Christmas Island: Escape to a winter wonderland in Norway with this cosy, heartwarming romance novel!: Book 2 (A Very Hygge Holiday) Paperback – 14 Oct. 2021

I am absolutely in love with this series!! I read Summer Island, the first in the series, a few months ago and absolutely adored it so I had to read this one ASAP, especially as it's a Christmas novel. And yet again this one has such a gorgeous cover.Hands down this is my favourite Christmas book of all time. Not only was it the greatest experience of a Norway Christmas, without actually being there, but everything about it was festive AF. I said this about the last book in the series but I'll say it again; I want to visit Norway. I especially want to visit at Christmas and eat all this food, go to the markets and experience Little Christmas Eve!I was fully invested in Holly and Tor's romance, from beginning to end; they had my heart and I was desperate for them to have a happy ending.This is exactly the kind of lighthearted escapism which made me fall in love with reading in the first place. I do wish the ending hadn't been quite so rushed, but only because I wanted the book to go on for longer! Book three please??

Norway sounds really dark and cold in the winter months, so it’s no wonder that celebrating the festive season is so important to the islanders in this book. All the celebrations seem to be really needed to bring some light and cheer to the darkest months. I loved the sound of the Christmas market and would have enjoyed wandering round the various stalls, all wrapped up against the cold of course.There is a lot about food in this book and it sounded good. Well, most of it did. I’m not too sure about the brown cheese and old cheese though, or about putting butter in my porridge! The cakes sounded amazing and the stews deliciously warming.I have to mention Tor’s enormous cat Frøy. From the first time he comes into the book, probably saving Holly’s life, he really is a cat full of character and attitude. Like many cats, it’s obvious who is in charge in Tor’s house!This is a slow burn and engaging romance with a bit of mystery surrounding why Holly had come to the island and what was going one with her hospital job. There was also a bit of the unknown about grumpy (though gorgeous!) bearded hermit Tor and what had happened to him. Christmas Island is an easy-to-read, charming read. I enjoyed reading about and learning a bit about Norwegian Christmas traditions. And if the food appealed to you, you will be pleased to find some recipes to try at the back of the book.

Ever since I read ‘Summer Island’, I’ve been waiting for this sequel and I wasn’t disappointed – it’s wonderful! I read it in one sitting and couldn’t put it down. I fell in love with that idyllic island in the summer time, but despite the horrible weather, it was just as lovely during Christmas and I so want to go there. This was in large part due to a big, grumpy Viking named Tor, with whom I fell instantly in love (despite his enormous beard!). He was tough and vulnerable in equal measures, and so very appealing. The heroine too is someone the reader can really empathise with – her humour and kind nature make that really easy. And I so enjoyed hearing about all the Norwegian Christmas traditions, many of which are very similar to the Swedish ones I grew up with. Made me feel very nostalgic for Christmases past! If you want to escape to a small island full of people with big hearts and a strong sense of community, and lose yourself in a gorgeous romance, this book is for you!

It’s a basic feel-good romance story. But full of mistakes - like tale instead of tail, and even a 31st November!But if you want a very easy read, with a predictable ending, it’s an ok tale (not tail).

Nice love story

Absolutely delightful read, full of such festive warmth and I just was so in love with this read it in one sitting. The descriptions were just so gorgeous I could actually have been in Norway and I desperately want to go even more now. Great characters, fabulous story, wonderful happy feelings, what more could you want m pick this up for a

I read the Summer Island before this and loved this one more. I don’t know whether it was that the island appealed more to me in winter or whether it was that I preferred the characters in this story. I loved all the food references and the depiction of a Norwegian Christmas. I can’t wait for another book in this series.

Absolutely loved this book, which I read straight after Summer Island even though it's summer here.Could not wait until winter to read it! The original characters are there and joined by Holly and Tor plus a cute cat. The author has a great way of telling what is happening in people's lives without getting too heavy about it. Life on the island in winter is quite different and the way islanders adapt and have lovely season rituals makes me wish we were more like them. Every one seems to help each other and makes the most of living there.I hope there are more of this series to come.

one star less because of the poor editing: full of mistakes