The book is the 5th in Jenny Colgan's series set on the fictional tiny island of Mure on the northeastern coast of Scotland at the very northern tip of the British Isles.

Plans for a mid-summer wedding by Flora MacKenzie and her American fiancé Joel get complicated when someone else wants a wedding at Flora’s hotel at the same time.

Olivia MacDonald, a legendary beauty who grew up on the island but left ten years ago, has returned, along with her intense wedding planner Jacinth. Olivia’s fiancé Anthony comes from a very rich family, and Olivia wants to impress them with the most spectacular wedding ever, to take place at Flora’s hotel, the Rock.

Olivia’s sister Jan MacArthur never left the island, and now runs camping and survival courses. She also retains a bitter jealousy over the way Olivia has always been ooh-ed and aah-ed over, while Jan was side-lined or even ostracized. Jan has always been hostile toward Flora too for dating Jan’s husband (a long time before they were married), and Flora’s involvement in Olivia’s wedding doesn’t help matters.

Flora’s plans are also complicated by the fact that Joel wants a tiny wedding with close family only, while Flora’s friends and acquaintances are assuming there will be a big bash to which they are all invited.

Meanwhile, Flora’s best friend Lorna MacLeod, the primary school headmistress, is having her own complications from her secret relationship with Saif Hassan, the local GP, who is a refugee from Syria with two small boys. Saif has now been on Mure for five years, which means he can apply for legal residency. But there is a big factor holding him back - his wife still is alive back in Syria.

The story bounces between pathos and hilarious chaos as all the plans proceed at cross purposes, peppered with Colgan’s trademark humorous sarcasm and self-deprecation by her main character.

The journey through the story to discover whose plans will work out and whose will not, and what entanglements will happen along the way, is thoroughly delightful, as are all Colgan’s books.

Colgan does it again with another wonderful return to Mure! The plot this time felt a little thin to me at times, how are Flora and Joel still this bad at communicating? But as always the characters and the setting stole the show. It was a delight to return to the island and all it's residents, plus a few new faces to keep things interesting. As always, Colgan balances fun romance with some very serious plot lines, this time focusing a lot on Dr. Saif and his boys. I really hope this isn't the last in the Mure series! I certainly want more! Especially after that ending.

This was so well written. I was engrossed from the first page. Now I need to read this series in order.
From the writing, to the characters, and even the plot--saying I loved this book would be an understatement.
Jenny Colgan, wrote an amazing story.
if you’re looking for a book that will make you smile, your heart ache, and the joy tears gather An Island Wedding is the book for you.

Avon,
Thank you for this eARC!
I will post my review to B&N, platforms, blog and Waterstone close to pub date!