Having absolutely loved The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory, I was really excited to learn she would be releasing a second book in 2019! Unfortunately, I think I was maybe just not the target audience for this romance. The main characters are in their 50s (one of which is the mother of Maddie from The Wedding Party) so I found a lot of that to be hard to relate to especially from a romantic perspective. What I did like was the Royal tie-ins, like crown jewels and Buckingham Palace references - because who doesn't love a good royal component to their books?!

Guillory's writing is sharp as ever here but this one just was not for me. I'll be first in line to pick up her 2020 book (right after I confirm the age range of the characters)

*Note - I love reading books about characters of all ages, generally. There was just something in a romance novel that I couldn't get around the ages with.

Ahhhh I loved this book so much! It just felt like a cozy sweater and immediately put me in the holiday spirit! Love that it was inspired by Doria. I really appreciated the older cast of characters because it's not something we see often, so to me it was very refreshing. Jasmine painted vivid pictures of the surroundings that I enjoyed and immediately wanted to hop on a flight to the UK. This was a fun, light read with a hug. Big fan.

Royal Holiday is a Hallmark Christmas movie waiting to happen. It’s a picturesque bit of fantasy that’s blessedly low on drama and high on sweetness.

Vivian Forest is a social worker with a clear love of her job and the people she helps, which won me over immediately. Vivian rarely does things for herself, so when her daughter, Maddie, talks her into taking a vacation to England where Maddie has been asked to dress a member of the royal family, Vivian packs her bags and is along for the ride. I loved seeing someone as hardworking, kind, and generous as Vivian get to sit back and enjoy herself. But life as the guest of royalty isn’t all tiaras and scones. There’s also the Queen’s sexy private secretary, Malcolm Hudson. Malcolm is the picture perfect version of a holiday fling. He’s handsome, sweet, and I seriously envied the private tours he took Vivian on.

Malcolm and Vivian are both in their fifties, know their own minds, and generally avoid manufactured drama, which I liked. Vivian’s time in England is the stuff of dreams, from picturesque walks on royal grounds to a private visit to the V&A and more. I adored being whisked away from reality by author Jasmine Guillory and was happy to suspend disbelief and enjoy the ride. Malcolm and Vivian’s love story glides with relative ease, keeping with the overall lighthearted tone of the book. I think it had potential to be more than a fluffy read had Ms. Guillory delved more deeply into both characters. It’s a pity, because Vivian and Malcolm both hinted at rich and interesting histories, so I would have loved to see them better fleshed out. And as much as I like a sweet read, I will say that Royal Holiday edged into saccharine territory more than once. Someone laughing or giggling on almost every page (most of the time for reasons I couldn’t understand) for the first three-quarters of the book was distracting and made me wish for tighter editing. But even with these issues, I think Royal Holiday is the kind of warm and cozy book you’d want to escape with on a cold winter’s night.

You could definitely tell it was an "in-between" kind of book as the writing wasn't as nuanced as what I'm used to from Guillory. I didn't particularly enjoy the characters, but that's probably because I would prefer reading about people my own age. I'm think older romance fans would enjoy. Cute, just not for me.

I have enjoyed the previous books in The Wedding Date series, and I was really looking forward to this jaunt across the seas, however, it did fall flat for me.

I did like that our leading couple were an older couple (it is getting harder and harder to get into a lot of these NA/college aged books as I am getting older). I did like the holiday fling aspect of the story, but once it moved from there, it just lost some of it's magic for me. I think we had to suspend way too much of our belief in this story than the previous Jasmine Guillory stories, and it takes you right out of things.

I am sure plenty of others will absolutely love everything about this book, but this one and I were not a great fit.

I love Jasmine Guillory's n0vels. I really never thought that I would willingly read a series of heterosexual contemporary romances. Each of her novels takes a familiar trope and that fund with it. Perhaps it's because each book stars a different POC, or because it acknowledges complicated relationships. And queer people exist.

This book features the falling-in-love-while-on-vacation trope. This time, however, it features two people in the their mid-fifties. Who have sex. And enjoy it.

I am a fan of Jasmine Guillory’s writing so I was really excited to receive a copy of Royal Holiday from the publisher for review. A trip to England, a chance to meet royalty and a vacation romance rolled into one sounded like the perfect read. Unfortunately, it was a miss for me. I’m not sure if it was because Vivian and Malcom are a bit older and in a different stage of their lives than I am but for some reason I had a difficult time connecting with the main characters and that’s a must for me to get pulled into a romance. The concept was adorable and there were some aspects of the plot I really enjoyed so I’m sure other people will really love this book.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Not too long ago, I had done a blog post about the lack of "mature" heroines in romance novels, and shortly thereafter, I heard about this book. Obviously, I was really excited about it. I would like to think, that love is a possibility at any age, and I enjoyed reading this "seasoned" romance.

Both Vivian and Malcolm were wonderful characters. They were interesting, witty, and I enjoyed getting to know them. More importantly, I adored seeing them get to know each other. I loved their interactions and thought they really well suited for one another. I found myself enjoying their time in England a LOT. The walks, the riding, the museums, the notes - I thought it was all really sweet, and I smiled as their attraction and affection grew. As a matter of fact, I never wanted to leave the holiday "bubble".

It was great seeing these two get their second chance at love. Their romance was sweet, endearing, and passionate, and I was all about this ship. I did want a little more from the ending, but overall, this was a very pleasant and charming read, which was quite fun and left a smile on my face.

3.25 Stars / 1 Steam Fan

I wanted to love this book until the sex scene and then the ending. THAT ENDING SUCKED!! I also think that ending drops it out of the romance genre and places it into the women's fiction category. Vivian is the mother of a previous character and joins her daughter in England for the Christmas season. While on the grounds of the Duke and Duchess, Vivian meets Malcolm and their mutual interest are explored. I liked the swift romance between Vivian and Malcolm but I think it started to do too much once it moved from a holiday fling to the possibility of forever. This one just missed the mark.

This specific video review will be included in the September 2019 wrap-up.

For other video book reviews check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.

I was a little disappointed by this book. I loved the previous books before this one! I had a hard time getting into this book. What I did like is that it’s a diverse book in the world of romance because the main characters are in their 50s.

I have really enjoyed Jasmine Guillory’s books up to this point. There was nothing inherently wrong or bad about “Royal Holiday” but it didn’t capture my interest like her previous books did and I found myself a bit bored while reading it. I appreciate that she focused the romance on people who are older than the typical romance novel couples but the relationship between Vivian and Malcolm didn’t interest me and their romance fell flat. This was well written like all of Guillory’s books but there was nothing special here. I will still read anything she writes but I would not recommend this one.

Very fun story! enjoyed that the focus was on an "older " woman finding love. I liked that her daughter encouraged it! We has readers who enjoy Jasmine's books and look forward to the next one.

This Jasmine Guillory book has older main characters which was a new change. It was cute and fluffy and I enjoyed the romance but it was lacking a bit. I still rated it a 4/5 though. I loved the England location and the descriptions of the setting. I am a sucker for Holiday Romances of any kind and this was no exception! Another charming read from an amazing author!

I'll read any Guillory book immediately, and this one is no exception! I look forward to recommending it to all my romance-reading friends and family.

I like Guillory's books - I haven't *loved* any of them, but I 100% support any break from the humdrum formula of the romance genre. This one did that on a number of counts (the main characters were, for instance, in their 50s) and I appreciate it for that, among other things. Have already ordered it (and the previous books in this series) for the library.

I just finished my advanced copy of Royal Holiday and LOVED IT!!! I adored adored adored the older main character - bravo for not writing another twenty something love story. Just marvelous.

I really wanted to love this book-I've enjoyed all of Jasmine Guillory's previous novels. I appreciate the diversity that she has brought to her books. This book is no different-and she adds in an interesting twist in that both main characters are older with established careers and families. Yet something was missing for me-I feel like she got a multi-book deal and had to finish this one in a hurry. There's not much of a plot-the time spent in the English countryside eating scones drags on. The conflict feels forced-I didn't buy that two consenting, mature adults couldn't figure out how to create and sustain a long-distance relationship or even have an honest conversation about it. I expected more from Guillory.

Some novels are five-course meals – some are boxes of petit fours. Royal Holiday is a petit four incarnate – sweet, light on disagreeable ingredients, simple, quick, fluffy and uncomplicated. But while Royal Holiday is a fun treat of a book, it’s not quite up to the high watermark of the rest of the Wedding Date series.

Royal Holiday is a direct sequel to the previous book in the series, The Wedding Party, and features Vivian Forest, mother of Maddie, heroine of that book.  As covered in TWP, Maddie has gone from aspiring stylist to top dresser of the stars thanks to a slot on a reality show, and now another windfall has come her way.  Maddie’s mentor is pregnant with twins and confined to bed rest, so Maddie will be going to England to style the Duchess (it’s not stated which one in the book) for Christmas.  Vivian is coming along – she’s never been out of America for long before, and to spend time in England is one of her dreams.  Though she does have her doubts that they make proper sweet potato pie at Sycamore Cottage in Sandringham.

In spite of the drafty nature of the cottage, Vivian is having a wonderful time.  While Maddie’s busy she enjoys a luxurious breakfast – which leads to the Queen’s private secretary, Malcolm Hudson, offering to take Vivian on a private tour of the grounds.  She immediately pounces upon the opportunity.

The extremely orderly and reserved Malcolm is not the kind of guy to simply spontaneously offer his services up the way he does to Vivian, but there’s something special about her.  Soon the two of them are spending an awful lot of time together.  Sparks fly, riding lessons are given, snowballs sail and kisses under the mistletoe are exchanged.  But Vivian just received a major promotion at her job as a social worker back home, and by New Year’s Day she’ll have to return to the reality of life on the other side of the pond – won’t she?

Royal Holiday’s heroine provides its biggest and best draw.  Vivian has a wonderfully sweet and lively sparkle to her personality that’s super appealing and makes her an entertaining heroine.  I liked mild-mannered, duty-bound Malcolm as well, though his personality is a bit more muted, and it was nice to spend a little more time with fun-loving Maddie, though Theo (the hero in the previous book) is disappointingly and entirely absent aside from some quick references.  And yes, we spend a few moments with the Queen herself.

The general tone of the book is one of wish fulfillment and gentle escapism.  There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this, and it’s a relief  to mentally transport yourself to England and imagine clomping about on the back of one of the palace horses, or having a delicious meal right beside Vivian.

It’s lovely to have a book about an older hero and heroine who’ve both raised their families and lived their lives, but aren’t dead yet and have a lot of room left to play with, to fall into heedless and giddy love like a teenager.

But because the book’s low on conflict, there has to be some imported – in this case via Malcolm’s relationship with his teenage nephew, who has chosen to reject Oxford for art school, disappointing mentor Malcolm with his lack of practicality. This causes Malcolm to turn surly when around Vivian and leads to – you guessed it – a Big Misunderstanding Plot because she thinks he’s rejecting her.  The lack of originality in this part of the plot is disappointing, especially when its basic underpinnings are another version of Guillory’s stock two-people-fall-in-love-during-a-limited-time-frame story.

But warm and fluffy will likely overcome the sense of ‘been there, done that’ that sometimes colors the prose.  Royal Holiday is a very nice, Christmasy romance that comes highly recommended, but stands just a notch below its series-mates, and thus just a step below DIK status.

Note: At time of writing, Amazon gives the page count as 303; the copy I read had 180 pages.

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A sweet addition to the series, about exploring new places and new opportunities.

This story features Vivian Forest, mother to Maddie, who's story was featured in The Wedding Party (to note, I've only read book one in this series, the Wedding Date, and I wasn't too lost skipping around - I only got a spoiler as to what couple ended up together). When Maddie is given the job of a lifetime, styling the Duchess of England for the Christmas holidays, she talks her mom into joining her.

Vivian had no expectations for her first ever visit to England, but she is open to trying anything. The experience is only improved when a handsome man, Malcom Hudson, who is the private secretary for the Queen, offers to give her the full cultural tour. It is there that a friendship and attraction begin to blossom.

I've read a lot of romance book - probably over 1000, and this is the first book I've read that featured a couple over 40 years ago. Kristen Ashley is well known for featuring characters in their 40s, which I always appreciate, so seeing an author take it one step further, was refreshing.

I loved how this couple, having years of experience, so to speak, were still a little uncertain of how to explore their attraction. It was sweet and felt genuine. Through dual POVs, the attraction is evident, but given the circumstances of Vivian's visit (guest to her daughter, and only in England for a couple weeks) they are hesitant to make the next steps. Until they aren't, and the throw caution to the wind.

Although Vivian, in particular, was worried what her daughter would think, I loved how the people interacting with Vivian and Malcolm, encouraged them to take a chance.

“I’m not ready for you to go.”

For the most part, this story was charming and romantic. Malcolm does make some slip ups which I didn't get, but he does make up for it in the long run. Overall, I enjoyed this story and look forward to more from this author.

I found this book to be bland and boring. The author tried to make it clear how funny this was supposed to be by being told over and over again how many times the characters are laughing. I don't think the humor had me crack a smile even once.

It basically goes the same as all of her other books. I enjoyed The Wedding Date, but the all the following books have been a disappointment for me. It just felt find of thrown together. It was nothing special.

I actually did enjoy that Vivian and Malcolm were in their fifties. But the slow pace and general lack of excitement in this just had me ready to be finished.

Thanks so Netgalley for the ARC