Christmas at the Island Hotel: A Novel
Another heartfelt and delightful Christmas tale from the beloved New York Times bestselling author of The Bookshop on the Corner and Christmas on the Island.
New York Times bestselling author Jenny Colgan returns to the setting of Christmas on the Island and Endless Beach for a heartwarming new novel celebrating the season, and Scotland.
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…
Reviews (173)
Sloppy writer/Editor ruins the overall story
I have just been reading the entire series, and while I love the setting and overall stories I can't seem to get past the sloppiness of the writer/editor in keeping things straight from book to book. Never in my reading history have a found a series so sloppy with the inconsistencies. There is the whole bit of Mark and Marsha who had kids in book 1 and 2 and then suddenly didn't have kids. The character Jan in books 1 through 3 suddenly becomes Pam in book 4. The name of the cafe changes in almost every book and goes from pink to grey in book 4. I get the author has written many books and maybe can't remember details from book to book but seriously this should never get past a good editor, and it really takes me out of the enjoyment of reading the story. Sadly this may be my last chance for the author and I will not give any of her other series a chance if this is what I should expect as far as quality of writing/editing goes.
Sadly, Underwhelmed
I have read virtually all of Ms. Colgan's books and particularly enjoyed the Mure Island series. She does a fine job of putting the reader in the place, a small isolated island with unforgiving weather and a colorful, enjoyable cast of characters. This time, however, in Christmas at the Island Hotel, I didn't feel the same affinity for characters, especially Fintan. If Colton was the "love of his life" and since he was left this magnificent property that Colton so wanted to grace the island, why wasn't he appreciative? Why sulking like a teenager? Why did he feel Flora was butting in when it was she who was responsible for it's opening? And don't get me started on Innes' child Agot. Eloise of famed books was a pussycat next to this one. Parts of this book were reduced to farce - the ridiculous dog episode at the soft opening of the restaurant being one. I so wanted to be transported to the island and learn what happened to favorite characters, but I was left wanting. I will certainly read future books, but I hope they are more cohesive like ones that preceded Christmas at the Island Hotel. Maybe we'll see more of the newly added characters and come to enjoy them along with the "regulars" who were largely missing this time.
Returning to Mure
I pre-ordered this book and was eagerly anticipating my return to Mure; to finally know what happened to the characters I've come to love. One of Colgan's best qualities as a writer is her unfailing ability to put the reader in the place - we know the character's inner thoughts, we understand their actions, and the scenes are set with just enough detail that one can imagine walking The Endless, or buying a scone from the cafe, while old women knit and chatter at a corner table. I was disappointed in this book. While the story focuses on (finally) the opening of The Rock hotel - which of course required many new characters - it lacked the charm of the previous books. The focus on new characters, some of whom we've met in passing, meant that the main characters weren't the focus. We learn that Fintan moved home, and that his brothers ex-wife is back, but there is little exploration of them. The father is mentioned in passing. While Argot is thoroughly unlikable, none of the adults around her do anything about it. Flora is struggling with motherhood, but we learn only the surface facts. This book seemed rushed, as if it was produced merely to satisfy the many questions devotees had at the end of the last book. Still, I love the author and look forward to the next series. Polly, Nina and Flora feel like friends!
Enjoyable but simple
This is an ensemble story with several main characters. We pick up again with Flora and Joel who now have a baby. Joel's happy as can be as the primary childcarer, but Flora is losing the battle of work/life balance as she struggles to launch the new, fancy hotel that her reluctant brother, Fintan, inherited. An indolent young prince, Konstantine, is exiled to Mure without money or cellphone by his frustrated father, who hopes he'll learn what real life is all about. This he does by joining the kitchen crew of the hotel, which is helmed by a caricature of a maniacally gifted French chef. Also on the crew is a young, shy island girl who finds love with Konstantine and the resolve to stand up to her chronically negative mother. There's even more conflict and redemption, but you get the idea. There's a whole cast of characters here, and happy endings for everyone. Some might call it simplistic, but I enjoyed it. I will say that Colgan is as excessive as ever with adjectives and adverbs, adding a layer of cuteness that can become tiresome.
Angel on The Rock
Welcome back to the Scottish island of Mure, set halfway between Norway and Scotland. Some think of it as the end of the world; others love it for its remote location and natural beauty. Author Jenny Colgan brings us back to the world of the MacKenzies and their friends. Christmas is fast approaching and with it the grand opening of The Rock, an impressive hotel built at a high point on the northern side of the island. The hotel was the dream of Colton Rogers (now deceased) but he didn’t live to see it come to fruition. The hotel was inherited by Fintan MacKenzie (Colton’s lover) who lives in a constant state of depression and mourning; he has no interest in the hotel. His sister Flora, a new mom, steps in to help her brother with the hotel. She has great organizational skills, she owns and operates the Seaside Kitchen, after all. Against his better judgement, Fintan goes to Edinburgh to hire a chef for the hotel kitchen and comes back with Gaspard, a temperamental, tattooed Frenchman who is a prima donna of the first water. For kitchen help we have Isla, promoted from her place at the Seaside Kitchen; Kerry, a taciturn young woman who has a crush on Fintan; and Konstantin, son of a Norwegian duke who has been exiled from his home country until he can mend his playboy ways. Somehow, this group becomes the center of the story and the reader is treated to several side plots dealing with the secret lives of many of the islanders. Can this group get The Rock ready in time for Christmas? Will Isla and Konstantin become an item? Will Fintan find his way out of mourning? Will six year old Agot rule the island? And who is Bjark? You’ll smile, you’ll cry, you’ll laugh, but mostly your heart will swell with the heartwarming tales of Christmas at the Island Hotel.
Excellent book in an excellent series
This is a series that I can't get enough of. I love being taken back to Mure and being reunited with all the characters near and dear to the island, those that have been there since book one and those new characters added on in each new book. To see the growth of the characters and of the island itself is always so heartwarming. The nostalgia gets me with every new book and this one was definitely no exception! This review sort of assumes you have read a few, or all, of the other books in this series before getting to this one. If you haven't and you don't want to run into anything that might be a spoiler in any way you might want to stop here and go on back and catch up before going forth. Otherwise, carry on. Flora and Fintan find themselves in completely different situations than they were in in the last book. Fintan has been left with the hotel and his heart just isn't in it. However, it was Coltan's dream so he's making a go of it. Flora, new mum that she is, is busting her butt to get ready for Christmas and just feeling a little overwhelmed. The hotel does bring a few new characters in and gives more of a spotlight to a character from another book. Isla Gregor has been working at the Cafe as a waitress. Now, she's moving up to the hotel and getting a bigger roll in the book. Konstantin Pederson, a new character, who gets a job working at the hotel in close proximity to Isla. He's coming in with absolutely no knowledge whatsoever. What he does have is a big ol' dog and a great big secret. He's the only son of the Duke of Utsire who sent him away to learn how to work hard for a living without the luxuries he's used to. Although he feels Mure is like a prison at first, it may just grow on him over time. As time goes by and the Christmas holiday comes closer more stories unravel with other characters as well. Don't forget about a certain schoolteacher and the doctor she's been in love with for so long. You'll get a glimpse into that story as well. Then, in the end, you get Christmas at the island hotel! This book is just perfect. I really enjoyed every single second of it. I can't really get enough of Mure and throw myself into these books and escape, just for a little while, into this little island between Scotland and Norway. It's a nice place to go when it's 90 degrees in July! I definitely recommend this entire series.
A lovely heartfelt book
This is another lovely book from Jenny Colgan. I love her wacky characters and the beautiful Scottish isle of Mure where they live. This book brought me back to more faith in our humanness and in our abilities as humans to love one another. Happy reading!
So many inconsistencies...it ruined the book for me
I loved this series and read all four books back-to-back, so the inconsistencies in the books (particularly in this one) were GLARING! The first three books were thoroughly enjoyable to read. I grew to love the characters and was eager to discover where their stories led...but what happened in the fourth book?? - Joel Binder is now named Joel Booker. - Jan (as in Charlie's wife) is now named Pam. - The Seaside Kitchen (which, I might add, used to be called the Cafe by the Sea, and then Annie's Cafe by the Sea...but that's another issue) is now painted grey, when it had been pink in all previous books. - Mark and Marsha had small children of their own, and therefore weren't in a place to adopt Joel as a small boy. But, in Book 3, they suddenly are childless due to their inability to conceive. - Saif was never able to correctly pronounce Lorna's name, so he called her Lorenah which she loved (and I thought was so endearing). In this book, however, he's suddenly able to call her Lorna. - Joel gifted Flora with a diamond bracelet for Christmas, which later becomes a diamond necklace, which then turns back into a diamond bracelet. I am an avid reader and have ready many book series...but none have had this many inconsistencies (if any at all). It completely took me out of the story, which is such a shame.
Perfect Book for Getting in the Holiday Mood
What a great way to get into the holiday spirit. This is a very sweet and charming story. I LOVE that it takes place on an island and wish I was there now lol. The characters are great and the writing well done. I had no idea this was part of a series and it certainly didn't take anything away from it. I didn't feel lost or confused at all so for those who just want a Christmas read this would work just fine. Definitely recommend! I appreciate William Morrow publication for providing this ARC as a Goodreads giveaway. I am very happy to have won a copy as it definitely fueled my need for some cozy holiday fun.
A Delightful Christmas Novel!
As always it was a delight to escape to the island of Mure. Wonderful to be with old favorites, Flora, Joel, Fintan, Lorna, Saif, Agot, etc. And to be introduced to some new favorites, Isla, Konstantin, Gespard, Douglas (aka Buglas). I do feel like there were some loose ends that I really wanted tied up that weren't, but other than that I thoroughly enjoyed every second of the book. There are some totally crazy parts that just go well with the island of Mure and some really heartwarming and wonderful moment. Jenny Colgan has such a beautiful way of writing and I will always devour everything she writes.
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