Jenny Colgan has a wonderful way of weaving her characters' stories so everyone is intertwined. I had not read the previous books in the series, but easily picked up the storyline (although I wish I had read the previous books to get the full experience!). There is sadness, but there is also joy and, best of all, Christmas joy! The angel was my favorite part of the story. Takes a while to get there, but you'll enjoy it too!

I love Jenny Colgan and her writing so I was super excited about the prospect of a Christmas book. Unfortunately, this was my least favorite of her books. What I love about her books is the witty writing, the laugh out loud comedy, the heartwarming plots, and the cozy settings. This was just not the same in my opinion and was a disappointment. There are a lot of characters to keep track of so it was not only hard to keep track of them, they aren’t very likable. The town is not very cozy and it didn’t make me feel warm and sheltered, like her other books. Unfortunately, this one didn’t work for me. My thanks to the publisher for the advance reader in exchange for my honest review.

When I chose this book, I hadn't realized that it was part of a series; it took some time to sort out who was who. I enjoyed the quaint setting of the Island of Mure. I looked it up to see if there were pictures, and sadly for me, the island is fictional. The story was cute, I really enjoyed the romance between Konstantin and Isla, and of course, the inclusion of a dog always makes a book better! My only complaint is that there were a lot of storylines going on for one book, but as I said, I haven't read the other books in the series, so maybe it would make more sense to me if I had read the first two books.

Another enjoyable story by Jenny Colgan in the Mure series, this one centers around the opening of the hotel just in time for Christmas. Although you don't need to read the previous books, it definitely helps as it may be confusing otherwise to sort out characters and their back stories. Several new characters and storylines are introduced, and some older ones expanded upon. The storyline for Saif and Lorna could have been expanded upon a bit more, I'm hoping the next book will have more about them. An enjoyable cozy Christmas read by a talented author. Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I didn't realize Christmas at the Island Hotel was part of a series when I started it but it is readable as a stand alone book. It may be more enjoyable if you have read the previous three however. This is a sweet but predictable Christmas story set on the tiny, remote island of Mure, halfway between Scotland and Norway. There are many characters throughout including Fintan and Flora, who are siblings, as they open up a beautiful hotel on the island. This means putting together a kitchen along with everything else by Christmas. They bring in a chef with a big personality to run the kitchen. Then there is Isla, the shy, local girl and Konstantin, secretly the only son of a Duke who has been sent to learn a lesson about hard work and privilege. They find a friendship and more working side by side in the chaotic kitchen. There are several storylines and relationships explored throughout and overall its an enjoyable story. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc for an honest review.

A cozy Christmas take on the characters in the Endless Beach series. There were some confusing continuity issues with this installment. The character previously known as Jan is now Pam? This seems to be the norm across this series. I will concede that there are a large number of characters to keep straight and that was one of the benefits of diving back into this series and picking up with all the people who you already knew and some new additions. Still the same magic of being in love in Scotland. I was given an advanced reader's copy via NetGalley, thank you to them. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is the first book I have seen by Jenny Colgan. Honestly I had a really hard time getting into this book. I picked it up and tried reading it several times. I feel like it would appeal to certain readers of certain genres but honestly I just never could get into it.

Thank you to the publisher, William Morrow Paperbacks, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of this book.

I just loved the sense of place and world building. I had not read other of the author's books and apparently there's a series I should catch up with. It's a great start to a holiday season!

A wonderful addition to this series. Jenny Colgan has a way with words that create not only wonderful full characters, but draw you in so that you care for all of them and find yourself rooting for them all. The cast is wonderfully diverse and representative of the world as it is. I loved that. You get to join each of them while they are traveling their own paths to finding themselves, changing their own lives and all of those they meet along the way and interact with.
It truly is a delightful sweet read that though a holiday book will warm your heart and soul all throughout the year. It brings about so many different feelings and emotions. I am so very glad I got read this lovely book, particularly during these trying times we living through. Hope, this book will bring forth hope. Who doesn’t need that?

An utterly charming book. It made me want to book a holiday weekend at The Rocks and immerse myself in life on Mure.

There are so many funny moments in this book. Any scene with Agot had me chuckling at that tiny blonde force of nature. I really enjoyed all the action that takes place in the "back of the house" as the kitchen staff tries to come together before the hotel opens.

I didn't know this was part of a series when I requested it on NetGalley. I was a little confused jumping into the first pages of the book and trying to understand who all these people were. However after that prologue, the author does a great job at giving new readers enough backstory to understand the relationships of the characters from the previous books.

I have already requested the first book in the series at the library to keep the fun on Mure going.

*I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and I am required to disclose that in my review in compliance with federal law.*

What a treat it was to be able to go back to the island of Mure at Christmas-time! I loved getting caught up on everyone's lives. Once again we see Flora, Joel and baby Douglas, Fintan, Isla, Iona and niece Agot. We even get a glimpse of Saif and Lorna and meet new characters, Gaspard and Konstantin and his crazy dog Bjark. As I read this in the warmth of a beautiful fall day in Florida I wished to visit this captivating island up north. This was a beautiful conclusion to all those who live on Mure. Once you start this series, you'll want to go back again and again..

If you haven't read any of the Mure books, you really need to start at the beginning with The Summer Seaside Kitchen and read thru the series.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

This is such a sweet story. It has all the charm of a small town during any holiday. I thought the characters were written with surprisingly good chemistry for the limited amount of time they had been together. I was unaware this was part of a series when I read the book, but it didn't impact my reading experience at all. I had no trouble keeping up. The only thing holding me back from giving it five stars was the fact that I felt like it skipped from character to character a bit too quickly. I would have also liked to know more about Saif and Lorna, but it's possible that we have more background from the first three books. This is a great cozy read, and it has me in the mood for Christmas now!

Didn't realize that this was book four in the series. It took my awhile to figure everyone out. That being said I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading the rest of the series.

Jenny Colgan's Christmas books are some of my favorites and this is toward the top of the list. It was such a warm and cozy story. I definitely recommend it!

A sweet, better than average Christmas contemporary novel set on the remote Scottish island of Mure during Christmastime. I haven't read any of the other books in Colgan's series, but it was a sweet cozy read for Christmastime. Some of the storylines seemed farfetched (a Norwegian prince getting exiled on a Scottish island? Is this real life?), but the descriptions of the food and genuine kindness of the characters made up for the silly.

I love Jenny Colgan and her books; this book is such a cozy and perfect read for the holiday season. It incapsulates the magic and beauty of Christmas and I truly enjoyed reading it; it put me into the holiday spirit and mood instantly! The writing of this book is gorgeous and I love the lush descriptions and cozy feeling this book offers. This book offers up all the cozy winter/Christmas feels that you could ask for!

Jenny Colgan books have been my guilty pleasure for years. My first and favorite book was The Bookshop around the Corner. Jenny's characters are always quirky and loveable, the towns idyllic with that small town feel, and there’s always a sweet love story. I also enjoy that the characters from previous books will make their appearance but you don’t have to have read them to understand the plot or their importance to the story. If you haven’t read any of Jenny’s books I highly recommend them, and if you’re a super fan like me, you’ll love the cozy familiar style of her writing with the festive vibe of Christmas. (I mean look at that cover!)
On the Island of Mure a new hotel is opening just in time for the holidays. Being a new mom is stressful for Flora, nothing seems to come naturally to her including caring for her new baby. For her brother Fintan, he is morning the loss of his great love and former owner of The Rock. The two must work hard to get everything ready before the hotel’s grand opening and there seems to be problem after problem. The new kitchen is beautiful and fit for a king, but little do they know their new wait staff Konstantin is actually the son of the Duke of Utsire. His father has sent him to the small town so he can learn what it means to earn a dollar, work hard, and become more appreciative before he’s handed his inheritance. Konstantin will learn some new skills and also fall in love with his coworker and small town girl Isla. Isla worked as a waitress at the Island Café and is excited to take on a bigger position at the hotel. Once she learns of Konstantin’s status she starts to pull away, doubtful that someone of his stature would be interested in someone like her.
With the holidays and grand opening gala fast approaching the town must pull together to make this the greatest event on Mure. Some will have to grow up, some will need to show up, and many will have to dig deep and face their personal issues in order to move forward.

Christmas at the Island Hotel is the third in a series of stories set on the fictional island of Mure in Northern Scotland. Winter and the Christmas holidays are fast approaching and Flora is busy baking delicious treats for the locals in her cafe, the seaside kitchen. Also on her mind is her pregnancy she has yet to share with her American boyfriend Joel. Although Flora has a large family to lean on, she's not sure how Joel is going to take the news of the pregnancy given their somewhat tenuous relationship and his own traumatic past growing up in the foster care system. Flora's best friend and local school teacher Lorna is avoiding her feelings for Saif, the local doctor and recent implant to the island of Mure. While her feelings for him are growing stronger, she is hesitant to pursue a relationship. Saif is eager to provide his young children with a memorable Christmas yet finds it hard to celebrate the season with his grief and guilt over leaving Syria without knowing exactly what happened to his wife. However the islanders are a strong knit and loving group who excel at coming together and supporting each other during difficult times.
Christmas at the Island Hotel picks up and continues the stories of the islanders of Mure after the conclusion of the second book in the series, The Endless Beach. While this newest release can be enjoyed on its own for those looking for a satisfying holiday read, I highly recommend reading the first two in the series to really appreciate the characters and their stories. While the story covers many heavy topics, being set in such a warm and welcoming island during Christmas helps dispel some of the gloomy and dark elements of the story. I found myself quickly and effortlessly becoming invested in the lives of the characters and would love to spend the holidays on the island of Mure. I highly recommend this series for those looking for a heartwarming and satisfying read to get lost in.

This was my first Jenny Colgan novel; and she did not disappoint! Such a charming Christmas story that literally transported me to this snowy European island. Perfect for a little escape during this upcoming holiday season. I can't wait to read more of Colgan's novels.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced copy of this book.

This book was refreshing, nice people, interesting setting and in spite of predictable romance, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The most disappointing thing was to realize that I had just read book four of a series. No wonder there were so many characters in the beginning. I need a cozy read every now and then and this one came at just the right time. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this in preview. I’m glad to have made the acquaintance of this author.