Imogen loves what she does. Work is everything. No one in her office is aware that the pictures of her family are fake and so is her dog. When the dreaded bring-your-dog-to-work day arrives one December, she invents reasons as to why Midas can’t participate. Before long, the carefully built life she has invented topples and reality intrudes. Enough so that her boss forces her to take the month of December totally off. With her life in shambles, what can Imogen do?

Dorothy has no idea what she’s doing, but she succeeds at doing it. And Imogen, with her marketing ideas, has played a key role in making the winery a success. When they meet to discuss the latest event Imogen has planned, Dorothy learns about Imogen’s predicament. Heartache at past Christmases has led Dorothy to save animals. Since Imogen needs saving, Dorothy invites her to stay at Holly Cottage for the holidays because no one should ever spend the holidays alone.

Family is what matters to Sara, Dorothy’s daughter. When she learns that her mother has invited Imogen to stay for the holidays, Sara fears that her carefully constructed walls may crumble. How will she protect herself, her family, and her mother then?

This captivating tale arouses a host of emotions. You will laugh and cry. You will feel anguish and pain. You will experience hope and love. Although you may not identify with all the incidents that these three characters encounter, you will have experienced at least some of them. The Holiday Cottage is a romance, and so much more. It’s a story of facing yourself, finding balance in your life, letting go, and forgiveness.

(Review published on Goodreads.com: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6738153748)

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance review copy in return for an honest review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. This was another cute holiday read but I just couldn’t really connect with the characters or plot much. It felt like it took a while to get into it and then the ending was so rushed

England - Present Day

For most of her life, Imogen has kept up a front about her life that is pure fiction. Her mother has made it a point throughout Imogen's life of denying that Imogen is her daughter, preferring to tell others she is her sister, or denying her existence altogether. So, for her school years, college time, and now as a marketing expert, Imogen has let those around her think she is from a big family "in the country", that she has a boyfriend named Jack, and even that she has a Golden Retriever called Midas, none of which are true. Even the photos on her desk are of a family portrait she took off the internet. Her entire life is her work, which she excels at, but her personal life is non-existent.

Imogen is now one year into a new job with a different company where she is the team leader of a group of people who spend much of their work time chatting about their personal lives. Imogen just wants them to have their noses to the grindstone, and simply doesn't understand why they won't! Plus now her mother, Tina (she doesn't like being called Mom) has left messages for her on her phone. Imogen delays responding, knowing that Tina probably just wants money for her drinking issue. Trying to keep her team moving, and also trying not to deal with her mother, Imogen is frantic about finishing a project and moving on to the next one. One of her major clients is Dorothy who owns and runs a winery in the Cotswolds. Dorothy was so enamored of Imogen's work that she left Imogen's previous company when Imogen took her present position.

As Imogen balances three different projects in one day where she has to be present for each client, she gets a call from a hospital that her mother is asking for her. She has been in an accident and is badly injured. Reluctantly, Imogen leaves her second client and goes to the hospital, only to be told by her mother that she didn't ask for her, that she doesn't want her around, and that she's never wanted her. Stunned that this was all done in front of people, Imogen leaves, and misses the third client's event. The next day her boss urges her to take time off, and orders her to do so for a month. Imogen explains this all to Dorothy the next day, and Dorothy offers her the cottage on her estate for that time. Surprising even herself, Imogen accepts.

THE HOLIDAY COTTAGE is the story of a young woman who has never felt loved, and has had to take care of herself for most of her life. There was never any support from her mother, only stories about how it was all Imogen's fault for Tina getting kicked out of her family. So, it's no surprise that settling into the little cottage amid the Christmas holidays, and being around Dorothy's close-knit family, where Imogen must learn how to trust. And things don't necessarily start out great.

Don't miss Sarah Morgan's latest delightful novel, THE HOLIDAY COTTAGE.

Oh my goodness, I just adored this story. I could feel the heroines distress and emotions throughout this tale of betrayal, manipulation, and love. This is a book that I would re-read (maybe each year around Christmas). It is a beautifully woven story of one of the worst type of parent, a resilient young woman (Imogene), and a family she has longed for all of her life. I loved Imogene's story and how she learned at an early age to only rely on herself and to see how her determination and drive led her to become a prominent individual in the event planning business. This has also led her, unfortunately, to invent some colorful traditions and characters for her imaginary family. She does this in order to reflect what she feels will get her the least attention from her co-workers and others so that she doesn't stand-out as being "odd". I am so glad that she was brave enough to listen to all sides of a situation in order to glean the truth of the matter.

One of the loveliest Christmas stories I've ever read.
Finding you have family when you've spent a life on your own is one of the most joyful things I can imagine
A wonderful and touching way to find
love.

Event planner Imogen is living her best life with her big, loving family and her golden retriever Midas. Too bad that best life is all in her head. She has made up this life to fit in with her coworkers and to hide her reality--that she is the only child of an alcoholic single mother who only contacts her when she needs something. When she receives a call from the hospital that causes her to drop the ball on an important work event, her boss insists that she take a month off work to spend with her non-existent family,. Luckily a favorite client offers Imogen a cottage on her estate in the Cotswolds for the holiday.

The book moved fairly slowly through the first half and then kicked into a higher gear. The family drama was resolved unrealistically quickly with very little drama. The insta-love romance started later in the story and took a back seat to the family story. Morgan's writing was reliably good, though, and the setting was lovely. All in all, an enjoyable holiday read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press for an eARC. Opinions are my own.

The Holiday Cottage is a fun, heart-warming, if slightly formulaic holiday story. It centers around three women, Imogen and mother and daughter Dorothy and Sara. Imogen is workaholic with a cold and cruel mother that leads her to fabricate a home happy life to her co-workers. With a (fake) missing dog and a disaster with her mother that leads her to miss a work event, her boss forces her to take a month away from work. In swoops Dorothy, one of her clients, to offer her a place to spend the holidays. Dorothy's daughter isn't too happy about the decision because it will unearth a family trauma the pair have been living with for years - but at the same time it may finally provide them some closure and resolution. The book is definitely centered more around family relationships, but does have some very low spice romance in it as well. The star of the book is without a doubt Ava, Sara's bold and fearless daughter, who as a secondary character steals the show every time she makes an appearance. The plot doesn't have a lot of depth to it, and the second half feels rushed after how slowly things unspool in the first half of the book, but if you're look for warm, fuzzy holiday feels then the book is perfect for you. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a cozy read perfect for the holiday season! The romance felt a bit rushed but it didn’t diminish my enjoyment of this read ◡̈ This is my first Sarah Morgan and I’m excited to read more from this author.

The Holiday Cottage is yet another holiday hit for Sarah Morgan.
Imogen makes up a personal life when she talks to her coworkers as she doesn’t have a home life except a mother who only contacts her when she needs something and a made up dog.
After she reaches a near breakdown and her boss forces her to take a break , she accepts an offer from one of her clients to get out of town and relax some. Imogen never imagines how this will change her life for the better.
This heartwarming story is full of heart break, love and second chances . No one creates holiday books quite like Sarah Morgan
.thank you NetGalley and publisher for a copy for my opinion.

3.75/5 rounded up

Classic Sarah Morgan writing with cozy characters, charming town and holiday magic. While I liked the setting and some of the characters, the main character was hard to gauge, the family drama took longer to reveal then to redeem and the romance was soo rushed. It was fine, but just a bit too speedy to wrap things up perfectly

To be honest after much skimming through the story, I ended up DNFing it at the 40% mark.

I found Imogen's coworkers to be so obnoxious. Maybe it's because I'm an introvert and am easily annoyed with those who keep pestering to know more. Geez, leave Imogen alone.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Canary Street Press for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Holiday Cottage is a touching tale of friendship, self-discovery, and the unexpected connections that unite us. Morgan's skillful storytelling guarantees that this novel will linger in your thoughts, much like the comforting embrace of a roaring fireplace on a cold winter evening.

I loved Imogen and her family. This was such an honest view of what family relationships can be like. This story really resignation with me. My heart went out to Imogen and her grandmother and aunt. In trying to fit in without revealing her true circumstances she put herself in some funny situations by making up an imaginary life. The animals and children just added extra pizzazz. It’s a lovely Christmas story that will have a lot of people relating to 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.

I requested to read and review this book for free from Harlequin Enterprise/Canary Street Press. This book has drama, mystery, romance. It's a great read anytime of the year. It has a great meaning on how family can come in many different forms. Imogen foe her entire life that she remembers has always been had to take care of things be the adult no matter the age. It has carried her turning into a an adult who loves to stay busy. But while staying busy has its advantages until things go down hill. Can she pick up the pieces of her life or will she have to start all over again. The Rutherford family has faced some tough loses in a short time and with time things get better right? Can Imogen, Dorothy, Sara find their way to the future and to what is in front of them. Or will their past hurt to much for them to move forward like they should. This story is for a mature audience.

This was a cute story, and I enjoyed the characters. Overall it wasn’t my favorite Sarah Morgan though. I wanted there to be a bit more growth on Imogen’s end, and the romance was introduced a bit too late into the novel.
It’s still a good Christmas read!

I was such a huge fan of The Book Club Hotel that now anything Sarah Morgan writes (especially with the wonderful cover art!) I want to buy and read as part of my cozy atmospheric reading. The Holiday Cottage is absolutely going on my to-buy list for Christmas books (also doubling as decorations) and after reading this eARC I am SO ready for the holidays despite it being the middle of July! lol

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

sarah does such a good job setting and describing the scene as if you are really there in the book. i definitely want to re read this come december at christmas time to get a better experience. it was a good one though!

I absolutely loved this book. Imogen is so strong and resilient yet afraid to trust others. Her mother is a piece of work and understand Imogen’s wish for family. Miles appears later in the story as a love interest which is perfect timing. The plot twist about her extended family was a wonderful surprise that I did not see coming. I would highly recommend this book.

Another fun Christmas read from Ms. Morgan. I always enjoy her books and this was no exception.

Imogen works as an event planner in London. She has pictures of a pretend family and a dog on her desk so she'll fit in with the others in her office. She also has a pretend boyfriend. She is so busy with work she has no time for anything else. As the holidays approach Imogen's boss is worried about Imogen experiencing burnout and makes her take a month off. Imogen is invited to spend some time in a client's cottage and decides to accept. Lots of things are revealed when Imogen spends time with Dorothy (the client) and her daughter Sara that will change Imogen's life. Add in Miles and his dog Ralph and Imogen's life is turned upside down for the better. Read this one to find out what is revealed and how everything works out.

This is my third Sarah Morgan, and she's grown to be a must-read author for me. What I love is that her stories center a location to start and then build with the stories of the people who find their way to that place. And yes, it's currently the heat of summer as I read this book, but I loved adding a seasonal read my July! This will be a great read to cozy up with when it's actually winter. The unique thing about this is one is that the story has a big twist at the halfway point that I did not see coming, and it's a big gamechanger. This was full of all the feels, and I loved the layers of relationships. Thanks to NetGalley for the early look at this September 2024 release!