Scan barcode
A review by vivianaxmoreno
Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory
3.0
3/5
I read this installment of The Wedding Date series in a couple of days, but this one could've easily ben read in one sitting. It was definitely the quickest out of the series so far. But it's also probably my least favorite –– that's not to say I didn't enjoy it because I always enjoy a quick, sweet read.
I loved that the book centered on Vivian and Malcolm, who are both in their 50s. Ageism is very real, so it made me happy to see a book dedicated to a couple older than 20s/30s because love stories should come in all ages and stages of life.
Despite most of relationship's development taking place over a week, I found the book well-paced and not rushed. It felt natural how they immediately felt attracted to each other and the flow of their mutual interest in each other. However, I thought there was a lack of substance –– Malcolm, like almost all of the characters of the series, doesn't want anything serious (which of course is partly because of the 5,000 miles that separate their homes), but it's never really explained. And then all of a sudden, he's at her doorstep and they've decided to be together and just see how the long-distance relationship goes. I needed more depth, more description, more explaining.
And the ending felt incomplete. I appreciate that they just don't know how things will go and are just living their lives and being together when they can. But the decorating-for-Christmas ending left me unsatisfied. Malcolm's new job hinted at a possible relocation to San Francisco, but that isn't delved into. I just left like there were loose ends that I wished were answered.
I've realized I probably only list out my shortcomings with the novels, but I also do really enjoy them, especially after a long day when I just want to sink into a novel and enjoy it without thinking too hard.
On to Party of Two!
I read this installment of The Wedding Date series in a couple of days, but this one could've easily ben read in one sitting. It was definitely the quickest out of the series so far. But it's also probably my least favorite –– that's not to say I didn't enjoy it because I always enjoy a quick, sweet read.
I loved that the book centered on Vivian and Malcolm, who are both in their 50s. Ageism is very real, so it made me happy to see a book dedicated to a couple older than 20s/30s because love stories should come in all ages and stages of life.
Despite most of relationship's development taking place over a week, I found the book well-paced and not rushed. It felt natural how they immediately felt attracted to each other and the flow of their mutual interest in each other. However, I thought there was a lack of substance –– Malcolm, like almost all of the characters of the series, doesn't want anything serious (which of course is partly because of the 5,000 miles that separate their homes), but it's never really explained. And then all of a sudden, he's at her doorstep and they've decided to be together and just see how the long-distance relationship goes. I needed more depth, more description, more explaining.
And the ending felt incomplete. I appreciate that they just don't know how things will go and are just living their lives and being together when they can. But the decorating-for-Christmas ending left me unsatisfied. Malcolm's new job hinted at a possible relocation to San Francisco, but that isn't delved into. I just left like there were loose ends that I wished were answered.
I've realized I probably only list out my shortcomings with the novels, but I also do really enjoy them, especially after a long day when I just want to sink into a novel and enjoy it without thinking too hard.
On to Party of Two!