I would like to extend my gratitude to the author, publisher and NetGalley for sending me this advanced reader’s copy in return for a fair, frank, and honest review.

I love everything to do with Christmas, but my favourite things are books that have the magic of Christmas held within its pages. I loved finding out about Holly and all aspects of her life with her new path to follow. I read this book in fluffy pjs, fluffy socks and a blanket. Perfect Norwegian story!

I liked the setting of the book on an isolated Norwegian island and the characters were mostly engaging. The descriptions of food and the recipes included were a definite highlight and I am keen to try some Norwegian baking now!

You can't go wrong with a cute, cosy Christmasy story set in Norway! I enjoyed this book, I found it the perfect story to snuggle up with during the wintertime. Very well written, loved the characters!

Is anyone else as obsessed with this cover as I am? I HAD to read it with all the holiday feels + adorable illustrations!

Well-written and full of small-town holiday cheer, this book will make you want to curl up in front of the fire on a snowy evening! What I loved most about it was how different it was than my other Christmasy reads, and I learned so much about the Norwegian culture.

Cozy + cute, I think we all need a secluded escape like this sometimes!

Thank you to NetGalley + HaperCollins UK, One More Chapter for providing me with an eARC to read & review!

Norway is such a great setting for a feel good Christmas book. A bit romance, a bit armchair travel, a grumpy hero and a cat as a character of it's own. Fun book to reset and transport for a bit.

We could be in one of the far flung Scottish islands - but we are not, we are in Norway - on one of their far flung islands where there is a very small community, everyone knows everyone else's business, there is nothing to do, and it is very cold, very wet and very dark most of the year. Yes, the correct type of place to hide away in total isolation and be a hermit. it is also rather windy as next stop is America and the wind comes across a cold ocean. [No point having a balcony when you go across by boat we found out after having paid extra for one!]
As with many of these remote islands, the animals, usually sheep, are of a rare breed who have learnt to survive on a very particular diet which only exists on one island. Like the Soay sheep or the Boreray sheep or the Orkney sheep which live on seaweed. Many of these are now feral or are in rare breed farms. So our heroine's brother has a flock of his rare breed sheep - Norway has a few too - in fact there are more rare breed sheep than any other type of animal as man has spent of his energy on cross breeding them for his particular environment. the funniest looking are the long wools - serious coats here!
We also have a lovely cat belonging to our hermit - a Norwegian Forest cat - this is a large breed of nicely mannered cat but they are smaller than the Maine Coons but just as friendly - we now have 2 Maine Coons and our male has a creamy coloured tail - like fair ground spun sugar! He is a 'Red' and very amiable and talkative- he calls for the next door cat to go on patrol! Oh and he is over 8 kilos in weight and over 3 foot in length.
I did think that our story hermit had seriously got the Covid, (and the whole island had the zoom) etiquette down pat.
In many ways a quite traditional romance story - beauty and the beast trope - with a nice twist with the island, winter, xmas, and cat.

Really enjoyed this book, loved all the characters and the background stories. So well written, I could imagine the beautiful island and all that lovely food. Nice easy read for winter nights.

A lovely book to snuggle up with, good characterisation and a nicely paced story that kept me turning the pages.
Sometimes all you need is a simple feel good read and this fits the bill perfectly.

I enjoyed reading this book and learned a great deal about Norwegian way of life. Definitely recommended to those readers who enjoy reading this type of book

I loved this. Reading it as the weather is slightly better was a bit strange. Loved the setting and enjoyed the characters. Kept me busy for an evening.

Due to a problem at work as a doctor, Holly flees to her brother’s rustic home in Norway on an idyllic Island.. This Island is outstandingly beautiful in the summer but this is in the winter time. A nice cosy book to read and some very interesting details as to how the Norwegians celebrate Christmas. I would definitely recommend this book as it is such a loveable read.

This is a cute, cosy read that is perfect for the winter months! We follow Holly who has been suspended from her job in the UK and she decides to take visit her bother and his family on a remote nordic island for Christmas. I love the additions of Nordic Christmas traditions, this was such a feel good read!

This book was so entertaining. I was drawn into the story from the beginning and was involved until the end. The characters were complex and interesting. I found the story to be well paced and engrossing throughout the whole book. I was invested in the couple throughout the book and felt all the emotions through both the highs and lows of the story. If you want an entertaining and well written book this is it for you.

I love books where the setting becomes a character in the story. A remote area of Norway plays as much a part in this love story as the two main characters. And Froy the cat is also a significant addition to the growth of the romance between Holly and Tor.

While there are no real surprises with what happens in the storyline, the whimsical, magical setting, and two likeable main characters, plus all the magical Norwegian Christmas detail, make this a highly enjoyable read.

Christmas Island was such a cute and cozy read! I loved the family dynamics and how Holly found out how to love and love herself during her journey.

Fed up with her life and down on her luck Holly decides to quit London and head to a remote Norwegian island. Almost falling off a cliff she meets Froy (the cat) and then his reclusive owner Tor. They are both hiding from the world for different reasons but can they find a way to be each others support?

I absolutely enjoyed this book. I love cozy, romance stories and this is all this and more! I didn't know this book is part of a series, so I would definitely read the other book soon!

A sucker for a good romantic comedy, this book was right up my street and even features a sassy, fluffy cat!

A down on her luck Londoner escapes to a remote island to lick her wounds and almost falls off a cliff as well as falls for a grouchy recluse. All set on a wild, beautiful Norwegian Island. What's not to like?

We all need community and sometimes it takes a village (or a fluffy cat and his human butler) to heal a soul..

Perfect read on those dark winter nights in front of a cozy fire or snuggled under a warm blanket with a cup of hot chocolate.

An easy going heart warming story.

**Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I didn't realize when I picked this up to read that it was a sequel to another book. This one was cozy and enjoyable, so I will definitely be picking up the first.

Absolute pure escapism. From start to finish I was enthralled. The characters, the setting, the story and the food! All of these elements harmonise into something special. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be hoping for a return to the Island soon.

Thank you Netgalley.