Royal holiday

When Maddie Forest (last seen in The Wedding Party, 2019) gets a job styling an English Duchess for the holidays, she convinces her overworked mom, Vivian, to join her at Sycamore Cottage in the English countryside. Vivian is too busy as a hospital social worker to think about much more than whether or not she's ready to take on her boss's job when she retires. She needs a break, so she reluctantly allows Maddie to force her into some spontaneity. Malcolm Hudson, private secretary to the Queen, theoretically has duties at neighboring Sandringham House, but he can't seem to stop himself from volunteering to be Vivian's tour guide, then horseback riding instructor, then date to the Christmas Eve dinner. Divorced protagonists in their fifties are rare enough in mainstream romance; add the fact that Vivian knows she's still got it and some frank conversations about race and the royal family (plus Guillory's stellar reputation), and readers will forgive any shortcomings in this timely holiday romp.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Guillory's romance star keeps rising, and this diverting tale featuring older characters is sure to enhance readers' holiday spirit. Copyright 2019 Booklist Reviews.

When Vivian Forest's daughter Maddie (the heroine of Guillory's previous book, The Wedding Party) asks if she'd like to spend Christmas in England in the residence of royalty, the fiftysomething, Oakland-based social worker thinks it's a joke. Maddie, a stylist to a duchess, tells Vivian she will simply get to enjoy a vacation, which quickly becomes the trip of a lifetime when Vivian meets Malcolm, the handsome and courteous private secretary to the Queen. He takes her on a tour of the royal estate, which leads to horseback riding, exchanging adorable handwritten notes, and sharing many delectable scones. After Christmas, they continue enjoying each other's company in London, with Vivian set to return to the States on New Year's Day to begin a new position. Vivian and Malcolm bring out the best in each other; her patience and quiet strength help him deal with family conflict, while he inspires her to make happiness her top priority. VERDICT Filled with delightful, swoon-worthy dates and many laughs, this affectionate, cross-continent holiday romance is perfect for cozying up with on a cold winter's night. Fans of this popular series will be clamoring for this latest entry.—Jenna Friebel, Oak Park P.L., IL Copyright 2019 Library Journal.

Accompanying her daughter to England to help style a royal family member during the Christmas season, Vivian finds herself in an unexpected holiday romance with the queen’s charming private secretary. By the best-selling author of The Wedding Date.

"Vivian Forest has been out of the country a grand total of one time, so when she gets the chance to tag along on her daughter Maddie's work trip to England to style a royal family member, she can't refuse. She's excited to spend the holidays taking in the magnificent British sights, but what she doesn't expect is to become instantly attracted to a certain Private Secretary and his charming accent and unyielding formality. Malcolm Hudson has been the Queen's Private Secretary for years and has never given a personal, private tour...until now. He is intrigued by Vivian the moment he meets her and finds himself making excuses just to spend time with her. When flirtatious banter turns into a kiss under the mistletoe, things snowball into a full-on fling. Despite a ticking timer on their holiday romance, they are completely fine with ending their short, steamy fling come New Year's Day...or are they?"--

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Proposal and a “rising star in the romance genre” (Entertainment Weekly) comes a dazzling novel about a spontaneous holiday vacation that turns into an unforgettable romance.Vivian Forest has been out of the country a grand total of one time, so when she gets the chance to tag along on her daughter Maddie’s work trip to England to style a royal family member, she can’t refuse. She’s excited to spend the holidays taking in the magnificent British sights, but what she doesn’t expect is to become instantly attracted to a certain private secretary, his charming accent, and unyielding formality.Malcolm Hudson has worked for the Queen for years and has never given a personal, private tour—until now. He is intrigued by Vivian the moment he meets her and finds himself making excuses just to spend time with her. When flirtatious banter turns into a kiss under the mistletoe, things snowball into a full-on fling.Despite a ticking timer on their holiday romance, they are completely fine with ending their short, steamy affair come New Year’s Day...or are they?