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Mure #4
Christmas at the Island Hotel
On the tiny, beautiful, and remote island of Mure, halfway between Scotland and Norway, a new hotel opening is a big event. New mother Flora MacKenzie and her brother Fintan are working themselves half to death to get it ready in time for Christmas.
The new hotel’s impressive kitchens throw together two unlikely new friends: Isla Gregor is the hardworking young girl who has been a waitress in the island's cafe, dreaming of a bigger, better life now that she’s at a proper fancy hotel. Konstantin Pederson is working his way up in the hotel's kitchens too…but he is also, secretly, the only son of the Duke of Utsire. Konstantin has been sent to learn what it is to work hard for a living, before receiving his inheritance. Although he’s initially resentful, the place grows on him; he has never met anyone quite like Isla and her fellow Murians before.
As the island’s residents and special VIP guests gather for the hotel’s grand opening gala, Christmas is in the air. But so are more than a few small-town secrets…
The new hotel’s impressive kitchens throw together two unlikely new friends: Isla Gregor is the hardworking young girl who has been a waitress in the island's cafe, dreaming of a bigger, better life now that she’s at a proper fancy hotel. Konstantin Pederson is working his way up in the hotel's kitchens too…but he is also, secretly, the only son of the Duke of Utsire. Konstantin has been sent to learn what it is to work hard for a living, before receiving his inheritance. Although he’s initially resentful, the place grows on him; he has never met anyone quite like Isla and her fellow Murians before.
As the island’s residents and special VIP guests gather for the hotel’s grand opening gala, Christmas is in the air. But so are more than a few small-town secrets…
374 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2020
1752 people are currently reading
12020 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Colgan
101 books11.9k followersJenny Colgan is the author of numerous bestselling novels, including 'The Little Shop of Happy Ever After' and 'Summer at the Little Beach Street Bakery', which are also published by Sphere.' Meet Me at the Cupcake Café' won the 2012 Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance and was a Sunday Times Top Ten bestseller, as was 'Welcome to Rosie Hopkins' Sweetshop of Dreams', which won the RNA Romantic Novel of the Year Award 2013.
For more about Jenny, visit her website and her Facebook page, or follow her on Twitter.
Jenny Colgan has also been published under the name Jenny T. Colgan.
For more about Jenny, visit her website and her Facebook page, or follow her on Twitter.
Jenny Colgan has also been published under the name Jenny T. Colgan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,712 reviews
November 3, 2020
Jenny Colgan Jenny, what happened?
Another fun Mure story, yes, but what is going on with the many, many unacceptable inconsistencies? By book 4 you have a well-established group of readers who are attached to your characters. Here are the name changes and issues I noticed (which made it really hard to read at times!). These aren't extras - these are BIG characters.
- Jan (Charlie's wife) is now Pam (and her character went from a formidable outdoorswoman to a competitive yummy mummy)
- Joel Binder is now Joel Booker
- Dr. Saif Hassan is now Dr. Saif Hussein
- Mark and Marsha went from not adopting Joel as a child because they had their own children to care for to a story line about them never having had children because they were unable
Another fun Mure story, yes, but what is going on with the many, many unacceptable inconsistencies? By book 4 you have a well-established group of readers who are attached to your characters. Here are the name changes and issues I noticed (which made it really hard to read at times!). These aren't extras - these are BIG characters.
- Jan (Charlie's wife) is now Pam (and her character went from a formidable outdoorswoman to a competitive yummy mummy)
- Joel Binder is now Joel Booker
- Dr. Saif Hassan is now Dr. Saif Hussein
- Mark and Marsha went from not adopting Joel as a child because they had their own children to care for to a story line about them never having had children because they were unable
December 21, 2020
Christmas at the Island Hotel was my first Jenny Colgan book and won’t be my last. A cute holiday story centered around the staff at a hotel on the small (fictional) island of Mure, located halfway between Scotland and Norway.
Siblings Fintan and Flora are trying to get the hotel ready for opening at Christmas, while Fintan battles grief and Flora adapts to the new world of motherhood. Isla agrees to move from Flora’s cafe to the hotel to help out. A new French chef, Gaspard, arrives along with Konstantin, a mysterious kitchen assistant who has limited experience.
While this book is part of a series, I had no trouble reading it as a standalone, and didn’t feel lost. The characters were generally likable with a dose of small town secrets. Christmas at the Island Hotel is a light, cozy, seasonal read — 3.5 stars
Siblings Fintan and Flora are trying to get the hotel ready for opening at Christmas, while Fintan battles grief and Flora adapts to the new world of motherhood. Isla agrees to move from Flora’s cafe to the hotel to help out. A new French chef, Gaspard, arrives along with Konstantin, a mysterious kitchen assistant who has limited experience.
While this book is part of a series, I had no trouble reading it as a standalone, and didn’t feel lost. The characters were generally likable with a dose of small town secrets. Christmas at the Island Hotel is a light, cozy, seasonal read — 3.5 stars
November 22, 2021
The story was good but there were so many inconsistencies with the past three Mure books. It drove me crazy. It wasn't just small things, some characters who have been in the entire series now have different first or last names.
November 18, 2022
I will be honest... I was prepared to dislike this book. It's the 4th book in a series I haven't read and it sounded incredibly saccharine. I almost passed. But I'm so glad I didn't because I ended up being incredibly charmed by this book. Set on a remote island off the coast of Scotland, a family in turmoil prepares to open a hotel in time for Christmas. While the book ostensibly follows the love story between a shy island girl and a fellow kitchen worker (who is actually a disgraced Norwegian prince exiled by his father to learn to do... well, anything), we also get glimpses of other relationships and antics across the island. I got very Stars Hallow vibes from the setting. I felt the need to review because I was so wrong about this book, and hope others will give it a chance too!
October 22, 2020
I love this series but is no one editing it for continuity? Joel Binder is a main character but in this fourth book he is now Joel Booker? Jan is now Pam? Marsha is Martha? The book is lovely but the discrepancies are jarring.
October 16, 2020
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 Mure in Scotland. The characters have depth and the setting made it a entertaining read.
December 31, 2020
I really think (and hope) this book is a case of, 'It's not you, it's me'. In all honesty, part of my disappointment was due to my own stupidity: I picked this book up randomly and not knowing that it was the fourth book in a series. Although this novel can be read as a standalone, I don't recommend it. For me, there wasn't the character attachment or emotional investment in the outcome which could have potentially happened if I had read the previous books.
With that aside, if I was a less stubborn person, I would have set this book down and not finished it. Instead, I stubbornly pushed through with my eyes glazed over in boredom. I was hoping the setting would make up for such a dry plot but it did not. The story didn't give me any of the cozy feelings of a small town nor did it give me the warm feelings of Christmas or the holidays in which I was hoping for.
There was no redeeming qualities in this novel and from start to finish the story was boring and bland. I didn't take anything from it and this book will be easily forgotten.
With that aside, if I was a less stubborn person, I would have set this book down and not finished it. Instead, I stubbornly pushed through with my eyes glazed over in boredom. I was hoping the setting would make up for such a dry plot but it did not. The story didn't give me any of the cozy feelings of a small town nor did it give me the warm feelings of Christmas or the holidays in which I was hoping for.
There was no redeeming qualities in this novel and from start to finish the story was boring and bland. I didn't take anything from it and this book will be easily forgotten.
December 14, 2020
I wanted to write such a good review for this book--I've really loved the Mure Island series by Jenny Colgan, but this book left me completely baffled and I'm being generous giving it three stars. This book was different, as it introduced a lot of new characters into the mix and focused less on the usual cast of characters, but I was ok with that. I actually grew to like Konstantin and Gaspard.
What made this book a huge disappointment for me were the many inconsistencies with the previous books. Right from the very start of the book, I was scratching my head trying to figure out who the Bookers were...because in the first three books Joel's last name was Binder. Even more distracting, the vile Jan from the first three books is now all of a sudden named Pam. This drove me nuts. Marsha was now Martha. Dr. Hassan was now Dr. Hussein. Things like this just weren't necessary and were confusing to me as a well-established reader of the series.
I have to assume that these inconsistencies were intentional, as no professional writer or editor would have missed all of them. I just can't imagine what the point of them was--all it served to do for me was completely distract me from enjoying the story. It made the story almost hard to read at times.
And while I really liked the series in general, if another Mure Island book comes out, I would hesitate before reading it--I simply have no patience with the inconsistencies and changes--when you are writing a series of books that readers grow attached to, it makes zero sense to start changing names, etc.
What made this book a huge disappointment for me were the many inconsistencies with the previous books. Right from the very start of the book, I was scratching my head trying to figure out who the Bookers were...because in the first three books Joel's last name was Binder. Even more distracting, the vile Jan from the first three books is now all of a sudden named Pam. This drove me nuts. Marsha was now Martha. Dr. Hassan was now Dr. Hussein. Things like this just weren't necessary and were confusing to me as a well-established reader of the series.
I have to assume that these inconsistencies were intentional, as no professional writer or editor would have missed all of them. I just can't imagine what the point of them was--all it served to do for me was completely distract me from enjoying the story. It made the story almost hard to read at times.
And while I really liked the series in general, if another Mure Island book comes out, I would hesitate before reading it--I simply have no patience with the inconsistencies and changes--when you are writing a series of books that readers grow attached to, it makes zero sense to start changing names, etc.
September 28, 2020
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
December 9, 2021
I am very confused by this book.
First off I must admit, I am new to Jenny Colgan, and I have not read any of the other books in the Island series, so this is my first introduction to the Island of Mure and it's cast of off putting inhabitants. Suffice to say I am not the target audience, and I won't be reading any of the other books in the series.
Having said that - This book is all over the place. It starts off with Flora and her still grieving brother Fintan trying to get the posh hotel ready. The blurb on the back of my copy implied that they would be the central characters of the story, however it turns out that we are mainly going to hear about Isla, your typical milquetoast shy white girl who falls in love with not-so-subtle down on his luck Norwegian Prince Konstantin, sent to the hotel as a kitchen boy to get some perspective in his privileged life.
Their romance has the depth of a dinnerplate, and they fall in love in the space of 5 weeks, knowing nothing about each. But they are white and he is rich and this is a romance so what does that matter?
Next we have Flora, workaholic mother of Douglas and her husband Joel. Flora is clearly jealous of the close bond her husband appears to have with their newborn, but her focus, despite this worry, is still on opening her brother's dead husband's hotel, because, you know, reasons.
Fintan is the self destructive gay. He is, much like Saif, a token character who is still grieving the death of his husband. So badly so, that he doesn't care about the wishes of his dead hubby that he would rather just mope about and not exist within the confines of the pages of the book about his hotel. Oh yes, no he makes a brief appearance when he hires cliché French maverick chef Gaspard in Glasgow, commenting on how he had fancied the men in glasgow when coming here as a teenager. And then he reappears to somehow kiss the chef after a brief and inconsequential disagreement starting the second baseless romance of the novel. They are afforded all of maybe 12-15 pages in the whole 350 page book.
In what is probably the most jarring strand of storytelling in this novel is the part about Saif and Lorna. Lorna, the school teacher is in love with Saif, and vice versa. But Saif finds out that his wife, whom he must have lost upon fleeing the country, is alive and seemingly married to, can you believe it, a Daesh fighter. This is just so jarring in what should be a fluffy festive puff piece. What on earth moved Colgan to incorporate the highly sensitive topic of refugees and their relationships in a way that felt deeply insensitive and superficial? The nonsensical "will they wont they" was all the more insulting as was his "she was smiling in a picture of her wedding to the freedom fighter so maybe she's happy with this"?
Finally, the fact that all the characters seem to have no understanding of media, let alone social media, is baffling. Even the younger characters, whilst using messaging services, seem to b e blissfully unaware of the internet. How else would two young girls have never even heard of some famous playboy prince? or the fact that Flora has never even heard of Instagram to market her café? shockingly bad.
Also Agot, the young girl who keeps popping up in people's plot lines, is one of the moist ghastly spoiled brats I have ever read. The fact that practically every one of her dialogue is in all caps just emphasizes the fact that she is so insufferable.
Overall this is fine if you want a christmassy read, but under no circumstances critically engage with this, because you will tear your hair out.
First off I must admit, I am new to Jenny Colgan, and I have not read any of the other books in the Island series, so this is my first introduction to the Island of Mure and it's cast of off putting inhabitants. Suffice to say I am not the target audience, and I won't be reading any of the other books in the series.
Having said that - This book is all over the place. It starts off with Flora and her still grieving brother Fintan trying to get the posh hotel ready. The blurb on the back of my copy implied that they would be the central characters of the story, however it turns out that we are mainly going to hear about Isla, your typical milquetoast shy white girl who falls in love with not-so-subtle down on his luck Norwegian Prince Konstantin, sent to the hotel as a kitchen boy to get some perspective in his privileged life.
Their romance has the depth of a dinnerplate, and they fall in love in the space of 5 weeks, knowing nothing about each. But they are white and he is rich and this is a romance so what does that matter?
Next we have Flora, workaholic mother of Douglas and her husband Joel. Flora is clearly jealous of the close bond her husband appears to have with their newborn, but her focus, despite this worry, is still on opening her brother's dead husband's hotel, because, you know, reasons.
Fintan is the self destructive gay. He is, much like Saif, a token character who is still grieving the death of his husband. So badly so, that he doesn't care about the wishes of his dead hubby that he would rather just mope about and not exist within the confines of the pages of the book about his hotel. Oh yes, no he makes a brief appearance when he hires cliché French maverick chef Gaspard in Glasgow, commenting on how he had fancied the men in glasgow when coming here as a teenager. And then he reappears to somehow kiss the chef after a brief and inconsequential disagreement starting the second baseless romance of the novel. They are afforded all of maybe 12-15 pages in the whole 350 page book.
In what is probably the most jarring strand of storytelling in this novel is the part about Saif and Lorna. Lorna, the school teacher is in love with Saif, and vice versa. But Saif finds out that his wife, whom he must have lost upon fleeing the country, is alive and seemingly married to, can you believe it, a Daesh fighter. This is just so jarring in what should be a fluffy festive puff piece. What on earth moved Colgan to incorporate the highly sensitive topic of refugees and their relationships in a way that felt deeply insensitive and superficial? The nonsensical "will they wont they" was all the more insulting as was his "she was smiling in a picture of her wedding to the freedom fighter so maybe she's happy with this"?
Finally, the fact that all the characters seem to have no understanding of media, let alone social media, is baffling. Even the younger characters, whilst using messaging services, seem to b e blissfully unaware of the internet. How else would two young girls have never even heard of some famous playboy prince? or the fact that Flora has never even heard of Instagram to market her café? shockingly bad.
Also Agot, the young girl who keeps popping up in people's plot lines, is one of the moist ghastly spoiled brats I have ever read. The fact that practically every one of her dialogue is in all caps just emphasizes the fact that she is so insufferable.
Overall this is fine if you want a christmassy read, but under no circumstances critically engage with this, because you will tear your hair out.
December 31, 2020
A festive feel good story! Jenny Colgan completely charmed me with this wintery whimsical tale. this is the fourth book that takes place on this fabulous fictional island of Mure off the Scottish coast. having not read the previous books I was a little concerned at first, but I was not confused or lost at any time during the story. I felt as though Jenny did a marvelous job of catching the reader up with the characters. The story focuses on quite a few characters with the main focus being on Isla and Constantine. Isla is a local girl excited to work at the new fancy hotel. Constantine is a bit of a mystery (The reader is privy to his backstory but no one in town knows his truth). The romance between these two characters was innocent and sweet. truly this entire book was like a big warm hug that I did not want to end. I was seriously ready to pack my bags and head to this small Scottish island, but then I remembered how cold it was. I just found the characters in the story so quirky and lovable. A heartwarming story that gave me the warm fuzzies.
this book in emojis ❄️ 🍞 ☃️ 🫖 🏨 ⛴ 🎄
*** Big thank you to William Morrow for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
this book in emojis ❄️ 🍞 ☃️ 🫖 🏨 ⛴ 🎄
*** Big thank you to William Morrow for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
September 13, 2020
I was really ambivalent about this novel. What’s not to like about a Jenny Colgan Christmas book? The plot involved major suspension of disbelief (a spoiled, lazy foreign prince is forced by his father to get a job in the kitchen of a hotel on a small Scottish island). There are the stereotypical characters—a temperamental, abrasive French chef, a rich spoiled twenty-something, a bratty child whose parents think she’s just adorable, an ambitious London journalist and, of course, the sweet local girl, Isla. Will the prince learn to change his entitled ways? Will the Syrian refugee doctor be reunited with his wife? Will Isla find the man of her dreams? Jenny Colgan will deliver her trademark HEA ending, but the road there wasn’t as enjoyable as I’d hoped. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.
January 5, 2021
Favorite Quotes:
“Bugglas Booker is awake,” she said with a sniff. “I think he’s a bad baby, Auntie Flora. He is very cross.” “Douglas,” said Flora for the nine hundredth time. “His name is Douglas.”
“Turkey is ’orrible! Is huge dry chicken! Huge dry unhappy chicken!! … Do not eat unhappy animals!! Is unhappy! That is why”— he paused for emphasis—“ so many fights at Christmas.”
“Who is that new chap anyway?” said Mrs. Brodie suspiciously. “I’m just saying. He’s a bit of a ride and no mistake.”
They hadn’t had quite such an entertaining evening since Wullie Stevenson had gotten his false teeth stuck bobbing for apples at Halloween and scared the living death out of all the children by taking them out, apple and all.
“She is being the brattiest brat in the history of terrible brats… Would you like another kid? You’ve already got one, it shouldn’t be too much trouble.” “Most people wait till after eight A.M. on Christmas morning to try to give their children away,” said Flora… “Seriously, you don’t even have to keep her, you can sell her to pirates,” said Eilidh…
“But you make me not want to be a jerk,” he said. “Well, I’m not sure it’s working.”
My Review:
It is still close enough to Christmas with a nip in the air, so I see no reason to stop reading Christmas stories, and this one was good fun and hit all the feels from the lows of grief and humiliation to the highs of a freshly acquired sense of purpose and pride as well as new and deepening love affairs. Plus, I adore Jenny Colgan and I will read her any chance I get, regardless of the season. The cleverly constructed storylines were engaging and relatable and packed with wry levity and amusing observations from a large cast of compellingly quirky and complex characters. I giggled-snorted and gleefully laughed aloud several times during perusal and cannot recall ever enjoying a nativity scene as entertaining as this one.
And as a bonus I have a new addition to my Brit Words and Phrases list with blowsy; which Mr. Google tells me is course, untidy, and sluttish. Score! I have plans for that word, big plans…
“Bugglas Booker is awake,” she said with a sniff. “I think he’s a bad baby, Auntie Flora. He is very cross.” “Douglas,” said Flora for the nine hundredth time. “His name is Douglas.”
“Turkey is ’orrible! Is huge dry chicken! Huge dry unhappy chicken!! … Do not eat unhappy animals!! Is unhappy! That is why”— he paused for emphasis—“ so many fights at Christmas.”
“Who is that new chap anyway?” said Mrs. Brodie suspiciously. “I’m just saying. He’s a bit of a ride and no mistake.”
They hadn’t had quite such an entertaining evening since Wullie Stevenson had gotten his false teeth stuck bobbing for apples at Halloween and scared the living death out of all the children by taking them out, apple and all.
“She is being the brattiest brat in the history of terrible brats… Would you like another kid? You’ve already got one, it shouldn’t be too much trouble.” “Most people wait till after eight A.M. on Christmas morning to try to give their children away,” said Flora… “Seriously, you don’t even have to keep her, you can sell her to pirates,” said Eilidh…
“But you make me not want to be a jerk,” he said. “Well, I’m not sure it’s working.”
My Review:
It is still close enough to Christmas with a nip in the air, so I see no reason to stop reading Christmas stories, and this one was good fun and hit all the feels from the lows of grief and humiliation to the highs of a freshly acquired sense of purpose and pride as well as new and deepening love affairs. Plus, I adore Jenny Colgan and I will read her any chance I get, regardless of the season. The cleverly constructed storylines were engaging and relatable and packed with wry levity and amusing observations from a large cast of compellingly quirky and complex characters. I giggled-snorted and gleefully laughed aloud several times during perusal and cannot recall ever enjoying a nativity scene as entertaining as this one.
And as a bonus I have a new addition to my Brit Words and Phrases list with blowsy; which Mr. Google tells me is course, untidy, and sluttish. Score! I have plans for that word, big plans…
November 15, 2020
What a great book. I loved returning to the charming and cozy Island of Mure to visit the Island Hotel at Christmas. This was a lovely sweet love story with charming side characters. Reading this book during the busy season of Christmas gave me comfort and let me relax as in my mind I entered the Island Hotel and visited the beautiful island and people. It was so calming. I have read this book a couple of times.
As the island’s residents and special VIP guests gather for the hotel’s grand opening gala, Christmas is in the air. But so are more than a few small-town secrets. A must read during in Christmas or anytime of the year to fill you with a cozy and comfortable feeling.
As the island’s residents and special VIP guests gather for the hotel’s grand opening gala, Christmas is in the air. But so are more than a few small-town secrets. A must read during in Christmas or anytime of the year to fill you with a cozy and comfortable feeling.
November 25, 2020
Author Jenny Colgan spins another fabulous story set on the remote Scottish island of Mure. The telling is gentle, the characters well developed as hearts are laid bare and challenges met. I find myself charmed by each book of hers I have read and this one was no exception. It is perfectly timed as we head into the holiday season. A sweet story, to be certain.
October 22, 2020
3.5 stars
Is this book predictable? Oh definitely yes.
Is it still enjoyable? Definitely yes as well, but you need to have read the first three books in the series for this one to be as meaningful as possible. There are a plethora of characters and relationships that have been developed over the past three books, and starting here would be like joining a family reunion where everyone knows each other except for you.
The residents of Mure are getting ready for the Rock to open for Christmas, the first Christmas after the death of Colton and the birth of Douglas. Flora is out of sorts because she is supposed to be on maternity leave and can't seem to tear herself away from the hotel, and Fintan is still mourning and really doesn't know how to move forward. There is a developing romance between Konstantin, a newcomer from Norway, and Isla, who used to work at the Island Cafe and is now working in the kitchen at the Rock. There is still the issue of Saif and his missing (maybe?) wife and his relationship with Lorna, and some other funny and not-so-funny antics around the island.
I know what to expect from Colgan's books--lots of heart, love, family, and food. This book delivers no surprises, but just a comforting sweet read for the season.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Is this book predictable? Oh definitely yes.
Is it still enjoyable? Definitely yes as well, but you need to have read the first three books in the series for this one to be as meaningful as possible. There are a plethora of characters and relationships that have been developed over the past three books, and starting here would be like joining a family reunion where everyone knows each other except for you.
The residents of Mure are getting ready for the Rock to open for Christmas, the first Christmas after the death of Colton and the birth of Douglas. Flora is out of sorts because she is supposed to be on maternity leave and can't seem to tear herself away from the hotel, and Fintan is still mourning and really doesn't know how to move forward. There is a developing romance between Konstantin, a newcomer from Norway, and Isla, who used to work at the Island Cafe and is now working in the kitchen at the Rock. There is still the issue of Saif and his missing (maybe?) wife and his relationship with Lorna, and some other funny and not-so-funny antics around the island.
I know what to expect from Colgan's books--lots of heart, love, family, and food. This book delivers no surprises, but just a comforting sweet read for the season.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
November 10, 2020
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.
December 14, 2022
This was such a cosy and feel good read that was perfect to snuggle up with during this cold weather and bask in the warm, quirky characters and multiple romances that unfold.
Fintan (with help from his sister Flora) I’d almost ready to open the island’s rambling and disused hotel, the Rock. All that’s left to do is hire a chef and kitchen staff to bring his late husband, Colton’s dream to life.
Flora is determined to have everything up and running for Christmas, in hope of the festive atmosphere bringing a smile back to her brother’s face, a smile that she hasn’t seen since Colton died.
But running a hotel is far from easy, especially with the staff consists of a temperamental perfectionist of a chef, a kitchen boy who doesn’t know how to pee a potato and a shy kitchen assistant who can’t stop herself from blushing whenever anyone tries to so much as talk to her.
Flora just hopes she can bring some semblance of happiness back this Christmas and get everyone to pull together before the hotel’s grand opening without anything too disastrous taking place…
I really enjoyed this one and loved the camaraderie and welcoming warmth Mure’s small island community has for the newcomers. I loved soo many characters (Flora, Gaspard, Konstantin, Isla, and of course Agot and Bjårk) and just wish Mure was a real island I could go visit.
Fintan (with help from his sister Flora) I’d almost ready to open the island’s rambling and disused hotel, the Rock. All that’s left to do is hire a chef and kitchen staff to bring his late husband, Colton’s dream to life.
Flora is determined to have everything up and running for Christmas, in hope of the festive atmosphere bringing a smile back to her brother’s face, a smile that she hasn’t seen since Colton died.
But running a hotel is far from easy, especially with the staff consists of a temperamental perfectionist of a chef, a kitchen boy who doesn’t know how to pee a potato and a shy kitchen assistant who can’t stop herself from blushing whenever anyone tries to so much as talk to her.
Flora just hopes she can bring some semblance of happiness back this Christmas and get everyone to pull together before the hotel’s grand opening without anything too disastrous taking place…
I really enjoyed this one and loved the camaraderie and welcoming warmth Mure’s small island community has for the newcomers. I loved soo many characters (Flora, Gaspard, Konstantin, Isla, and of course Agot and Bjårk) and just wish Mure was a real island I could go visit.
October 24, 2021
In ‘Het eilandhotel’ keer je terug naar Mure, het kleine eiland met zijn uitgestrekte strand, kleurrijke huisjes en inwoners, Flora’s café en het chique hotel op het noordelijkste puntje. Na alle gebeurtenissen in de vorige boeken was ik erg benieuwd naar de ontwikkelingen in de levens van alle geliefde personages en samen met een vriendin las ik dit boek in één dag uit. Jenny Colgan did it again en mijn eerste kerstboek van dit seizoen is uit!
Hoewel de kersttijd in aantocht is, zit de kerstsfeer er nog niet bepaald in. Flora’s broer Fintan is diep in de rouw en boos op de hele wereld. Hij heeft veel moeite om het hotel dat hem is nagelaten klaar te krijgen voor de grote opening, er zijn geldproblemen en hij mist zijn grote liefde enorm. Op een gegeven moment kan Flora het niet meer aanzien en besluit ze haar zwangerschapsverlof af te breken om hem te gaan helpen - dat ouderschap ging haar man Joël toch al beter af dan haar. Er moet nog veel worden geregeld en terwijl medewerkster Iona het café draaiende houdt, zal Isla in de hotelkeuken gaan werken.
Je volgt niet alleen de vertrouwde personages, ook worden er nieuwe karakters geïntroduceerd die voor heel wat leven in de brouwerij zorgen. De schreeuwende Franse chef-kok Gaspard en de Noorse keukenhulp Konstantin, die nog nooit voor zichzelf hoefde te zorgen, worden goed uitgewerkt, hun verhaallijnen zorgen voor verbazing, humor en ontroering en ze groeien in het verhaal. Daarnaast leef je mee met juf Lorna en huisarts Saif, die nog steeds wacht op nieuws over zijn vrouw, erger je je aan een momzilla op het eiland, moet je lachen om de grote persoonlijkheid van Flora’s nichtje Agot en pakt een viral video niet helemaal uit zoals die bedoeld was. Er is dus genoeg te beleven, maar alle verhaallijnen zijn prima te onderscheiden en samen vormen ze een mooi geheel.
Door de beeldende schrijfstijl waan je je volledig op het eiland, voel je je onderdeel van de gemeenschap en is tussendoor stoppen met lezen vrijwel geen optie. Hoewel ik stiekem graag nóg iets meer kerstsfeer had gevoeld, krijg je toch al een flinke portie toegeworpen met sneeuw, kerstbomen, lichtjes, verrukkelijke diners en liefde. Er zijn een paar losse eindjes en sommige ontwikkelingen kun je wel voorspellen, maar er zijn voldoende verrassingen, je sluit de personages in je hart, je zou de kerst wel door willen brengen op Mure en bovenal is dit weer een warm, sfeervol en gezellig verhaal om heerlijke leesuren mee door te brengen!
3.5-4⭐️
Hoewel de kersttijd in aantocht is, zit de kerstsfeer er nog niet bepaald in. Flora’s broer Fintan is diep in de rouw en boos op de hele wereld. Hij heeft veel moeite om het hotel dat hem is nagelaten klaar te krijgen voor de grote opening, er zijn geldproblemen en hij mist zijn grote liefde enorm. Op een gegeven moment kan Flora het niet meer aanzien en besluit ze haar zwangerschapsverlof af te breken om hem te gaan helpen - dat ouderschap ging haar man Joël toch al beter af dan haar. Er moet nog veel worden geregeld en terwijl medewerkster Iona het café draaiende houdt, zal Isla in de hotelkeuken gaan werken.
Je volgt niet alleen de vertrouwde personages, ook worden er nieuwe karakters geïntroduceerd die voor heel wat leven in de brouwerij zorgen. De schreeuwende Franse chef-kok Gaspard en de Noorse keukenhulp Konstantin, die nog nooit voor zichzelf hoefde te zorgen, worden goed uitgewerkt, hun verhaallijnen zorgen voor verbazing, humor en ontroering en ze groeien in het verhaal. Daarnaast leef je mee met juf Lorna en huisarts Saif, die nog steeds wacht op nieuws over zijn vrouw, erger je je aan een momzilla op het eiland, moet je lachen om de grote persoonlijkheid van Flora’s nichtje Agot en pakt een viral video niet helemaal uit zoals die bedoeld was. Er is dus genoeg te beleven, maar alle verhaallijnen zijn prima te onderscheiden en samen vormen ze een mooi geheel.
Door de beeldende schrijfstijl waan je je volledig op het eiland, voel je je onderdeel van de gemeenschap en is tussendoor stoppen met lezen vrijwel geen optie. Hoewel ik stiekem graag nóg iets meer kerstsfeer had gevoeld, krijg je toch al een flinke portie toegeworpen met sneeuw, kerstbomen, lichtjes, verrukkelijke diners en liefde. Er zijn een paar losse eindjes en sommige ontwikkelingen kun je wel voorspellen, maar er zijn voldoende verrassingen, je sluit de personages in je hart, je zou de kerst wel door willen brengen op Mure en bovenal is dit weer een warm, sfeervol en gezellig verhaal om heerlijke leesuren mee door te brengen!
3.5-4⭐️
October 14, 2022
3.5 ⭐ =Quite Good.
Not quite a four stars, as I thought the ending was a little abrupt.
Great characters and a lovely setting. Enjoyed this gentle read.
Not quite a four stars, as I thought the ending was a little abrupt.
Great characters and a lovely setting. Enjoyed this gentle read.
August 9, 2020
Well folks, it was definitely worth the wait! I totally loved this fourth book in the Mure series. It. Was. Wonderful! I actually read it twice before writing my review because I enjoyed it so much!
Jenny Colgan has written a funny, romantic, heartwarming story with all my favorite returning characters as well as some wonderful new ones. Some unfinished business from the prior book is addressed with the possibilities for a Book #5 (hope, hope, hope) as well.
An added bonus, there was no profanity (OK, two bad words but that's all), no graphic sex, and no disparaging comments about specific politicians.
I sincerely thank NetGalley for sending me this ARC. This didn't impact my review as I had already pre-ordered it anyway and it's been the number one "Want to Read" on my list since I finished reading "Christmas on the Island" a few years ago.
Jenny Colgan has written a funny, romantic, heartwarming story with all my favorite returning characters as well as some wonderful new ones. Some unfinished business from the prior book is addressed with the possibilities for a Book #5 (hope, hope, hope) as well.
An added bonus, there was no profanity (OK, two bad words but that's all), no graphic sex, and no disparaging comments about specific politicians.
I sincerely thank NetGalley for sending me this ARC. This didn't impact my review as I had already pre-ordered it anyway and it's been the number one "Want to Read" on my list since I finished reading "Christmas on the Island" a few years ago.
August 15, 2020
I loved returning to the charming, cozy Island of Mure in Christmas at the Island Hotel by Jenny Coligan. This was a lovely sweet love story with charming side characters. Reading this book while eating sad desk lunches felt a like Saturday lie-in with a milky tea. It was so calming and a perfect Christmas read! This book feels timeless, like you can enjoy it now and for many years to come. Coligan writes with whit Agot had me in tears.
December 24, 2021
A lovely, warm-hearted Christmas tale about a family and extended family on the tiny island of Mure. We learn more about Flora & Joel & the clan McKenzie & catch up with all the quirky island community. There's a lot of comic relief from exiled Norwegian Prince Konstantin and his faithful (farty) dog Bjark Bjarkensson who is forced to work for the very first time in his life. New and not-so-new romances in the most unlikely places... Thoroughly enjoyable and heartwarming!
January 9, 2022
Helaas valt deze feelgood me tegen. Er worden ook zó vaak spaties vergeten (minstens 20 keer) en ik heb een dt-fout ontdekt. Zeer vervelend om te lezen. Volledige recensie volgt nog.
November 30, 2021
I love Jenny Colgan's Mure series, and it was a pleasure to be back amongst the MacKenzie family once more.
Flora is meant to be on maternity leaving having had Douglas, but instead finds herself helping out at the Rock more and more, given Fintan is of course still grieving for Colton, but also finding himself whether he wants to be or not, in charge of seeing Colton's dream come to fruition.
A large amount of this story features the staff working in the kitchens of The Rock, including the fiery French chef Gaspard, Isla from the Seaside Kitchen who is incredibly shy, and Konstantin who is a young Norwegian man with absolutely no life experience of anything, but has been banished to Mure to get a job.
We also get a few catch ups with Saif's story which again intrigued me, and I do wish we could spend more time with him
And everyone's spoilt and outspoken 5 year old, Agot is back, not happy about Douglas' existence within the family, and generally demanding all manner of things.
I really enjoyed both getting to know the new characters, the disastrous early services in the restaurant, as well as catching up with all the regulars from previous books. It felt like I had returned to my home away from home as I am that absorbed with the lives of the Mure inhabitants.
This was everything I wanted and expected from a Jenny Colgan book, and as a result it was the perfect sort of a read for me. I am already eager to return to Mure to see what everyone is getting up to now.
Flora is meant to be on maternity leaving having had Douglas, but instead finds herself helping out at the Rock more and more, given Fintan is of course still grieving for Colton, but also finding himself whether he wants to be or not, in charge of seeing Colton's dream come to fruition.
A large amount of this story features the staff working in the kitchens of The Rock, including the fiery French chef Gaspard, Isla from the Seaside Kitchen who is incredibly shy, and Konstantin who is a young Norwegian man with absolutely no life experience of anything, but has been banished to Mure to get a job.
We also get a few catch ups with Saif's story which again intrigued me, and I do wish we could spend more time with him
And everyone's spoilt and outspoken 5 year old, Agot is back, not happy about Douglas' existence within the family, and generally demanding all manner of things.
I really enjoyed both getting to know the new characters, the disastrous early services in the restaurant, as well as catching up with all the regulars from previous books. It felt like I had returned to my home away from home as I am that absorbed with the lives of the Mure inhabitants.
This was everything I wanted and expected from a Jenny Colgan book, and as a result it was the perfect sort of a read for me. I am already eager to return to Mure to see what everyone is getting up to now.
November 28, 2020
A gust of wind sweeps in from the sea, filling the chilly air with the briny tang of salt. Snow blows all around you and the icy bite cuts through your coat. The diner in front of you catches your eye and you head toward its warm, welcoming doors. When you step inside the twinkling lights, Christmas decor, clinking of dishes, and the soft chatter of locals warms you all the way through. The windows overlook the sea as you sit down and order a hot cup of coffee. Christmas is just around the corner.
Christmas at the Island Hotel takes place on the island of Mure, a fictional island north of the UK. You enter the book and meet an entire cast of characters all gearing up for the Christmas season. One in particular, Fintan, is trying to get a hotel up and running that his boyfriend left him. He’s overwhelmed, dealing with grief, and not sure he’s going to be able to pull this off. With the help of local friends, and a grumpy chef... he may be able to do it though.
This book was a cute read, especially for the holiday season.
It did start off really slow and I was overwhelmed by the overload of characters and trying to keep them all straight, but each of their individual stories was heartwarming. Some of the romances seemed a little out of place and extremely rushed as well, but they were still sweet.
I recommend this one if you’re looking for a cute holiday read.
TW: Death of a Loved One, Sickness, Mom Shaming.
Christmas at the Island Hotel takes place on the island of Mure, a fictional island north of the UK. You enter the book and meet an entire cast of characters all gearing up for the Christmas season. One in particular, Fintan, is trying to get a hotel up and running that his boyfriend left him. He’s overwhelmed, dealing with grief, and not sure he’s going to be able to pull this off. With the help of local friends, and a grumpy chef... he may be able to do it though.
This book was a cute read, especially for the holiday season.
It did start off really slow and I was overwhelmed by the overload of characters and trying to keep them all straight, but each of their individual stories was heartwarming. Some of the romances seemed a little out of place and extremely rushed as well, but they were still sweet.
I recommend this one if you’re looking for a cute holiday read.
TW: Death of a Loved One, Sickness, Mom Shaming.
May 13, 2025
This is the fourth one in the series and I am delighted that these books have given up any pretence of being genre romance and now constitute successive instalments in an ongoing very funny and charming soap. What happened about Flora’s baby? Is Saif ever going to find his wife back in Syria? How is Fintan doing after the death of his husband? Read on to find out! There are a couple of new characters this time: Konstantin, an exiled Norwegian prince (just go with it) and Gaspard, an extremely melodramatic French chef with a thing for Fintan, both of whom are fun, and otherwise everything continues just as you would want it to. And it is also a proper Christmas story, which I like. It has lots of food and Gaelic Christmas carols and a metal angel sculpture that is unexpectedly so enormous that it is upsetting the civil aviation authority. (And in all seriousness, the running plotline with Saif, the Syrian refugee doctor who has been placed on this tiny island by the Home Office while he waits for his wife to come out of a war zone, really is wrenching and would be worth the price of admission even if the rest of the hijinks weren’t - though they definitely are, don’t get me wrong.) Anyway, all very excellent and I will read as many of these as the author cares to put out.
January 21, 2021
I wanted to like this one, but again with the inconsistencies! (Not to mention the unsatisfying B- and C-plots resulting in character and plot device overload.) Among the most glaring inconsistencies is the name of the primary antagonist of the book, which was "Jan" for the first three books and is now suddenly "Pam"?? And then there's the plot hole about Joel's "adopted parents" who didn't adopt him in the first place because, according to the first two books, they had their own kids already. But then they're suddenly childless due to infertility in the third and fourth books?
It's just a level of sloppiness that is turning out to be characteristic for Jenny Colgan books, and it's baffling how this keeps happening. The only two explanations I can come up with are either these books are being rushed out without any real editing or narrative checks...or multiple people are writing these books, not just the author listed on the covers.
It's just a level of sloppiness that is turning out to be characteristic for Jenny Colgan books, and it's baffling how this keeps happening. The only two explanations I can come up with are either these books are being rushed out without any real editing or narrative checks...or multiple people are writing these books, not just the author listed on the covers.
December 3, 2020
Another winner from Jenny Colgan. This was a follow on from the previous Island books and had some new characters added to it. This one was just as sweet and delicious to read, snuggled under a blanket on a very cold and rainy afternoon. The chapters are short so I got through this book very quickly and was sad when I finished it. Whether there will be anymore to this series we will just have to wait and see.
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