I loved this feel good book! It’s filled with amazing characters that are full of unexpected forgiveness & love 💗 Thank you Lori Foster for this great 5 ⭐️ book. Do yourself a favor & grab a copy,it releases on 5-27 you won’t be sorry 😊

Lori Foster’s The Guest Cottage is a heartwarming and deeply emotional novel about resilience, unexpected friendships, and second chances. Set in the exclusive town of Bramble, Kentucky—where newcomers must be approved by the tight-knit community—the story follows Marlow Heddings as she embarks on a fresh start after betrayal and loss.

Marlow’s life took a devastating turn when she discovered her husband’s affair, only for him to die before their divorce was finalized. Tired of living under the expectations of her powerful in-laws, she leaves Chicago behind and seeks refuge in Bramble, renting a charming lakefront cottage. With a new dream of opening a boutique, she embraces the peaceful simplicity of small-town life. Her landlord, former Marine Cort Easton, is quiet, understanding, and dealing with his own past. Their easy connection soon grows into something more, offering Marlow a future she never expected.

Just as she begins to find her footing, an unexpected visitor arrives—Pixie Nolan, the nineteen-year-old woman who had an affair with Marlow’s late husband. Homeless, exhausted, and caring for a newborn, Pixie is desperate. Rather than rejecting her, Marlow makes the surprising decision to take her in, defying her controlling in-laws and forging an unlikely but profound bond. As Marlow helps Pixie find her own fresh start, she realizes that the life she was meant to live is unfolding right in front of her.

Foster expertly weaves themes of healing, redemption, and the power of human connection into this beautifully written novel. Marlow is an inspiring protagonist—resilient, optimistic, and full of quiet strength. Cort’s steady support and Pixie’s journey of self-discovery add layers of depth to a story that is equal parts heartwarming and raw. The town of Bramble, with its protective yet endearing community, serves as the perfect backdrop for this tale of reinvention.

The Guest Cottage is more than a romance—it’s a story of empowerment, forgiveness, and embracing the unexpected. Perfect for fans of small-town fiction and heartfelt storytelling, this book is a touching reminder that sometimes, the hardest endings lead to the best new beginnings.

There is much to be said about starting over, facing your fears and ultimately allowing love and forgiveness to fill your heart. Lori Foster has accomplished this exceptionally well in her latest book The Guest Cottage. All of the experiences that Marlow enjoys when she moves into the new town of Bramble help her recover from a tumultuous past life and build a new one. With the help of the whole town life changes for the better! This is a heartwarming story I thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you NetGalley for a chance to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Lori Foster’s The Guest Cottage is the story of Marlow Heddings, who seeks refuge in the quaint town of Bramble, Kentucky, after being blindsided by her husband’s betrayal. Bramble is a community filled with interesting characters. Among them is Marlow’s landlord, Marine Cort Easton, who embodies acceptance and patience. His quiet support allows Marlow the space she needs for self-discovery and healing. I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of The Guest Cottage, a book that masterfully weaves the themes of friendship, loyalty, and the courage to seize second chances. It reminds us that even after the most painful betrayals, new relationships and personal growth are possible when we open ourselves to forgiveness and change.

Woman finds out her husband cheated in the process of divorce he dies. She decides to move to a town that has strict rules regarding owning property and visiting while renting a house. She falls in love with the town and decide she wants to stay long-term however, her past catches up to her what will she do? What should she do a solid three star read.

***** I received an arc for my honest opinion from NetGalley.*****

Overall a good story . Wished the transitions between the past and present would’ve been a little smoother. Won’t be my last book read by Nancy Thayer

The storyline is excellent and the characters, while few , are interesting and well described. Beautiful setting too

Thank you to Lori Foster, NetGalley and Kensington for the arc of this book.

The Guest Cottage is an emotional story of perseverance in the face of adversity and infidelity. Marlow moves to Bramble, a small, unique town, to reinvent her life. After her estranged husband was killed, Marlow needed a fresh start, a place to reinvent her life and purpose. When she meets Colt, her landlord and a former Marine, all is right in her new world. And then Pixie, the other woman, arrives on her doorstep with her three month old son. She’s penniless and sick with nowhere else to go. Marlow opens her heart, determined to help Pixie learn to stand on her own two feet to the dismay of her bitter in-laws whose son could do no wrong. This is a heartwarming story of love, compassion, forgiveness, and second chances. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.

After the death of her cheating husband Marlow has moved to the quirky little town of Bramble Kentucky. Here she will reinvent herself, find love, and confront her past. Lovely story.

4.5/5 Stars

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for access to the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a cozy small town romance. Marlow was betrayed by her husband who had an affair. He was shocked when she filed for divorce and died before the divorce was final. Marlow lives under the watch of her controlling in laws and has had enough of big city living. She moves from Chicago to a small town in rural Kentucky. She rents a home from Cort.

Cort is a former Marine who has recently list his beloved mother. He rents a home to Marlow and becomes smitten with her on day 1. Cort helps Marlow adapt to small town living and she gets a job locally.

Marlow can't outrun the shadows of her past when her husbands mistress shows up at her door, young baby in tow. She claims the father of the baby is Marlows ex. Also her in-laws come begging her to return to running their business.

Marlow doesn't hold grudges for the baby or mistress, who claims to have dumped the ex once she found out he was married. She helps her out whole continuing her romance with Cort.

My only issues with the book is that Corts personality and background is just too perfect and not fleshed out. I wanted to know about his background in other romantic relationship or see some faults or drama ( beyond his abusive father).

Also I could have done without the pov of the mistress randomly thrown in because although I did enjoy seeing how caring Marliw was with her and her child, I didn't find it necessary to know her inside thoughts.

Overall I enjoyed reading 📚 this book and think it's a awesome small town hero meets fleeing, traymitized big city woman. Together they patch eachother back together and heal their 💕 hearts.

I really enjoy these kind of stories where the lead character leaves her busy city life and heads for the quieter small town life to reinvent or find herself & that is exactly what Marlow does in this book. Throw in a dead unfaithful husband and some over bearing in laws & you have just enough drama to keep reading

Marlow leaves her job in her husband’s family business in Chicago, her home, and her former life to start a new life in the tiny town of Bramble, Kentucky. She may have been hurt, cheated on, lied to, and more, but she chooses to look at the positive and move forward. What greets her in Bramble is peace, contentment, amazing sunrises, wonderful people, fireflies, and an extremely hot landlord, Cort. Neither one is looking for a relationship but the more time they spend together, the more they realize the other is exactly what they’ve been missing in their lives. When Marlow’s past comes knocking on her door, more than once, she takes a stand, remains firm, and comes up with unique solutions to the problems thrown at her. Cort is by her side every step of the way.

I loved this heartwarming story about new beginnings, second chances, new friendships, belonging, healing, personal growth, and more! A great story with several strong female characters.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A modern day novel that deals with the aftermath of a divorce and a new love. Just when you think the book is not going to deliver, a surprise shows up which makes the book definitely more interesting.

The writing is fine, the story is fine, but it wasn’t my type of book. I do believe that other readers might enjoy it, it just didn’t resonate with me.

Thank you very much Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to read an ARC and I’m sorry I can’t be more excited about it.

THE GUEST COTTAGE is a story about new beginnings. Quite a few of them actually. Lori Foster developed some interesting characters all of whom had a myriad of steps to take toward normal and happy. Lots of angst and mashed feelings abound. But in this little hamlet of a town called Bramble there is a mystique that makes the air lighter and life brighter.
For newcomer Marlow Bramble was a huge step away from the lifestyle she was accustomed to. She was walking away from a career and society that had been comfortable for a while. But with the death of her soon to be ex-husband life has become suffocating. Dylan’s car accident had been the ending salvo of a marriage gone wrong. And Marlow had to face the possibility that their marriage had really decayed past the point of any resurrection.
She was so involved with her role in the family business that she neglected to see the huge gap in her relationship with Dylan. But the evidence was staring her in the face and that’s when she decided to break away. Renting a small cottage in an exceedingly small and unique town made sense. And the longer she stayed the more Marlow recovered her pride and self-confidence.
It didn’t hurt that she lucked out with an amazing new neighbor who was also her landlord. And the townsfolk of Bramble couldn’t have been nicer. But in the back of her mind she knew this could only be a temporary respite from her previous life. You see Bramble was fastidious about the population growth of their small community. No new citizens allowed. Only short time visitors. Bramble was a guest town, and Marlow was an inhabitant of a guest cottage. Plain and simple.
Here's where the genius of Lori Foster begins to shine. Could there really be such a place where the citizens hold power over important items such as population. Just what would be the reason for such strong control. We don’t actually find out. But with the folk being so congenial and welcoming to newcomer Marlow we have to hope that they find it in their collective hearts to let her join.
Marlow has moved away from Dylan’s parents as well as the family business. They are still not willing to give up their control. And as Dylans widow they are going to try to flex their muscle. And here’s when the fun begins. Bramble stands united behind their citizens. But how about guests. Well we are about to find out.
THE GUEST COTTAGE is a delightful look into a hamlet. Small towns are all over the USA. Interesting to get a sort of bird’s eye look into what makes them tick. Lori Forster has some fun with THE GUEST COTTAGE. Her dialog is crisp and succinct. Her character development is creative, joyous, and entertaining. This is a fun read and will leave you with a smile on your face.

It was a wonderful book. When Marlow Heddings estranged husband is killed she decides that she needs to start over and moves to Bramble, Kentucky. She rents a guest cottage from Cort Easton and discover that they are kindred souls and both recovering from their past. When their feelings change from friends and their attraction grows Marlow must face her past. With the help of Cort can they weather the storm and build their life together. Loved it!

I adore Lori's books but this one may have just taken the spot of my favorite. The character of Marlow is amazing, awe-inspiring, full of strength and determination. She is starting over after a painful chapter in her past has ended. She finds herself in a guest cottage in Bramble, Kentucky. Her handsome landord, Cort, is a former Marine now enjoying the quiet life on the lake. Soon the two of them form a connection.

In the midst of settling into her new life, Marlow receives a visitor on her doorstep. It's none other than "the other woman" from her past. Young, scared, and with a newborn baby, Pixie enters Marlow's life. As Marlow helps Pixie begin a new chapter in life as well, she grows close to her and the baby, who was fathered by her former husband.

I loved this book so much because it was raw, it was emotional, and it felt real. Starting over is not an easy task, but sometimes, it's the best answer for the head and the heart. Marlow, Cort and Pixie's story is one that I will hold close and remember for a long while to come. Simply put, this is storytelling at it's finest.

This is such a beautiful story! The plot, the writing, the setting, the characters! I loved reading it, which is a shame cause I never wanted it to end!! Truly a beautiful masterpiece.

I loved The Guest Cottage by Lori Foster! It hooked my attention from the beginning to the end!
Small-town settings are my favorite! Awesome characters!
Marlow Heddings, after a marriage of betrayal, decides to live a simpler life in Bramble, Kentucky. Bramble is a small town that wants to remain small. People can visit, but they cannot become permanent residents. It is a peaceful place, a place where Marlow can discover who she really is and what she really wants out of life, instead of living someone else's life.
Marlow rents a small cottage on Rainbow Lake from Cort Easton, a former Marine, who is also working through his own issues.
You really get to see how compassionate the citizens of Bramble, Kentucky are when Pixie Nolan appears on Marlow's doorstep.
This story is full of love, compassion, forgiveness, and the promise of a brighter future!
Awesome read!!!

I love small town, second chance romances. This one had all the feels and could not put it down! I loved Marlow's story and her passion to help others and not turn them away. She was a dealt a bad situation and turned it in to something better. And finding love again was a bonus too!

#TheGuestCottage #NetGalley

This is the first of the "Firefly Summer Series". And don't think it will be 'last' of my reads from this series.

Similar to the author's small town vibes found in her "Visitation, North Carolina series" but this time, it's out west, in Bramble, Kentucky. These small town vibes seep thru the pages with the author's descriptions of the lake, colorful townspeople and the fireflies that flutter in the night sky. The little town takes pride in its compact size and that's just one of the challenges, Marlow, has to overcome.

The author takes time to build the relationship between Cort and Marlow before she introduces Pixie to their story. Too often an author will skip over the foundation which can lead to a shaky plot. Not the case here. How they evolve from landlord/tenant relationship to a romantic one doesn't happen overnight. Their respective pasts are weaved in effortlessly so by the time Pixie's introduced, their dual support makes sense.

Publisher was spot on in classifying this as 'women's fiction' rather than 'romance'. This ARC was provided by the publisher, Kensington Publishing, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.