It wouldn’t be Christmas without a new Sarah Morgan festive story and I was really excited to read her latest novel.
This year the setting is England and we begin in a frantically busy London as Imogen, a workaholic events organiser juggles her workload and then move to the gorgeous Cotswold countryside where everyone is preparing for Christmas.
The contrast between the two settings is stark. Imogen is almost complelly alone in the world but has created a fantasy family and pet to prevent her colleagues from feeling sorry for her while in the countryside, Dorothy has a gorgeous house and family although there is obviously tragedy in the background.
You have to feel for Imogen. She is fiercely independent having learned that she cannot depend on anyone. This has made her very successful in her job to the point where she is almost burnt out. Her loneliness is highlighted by the scenes with Dorothy and her daughter Sara. Where Imogen has nobody, Sara has a perfect family with a loving mother, supportive husband and two gorgeous daughters, one of whom really steals the book. When Dorothy, who is one of Imogen’s clients offers Imogen the chance to stay in a cottage over Christmas, the two worlds collide with dramatic results.
I really loved this story and the pace kept me reading when really I should have gone to bed. It’s a really family based book and deals with some serious themes that a lot of people will recognise if not to the same degree as in the novel. I loved Sara and her family and 6 year old Ava was definitely the stand out character for me as her personality overcame any awkwardness felt by the adults as they navigated their way through the situation. A golden retriever called Ralph was also a highlight.
Although the main story here is about family, there is a lovely romance and it was touching to see it develop over the book. The romance between Sara and her husband was beautifully done too and it was so nice to see a married couple still in love with each other.
My only slight niggle is that the story wrapped up very quickly and I would have liked a bit more resolution for Tina’s part of the story. However, this is a lovely cosy read perfect for a cold wintry evening.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers HQ, for inviting me to read this ARC.

Another great feel good book from Sarah Morgan. When I started reading though, I did wonder especially given the title, where the book was going as it didn't really make sense. You then get to the crux where stuff then starts to make sense and from then on, the book does become a lot more enjoyable. My only negative thoughts are that the crux could have come a bit earlier and some of the stuff raised in the book around Tina seemed to not be resolved and it would be nice if that had happened or perhaps we might get follow up book?

I love Christmas and one of mum and my traditions is to read the Sarah Morgan Christmas book. This one, like many before, is just lovely; filled with snow, tinsel, baking and cosy feelings.

That said.... Imogen does not like Christmas! Raised by her mother, who really did not want to be there, Imogen has devoted her young life to working every possible hour and carving a better life for herself.

Unfortunately, she has a wonderful boss who insists she take a month off before she burns out. Imogen, forced out of the office, faces a month alone in her decrepit flat. However, a client offers Imogen the use of a Cotswold cottage and our story takes off.

As expected, we have the cosy, baking, Christmas theme but this one contains a twist that could jeopardise Imogen's fragile Christmas spirit.

I read this in a day wrapped up in a throw and with a hot chocolate. Perfect!

Thanks to HQ and Netgalley for an e-arc, all opinions are my own.

The Christmas cottage, Sarah Morgan, Christmas book general fiction

Totally marvellous new Christmas heartwarming tale from Sarah Morgan. This will not disappoint, it’s full of wisdom, wishes coming true, and with all the festive touches and feel good feels!! Hot chocolate, Christmas trees, mince pies…. It’s all here!
Imogen is highly successful at her job as an event coordinator, she thinks of all eventualities and is always at the top of her game day and night. She’s maybe too much of a workaholic, and without realising she starts to hit her brick wall. Everything is suddenly too much for her, until one of her favourite clients suggests a break at her cottage for Christmas in the beautiful Cotswolds.
For the first time in her life she starts to relax and actually enjoy some Christmas activities.
Full of romance and festive moments, highs and lows, heartbreaking moments along with times that bring a smile, this is about family, love and friendship. I didn’t want this book to end!!! Perfect read from beginning to end, absorbing and compelling, a breath of fresh air to read such mastery of words and effortless storytelling.
Hugely recommended for a fantastic fabulous read this winter. A new classic!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the early read, I loved this and will need to get a couple of copies for friends.

I am a firm believer that it is not christmas until you have read the lastest Sarah Morgan story, and this did not disappoint.

the main character was someone i can relate with and i couldnt help but love her. - this may just be my new favourite from our SM.

Is it even Christmas without a Sarah Morgan to curl up with? Thankfully we don’t need to worry about that because this latest offering has all the cosy vibes we require to cuddle up with.

The Christmas Cottage is a heartwarming holiday read, with characters that make your heart full. The story does touch upon some tough subjects but they are dealt with tenderly and the overall feeling of the read is light.

The setting is perfect, snowy and filled with seasonal country village magic. Highly recommend for your Christmas list!

✨4 stars ✨

I loved this book so much that I read it in one sitting!

Like the other books I have read by this author, The Christmas Cottage contains fast-paced writing with a plot about family and finding the place where you belong! This book felt like a cheesy hallmark movie in the best way possible. I felt warm and cosy the whole time that I was reading this book.

That’s why it is the perfect book to get you in the Christmassy spirit this year!

I identified with a lot of personality traits that one of our main characters Imogen possessed, I never expected to feel so seen in a Christmas book😂

The only slight downside with this book that I can think of would be that I felt that because the writing was so fast-paced that sometimes some of the plot points felt glossed over too quickly which left me wanting more information about certain things.

However apart from that I would recommend this to people who are looking for a fun festive read that’s really easy to get through: I love this author’s writing!

I received an ARC from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Another Christmas book that I'm reading in October and once again, I have no shame.

This is another author that has become a Christmas tradition for me. Her books are always so cosy and heartwarming and The Christmas Cottage was no exception. The entire focus wasn't on Christmas and I would say the main theme of the book was actually family. Was it uber realistic and do I think that in reality, the situation would have been a lot more messy? Yes. Did I care? Nope.

It was hard not to like Imogen. Even when she was the over working, controlling woman who lived for work and nothing else. Once the reasons behind that became apparent, it was impossible to not empathise with her and want the very best outcome for her. The star of the whole book though was Ava. She was hilarious, a fantastic tonic when things could have been awkward and super cute.

There were moments in this book that made me feel sad, but mostly, it was super sweet, cosy and had the ending that all Christmas themed books should; a happy one of course.

This book was a Christmas story that was a delight. I think this is my favourite Sarah Morgan book, although I’m sure I say that about every one I read. This story was the perfect build up to a perfect Christmas : snow, lovely cottage in the country, pets, family and friends. That was before our previously distressed heroine met a lovely vet. Not a Christmas book to be missed!

Loved this book, very insightful the way it deals with personal insecurities ,and ,the negative emotions stirred up by a painful past . Imogen as a character is so well written that I could identify with her , even though my life bears no resemblance to hers. Excellent storytelling, great cast of characters, highly recommended.

This was an absolutely wonderful read. Both heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measure. I real story of hardship, strength and second chances. Beautifully written.

I always look forward to Sarah Morgan's new books and this did not disappoint. A feelgood story that could be set at anytime of the year (although the Christmas theme did add to the cozy feeling of this book). Told by workaholic Imogen and her clients Dorothy and daughter Sara. Two versions of the same story are told and the author handled these two versions in an extraordinarily sensitive way.
Recommended.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for the advance copy of this book.

Wow, a breathtakingly beautiful story, I wasn't expecting it but it gripped me straight away.

We meet Imogen who is a single, workaholic wrapped up in a weave of lies to keep the people around her at arms length. After an incident at work she is left with some time off and a client offers a place to stay.

We are transported to a snowy sleepy Christmas village with a handsome vet and Dorothy and her family and her mini farm of rescued animals. Everyone needs a Dorothy in their life.

Secrets unfold and Imogen rediscovers her past and the people in it and she realises that everything in her wildest fantasies could actually be her reality.

A great easy christmas story, I felt all warm and gooey at the end, as anyone should at Christmas.

Another great Christmas story from Sarah Morgan! I dont know how she does it but she just makes the characthers so believeable and likeable, its wonderful. The snowy Christmas setting and a dash of romance make this a wonderful read for this time of year. I have to admit I found Imogen a little hard to liek at first, but when you learnt her back story it was understandable why she was so cold. All she needed was Dorothy and family and a little love interest in the shape of the local vet and it softened her up. The only problem with a Sarah Morgan Christmas read is that I want to hear more from the characters not just a stand alone book!!

I love a Sarah Morgan Christmas themed book and was thrilled when I was invited by the publishers via Netgalley to read this one. As usual it didn't disappoint.

The writing had me hooked from the beginning to the end. In fact I was a bit sad that it came to an end when it did. I wanted to know more about the main character's future and how it all panned out in the end.

I enjoyed the Christmas related descriptions of places and events. They were magical and it really got me in to the festive spirit (albeit a little early!).

I was quite invested in this story so it only took me a couple of sittings to get through, perfect for over the festive season.

The chapters were fairly long and were labelled with the character whose perspective you were reading from. You were able to get a good chunk of how that character was feeling and what they were doing before moving on to the next person. This technique gave the story a well rounded feel.

There was a good flow to the book despite jumping around different character perspectives, and the length of each chapter helped to give the story a good pace. Because of this I happily sat and read through it in a couple of sittings.

The characters were good. I really felt for the main character and enjoyed being on her journey. The surrounding characters were good and emphasised parts of the main character's personality well. I wanted to read more about them all!

I loved the message of family, friends and support that shone through this book. It is something nice to read about at Christmas.

Lastly the settings. I loved the "chocolate box" settings with the snow, lights and everything that the mind conjures up when it thinks of Christmas. The descriptions really took you there without taking anything from the main storyline.

Overall a lovely Christmas read.

A wonderful warm Christmas read. I loved the way the main characters interacted and the sensitive way the story unfolded. The two versions of history, told and real were brilliantly handled.

I always look forward to Sarah's Christmas book each year and I think this may be my favourite one yet.
Imogen has lived such a lonely life, having been treated appallingly by her mother.
Close to a burnout at work, she goes to the Cotswolds to spend some time at a cottage owned by her favourite customer, Dorothy.
While there, Imogen discovers more than she could ever have hoped.

I loved Imogen - I was hoping she would find more meaning to her life and people that she had dreamed of as a family.
The setting at Winterbury and Holly Cottage were amazing and made me wish I lived somewhere like this.
Such a lovely book, filled with beautiful characters. I didn't want it to end!

What a great book. Really festive and snowy. Perfectly perfect for all the festive feels you need for a book.
I really liked the characters a lot. Loved the family dynamics and loved the love. Imogen is all alone in the works, she’s weaves a fairytale life around her to try and fit in at work. She has the perfect family and Midas the golden retriever. Except this is all made up. What she has is a sad alcoholic no hoper of a mother, no supportive family as her mum has told her they abandoned her and she certainly doesn’t have a pet. Imogen reaches breaking point after another showdown from her disappointing mum.
She is thrown a lifeline from one of her clients, her favourite client Dorothy, she may well get the family Christmas she has always dreamed of by default as she is invited to spend it in a cottage at Dorothy’s home. Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Another fabulous book from Sarah Morgan.
This one tells the story of Imogen, a successful but lonely workaholic. Imogen has no family other than her mother, who makes it clear that she has no interest in her.
Imogen is offered the use of Holly Cottage in the snowy Cotswolds by a work contact, to take a complete break from her work obsessed life. A kind gesture which is about to change her life forever.
A lovely festive read.

An interesting take on a Christmas story. It reminded me of a Christmas movie I had seen a few years ago. Miles was a gorgeous character but I found Imogen rather annoying. It took a few chapters before I really got into the book and understood how the characters were connected, but I enjoyed it afterwards. Not as Christmassy as I expected but still a good read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book.