Title: The Guest Cottage
Author: Nancy Thayer
First published May 12, 2015
336 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780345545510 (ISBN10: 0345545516)
Rating: 3.84
Overview
Sophie Anderson has always had her life figured out, as a devoted wife and mother of two. But when her husband unexpectedly announces that he’s leaving her for another woman, Sophie is left questioning everything.
In an impulsive move, she takes her kids and rents a guest cottage on Nantucket for a much-needed family vacation.
Meanwhile, Trevor Black, a software entrepreneur who has recently lost his wife, rents a guest house on the same island to spend some quality time with his little boy, Leo. When Sophie and Trevor realize they’ve mistakenly rented the same house, they agree to share it for the summer.
As the two families grow closer, Sophie and Trevor must decide if their connection is just a summer fling or something more meaningful.
Nancy Thayer’s The Guest Cottage is a heartwarming tale about love, loss, and the true meaning of family. With graceful prose and relatable characters, Thayer captures the essence of the human heart and reminds us that sometimes the best things in life are the unexpected ones.
About the Author
Author Nancy Thayer has written 35 novels, such as Family Reunion and Secrets in Summer. She and her husband Charley Walters have made their home on Nantucket Island for 38 years, where they reside year-round.
The couple has been blessed with two children and five grandchildren.
Editoral Review
The Guest Cottage by Nancy Thayer presents itself as a light, romantic read, perfect for the beach or a lazy day. But beyond the veneer of a fluffy summer romance, Thayer tackles important themes of grief, family, and finding oneself.
Thayer is a prolific author, with numerous novels under her belt. She is best known for her novels set in Nantucket, and The Guest Cottage is no exception.
The seaside island setting provides a charming backdrop for the story, with its quaint cottages and salty breezes.
The plot revolves around two couples who meet at a rental cottage.
Sophie, an artist who has recently lost her husband, is accompanied by her best friend, the newly divorced Trevor. Meanwhile, local couple, Brooke and her husband, have their own marital issues to contend with.
The two couples quickly become intertwined as they bond over shared experiences and help each other through their respective struggles.
Thayer’s strength lies in her ability to create believable and likable characters.
Each of the four main characters is well-drawn and three-dimensional, with their own unique personalities and motivations. Sophie, in particular, is a sympathetic character who readers will root for as she navigates life after loss.
However, the novel suffers from a lack of conflict and tension, particularly in the latter half of the book. The plot meanders along without any real stakes, brewing a sense of stagnation in the story.
The ending is also somewhat predictable and unsatisfying, with loose threads left hanging.
Despite its flaws, The Guest Cottage is an enjoyable read with important takeaways, particularly around the themes of grief and finding oneself after tragedy.
It is a great summer beach read, especially for fans of Thayer’s previous works.
Overall, The Guest Cottage is a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars.
While it falls short in some areas, it is a well-written and engaging novel with memorable characters and beautiful descriptions of Nantucket life.