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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Sarah Morgan Christmas-themed books make me so happy. The characters were likable and I enjoyed the romance and the family related storylines in this. I do wish there was a tad more closure at the end, but, overall, a very enjoyable read.
I love Christmas stories! This story tops the charts. The whole time you are rooting for Imogen and for a Christmas miracle. I would love for Hallmark to pick this up for their Christmas collection. It would make an awesome addition to their collection.
Imogen tries to find a fresh start after a burnout at work and a catastrophic blunder. She receives an unexpected invitation to stay at her client’s cottage in the Cotswolds. This may be the Christmas miracle that she needs.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Forced (Yet Needed) Christmas Break. Another year, another Sarah Morgan Christmas tale. And yet again, if you like Hallmark Christmas movies - and so very many people very clearly do - you're going to like this one. Perhaps more drama than many of those movies here, Imogen is truly broken - and with good reason, when we get her full backstory. She's coping - she thinks - but even then, she *barely* has her ducks in a row. They're more like cats than ducks, and they *really* don't like walking in rows. Of course, much of this - she admits - she brought on herself.
Let's face it, this is 2024, and it almost doesn't matter your generation, from Boomer all the way down to Zoomer, far too many of us can identify *all too well* with Imogen.
But really, it is the *rest* of the tale - where Imogen is forced into exile and ultimately comes face to face with her past and all of its traumas that created the version of herself she now knows - that is where the true heart of this story is, the true magic - yes, with a bit of Christmas "magic" thrown in to boot. It is this part of the tale that gives it both its gravitas and its wonder, even as it also makes its characters ever more *real*.
Christmas has few Santas, but also few Scrooges. Few Grinches. Just a lot of Whos living their who-lives in their little who-world, doing the best they can.
And here, Morgan hits that particular message out of the ballpark. Kudos to Morgan, and, since I'm writing this review on the day my beloved Atlanta Braves begin their extremely unlikely 7th straight Major League Baseball postseason run, let me just toss in a "Go Braves" and a #ChopOn as well - even though it has *nothing* to do with the book at all. :D May they get a bit of the magic of this book and make a *truly* unexpected season.
Very much recommended.
Let's face it, this is 2024, and it almost doesn't matter your generation, from Boomer all the way down to Zoomer, far too many of us can identify *all too well* with Imogen.
But really, it is the *rest* of the tale - where Imogen is forced into exile and ultimately comes face to face with her past and all of its traumas that created the version of herself she now knows - that is where the true heart of this story is, the true magic - yes, with a bit of Christmas "magic" thrown in to boot. It is this part of the tale that gives it both its gravitas and its wonder, even as it also makes its characters ever more *real*.
Christmas has few Santas, but also few Scrooges. Few Grinches. Just a lot of Whos living their who-lives in their little who-world, doing the best they can.
And here, Morgan hits that particular message out of the ballpark. Kudos to Morgan, and, since I'm writing this review on the day my beloved Atlanta Braves begin their extremely unlikely 7th straight Major League Baseball postseason run, let me just toss in a "Go Braves" and a #ChopOn as well - even though it has *nothing* to do with the book at all. :D May they get a bit of the magic of this book and make a *truly* unexpected season.
Very much recommended.
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
“I’m always going to remember today.” “I don’t need a gift for that.”
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and Canary Street Press for the advanced gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
This book is a perfect holiday read -- so sweet with such beautiful story-telling!
Set in both London and a cozy cottage in the Cotswolds, the story begins when Imogen, a hard working professional whose job is her whole world, is forced to take time off over the holidays. Faced with time to herself that she does not want, Imogen accepts an invitation from one of her favorite clients to stay at Holly Cottage. The quaint little cottage is a perfect refuge for Imogen who needs to come to terms with the imaginary life that she has created for herself yet she soon discovers more about her past than she could have ever imagined.
I am a huge fan of Sarah Morgan’s books, especially her Christmas stories and this one is no exception! I will say that The Holiday Cottage is a little light on the romance, so just know that going in, but regardless there are so many heartwarming moments. Multigenerational family stories are definitely Sarah’s specialty. This book is a perfect reminder of the importance of slowing down, appreciating all that life has to offer and cherishing the relationships you build with the people who mean the most.
The Holiday Cottage is filled with Christmas cheer and has the most perfect cozy setting. If you are looking for an emotional but sweet holiday read then this is the perfect fit!
The Holiday Cottage is available today!
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Imogen lives for her work. She lives for it so much that she’s made up a personal life just to avoid her coworkers’ questions and to hide her lack of a life.
Dorothy runs her own company and likes Imogen’s marketing so much that she moved her account when Imogen moved to a new company. Her daughter Sarah is concerned that Dorothy has picked up another stray (Dorothy has any number of animals that she’s adopted as well as people who Sarah is afraid will take advantage. But they both know something that Imogen doesn’t and it threatens to upend her life.
Luckily, handsome vet (and son of Dorothy’s best friend) Miles is there to help. And he has a golden retriever named Ralph who has decided that Imogen is his person.
Luckily, handsome vet (and son of Dorothy’s best friend) Miles is there to help. And he has a golden retriever named Ralph who has decided that Imogen is his person.
A sweet story. Fans of Morgan will know what to expect.
A great festive read. Very heartwarming with a twist in the middle I did not expect.
Thank you Sarah Morgan, HQ and NetGalley for the ARC
Thank you Sarah Morgan, HQ and NetGalley for the ARC
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The bones of this story are really good. Career-driven Imogen is raised by a mom who was absent at best, emotionally abusive at worst. When she's reconnected with a family she didn't know much about—and had been fed lies about—she has a second chance at family.
However, this book was so oddly paced. We spent 1/3 of the book focusing on career, about two pages for the Big Reveal that should have had quite a bit more tension, an obsession with a dog (this was serious overkill) and then an abrupt ending without a resolution to a very big plot line. Holiday spirit, yes. Recommended reading, no.
Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in advance in trade for an honest review.
However, this book was so oddly paced. We spent 1/3 of the book focusing on career, about two pages for the Big Reveal that should have had quite a bit more tension, an obsession with a dog (this was serious overkill) and then an abrupt ending without a resolution to a very big plot line. Holiday spirit, yes. Recommended reading, no.
Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in advance in trade for an honest review.
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
I love Sarah Morgan’s books & this one is no different! Honestly, this book could be a Hallmark movie! It wasn’t the best Christmas book or Sarah Morgan book I’ve ever read, but it was still a cute, quick, holiday read!
This book follows 3 POVs: Imogen, Dorothy & Sara. Imogen is a workaholic with a mom who doesn’t really want to be her mom. Dorothy is a mom, grandma & business woman who lives in a small village & is all about family! She is also a client of Imogen’s. Sara is Dorothy’s daughter who is a mom, works for the family business & also lives in the small village & loves her town & family.
The Holiday Cottage is a cute book for the holidays! You can definitely snuggle up with this book & listen to some Christmas music! This book has some family drama, a small town, found family, a little romance, & some twists!
I always love how Sarah Morgan ties the POVs together! I think that is one of my favorite things about her books. Would definitely recommend for a quick holiday read that definitely gives Hallmark movie vibes!
This book follows 3 POVs: Imogen, Dorothy & Sara. Imogen is a workaholic with a mom who doesn’t really want to be her mom. Dorothy is a mom, grandma & business woman who lives in a small village & is all about family! She is also a client of Imogen’s. Sara is Dorothy’s daughter who is a mom, works for the family business & also lives in the small village & loves her town & family.
The Holiday Cottage is a cute book for the holidays! You can definitely snuggle up with this book & listen to some Christmas music! This book has some family drama, a small town, found family, a little romance, & some twists!
I always love how Sarah Morgan ties the POVs together! I think that is one of my favorite things about her books. Would definitely recommend for a quick holiday read that definitely gives Hallmark movie vibes!
emotional
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced