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Holiday Cottage #2
Holly Bough Cottage
The last thing Liv was planning to do on December 9th was move back to her hometown after finalizing a divorce. Facing the possibility of spending Christmas alone—or even worse, at her over-eager parent’s—she booked a two-week stay at the first affordable, well-rated winter retreat she could find: Holly Bough Cottage in the Colorado Rockies. With her interior design business slowing down over the holidays, Liv can practically smell the pine trees and warm apple cider, but most importantly? She won’t have to face anyone for at least fourteen days.
Jonah wasn’t planning on being anywhere but home for Christmas, but when the owners of the Cottages posted on a community board that their handyman injured himself, he decided to pull them a solid. It didn’t hurt that they were offering a free stay and double the daily rate he usually made as a middle-school science teacher.
When Liv discovers that the man who came to replace her thermostat is staying in the next cottage over, she finds herself looking for opportunities to sit on the porch while answering emails. Even if it is thirty below.
Jonah, battling ghosts of his own, can’t help but walk the long way to the office in the hopes of catching a moment with her. With Liv's heart still raw from past wounds and Jonah hiding a past life that could ruin any budding relationship, their initial attraction doesn't seem to stand a chance.
Will their unexpected meeting during the most magical of times be enough to open their hearts to loving and trusting again? If you adore cozy Christmas memories, down-to-earth characters, and sweet romance, you'll love Gunderson's heartwarming holiday tale.
Jonah wasn’t planning on being anywhere but home for Christmas, but when the owners of the Cottages posted on a community board that their handyman injured himself, he decided to pull them a solid. It didn’t hurt that they were offering a free stay and double the daily rate he usually made as a middle-school science teacher.
When Liv discovers that the man who came to replace her thermostat is staying in the next cottage over, she finds herself looking for opportunities to sit on the porch while answering emails. Even if it is thirty below.
Jonah, battling ghosts of his own, can’t help but walk the long way to the office in the hopes of catching a moment with her. With Liv's heart still raw from past wounds and Jonah hiding a past life that could ruin any budding relationship, their initial attraction doesn't seem to stand a chance.
Will their unexpected meeting during the most magical of times be enough to open their hearts to loving and trusting again? If you adore cozy Christmas memories, down-to-earth characters, and sweet romance, you'll love Gunderson's heartwarming holiday tale.
174 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2021
185 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
November 20, 2022
Great.
Sometimes I need a fun Christmas story and this fit the bill. It was engaging, and although I anticipated where the story was going, it was fun getting there. I liked it a lot.
Sometimes I need a fun Christmas story and this fit the bill. It was engaging, and although I anticipated where the story was going, it was fun getting there. I liked it a lot.
December 7, 2024
This was okay. Heavy for a Christmas novella. About a recently divorced 28 year old who is working through some resulting self esteem issues. She experiences some self discovery while beginning a relationship with a nice guy she meets (who also has baggage).
- Low chemistry.
- Not swoony.
- Lacks flirty banter.
- Too much confrontation and working through hard things in their 2-week long romance.
- It was just not fun, imo. But it WAS authentic, so maybe that’s a draw for some readers!
- Ends in a HFN, not HEA.
The FMC’s personality was a little awkward. For only being an acquaintance (and a GUEST at the vacation destination for 2 weeks, so very temporary acquaintance at that) she basically forces the love interest to tell her his life story, which he has been reticent to do. I quote, “I don’t want to pry but…” Yeah, but you’re going to pry. So awkward.
Also she was confrontational with his friends at one point, forcing him to stick up for them. Kill me now, it was so embarrassing. She has no business criticizing them when she is a short-term guest on vacation. It’s none of her business.
The book was just okay for me. However, I think someone who has experienced a recent traumatic life event (like divorce) would maybe connect with it… It felt like a really engaging case study for a counseling program. “These are common insecurities. Here are some strategies to get back on your feet and thrive. Etc.”
Content-
Language- no swearing
Spice- clean. some kissing. The characters have high morals.
Cover- Fine
POV- single POV, 3rd person
Cliffhanger- no (ends in a HFN)
Format- audiobook via Hoopla
Narrator - good. It was narrated by the author!
- Low chemistry.
- Not swoony.
- Lacks flirty banter.
- Too much confrontation and working through hard things in their 2-week long romance.
- It was just not fun, imo. But it WAS authentic, so maybe that’s a draw for some readers!
- Ends in a HFN, not HEA.
The FMC’s personality was a little awkward. For only being an acquaintance (and a GUEST at the vacation destination for 2 weeks, so very temporary acquaintance at that) she basically forces the love interest to tell her his life story, which he has been reticent to do. I quote, “I don’t want to pry but…” Yeah, but you’re going to pry. So awkward.
Also she was confrontational with his friends at one point, forcing him to stick up for them. Kill me now, it was so embarrassing. She has no business criticizing them when she is a short-term guest on vacation. It’s none of her business.
The book was just okay for me. However, I think someone who has experienced a recent traumatic life event (like divorce) would maybe connect with it… It felt like a really engaging case study for a counseling program. “These are common insecurities. Here are some strategies to get back on your feet and thrive. Etc.”
Content-
Language- no swearing
Spice- clean. some kissing. The characters have high morals.
Cover- Fine
POV- single POV, 3rd person
Cliffhanger- no (ends in a HFN)
Format- audiobook via Hoopla
Narrator - good. It was narrated by the author!
January 18, 2023
I read this because I wanted something to distract me from how angry I was feeling. It was a distraction, but very unsatisfying - did not help me deal with my emotions, just helped me ignore them temporarily. This is more a review of myself than the book. Although I think I prefer this author’s sci-fi writing.
December 2, 2020
Loved it. Cute holiday romance. 🥰
January 4, 2021
A quick holiday romance.
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2020
A very well written holiday romance with wonderful engaging characters. I received an ARC and this is my honest opinion.
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2020
A very well written holiday romance with wonderful engaging characters. I received an ARC and this is my honest opinion.
December 18, 2021
3.5 - a nice holiday story with good characters
January 3, 2022
Good
A,book in this series about this small town in the mountains of Colorado. the cottages that are for rent during holidays.
A,book in this series about this small town in the mountains of Colorado. the cottages that are for rent during holidays.
November 21, 2024
Short charming little hallmark story.
Read
January 1, 2022This was a wonderful light and charming read to cozy up with on a winter's night.
November 28, 2020
This book felt like a hallmark Christmas movie but with well developed and believable characters. I quickly got hooked and couldn’t stop reading. Would definitely recommend to anyone wanting to read something to get in to the Christmas spirit.
December 24, 2022
Um!
As a start to the cottage stories, this wasn't as exciting as those that follow. But, the ending was good.
As a start to the cottage stories, this wasn't as exciting as those that follow. But, the ending was good.
November 26, 2020
Fun, light hearted romance. Basically a Hallmark Christmas movie in book form. Perfect for the holidays!
April 25, 2021
OMG!!! I wish I could give this more than 5 stars!! I fell in love with the characters and I wish my time with them didn't have to end. This book is great for anyone, but if you are a gal that loves a feel good book with holiday lights and a handsome man, this is the one for you!
I won't give anything away of course, but you need to take this journey with Liz and Jonah. It has small town, snow, mountains, and real life thrown in.
I won't give anything away of course, but you need to take this journey with Liz and Jonah. It has small town, snow, mountains, and real life thrown in.
May 18, 2021
Holly Bough Cottage from Cindy Gunderson is a sweet clean romance. It is a well-written book with a beautiful story. Wonderful to dream away by the fireplace
October 22, 2022
A touching novella set in an idyllic town which somehow makes everything okay again.
October 25, 2022
Liv
Good story with many twists and turns. this story was a bit sad for me because of the characters past relationships.
Good story with many twists and turns. this story was a bit sad for me because of the characters past relationships.
November 14, 2024
Holly Bough Cottage, by Cynthia Gunderson, is the story of 26 year old Liv as she navigates the first Christmas since her divorce from her cheating husband. Her family is supportive and there for her but the idea of spending the holidays with them somehow makes her cringe. She just doesn’t think her sister’s happy family of six will cheer her up and she also doesn’t want to bring them all down.
Liv has told her family that she needs to spend the week in New York for work with a difficult client, which is partly true. But even there she feels on the outside although that is where the design business she owns is located. Perhaps a quiet, Christmasy location would soothe her soul. With that idea in mind, Liv does an internet search finding an opportunity in Sprucewood, Colorado where she can rent a cottage for a couple of weeks and then go home for New Years. Cottage booked, flight booked, bags packed and Liv is off on a holiday adventure.
Arriving at her destination one of the first people she meets is Jonah, the resident handyman for the holiday cottages, when her heat isn’t working. Jonah is also on his own for the holiday and has a sad story as to why, which he slowly opens up and tells Liv about.
As other acquaintances are made in town, Liv has the opportunity to attend a few outings, but it seems Jonah is always by her side. When Liv does an ice slip and fall, it is Jonah who is there for her. When Liv visits another design company in Golden, it is Jonah who drives her to her meeting. And when it looks like she will be on her own Christmas Day, it is Jonah who invites Liv to come to the house he owns over the hill and cook dinner together. Unfortunately, a very demanding, very wealthy client demands Liv be back in New York City for a Christmas Eve meeting or risk losing her largest account. Liv has no options except to concede, pack up, and head back.
This is a lovely tale of two people with troubled histories as they cross paths in a magical winter wonderland. I very much enjoyed this holiday tale and I do recommend it!
Liv has told her family that she needs to spend the week in New York for work with a difficult client, which is partly true. But even there she feels on the outside although that is where the design business she owns is located. Perhaps a quiet, Christmasy location would soothe her soul. With that idea in mind, Liv does an internet search finding an opportunity in Sprucewood, Colorado where she can rent a cottage for a couple of weeks and then go home for New Years. Cottage booked, flight booked, bags packed and Liv is off on a holiday adventure.
Arriving at her destination one of the first people she meets is Jonah, the resident handyman for the holiday cottages, when her heat isn’t working. Jonah is also on his own for the holiday and has a sad story as to why, which he slowly opens up and tells Liv about.
As other acquaintances are made in town, Liv has the opportunity to attend a few outings, but it seems Jonah is always by her side. When Liv does an ice slip and fall, it is Jonah who is there for her. When Liv visits another design company in Golden, it is Jonah who drives her to her meeting. And when it looks like she will be on her own Christmas Day, it is Jonah who invites Liv to come to the house he owns over the hill and cook dinner together. Unfortunately, a very demanding, very wealthy client demands Liv be back in New York City for a Christmas Eve meeting or risk losing her largest account. Liv has no options except to concede, pack up, and head back.
This is a lovely tale of two people with troubled histories as they cross paths in a magical winter wonderland. I very much enjoyed this holiday tale and I do recommend it!
December 27, 2023
Christmas Dreams
Reading this book, Holly Bough Cottage, during the Christmas season is perfect. The background of Christmas in the mountains of Colorado and the sights and sounds of New York City. Liv is struggling with being divorced, not believing in herself and moving back home. She needs to do something for herself and books a cottage, where it is Christmas inside and out. It’s a magical place, but she doesn’t know it yet. She meets the maintenance guy, Jonah and there is an instant attraction. Could both of their luck be changing. It is the Christmas season!
Reading this book, Holly Bough Cottage, during the Christmas season is perfect. The background of Christmas in the mountains of Colorado and the sights and sounds of New York City. Liv is struggling with being divorced, not believing in herself and moving back home. She needs to do something for herself and books a cottage, where it is Christmas inside and out. It’s a magical place, but she doesn’t know it yet. She meets the maintenance guy, Jonah and there is an instant attraction. Could both of their luck be changing. It is the Christmas season!
November 7, 2024
If you're looking for quick, get you in your feels holiday read, this could be for you.
Liv is fresh with heartbreak and decides to get away for Christmas. She doesn't want to talk about the guy who broke her heart and a little fresh air might help her clear things up. So, she travels from NYC to Colorado and meets a very reserved cabin maintenance man at her rental, Holly Bough Cottage. She's intrigued by him, but he's very closed off. Can she get him to open up to her?
This was good. It was quick, but not very deep. Just a lot of wonderful holiday setting.
⭐⭐⭐
Liv is fresh with heartbreak and decides to get away for Christmas. She doesn't want to talk about the guy who broke her heart and a little fresh air might help her clear things up. So, she travels from NYC to Colorado and meets a very reserved cabin maintenance man at her rental, Holly Bough Cottage. She's intrigued by him, but he's very closed off. Can she get him to open up to her?
This was good. It was quick, but not very deep. Just a lot of wonderful holiday setting.
⭐⭐⭐
December 14, 2021
Cute story
I loved everything about this fun holiday story, except for the ending. The author doesn’t give you the ending, you have to sign up for some sort of mailing it’s thing. I can’t believe I read 99% of a book and then I have to sign up for the ending. This is ridiculous. Very disappointing. And I would have probably given this cute story a 4.5 but it’s not worth it without the end.
I loved everything about this fun holiday story, except for the ending. The author doesn’t give you the ending, you have to sign up for some sort of mailing it’s thing. I can’t believe I read 99% of a book and then I have to sign up for the ending. This is ridiculous. Very disappointing. And I would have probably given this cute story a 4.5 but it’s not worth it without the end.
December 31, 2024
The story was engaging following Live who did not want to spend another holiday with people feeling sorry for her so she books herself into a cottage where she meets Jonah, the handyman. But there's so much more to his past. If you want a story about post breakups with healing hearts, then you will enjoy it as much as I did. The author, Cynthia Gunderson, put her heart and soul into the narration as well!
September 21, 2023
This is my new favorite book. Makes me want to run and book a vacation to Sprucewood, CO and experience all the things that Liv did while she was there. Seems like a true fairytale town. Please write more stories like this. Just what we need in such a chaotic time we live in. Keep the good books coming.
December 19, 2025
Loved this heartfelt Christmas story! It truly felt like a Hallmark movie in book form, but with beautifully written characters and great character development. I listened to the audiobook on YouTube, and the author does an amazing job narrating her own books. This is the third book I’ve listened to by this author, and I can’t wait to listen to more!
January 27, 2026
I don’t know what it was about this book, but it just lacked… something. It was well-written, but it was just lacking something. I wish I could work out what it was. All the characters were kinda “meh”, I couldn’t get invested in the story, and it seemed a bit choppy. It was just okay.
In my humble opinion, of course 💙
In my humble opinion, of course 💙
November 28, 2021
Too much angst
I was looking for a feel good Xmas romance. These two had so many issues it was just sad. And the follow me to get a chapter from Jonah was just wrong. Why do writers do that? Oh, so it can appear they have followers 🙄
I was looking for a feel good Xmas romance. These two had so many issues it was just sad. And the follow me to get a chapter from Jonah was just wrong. Why do writers do that? Oh, so it can appear they have followers 🙄
October 15, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
A Hallmark movie in book form!
🎄Wholesome
🎄Short Book
🎄Christmas
🎄Hallmark Vibes
🎄Sweet Romance
Audiobook available on YouTube 🎧📚
The author is the narrator & she did a fantastic job honestly!
A Hallmark movie in book form!
🎄Wholesome
🎄Short Book
🎄Christmas
🎄Hallmark Vibes
🎄Sweet Romance
Audiobook available on YouTube 🎧📚
The author is the narrator & she did a fantastic job honestly!
May 14, 2024
Ah I should have scraped this book a couple chapters in.... its not wjat I usually reach for and when I say this book is clean I mean SQUEAKY CLEAN no spice. But it is like reading a hallmark Christmas movie. So I your into that, this is the book for you.
December 4, 2024
This was an ok book/listen for me. It was good for a quick holiday read. Not a book I really needed to get back to, but it was short and sweet and kept me entertained on walks and while driving.
Not as good as her book Yes, And., which I really enjoyed.
Audio was good.
Not as good as her book Yes, And., which I really enjoyed.
Audio was good.
December 18, 2024
This story had a little more meat to it than many sappy Christmas stories. The characters were much more realistic and had believable background experiences. My one tiny complaint is that the narrator mispronounced “mischievously.”
July 17, 2023
Cute and Christmasie!
Clean, interesting, and full of Christmas feel. Love reading about the Christmas cottages and this magical place where wonderful things happen.
Clean, interesting, and full of Christmas feel. Love reading about the Christmas cottages and this magical place where wonderful things happen.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews