Christmas With The Queen

Christmas With The Queen (#1,292) cleverly weaves together the threads of Queen Elizabeth II's early Christmas speeches with those of two people involved in her household: Jack Devereux, a chef in the royal kitchens and Olive Carter, an ambitious reporter with the BBC assigned to cover the Queen's speeches.  It turns out that Jack and Olive have a history together.  Although they only see each other for a brief time each year as their duties separate them, there is a spark between them which plays out over the years.

The novel provided some unique perspectives on life in a royal household as Elizabeth sought to find her own voice as monarch, wife and mother.  Tradition was important but so was establishing a new order to suit her own style.  Jack and Olive each contribute to Queen's progress in their unique ways.  Jack through introducing some spice into the royal menu with his New Orleans-based cuisine, and Olive through her knowledge of what works to enhance radio, and later TV, presentations to bring out the best aspects of the Queen's speech. 

Jack and Olive eventually do come together, but it takes an excruciatingly long time to get there. Much as I liked the overall book, co-written by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb, I did feel that it bogged down about three quarters of the way through.  I could feel myself mentally shouting "Get on with it, already!"  And much as they include Jack's concentration on recipes from his grandfather, and putting together new and unique recipes to suit the royal household and later, Jack's restaurant in book format, there isn't a single recipe included for the reader!  That might have been a nice addition at the end of the book.  Just saying...