If you need a book to get you in the Christmas spirit, this is it! Olive is a single Mom living with her parents and working diligently to get a chance at writing for the BBC when the normal royal correspondent has an accident and she talks her way into the role for Christmas. at Balmoral. While there she runs into Jack who had been a part of her friend group long ago and it brings back the carefree days of her youth after the war. He is there working in the kitchen as a royal chef as a new start after his wife, Andrea, was recently killed in a horrible accident. She and Jack had always had fun and laughed together and she had had feelings for him but he had fallen in love with Andrea. Olive is very likeable and popular at Balmoral and offers the newly coronated Queen Elizabeth a chance to practice her Christmas message with her which forges a friendship based on mutual respect with her on point advice. Over the years she and Jack keep getting thrown together as Olive keeps getting Royal assignments but they both are very focused on their careers and think the other only wants to be friends or is seeing someone else. The Royals, old friends, the magic of Christmas. budding careers and romance all create a fun, heartwarming story of dreams coming true. Highly recommend!

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy!
#NetGalley #ChristmaswiththeQueen

The book is more about Olive than the Queen, but don’t let that deter you….Olive is a fascinating creature. She’s a strong woman, single mother, making a career in a world dominated by men, in the early 1950s. Olive is a journalist working in the circles around the Queen. She evens shares a little friendship with the Queen. Jack is a chef for the Queen and longs to own his own restaurant. Here comes a great little romance. This is a sweet book.

A heartwarming story of second chances, deftly combining history and fiction.

We follow friendships formed in London at the end of WWll through five Christmases punctuated by the new Queens continuation of the annual Christmas greeting from the monarch.

The characters of Olive Carter and Jack Devereux are both likable with interesting and complicated lives. Olive is an aspiring, yet frustrated, BBC reporter and Jack, recently bereaved, is a newly hired chef in the royal kitchen. Their acquaintance is rekindled during the holidays at Sandringham with the Queen.

We get to peek inside palaces, experience royal holidays, see careers flourish and relationships grow between multiple characters. All just in time for our holiday enjoyment!

Thank you Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb for this gift of a read!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the complimentary eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a perfect book for readers who are Anglophiles, enjoy historical fiction, interested in the early years of the late Queen Elizabeth ll’s reign, and second chance romances. Sprinkle in some Christmas time atmosphere for a cherry on the top. There is even a main character who is a chef from New Orleans, Louisiana, to add some extra flavor.

I would describe this book as lovely and engaging, perfect to relax with while enjoying a cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. It is heartwarming and comfortable, even though there is some heartbreak and tragedy. One of my favorite elements was the way the authors seemed to realistically capture royal residences and characters. It should be mentioned that the story centers around the Queen, but focuses primarily on the main characters Olive and Jack. It spans several years and effortlessly weaves in multiple viewpoints and background history, making the storyline easy to follow.

This is a sweet romance that takes place over several years and is tied together by the Queen's Christmas speech. I found this book well written and very easy to read.

I liked the characters and how realistic they seemed. I thought the authors did a great job of making the Queen and Prince Philip personable and human like the rest of us. I really enjoyed their parts.

While this book is titled Christmas with the Queen and, like I said above, the Queen's Christmas speeches are what ties everything together, the book didn't have an overly Christmas feel. I feel like I could read this book anytime of year and not feel weird about it.

I would definitely recommend this book to fans of romance and historical fiction as well as those of Queen Elizabeth. This is a book for the keeper shelf and one I can see myself reading again in the future.

Very nice period piece. Looked forward to how the romance would tie out. Will be watching for further titles from this author.

Christmas with the Queen by Heather Webb and Hazel Gaynor is such a delight to read! As soon as I was finished with the netgalley, I wanted to start reading in a 'real' hard copy! I can't wait to hold the book in my hands and hug it! Perfect Christmas gift for all your friends! And Heather and Hazel, I would love to have a series where Olive followed Queen Elizabeth throughout her long history! Absolutely a beautiful story🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

More like “Christmas With the Two Most Tepid Characters Who Ever Lived.” I have loved every other Hazel Gaynor/Heather Webb book, but this one frustrated me. Both of the protagonists were dull, and this book promised a years-long push/pull, which turned me off. The only thing I enjoyed was the sweet glimpses into Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s lives, and ended up giving up reading in linear fashion at around 17% and simply reading their bits.

I loved this book! I would give it 4.5 stars!

The book starts with Queen Elizabeth II, who is preparing to give her first Christmas Day message as Queen. Jack is a royal chef who is dealing with the loss of his wife and Olive is a young reporter who dreams of being a royal correspondent for the BBC. When Jack and Olive reunite after 7 years, they slowly come to care for and love each other over the span of 5 Christmas while working for the Queen.

This book wasn’t what I expected, but I loved it! Both authors did a great job of bringing the history of Queen Elizabeth II’s early reign to life while also weaving in a fictional second chance love story. It was so beautifully written and each chapter left me wanting more!

I loved the happy ending and the romance was sweet, but realistic. I loved how the romance was drawn out over several years and the flash backs to when they first met allowed it all to flow so nicely. It was closed door and the most that happened on the page was kissing and implied sex.

There was a bit of mild swearing, but overall I loved this story and would definitely read it again!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I love reading historical fiction about Queen Elizabeth II and this one was great! I loved the different POVs and how they complemented the other. The earlier timeline made the later one more emotional because of what happened. The writing was beautiful and flowed nicely making it a quick read. I loved the focus on the holidays and the small parts Olive had with the Queen. My first holiday story of the year did not disappoint.

Thank you @msheatherwebb @hazelgaynor @suzyapprovedbooktours @netgalley and the publisher for the gifted copy.

Christmas with the Queen by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb is a delightful historical holiday romance. If you are any kind of royal watcher than you will enjoy this book.

The story is written from three points of view. One is a single mother who is trying to work her way up to the ‘royal beat’ at the BBC. The second is an American born chef who is trying to find his way after a tragic event in his life. Finally the third point of view is from Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth II. The brilliance of this story is how these three peoples lives intersect. I love historical fiction and given what I know of the era and HRH the authors did an excellent job in their research.

The story takes place during the very early years of Queen Elizabeth’s reign. Hazel Gaynor is an author I always enjoy reading. Her co-author Heather Webb is a delight. The combination is unbeatable. I was so excited to review this book. It did not disappoint. It was heartbreaking, heartwarming, full of Christmas spirit and beautifully written. I would highly recommend reading this book during the upcoming holiday season. I am looking forward to another collaboration of these two authors.

I would like to thank Hazel Gaynor, Heather Webb, William Morrow Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love books about the British royal family but this book was a little difficult to get into and keep my interest.

“Christmas With the Queen” by Authors Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb is a delightful, charming and enjoyable novel that I loved everything about. In this well-written and feel-good story, the Authors capture a young Queen Elizabeth, her corgis, and family and surrounds the royal family with the Christmas festivities in Sandringham House in Norfolk. The authors vividly describe the colorful characters that join along and weave them into this memorable story. The genres for this novel are are Christmas Historical Fiction, Holiday Fiction, Romance, British Historical Fiction, and Biographical Historical fiction.

The timeline for this story is approximately 1957, and goes to the past and future when it pertains to the events and characters. Olive Carter, a young reporter is looking for a way to cover bigger stories, and the opportunity for writing her dream pieces occur in Sandringham, when she gets the opportunity to go there and does meet and help the young Queen. Jack Devereux, is a chef , and a recent widower who is offered the opportunity to cook in the royal kitchens in Sandringham. Both Olive and Jack were friends from long ago, and their chance meeting is a surprise. They have much more in common, than Jack realizes.

It is wonderful to watch the growth of these characters. I highly recommend this memorable and captivating novel for others.

With a satisfied sigh, I finish the final words of #ChristmaswiththeQueen. I was swept away by the historical elements mixed with Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb's enchanting characters.

The authors brilliantly blend the Queen's Christmas broadcasts with Olive and Jack's stories. Readers receive a royal glimpse into her transformation from young ;Lilibet; to Queen Elizabeth II.

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition of #ChristmaswiththeQueen in exchange for an honest review. The novel reads like a love letter to the Queen service with fictionalized 'Downton Abbey' staff. The relationships between the royals and employees personalize their encounters.

My favorite parts of this book were the glimpses into the family life of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip. I wish more of the focus of the book had been placed on these characters and how her early ascension to the throne shaped their marriage and young family.

The main story in the book, a second-chance, will-they-or-won't-they situation between American chef Jack and BBC reporter Olive, was frustrating and disappointing. Going in, I knew this would be a slow burn because the book was organized by Christmases taking place during various years in the 1950s. While both characters experienced character growth and things worked out in the end, I do think that the extended timeline weakened what could have been a wonderful second chance love story.

While well written and engaging, ultimately I didn't love this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for giving me an advanced copy to review. All opinions are my own.

First! I love Hazel and Heather! I love the books they write so much! Whether they write them together or apart these authors are an automatic buy for me! When I heard this book was coming out I called Barnes & Noble right away and pre-ordered! Then my pre Christmas luck walked right in and allowed me the privilege and beautiful right to read this story early on Netgalley! 🎙️

First off, the cover of the book absolutely positively jingle bells drove me to claim the chance to read it! A beautiful background with wreath around a red door, signaling warmth and joy. And a woman in a beautiful emerald green coat opens its secrets into the next step in her life! ☕

We have our main female character of a story Olive! She takes an assignment to interview the people of a Christmas house that belong to the Royal Family! I have to say knowing that Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II were characters in this book brought my Royal loving heart so much joy! Olive runs into an old acquaintance she once held a set of emotions for in the past. (No spoilers lol) 🎁

Jack is a widowed chef who's trying to mend his broken heart by working in the Christmas kitchens when he runs into Olive! It's as if the spirits of Christmas past, present, and future are at play! What will happen? What journey will these two beautiful souls have that will lead them to the next few chapters in their lives?! 🍨

A true Christmas romance that has my book heart all warm and fuzzy! Throw in the 1950s vintage aesthetics and this book is forever a Christmas winner! Once again Hazel and Heather spend their talents together to create a colorful tapestry through their words, scenes, and a way to really grab at any reader's heart and say "Get ready for a ride!" ☕

I always look forward to when these two work together! Every century has a writing duo that automatically graces the shelves of any bookworm! Hazel and Heather are the writing duo of this century! 🎆

I hope I'm once again privileged to read such amazing books by them through Netgalley! 🌹

Bravo ladies!! 🍾

Thank you Netgalley and to the publisher for this early advance copy! The opinions in this review are entirely my own! (And they are entirely awesome!)

When Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne in 1952, she changed the royal vibe once and for all. English newspapers and magazines had a field day with a young family at Buckingham Palace and a stylish young monarch on royal tours. In Christmas with the Queen, coauthors Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb imagine all this through the experience of Olive Carter, a single mother and ambitious reporter for the BBC, looking to make a name for herself on the royal circuit. The authors masterfully weave historical details (e.g. the tension between Elizabeth and Phillip, the first televised Christmas speech) with the narrative arc making for the perfect accompaniment to your first cup of Christmas tea.

Olive reconnects with an old friend, now a recently widowed chef in the royal kitchens, and their paths cross at Christmas time as their connections with the royal family take them to unexpected places. Will the secret that lies between them bring them together—or will it ultimately drive them apart?

A triple character time line story that starts interesting but quickly becomes stale tsomething that I've heard before. There is a refound romance & found child element. While the stories start as likeable, Olive, the female main character, soon becomes angsty and annoying. While I usually love the authors of this nonel, this is not one I enjoyed.

A delightful story of Jack, a budding chef and Olive, a BBC reporter and how their love story forms over the years. Set in England against the backdrop of 5 years of Queen Elizabeth’s traditional Christmas Address, a bit of monarch life is included as these unlikely characters cross paths.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Christmas with the Queen” is a warm, historical romance. If you enjoyed “The Crown “, you will like this book. The story is written from three points of view, a chef-in-training who works for the Royals; an inspiring BBC journalist trying to make her way to cover the Royals and finally, from Queen Elizabeth view. The story is set early in Queen Elizabeth’s career mid-1950’s. Beautifully written story of two young people that work for the Royals and the intersection of their lives. Put this on your pre-order list. It comes out November 19th. Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing for this advance read.