I am always excited to read a new novel by Sarah Morgan and The Holiday Cottage did not disappoint me. Imogen is working hard in London as an event planner until the point of near burn-out. Everything comes to a head when her alcoholic mother is hospitalized and Imogen misses a very important client even. Fortunately, her boss sees that she needs time off and sends her home for the month of December. She has one scheduled luncheon to attend, with her favorite client Dorothy, before heading back to her apartment to spend the holidays alone. When Dorothy learns that Imogen will be alone for the holidays, she invites Imogen to stay in a cottage that she owns in the country. Dorothy did this without checking with her daughter Sara or thinking about how this might impact Sara and her family. The readers might think that Sara is being selfish and unkind by not wanting Imogen to share the holidays with them. However, once we learn about the relationship among these characters, it is understandable. I was not able to put this novel down and read it in one day. I had to know if things worked out for Imogen who deserved happiness after having an unhappy and lonely childhood.

Imogen lives her life by working nonstop and making up stories about her personal life. When she faces burnout she is given a chance to find a real family. I loved this story and didn’t want it to end. I wanted to have more detail about her and her Mother. And I feel like some parts were skipped over like her relationship with Miles.

I loved this book initially. I found myself invested in Imogen's story wanting to know more about her back story and why she holds the world at a distance. I didn't see the twist coming and felt invested in the story. However, it feels like the story ended without a conclusion and maybe that's expected with a fluff holiday novel I was just disappointed.

Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to read this advanced copy.

The Holiday Cottage is another wonderful Sara Morgan Christmas story. Attempting to fit in with her team at work Imogen shares an invented life, but things are about to become very real when her employer forces her to take an extended vacation and one of her clients invites her to visit during the holiday. This book is full of Christmas feels, character surprises, and emotional reawakening. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.

I love Sarah Morgan books so I was pleased to see another available to be read and got to it right away. The family drama held at Christmas time was set in a perfect location. Sarah has a wonderful way of setting the scenes and giving a great description so that you can see yourself there. This story was no different!
This one felt a bit off for me though. I could not connect with the main character, Imogen, in the first half of the book. Nothing seemed to happen and it was not until 50% through that anything started to make sense and I could start to understand and, maybe, like her a bit more.
There were a few spots in the story that were not completely thought through and seemed unrealistic but nothing that ruined it.
The romantic relationship part of the story felt somewhat rushed. Things sure did move fast. It felt as if it was just days from meeting to being a couple. It's too bad that more time was not given to the 2nd half of the book and cut out some of what was at the beginning. Also, events/activities mentioned at one point were not included or written about and then suddenly had been completed. Days were jumped over so there was a rushed feeling in the timeline.
I was still wondering where the relationship between Imogen and her mom stood at the end. There could definitely have been more detail to this, which I thought was one of the main parts of the whole book.
Over all it was a great story and I would recommend it be read, but I still feel it was not one of SM's best books.

Thanks for the opportunity to read this arc!!

Thank you @canarystreetpress, @htpbooks, and @netgalley for the eARC of The Holiday Cottage by @sarahmorganwritesnin exchange for an honest review!

📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 As Imogen approaches the holiday season, she is reminded that her life is not the dream she has made it out to be. While she has tried her hardest to create the image of the perfect family and home growing up, she is alone. Her client, Dorothy has a magical Christmas in the Cotswolds planned, complete with her beautiful estate and rescue alpacas. However, her daughter, Sara, maintains a quiet suspicion about Dorothy’s growing relationship with Imogen. Sarah Morgan writes these characters in such exquisite detail that the connection with them feels so deep, friends you have known for years and are genuinely invested in their happiness. When it seems as though Imogen’s already sparse world is crashing down around her, Dorothy extends the invitation for Imogen to stay at her cottage for the holiday season. The Holiday Cottage weaves together their stories in such a beautiful and heartfelt way, a truly modern Christmas classic.

5/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review is posted on Goodreads and will be on Instagram ahead of the publication date!

I enjoyed this book. I loved the family feel to it It was heartwarming and romantic. The ending was good even though i thought it could have been a little more romantic. All in all It was good. I love the books that Sarah Morgan writes. I'm grateful that netgalley and the publishers let me read this in exchange for an honest review.