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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
This was undoubtedly one of my most-anticipated reads of 2023 and it did not disappoint!! Set in 1953 London the story follows Edie Howard, owner of the (fictional) Blue Lion Hotel and the people who work and stay there in the days leading up to the Queen's coronation.
I really enjoyed that this story didn't actually focus all that much on the Queen herself but rather a group of very different people who were drawn to the city because of the celebration. Edie is depending on the fact that her hotel is on the parade route to help bolster revenue and possibly help save the hotel.
Meanwhile we also learn about an Italian woman photographer and a war hero turned artist, who are both assigned to cover the coronation in different ways. Throw in a surprising element of suspense in the form of a threat to the queen and a kidnapping and this book was highly entertaining!
I'm super excited to see the author later this month when she and her friends present at the HarperCollins High Tea in Toronto and the KPL Historical fiction panel the next day! Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollinsCA for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
I really enjoyed that this story didn't actually focus all that much on the Queen herself but rather a group of very different people who were drawn to the city because of the celebration. Edie is depending on the fact that her hotel is on the parade route to help bolster revenue and possibly help save the hotel.
Meanwhile we also learn about an Italian woman photographer and a war hero turned artist, who are both assigned to cover the coronation in different ways. Throw in a surprising element of suspense in the form of a threat to the queen and a kidnapping and this book was highly entertaining!
I'm super excited to see the author later this month when she and her friends present at the HarperCollins High Tea in Toronto and the KPL Historical fiction panel the next day! Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollinsCA for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
A quiet tale of a group of hurting people, drawn together by the coronation, who learn to find new life & love after all WWII has taken from them. I always enjoy Jennifer Robson’s clear writing style & charming characters.
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I enjoyed Jennifer Robson's The Gown, so I was excited to pick up her next installment of Royal Adjacent Historical Fiction.
The time is set in the year before Queen Elizabeth's Coronation. There is a hotel full of characters whose lives will be greatly impacted by the festivities, but not without a bit of drama and mystery along the way.
Really well done Historical Fiction.
The time is set in the year before Queen Elizabeth's Coronation. There is a hotel full of characters whose lives will be greatly impacted by the festivities, but not without a bit of drama and mystery along the way.
Really well done Historical Fiction.
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Quick and Dirty
-triple POV with short chapters
-Historical Mystery
-Romance subplot
-Cozy, fun read
Musings
This was my first Robson book, and it will not be my last! The Gown has been on my TBR for a long time, and after finishing Coronation Year I've decided it's high time I prioritize the predecessor. I enjoy a cozy mystery from time to time, so this scratched that itch and then some. I loved seeing the story through the eyes of all three main characters, each of which felt human and completely relatable in some way. The possible romance was definitely one of the best parts, particularly because Robson does such a good job convincing us that Edie is married to the hotel. I will say I kept waiting throughout the first half of the book to get to the mystery, which likely means there's a slight pacing issue. But the character stories happening did a good job of distracting me from the slight lull. Overall, this was a great change of pace after some recent heavy reads. There was something for everyone: action, redemption, friendship stories, betrayal, romance, duty/honor, and chosen family. If you're looking for a lighter, more hopeful post-WWII novel, give this one a chance!
-triple POV with short chapters
-Historical Mystery
-Romance subplot
-Cozy, fun read
Musings
This was my first Robson book, and it will not be my last! The Gown has been on my TBR for a long time, and after finishing Coronation Year I've decided it's high time I prioritize the predecessor. I enjoy a cozy mystery from time to time, so this scratched that itch and then some. I loved seeing the story through the eyes of all three main characters, each of which felt human and completely relatable in some way. The possible romance was definitely one of the best parts, particularly because Robson does such a good job convincing us that Edie is married to the hotel. I will say I kept waiting throughout the first half of the book to get to the mystery, which likely means there's a slight pacing issue. But the character stories happening did a good job of distracting me from the slight lull. Overall, this was a great change of pace after some recent heavy reads. There was something for everyone: action, redemption, friendship stories, betrayal, romance, duty/honor, and chosen family. If you're looking for a lighter, more hopeful post-WWII novel, give this one a chance!
adventurous
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
medium-paced