An Island Wedding is the fifth book in Jenny Colgan’s Mure series, following Flora, her family and friends as they navigate relationships and life on a small Scottish island.

I really loved the earlier books in the series but this one (and book 4) have been a bit of a disappointment in comparison.

Some of the characters are so unlikeable this time around – Jan was always mildly unpleasant but is downright hateful to everyone in this story (particularly to her poor husband, Charlie, where she borders on abusive) and Joel is so self-interested that it’s hard to remain invested in his love story with Flora.

There are a lot of misunderstandings, pining and challenges for the various couples on the island but we miss out on a lot of the more enjoyable characters, including Gaspard, Konstantin and Bjark the dog.

The ending is largely happy, as you’d come to expect from a Jenny Colgan novel but I really wasn’t a fan of the Saif and Lorna storyline…it seemed too harsh and at odds with the rest of the rounded out endings.

An Island Wedding by Jenny Colgan, a NetGalley read. Set on the Scottish Island of Mure, Flora is the main character, who is planning her wedding to Joel. However they both want different things regarding how they see there wedding day. Flora is busy running a hotel, where there is another huge wedding taking place of a returning local Olivia, who has high expectations. Will either of these wedding take place with all the drama happening. I think this is a series of book lessons and this is the first in the series that I have read. I love Jenny Colgan, however was slightly disappointed with this book. Now I’m not sure weather I couldn’t get into this book because I hadn’t read the ones before or weather this just simply didn’t click with me. There seemed a lot going on with alit of different characters, not just with Flora and Olivia. I loved the story between Lorna and Saif and there love story and hope there is more from these 2 characters. However this love story took up a very small proportion of the book. The main story of the 2 weddings at times came across as busy and chaotic. It was one of those books that because if this busy feeling it felt like I was at times stumbling over the words. Don’t get me wrong it wasn’t all bad and actually bad is the wrong word, but there were parts in the book that I did feel I was connecting with and felt my interest in the story ignite, for example when Olivia and her wedding planner need rescuing at sea by the RNLI. Unfortunately this was short lived. I really hate saying negative things about an author I really like and I read books by this author before and never been disappointed, but this is just my opinion and won’t stop me reading books by this author again. Like I said I wouldn’t describe as a bad book, I genuinely believe this book just wasn’t for me because I just couldn’t get into it and I hope this makes sense. I wouldn’t recommend this to friends and family sadly, though I would say to them if you’ve read the series give it a try. Sadly just ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was a bit of a letdown for me,
I didn't find myself racing to pick it up again like I usually do with books.

The first four I really enjoyed, but this one seemed it had been written because......

It still had many characters to get your head around if you hadn't read the first books and seemed to drag along at a snail's pace with nobody being able to make their minds up or feelings felt.

It's such a shame to end a series on a downer, maybe four was enough?

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. xx

You can’t go wrong with a Jenny Colgan book, and this certainly didn’t disappoint.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

This book was simply perfect. Every single word, every single description, the way the author captures the feelings and emotions and creates her characters as if they were living and breathing people... Absolutely perfect. Even if some of the closures broke my heart and I couldn't agree with them - but it's even better, as it made the reading more challenging and unpredictable.
I loved the writing style, full of gentle humour and so clever, writing style that makes you feel at home immediately, that throws you right into the story and doesn't let you go.

It was everything I could have wanted from this book and even more, so the book is more like 10 stars than 5. It was funny and poignant, warm, heart - breaking and uplifting and I so hope to see the characters sometime again. There is a great sense of family, community and friendship, there are heavy issues touched upon without being judged, is bittersweet and close to life. Beautiful. Loved it.

I adore Jenny Colgan books and so was very excited to be returning to the Island of Mure for another story! I love that this one is set around weddings and I was excited to see it wasn't only Flora and Joel that were getting set to tie the knot!

A fabulous cosy story and perfect conclusion to the Mure series!

I loved this book and all the characters and wish the author all the best with this book with thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the arc of this book

I am biased as I adore Jenny Colgan books.Life on Mure is comforting but at the same time open to public opinion. Flora and Joel's small intimate wedding has to compete with Olivia's ostentatious, no expense spared wedding. As you can imagine tempers are fraught. Will everyone get a happy ever after? Although this is book 5 in the series, it can be read as a standalone book. Jenny Colgan never disappoints.

What an exceptional finale to the Island of Mure series. I'm gutted that the series is allegedly at an end, but what a great way to go out.

But I am convinced that can't really be where some of these characters stories end, one in particular I would love to see more of, even in a spin off, as it's the characters that have taken a spot in my heart since their first introduction.

And then there is Flora and Joel, and their wedding and they aren't the only ones possibly getting married during this novel.

Agot is at her bossy best and I loved seeing a bit of development from her, and we get to see a bit more of Jan which was interesting.

And one of my favourite Colgan features is present, the intro letter at the start of the book to bring new and existing readers right up to date with key parts of the series to date, which for those of us that have been reading it, but also read a lot of other books between releases, gives just enough catch up, to be able to dive straight in easily.

This is everything I could have wanted from a Jenny Colgan book, it's warm, it has emotion, its funny, its romantic and its downright brilliant.

Thank you to Sphere and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I know I follow a number of Jenny Colgan's series and I was very happy she summarise the previous instalment at the beginning of the book.
This is was another love-love-love-this-story. It made me smile, it moved me to tears, and kept me hooked till the end.
I wasn't a fan of Olivia even if she grew on me. Fiona is a great characters and Ms Colgan is a master storyteller as usual.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is a really indulgent, warm, romantic and swoony novel that will take you away from the world for a while and keep you safe and entertained. The perfect escapism and an incredible story make this the perfect summer read.

Wow! This book blew me away. I read this as a stand-alone having not read any previous in the series. I really appreciated the character intro from the author at the beginning.
While the main couple was Flora and Joel have to say it was Lorna and Saif that won me over. My heart was breaking for them, and then that ending! Oh. My. God! I really hope the next book is theirs, there has to be a happy ending.

The descriptions of Mure were wonderful and the insight into island was great, I really liked the descriptions of the Hen night make over I really felt I was there. Olivia was a strange character, I spent most of the book not liking her and then I found myself holding my breath at the end and hoping Anthony was going to step up - I triumphantly punched the air when he rolled up to the hotel!

Such a fantastic read I couldn’t put it down and consequently have a lot of work to do tomorrow!

An Island Wedding – Jenny Colgan

The fifth instalment in the Mure Series, An Island Wedding is like a visit to an old friend. As with all of Jenny Colgan’s novels the story is uplifting, heart warming and cosy, perfectly fitting the description of an escapist “forget all your troubles” read.
The descriptions of Mure island are vivid, I could envisage strolling along the endless beach spotting the breaching pods of whales and breathing in the salty sea air with Flora, not to mention tasting the mouth watering scones from the Seaside Kitchen.
Arguably although this could be read as a standalone with a little catch-up at the beginning, I would really recommend reading the books chronologically as the storyline for individual characters progresses. Jenny Colgan has a wonderful development of characters, I’ve become invested in their relationships and journeys, the characters are engaging and I feel I am rooting for them with whatever happens next. An Island Wedding is easily my favourite in the series, making my heart sing but also bringing tears to my eyes ( the ending!!) and I sincerely hope there is a sixth book to follow, I can’t believe Saif and Lorna’s journey could possibly end here.

If you’re looking for heart warming romance that will make you both laugh and cry, I would undoubtedly recommend An Island Wedding as well as the first four books of the Mure series.

Old roots, new faces and relationships – new, old and still developing. Those elements are what make Colgan’s latest, “An Island Wedding,” so entrancing – even if you’ve never set foot in a place like Colgan’s fictionalized Scottish isle of Mure.
Flora MacKenzie is getting married to Joel. She’s thrilled, even if it’s to be a small affair, a “sweetheart wedding.” But things are complicated when Olivia MacDonald, a Mure native and sister to Jan – a peer of Flora’s with whom she has a complicated relationship, at best – returns to the island with intent to marry, too.
Olivia brings with her Instagram fame, a fiancé’s wealth and unresolved tensions with her sister when she decides she wants to get married at The Rock, the inn Flora runs. The drama that unfolds surrounding the wedding pulls in nearly the rest of the small town, which seems a world of its own. Can the relationships between lovers, friends and family take the pressure? Or will any combust? “An Island Wedding” is a great escape for any reader.

What a great 5th instalment to this series. This book takes us back to Mure and back to the characters that I love. Although it’s part of a series, it can be read as a standalone (although there will be spoilers for the earlier books) and Jenny gives us a great summary/ catch up in the beginning!
These books always drag me in and make me feel very connected to the characters. Saif and Lorna’s storyline in this one had me sobbing and I was so invested in their relationship.
I loved all the wedding drama and mishaps, which were so funny and entertaining. Alongside the comedic elements we get so much heart, soul and depth, which makes this series so special! I highly recommend.

This book is part of the Mure series, set on a Small Scottish Island. I would definitely recommend reading the other books before reading this one.
I really enjoyed reading this book, it is one of my favourite books in the series so far. With the unexpected ending, I really hope that there will be another book in the series.
I have read a couple of reviews where reviewer have felt frustrated that some of the characters are in the same situation as they were in the earlier books.
Some of the situations are complicated though, Saif for example with not knowing what had happened to his family in previous books, as well as applying for Citizenship, this was never going to be a storyline that would be easily resolved in a couple of books.
I do not personally have a problem with the storyline continuing over several books. I think that Saifs story has been written well and very sensitively.
This book is very emotional in places, and I actually shed a tear towards the end of the book. There was also a lot of humour, with the outrageous Wedding demands. I'm really looking forward to reading Jenny Colgan's next book.

I didn't realise that this but was in a series, there was 3% of introduction into who the characters were, I was confused so didn't read it at this time, if I read the others I will give it a go, but I do think I would have been lost, sorry,

I was optimistic about this book, having read previous work by this author, and I am delighted to discover this exceeded them all. The writing style flows well, resulting in a pleasant and entertaining summer read. The cover is stunning and will look beautiful on anyone’s bookshelf.

This read is a part of a series but works wonderfully as a standalone, which had made me want to invest in the rest of them. I could have read this in one sitting if I had the time, as the cheerfulness, delightful and heart-warming aspect made this an ideal read for fans of this genre.

An Island Wedding tell the story of 3 couples, and all 6 characters are likeable and have their strengths and flaws, but nothing too dramatic to take away from the cosiness of this read.

I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a feel-good read. This is available to pre-order today!

So great to back on the island of Mure with Flora, Joel, little Douglas and my personal favourite the absolute tyrant who is Agot. The Rock is taking off and doing well with their band of helpers . Flora keeps refusing to book weddings but when she’s approached by a former local she gets caught up in the preparations and the upset that it is causing in some corners. With the family and Lorna and Saif it feels like reading about friends with comedy and tears Jenny Colgan knows exactly how to write a bestseller . I already can’t wait for the next Mure book

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

It was so lovely to be back on Mure, back with old friends and meeting new ones.

The book carries on with the story of Flora and her family and friends, making this books a lovely read, it’s set in a beautiful place with varied characters and food to make your mouth water.

Its time for weddings, Flora and Joel are planning theirs, a small ceremony, and there is also a wedding, which will be a bigger occasion for Olivia, she grew up on the island who, she is not bothered about the cost for her midsummer extravaganza.

But, it’s not plain sailing as there are all sorts of problems that arise with the planning. So, will both couples get the wedding they want?

A fabulous read full of forgiveness and love, and expectantly a happy ever after.

Highly recommend this series.