Thoroughly enjoyed my time with this historical fiction following the months leading up to Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation on June 2, 1953. We follow three perspectives and one timeline. The main story is about a historic hotel and the owner trying to keep it afloat. There were themes of racism, love, loss, and overcoming the past.

The one aspect that I didn’t love was the “villain” revealed towards the end and their motivation to destroy the hotel. It was out of left field in my opinion and just silly. Although everything wrapped up nicely and I still loved my time with the majority of the story, I wish the author could have reworked that part.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced electronic reader copy of this book for review.

Thanks to NetGalley for this advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
We are taken back to London during the last coronation year, when Queen Elizabeth the second was crowned .and London was buzzing. The Blue Lion is the hotel on the route, but it is struggling. Having been in business since the last Queen Elizabeth was caught in a storm, the hotel is in need of upgrades and new features, but the owner, the last of the Howard family who have owned it for generations, can barely keep the hotel afloat.
We meet a cast of characters who are staying at the hotel, who have a place at the coronation in some form. What then unfolds is a mystery involving sabotage that moves the story away from the coronation until the end.
I have read The Gown and loved it - and I feel like I am still grieving the death of the Queen, so this book sounding like a perfect salve. But I wanted more about the coronation and less about the interactions of the characters, although they were likeable enough. I wanted more historical fiction and less mystery, but that's OK. The book was still lovely and enjoyable, just not a fit for my particular book club.
It will be liked by patrons and an easy one to recommend to many - since it is clean and has no graphic descriptions. I enjoyed the flashbacks to world wars. I really missed an authors note to describe what was fact and fiction.
3.5* Rounded to 4 since I usually round up for pre-pubs.
This will appear on Goodreads immediately.

As Coronation Year is upon us again, this is an aptly timed publication. This book is so well done, a mix of romance, history and intrigue (a bit of a thriller in a chapter or two, which was a surprise!). I've read a few books of Robson and as an author, she thrives on developing her characters, lovely ones that you just fall in love with and root for to succeed. WW2 backstories on her characters are interesting and clearly well researched. Strong main leads as well as secondary characters. The epilogue-perfection...she captured her majesty's voice quite well! (RIP Queen Elizabeth). Now, who wants to stay in the Blue Lion for a visit? If only...
Thanks to #NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC.

I requested this on first sight, after really enjoying “The Gown” by Ms. Robson, and the opportunity to read an early copy of this terrific follow up novel (thank you so much, WMP!) was greatly appreciated and enjoyed.

The story here is a full in jump back to 1953, told in three concurrent parts, and I loved the intimate peek at everyday people who are living through history (living right now (February 2023) in a newly post-pandemic time, mourning the loss of Queen Elizabeth II while still being excited about Charles's coronation, this novel is particularly timely).

Historical events amidst the lives of the people secondarily involved is something that the author writes well and this new novel, with its mystery and romance mixed in with the coronation year of Queen Elizabeth II was engaging and kept me reading. I completely enjoyed this one.

If you're reading this after reading The Gown, you'll be pleased to see some familiar characters.

Recommended.



Thank you to William Morrow Paperbacks and NetGalley for the DRC.

An absolutely lovely story! I thought it was pretty history-lite, but it was fun to follow a few people during this time post WW2. Edi, James, and Stella were great characters and I loved the swapping POV chapters. I thought the story was a bit predictable, but I was happy with the way things ended.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ ½
Genre: Historical Fiction

The year is 1953, and Queen Elizabeth II is being crowned monarch for the first time. The citizens of London are excited to commemorate this momentous anniversary. The story takes place in the Blue Lion Hotel, which is recognized as a landmark in the city of London. On that particular day, the hotel's position will be quite important since Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be traveling through the area. The tale is delivered in a third-person narrative and is recounted from the points of view of three different individuals. This hotel was left to Edie Howard by her parents, and despite the fact that it is struggling financially, she has decided to keep it and try to make it successful, especially considering the prospects that are being presented by the coronation.

Then there is James Geddes, a Scottish artist with Indian ancestry. He is hired to create a painting of the coronation day. The third character is Stella Donati, who is a Holocaust survivor and travels from Rome to London for a job opportunity as a photographer. Jamie and Stella will both end up staying at the Blue Lion Hotel, where they will develop a relationship with the owner. Everything looks promising up until the point when threats emerge and attempt to derail everyone's plans. The three protagonists are going to do all in their power to work together and bring the unknown dangers to light.

This was a novel that kept my interest throughout. I think the author did a good job of capturing the historical atmosphere of that time period. The ambiance of London is captured really accurately in this piece, and I believe that it will result in a reading experience that will stick with the reader. The narrative begins in January 1953 and continues through the month of June, when the coronation takes place.

I think the writer did an excellent job developing the characters and giving them interesting backstories. Every one of them has its own unique history. The reader will have an easy time relating to them and connecting with them. The work as a whole is enjoyable, but the mystery component just doesn't pack the same kind of punch that I often expect when reading a novel that has some kind of mystery in it. The resolution of the mystery aspect was foreseeable and, at some points, also convenient. Despite that, I found this to be an enjoyable read.

Thanks a lot to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an advanced reader copy of this book.

Edie Howard, proprietor of The Blue Lion, hopes the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II brings good fortune to her 400 year old hotel in the heart of London. Knowing the parade route will pass by her beloved family home, she has booked the entire hotel. She has in turn, made new friends who have taken up residence with her: Stella, Holocaust survivor, who is a photographer for a local magazine and Jamie, of Scottish-Indian descent, who has been commissioned to paint a commemorative portrait of the occasion. Threats are taken seriously by the police when both the Queen and Edie’s futures are endangered. Who is making them? An unhappy employee, an angry lodger, an anti-monarchist or worst of all, someone she loves? This is another delightful gem from Jennifer Robson, filled with engaging characters and detailed historical facts. I hope she is planning another.

I enjoyed Jennifer Robson's The Gown, so I was excited to pick up her next installment of Royal Adjacent Historical Fiction.

The time is set in the year before Queen Elizabeth's Coronation. There is a hotel full of characters whose lives will be greatly impacted by the festivities, but not without a bit of drama and mystery along the way.

Really well done Historical Fiction.

Coronation Year
by Jennifer Robson
Pub Date: April 4, 2023
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.
The USA Today bestselling author of The Gown returns with another enthralling and royal-adjacent historical novel—as the lives of three very different residents of London’s historic Blue Lion hotel converge in a potentially explosive climax on the day of Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation.

Robson has a gift for bringing history to life. This is a truly magnificent read.
The book blends mystery with incredible research and unforgettable characters.
I highly recommend this book.

5 stars

Reading the title, I thought "ooo...a novel about Queen Elizabeth." No, this history adjacent. UK Royal Family adjacent. And a mystery and love story to boot. It's built on the hopes of change and a national rebirth of sorts that came with coronation of a new monarch. It's a new era, and only good things are possible.

Robson immerses us in the time period. The day to day grind of running a 400 year old family-owned hotel and its staff as a woman in the 1950s. The struggles of holding on to tradition and values, while moving forward into the new age. Facing bigotry and racism in the post-war world. She also showcases the idea that families can be created from those you do life with when you've lost your biological one.

The characters are relatable and both complicated and simple in their development. It was a delightful read, and I hesitated to end the story because I was so comfortable in it.

It's a bit of a niche title for a high school libray, but I have a group who enjoys mysteries that are few steps above a cozy mystery, and another group that likes period stories. I could see some scenes being conversation starters for SEL lessons or history topics.

Thank you to NetGalley for the publisher connection allowing me to read this title in review.

1953, coronation year, and the struggling Blue Lion Hotel is on the procession route with an unobstructed view of the event. Owner Edie Howard sees this as an opportunity to put some extra money in the coffers and possibly save her family's legacy.

Edie and two new boarders, painter Jamie Geddes who has been commissioned to paint the golden coach in front of a specific building across the way and photographer Stella Donati, are the main characters, joined by the staff and three eccentric long term residents. Preparations are interrupted by threats to the hotel that may ruin Edie's hopes to return her business to profitability.

At its heart, this is a sweet story of a bygone era with a hint of mystery and suspense and great detail about life in London after the war. I thoroughly enjoyed it

The year is 1953 and England is about to welcome Queen Elizabeth II to the thrown. Coronation Year, by Jennifer Robson, centers around the famous, historic Blue Lion Motel and it's hope for a prosperous future. London is reeling from the atrocities of World War II. People are poor, distraught, and inconsolable. Everyone has a story and most have not ended well.

Edie, the hotel owner, is struggling to maintain the hotel that has been in her family for over 500yrs. Like all of war torn Europe, she is struggling to stay afloat during destitute times. Her business is dwindling as hotel stays and vacations are not in high demand. What can Edie do to save her family legacy and the only home she has ever known?

It just so happens that the Blue Lion Motel sits upon the proposed parade route for Coronation Day. The view may be limited, but it just may be the ideal location to view the procession, the golden carriage, and The Queen herself. The hope to draw customers to the event, if even for only a glance, gives hope to Edie and her financial struggles.

What starts out as a grand endeavor to maximize profits on this once in a lifetime event, soon becomes more about the growth, recovery, and friendship of an eclectic group of lost individuals. Those that find their way to the Blue Lion are far from the anticipated philandering rich clientele longed for. Instead come the weak, poor, damaged, and lonely with grand dreams of healing and successfully making something of themselves.

The character development of the guests and hotel staff is wonderful. You will learn about their lives, in the worst of times, all that they have lost, and how it is that they managed to survive. Each character is so emotionally charging and raw. It is the stories and feeing that they share that are found to be more valuable than money itself. Each character brings to the story a different heartache, yet is responsible for the collective healing and success and bonding of the group.

As not to post a Spoiler, let it suffice to there is a bit of mystery and romance written into the story line that brings a surprise visit to The Blue Lion Motel by Queen Elizabeth herself..

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Coronation Year by Jennifer Robson.
A 5-star read.
#netgalley #jenniferrobson #coronationyear

If like me you’ve always been interested in the Royals, Coronation Year is definitely a novel that should have a place on your must-read list. The book takes place in the year leading up to the late Queen Elizabeth II coronation and follows the lives of three friends, Edie Howard, the current owner of the Blue Lion hotel, Stella Donati, a budding photographer and Holocaust survivor who takes a position at London magazine, and artist, James Geddes.

Coronation Year novel is full of hope, loss, betrayal, and love… making it one of my favorite books of 2023. Jennifer Robson truly transports us to 1950s London, so much so that you can almost feel the London air on your face (and smell a hint of the scones served up at tea time at the Blue Lion.

The cast of characters are sure to ensnare your heart, as you wait for the truth to finally be revealed.

Ahhh, Ms. Robson does it again!

Another wonderful historical fiction book that I enjoyed immensely. I particularly enjoyed the parts that were from Jamie’s point of view. I would love a novel about how his parents met! I really like how Ms. Robson allows you to keep up with previous protagonists of her earlier work by having them as supporting characters in the current book.

My one issue I had was that I would have preferred a two person point of view. I love being able to fully immerse in a specific character and I sometimes find it hard if there are too many perspectives. I will say, Ms. Robson does the three person point of view rather well, I would just prefer one less!

Overall I would highly recommend for all lovers of historical fiction, light romance and attention to details!

I adored this book! Historical fiction can sometimes be obviously fictitional, but Robson writes with such a knowledge of the time's events, language, landmarks, and culture, that it's hard to tell what parts of the story are fact and what parts are her own imaginings.

The characters are lovable, and I found myself quickly rooting for them. I was also pleasantly surprised by the inclusion of a couple of characters from Robson's previous work, The Gown. These two books are not a series, but it made my heart happy and enhanced the reading experience, in my opinion, to have them be a part of the story.

This was my second time reading a Jennifer Robson novel, and I am now, officially, a devoted fan. I think she will be one of the few authors whose entire body of work I will read and be a proud "completist."

I love Jennifer Robson and I really enjoyed Coronation Year. It was a little slow to start but I was engaged in the story and although it was a little predictable to some extent, I was also surprised at the end.
As always, the writing was exquisite, with so many details. I truly felt like I was part of the story. I felt that Edie, Stella, and Jamie were my friends. I highly recommend you pick up Coronation Year!

Fans of Jennifer Robson, get ready for another beautiful novel. CORONATION YEAR is quite similar in style to THE GOWN. You can tell the author plotted very carefully and spent time developing her characters and researching historic details that really make the time period come to life. This is not necessarily a fast-moving plot, but rather a story to sink into and savor. The queen's coronation provides an intriguing backdrop as the various point-of-view characters' dramas play out.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for allowing me to review Coronation Year by Jennifer Robson. I loved this book! Ms. Robson is one of my all time favorite authors and this book proves it! The characters are so true and real, you want to be friends. I love the way Ms. Robson incorporates beloved characters from previous books. The story itself is one of friends that become family set against a historic London Inn. The way Ms. Robson writes about Queen Elizabeth is so wonderful, especially now after her passing. In The Gown, we saw Her Majesty get married and now in Coronation Year, we see her crowned. This is an exquisite story that you do not want to miss.

4.5 stars

I *love* Jennifer Robson's historical fiction and was delighted to be selected to read the latest of her novels which moves slightly forward from her last and covers 1953 - the year of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. I'm sure that she started writing this long before the unfortunate passing of the Queen but it's an especially poignant time to read this novel with the coronation coming up for King Charles.

I really loved the brief visit with old friends from The Gown as well, when they started telling their story I was buzzing KNOWING I knew their story and was delighted to remember who they were. Their backstory isn't needed for this book, it's just a fun wink.

Overall I found this novel engaging and charming and I loved Edie's storyline a lot. I also loved Stella's being a photographer myself. James is also an interesting one to follow along with. I felt the storyline was a bit predictable but it didn't diminish the experience.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an eARC copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to Harper Collins for this perfect book to read before the upcoming coronation of King Charles. The characters and their personal histories made this come to life. I wish the Blue Lion was a real place to visit!