Firefly Summer, Book 1
From the publisher:
Love, forgiveness, and renewal take center stage in the haven of a quiet lakeside town when two very different women bond over one man’s betrayals in this uplifting new series from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster.
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.
This is a sweet, small-town romance with interesting characters who grow and change. Marlow thought she had her future figured out—until her husband cheated on her. They were in the process of divorcing when he died unexpectedly in an accident. His overbearing parents refuse to believe he ever did anything wrong and smother Marlow with denial and blame. Feeling trapped and emotionally exhausted, Marlow knows it’s time to start over and leave Chicago.
She finds a charming cottage for rent in the quiet town of Bramble, Kentucky, and sets out to rebuild her life. With dreams of opening a boutique and hope for a fresh start, Marlow begins to settle into her new surroundings. The cottage’s owner, Cort Easton—a retired Marine who is as kind as he is handsome—helps make Bramble feel like home.
Just as Marlow starts to feel at peace, a surprise visitor throws everything into turmoil. Pixie, a 19-year-old woman her late husband had an affair with, shows up pregnant and alone after being disowned by her family. Desperate, she turns to Marlow for help. Even Pixie is stunned by the compassion Marlow shows her. Their unlikely alliance blossoms into a sisterhood that withstands threats from Marlow’s hostile in-laws. Marlow stands firm in supporting Pixie.
What follows is a touching story of love, forgiveness, and chosen family, set against the backdrop of a welcoming small town. Foster draws readers into Bramble with warmth and depth, making it hard to leave. Thankfully, this is just the first in a new series—and I can’t wait to return.
7/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
THE GUEST COTTAGE by Lori Foster. Kensington (May 27, 2025). ISBN: 978-1496752352. 304p.
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