I always love a Christmas story, especially if it’s by Sarah Morgan. This one was one of her best! The story is about Imogen - we learn but by but about her difficult childhood and how she copes with it as an adult. Then good things happen - but I won’t put any spoilers in. Suffice to say it has a suitably happy ending!

My first read from this author which I thoroughly enjoyed, a change of genre for me for a change but definitely enjoyable.

I enjoyed the characters, some more than others but a good read with a few twists that kept me going in the storyline.

Thank you to Netgalley and HQ for this ARC which I can definitely recommend.

Book Review: The Christmas Cottage

I recently dove into The Christmas Cottage by Sarah Morgan, and it was an absolute delight! This festive novel is everything I love about holiday reading: warm, cozy, and full of heart. Imogen, our protagonist, quickly captured my attention with her struggles and the secrets she keeps hidden beneath her polished exterior.

The story begins with Imogen making a blunder at work, which serves as the catalyst for her journey of self-discovery. When she’s invited to spend Christmas in a charming cottage in the Cotswolds with her favorite client, Dorothy, it feels like a breath of fresh air. I found myself swept away by the picturesque setting and the promise of new beginnings.

As Imogen settles into cottage life, I relished the budding romance that added a lovely layer to the narrative. Morgan’s writing excels at creating chemistry and tension, and I was rooting for Imogen to find happiness despite her past.

However, the arrival of long-buried secrets brought an intriguing twist, adding depth and complexity to the story. I appreciated how Morgan explored themes of forgiveness and the power of second chances, reminding me that the holidays are as much about healing as they are about joy.

Overall, The Christmas Cottage is a perfect escape for anyone seeking a heartwarming read this holiday season. With its blend of romance, humor, and emotional depth, it left me feeling uplifted and eager to embrace the spirit of Christmas. Highly recommended for anyone in need of a cozy winter read!

You know when you pick up a Sarah Morgan book your in for an enjoyable read.. work alcoholic Imogen has a chaotic relationship with her mum. No other family and struggling to understand her work colleagues friendship. Little lies turn in to out of control.
Reeling from her mum's outburst Imogen end's up taking time off work and accepting the use of a holiday cottage from a client.
Long held secrets come to light and a possible romance.
This book will make you smile, festive and full of love

This is a wonderful Christmas story with all the essential ingredients: a family saga, snow, and the inevitable hot chocolate! Imogen, Sara and Dorothy are great characters, there’s someone for every reader to identify with. The descriptions of decorations and snowy landscapes are beautiful. I was really moved by this book, particularly the final scene.

An enjoyable read with unexpected twists that don’t immediately make you feel all warm and Christmassy. Imogen is a workaholic which is understandable given her circumstances but I was uncomfortable with the silly lies she told to colleagues.

It would have been better if the romance had more of a build up as it seemed a bit rushed. Overall eventually a good Christmas read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC

Sarah Morgan writes amazing stories; this was another one with heartbreak and tragedy woven through the storyline and an ultimate festive, feel-good ending.
The story centres around Imogen, a young woman who has worked hard all her life to create a feeling of security around herself—something that she did not have growing up. Christmas is coming, and she doesn't know how to handle the questions and curiosity of colleagues who have a wonderful family to spend time with. She's gone to the extent of creating a fictitious family, boyfriend, and even pet to stave off feelings of pity from others.
But everything comes to a head when she has an awful conversation with her one existing family member.
Sent off on an enforced break by her concerned boss, Imogen ends up in a beautiful cottage hosted by a dear client for the month.
Then things start to unravel further as questions are asked, and the answers to mysteries are slowly revealed.
The story is told through the POV of several key characters, which adds to the story.
There is a dishy, caring vet, and a wonderful golden retriever named Ralph. Oh, and Alpacas!
My only wish? I had more of a conclusion about what happens with Imogen's mother.
Wonderfully written and easy to read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ for an ARC.

Imogen loves her job. She’s an event organiser but Imogen isn’t the person she portrays to be and is hiding a few secrets from her colleagues. However something goes really wrong at work and with her boss forcing her to take a time out one of her clients, Dorothy, invites Imogen to spend Christmas with her and her family whilst staying at the cottage set within her grounds.

Imogen settles in and gets on great with Dorothy’s family but a long buried secret resurfaces which threatens to ruin the entire holiday. Will Imogen end up on her own again at Christmas or will all be forgiven.

Sarah Morgan has a way of drawing you into the story and the characters feel like friends by the end of the book. I’m not a lover of Christmas but I do love a Christmas themed book and once again this book is a brilliant read with such likeable characters. My favourite was Ralph. If you know me then you’ll know that I love when an animal is part of the story. Easy 4⭐️ read

I read The Christmas Cottage without taking in the author, but it became clear quite quickly that it was by Sarah Morgan. It has all the trademarks of her books. That's not a complaint; I very much enjoy the characters and settings she creates. There's a woman on the edge and an unknown (and surprising) family in this one, and romance of course. And all at Christmas as the title suggests. It's warm and feel-good but not facile, and there's a good ending, mostly happy, but not everything is neatly resolved. And there's a dog. Oh well, never mind.

This was such an unusual plot for a Christmas themed book but I really enjoyed it. I loved how strong Imogen was, how she had created a life for herself despite her upbringing. It was lovely to read the story through the different characters view points and I could have happily continued reading about them beyond the finish of the book. Thanks Nethalley

À wonderful warm Christmassy hug from Sarah Morgan. I always look forward to Sarah's twice yearly offering as she manages to capture the atmosphere that surround either Christmas or the Summer and this book is no exception with snow, romance and family all set in the Cotswolds with a plethora of animals thrown in. An heartwarming tale to cosy up with over the festive season.

Another great read from Sarah. Full of warmth but, also sad in places with a happy ending. You can always guarantee a great read from Sarah. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Thoroughly enjoyed this story and the journey it took you on through the main characters isolation due to family circumstances. This was a real feel good book.

It wouldn't be christmas without a novel from Sarah Morgan, and as always, she doesn't disappoint. Imogen longs for a proper family and to be like her colleagues, even going as far as to make up an extended family and dog. She is forced to take a month off by her boss and is offered a cottage to stay in by one of her clients leading to a christmas she will never forget.

This book is a delightful Christmas read that captures all the festive charm you'd hope for—snow-covered landscapes, twinkling decorations, and the warmth of romance. The author has carefully crafted each chapter, allowing readers to deeply connect with the characters as their stories intertwine in a beautifully orchestrated way. The storyline is both absorbing and heartwarming, making it nearly impossible to put down once you start. It's the perfect holiday escape, full of joy and just the right amount of Christmas magic.

A joyous festival tale about finding yourself and family.

My only criticism would be the spoiler in the synopsis that Imogen makes a "catastrophic mistake at work" - as I spend the first 20% of the book waiting for this to happen with a feeling of doom. Once this was realised it was great to go along for the ride.

Yet another brilliant read from Sarah Morgan. A wonderful feel good factor which made me smile, laugh and almost cry at times. Well worth a read.

Imogen has been working hard, too hard some might say, durmiente her busiest day of the year she has a call from the hospital to say her mum has been admitted and she needs to go, dropping the ball things go wrong at work and Imogen is forced to take months leave over Christmas the worst time of year for her.

Another fabulous book from Sarah Morgan I hope she never gives up writing.

I loved this book - it's every bit as wonderful as you'd expect a festive Sarah Morgan read to be.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

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