4.5 Stars

This book is such a cozy, sweet read. It is takes place during the year of the Queen’s Coronation (1953), but is less about that, and more about three characters who are all residents of the Blue Lion hotel, which is conveniently located on the route of the coronation procession. It made me happy to find out that Stella from Our Darkest Night and Miriam from The Gown are both in this book. The story was a little predictable, and I think I still love The Gown the best, but I truly enjoyed it. After I read The Gown, it got passed around between all the women in my life, and I could see doing the same with this one.

Thank you Harpercollins Canada, Uplit Reads and Netgalley for my advanced copy!

Coronation Year takes us back to 1953 London where the country prepares for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth.
The Blue Lion is a hotel that has been in Edie's family for centuries and has seen better days. When she learns that the hotel is on the coronation parade route, she feels hopeful that her family business can be turned around.
Two of the hotel patrons have both been hired to capture different aspects of the coronation. Jamie is a painter working on a painting to commemorate the anniversary of a local business on the parade route and Stella is a photographer for a magazine. Within the walls of the Blue Lion contains a mix of people who care about one another and support the monarchy but there are also some amonst them who cannot be trusted. Embedded in this historical fiction novel is a mystery that comes to life through the well developed diverse characters. I loved every bit of this book!

I have enjoyed all of Jennifer Robson's books, and this one was no exception. She writes well, and also develops her characters well. This take on the Queen's coronation in 1953 was an interesting one, centered around a hotel on the Coronation procession route. If you are at all interested in the British Royal Family, I recommend it!

✨ Review ✨ Coronation Year by Jennifer Robson

This book was an absolute delight of historical fiction. Set in the five months preceding Queen Elizabeth's coronation (June 2, 1953), the book follows the owner and two guests at the Blue Lion Hotel, a historic hotel on the coronation parade route. Edie began her ownership of the hotel after her parents died young, and she's trying to keep the hotel afloat. A family friend of Edie's, Stella moves in to the hotel after getting a job as a photographer at Picture Weekly Magazine. And, finally, James, war hero and artist, is commissioned to paint the image of QE2 passing by the building across the street from the Blue Lion on coronation day.

The book brilliantly rotates between these three characters to bring forward not only their individual viewpoints but also a sense of the network at the hotel and the interconnections between characters. I appreciated that it brought in Edie's struggles as a single young business owner; Stella's experience in WWII as a Jew, and James's constant battle with the racism he faces as a Scottish person with Indian ancestry. I loved the found family dynamics here as well.

I especially enjoyed the way this situates the characters' experiences in the postwar world -- featuring tensions in race and identity, photography and changing media, and more. It read beautifully as a work of historical fiction.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5)
Genre: historical fiction
Location: 1953 London
Reminds me of: I recently read Hotel of Secrets and this had similar "try to keep the hotel afloat" feelings
Pub Date: out now!

Read this if you like:
⭕️ historical fiction with multiple POVs
⭕️ found family
⭕️ stories peripheral to British royalty
⭕️ the postwar era

Thanks to William Morrow and #netgalley for an advanced e-copy of this book!

Since we are in a coronation year, this title will attract the attention of readers. This book, however, focuses on 1953, the year of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation.

It is not the queen but three residents of the 400-year-old Blue Lion Hotel that are central to the narrative. Edie Howard, the owner of the hotel, is struggling to keep it financially viable. The announcement that the coronation parade will pass directly in front of the hotel is a godsend. Stella Donati gets a job as a photographer for a London magazine, and one of her tasks is taking photos at the coronation. James Geddes is an artist who has been commissioned to do a painting of the procession.
The lives of these three become entwined, especially when it seems someone is striving to tarnish the hotel’s reputation and even threatens to disrupt Coronation Day.

I found the plot very predictable. That certain characters will become romantically involved is obvious from their first meetings. The villain is also easily identifiable. The only surprise is the villain’s motivation and that, unfortunately, is far-fetched. In fact, the action-packed resolution seems rather ridiculous and not in keeping with the tone of the rest of the book.

I also take issue with the main characters. All of them are so improbably perfect. Edie, for instance, is totally selfless, exceedingly kind and thoughtful with everyone, even troublesome guests. She is non-judgmental and empathetic towards everyone. Stella and James also have only positive traits. In the end, all emerge as heroes. I understand that the author wanted to create likeable characters, but they are too good to be authentic.

There are elements that are described so as to seem important and then are never mentioned again. Why, for example, is Dolly’s illness such a big deal? Is it only to emphasize Edie’s care and compassion for her employees? Edie notices that the cellar has been cleaned up by someone, but then that mystery is ignored? What really happened with the reservation book? The reader can only speculate.

Then there are the unrealistic events. The only explanation given for the professor’s presence in the cellar is that “he must have returned [to the hotel] in the wee hours”? A man who has been “in and out of prison half a dozen times for all manner of offenses” can so successfully operate under his assumed identity? How does Stella manage to get through a locked door?

The book touches on some serious subjects. Stella and James’ experiences during the war have left both with scars. James because of his mixed heritage must also contend with racism. But there are also touches of humour. The portrayal of the eccentric Hons cannot but bring a smile. I also liked the description of Canadian guests at the hotel: “The Canadians were slightly more reserved [than the Americans], though still very nice, and keen that she not confuse them with the Americans.”

Knowing that Queen Elizabeth II reigned for 70 years, it is impossible not to consider the significance of Edie’s thoughts about the young queen: “Edie would wager [Elizabeth] was already sick to death of at least some of the duties she’d inherited. Or maybe she wasn’t? Perhaps she enjoyed it all? Perhaps it truly gladdened the young queen’s heart to know the rest of her life would unfold in an endless succession of plaques to be unveiled, cornerstones to be revealed, ships to be named, trees to be planted, ribbons to be snipped . . . The queen was wealthy and admired and treated with deference, awe, and real affection wherever she went, but was it enough to outweigh her lack of freedom?”

Royalists and lovers of historical fiction looking for a charming, quiet, escapist read will enjoy this book. I can’t say I didn’t enjoy it, but my pleasure was certainly lessened by the too-perfect characters and predictable plot.

I don’t know if any of us could have predicted that the year Jennifer Robson published Coronation Year would be an actual coronation year. While her novel’s focus was on June 2, 1953, a day that was all about Queen Elizabeth II, this story is about far, far more than Her Majesty and the royal family. And the novel is amazing because of that. I was completely riveted and loved every moment I spent reading this book.

Here’s the book’s description:
It is Coronation Year, 1953, and a new queen is about to be crowned. The people of London are in a mood to celebrate, none more so than the residents of the Blue Lion hotel.
Edie Howard, owner and operator of the floundering Blue Lion, has found the miracle she needs: on Coronation Day, Queen Elizabeth in her gold coach will pass by the hotel’s front door, allowing Edie to charge a fortune for rooms and, barring disaster, save her beloved home from financial ruin. Edie’s luck might just be turning, all thanks to a young queen about her own age.


Stella Donati, a young Italian photographer and Holocaust survivor, has come to live at the Blue Lion while she takes up a coveted position at Picture Weekly magazine. London in celebration mode feels like a different world to her. As she learns the ins and outs of her new profession, Stella discovers a purpose and direction that honor her past and bring hope for her future.
James Geddes, a war hero and gifted artist, has struggled to make his mark in a world that disdains his Indian ancestry. At the Blue Lion, though, he is made to feel welcome and worthy. Yet even as his friendship with Edie deepens, he begins to suspect that something is badly amiss at his new home.
When anonymous threats focused on Coronation Day, the Blue Lion, and even the queen herself disrupt their mood of happy optimism, Edie and her friends must race to uncover the truth, save their home, and expose those who seek to erase the joy and promise of Coronation Year.
I’ve been reading (and loving) Robson’s books for a number of years now and have known about her for even longer (you know how it is…so many books, so little time). My favourite is her 2017 release, Goodnight from London, but every book I’ve read (and I’ve read all but one), is so, so very good. Coronation Year, though? This, I felt, is Robson at her best. She took a moment in time many of us know about - Queen Elizabeth’s coronation - and used it as a starting point to talk about the people who would have been impacted by it. The real people, the ones we can really identify with. (Since I don’t think I have any readers who are members of the British royal family?) Robson gave those characters a story that I adored and was so well put together.

I mention characters, plural. I was a wee bit worried when I realized the story was going to jump around between three different characters who were all connected by the Blue Lion hotel. That seemed like a lot of people to keep track of but I don’t know why I was concerned - Robson handled the multiple perspectives so very well and I never felt like I was missing out on someone’s story or was rushing through pages to get back to another character. Stella’s point of view might be the one that I would have liked to see more of but she was by no means neglected. I liked that her story pulled in characters that readers would remember from Goodnight from London, The Gown, and Our Darkest Night. (I don’t think I missed any other character Easter eggs…please do let me know if I did!) Each character had a unique point of view and they worked together seamlessly.



As the book’s description mentions, there was a bit of a mystery Edie needed to figure out - why was her hotel floundering and who would want to hurt her business - or her? I knew who the culprit was (and yes, found myself wanting to shake all the characters at numerous points saying, Why can’t you see that they’re the ones who are evil and ruining everything?!?) but the motive behind it and the climax was more than I could have imagined and was done really well. I was on the edge of my seat!

I love a Happily Ever After and really appreciate that Robson gives hints of romantic storylines in her books. But her stories are more about romantic entanglements and her knowledge of history, particularly British history, is where she excels. I never feel like she’s lecturing me and she provides just enough details that I can picture the scene perfectly and yet don’t feel like there’s been the dreaded info dump. It takes real skill to do that and I know that, when it comes to historical fiction, I am always in good hands with Robson.

I could go on and on about Coronation Year but all you really need to know about Jennifer Robson’s latest novel is that I loved it. Completely and whole-heartedly. If you’re a historical fiction fan, you must read this one.

*An egalley of this novel was provided by HarperCollins Canada via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

I went into this book unknowingly blind. I thought I was going to read a book about the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth and the mood wasn't quite striking me so I kept procrastinating. With the release date and by book tour date fast approaching, I knew I couldn't wait any longer. Don't judge a book by it's cover!

Yes, it takes place during the year of the Queen's Coronation and that event does impact the characters in the book. But that's the correlation! Coronation Year centers around Edie Howard, owner and host of the Blue Lion hotel. A bed and breakfast type hotel that has been in her family for generations, and yet she is barely keeping it afloat. As luck would have it, though, the Queen's coach will pass by her hotel on the way to Coronation. This could be the saving grace for Edie and her hotel. She will be able to rent rooms with a view of the royal procession. The event also will have a lasting impact on two other residents at the hotel. Picture Weekly is taking a chance on a young photographer, Stella. Stella has already survived the worst, and it trying to make a future for herself. Jamie, an Indian resident, is a struggling artist in a country that he considers home but is regarded as an outsider. A successful commissioned project could change his life. However, all of this is endangered and the three new friends work together to try and save the day, the hotel and their futures.
A slow paced and cozy historical mystery with endearing characters, Coronation Year also tackles some difficult discussions. While trying to make a life for themselves, Jamie is subjected to racism and Stella carries the scars of the Holocaust. This will be the book that will keep coming to mind. Don't be fooled by the slow pace. It actually is quite deep.

I had previously read and loved The Gown by Jennifer Robson, so when I saw that she had a new book that centered around Queen Elizabeth's coronation, I instantly knew that I wanted to read it. It didn't disappoint! I love how Robson took a major event like the coronation and used it as a backdrop, part of the setting, to bring all of the characters together. Set in 1953 London in the months leading up to coronation day, the city and most of the characters are still dealing with the after effects of WWII. Each chapter goes back and forth between the three main characters: Edie, who is the sole surviving heir to her families 500 year old hotel The Blue Lion; Jamie, still affected by PTSD from the war trying to make his way in the world as an artist; and Stella, a photographer and Holocaust survivor. All live at the Blue Lion and as their friendships deepen, so does a mystery threatening to ruin the coronation.

I truly enjoyed reading this book and of course it couldn't have come at a better time as the UK prepares for the coronation of a new king. I hope Robson continues to put out books like this one because I will be reading them all! Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this great read.

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.

Before I get started, Jamie’s dad is by far my favorite character. He was in probably six pages, but he was oh so perfect.

This book follows the lives of three people that all live in The Blue Lion during the year the Queen was crowned. Edie is the owner. Stella is a family friend of Edie’s and a photographer working for a local magazine. Jamie is an artist staying at the hotel to work on a painting of Coronation Day. The story follows their lives, how they cross paths, and how together they end up saving the Coronation. There is a light romance or two thrown in as well as a traitorous plot.

Well written and developed. I loved this take on historical fiction. It took place after the war but you could still see lingering effects from it. Such a great story….and I now want high tea.

Thanks to Netgalley for ARC of this book
From the author of The Gown another story about the supporting characters surrounding Queen Elizabeth during an important event in her life. Story is told from 3 distinct POV. Enjoyed how the back story of characters unfolded gradually. I did see the twist coming but still enjoyed the story. Author is becoming an auto buy for me. Love how she uses big events to tell the stories of ordinary people.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for a complimentary e-ARC for my honest opinion.

Another very enjoyable historical novel by Jennifer Robson. This was set during the time around Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation in 1953. The characters were well developed and she shows how their lives intersect at the Blue Lion Hotel. The second half of the book is fast-paced leading up to the Coronation. She keeps the suspense building as someone is sabotaging the hotel’s reputation. Will the mystery be resolved in time?

Looking forward to Jennifer Robson’s next novel.

#CoronationYear #NetGalley

4.5 ⭐️ - Coronation Year is a historical fiction novel, on it's face about QEII but in reality about so much more. It also succeeds as a romance and a mystery, creating multiple layers of intrigue and brief commentary on various challenges to British life (and cheeky commentary about Brit-Scot relations). I thoroughly enjoyed this and Robson continues to be an auto-read author for me.

As well - representation during this timeperiod is not always done well, but this book successfully represents diversity even in minor characters, including biracial main characters (Scottish-Indian, Italian-Jewish, others), Holocaust survivor, interracial romance, female business owner in the 1950s, and more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free advance copy.

Quick and Dirty⁣
-triple POV with short chapters⁣
-Historical Mystery⁣
-Romance subplot⁣
-Cozy, fun read⁣
⁣
Musings⁣
This was my first Robson book, and it will not be my last! The Gown has been on my TBR for a long time, and after finishing Coronation Year I've decided it's high time I prioritize the predecessor. I enjoy a cozy mystery from time to time, so this scratched that itch and then some. I loved seeing the story through the eyes of all three main characters, each of which felt human and completely relatable in some way. The possible romance was definitely one of the best parts, particularly because Robson does such a good job convincing us that Edie is married to the hotel. I will say I kept waiting throughout the first half of the book to get to the mystery, which likely means there's a slight pacing issue. But the character stories happening did a good job of distracting me from the slight lull. Overall, this was a great change of pace after some recent heavy reads. There was something for everyone: action, redemption, friendship stories, betrayal, romance, duty/honor, and chosen family. If you're looking for a lighter, more hopeful post-WWII novel, give this one a chance!

This historical fiction book centers around the 1953 Coronation of Queen Elizabeth.

The Blue Lion hotel has been in the Howard family for 450 years. The hotel is struggling and current owner, Edie, is excited to find out the Queen’s processional will pass right by the hotel.

The other two main characters, Stella Donati, an Italian photojournalist, and James Geddes, a Scottish painter, both take up residency at the Blue Lion for the coronation.

This book also has a mystery as it appears that someone is trying to
sabotage the Blue Lion so Edie will have to sell.

You don’t have to be obsessed with the royals to enjoy this book because the multiple plots and great characters made this a hard one to put down.

Coronation Year is a heart-wrenching and poignant masterpiece. The author's powerful prose and well-crafted characters make this her best work yet. The novel unflinchingly portrays the horrors of war, while also highlighting the unbreakable strength of love in the face of hate. Robson's writing is both captivating and emotional, drawing readers into the story and making them feel as though they are living through the events alongside the characters. The novel is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love to overcome even the most difficult of circumstances.

London - 1953

Miss Edie Howard, 32, is the owner of the Blue Lion Hotel. It has been around for 400 years passed down through generations of Howards. When Edie lost her parents, the hotel came to her and she is working very hard to keep it going. The age of it and the lack of money makes that difficult for her.

Queen Elizabeth II is to be crowned in the upcoming months and Edie is thrilled to learn that her carriage will come right down the street in front of her hotel. Therefore, she has managed to reserve some of her best rooms for a fair amount of money for people wanting to get a good view of the Queen in her carriage.

Stella Donati has been living in Rome since her parents were imprisoned and killed by the Nazis. Her passion has long been photography and she wants to be a professional photographer. So, when she answers an ad for a photographer at a London magazine, she is delighted when she is hired for the job. As a long time friend of Edie, she becomes a boarder at the Blue Lion.

Jamie Geddes, 33, is of Indian descent. He is well educated and grew up in Edinburgh. His passion is painting and has been working hard in London to make ends meet. When he gets a commission to paint a picture of the new Queen in her carriage in front a certain business, he takes it. To make things convenient, he too becomes a boarder at the Blue Lion.

These people become involved in one another’s lives as they all work toward Queen Elizabeth’s coronation day. But, there is mischief afoot because someone doesn’t want this to go well.

This is a most unusual story and one that convinces me that the author has quite an extraordinary imagination. Well written with great characters and beautiful descriptions. With the coronation of Charles III coming up, this book will whet your appetite for it. Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

If you are in need of a dose of QE II, look no further. This book is guaranteed to give you a little boost and make up your royalty deficiency for the week. Jennifer Robson's latest release (Happy Pub Day!) is a delight. Three characters are the basis of our story set in 1953, the year Queen Elizabeth was crowned on June 2. A small hotel named the Blue Lion is our focus. With the new monarch set to rid by on her way to the abbey for the ceremony, the guestrooms are booked. Edie Howard, the proprietor, is our first character. Also included are photographer Stella Donati and painter Jamie Geddes are the other two with key assignments on Coronation Day. On top of the anticipation building up, there is a mystery to solve and a believable, satisfying solution that is right on time. Also noted was a cross-over character from the setting of The Gown and a reference to the bookstore/proprietor featured in 84, Charing Cross Road (Robson must be a fan of that book!).

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank-you to William Morrow publishers and NetGalley for the eARC of this book. And how timely that I am writing this review on the release date! This was a quick and enjoyable story taking place in the first half of 1953 in London. Edwina "Edie" Howard owns and manages the Blue Lion, a small hotel near Westminster Abbey that happens to be situated on the procession route for Queen Elizabeth II on the day of her coronation. The hotel has been in Edie's family for centuries and being the only living family member, she feels an immense pressure to maintain and grow the enterprise. But the hotel is far from thriving, with many vacant rooms and only a meager business trade in the tearoom. The coming coronation has attracted many visitors however and the reservations are coming in quickly. Jamie Geddies, a Scottish artist has been commissioned to paint a scene of the coronation procession, and moves into the Blue Lion for an extended period. Likewise Stella Donati whose parents were friends with Edie's parents before the war, moves from Italy to take a photography job at one of the London news magazines, and moves into the Blue Lion. These two characters figure prominently in the story that sees Edie grappling with the threat of someone within the Blue Lion trying to sabotage the plans for the coronation procession.
As in all Jennifer Robson books, there are beautiful descriptions of setting, and well developed characters. There is intrigue and romance, and some mystery although quite predictable.
This book will be well-loved by Jennifer Robson fans, and anyone who enjoys stories set in post-war London, with lots of royal overtones.

If you're a fan of all things royal you'll enjoy this Royals adjacent historical fiction about the lives of three different residents of the Blue Lion hotel as they prepare for Queen Elizabeth's Coronation Day.

I really liked how this was fiction placed in a historical time and that the characters and settings of the Blue Lion were fictional. I liked reading about the set up and what people were doing to celebrate the Coronation and the historical atmosphere. I wasn't expecting the mystery to be as central of the plot but I really liked Edie, Stella and James storylines.