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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
emotional
informative
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This lovely cozy historical fiction mystery novel is so compelling because of the ensemble of beautiful characters created by Jennifer Robson. Set in post-war London, the diverse and quirky cast of characters come together at the Blue Lion hotel, a historic hotel run by Edie Howard. Edie is a beautifully kind and friendly proprietress of the hotel. Each character has a story, and they come together within the familiar confines of the Blue Lion. Told from a different character’s perspective in each chapter, we learn about each one’s war story and how arrived in time for the queen’s coronation. There is some underlying intrigue as a mystery villain seeks to destroy Edie’s hard work and is trying to ruin the prospects of the Blue Lion. If you enjoy cozy stories where friendships blossom in unexpected ways with some light mystery mixed in, this novel is for you. This reminded me of the Constance Kopp cozy historical fiction mystery series or Maisie Dobbs series. Fans of the film, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, will be charmed by this story as well.
informative
reflective
fast-paced
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Review: This lovely cozy historical fiction mystery novel is so compelling because of the ensemble of beautiful characters created by Jennifer Robson. Set in post-war London, the diverse and quirky cast of characters come together at the Blue Lion hotel, a historic hotel run by Edie Howard. Edie is a beautifully kind and friendly proprietress of the hotel. Each character has a story, and they come together within the familiar confines of the Blue Lion. Told from a different character’s perspective in each chapter, we learn about each one’s war story and how arrived in time for the queen’s coronation. There is some underlying intrigue as a mystery villain seeks to destroy Edie’s hard work and is trying to ruin the prospects of the Blue Lion. If you enjoy cozy stories where friendships blossom in unexpected ways with some light mystery mixed in, this novel is for you. This reminded me of the Constance Kopp cozy historical fiction mystery series or Maisie Dobbs series. Fans of the film, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, will be charmed by this story as well.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Coronation Year is a thematic follow-up to a previous Jennifer Robson title, The Gown, this time chronicling the lead-up to Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in June 1953. Given how long traditional publishing can take from conception to finished book, was no doubt conceived to honor the seventieth anniversary of her coronation, and now serves double duty of marking the coronation of the new king, Charles III.
Unlike The Gown, which focused solely on Elizabeth’s wedding gown and the preparations for it, there are a few different fictional players who come together for a plot that uses the coronation preparations as a backdrop. Each of them is compelling, having their own things to contribute to the event and the plot. I also liked how each was fleshed out with their own personal stakes in the event, which was widely viewed as a celebration after long hard years of war and the aftermath.
While the narrative initially feels very character-focused and about each of the co-protagonists finding a new sense of purpose or direction, there’s an external plot surrounding bomb threats on Coronation Day. And the way it ties into a dispute over ownership over the Blue Lion created a nice thread of suspense.
This is a great tribute book that also incorporates the experiences of regular people during the time period. If you enjoy historical fiction related to the Royal Family, I recommend checking this out!
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Thoroughly enjoyed my time with this historical fiction following the months leading up to Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation on June 2, 1953. We follow three perspectives and one timeline. The main story is about a historic hotel and the owner trying to keep it afloat. There were themes of racism, love, loss, and overcoming the past.
The one aspect that I didn’t love was the “villain” revealed towards the end and their motivation to destroy the hotel. It was out of left field in my opinion and just silly. Although everything wrapped up nicely and I still loved my time with the majority of the story, I wish the author could have reworked that part.
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced electronic reader copy of this book for review.
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ ½
Genre: Historical Fiction
The year is 1953, and Queen Elizabeth II is being crowned monarch for the first time. The citizens of London are excited to commemorate this momentous anniversary. The story takes place in the Blue Lion Hotel, which is recognized as a landmark in the city of London. On that particular day, the hotel's position will be quite important since Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be traveling through the area. The tale is delivered in a third-person narrative and is recounted from the points of view of three different individuals. This hotel was left to Edie Howard by her parents, and despite the fact that it is struggling financially, she has decided to keep it and try to make it successful, especially considering the prospects that are being presented by the coronation.
Then there is James Geddes, a Scottish artist with Indian ancestry. He is hired to create a painting of the coronation day. The third character is Stella Donati, who is a Holocaust survivor and travels from Rome to London for a job opportunity as a photographer. Jamie and Stella will both end up staying at the Blue Lion Hotel, where they will develop a relationship with the owner. Everything looks promising up until the point when threats emerge and attempt to derail everyone's plans. The three protagonists are going to do all in their power to work together and bring the unknown dangers to light.
This was a novel that kept my interest throughout. I think the author did a good job of capturing the historical atmosphere of that time period. The ambiance of London is captured really accurately in this piece, and I believe that it will result in a reading experience that will stick with the reader. The narrative begins in January 1953 and continues through the month of June, when the coronation takes place.
I think the writer did an excellent job developing the characters and giving them interesting backstories. Every one of them has its own unique history. The reader will have an easy time relating to them and connecting with them. The work as a whole is enjoyable, but the mystery component just doesn't pack the same kind of punch that I often expect when reading a novel that has some kind of mystery in it. The resolution of the mystery aspect was foreseeable and, at some points, also convenient. Despite that, I found this to be an enjoyable read.
Thanks a lot to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an advanced reader copy of this book.
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Coronation Year is one of those books that gently takes your hand and guides you back in time. This phenomenon did not come as a surprise to me as Jennifer Robson has a way of doing this through her writing.
It is one thing to write historical fiction using solid research but it is an entirely other to incorporate research with an intriguing story. Coronation Year is indeed an intriguing story. Between the three main characters Robson weaves a tale of a time rarely explored in fiction (ie. non-war UK history). She did something similar with The Gown and I think it works just as well here.
Queen Elizabeth's coronation is the catalyst for everything. It is what brings our characters together at the main setting, The Blue Lion. Edie, the proprietor barely keeping her head above the waters of debt. Stella, a young Italian with an unbelievably tragic past that's helping drive her passion in the present. And James, an artist struggling with his own demons of the past and prejudices of his present. Despite their differences of pasts and presents, they all manage to add their own mark to the history of the time. These three characters all jumped off the page and they are the types of characters you desperately wish were real!
As everyone comes together at The Blue Lion relationships start to form, both personal and professional. Robson also brings back a few characters from previous books. They don't have prominent roles but they add the right nostalgia to the story. I personally did a little happy dance mid-read when someone I "knew" popped up!
Told with care to both her characters and historical events, Coronation Year is sure to make fans of historical fiction very happy. And I'd wager that even those who are not fans of the monarchy will find the book enjoyable because the real story is about the people who witnessed history rather than those who made it!
It is one thing to write historical fiction using solid research but it is an entirely other to incorporate research with an intriguing story. Coronation Year is indeed an intriguing story. Between the three main characters Robson weaves a tale of a time rarely explored in fiction (ie. non-war UK history). She did something similar with The Gown and I think it works just as well here.
Queen Elizabeth's coronation is the catalyst for everything. It is what brings our characters together at the main setting, The Blue Lion. Edie, the proprietor barely keeping her head above the waters of debt. Stella, a young Italian with an unbelievably tragic past that's helping drive her passion in the present. And James, an artist struggling with his own demons of the past and prejudices of his present. Despite their differences of pasts and presents, they all manage to add their own mark to the history of the time. These three characters all jumped off the page and they are the types of characters you desperately wish were real!
As everyone comes together at The Blue Lion relationships start to form, both personal and professional. Robson also brings back a few characters from previous books. They don't have prominent roles but they add the right nostalgia to the story. I personally did a little happy dance mid-read when someone I "knew" popped up!
Told with care to both her characters and historical events, Coronation Year is sure to make fans of historical fiction very happy. And I'd wager that even those who are not fans of the monarchy will find the book enjoyable because the real story is about the people who witnessed history rather than those who made it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Antisemitism, Grief, Death of parent, War
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders