emilie28's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
5.0
riipaus's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
windowplant's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Love, love, love this book. Perfect heartwarming, cozy Christmas story, without being maudlin or predictable.
croisam's review against another edition
2.0
It's a fast read, the writing is quite nice.
However, there are so many characters it's hard to care about all of them, especially if you haven’t read the previous books. But even then, we don't spend enough time with each character to understand their motivations and growth. I guess there's more about them in the next one but I don't think I'll pick it up since I haven’t really grown attached to any of the characters.
However, there are so many characters it's hard to care about all of them, especially if you haven’t read the previous books. But even then, we don't spend enough time with each character to understand their motivations and growth. I guess there's more about them in the next one but I don't think I'll pick it up since I haven’t really grown attached to any of the characters.
c0reyann's review against another edition
2.0
Jan is now Pam?
There’s so many WTFs with the inconsistencies!
Still plugging along for god knows what reasons.
There’s so many WTFs with the inconsistencies!
Still plugging along for god knows what reasons.
robgrace71's review against another edition
4.0
I love Jenny Colgan and the Mure series is one of my favorites. I was so excited to get the advanced copy and couldn't wait to see what the characters were up. Coming back to these books feels like reading about friends or family and hearing the things that they have been going through in life (the good and the bad).
This book takes place a year after the last one and it is also set at Christmas. The Rock is finally opening for business and several new characters are introduced, including a chef and some kitchen help. One of the new characters is Konstantin who is the son of a Duke in Norway. I really enjoyed his arc and the relationship he develops with other people living on the island.
We get updates on Fintan, Flora, Joel, Lorna, Saif, and of course little Agot. I've become invested in these characters and even when nothing major is happening I just like knowing how their lives are progressing. This book just feels like a warm hug and I hope that Jenny keeps adding to the series.
My only criticism is that suddenly one of the characters Jan, now seems to be named Pam. I don't know if there are different editions or what, but it was weird to see a name change in the middle of the series.
This book takes place a year after the last one and it is also set at Christmas. The Rock is finally opening for business and several new characters are introduced, including a chef and some kitchen help. One of the new characters is Konstantin who is the son of a Duke in Norway. I really enjoyed his arc and the relationship he develops with other people living on the island.
We get updates on Fintan, Flora, Joel, Lorna, Saif, and of course little Agot. I've become invested in these characters and even when nothing major is happening I just like knowing how their lives are progressing. This book just feels like a warm hug and I hope that Jenny keeps adding to the series.
My only criticism is that suddenly one of the characters Jan, now seems to be named Pam. I don't know if there are different editions or what, but it was weird to see a name change in the middle of the series.
paulbutler74's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
sonjaloviisa's review against another edition
2.0
This is the second time I’ve tried reading a seasonal chick lit book for Christmas, and I’ve come to the conclusion that these just aren’t for me.
There was nothing wrong with this book, but it was just boring and predictable and flat. Colgan gets points for having some diverse characters (like a gay French chef with tattoos) but this was still stocked full of basic stereotypes. But maybe that’s what these books are supposed to be like? And I need to read something else!
There was nothing wrong with this book, but it was just boring and predictable and flat. Colgan gets points for having some diverse characters (like a gay French chef with tattoos) but this was still stocked full of basic stereotypes. But maybe that’s what these books are supposed to be like? And I need to read something else!
what_alice_saw's review against another edition
4.0
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.