Bunn, Davis. The Christmas Cottage. Kensington. Sept. 2024. 288p. ISBN 9781496748324. $26. F

Set in coastal Miramar, CA, Bunn’s latest explores the stories of Dillon Farrow and Olivia Greer. A decade ago, they loved each other with the passion and fierceness of first love. However, their relationship ended badly, with both leaving to seek a bigger, brighter future. Dillon found success in finance, only to lose everything. Similarly, Olivia’s marriage to a Hollywood producer ended in a devastating divorce. With the outside world against them, both return to Miramar feeling broke and defeated, mirroring their hometown, which has been devastated by severe storms and flooding. Surrounded by fellow stranded travelers, they reconnect, learn to forgive, and embark on a new relationship as friends. Using their unique talents in finance and photography, they help bring Miramar back from the brink and rediscover hope for the future just in time for Christmas. VERDICT This inspiring holiday-themed story is perfect for readers who enjoy Bunn’s “Miramar Bay” series, works by Nicholas Sparks and Karen Kingsbury, and other inspirational fiction. The embedded themes of forgiveness, new beginnings, second chances, romance, and hope for the future combine to make an uplifting holiday story.—Linsey Milillo

Hahn, Taylor. A Home for the Holidays. Knopf. Sept. 2024. 256p. ISBN 9780593470701. $28. F

Wedding singer Mel Hart has always had a mixed relationship with Christmas. When Mel was a child, her mother, divorcée Connie, did much to keep the myth of Santa alive for her. But as Mel grew older, she realized that her mother’s creative impulses were fueled and complicated by her addiction to alcohol. As an adult, Mel loves her, but nothing has changed in regard to Connie’s alcohol dependency, other than her mother seems to be getting sicker. As Christmas approaches Mel gets a call that Connie has died. As grief, guilt, anger, and regret take hold, Mel gets a surprise lifeline. A woman named Barb shows up on her doorstep, claiming to have once been her mother’s best friend. She insists that Mel come home with her. Once at Barb’s house, Mel learns of a different part of Connie’s life. As she grapples with all that she learns, Mel finds new connections with her mother, a way to move forward in her own life, and a possible new love interest. VERDICT Hahn’s second novel (after The Lifestyle) explores love and grief and the complexity that comes with both. Fans of Kristan Higgins and Mhairi McFarlane will find much to love here.—Jane Jorgenson

Morgan, Sarah. The Holiday Cottage. Canary Street. Sept. 2024. 352p. ISBN 9781335499097. pap. $18.99. F

Imogen Thorne is good at her job doing marketing and coordinating events. She’s not so good at having a personal life. Because of a chaotic and cold childhood with an emotionally abusive mother, Imogen doesn’t let emotion or people into her life. She’s friendly with her coworkers; she’s even invented a family life and a pet dog so she can connect with them without really committing to anything. But all that work has a price, and after an event goes disastrously wrong, her boss, concerned about her burning out, forces her to take the month of December off to enjoy time with the family that doesn’t exist. Imogen is at a loss until one of her clients, Dorothy Rutherford, offers her the use of a cottage on her property in the Cotswolds. Dorothy is more than just a client. She has a connection to Imogen’s past, and when the secrets come out, Imogen will find that there’s much more to life than work and that perhaps she’s able to have love and family after all. VERDICT Though the pacing is a bit uneven, this latest from Morgan (The Book Club Hotel) is a poignant holiday novel with a touch of romance.—Jane Jorgenson