feel good story!!

I've always loved Lori Foster's book and this is one of her best ones yet. defintely 5 stars!!! Would recommend to friends and family!

Such a sweet uplifting story of new beginnings , Marlow moves to a new town to start over , there she finds her place , friends , new found family and love , unexpected visitors brings the drama , over all a great read ,

An uplifting and emotional read. Marlow is a strong woman who not only braves her manipulative in-laws but tries to find her own happiness after her cheating husband, Dylan, died. I admired her so much. Her handsome landlord in Bramble, Cort is also a good person, and I love their friendship and then relationship. How Marlow found her strength to help Pixie is commendable. Alongside the beautiful descriptions of the lake and cozy cottage has me fascinated. Lovely second chance romance with excellent characters. I enjoyed it very much. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book and Lori is one of my favorite authors. Highly recommend her to everyone.