This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Holiday Romance
Published by Berkley
Released on October 1, 2019
Pages: 304
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
The Delight
A holiday romance set in a palace, London, and by correspondence across the miles sounded delightful. Vivian and Malcolm show that the fifties can be fabulous and sometimes a low simmer can produce the most savory results.
Review
Royal Holiday is the fourth book in The Wedding Date series. It is standalone about the mother of a previous heroine.
Royal Holiday begins with hardworking long divorced and single mom, Vivian, being dragged along with her daughter from her Oakland home to spend the holidays on an English royal estate. Maddie is there to help the duchess with choosing her wardrobe and ensemble and keeping the duchess looking good while her friend is on maternity leave. Maddie chose to bring her mom along to support from the sidelines, but also get a much needed vacation of her own. Vivian is the kind of person who does all the giving and Maddie just wants her to let responsibilities go for once and take time out for herself.
Vivian does exactly that the very first morning after she wakes up and handsome Malcolm is in the kitchen begging his favorite scones from the chef. It was instant attraction and friendly smiles and banter as Malcolm steps aside from this slow week of duties as the Queen\’s Secretary to show a pretty American woman around the estate and spend time with someone who draws him in from the start.
The pair form a swift holiday friendship with many encounters in isolation, but know this is temporary and they must go back to their own worlds 5,000 miles apart A shared kiss under the mistletoe heats things up to more than friendship, but New Year\’s Day is fast approaching when Vivian will go home. They\’ve come to mean a lot to each other from Vivian sharing about her life and Malcolm, his. What can they do to keep what they have? Should they keep what they have or let it go?
The book had a lovely holiday vacation surreal feel, sweetness between the characters, and a romance that took its time and didn\’t rush things even though the clock was ticking. This pair of happy lovers could smile, laugh at even simple things, and enjoy everything about each other. For the longest time, I wondered if there was even going to be a conflict other than the obvious approaching separation. It made for a slow-mover, but I didn\’t mind that much. I could set it down easily, but just as easily pick it up again. They did finally get beneath the surface with each other and stirred things up a bit. I liked the way they took turns communicating frankly, being the one to reach out, and also acting their age though they both came with a bit of baggage from former failed relationships. The solution to their main conflict was believable though came in a rush at the very end.
In the end, it was a delightful read that felt warm and cozy with a little spice. Perfect for a holiday romance and I can heartily recommend it to other contemporary romance fans who don\’t mind a gentle pace and plot.
My thanks to Berkley Romance for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Challenges Met
New Release #166
HoHoHoRAT #2
Preview
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oh how good this one looks yes its going on my recovery read list 🙂
Haha, I’m really piling books onto your recovery stack, Debbie. It was a nice slow-paced sweet one.
I appreciate it when a couple shares frankly instead of stupid drama from miscommunication. This sounds like a win! 🙂
Same here! Man, does that get irritating when a simple conversation will solve the problem.
Being on an English royal estate would be fun but I’d be afraid of accidentally breaking something.
Buahaha! You are so right, Mary. I’d be scared of breaking something or screwing something up.
I like the sounds of this one and I don’t mind a slow moving romance.
It had a lovely sweet quality to it.
Glad it was one you enjoyed!
Thanks, Sarah! It was really sweet. 🙂
Sounds like a fun Christmas themed romance read. It sounds nice how it has a vacation feel and how despite the time limit the book didn’t feel rushed. Sometimes a lack of conflict in romance can really word as I am not always a fan of how some conflicts feel forced or drag on. It also sounds great how this book features slightly older characters and the baggage that character like that bring to a relationship. I like the sound of how they communicate well. Great review!
You’re so right. It’s good to get one that doesn’t have fake conflict in it and to have a story take it’s time.
I was excited about this book, because it featured an older heroine, which is not very common in romance. I had fun with Vivian and Malcom as they got to know each other, and I was happy with this book. I went 3.5/5. There was just something missing, that I couldn’t put my finger on, but I still enjoyed it very much.
The older heroine was what attracted me, too, Sam. Maybe it was there not being much conflict that got to you. It unnerved me to have a romance so zen. LOL
This does sound really delightful for the holidays! Good find!
It sure was, Carole!
Fabulous review! I think I would have enjoyed this but since the first in the series was just ok I didn’t read more books in the series. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Anne! Yes, it was a charming one. I found the first one so-so, too, but this one I liked much better.