The Guest Cottage by Lori Foster

This is a book about finding yourself and finding your place in the world. 
Marlow is starting over after dealing with betrayal, she just wants to find her peace.  Finding Bramble and the lovely people there has shown her there is more to life than boardrooms and business suits. Trading in her couture for comfort and her meetings for sunrises on the lake has been a balm to her.  Getting to know Cort and learning to trust again is a huge bonus. 
Cort doesn't see himself as a hero. Yes, he's a Marine. And yes, he's overcome a horrible childhood. But Bramble saved his mother and now it's part of him. So when the unexpected happens he stops fighting the draw of Marlow. Now he's determined to show her the strength and beauty she brings to everyone she touches.

Lori Foster just can't write a bad story. This one was so good. It was sweet, romantic and told all the good things that a small town can do for a person. Small towns know all your business but they also stand behind you when you need it. Cort and Marlow were wonderful charactes then Pixie and Andy joined the story and how could you not love them. Marlow was especially a wonderful person that just couldn't help helping others.
I got this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

Such a sweet story of compassion, forgiveness and love. The characters were wonderful and easy to love. There was sex, but no endless explicit graphics. It was presented in respectful manner, and not to titillate. I finished it in one sitting, because I just couldn’t find a stopping place within the story. I read an ARC and this is my honest review.

Welcome to Bramble, Kentucky! Marlow fights to move there permanently after the death of her almost ex. Cort was a great guy and helps Marlow (and then more). These were great characters and it was a quirky town. More women's fiction, less romance, but still a good heartwarming tale.

What a heart wrenching story.

After being cheated on by her husband Dylan and then having him die in a car crash before their divorce is final, Marlowe is leaving her high level job with her husband's family and heading out to just be Marlowe. The family is angry, but Marlowe must leave for her own peace of mind. She lands in a tiny town and rents a cottage on the lake.

Cort, the landlord and town hero, just wants to get his cottage rented. When he meets Marlowe, there might be more that he wants! He does just want to be supportive in the beginning.

As Marlowe and Cort begin to dance around their attraction for each other, the OTHER WOMAN comes knocking on Marlowe's door. Finding out her husband's girlfriend did not know he was married and she has a surprise on her hip makes Marlowe angry all over again. She just can't leave Paige on the doorstep when Marlowe has the ability to help this young woman.

Such a wonderful story of kindness, temperance, and opening yourself up to do the hard things. Five stars. A wonderful book.

After burying her cheating soon to be ex husband, Marlow leave his families business and the drama behind. She finds the perfect place to find herself by renting the guest cottage. It doesn't take long before she and her landlord become friendly and she starts to find her groove. Then, the woman her husband cheated with shows up at her door with a baby. Can Marlow find it in her heart to help her while she is still healing herself? This is a wonderful story of healing, forgiveness, and starting over!

A story of starting over and kindness, I loved the character of Marlow. I wish that I had her strength! I am excited for the next book in this new series set in the tiny town of Bramble, Kentucky, a town that I would love to visit!

Marlow couldn't stay in a town with her pushy, wealthy in-laws and the town where her husband cheated on her and then died in a car crash.

She had to leave right after the funeral - she couldn't play the grieving widow.

Where would she go?

She found the perfect cottage and the perfect landlord. He was a hunk, and the cottage was gorgeous.

How will all of this work?

And who was knocking on the door?

Find out in this sweet read with great characters.

This isn’t my normal genre, but I was drawn in because of the setting and the positive vibes.

If you need an uplifting read,THE GUEST COTTAGE is one to add to your reading list.

You won't want to leave the characters. I hope there is sequel. 5/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

The Guest Cottage is the beginning of a new series from Lori Foster. It takes place in the small town of Bramble, Kentucky, where the population is deliberately kept small. The book is about town newcomer Marlow, whose husband (in the midst of divorce proceedings because her husband had cheated on her) recently died. She decides to visit Bramble to get away from her in-laws and their expectations and to have a break from life.

Then comes Cort, her landlord, a veteran who moved to town with his mother long ago and returned there after his military service. Marlow and Cort begin spending time together, but complications arise when Pixie (the “other woman”) appears on Marlow’s doorstep out of options. What follows is a beautiful story of love and friendship that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. I loved this story and want to move to the wonderful town of Bramble! I can’t wait to see what comes next in this series!

This was such a sweet cozy read. Was it the best written book I've ever read? Nope. Were the characters a little too perfect? Definitely. Was the concept of the town a bit ridiculous? And then some. Did I enjoy every single page I read? 100% and I'm really excited to see that this might be the start of a series.
I loved Marlow and Cort though the true star of the book is Herman, the bar owner. I enjoyed seeing Marlow find her footing and getting to know Pixie. There are a few moments of tension but nothing to get rid of the cozy feel of the story. This was a super quick read that was enjoyable from the first page to the last. It's a great bit of escapist reading and now I want a dock of my own to watch sunrises on while drinking coffee.

Marlow's divorce proceedings end abruptly when her soon to be ex-husband is killed in a car accident. In an effort to heal her heart and rediscover who she is as a woman, she retreats to the peaceful, cozy town of Bramble, Kentucky. What unfolds is an uplifting, positive story of love, growth, friendship, and rediscovery that will be perfect for fans of Virgin River. This book will be an excellent addition to your beach bag or carryon this summer. Its positivity leans towards cheesy and I would have loved to have more character development, especially from the quirky but lovable townsfolk, but this was a light and frothy escape.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for allowing me to escape to the lake house with Marlow, Cort, and Pixie prior to this book's publication in exchange for this honest review.

Lori Foster’s The Guest Cottage is everything I want in a contemporary romance—soulful, character-driven, and quietly powerful. The moment I saw this title offered as an ARC, it was an immediate shelf-add. Foster never disappoints, and this story is no exception.

Set in the charming town of Bramble, Kentucky, the novel introduces us to Marlow Heddings, a woman in search of more than just peace and quiet. After personal upheavals leave her emotionally depleted, Marlow rents a secluded lakeside guest cottage to regroup and reset. But healing has a funny way of arriving with unexpected company.

Cort Easton, the cottage’s owner and a former Marine, lives next door. He’s calm, private, and grounded—exactly the kind of presence that slowly chips away at Marlow’s emotional walls. Their chemistry builds naturally, with shared meals, long conversations, and subtle moments that feel deeply intimate without being forced.

What makes The Guest Cottage especially compelling is how it weaves together personal transformation with the slow unraveling of emotional armor. Marlow doesn’t come to Bramble to fall in love—she comes to reclaim herself. Yet, from the first awkward but meaningful encounters with Cort, it’s clear that connection can bloom even in the most guarded hearts.

The narrative takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of Pixie Nolan, a young woman linked to Marlow’s past in a surprising and emotional way. Their developing bond shifts the tone of the story in a beautiful direction, illustrating themes of redemption, chosen family, and unexpected mentorship. Watching Marlow extend grace to Pixie was deeply moving and added another layer of emotional resonance.

The town of Bramble itself becomes a comforting presence—full of nosy but lovable neighbors, unspoken traditions, and the kind of everyday peace that allows real healing. Whether it’s the quiet lakeside mornings, shared meals, or meaningful silences, Foster invites us into a world that feels like an emotional retreat.

Notable Quote:

“Sometimes, the best way to find yourself is to lose everything you thought you needed.”

“In Bramble, strangers become friends, and friends become family.”

This is a tender, emotionally layered story of renewal, healing, and the quiet strength it takes to rebuild after betrayal. Marlow Heddings, reeling from the loss of her unfaithful husband—whose death ends a painful chapter rather than beginning one—decides to make a bold move. Leaving behind Illinois and her old life, she settles into a charming guest cottage in Bramble, Kentucky, for a six-month stay that quickly becomes transformative.

Marlow is a beautifully drawn protagonist—resilient, sincere, and deeply likable. Her journey of letting go, redefining her future, and rediscovering joy is both heartfelt and empowering. Bramble itself becomes a character, too—its scenic charm and warm community providing the perfect backdrop for healing. Foster’s writing shines in the tender interactions between Marlow and the townsfolk, capturing the kind of small-town magic that makes readers want to pack up and move there themselves.

With its mix of emotional honesty, warmth, and the hope of second chances, The Guest Cottage is a soul-soothing read.

Great second chance Romance. Another home run from Lori Foster!

Marlow was in the middle of a messy divorce when her soon to be ex-husband Dylan, died. Now her in-laws want her to be everything for them. They don’t want to let her go. Her mother in law can’t accept that she doesn’t want to work in the family business anymore.

Looking for a fresh start Marlow rents a Guest cottage from Cort, in the tiny town of Bramble. She falls in love with the town. She gets a job at the local bar. She’s enjoying her new life. A budding romance with Cort.

Here comes trouble in the form of her in-laws The won’t leave her alone. They try to get her back to their family company. She doesn’t want anything to do with it.

Just when Marlow gets comfortable she gets an unexpected guest. In the form of her husband’s mistress. Pixie is really sick and desperate for help for her and her son. She was blackballed out of Dylan’s family company.

Marlow and Cort take Pixie in and give her a place to live. Soon half the town of Bramble is descending on Pixie to help her get back on her feet.

The in-laws are back again causing more trouble for Pixe and Marlow. Will they ever give up and let Marlow live her life?

This is a must read from Lori Foster.

I enjoyed this book by Lori Foster so much. This reminds me of the summer home that I have in a very small town on the lake, where everyone knows everyone and everyone helps everyone. I just love the characters and the great settings and the family atmosphere. This was such a fun read that I didn't want it to end and I am hoping there will be several other books in this series. I can't wait to find out what will happen next. Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for the arc of this book.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC for my honest review I absolutely love Her books and The Guest Cottage is no exception. Everything about this book is what I love to read. This story is centered around Marlow. She is a very successful business woman in her husbands family company. She is devastated when she finds out that her husband cheated on her. While in the process of a divorce, her husband dies unexpectedly. After the funeral, she packs up and moves to a very small town to escape it all. This story is full of emotion and discovering how to start all over with many surprises along her journey. I highly recommend this book.

The Guest Cottage is Lori Foster at her finest! Dealing with a difficult divorce and subsequent tragedy, Marlow needs a change of scenery. She finds a rental in a town that operates by its own unique set of rules and comes with a handsome ex Marine landlord. More importantly, she finds herself again. Just as she thinks she is settling in to a new normal, her past comes to town in a way she never saw coming. Marlow, with dignity and grace, reminds us all how powerful human kindness can be. Full of quirky characters, love, and second chances, The Guest Cottage is a heartwarming and satisfying read.

What would you do?

What would you do if your husband had an affair and then his mistress showed up on your doorstep...with his baby?

Marlowe had already been in the process of divorcing her cheating ex-husband when he died unexpectedly. After planning a funeral she did NOT want to plan, Marlowe moves away to Bramble, Kentucky - away from the lifestyle she was used to to a more relaxed environment.

And then 20 year old Pixie show up on her doorstep with her ex's baby and nowhere else to turn.

I loved this book and all of its characters. Marlowe is one in a million, though. I'd like to think I'd make the same choices but...

I received this book as an Advanced Reading Copy from from Net Galley and Kensington in exchange for an honest review.

The Guest Cottage
Lori Foster
May 27, 2025

When Marlow Heddings husband, Dylan dies in a auto accident, it becomes a horrible incident but one that ends her sad marriage. She fought so hard to get a divorce. The man betrayed her with another woman yet his parents felt it was an unacceptable but forgivable grievance. Nothing she did could ease the situation. After the funeral however she’d made a decision to leave Illinois, sell the house and many of her belongings. It was time to put it in the past. She found the option to move to a delightful Guest House in Bramble, Kentucky. She took the six month lease thinking if she felt good about the move she would find a place to buy.
The Guest Cottage will be published by Kensington Publishing on May 27, 2025. I was able to read and review the advanced copy with permission from Kensington and Ms. Foster’s staff. Once beginning her latest novel I found that I too was enchanted by Bramble, Kentucky,the residents, beautiful territory around the cottage, and especially with the protagonist, Marlow .She is a lovely, heart-warming person that captivates all those who meet her. As this book is promoted as Firefly Summer #1 It looks to be a series. I look forward to the next outstanding tale from Lori Forster. Her fans are all waiting while I will encourage all to read this first introduction to the magical town of Bramble.

Awww what an absolutely wonderful and heartwarming story. Lori Foster sure knows how to write an engaging story that totally tugged at my heartstrings. I can't believe how special Marlow was. She is someone to look up to and she had such a big and forgiving heart. I'm so happy she found her happiness after her life imploded. I've been reading Lori Foster for many years and I believe this must be the first book that she's written that had the love scenes behind closed doors. I was surprised at first because I was so used to a certain level of sexiness in her books but Marlow and Cort's chemistry was still there and they were so cute together. I really enjoyed their story even without the spiciness I'm used to. I highly recommend this story of forgiveness and moving on and learning to find yourself and your own happiness. Marlow sure knew what she was doing.

*I voluntarily read an advance copy of this book*