Book Review: Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory

Genres: Romance, Christmas, Holiday, Contemporary, Fiction
Pages: 304
Format: Physical
Rating:

Initial Thoughts

I was looking for a holiday read, and luckily, I had this shelved since 2020. It may have been popular on BookTok at the time, but I truly could not tell you why I decided to pick it up five years ago. My expectations were pretty low. I just wanted a cute Christmas read.

This Royal Holiday book review covers my thoughts on Jasmine Guillory’s cozy Christmas romance set in England.

The Plot (Spoiler-Free!)

Vivian Forest is long overdue for a vacation, and her daughter Maddie is determined to give her one. Maddie invites Vivian on a week-long trip to England, but not just anywhere. They are headed to England, where the Duchesss lives. Maddie is the Duchess’s stylist for the Duchess for all the royal Christmas festivities, and she insists that her overworked mom join her for the trip.

Hesitant at first, Vivian eventually agrees and ends up having the most unexpected week in England, all thanks to the Queen’s handsome private secretary, Malcolm. The chemistry between them is instant, but with Vivian living in California and Malcolm in England, an ocean apart, it is hard to believe this could be anything more than a short-lived holiday romance. Still, Vivian figures she should enjoy it while it lasts. Right?

What I Liked

I am a sucker for a wholesome, loving mother-daughter relationship, and that is exactly what Vivian and Maddie had. Not only were they mother and daughter, but they were also best friends. There were many scenes where I felt like I could see myself and my mom as the main characters. Maddie’s insistence that her mom come to England felt spot on. If I had an opportunity like that, my mom would be the first person I would call.

Vivian herself was such a joy to read about. She is kind, bubbly, personable, and has a childlike sense of wonder that feels infectious. At the same time, she knows how to speak her mind and stand up for herself. Her learning the names of the house staff, wanting to spend time in the kitchen, and being spontaneous about certain adventures reminded me so much of my own mom.

Guillory also did a fantastic job painting the setting. Winter in England came alive through frigid nights, long walks on the estate grounds, horseback riding, historical artifacts, and cozy pub scenes. The food descriptions alone made me want to book a winter trip immediately. Those scones still live rent-free in my head. Guillory did a great job highlighting why England is such a diverse and vibrant place.

Lastly, I really enjoyed the subplots. While this is a romance at its core, Malcolm’s POV added depth and offered insight into his life beyond the love story. At times, his subplot was the most interesting part of the book for me.

What Didn’t Work for Me

While I did like this book and found it to be a quick, easy read, I did not love it. Despite the similarities I could draw between myself and the characters, I was not fully invested in the story at all times.

I am fairly certain this book is part of a series of interconnected standalones, but I still felt like Vivian could have spent more time with Maddie. Vivian flew all the way to England to spend time with her daughter, yet they did not share many scenes together. I understand that Maddie was working and Malcolm was there to keep Vivian company, but if it were me, I would have made more time for my mom. I am glad Vivian had Malcolm, but still, she is my mom, and I am admittedly very territorial.

Another small disappointment for me was a missed opportunity around cultural exploration. There’s a whole scene of Vivian and Malcolm going out to a Nigerian restaurant for dinner, which is a new experience for Vivian, and another restaurant go-er ordering an extremely spicy soup and not being able to handle it. They’re dining at this restaurant talking about how amazing the food is, but I would’ve liked to have been shown it. I think this  could have been a great moment to educate readers about specific dishes or cultural significance rather than just being vague about the cuisine and not even naming it.

Final Thoughts

I would recommend Royal Holiday for what it is: a cute holiday romance with a solid plot, easy pacing, and a happily ever after. While this book earned three deer-stars, do not let that discourage you. It was still a good read and a cozy option for the holiday season.

If you’d like to support The Reading Deer, you can purchase Royal Holiday here.