Stranded in Iceland

Icelandic Romance #3

by Victoria Walker

When author Felicity Thorne finds out that the books she thought were at the bottom of every chart in the world have become surprisingly popular in Iceland, she takes up her publisher’s offer of a book tour in Reykjavik. Leaving her teenage children with her ex-husband, it promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

When a local tour company is tasked with looking after the bestselling author, Icelander Brun, usually found either searching for the Northern Lights or playing guitar at the local open mic night, becomes her guide. It doesn’t take him long to realise that Fliss deserves something more than a whistlestop tour of the bookshops and libraries of Reykjavik and he shows her a side to Iceland that only a local can.

Join Fliss and Brun for a few magical days in Reykjavik before Christmas to see if Fliss finds a happy-ever-after she didn’t even know she was looking for…

Genres: Romance, Christmas, Fiction, Chick Lit

251 pages, Paperback

Published November 14, 2023

About the author

Victoria Walker has been writing romantic fiction since a visit to Iceland in 2014 inspired her first novel. As well as writing, she spends her free time dressmaking, knitting and reading an inordinate amount of contemporary romance, occasionally punctuated by the odd psychological thriller and saga.

In the past she has worked as a cinema projectionist, a knitting and sewing tutor and has owned a yarn store, all things which will no doubt appear in her books if they haven't already.

Victoria lives in the Malvern Hills.

Reviews

[Michaela Stephen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Skimmed through the last third since it was so boring.

[Karen Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review
I have loved the other two books in the Iceland series and this book has made me want to visit Iceland even more.

I loved that Fliss is an author setting her books in Iceland which means she has to go out there just in time for the Christmas Eve tradition of Jolabokaflod (the giving of a book on Christmas eve and you spend time reading it then).

I was completely invested in this series and really don't want it to end. It was lovely catching up with the characters from the other two books too.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Audrey Nizen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book frustrated me so much. It was a funny idea having the plot line of becoming a bestselling writer in Iceland because the people there read more per capita than other country. And that was the only witty part. The rest was a whiny, self loathing intended love story that couldn’t happen because the women was a martyr to being a mother. Not to little kids but to high school students. If you raised kids you know they have little time for parents. And good parenting isn’t being subservient to them but empowering them.
And the other issues for me; she wrote her character Margot who solves crimes in Iceland (crime noir is what Icelandic Authors do best) but knew nothing about Iceland other than tourist points.
I would like a rewrite of this book with smart interesting complex characters that find each other.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The location and community in this series is the star of the show and what really keeps me reading. Another nice addition.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmassy feel-good reading. Like a mini trip to Iceland.

[SnooRegrets · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rather dull and the writing style unfortunately was not for me. Should have DNFed as I attempted, but then still read on. I am such a bad book quitter.

[Lee-Anne Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely festive 'snowmance', the third in a series but can be read as a stand alone. Just what I needed as light relief and a break from crime reading for a miserable weather train journey! Set in and around the bookshops of my favourite capital in the world, Reykjavík, a UK author is an unexpected hit in Iceland and visits to do a book reading and signing tour in the run up for Christmas, to coincide with the Icelandic tradition of book giving: Jólabókaflóð. (One criticism: the author doesn't spell this consistently throughout the novel, a typo creeps in and continues.) The author, Fliss, a harried single mum, holding down a job as well as writing in her spare time, and mediating between her kids and their (dreadful!) dad, finally gets some me-time and recognition for her talent, as well as enjoying the company of her driver, Brun, who sees her and appreciates her for herself, and not any of her dutiful titles. A romance begins to blossom between them but with her responsibilities at home what can come of it? Fliss wrestles with this and then a snow storm cancels her flight home and her plans - including childcare - over Christmas are in disarray. The characters are all lovely, the locations are familiar to me and described through the eyes of a fellow devotee of the country, and I thoroughly enjoyed spending my day with them and seeing this well thought out, gentle and satisfying story progress.

[Susan in Perthshire · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could’ve really enjoyed this book except that Fliss’s attitude to the ex-husband and her kids made me want to vomit.

Being a good Mum does not mean putting yourself last, last, last , every single time or pretending your husband is not an absolute horror.

She does her kids a disservice. allowing your husband to treat the children and you like appendages who are unimportant. What a dreadful example to show of a divorced woman and her kids. Why not just lie down and let him walk over you?

[JANE SHEPPARD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Icelandic magic

Fell.in love with the first book. Read it in a day.Iceland has been on my bucket list for a long time and these books have just made me want to visit even more.I read the 2nd and 3rd book straight after each other and have never done that with any other author. Fell in love with all the characters and their stories. Feel good stories and you learn so much about the Icelandic way of life. Just pure magic.

[Carey Mundy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third book in this series I have read this week - loving this series set in Iceland. Fliss is an author and single mom to two teens. When her publisher sends her to Iceland for a book tour, little does she know her future is about to change. The Icelandic people are huge fans and really pump her up, but when she meets her driver, Brun, all bets are off. He ignites in her a passion she hasn’t had in years. There are lots of questions o how to make this relationship work. Fun read!

[Dawn Janis · Rating 5 out of 5]

you stole my heart!

I’ve always wanted to visit Iceland, but never made the trip. Now I’m in my 80’s and know it won’t happen. But, thanks to you, I’ve”met” a lot of lovely new friends and fallen in love again. Thank you for weaving everyone’s lives together and creating imaginary friends for your reader to love and enjoy.

I’m about to start another book. Keep on writing. I love your style.

[Hayley.yule · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bags packed and warm jumper read!

I’m already packing my bag to explore Iceland, loving the sound of the country, especially the knitting! Loved tall three in the series, and having stopped talking about Iceland, so much so we are now planning a trip there. We love all things Scandinavian, and Iceland is a must having read these books.

[Henriette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Victoria's storytelling. It's been a while since I was "in Iceland", but it felt great to be back! Although this story focuses on new characters, we still get glimpses of Rachel and Jonas and also Ned and Anna, from the first two books.

This story is so full of warmth and Iceland and it really feels like I took a trip there and spent time with the people there. Everyone there is so lovely and envelops newcomers like I could only dream of. Fliss, an author, divorcee and single mom is really easy to love and relate to and Brun was a wonderful bear of a man with hidden talents. I. enjoyed every minute of my Icelandic escaoe and was eager to return.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas romance

Finally a Christmas's one. Your never sure which way it will go
and how they will end up together despite the lives that are getting in the way and it had me hooked - and ready to start knitting in a cosy corner during a snow storm

[Anna Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sparkly Icelandic winter, and, of course, a sparkly love affair seems like a lovely area to start something new. Something that you weren’t expecting to start. This was a sweet and cozy romance that was also a fast pace read.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the cover and the idea of a book that revolves around bookstores and Jolabokaflod, the Icelandic tradition of giving books on Christmas Eve. I loved the descriptions of the locations, sights, food, and culture of Iceland, as well as some of the family traditions and gathering of friends. It was fun to get a glimpse of what it might like to be there for a Christmas/winter holiday.
The romance was a bit insta-love for me, but it was a cute easy read and a happily ever after to escape to during the busy holiday season.

[Amy Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series and I have loved each one. Nice easy read and I love that they are all set in Iceland but with a different story line.

[Flint · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely read… I wish this series would continue. A great mix of two wonderful places.

[Claire Milne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite so far out of this Icelandic series. Such a nice warm read with likeable characters and beautiful setting.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one didn't flow quite as well as the first two, but it was still fun to revisit everyone, and I do like a Romance novel that isn't hugely explicit (one scene, and that's fairly tame).

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved 1 2 and this one🌝🙏

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice little fantasy for a divorced mom of teens who is also obsessed with Iceland 🤣

[Lauren Bufton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished this on the road in Iceland & it was definitely my favourite of the series!

[Barbra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming. Simple. Light.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, it is the third in a series of romance novels set in Iceland. Really well written, I can highly recommend. I couldn't put it down!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! I want to go to Iceland!

[Nancy Holden]

Got from Snooky; 3rd book in the series about Iceland and the characters.

When I finished this book, I felt I had learned more about Iceland.

Interesting storyline and characters.

[Lori Inouye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute romance story, quick read, and should be made into Hallmark movie.

[Debbie Wozniak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read

I enjoy the Icelandic stories. They are well-written and an easy quick read with old-fashioned romance. And I love Iceland I plan to read the entire series.

[Diann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A smart and funny cozy romance.