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A review by laura_cs
Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory
5.0
I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Jasmine Guillory is the queen of modern romance, and "Royal Holiday" proves it! (Seriously, where is her tiara?)
Vivian Forest is a hardworking social worker, who devotes so much time, effort, and energy into helping other people solve their problems. But she's never really taken the time to care for herself. So when her daughter, Maddie, invites her to go spend Christmas in England, she hesitates but agrees. The absolute last thing she was expecting to encounter across the pond, however, is the Queen of England's secretary, who happens to be an incredibly handsome black man her age that makes her swoon.
Malcolm Hudson just came to the Duke and Duchess' cottage for some scones. The last thing he expected was to become immediately besotted by a beautiful black American woman, visiting with her stylist daughter. He soon finds himself going out of his way--and busy, demanding schedule--to spend time with Vivian, telling her things about himself he never would to anyone else and finding himself happier than he has been in years. He wants to make her Christmas and time in England the best. But Malcolm can't help but wonder, what is it about Vivian that makes him go beyond his own boundaries, to relax and be more of himself around her?
A fantastic addition to the world of "The Wedding Date", "Royal Holiday" is fun, fluffy, and a perfect read no matter the time of year.
It is also an amazing romance novel with an unusual hero and heroine: both are over the age of fifty. This is great for a number of reasons. One is that this is not the typical age-range for romance novel protagonists, but that doesn't make it any less of a romance novel with all of the lovely, fluffy things that happen as the hero and heroine get to know each other and just have fun together. (Though there's a lot of tea and scones in this book, Vivian and Malcolm have plenty of adventures and cute date-like activities.)
Another is that the characters have a maturity in handling interpersonal relationship problems in ways that younger protagonists often either can't or don't; they don't let issues linger, and they handle them through communication. That is not to say they are immediately addressed, or there is no awkwardness, or even that there is a perfect solution with a neat bow. But it is definitely model relationship behavior.
And then, of course, there is that there is no age limit on finding true love!
Get your share of Christmas cheer (and pray that the final copy comes with a recipe for those scones) with "Royal Holiday"!
Jasmine Guillory is the queen of modern romance, and "Royal Holiday" proves it! (Seriously, where is her tiara?)
Vivian Forest is a hardworking social worker, who devotes so much time, effort, and energy into helping other people solve their problems. But she's never really taken the time to care for herself. So when her daughter, Maddie, invites her to go spend Christmas in England, she hesitates but agrees. The absolute last thing she was expecting to encounter across the pond, however, is the Queen of England's secretary, who happens to be an incredibly handsome black man her age that makes her swoon.
Malcolm Hudson just came to the Duke and Duchess' cottage for some scones. The last thing he expected was to become immediately besotted by a beautiful black American woman, visiting with her stylist daughter. He soon finds himself going out of his way--and busy, demanding schedule--to spend time with Vivian, telling her things about himself he never would to anyone else and finding himself happier than he has been in years. He wants to make her Christmas and time in England the best. But Malcolm can't help but wonder, what is it about Vivian that makes him go beyond his own boundaries, to relax and be more of himself around her?
A fantastic addition to the world of "The Wedding Date", "Royal Holiday" is fun, fluffy, and a perfect read no matter the time of year.
It is also an amazing romance novel with an unusual hero and heroine: both are over the age of fifty. This is great for a number of reasons. One is that this is not the typical age-range for romance novel protagonists, but that doesn't make it any less of a romance novel with all of the lovely, fluffy things that happen as the hero and heroine get to know each other and just have fun together. (Though there's a lot of tea and scones in this book, Vivian and Malcolm have plenty of adventures and cute date-like activities.)
Another is that the characters have a maturity in handling interpersonal relationship problems in ways that younger protagonists often either can't or don't; they don't let issues linger, and they handle them through communication. That is not to say they are immediately addressed, or there is no awkwardness, or even that there is a perfect solution with a neat bow. But it is definitely model relationship behavior.
And then, of course, there is that there is no age limit on finding true love!
Get your share of Christmas cheer (and pray that the final copy comes with a recipe for those scones) with "Royal Holiday"!