Royal Holiday

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.