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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
Alas, this has been my least favorite in the series thus far.
Book four of this series, set on a small northern isle off Scotland. Flora and Joel’s baby is here, Fintan is still mourning Colton’s death and trying to get the hotel and restaurant ready for Christmas guests, Dr. Saif’s hopes for reuniting with his refugee wife take an unexpected turn, and Agot wants to ice skate. The biggest romance in this book is between Isla, one of the young women who was helping Flora in the cafe and is now in the hotel restaurant, and a kitchen helper from Norway. A huge angelic Christmas decoration has the possibility of uniting or dividing the town. But all is well in the end, for it is Christmas.
I never did review #3 in this series, I think because I was still astonished that a novel with such relentlessly depressing storylines was marketed as a Christmas book! Now past one tragic death in #3, #4 is slightly more cheery, and I read it primary for an update on the Saif storyline...which unfortunately was not covered in much depth in this segment. I was hoping that Colgan would really focus on the Mure characters, but instead much of the book focused on two total newbies to the island. That said, I just can't quit you, Jenny Colgan.
Narration by Eilidh Beaton is, as usual, enjoyable. And the most annoying child character in all of chick lit, Agot, continues to be shockingly annoying, though she at least seems to have made some slight verbal development. Still an astonishing brat, however. Since Colgan doesn't seem to hesitate to throw serious tragedies at her characters, from cancer to forced marriage to a terrorist, I might suggest that #5 in the series involve Agot and a regrettable winter boating accident?
I didn't love it. But I'll be back again to Mure to check in on the family!
Narration by Eilidh Beaton is, as usual, enjoyable. And the most annoying child character in all of chick lit, Agot, continues to be shockingly annoying, though she at least seems to have made some slight verbal development. Still an astonishing brat, however. Since Colgan doesn't seem to hesitate to throw serious tragedies at her characters, from cancer to forced marriage to a terrorist, I might suggest that #5 in the series involve Agot and a regrettable winter boating accident?
I didn't love it. But I'll be back again to Mure to check in on the family!
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was a good story, but you must read the series in order. The characters are engaging and the story is entertaining.
Chirp Audiobook
I think the errors that so many reviewers have mentioned were fixed in the audio version. Plus, I haven’t read any of the other books, so I didn’t notice any inconsistencies.
Flora & Isla were great guides to the island of Mure & it’s people. Flora is tasked with getting her brother’s hotel up & running. Her brother is no help at all. She’s also got a newborn & suffers from a mother’s guilt. (You know, where everything you do besides stay at your baby’s side at all times makes you & everyone who can’t keep their goddamned mouths shut judge you overly harshly.)
Isla was a key part of Flora’s bakery on the island. She’s reassigned to the hotel where she has to work long hours, getting up at 4 & not getting home until after dark. She also has to work with a spoiled 24yr old named Konstantin. He has been sent to Mure to grow up & learn responsibility.
Flora is trying to find a life balance. Her brother, well his grief is making him give up on the hotel. There are barriers to a clean open & one islander can’t seem to say the right thing. It remains to be seen how everyone’s story ties up.
It probably would have made the experience better if I had read the previous books. But, you don’t have to.
I think the errors that so many reviewers have mentioned were fixed in the audio version. Plus, I haven’t read any of the other books, so I didn’t notice any inconsistencies.
Flora & Isla were great guides to the island of Mure & it’s people. Flora is tasked with getting her brother’s hotel up & running. Her brother is no help at all. She’s also got a newborn & suffers from a mother’s guilt. (You know, where everything you do besides stay at your baby’s side at all times makes you & everyone who can’t keep their goddamned mouths shut judge you overly harshly.)
Isla was a key part of Flora’s bakery on the island. She’s reassigned to the hotel where she has to work long hours, getting up at 4 & not getting home until after dark. She also has to work with a spoiled 24yr old named Konstantin. He has been sent to Mure to grow up & learn responsibility.
Flora is trying to find a life balance. Her brother, well his grief is making him give up on the hotel. There are barriers to a clean open & one islander can’t seem to say the right thing. It remains to be seen how everyone’s story ties up.
It probably would have made the experience better if I had read the previous books. But, you don’t have to.
Christmas at the Island Hotel brings the reader back to familiar characters on the Scottish island of Mure. After Colton’s death, Fintan with the assistance of Flora is in the process of opening a luxury hotel on the island. Isla finds herself working in the hotel kitchen, while Iona helps run the café. Two newcomers to the island are Konstantin, a Norwegian aristocrat who has been sent to work in the kitchen as punishment by his father, and Gaspard, the new chef. Saif, the town physician and his sons are still on the island, and still awaiting any news of his wife. Another delightful holiday visit to the island of Mure by Jenny Colgan.
I received an advanced reader copy via NetGalley.
I received an advanced reader copy via NetGalley.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes