Christmas at the Island Hotel - Fiction Review

Goodreads:  Christmas at the Island Hotel (Mure #4) by Jenny Colgan

Rating: Really Liked It!
Source:  Purchased

Description:  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…

Genre: Fiction

Why I Picked This Book:  I've read the previous three books and adored them so I couldn't wait for this one.

My Impression:  Well this was just a cozy holiday delight!  I was so excited to be back in Mure and Colgan did not disappoint.  To be honest I didn't remember Isla from the previous books and at the beginning I could understand why.  She's very nice but she is also very quiet and does her best to melt into the background and never gives herself the credit she deserves.  As the story went on I wanted more and more to be her friend.  Konstantin's transformation follows a bit of a predictable route but that doesn't make it any less delightful.

This book isn't just about Isla and Konstantin but about the opening of the Rock - the hotel owned by Colton Rogers and now by his grieving widower Fintan.  And about Flora finding her way as a new mother when parenthood just doesn't feel like it's coming as naturally to her as it does to her partner Joel. There's Saif and Lorna and all the other characters that populate the quirky barren island closer to Norway then Scotland and I was heavily invested in them all.  Well except Agot. Agot could be sent away to a very strict boarding school and I think all readers and all residents of Muir would give a big sigh of relief.  I'm fine with children in books but Agot is annoying and I'm pretty sure if she was a real child the other residents would take up a collection to fund some off island schooling for her.  

This was cozy and sweet and heartwarming and a bit heartbreaking all at once and just a perfect read for the holiday season - or any cold dreary day.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Definitely!  Colgan is one of my favorite authors and I already have another book by her in my TBR for next year.

Would I Recommend this Book?  Absolutely!  This is a hot cup of tea and a cozy fire on a cold night kind of book.