Another great story by Lori Foster. I really enjoyed Marlow and Cort's story. Marlow showed her strength and independence from a cheating and hear.tless husband that ended up being killed in a car crash. She moved and started her life over in a small town even though her in-laws tried to guilt her into coming back. Her and Cort were there for each other and even Pixie, the woman who had slept with her husband and had a baby. Truly amazing how much compassion and empathy. Great story! Thank you to NetGalley and Lori Foster for an ARC for an honest review.

This is one of the best books I have read this year. The twists and turns are so wonderful, and sometimes unexpected. Marlow gets a second chance, helps Pixie find her way, and makes a new life for both in a lovely small town.

A charming, happy ending romance that is well written, with believable characters and a great storyline.

What a beautiful book..about finding a new start in a small town, being accepted, helping a lost soul who is desperate and finding love of a generous man and town people.
I loved Cort and Marlow, but also Pixie and Andy.
Marlow had to deal witha loss of a husband who was unfaithful, unkind and also death.
Marlow escaped to start fresh at Bramble. Cort wS kind but also reserved, but found Marlow had a heart that had been broken.
Together they build a friendship and find themselves faced with a sick young mother who has nothing but a small baby.
Marlow and Cort find Pixie a place she can call home.
Marlow is able to stand up for herself but she is the biggest support for Pixie and Cort finds himself standing right beside Marlow.
in a town where they don't accept outsiders, Bramble, shows they love the new residents and accept them as one of their own.

THE GUEST COTTAGE – Lori Foster
Firefly Summer, Book 1
Kensington
ISBN: ‎978-1496752352
May 27, 2025
Contemporary Romance

Bramble, Kentucky – Present Day

After Marlow Heddings’s cheating husband died, she is starting over. To do this, she is selling her house in Chicago, quitting her job at her in-laws’ company, and moving to Bramble, a small town in Kentucky. She is renting a cottage near the lake and plans to decide later if she will stay. Marlow arrives and meets her landlord, who is breathtakingly handsome and a former Marine. Cort Easton is a fairly new arrival himself, as he left the military to take care of his late mother. He informs Marlow that the town is under “home rule,” which means she can’t stay permanently without the permission of the townsfolk. But it doesn’t take long before she is charming the people of Bramble, including Cort himself.

Marlow is soon settling into her new life. She gets a job at the local bar and daily interacts with Cort. They are slowly and surely becoming important to each other. Meanwhile, her in-laws are upset because she left. They want her back, not only in Chicago but in their company. She refuses as she wants to put the past behind her. But one day, the past comes to town in the form of Pixie Nolan, the woman whom her late husband cheated on Marlow with…and she has a baby. Pixie has no place to go, and Marlow decides to open her heart to the young woman.

THE GUEST COTTAGE is the first book in a new series by Lori Foster called Firefly Summer. The lake is loaded with bugs that glow in the dark called fireflies. Marlow dealt for months with her cheating husband and was in the process of divorcing him when he was killed in a car accident. His parents are having a difficult time getting over his death and think she should be there with them and mourning his death. But Marlow wants a new life and put him in the past. Meeting Cort, she is struck by his hard work and due diligence. Everyone in Bramble respects him, and she feels grateful to have such a good person nearby. They spend time together in the mornings and evenings getting to know one another. But the unexpected arrival of Pixie and her baby--Marlow’s late husband is the father-- stuns her. Marlow could have turned Pixie away, but that isn’t how Marlow is. She invites the woman and the cute baby boy into her life. But the grandparents don’t know. What will happen when they learn they have a grandson?

THE GUEST COTTAGE is a beautiful tale that pulls readers into the lives of Marlow, Cort, and Pixie, and one that is a page-turner. They are good people who have had bad things happen to them, but they don’t give in to the pain. Instead, they go out and move forward. You will be rooting for them and hoping things end up for the better. The people of Bramble support each other, and soon they are supporting the newcomers, Marlow and Pixie. If you love good-feeling stories that have romance and a happily ever after, then you won’t want to miss THE GUEST COTTAGE.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

There might not be a lot of surprises in this small town romance that's really about second chances in life but the storytelling and characters will keep you turning the pages. Marlowe chose Bramble as a place to heal after her marriage fell apart. She certainly didn't expect to find new love. Nor did Cort, her landlord who has his own backstory. When Pixie, Marlow's husband's much younger girlfriend appears, she helps her and they bond into family. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This has good characters and a positive outlook that will be familiar to Foster's fans and that new readers will enjoy as well.

I love it when an author can paint the picture of a place so well that I would really like to live there. That is exactly what Lori Foster has done. From sitting on a dock and skimming the water with your toes to watching the fireflies dance as the sun goes down, she had me.

Then she created such lovely characters that I want them to be my friends. Marlow is a lovely woman, leaving hurt behind her, but willing to take in the woman who caused part of that hurt. Cort is the guy every woman wishes she could find. He's strong and capable. He's handsome and compassionate and willing to fight anyone who threatens those that he cares about. Throw in a young mother with nothing to her name but her baby and you have an irresistible cast of characters. The other more minor characters are just as alive as the main ones.

This was just a well written, delightful story all the way around. It will make a great summer read.

Thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.

I really wanted to love this book but it just didn’t do it for me. I am a fan of small town romances and thought I would absolutely love this one but it fell a little flat for me. The premise of the book was great. I love how it showcased women supporting women and how despite the FMC being betrayed by her late husband so still found it in her heart to be forgiving and loving. All in all I would read this author again.

What a heartfelt story, about forgiveness, love and starting over! If you love stories about second chances, found family and small town romances this one is for you!

Marlow is starting over after her husbands death and affair. Leaving her life and his powerful family behind, she packs up moving to Bramble, Kentucky to live a simpler life with a new aspirations and dreams of opening up her own boutique. Renting a beautiful guest cottage from a handsome marine landlord, Marlow is accomplishing what she set out to do, that is until... the other woman arrives on her doorstep.

What an uplifting story by Lori Foster. One of the best books I have read in quite a while. Cort and Marlow are two lost souls in a small town that discover an attraction soon after they meet. It's a slow burn as they learn about each other and become friends. As in all small towns this one is no different, everyone has an opinion and is in your business. But, what differs is they've set rules and bylaws in place to keep outsiders away.

She gets a job at the local tavern as she slowly rebuilds her life after her husband's untimely death in the midst of divorce proceedings for infidelity. Then one day a surprise from her past shows up and her empathy and support an new through. Fort helps her every step of the extend their relationship thrives. Her in-laws hound her and .attack her after finding out some discouraging news. Cost and Herman, her boss at the tavern, ate her biggest supporters.

When the town council holds a meeting about no new citizens the outpouring of support is overwhelming and Cort speaks with surprising results. All in all a wonderful, feel good story that will warm your heart. A five star read that you won't want to miss.

Although I received a free ARC ebook from Net Galley and the publisher, all thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

What a lovely, charming, wonderful place the tiny, quirky community of Bramble is, and if this novel, the first in Lori Foster's new Firefly Summer series doesn't make you want to move there, into a sweet cottage on a lake, I don't know what will. This was most definitely a 5-star read.

Marlow, the female lead in this novel, is an amazing character--strong, independent, smart and sassy. Sadly, she discovered that Dylan, her husband of 10 years, and heir to the famous Heddings company fortune, was unfaithful--he had a young lover on the side, and he hadn't been much of a husband anyway, and so Marlow divorced him, much to the dismay of his parents. Shortly thereafter, Dylan died in a car accident and Marlow decided she needed to get out of the city, get away from her in-laws, and get away from her job at the Heddings family business, where she'd excelled.

She found a guest cottage rental on a lake in tiny Bramble, Kentucky, and it's there she found more than she ever expected, in the scenery, the serenity, and her stoic and sexy new landlord, former Marine, Cort Easton. The cottage is exactly what she was seeking, a place to rest, relax and re-imagine her life and her choices. But there are many surprises and challenges coming her way.

With every scene that follows, we are drawn into both her character and Cort's. She's one of the best, kindest, strongest, and most forgiving heroines Ms. Foster has created, and, as her relationship with Cort and the inhabitants of this secluded village begins to deepen, she faces certain challenges that she never expected, nor did this reader.

This novel was impossible to put down--I absolutely loved it, and it had all the feels, all the emotion, all the character development you could ask for, and I can hardly wait to read the next novel in this series. Kudos to Ms. Foster for yet another fabulous read.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions stated are my own.

able to stand up for herself to Dylan’s parents, how she was able to pick up and move to a new place all on her own and integrate herself into their community, and her forgiveness and acceptance of Pixie and Andy. She was such a good influence and bright light in Pixie’s life and truly was able to change the trajectory of Pixie and Andy’s life. Cort is used to always having to take care of everyone else, but Marlow fit right into his life and made taking care of her easy. The only thing that bugged me is that it made it out to be that Marlow was 50+ years old not 35 with talking about limitations while working and a few other things. Regardless, this story has love, forgiveness, family, and so much more. The lake setting is perfect for your next summer read!

Thanks to @lorilfoster @kensingtonbooks and @uplitreads for this gifted copy! #giftedbyuplit

Absolutely loved this book. It's a heartwarming and uplifting contemporary romance, with a slightly different tone from the rom coms I usually read, this one seemed more realistic.

I love everything about this book. First of all, the setting of this book is just idyllic. I mean, who wouldn't want to live in the guest house by the lake? But what really makes the story are the characters themselves. Their strength, their kindness, their forgiveness, their acceptance of others. The main characters are terribly attaching, but so are the secondary characters with their own stories and personalities.

For once, we had a female character who didn't turn her back on her 'rival' but who reacted much more humanely by being understanding and helpful — that kinda felt more realistic than lots of book I read about women being cheated on who just hate everything and everyone.

The story is beautifully and vividly written, and the romance felt very realistic with open conversations and no misunderstanding between the characters. It was very sweet and honestly I couldn't help but root for the characters from the first few pages.

Also, I just wanted to say that the cover of this book is just gorgeous, so I can only hope that people will judge the book by its cover and discover this wonderful story. I can't wait for the next book in the series!

Overall, I don't think there's a single negative thing to say about this book — it's just an amazing, sweet romance that I will certainly re-read in the future!

*I received an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion*

3.5/5 this was a sweet heartwarming book. I think many of us wish we could live in a cottage by the water. Love a good small town uplifting story. Thank you to Kensington via NetGalley for the ARC

The Guest Cottage is one of those stories that the more you read, the deeper the characters draw you into their complex world. I love Lori Foster’s work; she always delivers a realistic, engaging, and intriguing romance, yet Marlow and Cort are perhaps one of my favorite couples she’s given us.

Marlow’s life has changed drastically, and all she wants right now is peace. Peace to rebuild herself, peace to discover what she wants in life, peace from the past with hope for an unseen future. She’s hoping that she’s found all of that and more in this small town with a landlord who opens up her imagination to possibilities once again, and a home to settle into, a place to belong while she sorts out her own life.

It’s working its magic on her heart and soul until her past collides with her future, and not only complications but danger enter her peaceful escape.

The cover blurb will give you all you need to know about The Guest Cottage by Lori Foster before picking up your own copy. I loved everything about this story, it’s suspenseful, emotional, intriguing with a sense of finally getting life right, finally finding where you belong. Highly recommend for any reader who loves a complex romance, well-written, with characters who are believable and relatable.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

3,5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (rounded up), mentions of spice 🌶️
I went into this book kinda blindly and I think it worked out to my favor. This book turned out to be a slice of life type of book with sprinkles of romance and creating a friendship between two very different aged women (20 & 35). There was also some drama to spice it up which I enjoyed. The plot was entertaining, it kept me interested pretty much all the way through.
PROS:
- very nice atmosphere and I loved the setting overall
- likeable characters, none of the main characters were annoying at all
- writing style was easy to get through
- the friendship between our two fmc's was my favourite part <3
CONS:
- personally the chapters were way too long for me
- Marlow (fmc) and Cort (mmc) were not really a believable couple in my opinion, I didn't see their chemistry
- idk why but everyone in the book was obsessed with the fact that Cort was a former Marine and it caused overmentioning that in this book in my opinion. like cool and all but we get that you were a Marine... don't need to remind us a million times.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing and the author for the ARC of this book!

Thank you and Kensington for the chance to read the ARC of The guest cottage by Lori Foster. I have been a long time fan of the author, and having been in kinda of a book funk, this was the perfect feel good book to read! Marlowe travels to spend the summer in Bramble, Kentucky after being betrayed by her husband, and wants to start over. This is a perfect beach read, with great small town characters, and a sweet (not spicy) romance.

A Lori Foster book is an automatic must read for me. This book is an excellent feel good story of the changes in Marlow’s life after the death of the husband she was in the process of divorcing. A move to the small town of Bramble and meeting Colt was the best thing that could ever happen to her. All the people in the town became part of her life as well as some surprising visitors. The story will make you feel good as Marlow begins her new happy life. Stunning sunrises and nightly fireflies to help you smile.

Loved the characters! Marlow is disillusioned and hurting, looking for a good place to land. She finds Bramble. It is a very small, no growth, town that is a very close-knit community. She instantly falls in love with the town and sets about trying to make herself indispensable so they will let her stay forever. Cort is a strong, steady guy. He rents a cottage to Marlow and gets more than he bargained for. Marlow turns his world upside down in a good way, but is he ready for that? Then Pixie enters Marlow's life. Pixie had an affair with Marlow's husband before he died. She shows up at Marlow's door with a baby and she is very sick. Marlow can't turn Pixie and her baby away, so she decides to help her. Pixie feels so bad because she didn't know that her "boyfriend" was married. When she found out, she immediately stopped the relationship, even though she was pregnant. She is only 20 years old and so alone in the world. Everyone in town is blown away by Marlow's generosity. Then Marlow's husband's parents come to town. Will they accept their grandson? Marlow will do anything to protect Pixie and so will Cort.

The Guest Cottage is book 1 in the Firefly Summer series by Lori Foster. This was an excellent book, I fell in love with the small community of Bramble, Kentucky. Such a close knit town, but does have some quirky rules that everyone has to abide by. Marlow was an amazing woman, hurt deeply she still has the ability to forgive her husbands girlfriend, when she arrives on her doorstep. I certainly would recommend this book to everyone.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington, I am leaving my review voluntarily.