A review by kmesser
Coronation Year by Jennifer Robson

3.0

I read and enjoyed The Gown by Jennifer Robson so I was excited to see that she had another book coming out. I have been very weary of "historical fiction" of late, but I would classify this one as historical fiction "light." The backdrop is the coronation of Queen Elizabeth, but there's very little history. The story revolves around Edie, the owner of the Blue Lion, which she inherited; Stella, a photographer from Italy who survived the Holocaust; and Jamie, an English painter of Indian descent. The three become friends and their stories weave together while attempting to keep the Blue Lion afloat. The Blue Lion is situated closely to the parade route for the Queen's coronation and as such, Edie is preparing for the Coronation and the boom in business this would create. As the coronation draws nearer, it is clear there is sabotage occurring and the novel quickly sweeps you up into that plot as it occurs and unravels.

I just really like Robson's knack for writing a novel amidst the background of history. Her characters are always robust, and loveable, and she always makes me feel deeply for them.

This was a great spring read, and I can't wait to watch this come into the world.