For fans of the Hallmark Channel, I give you, The Guest Cottage, by Lori Foster - the first book in her new Firefly Summer series.

A woman named Marlow is in need of a fresh start after her recent ex-husband unexpectedly dies. He used to be her whole life, until her job with his highly successful family became her focus, and they lost sight of their relationship. This series of events brings with it a complex set of emotions, and she finds she just needs to get away. After some research, Marlow finds a place that is perfect, a little lake town called Bramble Kentucky. The landlord turns out to be an emotionally intelligent ex-marine named Cort who helps her work through her feelings and next steps. Just when Marlow feels like she's starting to settle into the slower lifestyle of Bramble, her ex's mistress shows up in need of help in more ways than one. And though Marlow feels like she's found her forever home, the town itself is not accepting of outsiders.

Told in a very calm and measured tone of voice, The Guest Cottage is full of drama and conflict that never tips over the scale into stressful territory. If I had to describe it in a word, I'd give it: cozy.

Everyone deserves second chances, including just about every character in this book. More than anything, I feel this story is about community, compassion, and found family. After reading it, I felt on some level that something inside me somewhere was healed a little bit. It wasn't quite as engaging and high-stakes as I generally prefer my fiction to be, but it was certainly worth the time spent reading it.

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Guest Cottage is the latest book offering from Lori Foster and the first in her new series Firefly Summer. While Foster is well known for her romantic suspense novels The Guest Cottage is a lighthearted, emotional and charming small town novel about recently widowed Marlow as she strives to find her way and break free from her former life. Bramble, KY offers a delightful cast of local characters who will make you want to pack up and move immediately.

I received an electronic ARC from Kensington Publishing through NetGalley.
Foster captures the magic of ordinary settings in this first book in her new series.
Marlow has moved to the small town of Bramble to escape a nasty divorce that was interrupted by the sudden death of her husband in a car accident. She leaves the high power business world behind to rediscover who she is. When she meets her landlord, Cort is so much more than she expected. Readers watch their romance unfold and their relationship handle revelations from their pasts and unexpected challenges in their present. A third character is introduced and Marlow has to face her past and find a way to welcome the young woman her husband had an affair with. Pixie is ill and destitute but comes to find help for her baby.
I appreciate the way Foster slowly reveals the depths for her characters and does not simply jump to happy ever after. This is a realistic look at difficult situations and characters respond as humans would. She uses this book to set the stage in this small town and I look forward to future books in the series.

A book about starting over. In the middle of a contentious divorce, Marlow's husband died. After settling his affairs she moves to a small town to start over. She went from a high paced corporate job to a small town where she worked as a waitress.
This is a story about a woman finding herself and learning how strong she actually was. Standing on her own she found a new life that suited her. On her own for the first time, she was strong and self reliant. She was able to meet here new landlord, Cort, as an equal. Even as their relationship started to heat up she was faced with another surprise.
Answering her doorbell she was surprised to see her dead husband's mistress standing their holding a little baby. She had every reason to hated the woman who broke up her marriage but instead took pity on the young, sick girl. Pixie hadn't know her boyfriend was married and when he found out she was pregnant he didn't do anything to help. After his death his parents refused to rehire her and had her black balled in town so she couldn't find work anywhere. Now, her she was on Marlow's doorstep with no where to go.
Marlow steps up and takes care of Pixie and baby Andy. Rather than blame her for stealing her husband she knows that he was the one at fault. Together with Cort they form a little family unit each taking care of the other. As Cort and Marlow grow closer, their support helps Pixie grow in self confidence and strength. All three of them find happiness in their small town.

The Guest Cottage by Lori Foster is the newest release by the author. The first book of the Firefly Summer series.

Marlow was in the process of finalizing her divorce when her deadbeat ex went and got himself killed. Now her demanding in-laws want her to forget all about his seedy life and rejoin the company as a united front. Marlow quickly squashes their plans and heads out of town. After losing herself throughout the years of her marriage, she was well on her way to being true to herself again. Finding a tiny rural town that doesn’t let in strangers seems like the perfect opportunity. She rents a guest cottage on the lake from the gorgeous owner Cort hopefully for more than just the summer. Slowly winning over the townsfolk, Marlow is ready to make Bramble her forever home.

Cort is an ex marine that moved his mother to Bramble many years ago, to get them away from her abusive husband aka Cort’s father. The small town welcomed them with open arms, and he knew when he left for the service, that the townspeople would take care of his mother. He prides himself on helping his neighbors as much as he can. Marlow quickly draws him in with her charm and confidence.

When a surprise turns up literally at Marlow’s door, will she finally break, or will this new situation force her to face her fears and then put them behind her?

This story has such wonderful lead characters, and secondary characters. You feel like you are part of the scene with the depth of description Ms. Foster goes into with each section of storyline. I felt like I was a part of Bramble, sitting on my bar stool taking in the action. Such a welcoming town, with a kinship that is very much lacking these days. Great new release from the author, pick up a copy soon but beware that you won’t want to put it down.

This is book one in the Firefly Summer series. If you are a fan of her other summer, light romance series this will be a winner for you.

Marlow Heddings is going through a divorce then her estranged husband passes and wants out of town mostly away from his parents. She leaves Chicago for the small quaint town of Bramble KY.

Colt Easton is a transparent to town and found family in the people here.

I honestly thought this book was over around 32% then bang HUGE surprise.

The spice is light, heartwarming characters and an easy summer read.

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

One of the reasons that I enjoyed this book is that characters were a little “older” than your standard couple and were more secure with themselves. I, also, enjoyed the small town feel with somewhat welcoming natives even though they didn’t want anymore permanent residents. I loved how Marlowe and Cort were in their interaction with Pixie and Andy. There’s not a lot of people who would react the way they did when confronted by an ex husband’s affair and the aftermath. This would be a fantastic read when on vacation. Very heartwarming and a feel good read!

I loved this feel good book! It’s filled with amazing characters that are full of unexpected forgiveness & love 💗 Thank you Lori Foster for this great 5 ⭐️ book. Do yourself a favor & grab a copy,it releases on 5-27 you won’t be sorry 😊

Lori Foster’s The Guest Cottage is a heartwarming and deeply emotional novel about resilience, unexpected friendships, and second chances. Set in the exclusive town of Bramble, Kentucky—where newcomers must be approved by the tight-knit community—the story follows Marlow Heddings as she embarks on a fresh start after betrayal and loss.

Marlow’s life took a devastating turn when she discovered her husband’s affair, only for him to die before their divorce was finalized. Tired of living under the expectations of her powerful in-laws, she leaves Chicago behind and seeks refuge in Bramble, renting a charming lakefront cottage. With a new dream of opening a boutique, she embraces the peaceful simplicity of small-town life. Her landlord, former Marine Cort Easton, is quiet, understanding, and dealing with his own past. Their easy connection soon grows into something more, offering Marlow a future she never expected.

Just as she begins to find her footing, an unexpected visitor arrives—Pixie Nolan, the nineteen-year-old woman who had an affair with Marlow’s late husband. Homeless, exhausted, and caring for a newborn, Pixie is desperate. Rather than rejecting her, Marlow makes the surprising decision to take her in, defying her controlling in-laws and forging an unlikely but profound bond. As Marlow helps Pixie find her own fresh start, she realizes that the life she was meant to live is unfolding right in front of her.

Foster expertly weaves themes of healing, redemption, and the power of human connection into this beautifully written novel. Marlow is an inspiring protagonist—resilient, optimistic, and full of quiet strength. Cort’s steady support and Pixie’s journey of self-discovery add layers of depth to a story that is equal parts heartwarming and raw. The town of Bramble, with its protective yet endearing community, serves as the perfect backdrop for this tale of reinvention.

The Guest Cottage is more than a romance—it’s a story of empowerment, forgiveness, and embracing the unexpected. Perfect for fans of small-town fiction and heartfelt storytelling, this book is a touching reminder that sometimes, the hardest endings lead to the best new beginnings.

There is much to be said about starting over, facing your fears and ultimately allowing love and forgiveness to fill your heart. Lori Foster has accomplished this exceptionally well in her latest book The Guest Cottage. All of the experiences that Marlow enjoys when she moves into the new town of Bramble help her recover from a tumultuous past life and build a new one. With the help of the whole town life changes for the better! This is a heartwarming story I thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you NetGalley for a chance to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Lori Foster’s The Guest Cottage is the story of Marlow Heddings, who seeks refuge in the quaint town of Bramble, Kentucky, after being blindsided by her husband’s betrayal. Bramble is a community filled with interesting characters. Among them is Marlow’s landlord, Marine Cort Easton, who embodies acceptance and patience. His quiet support allows Marlow the space she needs for self-discovery and healing. I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of The Guest Cottage, a book that masterfully weaves the themes of friendship, loyalty, and the courage to seize second chances. It reminds us that even after the most painful betrayals, new relationships and personal growth are possible when we open ourselves to forgiveness and change.

Woman finds out her husband cheated in the process of divorce he dies. She decides to move to a town that has strict rules regarding owning property and visiting while renting a house. She falls in love with the town and decide she wants to stay long-term however, her past catches up to her what will she do? What should she do a solid three star read.

***** I received an arc for my honest opinion from NetGalley.*****

Overall a good story . Wished the transitions between the past and present would’ve been a little smoother. Won’t be my last book read by Nancy Thayer

The storyline is excellent and the characters, while few , are interesting and well described. Beautiful setting too

Thank you to Lori Foster, NetGalley and Kensington for the arc of this book.

The Guest Cottage is an emotional story of perseverance in the face of adversity and infidelity. Marlow moves to Bramble, a small, unique town, to reinvent her life. After her estranged husband was killed, Marlow needed a fresh start, a place to reinvent her life and purpose. When she meets Colt, her landlord and a former Marine, all is right in her new world. And then Pixie, the other woman, arrives on her doorstep with her three month old son. She’s penniless and sick with nowhere else to go. Marlow opens her heart, determined to help Pixie learn to stand on her own two feet to the dismay of her bitter in-laws whose son could do no wrong. This is a heartwarming story of love, compassion, forgiveness, and second chances. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.

After the death of her cheating husband Marlow has moved to the quirky little town of Bramble Kentucky. Here she will reinvent herself, find love, and confront her past. Lovely story.

4.5/5 Stars

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for access to the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a cozy small town romance. Marlow was betrayed by her husband who had an affair. He was shocked when she filed for divorce and died before the divorce was final. Marlow lives under the watch of her controlling in laws and has had enough of big city living. She moves from Chicago to a small town in rural Kentucky. She rents a home from Cort.

Cort is a former Marine who has recently list his beloved mother. He rents a home to Marlow and becomes smitten with her on day 1. Cort helps Marlow adapt to small town living and she gets a job locally.

Marlow can't outrun the shadows of her past when her husbands mistress shows up at her door, young baby in tow. She claims the father of the baby is Marlows ex. Also her in-laws come begging her to return to running their business.

Marlow doesn't hold grudges for the baby or mistress, who claims to have dumped the ex once she found out he was married. She helps her out whole continuing her romance with Cort.

My only issues with the book is that Corts personality and background is just too perfect and not fleshed out. I wanted to know about his background in other romantic relationship or see some faults or drama ( beyond his abusive father).

Also I could have done without the pov of the mistress randomly thrown in because although I did enjoy seeing how caring Marliw was with her and her child, I didn't find it necessary to know her inside thoughts.

Overall I enjoyed reading 📚 this book and think it's a awesome small town hero meets fleeing, traymitized big city woman. Together they patch eachother back together and heal their 💕 hearts.

I really enjoy these kind of stories where the lead character leaves her busy city life and heads for the quieter small town life to reinvent or find herself & that is exactly what Marlow does in this book. Throw in a dead unfaithful husband and some over bearing in laws & you have just enough drama to keep reading

Marlow leaves her job in her husband’s family business in Chicago, her home, and her former life to start a new life in the tiny town of Bramble, Kentucky. She may have been hurt, cheated on, lied to, and more, but she chooses to look at the positive and move forward. What greets her in Bramble is peace, contentment, amazing sunrises, wonderful people, fireflies, and an extremely hot landlord, Cort. Neither one is looking for a relationship but the more time they spend together, the more they realize the other is exactly what they’ve been missing in their lives. When Marlow’s past comes knocking on her door, more than once, she takes a stand, remains firm, and comes up with unique solutions to the problems thrown at her. Cort is by her side every step of the way.

I loved this heartwarming story about new beginnings, second chances, new friendships, belonging, healing, personal growth, and more! A great story with several strong female characters.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A modern day novel that deals with the aftermath of a divorce and a new love. Just when you think the book is not going to deliver, a surprise shows up which makes the book definitely more interesting.

The writing is fine, the story is fine, but it wasn’t my type of book. I do believe that other readers might enjoy it, it just didn’t resonate with me.

Thank you very much Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to read an ARC and I’m sorry I can’t be more excited about it.