Just finished reading CHRISTMAS ISLAND by Natalie Norman.

If you are looking for a cozy holiday romance on a remote island, with a side of deliciously described desserts, then this one is for you.

Holly is on her way to visit her brother in Norway for the holidays and to escape her busy London lifestyle. She's also there for a distraction, to get her mind off some important news she's awaiting about her job.

But her vacation doesn't exactly go as planned when she arrives and her brother isn't there to greet her, she nearly stumbles off the edge of a cliff in the dark. Holly is saved by Frøy, a huge fluffy lion like cat and and his grumpy owner, Tor. Tor is also known around town as the island hermit, there to escape his own woes. But when his cat saves Holly he can't seem to get her off his mind. These two eventually become each other’s escape from reality, and it's pretty cute.

A cute Christmas read! I kinda just wanted a bit more detail in the romance scenes 😋, and a bit more character development.
(⭐⭐⭐💫/5)

2.5* I hate giving low ratings for books, but I have to do it this time. Christmas Island is a story with a fantastic concept but poor execution unfortunately.

Escaping from work drama back in London, Holly decides to spend the Christmas holiday on a small island in Norway where her brother lives. Upon arriving on the island, Holly gets lost in the dark and ice slush and almost falls off a cliff before being saved by Frøy, a Norwegian forest cat and the best character in the book, and Tor, his human and resident hermit. Over the next couple of weeks, Holly starts to draw Tor back into the village life as she explores the island and makes friends with the locals.

I really, really wanted this book to be good- I mean it has giant cats, a holiday in Norway, and a bearded recluse for a love interest, so I should have loved it, but I could never get into the story or believe Tor and Holly's romance. I enjoyed some of the characters, but I honestly felt like I was wandering around with blinders on for the whole story because of the limited descriptions for the scenery and the characters' actions. There is one point where I re-read a passage literally 4 times to see what I missed because Holly talks about a near kiss that honestly wasn't even sort of hinted at in the scene.

The food was the one part that was described really well, and I liked that recipes were included at the end for those that were intrigued by the food in the story.

I know I'm in the minority with my review, but I wouldn't recommend this book except to die-hard holiday romance fans.

This was such a lovely cozy winter read! I was immediately drawn in by the cover - yes, I am someone who does judge the book by the cover, at least at first. Then when I read the blurb, I knew this was one I had to snatch up. For those of you who are reading this from the US and are hesitant if the reading will be heavy with British English lingo, it's actually not at all. It's very easy to read, I didn't have to look up anything, which I normally have to do some of when reading UK romance books. When I learned this was only the second book written in English by this author, I was eager to see what story she would bring, and I absolutely loved it. It's very rare that I read any books set in Norway. In fact, I think this may be the first! I always enjoy learning something new when reading romance, and this book was full of really interesting facts about Norwegian history and folklore. It is a closed-door romance, with all the sexy times happening "off screen," so to speak. Whether that's your thing or not, I still suggest you give it a try. It was a read perfect for this time of year and a great comfy book for when you're feeling down.

All Holly Greene needs is some peace and relaxation, after an incident at work causes her to worry for her future as a doctor. Invited to her brother's home on an island in Norway, she hopes the distraction of the holidays and her new niece will prove the balm she needs. When she arrives, however, her brother isn't home, and she is forced to try to find his home based on directions he provided her. In the pitch black of the night, she takes a wrong turn and is saved from a drop off a cliff by a crazy looking cat and his gruff owner. Tor Ruude rented the cottage on the island as a way to escape his problems on the mainland, and he wants nothing to do with people, particularly not a woman. However, as he continues to run into her, he becomes intrigued against his will. Soon they are spending more time together, and the interested blossoms into something more. However, neither live on the island and so both must eventually leave. Will this be a romance for a season or will their love surpass all odds? It's Christmas, after all, and anything can happen.

Holly and Tor were absolutely lovely. I loved reading about each of them, and I found that both characters were well developed with great backstories that gave them color and mutual understanding. Holly was a sweetheart, clearly wanting to help others and be a doctor in London, and it was so sad to read about what happened to make her doubt her future. Tor was heart-hurt as well, from a previous relationship that left him mourning what could have been, and yet he still took care of a cat that drove him crazy and took time to make a young woman who felt out of sorts feel comfortable. His mannerisms were very blunt, which was a great contrast to Holly's softer way of communicating, but together they made a well-suited pair. I loved the folklore written into the story as well, such as the Norwegian version of the English brownie (not the food but the mischief-making creature that lives in your home). I also thought it was interesting how the author explained the Norwegian people of old lived, along with a theory of why the Vikings traveled away so much. I never knew how isolated people could be there, and it was eye-opening.

Now I really want to visit Norway, and in a pandemic, I guess now I have all the to plan my trip. I will definitely be reading this author's first English book, and I look forward to the next!

I read Summer Island by Natalie Normann shortly before it came out earlier this year, and immediately fell in love with the tiny Norwegian island with its beautiful landscape, adorable dog, and cast of characters I couldn’t help but root for. I was thrilled when I heard Normann was coming out with a book in time for the holidays, and even more so when I realized I would get to revisit that island and all the characters I had come to know and love in the first book!

Christmas Island follows the sister of Jack, the MC of Summer Island, who is running away from her life (with the added benefit of visiting her brother for the holidays) and finds herself crossing paths with the town hermit - much to their mutual delight. This book is a charming closed door romance with coziness, a cat who is a character in his own right, and so many delightful descriptions of Norwegian holiday food and traditions! As always Normann left me wishing I could hop on a plane and visit Norway immediately - I’m hoping we’ll soon be getting another island romance (about a certain schoolteacher, perhaps?)

I was looking for a cozy, light Christmas book...basically a Hallmark movie between the covers, and found it in Christmas Island.
Holly travels to a remote island off the coast of Norway to her brother's home for the holidays, meets a mysterious grumpy hermit, makes some local friends, eats interesting Norwegian food, and befriends a huge cat. It's all very predictable, but perfectly suited for your light holiday reading list.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Holly, after the years of hard work it took her to become a doctor,, only now, it looks like it could be taken away, through her own fault.

So, retreating she goes to her brother’s a rustic home, one that’s on an island off the coast of Norway. .

Only, it’s not as she expected, it’s middle of winter and icy slush plus endless darkness isn’t exactly the type of festive getaway she had thought she’d find.

After, almost stumbling off the edge of a cliff in pitch dark, Holly is saved by Frøy, who is a yellow-eyed cat of fearsome, but in fluffy proportions, but she sees, that his owner – whose grouchy, looks like a bearded recluse by the name of Tor.

Tor, it seems has his own problems to face, Holly appears to be getting him out of being the recluse, and he finds himself with wanting to leave freshly baked gingerbread men on her doorstep.

So, it looks like Holly’s visit to the island is making the winter they are having anything but bleak.

An enjoyable read.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK/One More Chapter for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: November 30, 2020

While this is a wonderfully cozy holiday book filled with delicious Christmas treats and plentiful holiday cheer and traditions, it misses the mark for me.

We start with an intriguing introduction but then the novel moves at a snails pace until halfway through. Five stars for the setting. Wonderfully developed and explained in detail, I often felt like I could be there. Four stars foe the townspeople. How joyous they all seem! Three stars for our breakout star, the cat!

Two stars for our main character Tor. What’s not to love about a handsome Viking at Christmas?! It was the confusion for me. His inner monologue spends so much time dwelling on how much he wants to avoid human contact, legitimately frets over her hugging him, and then with no build up at all he’s suddenly grabbing her hand and dragging her around the holiday market. Also, he makes the first move? What changed? It’s not explained in the book and was just completely unbelievable.

One lonely star for our main character Holly. First of all, she laughs all the time. This may seem like a strange comment but when I say all the time, I mean all the time. I’m as perplexed as Tor is about it. I legitimately have no clue what she thinks is funny.

She also seems a bit naive, closed minded, and unworldly. For someone who is a doctor in London, I would think she would be a bit more refined and be more open minded. Her pickiness with food is a bit childish. She also constantly comments on how strange Tor is but...he just isn’t that strange so it makes me think she’s the strange one.

Finally, the “big reveal” as to why Tor and Holly were both on the island was dangled so much in the first half of the book with no solid hints, that I could have cared less when we found out. It was too late to tell me at that point, it honestly didn’t matter for the story, and it wasn’t as bad as it seemed it should be.

In the end? If you want an easy, holiday read filled with Norwegian Christmas cheer, this could be for you. The romance is rated safe for children (their kisses come across about as cold as the weather in Norway) but there are some bonus recipes at the end!

Holly Jumps on a ferry’s headed for an island off the coast of Norway to visit her brother and his family. Her life has revolved around her study to become a doctor and she has only met her niece once. So after being forced to take leave this is the perfect escape from reality.

Her arrivals wasn’t glamorous, she drops her phone in the snow and it gets water damaged and dies and she very quickly realised she lost on a island with not street lights. When she’s about to give up and cat named Frøy arrives and consequently saves her from falling off a cliff. His owner not far behind. Tor (the hermit) doesn’t socialise on the island he is there for some much needed alone time.

The two play a game of cat and mouse and begin spending time together whilst holy waits for her brother and his family to arrive home from visiting her brothers wife’s mother. The two explore the island and venture out together and Holly begins to see why her brother left London for this beautifully cold place.

Knowing their time must come to an end they make the most of it. Both helping each other in ways they don’t even realise. Is she willing to leave everything she’s worked for to be with him and had he spend enough time alone to realise she’s worth showing up for?

This was such a fun, cozy read!! Some of the writing felt a little stilted, especially when talking about their past, and I thought the ending was awkward, but that still didn't distract me from the fact that this book was absolutely precious. I loved the setting, I loved the side characters, and most importantly, I loved the cat!! This was an excellent read to get me in the holiday spirit.

The characters are so cozy....flawed and in need of a second chance, which they find in each other. What I loved even more than the characters, however, was the setting. The author does a fantastic job of transporting you to Norway, with the scenic descriptions and cultural inclusions in the text, that it makes you feel like you've visited...and certainly want to go for real! I did not know until the end that this is part of a series (so definitely works well as a stand alone), and will want to go back now and see how it all began...

This was a good book to start my festive reading with. I enjoyed it. The characters were all very likeable and well written.
Both main characters were trying to escape for a peaceful christmas, and then they meet each other with the help of a cat.
A heart warming read.

A lovely Christmas romance that tugs at your heartstrings! A beautiful love story of a woman that’s lost her faith in love, and a man that is a practical recluse.

I have been so excited about this book. I read Summer Island earlier this year and fell in love with Natalie Normann's writing style and the setting and could not wait to read this second in the series (which can easily be read as a stand-alone). As with the first, this book truly delivers on the cosy or Koselig and as Holly and Tor's romance builds from their first meeting the reader is taken on a whirlwind tour of Norwegian Christmas food and traditions. I loved so much of the detail of this book and it provided me with the perfect Christmassy escape.

Cakes, candy, cookies and Christmas customs make this visit to a small Norwegian island a holiday delight. Oh and I will add another “C”- the cover of this book is charming. Summer Island was the first book by author Natalie Normann that I have read and Christmas Island, the second in this stand-alone series, takes us back to the same island and townsfolk, with a focus on a new couple.

And how could I forgot the best “C” of all- Froy, the huge, black cat! He’s a fun part of the story as he helps his humans find their way. Dr. Holly Greene has left career problems behind in London, to spend the Christmas holidays with her chef brother, his wife and their cute child. Holly didn’t expect to meet a handsome, rugged, Viking, who is also a loner. But thanks to getting lost and almost falling over a cliff to the sea, she is found by Froy and the quiet romance between Holly and Tor begins to build.

Their romance is pleasant, but the best part of the story is that it is Christmas, Christmas, Christmas! The Norwegian Island, with its weather, sunsets, steady townsfolk and their customs are fascinating, but all the Christmas baking and treats are truly fabulous. (And the author supplies recipes at the end of the book- can I make my own Delfia cake?)

Christmas Island is a charming story and will add to your holiday enjoyment. Thanks to NetGalley for an advance digital review copy. This is my honest revie

Wow! What a cosy, heart-warming Christmas romance.

The story depicts Holly taking a much needed break from her high-pressured London life to a remote island in Norway. She is very much out of her element, but is quickly welcomed by all the islanders, including the reclusive Tor who has come to the island as an attempt to leave the society of Oslo behind him.

It is an endearing classic story of girl meets boy, where they save each other from their respective plights. The events in the book are absolutely charming and have made me seriously wish to go to a similar remote European island to find my own Viking. If only it were so easy, I guess I'll just need to content myself with more of Natalie Normann's writing... And what's more, I can enjoy that experience without even leaving my favourite chair!

Thank you to Harper Collins UK (One More Chapter) for providing me with an early e-copy of this work in exchange for an honest review. While I thought the premise of this holiday romance sounded fun, I didn't jive with the writing style and ended up giving up on this one fairly early on. I do think this book would be good for fans of lighter (in tone and steam-level) romances!

A lovely cosy novel. Perfect for getting into the festive spirit. I loved both Holly and Tor's characters (even if their romance did seem a little rushed). I really want to know what happens to them next which is always a good sign.
The descriptive food passages left my mouth watering. I really enjoy books that have lots of food in them particularly when its other cultures.
This would have been a 5 star for me but the end felt really rushed in my opinion so it didn't quite leave me satisfied.

Christmas Island is the perfect book for those spending the holidays away from family and miss a good ole feast—or two, or more if you are apparently from this tiny island in Norway. It is a quick and fun read, and easier to get into if you let yourself believe in this quirky Norwegian town of 100 people where somehow almost everybody knows perfect English and is super nice. (Halfway through the book I stopped questioning the logistics and decided to go along with it.)

The food and the culture were very vividly described but oddly, we never got any descriptive details on how the characters look. I know Tor, our Norwegian hottie, has brown eyes but I also don’t know what his hair looks like or how tall he is. Same for Holly and the rest of her family. A lot of details on the town and the Christmas activities, which were very enjoyable, but little on the characters themselves.

At a time when everything seems to be falling apart, this book is a good getaway.

I really enjoyed this sweet romantic tale. Doctor Holly is suspended from the hospital where she works following an argument with a colleague and takes herself off to visit her brother and his family on their island home in Norway. They're away visiting her wife's mother in Spain when she arrives in the dark and cold off the ferry. She takes a wrong turning and is saved by a yellow eyed cat called Froy. His abrasive and unfriendly owner, Tor berates her for standing so near to the cliff. He grudgingly offers to help her and she stays the night on his sofa before making her way to her brothers the next day.

The story is steeped in Norwegian traditions and friendly island folk. Tor can't get Holly out of his head and keeps doing thoughtful things for her. She really likes him too but realises it can only be a holiday romance as they live such different lives. Her romantic fairytale ends when she's called back to work and reality but there's a surprise in store! I absolutely loved the story and characters. So recommend!

“Holly Greene is retreating to her brothers home off the coast of Norway for the holidays. One problem; it’s the middle of winter and icy slush plus endless darkness isn’t exactly the cheery festive getaway she hoped for. She nearly falls from a cliff when she arrives, but is saved by Tor - a grouchy, bearded recluse with his own problems.”
Thank you to HarperCollins for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. This was a very sweet story and a cozy holiday read. Definitely put me in the mood for the Christmas season! I enjoyed the multiple perspectives and learning about so many different Norwegian traditions. I loved the recipes at the end of the E-Copy and saved a few. I do wish the story was a bit longer giving more time for the problem to settle and be resolved, I feel like it all happened within three pages and felt rushed.
Overall I gave this book 3 stars.