For the Love of Christmas Novels: "Christmas on the Island" & "Christmas at the Island Hotel"

This was a hard one to decide which of the copious amounts of Christmas Novels that I have read should be the first book review, let alone the first ever book review on this blog. I thought, Debbie Macomber, I mean I did spotlight her already. It only makes sense, right? But then I thought, perhaps I should give someone else the spotlight. This was a very hard decision, yet not the hardest I have ever made. I thought back to the first Christmas Novel that actually got me hooked. It was by the lovely Scottish writer, Jenny Colgan. Christmas on the Island and the newest Christmas novel in the Mure Series, Christmas at the Island Hotel.

There was just something about these books that gave me that warm, cozy feeling as I read. Jenny has a way of developing her characters so well that you feel like you are their best friend. You feel the heartache they feel. You relish in their happiness. You root for them, you admonish them when they do something that was ridiculous. She incorporates heart wrenching real life problems in with humor. You laugh, you cry, and you scream out of frustration for her characters. These books are no different. They are books number 3 and 4 in the Mure Series, and can be read as a stand alone books as she provides synopsis prior. It was actually Christmas on the Island was that was the second book I read from Ms. Colgan and it was my mom whom I give credit for this love of Jenny Colgan novels, as she gave me book 2 in this series, The Seaside Cafe. This series transports you to the rugged Highlands of Scotland where the magic envelopes all your senses. So, you are probably saying, OK get on with it, and rightfully so.

These books as I said transport you to the beautiful Highlands way far up north to the magical island of Mure where Flora lives with her family, mainly her father, brothers who are loud, rude and boisterous, and the delightful and impish little Agot, her niece. We are followed with her best friend Lorna (Laura), Saif (the doctor), and the unattainable relationship with her former boss, Joel. Flora's love for cooking has taken off with her little cafe and now it is time to hunker down for harsh, yet peaceful winter.

To say her relationship and return to the island in the previous book is anything but a kumbaya moment, is putting it nicely. The affects of her mother's passing plays a huge role into why her brothers, Iness, Hamish and Fintan and her father are anything but brash, out of control, and at times bit bratty. Agot, well she is now 4 and she rules to roost at this house as none of the men in the house seem to not be able to control her. I mean how can they, if they can't control themselves mentally and emotionally? They have some serious emotional distress that needs healing. It is understandable that they might be annoying per their "childish" ways of behaving. I have read reviews where people describe Flora's brothers as childish and how Agot is not acting her age. Might be so, but this behavior is common with loss and trauma. Children can revert and act this way especially when her support and disciplinarian is unable to cope themselves. Just as with our lives, we have our ups and our downs, these characters are no different. We process things that happen in our lives differently. Jenny Colgan brings this to the forefront. The romance, doubt, and sadness is abundant.

Flora has now been back for some time, just whipping up yummy plates of food, all the while dealing with some locals who would wish she had never returned. Her brother Fintan has fallen hard for the American Colton who has transported American Modernism to this little out of the way town, or tried at least. Fintan is making his delicious cheese that serves Flora's delectable menu with the best of the best, Lorna is just teaching away and developing her romantic life, Saif is holding things together as well as possible for his boys, Agot is settling, yet is still a little imp. Life is coming together in these two books, at least we think. There are moments of serenity, happiness, unease and heartbreak that leads to allowing the bleak, cold, and depressing nature of Mure to penetrate into these characters. The winter is almost an analogy for how some of the characters become internally. Ms. Colgan's approach to the drama is done in a very sensitive and caring manner.

Just as we are rooting for Fintan, who is very sensitive, tragedy strikes once again in his life in Christmas on the Island. Flora becomes hesitant and worried as she finds out she is pregnant with Joel's baby, she has no idea how he will react. It just becomes a whirlwind of tragedy. As book 4 comes as a continuation, it follows up a year later and you see Fintan still struggling and unable to see the blessings in his life despite his loss. Flora strives for her perfection as she is tasked to opening the hotel and restaurant for her brother who has little to no interest. The hilarity of events that happen can make anyone want to just give up, but Flora is the type of person who will not. The healing that takes place in Christmas at the Island Hotel is reassuring. At the end of Christmas on the Island, you are left with unease and a sense of wonder for these characters. So, it is nice to have the follow-up of book 4. You see Joel, Flora's former boss, boyfriend, and father to her baby, shine in his roll as a caregiver, despite his upbringing in the foster care system. In my true honest opinion (being that this is the first Christmas Novel read), and the second Jenny Colgan book, I need to give it a 4 out of 5. I loved the book. It kept me engrossed. It gave me multiple emotions. Had me rooting for her characters that she has so effortlessly developed. The magical backdrop of Mure just transports your soul to this lovely fictional island. I have always wanted to go to Scotland, but Jenny Colgan has solidify the idea. So perhaps someday I can take my kids and enjoy the beauty, history and joy of what Scotland provides. Tragedy follows and so I must say that if you want a Christmas Novel that is lighthearted with little bit of frivolous drama, then Christmas on the Island is not for you. Also, I am not one to read books, or watch movies that have gay couples, but mostly because in most they seemed to be pushed for a more political stance as it is so forward and in your face. However, Ms. Colgan does not do this at all, which is refreshing. Fintan and Colton are just people who happen to be gay. It is very nonchalant, and she doesn't create anything special or in your face with these characters. It is so lovely for them to be just ordinary members in the society. I won't say that they did not have hurdles as this is not something this old way of life village is used to, but her ability to bring this forth is fantastic and in a matter of fact manner makes it great.

I would not consider this to be a rom-com as most reviewers. To me, it is more of a romantic drama. Yes, there are happy moments, but lives of people as we know, are filled with histrionics, which is great because we as readers can relate. The cover of this book gives you a sense that you will be swept away to an idyllic story line. The colors of this particular printing has bright, yet muted colors to give you the reader an insight of the nature of this book. As I said, the story is captivating, the characters are relatable, and it just leaves you wanting more. Christmas traditions were thrown into these novels of describing the lights, black buns with recipe included, yule bread, etc. Scottish Christmas is not usually over the top and commercialized as Americans make the holiday. It is more subdued and focused on family in this novel. Which might turn some people off and say this was not a Christmas Miracle, over the top Christmas glitz novel that gave them the warm and fuzzies. As I said they are full of drama, but in an weird way, for me, it gave me that warm, cozy, heart reaching feeling. It was the way she writes that I simply cannot put the book down. We are given a glimpse into the Scottish Highland's way of life. It is foreign, yet familiar.

I want to give Christmas on the Island a 5 out of 5, but regardless of how much I loved and enjoyed the book, I simply cannot. Objectively, I need to give it a 4 out 5. The thing that misses the mark is the inconsistency with character development within the series. Names change, personal story lines change, and she has different titles depending on the country of release. Only thing that is redeemable, Ms. Colgan acknowledges her mistakes and she has attempted to remedy. I see a lot of comparison to her other series she has penned, as if they are part of the same series. Believing they would be the same, when in fact they are vastly different. With as many different works of literature, I can see how it can get confusing and thinking if I read The Christmas Bookshop then I should be familiar with Christmas on the Island, sadly, we cannot compare. Christmas, yes, but vastly different plots, characters and settings.

If you want a book that is easy, has great development, lovable story line then these books are a fantastic read to pick up. I will say that the 2nd Christmas book centered more around Christmas. Christmas at the Island Hotel provides more of that Christmas feeling many want during this time of year. The romance, comedy, over the top characters, local feuds are so abundant in Christmas at the Island Hotel that it can even be considered a comedy of errors as we maneuver through the ups and downs of opening the first hotel on a rather closed island with a gourmet restaurant to boot. When you bring in lively characters, and bad luck, you are sure to have one heck of a book! This one I will say is a 4.5 as the consistencies are better and flows forward from book 3, Christmas on the Island. It proves that with family, you can overcome the adversity in your life and come out better than before. I felt as if Christmas at the Island Hotel shows a real growth for these characters. A way of developing confidence within themselves. Some characters can still be a bit childish, but it is short lived. I don't care for a couple of the well described romance scenes, but it was inevitable, so I just kept reading as they were terse and the story continued quickly. The depth of these books are worth the read, so click on the first picture to purchase, it will take you right to Ms. Colgan's website. As they say in Scottish Gaelic:

Nollaig Chridheil agus Leughadh sona!

Merry Christmas and Happy Reading!