This is an amazing story of love, growth, forgiveness, moving on and family. It’s a beautifully written book! The perfect cozy read to get your emotions flowing! The little town is charming and the banter between the characters is perfect. I wanted to not like Pixie but you can help but accept her the same way Marlow does. The found family aspect is a deserving end for Marlow!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book!

The Guest Cottage by Lori Foster is a charming starting over novel. It certainly is now one of my favorite books by this author. A strong heroine, Marlow, who is kind, compassionate but not a pushover. An equally strong hero, Cort, who has his won struggles but owns them. It has friendship which comes before romance, my favorite trope.

Bramble, Kentucky has quaint characters that make a statement compared to the high-power wealthy in-laws of Marlow. If I can’t move there, at least I can visit there with Marlow. A great story. 4.5 Stars

This is such a heartwarming book. I loved the townspeople. Cort and Marlow are the sweetest people. My heart went out to Pixie. This book has so much heart and love in it. It’s a good feel book. I highly recommend reading 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.

A truly delightful story! I loved it so much!

I've read a few books by Lori Foster and I have enjoyed them all, but this one stole my heart. It was wonderful.

After finishing, I read some of the other reviews to see if people loved it a much as I did. (They Did!) I saw one person state that this story was a Small Town Romance/Cozy Women's Fiction. I think I agree with that. It was Cozy! It was delightful. It made me smile, laugh and cry. The perfect Spring/Summer read.

Harlow was a powerhouse. I loved that about her. She was in a terrible position, but her attitude and strength really shined.

Cort! Hello Mr. Wonderful. I loved him. He was described as the Town Hero and I agree. He was a total Hero. I liked that he was quiet but his strength shined just as much if not brighter than Harlow's.

Pixie was a surprise. When she showed up, I wasn't sure if it would be a good thing, but I took to her character easy and loved her ability to ask for help. Even when the person she's was asking for help had every right to turn her away.

Lori Foster sure can write strong characters. Personality or strength it doesn't matter. I cannot forget to mention the town and the townspeople. Loved them!
Herman! I loved Herman! He was a fantastic character.

This story really was all about starting over, love and friendship.

This was a sweet read with wonderful characters set in a quirky, loveable town with residents that made you chuckle. Bramble was the perfect place for Marlow to come and heal and once there she never wanted to leave, unfortunately the town had a rule against expanding the population. It doesn't take long for Marlow to catch the eye of her landlord, Cort, who is a natural born protector. Marlow's peacefulness is interrupted by her in-laws and an unexpected visitor, who turns into a friend, protege and family. Bramble game Marlow everything she needed- "love, true friendship, family and fireflies."

In Firefly Summer #1: The Guest Cottage : A Novel by Lori Foster we meet Marlow and Easton. Marlow needs to start over. But as unforeseen events seem to keep bringing her past back to her front door (literally) she must make a decision. Is fighting for this new life with its breathtaking views, wonderful new landlord and her new arrivals what she really wants.

I received an advanced readers copy of this book, and this is my honest voluntary review.

For fans of the Hallmark Channel, I give you, The Guest Cottage, by Lori Foster - the first book in her new Firefly Summer series.

A woman named Marlow is in need of a fresh start after her recent ex-husband unexpectedly dies. He used to be her whole life, until her job with his highly successful family became her focus, and they lost sight of their relationship. This series of events brings with it a complex set of emotions, and she finds she just needs to get away. After some research, Marlow finds a place that is perfect, a little lake town called Bramble Kentucky. The landlord turns out to be an emotionally intelligent ex-marine named Cort who helps her work through her feelings and next steps. Just when Marlow feels like she's starting to settle into the slower lifestyle of Bramble, her ex's mistress shows up in need of help in more ways than one. And though Marlow feels like she's found her forever home, the town itself is not accepting of outsiders.

Told in a very calm and measured tone of voice, The Guest Cottage is full of drama and conflict that never tips over the scale into stressful territory. If I had to describe it in a word, I'd give it: cozy.

Everyone deserves second chances, including just about every character in this book. More than anything, I feel this story is about community, compassion, and found family. After reading it, I felt on some level that something inside me somewhere was healed a little bit. It wasn't quite as engaging and high-stakes as I generally prefer my fiction to be, but it was certainly worth the time spent reading it.

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Guest Cottage is the latest book offering from Lori Foster and the first in her new series Firefly Summer. While Foster is well known for her romantic suspense novels The Guest Cottage is a lighthearted, emotional and charming small town novel about recently widowed Marlow as she strives to find her way and break free from her former life. Bramble, KY offers a delightful cast of local characters who will make you want to pack up and move immediately.

I received an electronic ARC from Kensington Publishing through NetGalley.
Foster captures the magic of ordinary settings in this first book in her new series.
Marlow has moved to the small town of Bramble to escape a nasty divorce that was interrupted by the sudden death of her husband in a car accident. She leaves the high power business world behind to rediscover who she is. When she meets her landlord, Cort is so much more than she expected. Readers watch their romance unfold and their relationship handle revelations from their pasts and unexpected challenges in their present. A third character is introduced and Marlow has to face her past and find a way to welcome the young woman her husband had an affair with. Pixie is ill and destitute but comes to find help for her baby.
I appreciate the way Foster slowly reveals the depths for her characters and does not simply jump to happy ever after. This is a realistic look at difficult situations and characters respond as humans would. She uses this book to set the stage in this small town and I look forward to future books in the series.

A book about starting over. In the middle of a contentious divorce, Marlow's husband died. After settling his affairs she moves to a small town to start over. She went from a high paced corporate job to a small town where she worked as a waitress.
This is a story about a woman finding herself and learning how strong she actually was. Standing on her own she found a new life that suited her. On her own for the first time, she was strong and self reliant. She was able to meet here new landlord, Cort, as an equal. Even as their relationship started to heat up she was faced with another surprise.
Answering her doorbell she was surprised to see her dead husband's mistress standing their holding a little baby. She had every reason to hated the woman who broke up her marriage but instead took pity on the young, sick girl. Pixie hadn't know her boyfriend was married and when he found out she was pregnant he didn't do anything to help. After his death his parents refused to rehire her and had her black balled in town so she couldn't find work anywhere. Now, her she was on Marlow's doorstep with no where to go.
Marlow steps up and takes care of Pixie and baby Andy. Rather than blame her for stealing her husband she knows that he was the one at fault. Together with Cort they form a little family unit each taking care of the other. As Cort and Marlow grow closer, their support helps Pixie grow in self confidence and strength. All three of them find happiness in their small town.

The Guest Cottage by Lori Foster is the newest release by the author. The first book of the Firefly Summer series.

Marlow was in the process of finalizing her divorce when her deadbeat ex went and got himself killed. Now her demanding in-laws want her to forget all about his seedy life and rejoin the company as a united front. Marlow quickly squashes their plans and heads out of town. After losing herself throughout the years of her marriage, she was well on her way to being true to herself again. Finding a tiny rural town that doesn’t let in strangers seems like the perfect opportunity. She rents a guest cottage on the lake from the gorgeous owner Cort hopefully for more than just the summer. Slowly winning over the townsfolk, Marlow is ready to make Bramble her forever home.

Cort is an ex marine that moved his mother to Bramble many years ago, to get them away from her abusive husband aka Cort’s father. The small town welcomed them with open arms, and he knew when he left for the service, that the townspeople would take care of his mother. He prides himself on helping his neighbors as much as he can. Marlow quickly draws him in with her charm and confidence.

When a surprise turns up literally at Marlow’s door, will she finally break, or will this new situation force her to face her fears and then put them behind her?

This story has such wonderful lead characters, and secondary characters. You feel like you are part of the scene with the depth of description Ms. Foster goes into with each section of storyline. I felt like I was a part of Bramble, sitting on my bar stool taking in the action. Such a welcoming town, with a kinship that is very much lacking these days. Great new release from the author, pick up a copy soon but beware that you won’t want to put it down.

This is book one in the Firefly Summer series. If you are a fan of her other summer, light romance series this will be a winner for you.

Marlow Heddings is going through a divorce then her estranged husband passes and wants out of town mostly away from his parents. She leaves Chicago for the small quaint town of Bramble KY.

Colt Easton is a transparent to town and found family in the people here.

I honestly thought this book was over around 32% then bang HUGE surprise.

The spice is light, heartwarming characters and an easy summer read.

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

One of the reasons that I enjoyed this book is that characters were a little “older” than your standard couple and were more secure with themselves. I, also, enjoyed the small town feel with somewhat welcoming natives even though they didn’t want anymore permanent residents. I loved how Marlowe and Cort were in their interaction with Pixie and Andy. There’s not a lot of people who would react the way they did when confronted by an ex husband’s affair and the aftermath. This would be a fantastic read when on vacation. Very heartwarming and a feel good read!

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.