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emmacr2024's review
4.0
Time and time again Jo Thomas just writes the most gorgeous stories with such stunning of settings that you wish you could visit and Coming Home to Winter Island proved to be no different. This uplifting and heart-warming read set on the picturesque Winter Island will soon have you wrapped up in a captivating and sparkling read within a few chapters. With such a beautiful cover, that screams read me now, Jo has written a story that has many important messages to be taken from it. One of the most important being, how life is for living in the here and now and how special memories can be created along the way.
The memories evoked for the main characters throughout the story are unlocked through the power of music as away of attempting to recollect the good times. The overall themes of family and community bonds mix well with dealing with some of the harsher realities of life, one of those being dementia. Everything was handled with such sensitivity, tact and genuine love and understanding for the subject matter that you couldn't fail to be drawn into the wonderful and endearing story unfolding before your eyes. It's a perfect read for this time of year, as you curl up on the couch during the long dark days of winter as the gifted Jo Thomas takes you on a journey that will find a special place in your heart.
Ruby Mac alongside her fellow band members is just on the cusp of making it big in the music industry. Talent scouts are coming to hear the band sing at a gig and hopefully they will like what they see. If the band gets the desperately wanted recording contract Ruby has agreed she will marry Joe and they can embark upon building a solid foundation to their relationship. But on the night of the performance as the big moment arrives for Ruby and co to shine, she just freezes and her voice deserts her. She can't sing a word as memories of her Dad rush through her mind. That's it, the opportunity is gone and Ruby is told to rest her voice or else permanent damage will be done. But without her voice and the band, just who is Ruby? She feels growing panic that everything she has worked so hard for is slipping away through her fingers. Singing is all she has known in her life. So she decides to book a yoga retreat in Tenerife to try and bring herself back to normal and recover her voice but before she can go on her trip she receives a message that little does she know will change her life forever.
Ruby has never had any contact with her father's family and as he has been dead for many years she had never even considered that a message would arrive from the small Scottish island of Geamhradh where he was brought up but left so long ago. Her grandfather Hector MacQuarrie is unwell with dementia and as things worsen something needs to be done about his future care and well being. I thought fair play to Ruby that she had a conscience and some sort of loyalty to her father that she was able to bite the bullet and travel to the remote island. Things were out of her control and she didn't like that as she likes certainty and control in her life. She always has a plan and sticks to it but having to disrupt her plans meant she was stepping out of her comfort zone not really knowing what was waiting for her outside of the boundaries she had established for herself.
Right from the moment Ruby stepped foot on the island I felt I was there alongside her as she embarked upon a journey that would be full of twists and turns and packed full of many surprises. Jo Thomas transported the reader to a windswept island that held so many hidden treasures that would hopefully be the key in unlocking Hector's memories and therefore maybe saving Teach Mór, the house he had called home for so long. Or would Ruby want to get off the island as fast as possible once things had been put in place for Hector? After all she did have a yoga retreat to get to and she had promised the band members and Joe she would go.
I didn't like the fact that the further we moved through the story that Ruby just kept putting Joe off and telling a few tales as to what was really going on and why she was still on the island. I think honesty is the best policy and she should have told him what was unfolding and maybe stood up for herself. She should have admitted that things had changed and she was going with the flow and doing something for both herself and her family. This doesn't mean I didn't like the character of Ruby, in fact the opposite I loved her and I also loved observing the journey she was on. I just wish she had been a little more truthful when it came to certain matters.
Teach Mór is a big, cold and neglected house but as Hector can't help this as sometimes he is present and knows who people are and at other times he is locked away in his own world and when Ruby arrives in the hopes of quickly signing some papers and getting off the island as soon as possible she is soon surprised to find Lachlan living with Hector and helping him out. At first Lachlan was aloof and elusive and didn't give straight answers and I suppose in a way he was right to be wary of someone from Hector's family turning up out of the blue after so many years. Given Ruby wasn’t fully aware of Hector's situation and past and that she wanted to maintain a distance and keep certain things private, Lachlan perhaps had to enforce a barrier for the sake of Hector whom he genuinely cared for. But at the same time it was clear he was hiding something and no wonder Ruby had her suspicions about both his character and intentions.
Lachlan fully believed that Ruby had turned up for money and that she would disappear once she had got what she wanted with no regard for Hector's welfare. But in no time at all, Jo Thomas weaves such a fabulous story that has you eagerly turning the pages to see what will happen next. You become caught up in the chemistry that is starting to filter through between Ruby and Lachlan although they wouldn't admit to anything given they are both so stubborn in their natures. Ruby knows getting emotionally involved will make things harder when she has to leave once things have all been neatly wrapped up. But Hector and Lachlan in a way don't make things all plain and simple for things to be signed, sealed and delivered in a fast as manner as possible. What unfolded was a delightful, tender and emotional journey with of course some sort or food or drink at its centre as no Jo Thomas book would be complete without some mention of said items. It's what she is know for and what makes her books special and memorable alongside some fantastic characters.
This time around gin features in a very special and unique way. Even though I don't drink gin I was still caught up in the strands of the story that made a recipe for gin the crux of the later half of the book. Clearly such detailed research had gone into learning all about gin and how it is made and then it was incorporated in the most wonderful way into this story. Working together for one common cause gives Ruby and Lachlan a purpose and over the course of attempting to reach their goal Ruby finds herself becoming more deeply involved with things. Is the emotional distance starting to be broken down? Instead of feeling detached, is she starting to form bonds with people when until now she has felt lost and like she doesn't belong anywhere? Maybe time really is a healer and in trying to do good for someone else she is in fact doing the same for herself.
The past and the future play a big roll in how Ruby embarks upon an at times difficult and emotional journey which highlights where we have come from to where we are going. As the island starts to work its way under her skin will Ruby solve all the clues to complete her mission and if she does so is she ready to leave the island and go off to Tenerife and get things with the band on track? Or will Winter Island and its magic work on Ruby and get her to follow her heart? To find out, you must read this exquisite book packed full of warmth, love and human understanding that just gives you the best feeling deep inside. Coming Home to Winter Island is classic, wonderful Jo Thomas and long may she continue to bring us books of this nature.
The memories evoked for the main characters throughout the story are unlocked through the power of music as away of attempting to recollect the good times. The overall themes of family and community bonds mix well with dealing with some of the harsher realities of life, one of those being dementia. Everything was handled with such sensitivity, tact and genuine love and understanding for the subject matter that you couldn't fail to be drawn into the wonderful and endearing story unfolding before your eyes. It's a perfect read for this time of year, as you curl up on the couch during the long dark days of winter as the gifted Jo Thomas takes you on a journey that will find a special place in your heart.
Ruby Mac alongside her fellow band members is just on the cusp of making it big in the music industry. Talent scouts are coming to hear the band sing at a gig and hopefully they will like what they see. If the band gets the desperately wanted recording contract Ruby has agreed she will marry Joe and they can embark upon building a solid foundation to their relationship. But on the night of the performance as the big moment arrives for Ruby and co to shine, she just freezes and her voice deserts her. She can't sing a word as memories of her Dad rush through her mind. That's it, the opportunity is gone and Ruby is told to rest her voice or else permanent damage will be done. But without her voice and the band, just who is Ruby? She feels growing panic that everything she has worked so hard for is slipping away through her fingers. Singing is all she has known in her life. So she decides to book a yoga retreat in Tenerife to try and bring herself back to normal and recover her voice but before she can go on her trip she receives a message that little does she know will change her life forever.
Ruby has never had any contact with her father's family and as he has been dead for many years she had never even considered that a message would arrive from the small Scottish island of Geamhradh where he was brought up but left so long ago. Her grandfather Hector MacQuarrie is unwell with dementia and as things worsen something needs to be done about his future care and well being. I thought fair play to Ruby that she had a conscience and some sort of loyalty to her father that she was able to bite the bullet and travel to the remote island. Things were out of her control and she didn't like that as she likes certainty and control in her life. She always has a plan and sticks to it but having to disrupt her plans meant she was stepping out of her comfort zone not really knowing what was waiting for her outside of the boundaries she had established for herself.
Right from the moment Ruby stepped foot on the island I felt I was there alongside her as she embarked upon a journey that would be full of twists and turns and packed full of many surprises. Jo Thomas transported the reader to a windswept island that held so many hidden treasures that would hopefully be the key in unlocking Hector's memories and therefore maybe saving Teach Mór, the house he had called home for so long. Or would Ruby want to get off the island as fast as possible once things had been put in place for Hector? After all she did have a yoga retreat to get to and she had promised the band members and Joe she would go.
I didn't like the fact that the further we moved through the story that Ruby just kept putting Joe off and telling a few tales as to what was really going on and why she was still on the island. I think honesty is the best policy and she should have told him what was unfolding and maybe stood up for herself. She should have admitted that things had changed and she was going with the flow and doing something for both herself and her family. This doesn't mean I didn't like the character of Ruby, in fact the opposite I loved her and I also loved observing the journey she was on. I just wish she had been a little more truthful when it came to certain matters.
Teach Mór is a big, cold and neglected house but as Hector can't help this as sometimes he is present and knows who people are and at other times he is locked away in his own world and when Ruby arrives in the hopes of quickly signing some papers and getting off the island as soon as possible she is soon surprised to find Lachlan living with Hector and helping him out. At first Lachlan was aloof and elusive and didn't give straight answers and I suppose in a way he was right to be wary of someone from Hector's family turning up out of the blue after so many years. Given Ruby wasn’t fully aware of Hector's situation and past and that she wanted to maintain a distance and keep certain things private, Lachlan perhaps had to enforce a barrier for the sake of Hector whom he genuinely cared for. But at the same time it was clear he was hiding something and no wonder Ruby had her suspicions about both his character and intentions.
Lachlan fully believed that Ruby had turned up for money and that she would disappear once she had got what she wanted with no regard for Hector's welfare. But in no time at all, Jo Thomas weaves such a fabulous story that has you eagerly turning the pages to see what will happen next. You become caught up in the chemistry that is starting to filter through between Ruby and Lachlan although they wouldn't admit to anything given they are both so stubborn in their natures. Ruby knows getting emotionally involved will make things harder when she has to leave once things have all been neatly wrapped up. But Hector and Lachlan in a way don't make things all plain and simple for things to be signed, sealed and delivered in a fast as manner as possible. What unfolded was a delightful, tender and emotional journey with of course some sort or food or drink at its centre as no Jo Thomas book would be complete without some mention of said items. It's what she is know for and what makes her books special and memorable alongside some fantastic characters.
This time around gin features in a very special and unique way. Even though I don't drink gin I was still caught up in the strands of the story that made a recipe for gin the crux of the later half of the book. Clearly such detailed research had gone into learning all about gin and how it is made and then it was incorporated in the most wonderful way into this story. Working together for one common cause gives Ruby and Lachlan a purpose and over the course of attempting to reach their goal Ruby finds herself becoming more deeply involved with things. Is the emotional distance starting to be broken down? Instead of feeling detached, is she starting to form bonds with people when until now she has felt lost and like she doesn't belong anywhere? Maybe time really is a healer and in trying to do good for someone else she is in fact doing the same for herself.
The past and the future play a big roll in how Ruby embarks upon an at times difficult and emotional journey which highlights where we have come from to where we are going. As the island starts to work its way under her skin will Ruby solve all the clues to complete her mission and if she does so is she ready to leave the island and go off to Tenerife and get things with the band on track? Or will Winter Island and its magic work on Ruby and get her to follow her heart? To find out, you must read this exquisite book packed full of warmth, love and human understanding that just gives you the best feeling deep inside. Coming Home to Winter Island is classic, wonderful Jo Thomas and long may she continue to bring us books of this nature.
alisona's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
sarahallez's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.75
portybelle's review
4.0
Island setting – tick
Remote Scottish island – tick
Christmas – tick
Cold, frosty weather – tick
Grumpy, handsome man – tick
Gin – tick
Family mystery – tick
Written by Jo Thomas – tick
Let’s face it, with all those ticks, I was always going to love this book wasn’t I?
On the face of it, Coming Home to Winter Island is an odd title. Singer Ruby has never even heard of Winter Island, let alone been there so how is she coming home? She is on the verge of being signed by a record company when her voice just goes, leaving her distraught and a band without a singer in the lead up to Christmas. About to head off to a yoga and voice retreat in Tenerife, she gets a call which changes her plans and she finds herself on a stormy boat ride to the remote island of Geamhradh, which is Gaelic for winter, hence Winter Island.
I cannot imagine having lost touch with family to the extent that Ruby has. I am lucky to have always had most of my close family living nearby. But Ruby’s late father had been estranged from his father Hector and, living so far away in Bristol, Ruby didn’t even know he was still alive. As Hector’s next of kin, she is the one who legally has to make decisions about his welfare which is difficult when she doesn’t know him or anything about him. It was only natural I suppose that the islanders looked on her with some suspicion and thought she was on the island to see what she could get!
Lachlan is the rather grumpy fly in the ointment I mentioned above. He obviously cares for Hector and has his best interests at heart. He too is suspicious of Ruby at first, but as they begin to work together to rediscover the mystery ingredients needed to produce the Teach Mhor gin, they begin to understand and trust each other. This was a part of the book I really enjoyed and thought that Jo Thomas wrote about their growing friendship particularly well. Both have secrets and issues in their past which they need to resolve in one way or another.
I thoroughly enjoyed spending time on Winter Island with Ruby, Lachlan and Hector. Once again Jo Thomas has created a fantastic sense of place and characters who are perhaps flawed, but no less endearing for that. The portrayal of caring for an old man with dementia and trying to work out what was in his best interests was sensitively done and made for some poignant moments. This is a warm-hearted book to enjoy on a chilly winter’s day with a hot chocolate or, perhaps more appropriately, an island gin. (I recommend Harris gin by the way!)
Remote Scottish island – tick
Christmas – tick
Cold, frosty weather – tick
Grumpy, handsome man – tick
Gin – tick
Family mystery – tick
Written by Jo Thomas – tick
Let’s face it, with all those ticks, I was always going to love this book wasn’t I?
On the face of it, Coming Home to Winter Island is an odd title. Singer Ruby has never even heard of Winter Island, let alone been there so how is she coming home? She is on the verge of being signed by a record company when her voice just goes, leaving her distraught and a band without a singer in the lead up to Christmas. About to head off to a yoga and voice retreat in Tenerife, she gets a call which changes her plans and she finds herself on a stormy boat ride to the remote island of Geamhradh, which is Gaelic for winter, hence Winter Island.
I cannot imagine having lost touch with family to the extent that Ruby has. I am lucky to have always had most of my close family living nearby. But Ruby’s late father had been estranged from his father Hector and, living so far away in Bristol, Ruby didn’t even know he was still alive. As Hector’s next of kin, she is the one who legally has to make decisions about his welfare which is difficult when she doesn’t know him or anything about him. It was only natural I suppose that the islanders looked on her with some suspicion and thought she was on the island to see what she could get!
Lachlan is the rather grumpy fly in the ointment I mentioned above. He obviously cares for Hector and has his best interests at heart. He too is suspicious of Ruby at first, but as they begin to work together to rediscover the mystery ingredients needed to produce the Teach Mhor gin, they begin to understand and trust each other. This was a part of the book I really enjoyed and thought that Jo Thomas wrote about their growing friendship particularly well. Both have secrets and issues in their past which they need to resolve in one way or another.
I thoroughly enjoyed spending time on Winter Island with Ruby, Lachlan and Hector. Once again Jo Thomas has created a fantastic sense of place and characters who are perhaps flawed, but no less endearing for that. The portrayal of caring for an old man with dementia and trying to work out what was in his best interests was sensitively done and made for some poignant moments. This is a warm-hearted book to enjoy on a chilly winter’s day with a hot chocolate or, perhaps more appropriately, an island gin. (I recommend Harris gin by the way!)
cleg11's review
5.0
Thanks to netgalley for a chance to read this book.
When Ruby loses her voice and plans to go to Tenerife for a retreat holiday, she gets a phone call from her estranged grandfather’s solicitor. He has dementia and as she is his only next of kin she has to decide what to do with his estate order to fund his Care home. She goes to Winter Island further north of Scotland to sign all the paperwork. However, when she gets there a lodger in the old house prevents her from just signing the papers and leaving for Tenerife. What will Ruby decide to do?
Brilliant read had me crying at the end, definitely recommend.
When Ruby loses her voice and plans to go to Tenerife for a retreat holiday, she gets a phone call from her estranged grandfather’s solicitor. He has dementia and as she is his only next of kin she has to decide what to do with his estate order to fund his Care home. She goes to Winter Island further north of Scotland to sign all the paperwork. However, when she gets there a lodger in the old house prevents her from just signing the papers and leaving for Tenerife. What will Ruby decide to do?
Brilliant read had me crying at the end, definitely recommend.
thewoollygeek's review
4.0
A wonderful uplifting seasonal read, great warm characters, well paced story. I wasn’t so keen on the last few chapters etc but it didn’t affect my love of the book too much. A book that stays with you after you finish it.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
jacbradley's review
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
bananatricky's review
4.0
Three and a half stars.
Ruby is on the brink of possible success as a singer when her voice fails her on the night someone from A&R was coming to watch her band. She originally intends to spend Christmas and the New Year at a vocal retreat in Tenerife to rest and recuperate but a mysterious phone call from a solicitor on a remote Scottish Island persuades her to temporarily postpone her plans.
When RUby gets to the island she discovers that her long estranged grandfather (her deceased father's father) has Alzheimer's and needs to go into a nursing home. However, his rather decrepit but still impressive 'Big House' will need to be sold in order to pay the fees. Ruby thinks all she needs to do is authorise the solicitor to sell the house and then swan off to Tenerife, unfortunately there is a sitting tenant, who refuses to move.
Together Ruby and the sitting tenant, Lachlan, must coax her grandfather to remember the secret formula for his award-winning gin, so that the house can be sold as a going concern rather than a White Elephant, and all before Michaelmas, when the promised place at the nursing home will be given to someone else.
Reuniting family, a small island, a lost recipe, a tight-knit community, a taciturn Scot and a deadline, what more could you ask?
Ruby is on the brink of possible success as a singer when her voice fails her on the night someone from A&R was coming to watch her band. She originally intends to spend Christmas and the New Year at a vocal retreat in Tenerife to rest and recuperate but a mysterious phone call from a solicitor on a remote Scottish Island persuades her to temporarily postpone her plans.
When RUby gets to the island she discovers that her long estranged grandfather (her deceased father's father) has Alzheimer's and needs to go into a nursing home. However, his rather decrepit but still impressive 'Big House' will need to be sold in order to pay the fees. Ruby thinks all she needs to do is authorise the solicitor to sell the house and then swan off to Tenerife, unfortunately there is a sitting tenant, who refuses to move.
Together Ruby and the sitting tenant, Lachlan, must coax her grandfather to remember the secret formula for his award-winning gin, so that the house can be sold as a going concern rather than a White Elephant, and all before Michaelmas, when the promised place at the nursing home will be given to someone else.
Reuniting family, a small island, a lost recipe, a tight-knit community, a taciturn Scot and a deadline, what more could you ask?
annarella's review
5.0
I loved this book: it's fun to read, uplifting and poignant at the same time.
I loved the style of writing, the fleshed out cast of characters, the setting, and the general atmosphere.
I also appreciated the tenderness that you can feel when the author describes the dementia of one of the characters.
It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I loved the style of writing, the fleshed out cast of characters, the setting, and the general atmosphere.
I also appreciated the tenderness that you can feel when the author describes the dementia of one of the characters.
It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
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