I am a great fan of David Bunn. In fact, I own about 15 of his books. So when I saw this come up for review, I jumped on it.

I enjoyed this one, too. Just not as much as normally. I thought it was a little hard getting into it.

Many thanks to Net Galley and RB Media for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Christmas Cottage is a heartwarming story, perfect for a cozy day with a warm tea under a blanket.
Returning to Miramar after a rough time turns out to be nothing like Olivia expected. A winter flood made the house she was supposed to stay in unlivable and she finds accommodations only at the police station. On top of it all, she meets again an old flame, Dillon.
The narrator’s soothing voice adds a layer of warmth that makes the story even better. You can feel the magic of holidays and second chances. It doesn't feel like a simple Christmas story because it is more about forgiveness, healing, and emotional growth than romance.
I recommend this audiobook to anyone looking for a comforting, inspirational listen that captures the spirit of Christmas. Many thanks to NetGalley for giving it to me.

Meh🤷🏽‍♀️

I could without hearing “Different question same answer” for a long long time. That phrase was used so much!

The Christmas Cottage by Davis Bunn is about a town in California that has just experienced some devastating storms. While this is going on, a young woman, Olivia, is just returning home to her Mom's cottage/home where she is hoping to put HER past behind her and start over again. BUT, upon her arrival she realizes that something is very wrong with the town...
She is unable to get to the cottage, due to the storm, and is told it is beyond repair (at least at present time). When she tries to book a room at the local hotel, she finds that nothing is available. In fact, the only space available is at the town's jail! =0

So, we are off to a bumpy start, and I expected that it would get much better from here.
For me at least, it did not. :(

Along the way we meet Dillon, Olivia's HS sweetheart. They broke up on bad terms, and have now both returned to their hometown after failing miserably on their own. At the time, he has no job and no prospects...

But as we go along, we meet many of the townspeople, and the sense of community and caring is overwhelming! And sweet little Elena, who is a gifted child (and the daughter of the town's mayor) is just the showstealer! She made most of the book worthwhile!

However, this is billed as "The Christmas Cottage"...therefore, I truly expected a CHRISTMAS story. Not that the story was taking place AT Christmastime, during some major storms, with most of the town delving into how to save their properties and get some funds to build back up. Although that is all well and good, and realistic, it is NOT what I want to read about in a Christmas themed novel....

So, because of all these detractors, at least for me, this was a 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ read.

#TheChristmasCottage by #DavisBunn and narrated by #GrahamWinton.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #RecordedBooksMedia for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. Sorry this one was not better for me, but here it is.
**** Release date was yesterday, 9/24/24. ****

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In *The Christmas Cottage* by Davis Bunn, Dillon Farrow and Olivia Greer return to their hometown, both struggling with personal and financial hardships. Forced to spend Christmas together after a flood, they reconnect in a plot that promised festive warmth but ultimately fell flat. I was hoping for a heartwarming holiday story, but it failed to capture my attention. Worse, the inclusion of the phrase “I was busy flirting with a ten-year-old” was completely inappropriate—especially as a mother of four girls, this is not something I want to read in a Christmas novel. Despite Graham Winton’s soothing narration, the story was disappointing and missed the mark for me.