Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. What a fantastic read, I have never read anything from this author before and did not know what I was missing. Would highly recommend

Singer Ruby has lost her voice and hopes to spend Christmas on a retreat in Tenerife to help her recover. However, just before she is about to leave she gets a strange call from a solicitor telling her to travel to a remote Scottish island immediately. Her grandfather, Hector whom she has never met, is suffering from dementia and needs professional care. Ruby drops her plans and travels to Scotland, thinking that it will be a quick visit with arrangements wrapped up quickly.

As next of kin she must sign papers to enable the elderly gentleman to get the essential care he needs. However, first, his large run-down house overlooking the sea must be sold. The problem is that the house cannot be put on the market until sitting tenant Lachlan vacates...and he is refusing to go anywhere!

At first Ruby and Lachlan butt heads just like the feuding stags on the island. Both are stubborn and unwilling to see each others point of view. Gradually they both realise that they both want the same thing and that is to help Hector, the old gentleman.

Lachlan explains that he has made a promise to Hector and cannot leave until he fulfills it. In order to do this he must find an old family gin recipe and restart the family distillery to inject life back into the island.

I loved the location for the book with it's harsh weather conditions, untouched beauty and bounty of fresh food, which was foraged by Lachlan to create mouthwatering dishes. The author describes the crisp, clean air and the salty sea breeze so well that you can almost feel the fresh wind on your face.

The characters just steadily grow on you until you just love them, especially the charming old chap who's mind so sadly played tricks on him. I could just picture him in his well worn dressing gown with his two loyal dogs who never left his side.

The story shows how we can recollect precious details when introduced to familiar music. Ruby goes on an amazing journey, helped by the irresistible Lachlan (who I just need in my life!). The mystery of the missing gin recipe had me completely hooked and I loved how it's organic ingredients were slowly revealed.

This book can be read at any time of the year as Christmas is not featured heavily. The writing is just sublime, so well researched and the perfect 'escape' read.

One of my favourite cosy, uplifting reads this year, highly, highly recommended.

A big old house, a remote and cold Scottish Island, family secrets, food, romance and a stubborn man.... I knew I was in for a winner before I even opened this book!

It's all about to finally happen for Ruby Mac. After years and years of hard work and dedication with her band, a music producer is attending the event they're playing at and it's time for her to sing like she's never done before...

Well, it would be if her voice hadn't of just disappeared! Told to voice rest and recuperate by the Doctor but with no firm answer as to if she'll ever sing again, Ruby decides to head off to a vocal retreat in Tenerife - but again, her plans don't quite go to plan after a phone call from a solicitor regarding the grandfather she's never met and his house, that has her heading off, and onto a rather stormy boat ride to the remote Scottish Island of Geamhradh - or Winter Island.

Ruby's late father had been estranged from his own father (Hector) since leaving the Island just before Ruby was born - Ruby has never known why and has never questioned it, not even knowing if he was even still alive. But as next of kin she now has to make the decisions in regards to his welfare, unable to do so himself anymore due to his progressing dementia. But it's not going to be as easy as she thinks when she wakes to not just Hector, but another unknown guest, who demands, that unlike her, he knows Hector and knows what he wants and what he needs...

Coming Home To Winter Island is the equivalent of a great big hug; it's heart-warming, comforting and entertaining. Thomas weaves so much together in this story: family history, belonging, gin, music, food, love, dementia and community that I was just absorbed in it all from beginning to end!

Unlike Ruby, I instantly loved Lachlan and from their first rather entertaining meeting I sensed that chemistry and just knew I was in for some great moments with them. As for Hector, well I just adored him and his dressing gown, which I could so vividly picture him in - I've worked in dementia care for 16/17 years and it breaks my heart - as humans we all have different ideas of what's best when it comes to the care and safety of a person with this cruel disease - there's no rights or wrongs, and I think this was portrayed extremely well in the novel, taking Hectors own wishes into account, too. I felt Ruby was a little naive or blind at first towards Hector's dementia which is understandable if you've never been involved closely, but felt that the realities of it were managed sensitively but honestly in Thomas' writing.

Not being a sun lover, I'm always drawn to cold, remote settings and big houses, so Coming Home To Winter Island was sure to be pleasing, but the rich, picturesque and vibrant island life together with the glorious food described is one to fill every single one of  your senses. I could smell the trees and nature, I could hear the trickling of the river and waterfall and I could feel that biting cold wind and lashing rain on my face from the stormy weather, and oh my goodness, on numerous times was my stomach groaning and my mouth watering with the good ol' hearty comfort food: fresh breads and scones, smoky fresh fish, sweet and tangy chutneys and wholesome stews! In the book there's a lot of talk about the taste of island life, well believe me, I could taste the island life by the end of this story!

The house played such a massive part to the story and I loved how it was this treasure trove of secrets and memories waiting to be opened by both Ruby and Hector. Ruby may never have visited or known her grandparents but she soon feels as if she belongs - fitting easily into her grandfather's ways and life and I was keen to discover what happened with her family and their backgrounds. By a mixture of having Ruby in the house who Hector mistakes for past people, and from music records Ruby finds and starts to play we uncover some of Hector's memories that are both heart-warming and heart-breaking - but I loved that link between dementia, music and our stored memories (good and bad) - I've witnessed it first hand and it's just that tiny bit of lightness in an otherwise dark world.

Coming Home To Winter Island is about family, belonging, making memories and new beginnings - it will sweep those winter blues away, fill your senses to the brim and leave you full of warmth. Jo Thomas has firmly established herself with the trademark writing of family and food equals love, and she just needs to continue with that exact same recipe!

Ruby is having the chance of her lifetime: singing in front of a music producer to get a record deal and become a famous singer. This is what Ruby, her band, and her boyfriend Joe have been waiting for. The only problem is that Ruby’s voice doesn’t come out. The doctor recommends her to rest, so she books herself to a retreat in Tenerife to get her voice back. But first she has to make a stop to Winter Island, a small island off the Scottish coast to visit a grandfather she never met. As his only living relative, Ruby is responsible for him and while she would like to send him to a nursing home where he will be well taken care of, there is someone in her grandfather’s house who doesn’t agree with her. So Ruby’s stop will be longer than she expected.

Coming Home to Winter Island is heart-warming and entertaining story: there are regrets, new beginnings, the importance of family, friends, and love, and coming to term with one’s past while figuring out the future, regrets, new beginnings. The emotional moments don’t lack, but there is also some fun. I liked the characters, especially Ruby who, at the beginning, I found a bit annoying and self-centered but I liked how she develops. And I loved the setting and the evocating and close-community atmosphere of the island that makes you understand why the residents love it so much and wouldn’t want to leave it.

Jo Thomas did it again and created a beautiful and uplifting novel that will keep you glued to the pages.

I loved this! There were just a couple of things which niggled at me, which is why I haven't given it five stars. Firstly, that everything happened so quickly - an unrealistic time frame perhaps? Secondly, at the end something Ruby and Lachlan did in Hector's presence (can't say anymore because it's a spoiler). But these are small things and they didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the book. I loved the setting - the descriptions are beautiful. and so good they make you want to visit the islands. I loved the gradual building of trust between Ruby and Lachlan. The gin / singing storylines were great and kept the plot moving at a good pace. I loved Hector too, and the poignancy over his fractured relationship with his son. Ruby's past memories, snapshots of Hector's younger days, and a subtle nod to Christmas (it's not in your face but enough to make this a lovely read during the holidays), all add to the recipe of what is / makes an excellent story.

To say this was a heart warming story sounds like such a cliche, but this is exactly what this book is. The ending may leave you a little damp eyed, so have some issues nearby!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review.

I came across this book when I was busily searching NetGalley for a Christmas book. I had never read anything by Thomas before but had seen on GoodReads that she came highly recommended.

At first, I struggled to get into the story, because of this I didn’t really feel like I was connecting to the main protagonist, and therefore I struggled to have any empathy for her situation. It wasn't until I was around 45% of the way in that I started to enjoy the story a little, but even then it was still a slow burn and I felt I was continuing to read because it was an ARC for review rather than for pleasure.

I don't know whether it was the author's writing style, the story itself or the fact that it wasn't as Christmassy as I was expecting but unfortunately, it just didn't tick the boxes for me.

Time and time again Jo Thomas just writes the most gorgeous stories with such stunning of settings that you wish you could visit and Coming Home to Winter Island proved to be no different. This uplifting and heart-warming read set on the picturesque Winter Island will soon have you wrapped up in a captivating and sparkling read within a few chapters. With such a beautiful cover, that screams read me now, Jo has written a story that has many important messages to be taken from it. One of the most important being, how life is for living in the here and now and how special memories can be created along the way.

The memories evoked for the main characters throughout the story are unlocked through the power of music as away of attempting to recollect the good times. The overall themes of family and community bonds mix well with dealing with some of the harsher realities of life, one of those being dementia. Everything was handled with such sensitivity, tact and genuine love and understanding for the subject matter that you couldn't fail to be drawn into the wonderful and endearing story unfolding before your eyes. It's a perfect read for this time of year, as you curl up on the couch during the long dark days of winter as the gifted Jo Thomas takes you on a journey that will find a special place in your heart.

Ruby Mac alongside her fellow band members is just on the cusp of making it big in the music industry. Talent scouts are coming to hear the band sing at a gig and hopefully they will like what they see. If the band gets the desperately wanted recording contract Ruby has agreed she will marry Joe and they can embark upon building a solid foundation to their relationship. But on the night of the performance as the big moment arrives for Ruby and co to shine, she just freezes and her voice deserts her. She can't sing a word as memories of her Dad rush through her mind. That's it, the opportunity is gone and Ruby is told to rest her voice or else permanent damage will be done. But without her voice and the band, just who is Ruby? She feels growing panic that everything she has worked so hard for is slipping away through her fingers. Singing is all she has known in her life. So she decides to book a yoga retreat in Tenerife to try and bring herself back to normal and recover her voice but before she can go on her trip she receives a message that little does she know will change her life forever.

Ruby has never had any contact with her father's family and as he has been dead for many years she had never even considered that a message would arrive from the small Scottish island of Geamhradh where he was brought up but left so long ago. Her grandfather Hector MacQuarrie is unwell with dementia and as things worsen something needs to be done about his future care and well being. I thought fair play to Ruby that she had a conscience and some sort of loyalty to her father that she was able to bite the bullet and travel to the remote island. Things were out of her control and she didn't like that as she likes certainty and control in her life. She always has a plan and sticks to it but having to disrupt her plans meant she was stepping out of her comfort zone not really knowing what was waiting for her outside of the boundaries she had established for herself.

Right from the moment Ruby stepped foot on the island I felt I was there alongside her as she embarked upon a journey that would be full of twists and turns and packed full of many surprises. Jo Thomas transported the reader to a windswept island that held so many hidden treasures that would hopefully be the key in unlocking Hector's memories and therefore maybe saving Teach Mór, the house he had called home for so long. Or would Ruby want to get off the island as fast as possible once things had been put in place for Hector? After all she did have a yoga retreat to get to and she had promised the band members and Joe she would go.

I didn't like the fact that the further we moved through the story that Ruby just kept putting Joe off and telling a few tales as to what was really going on and why she was still on the island. I think honesty is the best policy and she should have told him what was unfolding and maybe stood up for herself. She should have admitted that things had changed and she was going with the flow and doing something for both herself and her family. This doesn't mean I didn't like the character of Ruby, in fact the opposite I loved her and I also loved observing the journey she was on. I just wish she had been a little more truthful when it came to certain matters.

Teach Mór is a big, cold and neglected house but as Hector can't help this as sometimes he is present and knows who people are and at other times he is locked away in his own world and when Ruby arrives in the hopes of quickly signing some papers and getting off the island as soon as possible she is soon surprised to find Lachlan living with Hector and helping him out. At first Lachlan was aloof and elusive and didn't give straight answers and I suppose in a way he was right to be wary of someone from Hector's family turning up out of the blue after so many years. Given Ruby wasn’t fully aware of Hector's situation and past and that she wanted to maintain a distance and keep certain things private, Lachlan perhaps had to enforce a barrier for the sake of Hector whom he genuinely cared for. But at the same time it was clear he was hiding something and no wonder Ruby had her suspicions about both his character and intentions.

Lachlan fully believed that Ruby had turned up for money and that she would disappear once she had got what she wanted with no regard for Hector's welfare. But in no time at all, Jo Thomas weaves such a fabulous story that has you eagerly turning the pages to see what will happen next. You become caught up in the chemistry that is starting to filter through between Ruby and Lachlan although they wouldn't admit to anything given they are both so stubborn in their natures. Ruby knows getting emotionally involved will make things harder when she has to leave once things have all been neatly wrapped up. But Hector and Lachlan in a way don't make things all plain and simple for things to be signed, sealed and delivered in a fast as manner as possible. What unfolded was a delightful, tender and emotional journey with of course some sort or food or drink at its centre as no Jo Thomas book would be complete without some mention of said items. It's what she is know for and what makes her books special and memorable alongside some fantastic characters.

This time around gin features in a very special and unique way. Even though I don't drink gin I was still caught up in the strands of the story that made a recipe for gin the crux of the later half of the book. Clearly such detailed research had gone into learning all about gin and how it is made and then it was incorporated in the most wonderful way into this story. Working together for one common cause gives Ruby and Lachlan a purpose and over the course of attempting to reach their goal Ruby finds herself becoming more deeply involved with things. Is the emotional distance starting to be broken down? Instead of feeling detached, is she starting to form bonds with people when until now she has felt lost and like she doesn't belong anywhere? Maybe time really is a healer and in trying to do good for someone else she is in fact doing the same for herself.


The past and the future play a big roll in how Ruby embarks upon an at times difficult and emotional journey which highlights where we have come from to where we are going. As the island starts to work its way under her skin will Ruby solve all the clues to complete her mission and if she does so is she ready to leave the island and go off to Tenerife and get things with the band on track? Or will Winter Island and its magic work on Ruby and get her to follow her heart? To find out, you must read this exquisite book packed full of warmth, love and human understanding that just gives you the best feeling deep inside. Coming Home to Winter Island is classic, wonderful Jo Thomas and long may she continue to bring us books of this nature.

Loved this book. Great characters, easy read, uplifting, funny, romantic and charming. A really nice story that is the perfect escapist read.

In "Coming Home to Winter Island" we are introduced to Ruby, who is about to get her big break in music business when her voice suddenly disappears. Having arranged a therapeutic break in Tenerife, she gets a mysterious phone call that changes her plans and finds her travelling to a remote Scottish Island to deal with some issues regarding Hector, the grandfather she has never met before. What is going to happen when you put yourself into a mix of remote island, an unknown grandfather, a sitting tenant that is set on disrupting your plans, and gin?

This novel was atmospheric, touching and also light - hearted. There were moments that I would have liked it to be more demanding because some things happened very conventionally and felt a bit too forced for my liking but still, it didn't spoil the reading at all. I'm also not sure why but it felt a bit different to Jo's previous books, I can't put my finger on it, can't explain why I felt like this, although of course this book had all the things that I was expecting from Thomas's book. She has - again - easily transported me into characters' worlds with the gorgeous descriptions and storylines.

The author touches upon many different issues, such like dementia, local community, family bonds to name only a few, and wonderfully ties them all together, creating a colourful, immersing story. There was never a single moment flat but also the story didn't feel too full or overwhelming. The descriptions of the Island, and also of some of the past Christmases and all the memories added tons of feelings and emotions and were beautifully interwoven and written in a gentle, subtle way. And I loved the chase after the gin recipe, it was brilliant, I couldn't wait to get to know all of the ingredients - I had my own favorite for the last ingredient, although it turned out that I was wrong. Oh well.

Ruby's story was warm and uplifting. It was touching to see her getting to know her grandfather and learn about her family. She was the kind of character that you really quickly fell for, seeing how much she has to deal with, seeing her struggling between what she thinks would be best for a man that she truly doesn't know, and her consciousness. Throughout the story Ruby grows so much, develops, reassesses her life and what it is she wants to do, and it includes also her relationship with a boyfriend who, to be honest, was awfully controlling and egoistic, seeing Ruby probably as a ticket to a better life and fortune. Then she's confronted with a huge house that has for sure seen better days, grandfather with dementia and Lachlan, the sitting tenant who refuses to move out. The characters were really well developed, had depth to them and I kept everything crossed for them.

I so liked the interaction and banter between Ruby and Lachlan. They often don't agree on things and butt heads but deep deep inside Hector's safety is their main concern. Hector's subplot was so moving, and as much as I understood Ruby, I was still surprised to see how much time it took her to realise what's really good for him. The visit in the Home was really heart - breaking.

"Coming Home to Winter Island" was full of feel - good factor, brilliant characters, wonderful setting and full of surprises. Jo Thomas didn't disappoint, delivering another book that feels like a warm hug and is going to be a perfect read for a wintery evening. Highly recommended!

Another amazing book from Jo as always. A great cosy winter read. Great setting and fantastic characters.

What a wonderful warm hug of a book! I loved it! Just perfect to curl up with on a winter’s night. It has everything - escapism, romance, mystery and gentle humour. Jo Thomas describes the island so well I could practically smell the sea! The story is about Ruby, who is about to get her big break in music when her voice suddenly disappears. Having arranged a therapeutic break to a retreat in Tenerife she is delayed by being called to a remote Scottish Island to arrange care for the grandfather she didn’t knew she had. The island could not be more different to her busy lifestyle in the city with her boyfriend who she is about to get engaged to. Each character is very well drawn and convincing and the image of island life beautifully conjured up. I could feel myself reading more slowly as I was relaxed by the words and didn’t want it to end. I thoroughly recommend this book.

Wow, what an enchanting book this is.
It all started with a singer called Ruby Mac, about to embark on a big break with her band when her voice breaks.
She gets a call to deal with family business on a remote Scottish Island, Jo Thomas's description of Winter Island takes me there and I'm living that life, the setting is idyllic and very remote, taking in scenes of waterfalls, coves, seeing seals, eagles and watching stags butt heads. We share Ruby's journey finding out about her families past, which, regretfully, she never knew about to making decisions about her future, all pulling on the heart strings and written very emphatically.
I enjoyed this book from start to finish, I cried tears of joy and sadness and would highly recommend this warm, escapist romantic novel.

Loved this book!

Ruby is on Winter Island to sort out some paperwork and meet the grandfather she has never met. Then she is leaving for Tenerife. But things aren't as simple as she thought, and soon she agrees to stay longer and starts to fall in love with the island. Then there is Lachlan. Although Ruby has a boyfriend, she can't help but be attracted to Lachlan. They are both leaving the island soon, so do they have a chance together?

Great range of characters,and a great setting for a book.

I found this a really enjoyable book to read the story and characters mix so well together first rate book 5*

I adore jo Thomas’s books so was very excited to receive this early copy to read and enjoy!
Coming home to winter island is a real treat of a book, full of gorgeous Scottish scenery, Christmas cheer, compassion and gin! What a great mix! The characters of ruby,Lachlan and hector are fantastic and you feel as if you know them so well, making you want to just keep on reading to discover more! Dementia a very sensitive often traumatic disease is portrayed in a gentle, tender way highlighting the effects music can have on sufferers and the changes it evokes in them, this positivity is lovely to see and really helps to show the real person behind the dementia diagnosis! Gin is my favourite drink so really enjoyed the background to gin making and the obtaining of the five secret ingredients! A fantastic book that I didn’t want to end would love to see a sequel. Thank you so very much for this early read.