About The Book (from Amazon)
It's a time for getting cozy in front of whisky barrel wood fires, and enjoying a dram and a treacle pudding with the people you love—unless, of course, you've accidentally gotten pregnant by your ex-boss, and don't know how to tell him. In the season for peace and good cheer, will Flora find the nerve to reveal the truth to her nearest and dearest? Will her erstwhile co-parent Joel think she’s the bearer of glad tidings—or is this Christmas going to be as bleak as the Highlands in midwinter?

Meanwhile Saif, a doctor and refugee from war-torn Syria is trying to enjoy his first western Christmas with his sons on this remote island where he’s been granted asylum. His wife, however, is still missing, and her absence hangs over what should be a joyful celebration. Can the family possibly find comfort and joy without her?

Travel to the beautiful northern edge of the world and join the welcoming community of Mure for a Highland Christmas you'll never forget! And warm up your kitchen with bonus recipes for the Little Beach Street Bakery’s seasonal shortbread, Lanark Blue Scones, and Black Buns

Review
Reading this book feels like sitting under a warm blanket in front of the fire with a cup of cocoa right before Christmas. I get drawn into the feeling of life and relationships in a close knit community on the island. Feels like I am right there, in the dark, the winds from the Arctic and the snow. I get the vivid nature descriptions of Northern Scotland in December, the remoteness and the close community feel.

This story is set around the Seaside Café where owner Flora tries to run a business. She has support of her big family which she is going to need as she accidentally becomes pregnant to her Joel, boyfriend. He has a troubled past as a foster child, no family connections to speak of and is unable to support Flora in the beginning of the story. As the story progresses, Flora and Joel go through a rough patch but their characters develop and mature together.

What sets this story apart is that it has the perspective of a Middle Eastern doctor and his family trying to settle into island life where everybody knows everybody else. It describes how the doctor and his 2 sons deal with war traumas each in their own way. The doctor himself, suffering insecurities and a sense of loss not knowing what has happened to his wife.

An Island Christmas is highly recommended for readers of Jenny Colgan’s other work and for fans of the chick-lit genre in general.
(All opinions in this review are my own).