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Title: Christmas IslandAuthor: Natalie NormannFormat reviewed: EbookSource: NetgalleyPublisher: One More ChapterPublication Date: 30th November 2020Rating: 5 Stars
Cosy up in front of a fire and discover Christmas the Norwegian way…full of romance, cosy traditions and hygge!
In the bleak midwinter…
A really frosty wind is making Holly’s life absolutely miserable
After all the years of hard work it took Londoner Holly Greene to become a doctor, now it could all be taken away and she only has herself to blame. She’s retreating to her brother’s rustic home on an island off the coast of Norway to lick her wounds. Only, it’s the middle of winter and icy slush plus endless darkness isn’t exactly the cheery, festive getaway she had imagined.
Nearly stumbling off the edge of a cliff in the dark, Holly is saved by Frøy, a yellow-eyed cat of fearsome but fluffy proportions, and his owner – grouchy, bearded recluse, Tor. Tor has his own problems to face but the inexplicable desire to leave a bag of freshly baked gingerbread men on Holly’s doorstep is seriously getting in the way of his hermit routine.
Call it kindness, call it Christmas, but Holly’s arrival means midwinter has never looked less bleak.
There is something about this book that was just incredibly more-ish. I found it to be really quick to read, and whenever I wasn't reading, I was wondering what Holly and Tor were getting up to in my absence.
And it all starts with a rather dramatic and atmospheric opening sequence, as Holly arrives on the island and promptly gets lost, but is saved by the local hermit and his yellow-eyed beast.
Ok for beast, I mean cat that I swear sounded more like a dog at times, but is utterly amazing. Froy is easily one of the best characters in the book by far, and being a cat he doesn't even say anything!
And the local hermit is the rather ruggedly good looking Tor, who has kept himself to himself since renting a cottage on the island and no one really knows much about him, but somehow Holly may be the one to change things.
Set in a Nordic winter, it was fascinating to learn about Norwegian Christmas traditions, and all manner of Nordic foods which especially their sweet treats sounded really yummy. We learn a bit about trolls (not the internet variety), and also see just why is is both Holly and Tor are trying to hide from real life in the wilds of Norway!
The descriptions were so good, I could really picture the island, and also the various locations and ferry crossings, boat trips, and Christmas activities that were happening.
This is the authors second book in English, and it is connected to Summer Island in that Holly is Jack's sister and Jack and Ninni do put in an appearance during the second half of the book - but other than that it is definitely readable as a standalone.
I am really enjoying Natalie Normann's writing style and I'm already very eager to see what she writes next, as I have loved both Summer and Winter Island. I'd love to see more from this Island if possible, as it's such a different setting, it feels like you really have been on a vacation while reading.
Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily
Thanks for the blog tour support xx
ReplyDeleteThank you for such a lovely review, Rachel. I'm really pleased you like Frøy! He was just supposed to be cute cat, but you know cats, they have their own mind :D
ReplyDeleteI agree, I really enjoy Natalie's writing style and hope we have more books in this setting
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