Royal Holiday

August 15, 2019
A woman finds love in her mid-50s on a vacation to England. Vivian Forest is happy with her life in the San Francisco Bay Area and excited about a promotion at work. Fans will also recognize Vivian as Maddie's no-nonsense mother from Guillory's previous novel, The Wedding Party (2019). When Maddie's job as a stylist lands her a once-in-a-lifetime chance to dress a British royal--similar to the duchesses of Cambridge and Sussex--for the holidays, she insists that Vivian accompany her to England. Once they arrive, Vivian catches the eye of Malcolm Hudson, the private secretary to the queen. Vivian's adventures seem designed to please American Anglophiles who are obsessed with the monarchy and daydream about picking out a dress for the duchess, sharing a plate of sandwiches with the duke, or dropping into a perfect curtsey at a chance encounter with the queen. Vivian's courtship with Malcolm is genteel, charming, and virtually conflict-free. They take long walks on the royal estate, pass notes back and forth via footmen, and go horseback riding. Malcolm asks Vivian to extend her vacation after Maddie returns to California; neither of them is interested in a long distance relationship, but they can have a romantic fling in London. They are well suited to help each other navigate personal crises: Malcolm uses his professional knowledge to help Vivian evaluate her career path while she uses her skills as a social worker to help him repair a rift with his beloved nephew. Vivian and Malcolm aren't luddites who are afraid of using mobile phones, so the authorial choice to have them continue a trans-Atlantic relationship without the benefit of modern technology is bewildering. What was charming quickly becomes twee. Reads like a made-for-TV Christmas movie screenplay--all sugar and no substance.

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Starred review from September 1, 2019

When Vivian Forest's daughter Maddie (the heroine of Guillory's previous book, The Wedding Party) asks if she'd like to spend Christmas in England in the residence of royalty, the fiftysomething, Oakland-based social worker thinks it's a joke. Maddie, a stylist to a duchess, tells Vivian she will simply get to enjoy a vacation, which quickly becomes the trip of a lifetime when Vivian meets Malcolm, the handsome and courteous private secretary to the Queen. He takes her on a tour of the royal estate, which leads to horseback riding, exchanging adorable handwritten notes, and sharing many delectable scones. After Christmas, they continue enjoying each other's company in London, with Vivian set to return to the States on New Year's Day to begin a new position. Vivian and Malcolm bring out the best in each other; her patience and quiet strength help him deal with family conflict, while he inspires her to make happiness her top priority. VERDICT Filled with delightful, swoon-worthy dates and many laughs, this affectionate, cross-continent holiday romance is perfect for cozying up with on a cold winter's night. Fans of this popular series will be clamoring for this latest entry.--Jenna Friebel, Oak Park P.L., IL

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2019
When Maddie Forest (last seen in The Wedding Party, 2019) gets a job styling an English Duchess for the holidays, she convinces her overworked mom, Vivian, to join her at Sycamore Cottage in the English countryside. Vivian is too busy as a hospital social worker to think about much more than whether or not she's ready to take on her boss's job when she retires. She needs a break, so she reluctantly allows Maddie to force her into some spontaneity. Malcolm Hudson, private secretary to the Queen, theoretically has duties at neighboring Sandringham House, but he can't seem to stop himself from volunteering to be Vivian's tour guide, then horseback riding instructor, then date to the Christmas Eve dinner. Divorced protagonists in their fifties are rare enough in mainstream romance; add the fact that Vivian knows she's still got it and some frank conversations about race and the royal family (plus Guillory's stellar reputation), and readers will forgive any shortcomings in this timely holiday romp.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Guillory's romance star keeps rising, and this diverting tale featuring older characters is sure to enhance readers' holiday spirit.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)