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.

This is a heartwarming book about healing, forgiveness, second chances, heartbreak, acceptance & finding happiness. Marlow lost her husband suddenly while being in the midst of divorce after having an unhappy marriage. Cort is her landlord who she’s renting a cottage from and Pixie, her late husband’s affair partner who comes to her for help. It’s complicated, emotional but they all become their own family along with the other quirky characters. Marlow finds love with Cort and friendship with Pixie. You will love this beautifully written book, this author never disappoints!!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. If you are looking for a feel good book this one is for you. Marlow arrives in Bramble, Kentucky after finding out her husband cheated on her. Looking to start over until Pixie, the other woman shows up on her doorstep. This is a book about finding friendship in the strangest of situations.

The Guest Cottage
Firefly Summer Series - Book 1
By Lori Foster
Kensington Books - May 2025
Contemporary Romance

Marlow Heddings' marriage had ended before the death of her husband. His infidelity had been the final straw. Contrary to her in-laws belief, his death didn't change her determination to still leave the home and job she'd had and start over. She stayed long enough to help them through the funeral, then moved to a rental on a lake. She didn't have to work, so she wanted to choose the work she would do. Wear the clothes she wanted. Watch sunrises, and fireflies.

The community was opposed to population growth, but it was okay for her to rent. She started making friends and found a job. Even better was the relationship with the cottage owner, Cort Easton.

Cort had brought his mother here and the community had embraced her. After her death, he had stayed and worked as a contractor. He knew Marlow's situation and didn’t want to intrude, but soon the draw between them could not be denied.

The Guest Cottage is a sweet romance of healing, forgiveness and love. I found the beginning a bit slow, but then there is a surprise on Marlow's doorstep that whips up all kinds of issues. Emotions run high, and Ms Foster deftly addresses everything each character might face. I was engrossed to see how the situation would be resolved. I really enjoyed The Guest Cottage and am curious to see what is next.

Kathy Andrico - KathysReviewCorner.com

What a heartwarming story! After Marlow’s life is upended by the actions of her husband all she wants is some peace. So Marlow decides to leave her things behind and stay at a peaceful cabin in the lake in a small town called Bramble. What she isn’t expecting is her landlord to be such an amazing guy. As Marlow heals from her past and discovers herself she is accepted and cared for by this quirky small town, and its equally quirky residents. But then things take a shocking turn when someone shows up at her door shattering her peace once again. As Marlow learns to deal with her new reality she has some choices to make about how to find peace going forward. A very sweet and uplifting story that made me question if I would have as much grace as Marlow in her position. I received an ARC, and this is my honest review.

Whoa what a story! Marlow is devastated by her cheating husband who dies in the middle of their divorce. She decides she needs a fresh start and finds a cottage for rent in Bramble, Kentucky. She's starting a relationship with the cottage owner, Cort, and one night a visitor arrives on her doorstep. Marlow is determined to help her young visitor and realizes this is also helping her to move on with her life. This is one of those feel good stories that I'd read again and again. I wish it was a series so I could revisit Bramble and it's residents over and over.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

Loved it! A cute romance with wonderful characters in a beautiful setting. Marlow moved to this little lakeside town to get away from all the drama of her in-laws and her ex husband who recently passed away. She meets her landlord, Cort, who is everything her ex husband wasn't. Kind, honest and protective. They hit it off right away but they take it slow because of her past. Also I love Pixie, she's sweet and scared at first but she gets better and stronger. Also want to point out that this is a closed door Romance so if you don't care for spice then feel free to read this. Only kissing involved. if that's not your thing then you should skip. I loved it though.

Have you ever known exactly where a story was going, but knew you were going to enjoy every little part of the journey? That is the case with The Guest Cottage. Here we meet Marlow, a woman determined to start a new life. Marlow is welcomed to the town of Bramble and finds family and finally feels like she belongs. Then along comes a surprise… I loved every minute of this sweet story!

really warm and uplifting story. the POV switches were at times a hair sudden but i never found myself confused as to who we were seeing the story from, and the plotting, the romance, and the characters were awesome. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

Marlow was finally walking away from her old life and staring fresh. Renting a cottage in Brambles and who knows from there. Her in-laws just can’t accept she isn’t coming back.

For once in her life she feels Bramble is where she belongs. Meeting her landlord Cory is another surprise she wants expecting. I won’t tell more of the story as you need to read for yourself. Such a beautiful and heartwarming book. Read It!!

What an absolute joy The Guest Cottage was! Probably the only "CLEAN" Foster I've read, no sex, maybe some eluding to but no actual description. I love second chance novels and this was a great one. Marlow freshly divorced, is stunned when her new ex passes away. She takes that second chance by moving to to quaint Bramble. Small towns and love and forgiveness make up this novel! Loved it

Thanks to NetGalley & Kensington Publishing for the chance to read this book!

So I will admit, NOT a huge romance reader, but I am a sucker for a cottage on the lake and a comeback story So i felt i Had to read this one, & I will say I am not upset at all that i read this book! This was such a heartfelt good small town beautiful scenery, nostalgic type story, I loved everything about it. Do think it was a bit corny that after it was mentioned he was a marine, that kept getting brought up just about every other page of the book, but even i was willing to overlook that because the rest of the story was so beautiful.