A review by natashaleighton_
Christmas at the Island Hotel by Jenny Colgan

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

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.