Books On Board
series Reading Order

Mure Books in Order

6 Books
2017 – 2022 Published
Jump to reading order
Affiliate links: We may earn a commission on purchases made at no extra cost to you.
Reading order

The Recommended Reading Path for Mure

If you are planning to visit the fictional island of Mure, the best way to do so is by following the publication order. While the series shifts its spotlight to new main characters in the later books, the overarching community, recurring cast members, and chronological timeline develop continuously across the novels. We recommend starting your journey with The Cafe by the Sea (also published in some regions as The Summer Seaside Kitchen). This novel introduces you to Flora MacKenzie, her family, and the charming, gossipy community of Mure, serving as the perfect entry point to the island's unique atmosphere.

For readers who prefer a strictly chronological experience, you can begin with the prequel novella, A Very Distant Shore (Book 0.5). However, because it is a shorter, more focused story about the Syrian refugee doctor Saif, most fans agree that reading it after the first novel or right before The Endless Beach makes for a more emotionally satisfying introduction. Whichever way you choose to start, reading the books in order ensures you do not miss the subtle character growth and evolving relationships that tie the islanders together.

Jenny Colgan's Mure Books in Publication Order

Here is the complete list of books set on the island of Mure, ordered by their original publication dates. Several titles have alternate names depending on whether you are reading the UK or US editions, which we have noted below to help you avoid accidentally buying the same book twice:

  1. The Cafe by the Sea (2017) – Also published as The Summer Seaside Kitchen. This core novel kicks off the series, following Flora MacKenzie as she reluctantly returns to her home island of Mure from London on a work assignment and ends up opening a charming seaside bakery.
  2. A Very Distant Shore (2017) – A Quick Reads novella (Book 0.5) that details how Saif, a doctor fleeing war-torn Syria, finds refuge and a new beginning on Mure, helped by the local schoolteacher Lorna.
  3. The Endless Beach (2018) – Flora's story continues as she tries to make her new life on the island permanent while navigating her complicated relationship with her former boss, Joel.
  4. Christmas on the Island (2018) – Also published as An Island Christmas. A festive installment where the community comes together to face cold northern winds, unexpected pregnancies, and the struggle to reunite Saif with his missing family.
  5. Christmas at the Island Hotel (2020) – The opening of a luxurious boutique hotel on Mure brings new faces, kitchen drama, and romantic tension during the coldest season of the year.
  6. An Island Wedding (2022) – The original Flora MacKenzie story arc reaches a major milestone as plans for a beautiful, festive summer wedding bring both joy and chaotic family drama to the island.
  7. The Summer Skies (2023) – This novel shifts the focus to a new protagonist, Morag MacIntyre, a pilot who returns to the islands to run her family's small aviation business, braving dangerous weather and new romances.
  8. Close Knit (2024) – Serving as a direct continuation of The Summer Skies, this story follows Gertie MacIntyre as she leaves her knitting circle behind to become a flight attendant on Morag's island airline routes.
  9. Meet Me at the Seaside Cottages (2026) – The latest addition to the Mure universe follows Janey Carter as she renovates run-down seaside cottages alongside her daughter, Essie, who has returned home to rebuild her life.

Understanding the Series Shifts and Companion Works

As you dive deeper into the Mure series, it is helpful to understand how the books are structured. The first five novels and the prequel novella (Books 1 through 5, plus 0.5) form the core Flora MacKenzie and Dr. Saif storylines. These books feature a high degree of continuity, and reading them out of order is highly discouraged because major life events, relationship resolutions, and community milestones build directly upon the events of previous books.

Starting with book six, The Summer Skies, Jenny Colgan expands the scope of Mure. While still set in the same windswept archipelago and containing frequent cameos from the staff at the cafe and hotel, the focus shifts to the local airline and the MacIntyre family. While books like The Summer Skies, Close Knit, and Meet Me at the Seaside Cottages can technically be enjoyed as standalone stories, they are far more rewarding if you are already familiar with the geography of Mure and the existing island dynamics.

What to Know Before You Start

Jenny Colgan's Mure is a fictional island, but it is heavily inspired by the real landscapes, culture, and weather of Scotland's northernmost archipelagos: the Orkney and Shetland Isles. Readers should prepare themselves for a setting that acts as its own character, complete with brief, sun-drenched summers where the sun barely sets, and long, dark winters where cozy fires and tight-knit community support are survival requirements.

While the series falls squarely into the cozy romance and feel-good fiction categories, Colgan does not shy away from heavier, realistic themes. Throughout the series, characters deal with the realities of grief, family estrangement, terminal illness, and the complex integration of refugees into small-town life. This blend of lighthearted romance with genuine emotional depth is what elevates Mure above standard romantic comedies. As an added bonus for food lovers, many of the books include delicious recipes at the back, allowing you to recreate Flora's famous scones and other Scottish treats in your own kitchen.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the best order to read Jenny Colgan's Mure series?

The best order is the publication order, starting with The Cafe by the Sea. Follow this with the prequel novella A Very Distant Shore, and then read the rest of the novels in sequence to properly follow the characters' personal growth and community updates.

QWhere should I start reading the Mure books?

You should start with The Cafe by the Sea (also known as The Summer Seaside Kitchen). While A Very Distant Shore is a prequel, it is best appreciated after you have already fallen in love with Mure in the first full-length novel.

QCan the Mure books be read as standalones?

The first five books (the Flora MacKenzie arc) are highly interconnected and should be read in order. The later books, starting with The Summer Skies, introduce new main characters and can be read as standalones, though they are still set on Mure and feature familiar cameos.

QAre there alternate titles for the Mure books?

Yes. The Cafe by the Sea is published in the UK as The Summer Seaside Kitchen, and Christmas on the Island is sometimes published as An Island Christmas. Be sure to check the titles to avoid buying duplicates.

QIs the island of Mure a real place?

No, Mure is a fictional island. However, author Jenny Colgan based it on her love for the real Scottish archipelagos of Orkney and Shetland, capturing their rugged beauty and weather.

QWhat is the novella 'A Very Distant Shore' about?

It is a short prequel story focusing on Dr. Saif, a Syrian refugee doctor who arrives on Mure to work as the island's new GP, and his growing connection with Lorna, the local schoolteacher.