Amazon Customer

19 de septiembre de 2026

my favorite bridgerton book

Eloise wasn’t my favorite character. But this story I read more than any others!!! The Netflix series ruined Phillip for me.

Ruth Anderson

9 de mayo de 2014

Love and letters, 4.5 stars!

At twenty-eight and firmly "on the shelf," Eloise Bridgerton was content with her life as a spinster -- or so she thought. Within the arms of her eclectic family, she never felt pressured to marry, and so she held out for the right one, because she was not one to settle for second (or third or fourth) best. As the years since her debut passed, she became increasingly acclimated to the idea of the single life, especially with her best friend and confidante, Penelope at her side. But then Penelope went and married her brother, Colin (Colin!!), and while she was truly happy for two of the people she loved most in the world to find happiness together, she couldn't help feeling...stuck. And so when Sir Phillip Crane, the widowed husband of her cousin, Marina, her secret correspondent of the last year, proposed marriage, she decided to accept. Seized with desperation to claim her chance at a life she thought had passed her by, Eloise flees London before she can lose her nerve...only she neglected apprise Sir Phillip of her impending arrival, and so she arrives at Romney Hall to set her plan in motion, only to be surprised by Phillip's two (unruly) children, no chaperone, and a man equal parts maddening and intoxicating, his manners making her temper flare while his smiles turned her knees to jelly. Is marriage to a man she barely knows her only hope of happiness? Or will her reckless gamble see her married to a man consumed by past demons, one she could never love?Phillip Crane has spent much of the last decade living a life he'd never wanted. The second born, all Phillip ever wanted was to escape his abusive father's reach, losing himself in his studies at Cambridge where he earned a first in botany. But everything changed when Waterloo took his brother's life, and Phillip found himself the heir to his father's baronetcy. He'd hoped to find a measure of happiness with Marina, his brother's now-bereaved fiancee, but their marriage is doomed from the start, as Marina is crippled by depression. Left with two children he barely knows, and if he's honest, fears to raise -- fears seeing his father's temper rear its ugly head as a twisted, emotional inheritance -- Phillip is every bit as lost as his late wife. But a chance letter from Eloise, a woman he's never met, leads to an unlikely friendship, and gives birth to a desperate plan -- he'll marry the spinster, she'll take charge of his children, and his life will finally be normal. When Eloise arrives, she's nothing like he expected -- gorgeous, spirited, and independent, she's the answer to all of his prayers...if only he can convince her to stay. But when their hands are forced and marriage is no longer an option but a decree, will love have room to grow? Or will happiness remain a dream unfulfilled, forever out of reach?To Sir Phillip, With Love marks a transition in the Bridgerton series, as with Eloise's story Quinn begins to tell the tales of the four younger siblings that make up this quirky, loving family. The older siblings are now well-established in their lives and families, and the younger are at last given the spotlight in which to shine. Eloise has long been a fixture of the series, for as Penelope's best friend and confidant she unknowingly played a critical role in the Lady Whistledown saga that ran through the first four books, tying them together with columnist's famously droll observations about the ton's eccentricities. This installment is a bit of a departure from the winning formula of its predecessors, as Eloise makes the conscious, shocking decision to flee the only life she's ever known, risking everything on the wild hope that she could love a man she's never met, and thrive in a life outside the close-knit confines of her family.The romantic in me loves a romance based on letters, and as such was thrilled with the premise behind Eloise and Phillip's connection, despite the decided lack of letters, romantic or otherwise, featured in the narrative. Rather than Whistledown excerpts, each chapter opens with an excerpt from Eloise's past correspondence with friends and family, revealing a glimpse of the woman she'd one day become, whose firmly-held views would undergo a trial by fire when she gambles her future on Phillip. Quinn's trademark warmth and humor are ever present throughout the story, if perhaps in a slightly muted form given the tragedy coloring the lives of the Crane family. I loved the impact of Phillip's "surprise" children on his attempts to court Eloise -- it reminded me a bit of The Brady Bunch, only twins Amanda and Oliver are first wholly opposed to the idea of welcoming Eloise in their lives. Pranks and tears ensue in turn en route to Phillip and Eloise's happily ever after, but Quinn imbues the journey with the warmth, sensitivity, and emotional depth I've come to appreciate as a hallmark of her fiction.Eloise is a fascinating character, because up to this point she's been given an extraordinary amount of latitude in a culture that raised women to fulfill limited, specific roles. Her contentment with the concept of spinsterhood, and her family's support, enabling her to enjoy a measure of freedom not typically afforded to well-bred single women in her social sphere. But even a Bridgerton must pay the piper, as Eloise discovers to her mortification when her scandalous plans are uncovered, leading her four brothers to Phillip's door, where marriage, once just an option, becomes her future. I LOVED seeing all four of the Bridgerton brothers again, their typical easy-going camaraderie transformed into a formidable force when united in defense of their sister's honor, and the glimpse afforded into Benedict and Sophie's married life. And I loved that even in romantic, escapist fiction of this ilk, Eloise has to come to terms with the consequences of her choices.Eloise and Phillip's love story is one of conscious choice, wherein the decision is made over and over to fight for the success of their unorthodox relationship. In many respects, these two couldn't be more different, their marriage a study in work and compromise. Quinn handles the impact of Marina's depression on her family with a compassionate touch, sketching the heartbreaking effect such an illness can have on those within its orbit. Therefore, Phillip's response to Eloise, his relief at marrying a passionate, capable woman masking his reticence to deal with his own emotional issues felt incredibly authentic. Once again Quinn crafts a romance that takes the relationship far beyond the physical, here delving into trickier emotional waters, forcing her leads to work through their respective fears and commit to each other and the health of their marriage.Quinn has never been one to shy away from weightier issues in her romances (i.e., illegitimacy in An Offer from a Gentleman or parental death/mortality in The Viscount Who Loved Me), but this volume feels more somber in tone, perhaps due to circumstances surround Marina's death and Phillip's young children. Although less effortlessly humorous, less effervescent than its predecessors, Eloise's story stands out for its emotional resonance and the unorthodox origin of her love story. While the Bridgerton clan is largely absent from this tale, their presence is always felt, as Eloise discovers anew the import and gift that is her familial legacy as she scripts her life story. The tale of a woman determined to live life on her own terms and a man broken by his past, To Sir Phillip, With Love, is a tribute to the dreamers and the risk-takers among us, those with the courage to seize their dreams and the passion to see them succeed, one of Quinn's best portraits of marriage and commitment.Ver más

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Julia A. ErgovichAmazon Customer

23 de abril de 2021

REALISTIC CHARMING REGENCY ROMANCE

I have been reading all the Jula Quinn Bridgerton books in order and this is the most realistic in my opinion. Eloise and Sir Phillip correspond after Eloise writes a note of condolence to Stir Phillip on the death of his wife Eloise's cousin Marina. Sir Phillip wants and needs a wife for his two twin children Oliver and Amanda (they are hellions). Eloise runs off to meet Stir Phillip unchaperoned and her brothers come to Phillips country home and confront him and tell him he must marry their sister. Phillip agrees to a hasty marriage in two weeks and he and Eloise share steamy love before the wedding. Phillip says he doesn't love her but that they suit one another (in the carnal sense). Phillip is reserved and a botanist and spends his days in his greenhouse while Eloise wants to talk and discuss. It comes out in the relationship that Phillip's father beat him (he has scars from being horse whipped) and is afraid of becoming his father when the children anger him. Eloise wins over his children and Phillip and Eloise tell each other they love the other. What makes this realistic is that Eloise is a spinster who no longer wants to be alone and has refused proposals of marriage but her correspondence with Phillip has her rethink her life and she decides that she will commit to him and hopes he is as good as his letters. Phillip is a large handsome man and he is enchanted by Eloise and finds her beautiful and Eloise has never considered herself a beauty. This dance of love and acceptance of a man and woman and his children is heartwarming and romantic. I am ready for the next novel about the widowed Bridgerton sister Francesca. Delightful series!Ver más

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Chideziri

25 de mayo de 2026

Once again, I couldn’t put it down.

This was SUCH a good book! In my opinion, I’ve enjoyed all of the books in the Bridgerton series so far. While I can watch it on Netflix, I enjoy the depth of the characters as they are written in the books. I enjoy reading the eclectic stories of each Bridgerton and anticipating each new installment on Netflix. Totally cool!Ver más

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Semora

5 de julio de 2026

Perfect condition

This and the viscount who loved me are the best books of this series , came in perfect condition with a great price

Kylee Grimwood

9 de junio de 2024

Eloise gets a man

I’m reading these because the show has me in its claws, okay? I know they’re not quite following the script, but i really can’t get enough rn and i had to do something.I rated it a 4, thought about it, and am lowering to a 3!Loud opinionated Eloise landing a man who likes to silently take care of his plants is the best choice Julia Quinn could make, honestly. Other than making her gay (which could def be the show getting to me).Phillip and Eloise have a very interesting push and pull dynamic, they have incredible banter and physical chemistry. I also loved every interaction with Eloise and the twins - being able to immediately compare them when her own brothers came to look for her was hysterical to me.On a more serious note, I think Quinn did a great job of describing Phillip’s own trauma informing his actions with his children. She handled it with grace and kindness, and when Eloise connects the dots, she does much the same.That said, Phillip has a brain full of rocks! Literally he is such a moron, and god it's infuriating. Eloise is so clever and half of this book is her trying to talk to him about serious things and him being like "but what if...we have sex instead". Like focus up, bud! Your kids are being abused?? My god.Ver más

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Jess

6 de enero de 2012

To Sir Phillip, With Love

This Bridgerton book took on a slightly darker tone then all the others. Phillip's wife commits suicide leaving him alone with their twins. His wife was never happy, never a real mother to their children and they were never in love. He tried his hardest to make her happy and nothing worked. He felt like a failure to her, his kids and his past keeps him from being an involved father that his kids need. He was abused by his father, beat, whipped, he suffered all forms of abuse and Phillip does what he thinks is best, he distances himself from his kids so he doesn't repeat the abuse that was brought down on him. But his kids are little monsters. Running wild like 8 year olds would. Oliver and Amanda need a mother, and Phillip needs a wife.Eloise sent a simple note of condolence to Phillip when her distant cousin, Phillip's wife, died. One small note turned into a year of correspondence between the two and when Phillip invites Eloise to his home to see if they would suit, she puts him off. But being a spinster and seeing her best friend Penelope, also a spinster, marry her brother Colin, she felt left behind and alone. She throws caution to the wind and takes off for Phillip's home, not telling her family.They start off pretty rocky. Phillip, a botanist, is used to leaving his twins to their teacher and retreating for the entire day to his greenhouse. He's a large man, a bit imposing, but he just sees himself as a failure when it comes to his kids. A personal failure that he can't be the dad they need him to be, even when all the kids really want is for him to just be there. Eloise comes into their home and brings her smile, her laughter and her constant chatter.**********She couldn't see him, but she could feel him pause. "Has anyone ever told you you can be a bit stubborn?""All the time. It's my only flaw."She heard his smile in the tenor of his breath. "The only one, eh?""The only one worth commenting upon."**********She's not sure if they're meant to marry, Phillip has a hard time expressing himself and words don't come easy to him, but they don't have a choice in the marriage matter when the four Bridgerton men come barreling into Phillip's home.I love the Bridgerton men. Love! They come for their sister and once the beatings and threats die down, Anthony basically says, marriage. You can choose to be wed in one week. Or two. Phillip finds himself bonding, of sorts, with her brothers, and one of the best scenes in the book was when they went shooting. The men wanted to hurry and have a round of competitive shooting, but only if they did it before Eloise found out. She of course comes running outside and turns out to be a "freak" shot: point, shoot, bulls-eye. It turns into small bonding moment for Eloise and Phillip, but it's the start for them as they start to find some common ground to build from.**********"I wanted to see you," he whispered. He touched her cheek, then smoothed his thumb down the line of her jaw. "You're always in motion. I don't get to just see you."Her legs turned wobbly, and her lips parted, but she couldn't seem to make them work, couldn't seem to do anything other than stare up into his dark eyes."You're so beautiful," he murmured. "Do you know what I thought when I saw you the first time?"She shook her head, desperate for his words."I thought I could drown in your eyes. I though" - he moved in closer, his words now as much breath as sound - "I could drown in you."**********Phillip initially wants to marry so his kids will have a mother and he'll have a wife. Love isn't instant between these two and it grows the longer Eloise is there and the more Phillip lets her in. It's a sweet story and my favorite parts were when Phillip trusted himself as a father and acted like one with little Amanda and Oliver. I loved seeing the whole family together, and it was more than just a love story between Phillip and Eloise. This was a new family coming together, and it was a very nice read.Truthfully, this might be my least favorite of the first 5 books, but even saying that, it's still a book that is easy to get lost in, and easy to care for all the characters. There isn't a lot of the Bridgertons in this one, as it takes place in the country. No balls, or parties, and while I did miss all the Bridgerton family interaction we get in the earlier books, it's a nice change of pace. Francesca is up next and she really feels like the forgotten Bridgerton. That fact alone makes me curious and interested in getting to know her.Blog Rating: 4/5

Kindle Customer

8 de junio de 2026

Had to read

I have always read Julia Quinn books over many years. but the Briderton series of books. I watched and loved every season on Netflix, but I just couldn't wait to find out Eloise's story. I was not disappointed at all. What a truly amazing, beautiful story. I know the series are different from the books, but I really enjoyed this book. I laughed, cried, and emotional roller-coaster in a good way. Great read....Ver más

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lucia rocchi

14 de julio de 2025

Romantico

Eloise è la mia preferita e sono molto contenta che la sua storia sia bella! Temevo peggio... il secondo è il preferito di molte ma anche questo merita sicuramente il podio. Le scene con i fratelli bridgeton sono meraviglioseSperiamo restino nella serie perché sarebbe un peccato perderle (possibilmente senza fare re-casting che sarebbe un peccato perdere un Antony e un Benedict praticamente perfetti)Ver más

Andrew S.

16 de septiembre de 2024

To know where she belonged

The TV dramatisation wasn't for me, but I've been loving the books.This is the fifth Bridgerton novel. Eloise's story follows directly on from book four. We learn that Eloise has been exchanging correspondence with Sir Phillip Crane since his wife Marina, a distant cousin to the Bridgertons, passed away a year earlier. In his most recent letter, Sir Phillip has asked if he might meet with Eloise to discover if they might be suited for marriage. And so Eloise sneaks away to Gloucestershire...This was a great read. However historically accurate it may or may not be, I love the ritual and the awkwardness of the young people of the ton. Eloise is a confident, outspoken woman who has lived a very sheltered life. Phillip was his father's second son, set for life as a scholar before the death of his older brother left him heir to his father's title. Events in his past have left him emotionally guarded and unsure of how to relate to Eloise.Of course, they are made for each other. It takes them a couple of family crises to see this, but they eventually do.This is the first Bridgerton book to not feature Lady Whistledown's gossip sheet. In its place are extracts from various letters Eloise - an avid correspondent - has written in her past. It works, but I enjoyed the Whistledown column, and I'm hopeful for its return before the series is done.Ver más

Daneri Velasco

7 de septiembre de 2026

Lovely

They are the mist beautiful editions🩷

Ash

13 de junio de 2026

a must read

This book was beautiful. And I mean it in like a deep way if you’ve watched the series you know that Eloise has been portrayed as the one who doesn’t really “believe” in love or does everything to stay away from it. But in this book you understand there’s a deeper meaning that is often overlooked on women with strong opinions and this book does a wonderful job at depicting the needs and wants of a woman like Eloise. If you’ve ever been misunderstood or told you were too much I think this book will be a good read.Ver más