Small town romance. Words flow nicely. I loved the starting over story, and the whole lake side cottage. Makes you feel like you are waking up to the sunset with your coffee along with the main characters. Thank you for the ARC and the fireflies.

Cort and Marlow are wonderfully crafted characters in the small town of Bramble. This book will make you want to move into town with all its quirky, loving and down to earth people.

The best part of this book (aside from it being another of Lori Foster's engrossing stories) is the way the people in this town really care. They don't cut each other down. They band together and support each other. They don't allow outsiders that don't fit their good hearted nature to stay in town. It preserves how truly good this community is rather than as a means to exclude anyone. It is how communities and people should be and I'm so glad Lori Foster created it for us to visit. If only we could have a little guest cottage of our own there with all of the spectacular views that Lori paints in such great detail.

Looking forward to the next book!

Perfect summer read. A story about discovering who you are after the death of your soon to be ex-husband leads Marlow to a small town in Kentucky. There she meets a new cast of characters and learns who she wants to be. Just as a new romantic relationship is set to begin, her soon to be ex-husband's mistress shows up with a baby in tow. All these challenges and changes, help Marlow discover who she is.

I received an ARC from netgalley for my opinion.

This is book is beautiful and inspiring. Marlow is looking for a fresh start far away from all the chaos and heartbreak. I give her major props for having the bravery to start over and for what is to come. She has an inner strength and a good heart that this story proves. Along the way Cort her new landlord becomes a good friend and more. I loved their quiet mornings watching the sunrise. This quirky small town starts to worm it's way into Marlow's heart. The slow pace and the freedom to find her true self once again breathes new life into her. Though a huge curve ball is thrown her way and will test her, but that good heart comes shining through. She's putting a lot of good karma out into the world that will reap her what she sows. I really enjoyed this book with all the heart and unexpected joys it brings. It gives you all the true ups and downs in life's journey.

Thank you so much for this ARC. This book was an absolute joy to read. From start to finish, it captivated me with its sweet and heartwarming narrative. The author’s storytelling prowess kept me eagerly turning the pages, and I found myself genuinely invested in the characters' journeys. It was so engaging that I didn’t want to put it down! I'm now eagerly anticipating exploring more works by this talented author. Highly recommended for anyone in search of a feel-good read!

4.5 stars rounded up. This was such a beautiful book to read. Not only is it a romance, but there is found family, and the story about how the community not only accepted Marlow when she moved to a guest cottage after the death of her husband she was recently divorced from, but embraced her as one of their own was so touching and wonderful to read. This was a breath of fresh air and I could not put it down! Highly recommend!

I got the ARC of this book. I loved all the characters from town . The slow burn romance was well written . All the relationships in town was so good too. The relationship between the 2 women, the emotional maturity to support each other was amazing. I hope this is a start of a new series

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was sweet, heartwarming and held my interest. I didn't want to put it down. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

I loved The Guest Cottage! Marlow and Cort were both wonderful characters and I really enjoyed their story. I can't wait to revisit the little town of Bramble, Kentucky and all of the residents that hang out at the Dry Frog Tavern.

Marlow Heddings is outraged to learn of her husband's affair and files for divorce. Before their contentious divorce can be finalized, Marlow's husband, Dylan, dies. Marlow wants to start over and find the woman she used to be. Marlow packs up, puts her home on the market, and heads to Bramble, Kentucky where she has rented a cute cottage with a lake view from her landlord, Cort Easton. Cort is a former Marine and beloved by the people of Bramble. Cort moved his abused mother to Bramble and later left the military to take care of his dying mother. Cort and Harlow have instant chemistry. Harlow realizes Bramble is everything she needs and wants to become a permanent part of their town despite their law no new additions to the population unless someone dies or is born. Will Harlow's new job at the local tavern in dear her to the owner and the locals? Can Cort and Harlow help each other heal their battered hearts and look to a future together? When Dylan's mistress, Pixie, shows up on Harlow's doorstep with an unexpected surprise, will Harlow finally break, or will she step up be there for Pixie? How will Harlow's in-laws react to Harlow's knowledge of Pixie and her surprise? I loved The Guest Cottage by Lori Foster. Cort and Harlow are a great couple with fantastic chemistry. I love how Cort and Harlow took Pixie in and became the family she and they needed. The Guest Cottage is a great start to the Firefly Summer series by Lori Foster. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Marlow Heddings is moving to Bramble, Kentucky to start over. She has to get away from Chicago and all the memories that it holds. After her husband had an affair with a younger woman, the expectations of his high society family, and after months of heartache she is unapologetically moving on.

Bramble is unlike any small town, its a town where there can be no new permanent fixtures and no new permanent residents. It also is beautiful, restful, and makes you want to stay. Bramble also just so happens to have a Marine named Cort Easton who is quiet, but at the same time gives her a reason to get up early in the morning to enjoy coffee on the dock.

Everything is going great until Pixie shows up with a little bundle asking for help. She is young and broke and alone but in the end she ends up helping her husbands "other woman" and they become friends. Now with every sunrise and nighttime firefly watching she has friends, a new home and is living the life she was meant to.

This story was emotional, sweet, and showed how its possible to be in pain but still have a big heart and help those in need. I loved Colt and his ability to listen and lend a shoulder to cry on whenever she needed it. Colt and Marlow were well written characters and the secondary characters were amazing as well. I think that this was a great way to start a new series, I cannot wait to find out more about the characters, and who the next book is going to be about. Bramble has the best people, while they might know your business, they will still give you the shirt off their back. A great read, that I highly recommend.

Received ARC from author in exchange for honest review.

If you need a “feel-good” romance, with unexpected twists, heartbreak, forgiveness and a strong heroine…This is the book for you!

Marlow has been through the ringer…first a cheating husband, and then him dying in an accident before the divorce was final. Moving to Bramble, Kentucky was supposed to be an escape…a new life, but things didn’t necessarily work out that way.

Her new landlord and former Marine, Cort was an “implant” into the small town as well, however, he was quickly accepted into the fold.

This slow burn romance was just what I needed! It was so enjoyable and such a lovely read. I love Author Lori Foster’s work. The way she writes, the characters and settings…just all so wonderful! I would definitely recommend this book!

The Guest Cottage by Lori Foster ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A wonderful sweet romance and a twist you never saw coming, or at least I didn't see it. I have a ton of words to say about this book but each one is a spoiler and I don't want to give anything away you will have to read it for your self.

Lori's words make you think feel like your on the beach in your own little cottage in a small town with people who make you feel like family.

I loved this book, Lori Foster's The Guest Cottage is a beautifully crafted tale that delves into the complexities of starting over, the power of unexpected friendships, and the healing nature of small-town life. Set in the serene lakeside town of Bramble, Kentucky, the novel introduces us to Marlow Heddings, a successful businesswoman seeking solace and a fresh start after the upheaval of her marriage.

4.5⭐️
(ARC review) Thank you to author Lori Foster and her publisher Kensington Publishing. I received an Advanced Reader Copy for the May 2025 release of THE GUEST COTTAGE in exchange for my honest review.

This book was such a surprise. Initially I selected the ARC because the cover called to me but what a wonderful contemporary second chance romance and book to enjoy as a summer read this season. Even better it’s got lakeside, small town, simple life vibes. Oh my!

These characters! Family dynamics you can relate to, a budding romance, heartwarming, uplifting and just a feel good feeling. I didn’t want the book to end.

And of course I’ll be buying a book trophy for my shelves because the cover is gorgeous! I really loved everything about this book and I’m hoping this is just the start of a series… I’d be along for the ride!

The Hallmark Trope at its finest! If you are a fan of Susan Mallery or Debbie Mccomber you will LOVE this one. Thank you to Netgalley, Lori and the publishing team at Kensington for the eARC!

What to Expect:
Outsider falls in love with small town handyman
Small town Romance
Divorced woman finds new life
Unexpected death of a spouse
Healing from cheating spouse
Starting over in a new place
Suspense from Family Drama
Clean Spice

NOTE: Some trigger warnings! Cheating Spouse, an unexpected death/accident, Unexpected pregnancy, toxic parents.


My Thoughts:
It was such a delight to read a story about a woman, in the WORST kind of situation, handle herself as expected. There were obvious situations (cheating spouse + toxic in-laws) that added so much drama and hurt to her life, but she some how found life on the other side. She didn't play victim for long. She didn't drag herself through beating her self up for her husbands indiscretion. She didn't play woe is me and no one will love me again. She just took ownership of her own life. Made decisions to start fresh and find a new way to live fully for herself.

Seeing her heal, and go on this journey was lovely. Her character continued growing through each page and chapter which is what I always hope to see. The added component of her finding love and dealing with her unexpected visitor with love, was just a bonus to the story. The characters and story are all well written. The main characters have a lot of depth, you understand each of their back stories. This isn't a rushed and fell in love romance or even strictly a straight romance book. The secondary couples, especially the folks from town, are delightful!

You will find clean romance still with anticipation & steam but more in line with Hallmark vibes!


Synopsis:
Marlow Heddings is starting over. She’s carried the outrage of her husband Dylan’s affair with a younger woman—and the expectations of his family’s powerful Chicago holdings company—long enough. Now, after another devastating twist of fate, she’s unapologetically moving on.

Arriving in tiny Bramble, Kentucky, Marlow revels in her freedom, swapping her executive suits for sundresses . . . and scouting places to open her dream boutique. Best of all is her new residence, an adorable cottage with gorgeous lake views—and a breathtaking landlord, former Marine Cort Easton. Soon they’re sharing dockside morning coffee and nighttime firefly gazing. Marlow’s new life feels like a dream.

Then Pixie Nolan arrives on her doorstep. With a shocking secret.

To Marlow’s astonishment, Dylan’s “other woman” is a desperate girl of nineteen, destitute, exhausted, and disowned by her family. Defying her manipulative in-laws’ demands, and surprising even herself, Marlow vows to lay down roots in Bramble and help Pixie get on her feet. Then they’ll part ways. But empathy has a way of forging bonds. As Marlow grows close to the hard-working, devoted young woman, she becomes something of a big sister to Pixie.

Now, with each sunrise, Marlow awakens to the life she was truly meant to live, one filled with deepening connections, supportive friendship . . . and even a second chance at love.

An absolutely charming romance with engaging characters and a town where I would love to live! Marlow Heddings is starting over after she learns that her husband had an affair. A total break from him, their home and her job at his parents’ company is what she needs. Before she can leave, she must deal with one more tragic issue, but then she is on her way to Bramble, Kentucky. Once there, she learns that the town doesn’t allow new permanent residents, but as she spends time there, she hopes that they will accept her. Taking a job as a waitress at the Dry Frog Tavern is a huge step away from her corporate career, but she has never been happier. Part of that happiness is her new landlord, Cort Easton. Cort is a former Marine and although not an original resident, he now owns property and is the town handyman, taking care of the entire town. An attraction slowly develops between them, but what if she is not allowed to stay? When life has settled down for Marlow, her husband’s former, young mistress, Pixie arrives in town. Marlow soon realizes that Pixie was as much of a victim of her ex as she was and agrees to help her. Will the town of Bramble work its magic on Pixie and Marlow, with a chance of a future for Marlow and Cort? Lovely, just lovely! I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

Lori Foster is one of my go-to authors. I can always find a good story with interesting characters, enough action to make it intriguing and a sweet happily ever after. The Guest Cottage was further proof of her talents. The characters were so likable, human and sympathetic. I thoroughly enjoyed this story.

Marlow is the nicest person you could ever meet. She's had it rough, been betrayed, is still being harassed by her in-laws yet she's still sweet and caring. An accomplished business woman, she's not above working in the local diner. She's immediately in love with this little Kentucky town and desperately wants to be accepted despite the town's rules against any new people. Cort is the strongest, most honorable man. Already having been accepted into Bramble's official population when he brought his abused mother to live there and later took care of her while she died, he's well liked and relied on my much of the town's population. Pixie's had the hardest life and recent events have added to a life of woes. She's sweet, hard-working, smart and lovable despite circumstances that would have made most people hard and uncaring.

When Pixie shows up on Marlow's doorstep deathly ill with Marlow's deceased husband's bastard child, Marlow shows her so much mercy. She takes her in, gets her medical attention, sets her up, with Cort's help, in her own small home and helps her get the rest and healing she needs. Where most would slam the door in Pixie's face, Marlow decides to not only help her in the short term but to become the girl's mentor. She can provide so much support, help Pixie learn a sense of confidence and teach her useful skills to support herself and the baby. Cort's a huge help letting Pixie use his vacant home and helping with her expenses. As a Marine myself I was glad that Foster really nailed the details of Cort's military career.

Foster's books always highlight the best in people and this book was amazing in the generosity and goodwill shown by the main characters to Pixie and Marlow. This little town definitely takes care of their own even when they won't officially recognize the newest residents as permanent community members.

I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

I loved Cort and Marlow's story. I couldn't put it down. Lori Foster has hit it out of the park with this book. I love a story with someone who keeps positivity up front and sees the glass half full. The romance was wonderful too. Second chances are a good thing!

Foster always creates the most warm and comfortable towns that makes me want to immediately move to them!
A Marine who can also fix most anything knocked me off my feet instantly and I knew Cort was a keeper!
Marlow was waaaay too too nice. Just once I wanted her to lose her cool and go off on someone!
I didn’t care for any of the Heddings, present or past.
I loved Herman and wanted to squeeze him. I hope a future book includes more of him,
It’s a great launch for a new series!