On the tiny island of Mure—halfway between Scotland and Norway—Flora MacKenzie and her fiancé Joel are planning the smallest of “sweetheart weddings,” a high summer celebration surrounded only by those very dearest to them.
In the meantime, beautiful Olivia Mathieson—who left Mure ten years ago for bigger and brighter things—returns with a wedding planner in tow. Her fiancé has oodles of family money, and Olivia is determined to throw the biggest, most extravagant, most Instagrammable wedding possible. And she wants to do it at Flora’s hotel, the same weekend as Flora’s carefully planned micro-wedding.
As the summer solstice approaches, can Flora handle everyone else’s Happy Every Afters—and still get her own?
PJ's Thoughts:
An Island Wedding is the fifth book in Jenny Colgan's Mure series and takes readers back to this small island for a humorous, heartwarming story that is not without complications, emotional depth, more than a few surprises, and an ending that I really hope will be explored further in a future book.
Colgan brought the island of Mure to life through her vivid descriptions. I could easily picture it in my mind. It would definitely be on my list of places to visit. She then populated the island with intriguing characters, complex relationships, a warm sense of community, and more than one romantic entanglement. I liked that her characters were so fully developed, multi-layered, and realistic. While some of their situations made me laugh, others grappled with real-world issues that made my heart ache. Colgan does an excellent job of balancing humor and light with sacrifice and heartbreak while exploring relationships in their many forms.
I enjoyed the story and by the end I had begun to develop an emotional investment in the characters but was still left feeling a bit like the newcomer who doesn't quite know why everyone is the way they are; what they've been through to reach this point in their lives. We're told some of it but I'm a reader who needs to experience it. If you're the same, I strongly encourage you to begin with book one of the series and read the remaining books in order. After scoping out the earlier series titles, I discovered that many of these characters - and their relationships - have been evolving throughout the series. I need to go back to the beginning and travel that journey with them. I plan to read An Island Wedding again after having read the first four books. I have a feeling that my emotional investment in Mure and her citizens will be much deeper after having done that.
Have you read any Jenny Colgan books?
Are you reading the Mure series?
What fictional (or real) location have you read about in a book that would top your travel wish list?
One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, July 9 will receive a print copy of The Cafe by the Sea by Jenny Colgan (book one - Mure series).
One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, July 9 will receive a print copy of An Island Wedding.
*U.S. Only
*Must be 18
*Void where prohibited
Hawaii would be a wonderful place to visit. And I have read several of this author's books but don't think I have read any of the Muse series.
ReplyDeleteI've visited Oahu and it was everything I hoped it would be.
DeleteI enjoyed Jenny Colgan's 500 Miles From You very much, but I think it's the only book of hers that I've read. I'd love to give the Muir series a try. As for fictional locales: for whatever reason, towns replete with murder spring to mind! I'd love to visit Louise Penny's Three Pines or Julia Spencer-Flemings Millers Kill.
ReplyDeleteI just started reading her about a year ago but she's become a favorite. Always something happening in a town replete with murder, eh? ;-)
DeleteI've read all of them and I love them. There is a kind of mystical aspect which is not excessive, but just makes the stories more magical. Yes! Flora and Joel met in the first novel, so you need to start there, to understand the relationships but also the whole vibe. These novels definitely made me want to visit Scotland and particularly Skye, where one of my friends has a hotel.
ReplyDeleteScotland - particularly the Highlands - is at the top of my travel wish list. My ancestry is over 50% Scot and all Highlands so books like this are especially appealing to me. Glad to hear you've enjoyed the entire series. Also, your friend owns a hotel on Skye and you haven't visited yet? What are you waiting for???? :)
DeletePoor organisation and a pandemic have got in my way so far!
DeleteI've read the first three books in this series. I still need to get a copy of Christmas at the Island Hotel and An Island Wedding. I enjoy reading Colgan's books. It would be lovely to see Scotland.
ReplyDeleteOops, I forgot to change it to my name. Bonnie K. bluedawn95864 at gmail dot com
DeleteIf I were choosing, it would be Scotland, Wales & France, where my families originated. I have read one book by Ms Colgan. I will need to start this series, it sounds as though I would enjoy all the books very much. Thanks for the review. You have made me find a new series. Hope everyone is well.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of her books yet. I am glad you suggested reading them in order.
ReplyDeleteI'm familiar with her, but I haven't read her books.
ReplyDeletedenise
I haven't read any of her books, but I'd love to start this series. Sounds great! If I could visit any place it would be Ireland, it's always fascinated me. Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteI have not read any of her books yet, but I would love to.
ReplyDeleteI’ve read a few of her books but looks like I’m back for more ! Scotland - or the coast - Amalfi - of Italy … I’m excited to read a whole new series - thanks PJ
ReplyDeleteColgan is a new to me author so I haven't read any of her Mure series.
ReplyDeleteTwo places I have read about that I would dearly love to visit are Ireland and Scotland. They really do call to my soul. The rugged mountains, the rolling green fields, rows of rock walls, stone cottages by the sea, and the history. I could certainly see myself spending a lot of time there exploring.