Member Reviews

You absolutely can’t go wrong with a Sarah Morgan Christmas read. I look forward to her summer and Christmas read every single year and this did not disappoint. Heart warming and uplifting it was the perfect festive read. Sarah Morgan has an ability to make you feel like friends of the characters. What a talent to have.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.

A gorgeous feel good Christmas book from Sarah.

Was this review helpful?

Set in a picturesque snowy village, the book perfectly captures the magic of Christmas, with a lovely mix of romance, family, and second chances. The characters are endearing and relatable, and I loved watching them grow, heal, and navigate their complicated relationships.

Sarah Morgan’s writing is cosy and immersive, making you feel like you’re right there in the heart of the Christmas festivities. The romance is sweet, and the emotional moments are beautifully done, making for a truly heartwarming experience. If you're after a Christmas read that’s full of love, joy, and a bit of holiday magic, The Christmas Cottage is an absolute must-read!

Was this review helpful?

Imogen works in London and as far as her colleagues are aware, she's surrounded by family, friends and a cute dog when she's a home. But the truth is far from this. When her boss realises she's heading for burnout and sidelines her with nowhere to go and nothing to do, Imogen takes up the offer of a stay in the Cotswolds to continuing working with her favourite client.

Just like Sarah Morgan's last couple of books, this is far more than a chick-lit light and fluffy romcom. It has real emotional depth and a cast of supporting women (plus a sweet vet and dog) that will most certainly make you sob at least once! The multiple POVs and backstories make it a bit of a slow start and a rush to the finish, but it is completely worth it when you get to the second half.

Another cracker from Sarah Morgan!

Was this review helpful?

The Christmas Cottage by Sarah Morgan is a most charming Christmas contemporary novel that I absolutely adored.
Once more Sarah Morgan has captured the essence of Christmas within her book. Christmas is family, fun, laughter – all things that had been missing from the leading lady’s life.
We see the loneliness of never having anyone to depend on, the feeling of utter abandonment as a character throws herself into her work. “When life is hard, it sometimes helps to have no time to think about it.”
When burnout is close, a character realizes that something must change. “You couldn’t undo the past, but you could do your very best with the future.” The past is gone, the future lies ahead. “The past was gone and she wasn’t going to let it contaminate the present.”
Everyone makes choices that have consequences. “The choices were their own and you had no control over that.” We are not responsible for the choices of others. We are only responsible for our own choices.”
A Cotswold community is a welcoming place to be. “The community had wrapped itself around her… and provided a warm and comforting layer of protection between her and the world.” The community is a place of safety where strangers become friends.
Animals turn a house into a home. I adored Golden Retriever, Ralph, who was very much a character in his own right.
We witness a character who rescues lost and abandoned animals. There is always a home for them with her. It is her life’s mission as she feels guilty for the one, she couldn’t save many years ago.
All the characters were well drawn and totally believable. I absolutely loved young Ava with her openness and her zest for life. Sarah Morgan had perfectly captured the mannerisms of a young child.
The Christmas Cottage is the perfect read for a winter’s day – whether it is in the lead up to Christmas or a grey January day. The Christmas Cottage will brighten any day.
I received a free copy. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

One of my favourite Christmas books in 2024! Yes it was festive and typically sweet but there was a surprising arc of self discovery also.

Was this review helpful?

Always feels like no one does Christmas books like Sarah Morgan and she’s got quite a few to pick from too. This is a great addition and gives the right amount of emotion and joy.

Was this review helpful?

My book of the Christmas! Sarah Morgan never fails to delight. What a fantastic read, everything I needed for a cosy festive book - without being at all contrived or trite.

Was this review helpful?

4.5

I adored this book. I loved the characters and the range of friendships and relationships throughout. The author covered the sensitive topics brilliantly and nothing was completely predictable. I also loved the character of the youngest niece she was charming. Another fantastic festive book by Sarah Morgan.

Was this review helpful?

I love a Christmas book and I especially love reading them in ‘twixmas or the New Year. January is such a dull month and in my opinion a festive romance is the perfect antidote. This book certainly delivered on that front. It was like a warm hug and left me feeling very festive and uplifted.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The book is told from multiple POVs. Imogen, an events manager, who is about to make a huge mistake at work. Dorothy, Imogen’s client, who lives in a gorgeous village in the Cotswolds and offers for Imogen to stay in her holiday cottage over Christmas. And Sara, Dorothy’s daughter, who is concerned about her mother’s close relationship with Imogen.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I loved all the characters in this book. Imogen is a strong and independent woman, who thinks she can handle anything that life throws at her. But really she is vulnerable and is completely isolated. She just longs for a real life and a real family. I also adored Sara. She made me laugh lots. And I loved that she concerned herself with the business of those around her. Dorothy, was also the perfect matriarch and a kind and generous woman, who’d faced a great deal of heartache.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This was such a lovely book. I thought the big reveal and everything that followed was well handled. And I adored Imogen’s relationship with Miles, the vet. He was lovely. A complete darling. He was there for Imogen but never took over or interfered. He was a good listener, romantic and had a brilliant sarcastic sense of humour.

Was this review helpful?

Imogen is a workaholic and loves her job, but when something goes wrong she is persuaded to take a break. Client Dorothy invites her to stay, and what follows is a lovely story of family, revelations and romance.

The book was easy to read, with some fabulous characters in a lovely setting. I personally felt the twist and the resulting story was a bit rushed, but I did enjoy it, and I liked Imogen's character progression. Sarah Morgan is a must read author at Christmas.

Was this review helpful?

An emotional Christmas book with a heart-wrenching family twist.
I loved reading about Imogen and how she found her 'family in the country'. A great book by Sarah Morgan that I didn't want to end.

Was this review helpful?

Such a lovely read after disasters at work. And taking some time off finding out a client you have worked with for 2 years is actually your family is a lot to take in. But this was truly a perfect Christmas read. Love these books and never feels like Christmas till you have read sarah Morgan.

Was this review helpful?

I always enjoy a book by Sarah Morgan especially a Christmas one. A fantastic read with brilliant characters and i couldnt wait to see what happened next - a lovely Christmas read

Was this review helpful?

Just the book to get you in the mood for Christmas. I loved the latest Sarah Morgan Christmas story. The characters are so well written and likeable and the plot is engaging. A great read.

Was this review helpful?

Another lovely Christmas read from Sarah Morgan. Family drama with a sprinkling of romance, and the perfect amount of Christmas sprinkled in there.

Was this review helpful?

A brilliant read and one I really enjoyed. The characters are loveable. The plot is one that is engaging and I found myself completely drawn into the story and enjoyed the writing style. I think this was Sarah Morgan's best book yet.

Was this review helpful?

Another fabulous Christmas offering from Sarah Morgan. I absolutely adored this one. It was a perfect feel good Christmas story but with a twist I didn't see coming.
It was a brilliant easy read that I devoured over the festive period. Can't wait for the next one!

Was this review helpful?

Is it even Christmas, if you don’t read the @sarahmorganwrites Christmas book. I thought I was going to miss out this year, as I have been in a bit of a slump, but I was so happy to get stuck into this one.

The book is true Sarah Morgan style. The book made me feel so cozy inside and in the true Christmas spirit. Whilst the book was predictable in parts, that’s what makes it for me.

I would like to have seen a few more chapters when Imogen returned to London and see how that panned out. But it leaves room for a sequel 😉

I just love this authors writing and her impeccable festive story telling.

Already looking forward to next years!

Was this review helpful?

For me, Christmas isn't Christmas without a @sarahmorganwrites book to curl up with and The Christmas Cottage was everything I hoped for.

Many Christmas books focus on romance as the central plot but I personally find them a little boring. Although I love a Christmas love story, I need a bit of depth too. This story puts some tough issues front and centre, with just a little sprinkle of romance along the way; perfect for me

The Christmas Cottage is also full of Christmas fun (i'm talking snow, markets, gifts, trees, singing)..... oh and it gets bonus points for including a dog.

If you like a Christmas themed book, this is definitely one I would recommend. Reminding the reader that Christmas can be tough for some and inviting us to reflect on the meaning of family, I found it an emotional read in parts, however it remained a light , easy read . Overall it is a gorgeous book, warm hearted and uplifting, that gave me all the festive feels......it's a luxurious hot chocolate in a book. 🎅❤🎄❤⛄

Was this review helpful?