With Love With 2nd Epilogue (Bridgertons) - To Sir Phillip

This book has my era that so enjoy.the struggles of the aristocrat s with the ton and the average person to by pass the rules of society.But love always find away and you miss your characters upon completion.

Another entertaining read from Julia Quinn. I read books I like over and over. If I find a series I like I keep it in my library and let months or a year go pass and then reread them. She fills up a full shelf.Poo

I loved this story. I actually laughed out loud in parts, and I felt Sir Phillip's emotion as the tear fell down his cheek when he told Eloise he loved her. I actually teared up myself. I loved this story (I know, I said that)! It had everything you would hope to find in a romance and more.

Julia Quinn has done it again with another great Bridgerton book. A funny, delightful romance with a lovely, intelligent (if chatty) herione and a strong, attractive (if distant) hero. 'To Sir Phillip, With Love' is a humorous and sexy read. No one does historical romance better than Julia Quinn! Bravo, JQ!!!

This book was completely boring. I had to force myself to finish it. I'm just glad this one wasn't the first book I read by Julia Quinn or else I would never have picked up any of her others. I loved most of her other books though.

Fifth in the Bridgerton Family historical romance series set in post-Regency England. The couple focus is on Eloise Bridgerton and Sir Phillip.

My Take
It's certainly an original premise with Eloise flitting off on her own. I have no idea what she could have been thinking to take off like this. Quinn doesn't even provide a reasonable scenario to explain why Eloise thinks she can behave so outlandishly. It's one thing to be a comfortable woman almost on the shelf for this time period, but to run off without a maid? It's not like the family can't afford one. No, Quinn simply hasn't thought this one through.

Although it is a good thing for those poor kids. Their reaction to their mother's death is...so depressing, and their father's reaction to it all is, well, typical for the time. So they're lucky that the indomitable Eloise appears in their lives and takes charge. She can take it and she can dish it out as well, LOL.

I do like that Eloise is thrown by Phillip's reaction to her arrival. Serves the idiot right. Just because her own family is used to her, doesn't mean the rest of the world is ready for her. She's certainly old enough to know better.

This must be the most introspective courtship with most of it occurring within their own minds as Eloise and Phillip trying to understand each other, themselves, and marriage while trying to get close to the children. Children whom Phillip is shocked to discover have all sorts of skills and interests of which he is unaware. It's not the only aspect of life in which he's clueless. He reckons without his bride accepting his selfish conduct. A behavior he's adapted to protect his children.

Oh, I do love that even in this situation, Colin stays true to himself and is tucking in like a starving man.

The Story
It's Pen's marriage to Colin that sets Eloise off on her own adventure, a need to escape, as she's depressed. She had always thought Penelope would be there in the background, that she would never marry. Now she'll take advantage of a clandestine correspondence which began over her cousin's death, and escape during Daphne's grand ball.

Eloise may have missed Colin's big announcement, but she's handling much tricker affairs down in Gloucestershire when Sir Phillip's children try to kill her. It's only her own experiences with her nephews and nieces that enable her to switch up and take a completely unexpected tack with the twins.

It's quite fun for Eloise to play house, at least until her brothers find her.

The Characters
Eloise Bridgerton is a character who can't stop talking and doesn't exactly think her own actions through. She has turned down every request for her hand, secure in her self and knowing that Penelope would always be there for her. Now she can't turn to anyone else in this fresh bewilderment, for all her siblings are too bloody happy. Or widowed.

Sir Phillip Crane, a second son who should never have inherited, has suffered for eight years with his depressed wife, Marina. Until the day she affects a major change. He takes refuge in the greenhouse, pursuing his botanical interests, avoiding his children. Miles Carter is his very short-lived secretary. It was Nurse Millsby who watched over the children when Marina was still alive. Now it's Nurse Edwards who cares for the eight-year-old twins: Oliver and Amanda. An extremely rude and tricksy pair. Mrs. Hurley is the housekeeper; Gunning is the very competent butler. Thomas Crane was Sir Phillip's brutal father.

The rest of the Bridgerton family includes:
Anthony Bridgerton is the oldest, Viscount Bridgerton, married Kate in the The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgerton Family, #2); they have a two-year-old, Charlotte. Benedict Bridgerton married Sophie in An Offer From a Gentleman (Bridgerton Family, #3), and has pursued his art; they have a five-and-a-half-year-old son, Charles who's dying. Graves is their butler. Penelope Featherington has married Colin Bridgerton (see Romancing Mister Bridgerton (Bridgerton Family, #4)). Daphne was the first to marry when she and Simon Bassett fell in love in The Duke and I (Bridgerton Family, #1); they have three children now: Amelia, Belinda, and Caroline. Somehow Francesca got married without any of Quinn's readers being aware of it; she's now widowed. Violet, Lady Bridgerton is their mother and quite relentless about getting her children married off. Gregory and Hyacinth are the remaining unmarried children.

The Cover
The cover is like looking at an old photograph, the kind that gets that blue haze over it. In this case, it's a lovely, self-effacing, country cottage, Romney Hall, as only the gentry can build.

The title is a clever play on how Eloise and Sir Phillip "meet" over letters: To Sir Phillip, With Love.

Phillip is a botanist who lives in the England countryside in a drafty old mansion and struggles to raise two children after his wife commits suicide (or dies after trying to). Soon after he develops a pen pal relationship with his deceased wife's cousin and, a year later, proposes to her via mail, having had never met her. Eloise is the pen pal who jumps into a carriage in the middle of the night to meet Phillip, in hopes he'll be her match.

Several issues with this novel. ***SPOILERS***

I didn't believe the plot device that Eloise actually goes by herself to visit Phillip. Knowing the family from other books, the time period and the character, it seemed entirely improper and ridiculous. It was too easily overlooked and not even recognized by the characters until she'd already stayed the night in his home. This would have meant her reputation would have been utterly destroyed.

Details that didn't make sense. Like Eloise taking the children in May to go swimming, when it was mentioned how freezing the temperature had been just the day before. Also, big one... Eloise thinks to herself that she didn't have her bathing suit at hand. Which is ridiculous because bathing suits weren't invited until about 70 years after this book took place, which is in 1823. In the 1820s women wore full length dresses to the ocean with weights in keep the skirts from billowing up because they were so modest. Also, they were so modest that they even had little bath houses on wheels that could be rolled into the ocean/ lake in order to enjoy the water in private, behind a curtain.

Moving on to more important matters. I was highly irritated that the hero, Phillip, continually thought to himself that he would marry ANY woman because he was do desperate for companionship and a mother for his children. He thought to himself thought he would marry a crone with no personality, as long as she smiled once in a while. He wasn't that into Eloise at all, she was just the first woman to give him a chance. Even though they'd exchanged letters, he hadn't retained them or seem to have any sentimental feelings for her. He was, in fact, rather rude to her for the most part. He continually repeated in his inner monologue that a crone would make him happy/ any woman would even after he was getting to know Eloise. Ugh.

Very awkward moments. During one scene Phillip tells Eloise that he's been rutting with her so much because he hasn't had sex in eight years. Something like... "I'm simply having a ripping good time after a long dry spell." Nice.

The intimacy scenes are awful... not romantic at all. Just physical. During one scene he tells Eloise that he had no choice but to marry her, because her brothers would have castrated him.... despite the fact that he was the one who proposed to her and was so desperate.

Lots of references to masturbation. Also, constant comparing of his deceased wife to Eloise. On their wedding night, he makes several mental references to this and it's distracting. Eloise makes some random reference the same night that she likes looking at the male gardeners (sexually) because they are so "elemental" ... a strange comment indeed.

A very awkward memory of a near-rape scene with his deceased wife... where she lied there staring to the side and he went animalistic on her to try to get a response, then vomited after because he was so disgusted with himself. In fact, the whole deceased wife thing was very, very sad and set a very tragic foundation for the novel itself.

Overall, just not that enjoyable. Reading this book felt like awkwardly peeping into the life of a dysfunctional, somewhat perverse man.

Julia Quinn is a very creative and talented writer and I've enjoyed some of her other work. In this book, the adorable little quotes that start each chapter were noteworthy. Otherwise, just not my cup of tea.

Phillip is a miserable man, his wife suffered with chronic depression until she attempted suicide, his children seem unmanageable and he has no idea why or what to do about it for fear he will be as his abusive father was. Phillip believes the best thing he can do is marry a nice woman who will help him manage his life and his children. After the death of his wife Phillip receives an odd correspondence with Eloise who sends her sympathies. Eloise is also having a bit of an identity crisis, while her family is fine with her turning down marriage prospects, Eloise is beginning to feel lonely and life as a spinster suddenly seems quite bleak. After a year of secret correspondence Phillip offers and unusual marriage proposal without ever laying eyes on each other but can a correspondence really turn into friendship and mayhap even love?

Something about this story quite reminds me of British television, where the woman is constantly chatting and the man is trying to keep up with the constant stream of conversation. I did enjoy this book, and it is a bit different from the others in that it seemed like we knew a great deal more about Phillip emotionally than Eloise. Quite honestly I had a lot of sympathy for Phillip, it was like he rather lived in a shell. I also liked all of the noise and bumbling that Eloise brought to his life and his home.
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What did not really work for me was Eloise herself. As a character I liked her but I felt like I did not really understand her. It did not make sense to me that she would run away like a thief in the night for an adventure that could ruin her. While I could see Phillip falling in love with Eloise it did not seem much like she loved him. In other books she is witty and funny, perhaps that is due to all of the scenes with Penelope and Hyacinth...which takes me to my next point while it was nice to see the Bridgerton's brothers where are her sisters and I really missed her meddling mama??

In the end this is an enjoyable and touching story. To me it was a bit of a departure from the other Bridgerton's books but none the less I still liked it.
3 1/2 stars

Eloise Bridgerton sent Sir Phillip Crane a note of sympathy when his wife, Marina, died. Marina was also Eloise's cousin. When Sir Phillip answered her note, a 15-month correspondence was launched, and Eloise never told anyone, not even her closest friend, Penelope. When Penelope and Colin married, Eloise went into a tailspin as she'd always envisioned the two of them living their lives together as spinsters. Sir Phillip's last letter included a proposal so Eloise hurriedly leaves the wedding and shows up at his estate unannounced.

Sir Phillip assumed Eloise, being a spinster, would be homely and a little bit desperate (he needed help with his 6-year old twins). Eloise pinned all of her hopes on Sir Phillip being the perfect match. The two of them now had to find a way to make this work once they determined that neither fit each other's perception of perfection.

This is a lovely and sometimes sad story of two people who want the other to meet their expectations and end up making the best of it when it doesn't immediately happen for them. What makes this story work is the work they do to develop a relationship once the love at first sight moment doesn't happen. We get to see the romance unfold between two mature adults who have somewhat of a commitment to be together, for all the wrong reasons but there you have it.

I found Sir Phillip difficult to warm up to until more of his backstory was revealed. Of course, we already had more information about Eloise but we gained more insight about her true feelings and personality, making her more interesting and likable.

The Bridgerton brothers make an appearance and it is one of the highlights of the book. There are many laugh out loud moments that make this a must read.

While this isn't my most favorite in the series, I really enjoyed the book and the strength of the characterizations. I continue to love this series and family.

To Sir Phillip, With Love
Reviewed by Ann & posted at Under the Covers Book Blog

At eight and twenty, Eloise has been on the shelf for quite some time. Despite previous marriage proposals, Eloise never thought she'd find herself in this position, alone. With her best friend Penelope, happily married off to her brother, Colin no less, Eloise tries to take her life into her own hands.

It all starts with a letter to Sir Phillip offering him her deepest sympathizes on his wife's recent death. As is polite, Sir Phillips sends a letter back with a small gift of a pressed flower showing his appreciation. Soon, a relationship blooms between them as they continue to exchange letters until finally Eloise receives one that ask for her to visit his home to see if they would suit.

When I started this book, I'll admit I was feeling a bit detached from Sir Phillip. He was definitely not a Bridgerton brother. But then something happened and by page ten, a connection was made and I fell in love with him. It's pretty remarkable how Quinn has the power to do that with just a few words and a turn of events.

This book addresses more delicate matters such as suicide and corporal punishment. To Sir Phillip, With Love focused mainly on family and how the actions of one person could forever scar someone's life. Phillip knows of this by his father and his unstable relationship with him. It was also about the lack of actions by a loved one. I loved reading about how Phillip and Eloise found that balance.

Quinn crafts a lovely story that stirs up darker emotions but manages to warm the heart at the same time. Quick glimpses of the Bridgerton brothers lightened the mood, but I think it was the presence of the Crane kids that made me love this book so much. I can't wait to read the next one!

I love JQs writing and character development. Making Sir Philip such a jerk initially, though, made it difficult to believe that Eloise would develop her regard, feelings, and eventual love for him. He was absent and not particularly nice when he did deign to spend time with her, except when they were in bed. How easy is it to be intimate (and excited about it) with someone who is not there for you any other time?

I am somewhat tolerant of actions that are out of character for the period but, really? Eloise will show up unescorted and unannounced when she easily could have gone to her brother who lives close by and could lend legitimacy to her visit? Plus, there could be more of Benedict and Sophie to help tie the family in. Of course, the story would be markedly different but Eloise's actions just seemed way too over the top.

And what of Amanda and Oliver? Does any stepchild go from hellion who is not having any part of you to darling who loves you in a matter of days or weeks? Not really.

I still enjoyed the book but not as much as the others in the series. The writing is still good and I again marked more than a fair share of sayings to re-read and consider.

I love Julia Quinn's books and the Bridgerton Series especially. With that said, Eloise's story wasn't quite as exciting or emotional as some of the others in the series for me. It felt like something was missing. I wondered - perhaps the lack of a villian or antagonist? In most of JQ's stories, there is someone who is the bad guy (or gal) who is standing in the way of the love match. I believe the intent was to have the naughty children be the villians in this book, but that never really amounted to anything. For as horrible as the kids were supposed to be, they only played 2 measly pranks. I frankly expected that storyline to continue much further than it did. Anybody seen the movie "The Parent Trap"? There were some awesome pranks played by the twins in that movie... I expected something similar from the twins in this book. I was actually looking forward to it being some wonderful comedy, but it never really happened.

It was a little bit of a let down because the plot had such potential and I did like the characters as well. It had all the makings of a great romance, but there wasn't enough going on for my taste. I liked it, but I didn't love it.

Still, you need to read this book if you are reading the series. Every one of the brothers and sisters have a great love story and many of the books tie together in some way.

Miss Eloise Bridgerton at eight and twenty - she wasn't looking for someone perfect - just perfect for her! She didn't think herself beautiful, attractive but she was a Bridgerton after all, but most people liked her because she was nice. She was a wonderful correspondent and spent hours writing letters, birthday greetings, get well notes, etc. On the occasion of hearing of her cousins death she sent along a condolence letter to the bereaved husband, Sir Phillip Crane who in response to that note not only replied with a thank you but sent her a pressed flower in remembrance, and, so began a year long `secret' pen pal correspondence.
Sir Phillip, was a quiet man, a botanist - who while not happy - seemed to find some comfort in his work in his greenhouse. He had two children that he needed to find a mother for and knowing that Eloise Bridgerton was a spinster and more than likely homely and unassuming he would send a note along inquiring that they meet to see if they might not `suit'. However, he was in no way prepared to find a beautiful young woman, unescorted, in the early morning standing on his doorstep - a woman with cool gray eyes he could have drowned in! As Eloise charged through the next couple of days, she found that Sir Phillip wasn't exactly perfect - he needed a lot of work - but there was something about him that she would find was perfect for her!
What Julia Quinn has done, my dear reader, is to draw you in with her exquisite characterizations of this remarkable family so that you cannot help yourself but smile. From the moment you pick up the book to the very end you will find yourself on an emotional roller coaster of feelings as if you were living the story rather than a casual observer. I have followed the Bridgerton family chronicles since the very beginning with THE DUKE AND I, and each individual book has been placed on my keeper shelf where this one is sure to follow along with anything else this extremely gifted and talented author deems to write. While you could pick up any of the series as stand alone books, for pure enjoyment - buy them all and enjoy the Bridgerton loving family experience!

Like others I did not expect to like this story of Eloise very much at all. In the other Bridgerton stories Eloise came off more annoying than not, but in her own story she emerges as a deeply caring, warm woman who decides to take charge of her life and take a huge risk and run off to the home of Phillip Crane a man she had been writing to for over a year. At 28 Eloise is feeling desperate to find her own life and her own romance could Phillip be the one? Phillip is a male hero of a different sort - deeply damanged inside by an abusive father, left to feel incapable of making his first wife even marginally happy (she killed herself) and believing himself not worthy or capable of being a good father to his twins - Phillip buries himself in his greenhouse where he works as a botonist. He has written to Eloise and suggested perhaps they could marry. In writing he feels a safety because he does not have to reveal all the complicated turmoil of his inner thoughts. However Eloise surprises him with a visit and she is like a tornado in his quiet house. At first they seem totally not to suite but sometimes opposites do attract and since Phillip had been without a woman for 8 years and Eloise a 28 year old virgin - they do become compatible at first through passion. Well that is a good beginning - and enough it would appear for Phillip. He has a mother for his children and finally a willing bed partner what more is there. Eloise not one to be content with mediocrity she wanted more communication, she wanted Phillip to be closer to his children, she wanted love. And this just was a beautiful different kind of love story. This is one story where the most romantic parts of the book and the most emotional come after the wedding!! I would be remiss not to mention the brothers Bridgerton who make a stong appearance in this book - they are such an entertaining group and proudly Phillip holds his own - it is classic Julia Quinn! I loved this book as I have enjoyed all the Bridgerton novels - you will not be disappointed.

Her closest friend has unexpectedly married, and 28-year-old Eloise Bridgerton suddenly feels lost and alone. Impulsively, she decides to accept an invitation to visit from Sir Phillip Crane, such visit to be a precursor to marriage, assuming they suit. Phillip is the widowed husband of a distant cousin of Eloise. Eloise has been secretly corresponding with him since his wife died, but they have never met. It started out at first as a simple letter of condolence, but it has grown over the past year into quite an intimate correspondence. Eloise leaves a cryptic note for her family saying not to worry, but not revealing her destination, and travels to Phillip's estate. She takes him by surprise (having not sent a written reply to his proposal) so there is no chaperone present. However, there are Phillip's twin son and daughter whom he has neglected to mention in any of his letters! She is a little taken aback by the children and by Phillip's somewhat awkward and quiet demeanor, but decides to stay anyway and give it a try. Phillip, whose first wife suffered from severe depression and kept mostly to her room, wants simply to find someone who will be happy and care for his children. He is not prepared for the beguiling Eloise with her own needs, desires and opinions.

This story is moving and witty and wise and romantic as Eloise and Phillip - two very different people - learn to adjust to and communicate with one another. The interaction between Eloise and Phillip, and how each one interprets it, is priceless. Eloise needs to talk out every problem; Phillip is blissfully clueless and doesn't even realize when there is a problem. Phillip's character is utterly delightful. His "awakening" is sweet and funny and is the true highlight of the story. This is another well-executed and satisfying story in the Bridgerton series, and is highly recommended.

After nearly a decade since she made her bow to the haute ton and six marriage proposals, everyone, including her own family, thought that Eloise Bridgerton would never marry. So it comes as a shock to them when she disappears in the middle of the night and find her hundreds of miles away from London with a man whom she has never met before.

It all started when Sir Phillip Crane received a condolence note from his late wife's distant cousin. What started out as an innocent letter turned into a regular correspondence that continued for a year. Wishing to find a mother for his children, he thought she would be a perfect candidate, thinking that she was a twenty-eight-year old spinster who was desperate for marriage. Therefore it was a shock for him to see her at his doorstep, not even resembling the homely and horse-faced woman that he imagined her to be.

After reading the ending of ROMANCING MR BRIDGERTON, I couldn't wait to see what happened to Eloise after she sneaks out of the ball and hires a carriage to take her to the other side of England. The interaction between her and Phillip provides much amusement. The way she seems able to chatter on about anything endlessly, and how this both amused and irritated Phillip was actually quite delightful. I know that some people would think there is no way that Eloise would have settled for someone so completely opposite her, but I think that's what the author is trying to show us in this novel - that Eloise doesn't need someone exactly like her, while Phillip needs someone like Eloise to make him realize just what he has been missing out on, especially after marrying a woman who was rather meek and empty (and we know that Eloise knew what his late wife was like even as a child).

TO SIR PHILLIP, WITH LOVE is the fifth in Julia Quinn's popular Bridgerton Series. Although some parts lagged a bit, the banter between the main characters are witty and you can't ask for a better addition than the Bridgerton brothers, whose arrival turns Phillip's rather uneventful life into chaos.

Like a fine wine, Julia Quinn gets better and better with each novel. In To Sir Phillip, With Love-the fifth in the Bridgerton family series-Quinn gifts us with an incredibly moving and beautiful study of strong character, of the warmth and love of family and of human nature.
Everyone considered Eloise Bridgerton a spinster-not only was she the ancient age of 28 but she was also far too outspoken and independent for a marriageable miss. Little did they realize, however, that she had for some time been carrying on a secret correspondence with her cousin's widower, Sir Phillip Crane. Eloise with a secret? They would have been shocked; the loquacious Eloise never seemed like the type to keep secrets-she usually told everything to her best friend, Penelope Featherington, a close friend to the whole Bridgerton family.
But no one would have been more shocked than Eloise when she received a letter from Phillip proposing marriage! She tucked it away, completely nonplussed, and then the unthinkable happened: spinster Penelope married Eloise's brother Colin, and Eloise felt utterly alone. On impulse, Eloise slipped away late at night on a carriage bound for Philip's estate-she fervently hoped that Phillip would be the man with whom she could experience the deep love and wedded bliss that her elder siblings had found.
When Eloise arrived to meet the stunned Philip (whom she had not apprised of her visit!), he was nothing like she'd envisioned. Rough in manner, reclusively immersed in his botanical experiments and with two hostile children he'd failed to mention in his letters, Philip's handsome and rugged masculinity did little to console her.
For Philip's part, this gorgeous and charming creature was not the prim, plain miss he had envisioned to care for his problem children and to leave his heart intact. After the suicide of his wife (everyone thought it was an accident), the last thing Phillip wanted was to give his heart to anyone ever again.
The growing friction and affection between Eloise and Philip is delightful to watch, as is the expert and clever way Eloise manages to reform the two lonely, threatened children who are determined to do everything possible to get rid of her. When Eloise's enraged brothers arrive on the scene, a whole new and enjoyable dimension of family interaction takes off.
Like her previous work, Julia Quinn's latest exceptional novel cannot be done justice to by any plot summary. Her expertise is in the richness of character and of situation. Take, for example, the endearing and exquisite scenes on Eloise's wedding night: She and her mother Violet have a talk that movingly expresses the lifelong love they've felt for each other. Then later that night Eloise and Phillip experience lighthearted laughter with one another in the midst of a serious revelation that cements their bond all the more. Quinn is able to pull this off without diminishing-in fact, at the same time strengthening-the passion between them. Again, Quinn delves profoundly into emotions on the carriage ride that develops the companionship and honesty between the couple. These jewel-like scenes grace the entire book, making it glisten-all the way to Philip's romantic and heartwarming gesture of love at the end.
This book-and the whole Bridgerton family series-is joyfully required reading for the lover of romance. Don't miss it!

This is the 5th installment in the Bridgerton series of JQ.
To be completetly honest, I think the previous books were better.
This is not to say that Eloise's story is bad, but I thought it could have been shorter and/or more eventful.
The story basically begins where Romancing Mr Bridgerton (my personal favorite) left.
Eloise decides to go and visit Sir Phillip without telling anyone, including him.
Sir Phillip is a young widow that was married to one of Eloise's cdistant cousin. Then Eloise writes to Sir Phillip to express her condolences on the sudden death of Marina. That's how tehir friendship begins. They write to each other for a year and after an invitation he made to Eloise, for a visit to see if they could match for a marriage, she decides to go, just to satisfy her curiosity. Little did she know that he would be the opposite of her and that he had two thunderstorms in his house, that were also better known as his twin children.
In the story they have to surpass the not so many obstacles that lay ahead of them. The story starts really well, but then it drops and gets really slow, then, well into the book, the brothers finally make a hell of an appearence and spice up the novel, but as soon as they leave, the story drops again, and then towards the end, it picks up again. That's the way I saw it.
There's no appearence of Penelope, Eloise's best friend and Colin Bridgerton's wife, which not only surprised me, but kind of left me dissapointed.
Colin is about the funniest of all the brothers and really lifts the story. We get to meet Gregory Bridgerton. For the 1st time he actually makes an appearence insted of just being mentioned, which was nice for a change.
And very very noticiable absence was that of Lady Whistledown. I seriously missed her entries. As a substitute, and not a very good one, although it was fun in some points, was the letters Eloise had written to some member of her family or her friend Penelope during her life.
The story was nice, but not her best. I was dissapointed at points, but then I was extremely pleased at others. If u r a JQ fan read it. It is not as good as Romancing Mr. Bridgerton and The Viscount Who Loved Me, but it is still a pretty good book, plus is part of the Bridgerton series, and any book that has those men in it, I will read in nano seconds!

After reading a couple of Quinn books, I thought she never had bad days, I guess I was wrong. I truly love Eloise's character with her to-the-point-attitude and her non-stop bickering. I was hoping that Quinn would team her up with another interesting character. I'm going to ignore normal reasoning and indulge myself to some petty and shallow thinking so if u r hopelessly obssess with JQ, I have to say stop reading this b4 u commit urself into a series of uncalled swearing. I don't really like Sir Phillip. He's too troubled and he came out phony and unbalance in the end. I didn't feel a spark between him and Eloise; they didn't suite at all! I know, I know...I should give him space for his sadistic father and his psychotic wife...but Quinn didn't really succeed to create a dynamic character out of Phillip. I can still feel that bitterness and some hole in his life. I mean, his new-father-persona didn't really convince me at all...It's like Phillip jumped from A to E and we're left to wonder where the hell did he hide all the fillings. I admit the "E" part, I mean the long speech in the ending is truly touching but Quinn didn't present enought proof or basis to create an atmosphere of sincerity. The ONLY thing I notice and ENJOYED the most was the in dept involvement of the Bridgerton Brothers. That really saved the novel from being a complete bore. The flower scene also didnt do it for me; that was not original. After having said all these, Ill say "go read the book" because there's no way you should skip a Bridgerton novel, right? I know my opinions are not really any encouragements but it's still worth a few hours of ur time because Eloise's brothers and even Amanda and Oliver might fill the gaps (that I was whining about) with humor instead.

Eloise Bridgerton and Sir Philip Crane have been corresponding for over a year. Sir Philip asks Eloise to come for a visit to see if they will suit each other enough to marry. Eloise agrees to this but does not tell her family, nor does she write Sir Philip to say when she will be arriving. Thus the first encounter is less than encouraging. He is expecting a homely spinster, which Eloise certainly is not. She is expecting someone much more charming and affable.
Eloise is a great heroine. She has an irrepressible spirit and speaks her mind frequently. Sir Philip is less likable as a hero, but Quinn does a great job of explaining why Philip acts inappropriately. Since much of the story is from Philip's point of view, instead of seeing him as a jerk, the reader will feel compassion for this awkward and somewhat shy man. I truly loved Philip, he was uncertain and insecure, and easily made happy. I just didn't know why Eloise would love him.
While this is certainly a love story, the main focus is the relationship between Philip and his children. Philip is a distant father because of his fear of becoming like his own father. His awkwardness with his children is heartbreaking, frustrating, and endearing at the same time. However, due to the focus with Philip coming to terms with dealing with his own childhood, as well as dealing with the death of his wife, this story is sweet and amusing, but not hysterically funny, as the rest of the Bridgerton series has been. There is one great scene halfway through the book when Eloise's brothers arrive that is laugh out loud funny, but it is too short by far. Still a worthy buy, but different from her usual books.

In 1823, Marina Crane decides to take her own life on the first sunny days in months. Her husband, Phillip, saves her from drowning, but the ensuing lung fever takes her three days later. After she dies, Sir Phillip is mildly surprised to receive a condolence note from Eloise Bridgerton, Marina's distant cousin. This the beginning of a correspondence that last for over a year (hinted at in Romancing Mr. Bridgerton).
Eventually, Sir Philip asks Eloise to come for a visit to see if they will suit each other enough to marry. Eloise agrees to this, but does not tell her family. She also doesn't tell Sir Phillip when she is arriving, essential to a shy, awkward man like Sir Philip. Obviously,the first encounter is less than encouraging because he is expecting a homely spinster and she is expecting someone much more charming.
Eloise was somewhat annoying to me as a heroine (probably because we're so much alike!). She has an irrepressible spirit and speaks her mind entirely too often (when her mouth should stay shut). Sir Philip is a great hero. Since much of the story is from Philip's point of view, we get a chance to see how this shy, awkward man really feels about Eloise before she does. I think this was pivotal because it is easy to write Sir Phillip off as uninteresting.
A great deal of this story is serious. The death of his wife and the trauma of his childhood contribute to the way Phillip deals with the world, his children, and Eloise. It isn't until Phillip and Eloise are married that Eloise starts piecing the truth together. This story is sweet and amusing, but not hysterically funny, as the rest of the Bridgerton series has been. It is still a worthy buy, but different from her usual books.

I have read most of the books of the Bridgerton series, and I especially enjoyed this one. I don't really understand the negative reviews, as I thought it was a wonderful story with great characters, fun interactions, and plenty of steamy romance. A very satisfying read.

I absolutely adored the character of Sir Phillip. He is a vulnerable character -- an honest and honorable man, who has suffered a great deal of tragedy in his life with very little happiness, and is desperately looking for a better family situation for his unruly neglected twins because he really doesn't trust himself to be a good father. Eloise breezes into his life, but quickly discovers that Sir Phillip is not one of the polished society males she is used to, seriously lacking in communication and parenting skills. Nevertheless Sir Phillip recognizes and truly admires Eloise's unique qualities right away. This is a huge contrast when compared to her overbearing brothers who barge into the middle of the story for comic relief. Sir Phillip loves Eloise's bossiness, and doesn't even mind her over talkative nature even though he teases her about it. He knows she is just what his children need, and finds himself overwhelmingly attracted to her as well.

Of course Eloise had been holding out for a true love match, but facing spinsterhood alone decided to take this wild chance which results in her marrying before she is really ready to do so. Nevertheless, in his quiet but passionate wild-man way, Phillip is able to sweep her off her feet and they and the children come to the understandings needed to build a loving and happy family.

Although this has not been one of my favorite books by JQ her trademark wit and humor along with likeable characters are still present in this story. This is Eloise's story and this story picks up where Romancing Mr. Bridgerton left off. We now know where Eloise headed at the end of the story. She is off to begin her adventure. Eloise has no idea what she's in for!
Sir Philip Crane is a botonist and father of twins and has no idea how to go about raising them. Plants he knows, kids are a totally different story. Philip decides that Ms. Bridgerton is the perfect solution. They have been writing back and forth for over a year. Now that his period of mourning is over he invites Eloise out to his estate to see if they will suit for marriage. End result, Eloise shows up without warning and he is not expecting the 28 year old spinster to be so pretty, or so together. And he certainly does not expect to be attracted to her!
This was still a funny story and quite frankly I can't put my finger on what exactly I found lacking but it just did not hit me as a great JQ book. Still if you have fallen in love with the Bridgerton's (and who hasn't?) you won't want to miss this addition.

I'm not sure why, but this last installment of Quinn's Bridergton series left me with a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. I've waited for this book for a year, read the rest of the series over again in preparation, and then finished this book in one afternoon... feeling as if I'd read a short-story that didn't live up to the standards of the rest of her books.
Julia Quinn is something of a hero to me because she manages to liven-up a genere of romance (regency) that is so often over-written and under-developed. Her characters are wonderful, not only because they fall in love so beautifully, but because they interact with their families, they have issues they need to resolve (Simon's fear of being a father, Anthony's fear of death, Colin's fear of a wasted life, etc.) and the love they find helps them grow and accomplish that. They also make the reader laugh, and seem so real that you have to love them.
But Phillip and Eloise seem to sail through their story, never quite getting into the real issues facing their relationship. It happens too quickly, and their distance from the rest of the Bridgerton clan takes away some of the charm of the tale (most especially the absence of Penelope, Eloise's best friend and Colin's wife, who on the day of Eloise's dissapearance revealed a great secret that Eloise never learns and really should).
All in all, by the standards of the genre, it is a fun, easy and engaging story that will make you want to read all the other Bridgerton books. But by Quinn's standards, well, I'm just waiting for the next one.

These books in the Bridgerton series honestly seem to get worse with each progressing one. First of all, I hated the characterizations in this book. Eloise was a watered down version of her usual self in the previous books and Phillip was not a very gripping hero. I actually ended up hating him by the end of the book. The first 300 pages he basically only wants Eloise so he could take care of his kids for him and so he could have someone to have sex with at night before going to bed. He also isn't much of a father for the first 2/3 of the book. Then, he suddenly makes this magical transformation (and I say magical because there really wasn't much of a build up) and realizes he actually does love Eloise and that he wants to spend time with his kids, even though he's basically been ignoring them and handing them off to other people to deal with even before his previous wife had passed away. Although the book did have a few funny moments here and there, it was missing the witty dialogue and chemistry found in The Duke and I and The Viscount Who Loved Me. I wouldn't buy it. Maybe borrow it from the library if you are ever bored and want a few laughs.

Eloise Bridgerton and Sir Philip Crane have been corresponding for over a year. Sir Philip asks Eloise to come for a visit to see if they will suit each other enough to marry. Eloise agrees to this but does not tell her family, nor does she write Sir Philip to say when she will be arriving. Thus the first encounter is less than encouraging. He is expecting a homely spinster, which Eloise certainly is not. She is expecting someone much more charming and affable.
Eloise is a great heroine. She has an irrepressible spirit and speaks her mind frequently. Sir Philip is less likable as a hero, but Quinn does a great job of explaining why Philip acts inappropriately. Since much of the story is from Philip's point of view, instead of seeing him as a jerk, the reader will feel compassion for this awkward and somewhat shy man. I truly loved Philip, he was uncertain and insecure, and easily made happy. I just didn't know why Eloise would love him.
While this is certainly a love story, the main focus is the relationship between Philip and his children. Philip is a distant father because of his fear of becoming like his own father. His awkwardness with his children is heartbreaking, frustrating, and endearing at the same time. However, due to the focus with Philip coming to terms with dealing with his own childhood, as well as dealing with the death of his wife, this story is sweet and amusing, but not hysterically funny, as the rest of the Bridgerton series has been. There is one great scene halfway through the book when Eloise's brothers arrive that is laugh out loud funny, but it is too short by far. Still a worthy buy, but different from her usual books.

In 1823, Marina Crane decides to take her own life on the first sunny days in months. Her husband, Phillip, saves her from drowning, but the ensuing lung fever takes her three days later. After she dies, Sir Phillip is mildly surprised to receive a condolence note from Eloise Bridgerton, Marina's distant cousin. This the beginning of a correspondence that last for over a year (hinted at in Romancing Mr. Bridgerton).
Eventually, Sir Philip asks Eloise to come for a visit to see if they will suit each other enough to marry. Eloise agrees to this, but does not tell her family. She also doesn't tell Sir Phillip when she is arriving, essential to a shy, awkward man like Sir Philip. Obviously,the first encounter is less than encouraging because he is expecting a homely spinster and she is expecting someone much more charming.
Eloise was somewhat annoying to me as a heroine (probably because we're so much alike!). She has an irrepressible spirit and speaks her mind entirely too often (when her mouth should stay shut). Sir Philip is a great hero. Since much of the story is from Philip's point of view, we get a chance to see how this shy, awkward man really feels about Eloise before she does. I think this was pivotal because it is easy to write Sir Phillip off as uninteresting.
A great deal of this story is serious. The death of his wife and the trauma of his childhood contribute to the way Phillip deals with the world, his children, and Eloise. It isn't until Phillip and Eloise are married that Eloise starts piecing the truth together. This story is sweet and amusing, but not hysterically funny, as the rest of the Bridgerton series has been. It is still a worthy buy, but different from her usual books.

I have read most of the books of the Bridgerton series, and I especially enjoyed this one. I don't really understand the negative reviews, as I thought it was a wonderful story with great characters, fun interactions, and plenty of steamy romance. A very satisfying read.

I absolutely adored the character of Sir Phillip. He is a vulnerable character -- an honest and honorable man, who has suffered a great deal of tragedy in his life with very little happiness, and is desperately looking for a better family situation for his unruly neglected twins because he really doesn't trust himself to be a good father. Eloise breezes into his life, but quickly discovers that Sir Phillip is not one of the polished society males she is used to, seriously lacking in communication and parenting skills. Nevertheless Sir Phillip recognizes and truly admires Eloise's unique qualities right away. This is a huge contrast when compared to her overbearing brothers who barge into the middle of the story for comic relief. Sir Phillip loves Eloise's bossiness, and doesn't even mind her over talkative nature even though he teases her about it. He knows she is just what his children need, and finds himself overwhelmingly attracted to her as well.

Of course Eloise had been holding out for a true love match, but facing spinsterhood alone decided to take this wild chance which results in her marrying before she is really ready to do so. Nevertheless, in his quiet but passionate wild-man way, Phillip is able to sweep her off her feet and they and the children come to the understandings needed to build a loving and happy family.

Although this has not been one of my favorite books by JQ her trademark wit and humor along with likeable characters are still present in this story. This is Eloise's story and this story picks up where Romancing Mr. Bridgerton left off. We now know where Eloise headed at the end of the story. She is off to begin her adventure. Eloise has no idea what she's in for!
Sir Philip Crane is a botonist and father of twins and has no idea how to go about raising them. Plants he knows, kids are a totally different story. Philip decides that Ms. Bridgerton is the perfect solution. They have been writing back and forth for over a year. Now that his period of mourning is over he invites Eloise out to his estate to see if they will suit for marriage. End result, Eloise shows up without warning and he is not expecting the 28 year old spinster to be so pretty, or so together. And he certainly does not expect to be attracted to her!
This was still a funny story and quite frankly I can't put my finger on what exactly I found lacking but it just did not hit me as a great JQ book. Still if you have fallen in love with the Bridgerton's (and who hasn't?) you won't want to miss this addition.

I'm not sure why, but this last installment of Quinn's Bridergton series left me with a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. I've waited for this book for a year, read the rest of the series over again in preparation, and then finished this book in one afternoon... feeling as if I'd read a short-story that didn't live up to the standards of the rest of her books.
Julia Quinn is something of a hero to me because she manages to liven-up a genere of romance (regency) that is so often over-written and under-developed. Her characters are wonderful, not only because they fall in love so beautifully, but because they interact with their families, they have issues they need to resolve (Simon's fear of being a father, Anthony's fear of death, Colin's fear of a wasted life, etc.) and the love they find helps them grow and accomplish that. They also make the reader laugh, and seem so real that you have to love them.
But Phillip and Eloise seem to sail through their story, never quite getting into the real issues facing their relationship. It happens too quickly, and their distance from the rest of the Bridgerton clan takes away some of the charm of the tale (most especially the absence of Penelope, Eloise's best friend and Colin's wife, who on the day of Eloise's dissapearance revealed a great secret that Eloise never learns and really should).
All in all, by the standards of the genre, it is a fun, easy and engaging story that will make you want to read all the other Bridgerton books. But by Quinn's standards, well, I'm just waiting for the next one.

These books in the Bridgerton series honestly seem to get worse with each progressing one. First of all, I hated the characterizations in this book. Eloise was a watered down version of her usual self in the previous books and Phillip was not a very gripping hero. I actually ended up hating him by the end of the book. The first 300 pages he basically only wants Eloise so he could take care of his kids for him and so he could have someone to have sex with at night before going to bed. He also isn't much of a father for the first 2/3 of the book. Then, he suddenly makes this magical transformation (and I say magical because there really wasn't much of a build up) and realizes he actually does love Eloise and that he wants to spend time with his kids, even though he's basically been ignoring them and handing them off to other people to deal with even before his previous wife had passed away. Although the book did have a few funny moments here and there, it was missing the witty dialogue and chemistry found in The Duke and I and The Viscount Who Loved Me. I wouldn't buy it. Maybe borrow it from the library if you are ever bored and want a few laughs.

This book is really somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars - but obviously the rating system doesn't allow for this. Overall the book was pretty well done, although I did have some quibbles with it.

The best thing this story has going for it was the hero. Phillip was my personal favorite type of hero in that he was: an intellectual - as a botanist he had a vocation to work at instead of spending his time gambling or in other idle-rich pursuits, practical yet kind, a little shy, handsome without being described as "impossibly so". Most important, Phillip was not a "Duke of Slut" - he didn't go whoring or even keep a mistress, even though he wasn't getting any at home. I have to laugh at a previous reviewer who said she was disgusted by the mention of Phillip "relieving himself". I commend the author for this detail, because it adds some aspect of realism to the incident (Phillip getting sexally worked up because of his encounter with Eloise - but of course at the time they can't go any further - and so what else would you expect a guy to do in that situation - he hasn't had sex - with a woman - in 8 years!), yet she (the author) doesn't dwell on it or go into extensive detail about it. Referring back to that earlier reviewer, she also said she was disgusted by the mention of spanking. Well, again, it adds realism to the story. And again, the author mentions it only once. I'm against corporal punishment in most situations, but the incident in the story line made it seem well-deserved. And besides, this is 19th century England, and it certainly would have been the norm for disciplining children. Another reason for mentioning the spanking, I think, is to show how bad it hurt Phillip to do it - he was so tortured by memories of his own horrible childhood and afraid of turning out like his father.
But now for my quibble - 2 actually. One is the previously mentioned sexual incident between Eloise and Phillip. Although I was fine with Phillip "relieving himself" I actually had a problem with the sexual encounter itself. Prior to that the 2 of them had only kissed, albeit passionately. Eloise is a virgin and a very proper "miss". It's so hard to believe that she would allow or even be in the mood to practically have sex right in her brother's house with everyone about in the middle of the day. It certainly wasn't a very romantic encounter. I was enjoying the book fairly well until that incident. It just didn't seem to fit, seemed unrealistic, and had a jarring effect.

The other quibble is that for some reason the characters, especially Eloise, seemed flat, not well-rounded. I did not feel as though I knew them - again, especially Eloise - and thus did not care about them as much as I would have liked to. Still, this was an enjoyable story with a great hero.

In 1823 Gloucestershire, England, a depressed Marina Crane leaves her bed for the first time in weeks jumping into the nearby icy water. Her botanist husband Phillip rescues her from drowning, but she dies three days later from a fever. Phillip and their seven-year-old twin children feel grief, guilt, and relief.
Phillip receives a letter from Marina's cousin Eloise Bridgerton expressing her sympathy. He writes back thanking her and encloses a pressed flower. They exchange more letters until Phillip invites Eloise to his estate to see if they would suit. Eloise tells no one including Phillip that with no chaperone she goes to visit him.
Eloise introduces herself, but is shocked he has children, as he never mentioned them. She introduces herself to the twins, but they tell her to leave, as they want no guests. The twins confront Eloise who throws down the gauntlet. Eloise explains to Phillip that she wants a husband and liked his letters so she came to see if they will really suit. He admits he wants a mother for his unruly children. As they fall in love, his kids will do everything to drive her away.
The latest Bridgerton Regency romance is a fun yet serious tale due to the antics of the two children seeking attention from their father. Though complex issues involving the lead male's two children are too easily resolved; the latest Bridgerton tale is a fun frolic with much of the family making a strong appearance.
Harriet Klausner

If I could give it no stars I would. This book was BORING..if I could curse i would. I would use a word that starts with an letter and it starts with ..well you know. The subject matter was too dark and not handled well. Most of all there was no ROMANTIC interactions between the hero & heroine. I still haven't finished it....Don't waste your money

The fifth book in Julia Quinn's successful Bridgerton series tells the story of Eloise, 28-year-old spinster and middle child. Eloise has turned down six suitors in her many years on the Marriage Mart with the hopes of falling in love and finding the perfect man. Still, when her best friend and fellow spinster, Penelope Featherington, marries her older brother Colin, she cannot help but feel betrayed. She decides to run away and visit a man with whom she has been conducting correspondence, Sir Phillip Crane, the widower of her distant cousin Marina who has proposed marriage in his most recent letter. Though he asks her to marry him via post, she couldn't possibly marry a stranger... could she?

Sir Phillip Crane is in need of a wife. After his wife died, his 8-year-old twins became completely unruly, scaring away governesses and running through his house like terrors. He doesn't really care if the woman in question is beautiful, wealthy, or has a mind for numbers, as long as she is willing to instill some discipline in his little monsters. After a year of correspondence with Eloise Bridgerton, he concludes that she must be an on-the-shelf spinster, and that his proposal of marriage will be a welcome invitation. When the woman turns up on his doorstep unannounced, imagine his surprise to find that she's actually beautiful...

I've been dreading picking up To Sir Phillip, With Love even though I've read the majority of the other Bridgerton books, just because I didn't really believe that I would find the story plausible. What well-bred young lady just runs off in the middle of the night to meet a complete stranger sans escort and with no concern for her formerly sterling reputation. Still, I enjoyed this book more than I did Benedict and Colin's stories, though not nearly as much as those of Anthony and Daphne. Eloise and Phillip are an excellent couple, their wits are matched, and they both refuse to back down when they feel something. The way that Eloise teaches Phillip to love and trust again is romantic and endearing, and the way that Phillip melts under her tutelage is the way you'd a imagine a hero would behave. I recommend the fifth book in the Bridgerton series and suggest giving it a chance before writing it off as implausible.

"To Sir Phillip, With Love" is another terrific book by Julia Quinn. Julia has the amazing ability of bringing her characters to life. The reader tends to be pulled into the story and swept away with the emotions and feelings of both Eloise Bridgerton and Sir Phillip. One does not 'watch from the sidelines' while reading this novel.

A unique premise and a wonderfully told story, on par with "Pride and Prejudice". This is one novel I will read again and again.

I love Julia Quinn, and enjoyed this book to a degree. However, I found myself very disapointed in the hero, Phillip. Firstly, his reaction to Eloise's arrival seemed enterly too odd, even for a man "not good with words". He was much too confused about everything.
I also especially hated that it seemed that he could actually find himself perfectly happy and content with Eloise as nothing more than a mother by day and his slut by night... Sorry for my bluntness, but this is how it came across.
I was also shocked by some of the dialog that passed between them, he was down right mean and aweful to her with some of the things he said, and honestly I couldn't find myself edeared to a man that despite his past, would say such things for a woman whom he, only shortly later, came to realize he was in love with.
I did enjoy the opening of each chapter of Eloise's thoughts and writing of the past and how they fit perfectly into the story, and I loved the very end.
I hate doing this, I really do, but I must say, unless you're a JQ fan and want to keep up with the going's on of the Bridgerton family, I simply don't recommend this book. While there were enjoyable parts of this novel, it just simply wasn't what I had expected from her.

Yep. I Love 'To Sir Phillip, with Love'. I guess it's one of those you either love it or loathe it kind of books, but I can't quite grasp why someone wouldn't love it too.
The first thing that attracted me was the hero himself. Sir Phillip. He is a different sort of hero than you usually see in a romance novel. He's not that sure of himself, he's failing as a father and he has a lot of pain from the past buried inside himself. But he tries, and he cares, and he is honorable to a fault. He's a good man, with all the failings and blessings that come with it. And you hardly ever see that now days. Usually it's all about the rogue who has bedded a thousand women and now he'll promise to be faithful to one woman the rest of his life. *ahem* Right.
I guess TSPWL came along at just the right time for me. I was caught up in the story, I loved the hero, Eloise herself was a different kind of heroine and she was utterly perfect for Phillip. It was fun catching up with the brothers and finding out how they were doing. It made me cry and it made me laugh and I was truly grateful for the happy ending.
As for it not being like some of her other books, well...Julia Quinn never writes the same book twice and I'm truly grateful for that.

I also purchased this book as soon as it hit the shelves. However, after the first couple pages, I stopped and re-read the ending of Colin's story to see if I had forgotten the part about Francesca. Francesca was widowed? Who did she marry? I was sure Julia Quinn must have written a book in between that I missed. I alway have to read series book in their proper order or it drives me crazy! Well there was no book, so I started "To Sir Phillip, With Love" again, hoping that at some point I'd find out what happened to Francesca.
My next disappointment was Phillip. To me, Phillip just did not come across as the type of man that should have been paired with such a strong-willed, independent character as Eloise. There also was not enough envolvement with the other Bridgerton family members.
Even though the overall story was good, it just wasn't the high quality you normally receive from Julia Quinn's books.

This is my favourite book of the Bridgerton series. This author is quite a good writer, so all of them are enjoyable to read. However, this was the first book where I found the angst not manufactured, but quite organic, and the characters were more human, they gripped me more deeply. Also, I think that having children characters, especially in a step-family situation, always adds an extra layer to any book. Overall, a deeply satisfying read.

I think the story of Eloise Bridgerton and Sir Phillip Crane is romantic and engaging, in fact they're my favorite Bridgerton couple so far. Phillip's rough edges and hidden vulerabilities made him very appealing. I cared for him, liked him, and genuinely wanted him to be happy. Eloise's funny little quirks (ie talking too much, being very opinionated, sharpshooting better than her brothers, etc.), along with the genuine caring she shows Phillip and his children, also make her a very likable, well-rounded character. Other reviewers stated that this story was too formulaic, and perhaps it does rather follow the perscribed romance novel formula, but in this case the formula really works. Enough back story is provided to make Phillip's attraction to Eloise believable and heart-warming. And I thought the love scenes, particularly the one on Phillip and Eloise's wedding night, warranted turning up the air-conditioning a few notches.

Hmmm, I am surprised by some of the negative reviews. I found the characters very human and likeable. My views were not based on knowing Eloise from other Bridgerton books since I have only read one other (Colin's story). That may be why I liked Eloise better than some reviewers.

Sir Phillip was a man who ran away from his problems by burying himself in botany experiments. He had learned to cope with a severely depressed wife and seemingly untamable children by retreating into himself and his greenhouse. Phillip had no foundation of good parental behavior. He thought himself a bad father but didn't try to change. He felt the best way to handle the situation after his wife's death was to find the best mother. Maybe not ok by today's standards but it needs to be examined under the early 1800's standards where his thinking and reactions were quite normal.

Eloise felt restless. Her friends were marrying and she had no prospects that interested her. A quick note to the widowed husband of her cousin led to a year of letters and an unusual proposal of marriage. The letters in the beginning of each chapter gave me a wonderful portrait of her soul. I loved that touch! I wish we had been privy to more of the letters between Phillip and Eloise - more people might have found Phillip likeable. Eloise hastily runs off to meet this "perfect" man and finds that not only is he not perfect, there are a few things he neglected to tell her - especially the 8 year old (boy and girl) twins! But he is passionate and seduced by his kisses she begins to decide they will suit each other.

Then the Bridgerton brothers converge on the scene after a week. There are funny situations with the brothers that made me laugh out loud. They also insist on a hasty wedding and Eloise and Phillip do not begin marriage on a good footing. Trouble with the children gets worse, Phillip retreats into himself and Eloise tries to fix everything in her dominating way. Can it work out in the end or are they doomed to passion but not love? (They do get along fine in the bedroom and I loved the sensuality of this novel).

I enjoyed every aspect of this novel. The characters including the children and even the horrible nurse all add a dimension of reality. These are not cookie-cutter perfect people that you may find in other novels. There were real problems to be resolved and I was sorry to see the book come to an end.

I've fallen in love with this series, so was happy to check this tithe out via my local library. It's my least favorite yet, but still a very decent read. The other stories had a lot of punch and this one didn't so fell a bit flat for me.

To Sir Phillip, With Love

by Julia Quinn

Reviewer: Pamela Ackerson (author of Home of the Braves trilogy)

Eloise loves to correspond with everyone and anyone she can. Her adventure starts with a condolence letter sent to Sir Phillip Crane upon the death of his wife, her distant cousin. Alas, the heroine is faced with a cantankerous gentlemen and unpredictable twins when she unexpectedly arrives on his doorstep.

Ms. Quinn keeps the reader going from page one until the very end. A storyteller in its truest form. Before I knew it, I was closing the book, wanting more. More, she has giving us with the Bridgerton series. Pick an adjective, any adjective and you will describe this excellent story. I can't wait, sitting on my bedside table, another Bridgerton story just waiting for me to read--It's in His Kiss.

Perhaps, my second favorite Julia Quinn heroine, next to Penelope Featherington, is her best friend, Eloise Bridgerton. In "Romancing Mr. Bridgerton," Eloise realized that after Penelope and Colin got married, she won't have her former spinster friend with her anymore to enjoy "blessed singlehood." In the next Bridgerton installment, "To Sir Phillip, With Love" we discover who Eloise has been corresponding with -the husband of their late cousin. It started when Eloise wrote a sympathy letter to Sir Phillip when she heard their cousin died. Then, Sir Phillip responded, until their correspondences developed into friendship, which led Sir Phillip to propose to Eloise!
Sir Phillip proposed to Eloise thinking that she was the typical spinster and so conveniently solving his problems in finding a "permanent" governess for his two children and a companion who will be there but not distract him from his first love: botany. He did not expect Eloise to really respond immediately; he did not even expect Eloise to arrive in his doorstep. Sir Phillip was not only shocked to find Eloise unannounced in his home but she was not his picture of a homely spinster, Eloise was beautiful, smart, tough, and talks to distraction. His first reaction was to shut her up with a deep, passionate kiss.
I can't wait to read this follow up to "Romancing Mr. Bridgerton" and I was not disappointed. There were some dark moments there in the book but Eloise is such a strong and positive heroine, she shines through most of those moments. Plus, the appearance of the gorgeous Bridgerton brothers to "rescue" Eloise should not be missed.

Although previous reviews I've read (mainly the ones that may be classified as "Spotlight Reviews") completely bash this book, I've found it touching and entertaining. Perhaps, when compared to previous Julia Quinn novels, this book doesn't leave much of her trademark wit and banter, but it allows Quinn to bring more serious matters to the forefront. Sure we've "experienced" personal problems such as emotional abuse, insecurity, familial loss, but now were confronting postpartum depression (well, let's just label it depression in all), child abuse, and more emotional conflicts thrown in the mix. Quinn's talented writing is effective when it comes to matters such as these, after all, it's a story of dealing with life's problems. And so, it surprises me to read reviews that demand for the characters to "get over it," when in reality we all know that life is rarely ever that easy (and even more importantly, this book would be really short). Granted, regardless of the seriousness of the subject matter, you go through a roller coaster of emotions and to an extent, one could consider that a Julia Quinn trademark. One minute you sympathize with Philip's situation, and the next you're laughing at the farce involving Eloise, Philip, and the four Bridgerton men.

The story fits perfectly well for Eloise's personality; it allows us to see her as more than just a clever, witty, snoopy individual (all fine qualities I assure you). We always knew Eloise's playful side, but now we're exposed to her vulnerabilities but retained her strong character. Eloise made the story light in an otherwise dark and delicate text, if it got any "darker," God forbid the kind of reviews and complaints you'd make towards the author!

In all, To Sir Philip... did not show any decline in talent on Quinn's part. If you still find yourself disagreeing with me, at least consider the epilogue at the end of the book. The sincere love emanating from the letter is vintage Julia Quinn. Her innate capabilities of writing such a passage without diving into a pool of clichés and cheese should at least restore a bit of your confidence in her as a writer...

Julia Quinn's writing technique is light, quick, and easy to read. This book continues the Bridgerton family yarn. Unfortunately, I believe the storyline is growing stale. This novel supports the series, but to stand alone on its own merit -- never!
By now, every Julia Quinn fan knows the history of the Bridgerton clan. I realize Quinn must inform a first time reader, but this generates a difficult situation for her loyal fans. Such repetition is boring for steadfast followers, after all this is book # 5 in the Bridgerton series. Five times Ms. Quinn has enlightened us! The family still has two unmarried children not to mention sister Francesca's tragedy!!
Eloise Bridgerton, of course, is from a large boisterous family and throughout the first half of the story the reader wonders how the devil Eloise has escaped these folks. Regardless, Eloise has gone missing; she is fleeing to meet her secret pen pal. She left in the dead of night -- what no trustworthy servants haunting the halls? Nevertheless, she is gone! When Eloise's male siblings discover her whereabouts, Quinn's promising love story screeches to a halt. Here lies the problem; the author now devotes endless pages to the Bridgerton family and their history.
Then this gem -- during the grand consummation scene (Right In The Middle Of The Scene) -- Eloise spots Phillip's back! A back heavily marked with scar tissue. Stop the action, now the two lovers decide to discuss Phillip's abusive father. Whoa -- Julia, not in the middle of the wedding night scene! Talk about COLD water -- where was the editor?
Grace Atkinson, Ontario - Canada.

I love this book! The plot differs from The Duke and I and The Viscount Who Loves Me, which makes it very refreshing, less predictable, yet still so charming and romantic. I can't help to sympathise with Philip, about being lock in the responsibility of a title he doesn't want, being lock in a loveless and passionless marriage, being feeling trapped of how to be a good father to his children. He is also so honourable and kind. Yet he certainly has a devilish charm too, especially how he shows Eloise why they are suited for each other - by pleasuring her on impulse! JQ did it again with her trademark witty dialogue and clever plot twists. I simply adore the bickerings of the Bridgerton brothers! Finally, the ending of how Philip expresses his love to Eloise is sooooooooo romantic!

This book is the 5th in the Bridgerton series after The Duke and I, The Viscount Who Loved Me and An Offer From a Gentleman. The sixth book in the series will be When He Was Wicked.

This is the first of Julia Quinn's novels that I didn't plan to read again any time soon. I liked Eloise from other novels, certain aspects of this story bothered me. Philip's relationship with his children was a real turn off for me. I just cannot imagine treating children that way so I couldn't like him too much. He seemed like a cold fish to me. It was ncie to see all the Bridgerton men com to Eloise's "rescue" though. I love revisiting with all of them!! I though the end was a little cheesey too. Just nto my favorite of hers by far. The Duke and I will always be my favorite!

Courtship through letters or emails, is one of my favourite romance motifs. Eloise Bridgerton is the most mysterious of Bridgertons. She surprises the reader at every turn. Sir Phillip is an eccentric, yet dashing figure and reminded me of the knights of old. He's distant at times yet we like him immensely. There are moments of hilarity, as when the Bridgerton brothers descend upon the unsuspecting Sir Phillip. There are moments of passion that leave the reader reeling...and once again there's a hot scene in the library. There's a bit of everything in this book. Great read!

One of the things I enjoy most about reading Julia Quinn's work is how the themes and characters seem to grow more complex with each new book. In terms of the perfect blend of humor, drama and romance, as well as a marked improvement in writing over some of her earlier novels, this one is definitely one of the best. To Sir Phillip with love is one of my favorites thus-far, eclipsed only by Romancing Mr. Bridgerton.
I didn't expect to like this book at all--throughout the other books I must confess I found Elloise rather obnoxious. However, her know-it-all attitude and somewhat managing personality were just what Phillip needed. I agree with some of the other reviewers that it was difficult to like Phillip--he was a bit self-absorbed--but I think the author does an excellent job of giving insights into why precisely he is so emotionally inept, which make it hard to continue disliking him as the story progresses.
Quinn's character's walk a fine line, carrying certain traits to an amusingly absurd level, but as much as they sometimes resemble caricatures, they always have plenty of individual characteristics to make them unique, lovable and unforgettable. Elloise and Phillip are no acception. Also, as with all of the Bridgerton books, we get to catch up with characters from the rest of the series. Some authors, I have found, seem to reduce the substance of characters from their other books when they reappear in later novels, but as with the rest of this series, all of the Bridgertons and their spouses who make appearances are drawn exactly as they were before, complete with their attendant flaws and absurdities, helping to make the story even warmer and more enjoyable. This is definitely a must read, especially if you've been keeping up with the rest of the Bridgerton series.

Most heroes in regency novels have a noble title, a lot of money, a lot of spare time and a lot of women in their past life. Sir Phillip does have the title, but not a lot of any of the other features. He had a difficult childhood, an even more difficult marriage, two children whom he loves but has no idea how to raise, and is a decent, kind, hard-working man. The struggles he has to learn to communicate with Eloise Bridgerton seem very real to me: Sir Phillip, like many men, is far more comfortable being a friend to other men than in trying to conduct a courtship with a young woman whom he knows only through letters.
The other great reality that Julia Quinn puts into this book is the reality of death in the 19th century. Spouses and parents had to deal with death as a very frequent presence in their lives, a frequency with which we fortunate ones in today's modern world cannot really imagine.
As always, Julia Quinn salts this realistic story with a wonderful scattering of very funny moments, especially in the man vs woman inner dialogues of the main characters.
This combination of writing elements makes this book one which I periodically take out and reread, just for the enjoyment of it.

I adore all of the bridgerton series books by Ms. Quinn.
This one however, was not what I'd say is a keeper.
I'm trying to put a finger on exactly what about it didn't really set well with me. I believe it's more of the fact that I didn't find the hero particularly wonderful.
He DOES change, but it happens SO abruptly. I don't know why or how he changes.
Phillip was married to Marina, Eloise's distant cousin and a woman who suffered from what we'd call depression. Clinical depression. She dies and Eloise, in typical upper class lady fashion, pens a note of condolance. Sir Phillip answers and thus begins a year of correspondance, ending with a proposal of marriage. Elioise, for some strange reason, doesn't *think* "Gee, I'll be ruined" but instead, just runs off and arrives at Sir Phillip's home in the country unannounced, no chaperone.
I found this an awfully heavy handed plot device. This sort of behavior is not something Eloise would just "forget"...and I wished there had been a better reason for her to act so brainless.
Her brothers show up and while it is fun/amusing, I just felt like it was a scene I'd visited on other Quinn occassions.
And Eloise, well, her concerns about her marriage to Phillip were valid...The fear that they have great sex but never talk.
I don't know how that has changed by the end of the book. He still says he's not good with words...and yet, suddenly she isn't concerned about that anymore.
Both characters did change, but I am not sure the reasons for this change were made with a strong enough case. It seemed as if "Okay, it's close to the end of the book, better wrap this up" without either seeming to change, other than just deciding TO change. Does that make sense?
Yet, it was still a Julia Quinn Book, and I never pass hers up and I will definitely buy the next. I just wanted a little more from this, that's all. I think the characters could have been a tad more sympathetic. Eloise is a bit self absorbed and sir Phillip seemed to want more of a nurse than a wife. A slutty nurse. LOL
Looking forward to Francesca's story...

The Romantic Times reviewer wrote this about To Sir Phillip, With Love: "This may be heresy to her devoted fans, but Julia Quinn's Bridgerton saga is getting a little pat. Everything feels a bit formulaic for the first half of this book. Outspoken spinster virgin? Check. Tortured, repressed hero? Check. Chaotic meeting of the Bridgertons and the new love interest? Check. Numerous references to how beloved the Bridgertons are? Check."
Well now, whenever Romantic Times gives a scathing review, I find myself cracking my knuckles and clicking as fast as I can on the store.com. I buy said book and read it with enthusiasm. Sometimes I agree with Romantic Times. Most times, I do not.
In this case, I found myself torn. I sorta agreed with the reviewer, but then I didn't.
I am not tired of the Bridgertons. In fact, I think Eloise is the most entertaining Bridgerton of the lot. She is witty, daring, and wonderfully flawed. I liked her vulnerable side - especially when shown during a little pre-matrimonial chat with her mother. It was a touching scene - one I thoroughly enjoyed.
The rub here was Phillip. Ugh. Sir Pathetic. He mopes around, feeling miserable, acting moody. He is a painfully inept father. And there's no real explanation for it.
And what about his dead wife? What was her deal? Why didn't we ever find out why she killed herself? It was vaguely implied that she had post-partum depression. But then, if I had to live with that drab, sad-sack Phillip, I would have pre, post, and perpetual depression. I kept hoping maybe the ex wife had an affair with Phillip's brother. Now that would have made sense.
So the ex just had the post-baby blues? And where was Mister Wonderful Sir Phillip? Digging around in his garden? Playing in his potting shed? Not very compassionate or heroic.
Julia Quinn is a talented writer. Her dialogue is unmatched. The wit in this book - as delivered by Eloise - was brilliant - which is why I give it a four. Still, Sir Phillip was a drag and really makes the book deserve more like a 2.95.

Eloise is one of my favorite characters and I really think this book didn’t made her justice. It it a great book and a very original story, but if you’ve been reading in order…Well, I was dissapointed with Julia Quinn about this one. She deserved so much better, her story could’ve been the best one! I didn’t feel like the couple was a good match. Phillip, stop being such an a$$!

This reassuring effort after her witty spiel of a romance Romancing Mr. Bridgerton shows why Julia Quinn is on top of her game. To Sir Phillip, with love dishes out its invitation tantalizingly with an imaginative sequence of letter correspondence between its two protagonist. Eloise Bridgerton, the 28-year old spinster has decided to take love into her own hands as she rushes to meet widower Sir Phillip Crane at Romney Hall. Lost in the handling of his rambunctious children Oliver and Amanda after his wife's (Eloise's cousin) demise, Phillip seeks Eloise as a marriage prospect. While love chance upon the enigmatic pair, Phillip's insecurity from his scarred childhood maintains the emotional distance. Quinn's energized narration and characters galvanize the romance and saves the predictability of the ending. Ms. Quinn salvages what might have been an overwrought melodrama with wits and chemistry in the couple. Success, once again flows under Quinn's silver pen.

This book is the least-believable story in the Bridgerton series.

In all the books we're told about the ton's propriety rules and how our heroes and heroines make sacrifices to meet those requirements. Whereas in this book we happen to meet the young woman defying all those rules and going far away on her very own to meet a man she had not even seen. This storyline could be possible with another heroine, but not a Bridgerton, imho. Being in a loving and caring family, with no pressing financial or social circumstances, and having been brought up with a sense of what is right, despite small issues of public defiance, should not, and possibly could not result in a young woman of the era to behave so foolishly.

As for the man, Sir Phillip, I did not particularly think of him as an adorable hero or a good father either.

"To Sir Phillip With Love" was a wonderful book. Funny, but at first I was having doubts about how to review it. Be patient with this book. I found that it was not quite so light as the previous stories in the series, but very well written. It seems to me that this book has a more mature feel to it than Ms. Quinn's earlier works. You can see how she has grown in skill. My only complaint in this book was that I would have liked to have seen more of the Bridgerton clan...This book belonged to Phillip. I enjoyed him immensely, but he takes a bit to grow on you.. like Eloise and Phillip's love..this book sneaks up on you..it grabs ahold of you and it is REALLY a good thing.

I thought this made for a decently romantic read. I enjoyed the "snippets" of Eloise's letters at the beginning of each chapter and I, like many other readers, thought the "rescue" scene was one of the best. I also enjoyed the way the children were used...their scenes with Eloise and their father were very natural and realistic. However, if anything, I would suggest you read the book for the romantic gesture Sir Phillip made towards Eloise at the ending of the book (hint: letter trail). I actually clutched the book to my chest and sighed. *laugh Maybe I'm just a romantic at heart but I thought it was so sweeeet. *smile A fairly enjoyable read.

Cut to the Chase:
I hated almost everything about this book: the heroine is supposedly to be charmingly awkward, but spends most of her time being head-palm-strikingly-annoying, the hero is supposed to be tragic-backstory-brooding, but instead feels inept and borderline unlikeable. Throw in some poorly drawn side characters, and a plot that has no forward momentum, and you get a tedious snoozefest. What’s worse: the “tragic” backstory of Sir Phillip is that he had a depressed wife he had no idea how to help, which means the novel literally begins with her suicide attempt, her death, followed by her husband and children comforting each other that she’s probably in a better place, since she was always crying when she was alive… this is my fluffy escapist fiction?? I think not.

Greater Detail:
Years ago, I skimmed the back cover of this particular Quinn novel and decided, nah, it wasn’t for me, and it was time to give the Bridgertons saga a rest. Even though it was book 5 of 8, and I usually have to complete everything, I decided I could come back to this one later: a romance begun over a series of letters written to a grieving widower… the plotline just never grabbed me.

Well, now that I’ve actually read the book, I can tell you it was much worse than I possibly could have imagined. The section below is full of spoilers, so stop reading if you care:

1. We start off with a suicide. Okay, technically, it’s a suicide attempt. Phillip is experimenting in his greenhouse when he sees his wife Marina walking… he suspects nothing (even though she rarely leaves her bedchamber these days), decides to join her and barely saves her from drowning herself. She of course, becomes ill, and dies three days later anyhow.

I’m okay with tragic backstory, but do we have to start with a suicide? In my historical romance?

And then, do we have to have an awkward conversation where clearly the kids and Phillip are sad but also kind of relieved that their sad mother/wife is gone and in a better place?

2. Then we have Eloise who has turned down several marriage offers (at least six that the book mentions) and has been conversing with Sir Phillip via letter because Marina was a cousin she met, like, once, and she decides to just run off in the middle of the night because Sir Phillip might be the one? You’d think that a woman discerning enough to turn down six (or more!) proposals wouldn’t decide to ruin herself (because that’s what running off without a chaperone meant those days) based on a few measly letters. (If we’d been told she was in love with Sir Phillip because of his letters, that might have been one thing, but she’s not, and in fact, complains that she isn’t, and doesn’t immediately fall in love with him).

3. And then it just drags. And drags. There isn’t enough tension, so suddenly, we find out that the children’s nurse has been abusing them by beating them with a book. And then that’s still not enough, so we make Sophie’s and Benedict’s (from Bridgertons #3, An Offer From a Gentleman) son fall terribly ill. We careen from unlikely, and clearly dreamt-up-on-the-spot event to event, because the book has no momentum, and if you take the sick and abused children out of the picture, all you have is Eloise, blathering on in a supposed-to-be-charming-but-actually-annoying way, and Phillip, complaining that his depressed wife ruined sunny days for him because she attempted suicide on a sunny day.

Sometimes, I complain about Julia Quinn being too light and fluffy. If this is her attempt at melodrama, I think she should stick to books where bees and Pall Mall grudge matches are the height of the action.

To Sir Phillip, With Love is written in Julia Quinn exceptional style, bringing the characters and story to life immediately. The drama that unfolds between the hero, Phillip, and the heroine, Eloise, is emotional, believable, and very well written. This isn't my favorite book of Julia Quinn but it still is wonderful. The author has a great gift in her ability to develop characters. This was another terrific romance from an author who has the ability to break down her characters souls and feed their emotional struggles onto the pages. I absolutely couldn't put the book down until I was finished. The reader will feel the despair, the heartbreak, passion and the joy of Philip and Eloise in this very excellent character driven romance. I must say that the last quarter of the book was quite emotional, poignant and romantic. I even shed a few tears!

Although not the worst book ever written it definitely seemed to have been rushed. It's very disappointing because I think that Eloise deserved a better story. Throughout the series she had some bright moments, therefore leading me to think that her story would shine. Alas, it didnt and I think it all centered on the love story. Eloise and Philip never really have a "clicking" moment.The letters they wrote to one another were so shallow and luke warm. They learned absolutely NOTHING from the letters, for Eloise to have wanted to marry Phillip I'd have thought she'd need something other than knowing that he was a botanist, but hey, like i said the story seemed rushed.
The whole business with Phillip and his children, along with his trauma having to do with his father sucked. Quinn never really delved well into why he hated spending time with his children. In the last 2 chapters he realized in less than a paragraph "oh, well the reason is because I was abused by my father!". Ugh. So annoying! She really could have expanded in a way to make Philip more loveable or at least interesting!
Like I said...it's not the worst...even though everything I wrote points to the contrary...but the writing was lacking. The characters were never expanded (with the exception of the children) and the arrival of the Bridgerton brothers was hogwash, they seemed to be thrown in as an afterthought, once the author realized that after all this is a series.
It's a pretty light read. I really hope that Quinn will make Frances story a 5 star because the series keeps getting worse and worse as we see each sibling. I'm thinking Hyacinth's story will be hilarious because her role in Colin/Penelope's story was great.

This is the first Julia Quinn book that I read, I am still not sure how to react to it. After reading some great novels by Linda Lael Miller, Lorraine Heath, Maggie Osborne, Emily Carmichael, Maureen Mckade and more I tend to anticipate more from a writer. The book isn't bad, but I do think that if we to take out all the sex scenes from it-It would have being more suitable for my almost teenage daughter to read. I just didn't feel connected to the script the way I usually do when I read a great romance. I do agree with some of the other readers that the beginning is very promising. The whole idea is quite intriguing; however this is where it ends. Nevertheless, the story is funny and "light". If you are looking for an easy book to read, without getting too emotionally involve in the plot "To Sir Phillip with Love" is the one for you.

I know that I will not be interested with this premise. It's just plain, luckily I just borrow this book from my friend. Well, I read it coz this is part of the series, just a bit curious what will happen to Eloise.

Actually I like the beginning of the story, but from middle the story degrading...maybe I just read too many wonderful books, then this is just an ordinary plain book for me.

I love "Bridgerton" Family, seem that I want to be a part of them. I had read also from beginning, imo :
Daphne's Romance - Good but not great
Anthony's Romance - Great
Benedict's Romance - Wonderful
Colin's Romance - Good but not great

The next reading will be Francesca's - I haven't read it, but the premise seems promisingly great. Hope it will be.

To Sir Phillip with Love by Julia Quinn is Eloise Bridgerton story. This story starts where Romancing Mr. Bridgerton ends. Eloise takes off after Colin's engagement party to Sir Phillips home (who had asked her to marry via mail). This was not my favorite of the series but not every love story has to be grand. The Bridgerton series: #1: The Duke and I , #2: The Viscount Who Loved Me, #3: An Offer from a Gentleman, #4: Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, #5: To Sir Phillip, With Love, #6 When He Was Wicked #7: It's In His Kiss,#8: On the Way to the Wedding

I anticipated the release of this book, because I have really enjoyed all the books in the Bridgerton series. However, I felt disappointed while reading this book. I'd have to say that this was my least favorite Bridgerton story. I wished there was more interaction among the main characters. A lot of the story is told through the character's thoughts and I just would've liked more dialogue. On a side note: Philip and Eloise had a lot of patience where his kids were concerned. I don't know how they did it. Those kids were TERRIBLE, but I guess thats Philip's fault since he ignored their existence. Honestly, did he need to be in that greenhouse 24/7? I don't know what Julia's plans are, but I hope she will be writing Gregory's story next.

This is my first review after hundreds of books read over the years but Ms. Quinns' To Sir Phillip was great and I had to voice my opinion. I have never read her work until yesterday and I couldn't put it down. The characters were funny, loving and spunky. The children in the novel acted exactly like children would but they don't take away from the romance growing between Phillip and Eloise, they only strengthen it. I highly recommend this story to anyone who is a single parent and starting their life over. You won't be able to put it down until it is finished.

Let me start off by saying that the only reason I am even giving "To Sir Phillip. . ." 3 stars is because I love Julia Quinn and, as bored as I was with this book, I still like her writing style.
Synopsis: Spinster Eloise Bridgerton, sibling number 5, decides to act on a whim and travel hours away to Romney Hall to meet the pen pal she has been corresponding with for numerous months. Her "pen pal" is, Sir Phillip Crane, the widowed husband of Eloise's distant cousin and the father of rambuctious twins. Somehow through the correspondence of letters, Phillip decides that Eloise would be the perfect wife/mother combination. She is a spinster, and he assumes, an unattractive one at that, on whom he can hoist his child raising and house managing duties. Then he can go back to his greenhouse where he concocts mutant vegetables and potions for better living.
Life is going well when, not surprisingly (and not as wittingly as it used to be), the Bridgerton brothers come barging into Romney Hall and DEMAND that Sir Phillip marry their spinster sister. Phillip and Eloise pretend to be indignant (how is that, when that is the reason she went to him in the first place --- to explore the possibility of marriage?) but of course, march to the altar anyway.
Where to begin? I bought this book the day it hit the shelves and I'm still not done with it! I bring this book with me everywhere I go in the hopes that in all my free time, I will just sit and read it --- and finish it! Every time I pick it up, I get so easily distracted. With "The Duke and I" and "The Viscount Who Loved Me" and not to mention, "Romancing Mr. Bridgerton," I devoured them! The house could have been on fire and I would not have known, yet alone cared!
With this book, I am frequently eyeing the book of matches...
But seriously, I had a problem with the hero of the story. He was supposed to be a more intellectual hero, a more subdued but more vulnerable man. Instead, he came across as a horny husband and a bumbling father who doesn't have the instinct to be a family man.
Okay, so that's Phillip.
I was more keen on Eloise. She was just how she was in the other books: witty and smart. But I was disappointed that Quinn did not include a dialogue between Eloise and Penelope, her supposed best friend. Eloise cited Penelope's marriage to her brother Colin to be a significant factor in her decision to slip away in the middle of the night to meet and possibly marry Phillip. She explains that she expected Penelope to grow old with her. I would think that there would be a special moment between them. Overall, I thought that the Bridgerton family's presence was too brief. In the other books of the series, it felt like the Bridgerton family was always courting the hero/heroine, whichever the case may be. But in "To Sir Phillip...," Eloise was on her own, really. Not even Hyacinth made an appearance.
There was a lot missing with this book. I am beginning to ask the dreaded questions such as, "Is Julia Quinn getting tired of writing about the Bridgertons? Because there are a few more stories we'd like to see." or even, "Did the publishers and the fans rush her on this book, thereby compromising the quality?"
Regardless of this unfortunate experience, I am still looking forward to Julia Quinn's next books. Rumor is that she will write about Francesca next. I hope Gregory and Hyacinth are in the works as well!

While this novel about Eloise is certainly charming, as one reviewer stated, it seems to be lacking something. I believe this can be attributed to 2 factors. First, this novel doesn't seem to have as much humor as Ms. Quinn's other stories, and second, it is much more serious and weighed down by doubt and other heavy emotions. I, myself have mostly enjoyed Ms. Quinn's novels because of their breezy and lighthearted stories. They make me laugh, and I don't have to worry some favored character will get killed or the heroine raped. Her novels aren't so melodramatic like most romance novels. To Sir Phillip, With Love kinda dragged me down and didn't leave me filling very happy by the time I had finished it. My favorite parts in the book are when the twins were setting traps for Eloise and when her brothers arrived and kept twitting her. I hope this novel isn't the beginning of books where Ms. Quinn dwells more on depressing emotions instead comedic bantering between the characters, as evidenced by reviews about her newest novel.

I like Eloise and the idea of her running off to meet a penpal was very fitting. But I would have liked it if the author had developed more of their relationship through letters. When they finally meet in person, Sir Phillip and Eloise are strangers, despite their correspondence of a year. And what a shame that they are forced to marry before they realize that they should be together. I was kind of disappointed when the Bridgerton brothers came barging in, although the author showed an unusual and softer side of Anthony Bridgerton in this book.

I really like this book. Its got characters who seem like real people with real problems and its not a silly book in any way where the characters just go to party after party. Sir Phillip is a man with an emotional past and some darkness which I like in a romance story. I don't always feel in the mood for something too happy and sweet. This one is great and you can really feel for the characters. Eloise is great too. She has her own issues and they are real.

If you feel in the mood to read a romance with some real feeling and sometimes dark emotions to go along with the happy parts this will be a good story for you. Its a really good story.

Just finished the 5th book in the series and absolutely loved it!!! Julia Quinn is such a phenomenal writer. I loved reading about the Bridgertons and Eloise and Phillips story was wonderful. After corresponding with Phillip for over a year Eloise decides to runaway and meet him to see if the suit. With a wife who practically killed herself, to his 7 yr old twins being a menace to society, him being a loner and a supposed brute nothing is what Eloise expected. Eloise comes into their lives when they needed it most. The 5th book does not disappoint!! On to #6!!

The problem with this book is that it tries to balance some serious issues and characters - sir Phillip, widower with two children, who cannot relate to them and fears that he is not up to raising them - with classical romance stuff. While each part taken separately works, together they don't. Sir Phillip as he is described in the "serious" part of the book cannot be the same man that feels sexual passion for Eloise. He's just a scholar, he's dedicated to his work, and I cannot picture him as being at the same time a passionate guy.

Also, perhaps I'm too outfashioned, but I found the multiple references to masturbation a little bit disturbing.

Sincerely, I cannot see that these two characters could ever find something in common.

The 5th novel on the ABC Bridgeton Family from Julia Quinn is finally here!! I will recommended this book to anyone. Julia did a very good job of telling us where Eloise took off to on the last novel of Penelope and Colin. Sir Philip is a delightful character. He is everything Eloise need to keep her grounded.
My favorite part of the novel is when all of her brothers come and "rescue" her from Sir Philip. They really shows how much they care for their sister.
Purchase this novel and you will not be disappointed.

Eloise's story is told with the same yearning that characterises all of Quinn's Bridgerton books. It starts off at an unusual angle, and I wasn't able to put it down.
If I have anything to quibble about, it's how dependent Sir Phillip comes across sometimes. He seemed too grateful that Eloise would do all the parenting for him. This doesn't gel with the sensitive, thoughtful man behind the letters to Eloise.
But who cares, it was a great book anyway.

Ms. Quinn's writing has improved with each book, TO SIR PHILLIP, WITH LOVE has more emotions and depth than any of her other books. This book touches your heart, it isn't one of the light fluffy marshmallow reads most of her readers expect.
Phillip's walk into the sunlight with Eloise is not to be missed. Ms. Quinn relieves some of the seriousness with Phillip's two mischievous twins and of course, a visit from Eloise's family will give readers a laugh.

I am a fan of Julia Quinn, and have anticipated the next installment of the Bridgerton clan with glee. I now find myself rather disappointed.
This novel is much more serious than her previous Bridgerton novels, and I found myself with little patience for Phillip's strange line of thinking. I couldn't help but compare his doubts with Anthony's, but whereas I had great sympathy for Anthony and understood exactly how he could think and feel as he did, Phillip garnered no such emotion. I found him to be a bit flat, and quite dense.
The wit and humor that Mrs. Quinn usually delights us with was missing. I found myself having to think hard to remember if I'd cracked a smile through the entire novel, when I'm usually laughing out loud with every chapter. I'm not sure if this somber tone was deliberate on the author's part or just a quirk of the novel, but I missed the laughter.
Eloise was a charming character but I often found it hard to believe that she would carry out some of the actions in the plot.
I'm still giving this 3 stars, with the pointed caveat to Quinn fans that this is, to date, the lowest installment in the Bridgerton series.
I'm sure Mrs. Quinn will be right back to form with Francesca, and I eagerly await her story.

I really loved this book. I thought the characters were well developed and interesting. Quinn's writing allows the reader to be able to experience the transformation that takes place within Eloise and Sir Phillip. The love that grows between these two dynamic people was moving and deep. All in all this is a very satisfying read and one that I would recommend to anyone who is interested in character study as well as romance.

To Sir Phillip, With Love is the story of Eloise Bridgerton and Sir Phillip Crane. The two meet by way of correspondence when Phillips wife, who is also Eloise's cousin, Marina dies after trying to kill herself. Eloise and Phillip write several letters to each other over the course of almost a year. Phillip then asks Eloise to visit him sometime because he would like to see if they'd "suit" and possibly marry. What Eloise doesn't know is that Phillip really doesn't want a wife, he just wants a mother for his eight year old twins who are completely out of control. Eloise goes to Phillip's house where her family finds her after just a few days. The two are forced to marry to avoid scandal. Neither completely happy about the situation.
This novel was well written and kept up a steady pace. Much to my delight there were no kidnapping scenes which are common in Regency Era romances. The characters were likable and seemed to be well developed. Eloise wasn't just a delicate maiden who batted her eyelashes. She was a woman who knew what she wanted and was out to find her happiness. Phillip wasn't a strong man who thought the world revolved around him. Phillip, in fact, seemed to be a little dazed at times by what was going on around him. The storyline was good and was well thought out. There were no rough spots in this book. The story flowed from beginning to end. The author had a story to tell and told it with a purpose.
This was the first Bridgerton novel I've read and I'm sure it won't be the last. If the others are as well-written as this it will be a pleasure to read them all.

If you are a fan of Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series, nothing I say will sway you. However, if you are new to Julia Quinn, than I suggest you try her earlier novels. This novel seems as if it was written in a rush to meet a deadline...the main characters are very uneven. A disappointmen to this Julia Quinn fan, who will go back to the beginning to remember why she was enchanting in the first place.

Honestly when I picked up To Sir Phillip, With Love I'd had a really junky day and I picked up a second book along with it because I didn't think I'd much like it. However, somehow it captivated me. I found Sir Phillip to be an invigorating change for the standard hero. I love a prince charming as much as the next girl, but it as nice for him to have far more depth. And to see them get to eachother and fall for one another. I read the book in one sitting, I think it is by far one of not only Julia Quinn's best works, but also one of the best historical novels out right now.
There are so many bright spots in this novel as there are in all of the Bridgerton novels, but I think setting this one outside of London an tossing the ton aside for awhile was wondeful, and it one of those books you find yourself reaching for because you do so adore the characters,and those I do believe are the best sort of novels

I have now read all the Bridgerton books.. This was right up there with the rest of them.. My favorite funny part is when all Eloise's brothers come crashing in on their private dinner..I really laughed hard..And the most heart warming part for me was when Phillip thinks Eloise has left him and he travels in the rain to go get her back..Everyone will enjoy this book a nice clean romance, with our favorite characters from the previous Bridgerton books

I liked this novel. I liked how Phillip seemed overwhelmed and unable to control life outside his greenhouse, and I liked how Eloise seemed to realize that she needed something different in her life. I found the character growth to be natural and touching. As always, there were plenty of laugh out loud moments, especially when the Bridgerton brothers arrived to rescue Eloise. I didn't like the references to self gratification, which while not overt were definitely disturbing. Leave those out next time please! Otherwise, another enjoyable read.

This book brought almost all of the Bridgerton siblings back together. It was a great continuation of the last story, Romancing Mr. Bridgerton. Can't wait for the next Bridgerton book to come out. And I would recommend this book to one and all. I laughed so hard I cried in some spots and just plain cried in others. It had a sweet ending and I especially loved seeing the four brothers in several scenes togther. You really get to know Eloise in this story, the way she thinks and how she interacts with people. The antecdotes from her childhood were especially hilarious. If you can only buy one new book this summer I recommend this one.

I really enjoyed this book and in fact read it in one day. The characters were great and it is always enjoyable to see the characters from the previous books involved in each. Great storyline. Very touching, passionate. Great historical romance.

I liked it- the heroine is bossy and talks too much and has a tendancy to put her foot in her mouth. The hero doesn't know what to say, and when he does say something he says the wrong thing. He has no idea how to express emotions or deal with his children. I LOVED that they were not perfect. The only thing I didn't love was Phillip crying at the end. I just can't take it when men cry- even in books apparently. Not very sensitive and enlightened I know...

I guess this book got mixed reviews. It was one of my first by Quinn and first in the Bridgerton series. I thought the characters were not that believable, but liked them neverless. The one word that sums up the book was: cute. It was not deep, and was predictable. Sometimes it is nice to read a light book that just makes you go Ahhhh.

A very good, well-written story. Perhaps a bit trite in ideas--it seems like many of her stories are. But it still was a don't-want-to-put-it-down read. I'm hopeful that Francesca is next. The only problem is that the stories aren't in chronological order, though it makes sense that Daphne would be wed first, otherwise she'd end up a spinster like Eloise waiting for her brothers to get around to marrying.
A very good stand-alone story, but great when read in context.

I found nothing likable about Eloise. Perhaps because I'm a parent I found nothing could excuse her running off to meet a man she had never met to see if they suited. Her poor mother must have been frantic. She gives no thought to her family. Doesn't care about their feelings. It might have been understandable if she had been 15 because at that age you are a self absorbed and may not realize how your decisions impact others. But she was 28 years old for gods sake. She travels unchaperoned to stay with a man she only knows through letters. How stupid is she? Her brother's finally track her down and act like a bunch of clowns. Sir Philip seems almost as depressed as his late suicidal wife. The children seem bi polar and slightly dangerous. In fact Philip himself has a hard time connecting with people. Could he have Aspergers? Just asking. There is something obviously wrong with him---aside from the fact he is extremely horny because he hasn't had sex in 8 years. Well that explains why Eloise appeals to him anyway. l'll think twice before I buy another Julia Quinn.

For those who loved the previous stories of the Bridgerton clan, Julia Quinn has once again created a believable romance between three-dimensional people - with some great scenes involving other family members. (My favorite was the wedding night advice from Violet; it was quite a contrast from what she told Daphne in "The Duke and I" but was very believable for Eloise.) I liked the fact that the Eloise in this story was recognizable from her earlier appearances in the stories of her four siblings and yet very grown up. Her brothers were rather two-dimensional but they played off a complex hero whose feelings toward Eloise were completely believable. The children were a new addition to the typical plot line and were okay, even if their turnaround was a little hard to believe.
I really liked the continuity from "Romancing Mr. Bridgerton",where Eloise was writing her letters, and the broad hints that Francesca's story will come next.

This was a really romantic book. Phillip wasn't the typical bossy, grouchy male. I don't usually mind that in a book and sometimes find nice heros a little bit boring. Phillip was just the right balance. His speech at the end of the book to Eloise was very touching. Liked this book quite a bit.

This book had me laughing, squealing and even crying, but most of all, it had me completely addicted. Once again, Julia Quinn has taken something as generic as Historical Romance and made it thrilling and completely unique. I don't know how she is able to come up with some many different scenarios and make each of them so incredible, but she's done it yet again. THANK YOU JULIA!!!

I was absolutely delighted with this latest book by Julia Quinn. I thought that her writing style was very similiar to those of her earlier books and the plot idea was also reminiscent of those in originality. My local bookstore called me yesterday and said it was in and unfortunately, it was finished by midnight last night! Now I have to wait until August to read a new Julia Quinn!
Plus - for all of you who love the Bridgerton Brothers - there is an absolutely wonderful scene with all four of them that I laughed out loud while reading!
This was a great book that is more than worth the cover price! Thanks a bunch, Julia!

Don't you ever get sick of these artificial heros that come swooping in with their dazzling charm and the perfect things to say? Well- I certainly do. I found the character of Sir Phillip to be refreshing, to say the least. He was a real man, with real problems. He proves himself a real hero when he comes to the aid of his children and starts becomming the father he has always wanted to be. Through all of this, you see Phillip emerge from a pained man, to a charmer with a sense of humor. Some may prefer the fake "perfect" man in a romance- but I prefer the fallable ones that win your heart when they finally start getting things right. I shouldn't neglect to mention that, true to form, Ms. Quinn has given us another delightful insight to the Bridgerton family... Eloise was truly wonderful!

I haven't really cared for other Julia Quinn books, but I really liked this one. I'm not sure what it is, but I found myself very attached to the hero. The heroine herself is complicated and interesting. It was a book I couldn't put down, unlike other books of Julia Quinn I've read. This book gives me reason to give her a second chance.

I really appreciated how Sir Phillip was not the normal hero. He wasn't some un-marriable rake. I just adored the way he felt about Eloise and appreciated his new life with her. Great Great Great story!

I read the first 150-or-so pages and I had to give up. I couldn't care less what happened to Eloise, Sir Phillip or his bratty kids. Initially, the story seemed like a cheesy version of The Sound of Music. Sir Phillip expected a woman to take charge with his children and help with the house but he didn't expect to fall in love. The only character more boring than Eloise was Sir Phillip! Perhaps that means they were a perfect match after all? There wasn't any excitement that I read about and zero romance. If Eloise wasn't a Bridgerton, I would have put the book down much sooner.

I was so hoping this would've been on par with the other books in the Bridgerton series - I wish I would've gotten it used.
The Further Oberservations of Lady Whisledown was superb as an "in the meanwhile" read...

I have cast Julia Quinn into eternal damnation so many times now that it seems to have lost its fury. Her books keep me up all night long, to drag through the entire next day at work, only to do it all over again until I finish her latest book. To Sir Phillip was no exception. I have never in my life wanted to be a letter-writer more than those nights when Julia was haunting my sleep with the characters in this book. The Bridgerton clan will sweep you off your feet and leave you wanting more.

This was the first boook I read, since I obviously did not follow its order. But I am glad that I started with it. I loved it! Its sensual, mysterious, thrilling, and keeps you awake by a lamp turning pages :) Try it - I bet you will love it like I did!

I loved this book. Eloise gets a chance to use her unique qualities to bring happiness in the lives of Sir Phillip and his eight year old twins. It's a little different from what we fans of the Bridgerton series but is just as splendid.

BUT IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE VISCOUNT WHO LOVED ME YOU MUST. FOR ME IT'S HER BEST BOOK OF THE SERIES. I JUST ADORE, LOVE(AND HAVE SECRET FANTASIES ABOUT) (...)

Julia Quinn is an excellent story teller. Her characters come to life as she delves into their familial experiences and relationships. She entertains with her witty repartee between the characters of her books. Love her work.

This book was Awesome, however it was my first book by Julia Quinn-but it won't be my last!! Because of this book I'm reading all the other Bridgerton book! They are awesome, she's got true humor and wit in these books! Loved it! Regency series are the best!

I have been a Julia Quinn fan for a while, and while I liked a couple of her earlier Bridgerton books more than this one, I can't deny that I enjoyed this too! Eloise is a "passionate spinster", my favorite type of heroine, and I enjoyed watching her match wits with Sir Phillip. Quinn always writes dialogue that's fun to read.

This is definitely a book that I would read over and over again. Phillip is the perfect tormented hero, and Eloise is the epitome of an independent, spirited heroine. I love all the books in the Bridgerton series, and this is definitely no exception.

I really enjoyed this book! In my opinion, the characters were very well developed and endearing. I could really get a feel for who Eloise is, who Phillip is, and the situation in which they find themselves. There were also parts in the story where I found myself laughing out loud! It's a cute story!