I will admit, I was a little nervous reading Christmas at the Island Hotel. I loved the first book in this series, but the second wasn't a favorite. Although you don't need to read the others to enjoy this, I do recommend it as several loose ends get tied up. I was a little annoyed at first with a new character being introduced, but I ended up really enjoying the Konstantin storyline. I really enjoyed this book- it ended in a satisfying way that could be picked up by a 5th book or could leave the series as it is. Definitely a great Christmas read if you are looking for one!

This title is Jenny Colgan’s seasonal gift to her regular readers. They will be transported back to the small island of Mure, where they will find the characters that they have gotten to know and care for, the hotel, the bakery, the scenery and some romance.

Fans will be updated on Saif, the immigrant physician and the schoolteacher who is quite fond of him. They will find out how Flora is faring as a mom. Readers will observe Fintan’s grief and his struggle to move through this. Isla becomes a more central character. Readers also meet a Norwegian young man. He has been sent by his (wealthy) father to learn about work at the hotel. His boisterous dog also makes his presence known.

The holiday season is a part of the story. I enjoyed reading about the arrival of the boat carrying the Christmas trees and the seasonal celebrations.

Those not familiar with the recurring characters may enjoy this book a bit less. Of course, though, they can start the series by picking up The Summer Seaside Kitchen and then the two other titles, The Endless Beach and Christmas on the Island. They can then return to Mure again with this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

ARC from NetGalley and William Morrow in exchange for an honest review.
Where I know that they are marketed as stand-alone novels, I really think to fully be invested you need to read them all. Flora and Joel’s story is so sweet and realistic and deals with the ups and downs that so many can relate to. Fintan dealing with loss and grief and moving on... done is such a way that you were really cheering him on. Saif and Lorna, I feel like we need a book just dedicated to them finally getting it right! Loved how we keep adding on to this Mure village and really just falling in love with these characters more and more!

This is a wonderful story of finding one’s self, perseverance and romance. There are a wide range of delightful characters including the location itself and an Angel. The complete turnaround for Candace Blunt the reporter was a little much but it was Christmas after all!

4.5 stars

I did not realize that this was the fourth installment, however, I was still able to enjoy this novel. It did take me a bit to sort out the characters and back stories, but once I had a grasp I was able to enjoy this story. What I loved most is that I could picture the setting perfectly. This is one that will be fantastic to read around the holidays, with some hot tea, by the fire.

Not realizing this was book 4 in a series it took a bit to sort out who was who and their back story. This is just a warm, friendly series set in a make believe town Muse in Scotland. The characters have depth and the setting made it a entertaining read.

I have read all the books in this series and love them all!!!!!  Despite what some people say in their reviews I would highly recommend that you read these books in the order they are written. Otherwise you will probably be confused to who people are & their stories. That's just my opinion though.  I love Jenny Colgan's style of writing & her homey way of storytelling.  I highly recommend this book

Sarah Smith offers up two delicious enemies-turn-lovers in her new rom-com, SIMMER DOWN. Please, I'm not giving the ending away. It's a romantic comedy.

Nikki Dimarco knew life on the island of Maui wouldn't be all sunshine and Mai Tais when she moved there to help her mom run their food truck, Tiva's Filipina Kusinao. But then newcomer and candy for the eyes, British bad boy, Callum James rudely breaks the rules and moves his truck, Hungry Chaps in too close for comfort. Soon things are heating up and the smoking hot competition breaks out in a public fight that goes viral.

But the longer their rivalry simmers, the more Nikki starts seeing the sweet side of Callum and visa versa. But are they too proud to call a truce? Are they willing for their relationship to jump from the frying pan into the fire?

I absolutely loved SIMMER DOWN. This is Sarah Smith's sophomore effort after penning the successful FAKER. Her characters and plotting show a talent for making readers smile and enjoy happy endings. Let's all hope, one: we get to go to Maui and two: we meet a delish guy like Callum. I promise you'll love him.

I'm always up for a Christmas novel and Jenny Colgan didn't disappoint. The characters, dialogue and relationships all ring true. And I was happy to see there is still room for another novel because a couple is still in need of an ending to their story!

Not realizing that this was book 4 in a series, I read it without having read the previous books so It took me a bit of time to sort out who the various characters were. The book wasn't confusing, but I'm sure my enjoyment of it suffered by not knowing the various characters' back stories. The main story was centered on shy, budding baker Isla, and a spoiled Norwegian duke's son, Konstantin, who is banished to the island to work in the kitchen of a brand new boutique hotel by his father after one too many drunken, bratty episodes. It was fun to watch Konstantin slowly start to recognize how spoiled and entitled he's been and make tentative steps toward growing up. As for the other characters, I didn't really connect to any of them, but I"m sure they would have been more impactful if I'd read the previous books. I loved the setting, an isolated island off the Scottish coast and could easily imagine how it would feel to live there, especially in the winter. Even though the weather and the setting were bleak, the book was warm and cozy and the village had a true sense of community and the Christmas spirit.

This is my first visit to the imaginary Scottish island of Mure, but it won't be my last. It is a light romance, and totally predictable, but the setting is so unique, and the characters so charming, that I was completely caught up in their lives and activities. A new hotel is opening on the island, and the entire island's population seems to be involved in one way or another. Terrific read! Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for providing an ARC.

Being welcomed to the Island of Mure is like being wrapped in your favorite sweater. In true Jenny Colgan style, readers are gifted with trademark humor and plenty of warm fuzzies.

Konstantin is a spoiled prince that finds himself being dropped into the hard work of the real world where he meets island native Isla after his father swings a deal to have him hired as a pot scrubber. As Flora works to help Fintan get Colton's island hotel ready for opening, new characters find their way to the island, while familliar favorites' stories continue.

Descriptions of the island as inhabitants prepare for Christmas make this the perfect holiday read.

Much has happened since we last left Mure: Flora and Joel have had a little boy, Douglas: Fintan is still reeling from the loss of Colton, Isla and Iona are flourishing at the little Seaside Café, Agot is five and obsessed with Torvill and Dean, and a new French chef has been hired at The Rock in preparation for the grand opening.

But there are changes afoot, and Fintan is near-catatonic and resistent to running the hotel that Colton dreamed of and left to him – so Flora and Joel (as Colton’s trust attorney) have stepped in to fill the gaps, with one important addition. Konstantin, the son of a prominent Norwegian royal, has been ‘banished’ to The Rock by his family in hopes he’ll mend his profligate ways. A playboy and gadabout, Konstantin has no real life skills, a chip on his shoulder and a dpg that is not only large but very boisterous. With Flora doing all she can to manage the hotel and the upcoming opening in Fintan’s absence (or disregard) she’s moved Isla from the Seaside Café to the hotel kitchen, a move Isla is worried about (and being the more timid of the two best friends, not sure she can handle).

From here we are treated to more from Flora and her worries about the baby and her lack of interest in being home and taking care of him full time: Joel’s obsession with said baby, Agot’s increasingly spoilt behavior, Isla trying to stay ‘invisible’ in the kitchens but being paired with the very useless albeit handsome Konstantin, Fintan’s slow recognition of the attraction he has for the new chef, and Dr. Saif and new, heartbreaking information about his long-lost wife and mother of his two boys, and how that impacts his budding (yet secret) relationship with Lorna – the head teacher and Flora’s best friend.

All the best bits of a Colgan book as the characters direct the story with the island (and the weather) being a huge guiding force. From Isla’s own growth to Konstantin finding people who, not knowing who he is – yet, discovering his place and skills. Flora’s struggles with juggling work, the baby and her worries, and Joel trying to find a way to make Christmas special for the island as per Colton’s requests. Fintan dealing with his grief, some usual (and unusual) struggles with the decorations, friendship, family, food and some pitfalls – the story of the island continues and cements itself further into one of my ‘go to’ sweetly satisfying reads, sure to please and bring a bit of the ‘everything works out in time’ happiness that this author repeatedly brings. Sure to be a favorite for those who appreciate slow-growing stories that focus on characters and their connections, grab this book, or the series and escape to a tiny island, closer to Norway than England – and full of delights!

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aOM /”> <a> I am, Indeed </a>

I love the non-existent island of Mure, and its inhabitants, and I think this is a strong series for Colgan. This one is not my favorite; the reader is in for a shock at the beginning, and the tone of that shocking between books event colors the tone of the whole book. Colgan has some really interesting material to work with, including mothers who want to return to work but feel guilty, and the loyality a widowed person owes to their dead spouse, but she doesn't develop those themes in a meaningful way. It's a decent book, but it could have been a better one. Fans of the series will still find it fun.

#NetGalley, #LJDOD

Another cute story about the Scottish town of Mure. This is the fourth in a series, but could easily be enjoyed on its own. Some back history is alluded to though, so if you're wondering what's going on between Lorna and Saif, or how exactly this hotel came to be, you'll probably want to check out the earlier titles. I'm just now realizing I never read the first one in the series, so I'll be on the lookout for it.

Mure is a small town where everyone knows everyone else, at least until a large new hotel opens up and employees are hired. The descriptions of the town and even the freezing cold weather make me want to hop on a plane and visit. If you love sweet, small town stories and happy endings, you'll love this.

I admit it took me a long time to read this book .Jenny Colgan's beautiful prose transported me to the remote island of Mure and I never wanted to leave. Add the magic of Christmas and romance and the story is a winner! My favorite story line among the many was that of the spoiled Norwegian Prince who was banished to the Island by his Father. I received a copy from net galley not realizing it was book 4 so it took me awhile to figure out the back stories of this eccentric cast of characters. I will definitely be reading the first 3 books and check back into the Island Hotel. Thanks to Harper Collins for the advanced copy of this lovely book that I highly recommend getting lost in.

Opening a Jenny Colgan novel always feels like visiting a friend. Colgan has an incredible ability to transport readers into her novels, unlike any other author. All of her stories end with me ready to leave my current life behind and move to Scotland and Christmas at the Island Hotel is no different. I have read all of her The Summer Seaside Kitchen novels and the giddiness I felt to dive back into this world and these characters were unrivaled. A novel that looks at the toughest aspects of grief, of love new and old, of motherhood, and family dynamics this novel will have you running to the ones you love to hold them close and give you a new perspective on what it means to love them. No matter what type of heartbreak you have been through Christmas at the Island Hotel will make you feel understood in that heartbreak and how to continue living and loving through it. In Christmas at the Island Hotel, we reunite with our favorite characters and get introduced to new ones as well as learn more about some other Mure islanders all with a Christmas backdrop. It is an amazingly heartfelt Holiday read that will have you laughing, tearing up, and holding the novel close. Jenny Colgan touches hearts with each of her novels and she does it again in a profound way with Christmas at the Island Hotel.

*I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.*
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3497033598?book_show_action=false

I was reading reviews of other Jenny Colgan books and was surprised at some of the comments and criticisms in them. To me, reading these fictional stories is meant to be an escape. They are not meant to be great literary works like War and Peace or Doctor Zhivago. They are meant to be fun and entertaining.

In every story there has to be a beginning, a middle conflict and an ending - and having a predictable ending is often just what fiction readers want. That is what Jenny Colgan provides; humor, romantic conflicts, probably unrealistic situations and expectations. Her writing, to me, is a breath of air. I love this story, the fourth book in her Mure series. I wish Mure were a real place and we could visit it in all its strange curiousness. The characters in Christmas at the Island Hotel are quirky and fun, not perfect, but very real in every sense. There is despair, optimism, and romanticism in this heartwarming story of the opening of the island hotel. Life can, and does go on, despite hardship and heartache. Each heroine (or hero) has a story to tell, and each has a uniqueness to them; who wants everything to be a cookie cut from a pattern and decorated in the same way?

If you are looking for serious literary fiction, re-read a classic novel and you will not be disappointed. If you are looking for quirky, lighter reading with a bit of a dark twist, read Jenny Colgan's Christmas at the Island Hotel - you will not be disappointed.

Although this is book four in Jenny Colgan’s ‘Mure Series,’ it is my first from this talented author. Jenny has more than thirty published books, in what I like to call the, “happy, cozy read.” Yes, of course, there is a little romance in here, but it is not the ‘syrupy sweet’ stuff I have read in other books. Jenny writes with her heart and mind. This book piqued my interest because I was in immediate need of a happy read, (and I mean now), that could lift me from my reality, (pandemic cabin fever), and take me anywhere else to lift my mood. This book answered that need!

Most importantly, you will not need to read the first three books of the series to enjoy this one. (I did not.) Jenny includes a simple summary in the Prologue that explains who the main characters are and what they have been doing. There is also a hand drawn map of Mure! Just like her writing, details and descriptions are kept to a minimum leaving the choicest words to tell the story.

Mure is a fictional island located in the cold waters far north of Scotland and just across from Norway. It is wind swept with clean fresh air, often biting cold then sunny sweet, but never hot. The ‘Endless’ is the white sand beach that runs almost the entire length of its eastern side. Sightings of whales are common while dots of seals sunning themselves on rocks near the end of the beach occur daily. Fishing boats leave the small harbor regularly unless the winds reach gale force, or the ice seizes everything. Yet no matter, the beauty remains breathtaking.

The population is small (approx. 1500), mostly hardy native-born Islanders, friendly and welcoming. When we last left our core characters, Flora Mackenzie had just given birth to baby boy, Douglas, conceived with her partner and former-boss, Joel Binder. Flora is supposed to be on maternity leave from her business, the popular, ‘Seaside Kitchen,’ which is doing fine without her. However, Flora has difficulty remaining still and she wants to help her brother Fintan fulfill the dying wish of his husband, Coltan, and open the Island Hotel for Christmas. Fintan is in the throes of grieving, since Coltan just died from pancreatic cancer a few weeks ago.
Flora feels guilty leaving baby Douglas with Joel, his father, who is totally enamored with his baby son. Maybe she is a bit jealous, but she is also amazed that Joel went from a high-powered, international lawyer, to a Daddy! Joel is equally amazed but just cannot believe the gifts he has been given at this stage in his life. He does have some work left to do, but it seems so boring compared to watching his baby son.

So, Flora goes off and sends one of her staff, Isla, to the Rock, now known as the Island Hotel. Fintan goes off to Glasgow to interview chefs and brings back the only one willing to go to Mure, a tattooed, long-haired, Frenchman, named Gaspard. Joel forgets to mention that he has arranged for the son of the Duke of Norway, a spoiled and lazy brat, to come and work as a kitchen boy at the Hotel, to help his father straighten the kid out. Ah yes, Konstantin Jr. brings his pudgy dog, Bjårk.

You can imagine what must be done to open a hotel and restaurant several months before Christmas, no?! Just picture inviting thirty or so people to your house for Christmas dinner and they are all staying for the weekend. Ahh, that did it!

Fun, happy chaos ensues of course, but only as Jenny Colgan can write it. Take a quick trip and fly off to Mure for a few days. You will not regret it, I promise. Oh, and bring a warm jacket with a hat and gloves.

Thank you Netgalley, Harper Collins Publishers, and Jenny Colgan

Loved revisiting the characters in this series with their complex and very human characteristics. The island of Mure is a unique setting adding an extra dynamic to the story. . An entertaining and uplifting holiday read.