The Guest Cottage (Firefly Summer 1) by Lori Foster-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 27, 2025

In this uplifting series debut, forgiveness and unlikely friendship blossom in the haven of a quiet lakeside town when two very different women bond over one man’s betrayals.

Marlow Heddings is starting over. She’s carried the outrage of her husband Dylan’s affair with a younger woman—and the expectations of his family’s powerful Chicago holdings company—long enough. Now, after another devastating twist of fate, she’s unapologetically moving on.

Arriving in tiny Bramble, Kentucky, Marlow revels in her freedom, swapping her executive suits for sundresses . . . and scouting places to open her dream boutique. Best of all is her new residence, an adorable cottage with gorgeous lake views—and a breathtaking landlord, former Marine Cort Easton. Soon they’re sharing dockside morning coffee and nighttime firefly gazing. Marlow’s new life feels like a dream.

Then Pixie Nolan arrives on her doorstep. With a shocking secret.

To Marlow’s astonishment, Dylan’s “other woman” is a desperate girl of nineteen, destitute, exhausted, and disowned by her family. Defying her manipulative in-laws’ demands, and surprising even herself, Marlow vows to lay down roots in Bramble and help Pixie get on her feet. Then they’ll part ways. But empathy has a way of forging bonds. As Marlow grows close to the hard-working, devoted young woman, she becomes something of a big sister to Pixie.

Now, with each sunrise, Marlow awakens to the life she was truly meant to live, one filled with deepening connections, supportive friendship . . . and even a second chance at love.

•••••

REVIEW: THE GUEST COTTAGE is the first instalment in Lori Foster’s contemporary, adult FIREFLY SUMMER romance series. This is former US Marine Cort Easton, and thrity-five year old, widow Marlow Heddings’ story line.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Cort and Marlow THE GUEST COTTAGE follows in the wake of the death of Marlow Heddings’ husband. Months earlier, Marlow discovered her husband’s affair, and filed for divorce but fate had different plans, leaving Marlow a widow with a new direction in life, and in the ensuing time found herself moving to Bramble Kentucky where she will meet her future in the guise of former US Marine Cort Easton. Settling into a new life, Marlow will once again face another heartbreak with the arrival of her late husband’s other woman, a woman with some secrets of her own.

The world building is emotional as Marlow must come to terms with the past, the present, and eventually her future. The small town of Bramble protects their own but Marlow will discover there is only so much room in Bramble for outsiders, of which she is one. A twist to Marlow’s life is about to turn everything on its’ proverbial head, when a young woman announces she has no where else to go. We learn a little bit about Cort’s past, his time in the Marine’s and the dysfunctional family dynamics that forced Cort’s move to Bramble Kentucky.

The relationship between Cort and Marlow begins as landlord and tenant as Marlow is renting a small cottage on the lake. Cort is immediately enamored with our story line heroine, a woman who is determined to make it on her own. There are no $ex scenes.

There is a large ensemble cast of interesting and quirky secondary and supporting characters most of whom live and work in Bramble Kentucky.

THE GUEST COTTAGE is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and heart break,family and relationships, acceptance and love. The premise is inspiring; the characters are animated and charismatic; the romance is tender and subtle.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy