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sarah_moynihan's review
3.0
'Before the crown there was a love story…
Windsor Castle, 1943
As war rages across the world, Princess Elizabeth comes face to face with the dashing naval officer she first met in London nine years before.
One of the youngest first lieutenants in the Royal Navy, Philip represents everything she has always been taught to avoid. Instability. Audacity. Adventure.
But when the king learns of their relationship, the suitability of the foreign prince is questioned by all at court.
He is the risk she has never been allowed to take. The risk not even the shadow of the crown will stop her from taking…
Step through the palace gates and discover a captivating historical novel of royal secrets and forbidden love exploring the tempestuous courtship between Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip in the wake of WWII.'
________________________________
3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars.
Before the Crown is a stand-alone historical fiction following Princess Elizabeth's path toward the altar with the exciled, Prince Philip of Greece.
I really enjoyed reading about the start of Elizabeth and Philip's relationship. It was largely practical, but there was an underlying sweetness. It all begins very one-sided with a childhood infatuation, but grows over time into something more meaningful. It's a far more realistic glimpse into royal and aristocratic marriages than in many historical fictions, which makes it interesting to read.
I've watched The Crown on Netflix and found that this book made them a little more human and relatable. Or at least Elizabeth was. I genuinely stil don't understand why anyone would be head-over-heels for Philip; he just comes across as petulant and entitled.
This is a historical fiction, which obviously pretty strongly follows the facts. I think it would have been a great addition to the book if there had been an included historical note to give readers an idea as to how much the story followed the real events.
After closely following their emotions throughout the book, I was a little surpried and disappointed by the wedding itself which fades to black during the walk down the isle and is focused solely on Elizabeth's point of view. There is very little emotion at all, mainly detailed descriptions, which made it feel a bit detatched from the rest of the book. Overall I enjoyed the book though and found it interesting.
_____
I would like to thank NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for sharing e ARC of Before the Crown by Flora Harding with me. This is my honest review.
Windsor Castle, 1943
As war rages across the world, Princess Elizabeth comes face to face with the dashing naval officer she first met in London nine years before.
One of the youngest first lieutenants in the Royal Navy, Philip represents everything she has always been taught to avoid. Instability. Audacity. Adventure.
But when the king learns of their relationship, the suitability of the foreign prince is questioned by all at court.
He is the risk she has never been allowed to take. The risk not even the shadow of the crown will stop her from taking…
Step through the palace gates and discover a captivating historical novel of royal secrets and forbidden love exploring the tempestuous courtship between Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip in the wake of WWII.'
________________________________
3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars.
Before the Crown is a stand-alone historical fiction following Princess Elizabeth's path toward the altar with the exciled, Prince Philip of Greece.
I really enjoyed reading about the start of Elizabeth and Philip's relationship. It was largely practical, but there was an underlying sweetness. It all begins very one-sided with a childhood infatuation, but grows over time into something more meaningful. It's a far more realistic glimpse into royal and aristocratic marriages than in many historical fictions, which makes it interesting to read.
I've watched The Crown on Netflix and found that this book made them a little more human and relatable. Or at least Elizabeth was. I genuinely stil don't understand why anyone would be head-over-heels for Philip; he just comes across as petulant and entitled.
This is a historical fiction, which obviously pretty strongly follows the facts. I think it would have been a great addition to the book if there had been an included historical note to give readers an idea as to how much the story followed the real events.
After closely following their emotions throughout the book, I was a little surpried and disappointed by the wedding itself which fades to black during the walk down the isle and is focused solely on Elizabeth's point of view. There is very little emotion at all, mainly detailed descriptions, which made it feel a bit detatched from the rest of the book. Overall I enjoyed the book though and found it interesting.
_____
I would like to thank NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for sharing e ARC of Before the Crown by Flora Harding with me. This is my honest review.
felishu's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
theediblewoman's review
2.0
DNF, page 212.
Simply put, this book is boring. Mindlessly, drearily dull, and blandly written to boot. We all know how the "love story" between Princess Elizabeth and Prince Phillip ends up. If you've picked this book up, you likely already have an interest in the Royal Family, and/or have watched the Crown. Before the Crown doesn't add anything that you don't already know. As a fictionalized account of their courtship, it also doesn't add anything exciting or remotely intriguing. I picked up this book from the library for something light to read at work on my lunch breaks, and it wasn't even entertaining enough for that. Next.
Simply put, this book is boring. Mindlessly, drearily dull, and blandly written to boot. We all know how the "love story" between Princess Elizabeth and Prince Phillip ends up. If you've picked this book up, you likely already have an interest in the Royal Family, and/or have watched the Crown. Before the Crown doesn't add anything that you don't already know. As a fictionalized account of their courtship, it also doesn't add anything exciting or remotely intriguing. I picked up this book from the library for something light to read at work on my lunch breaks, and it wasn't even entertaining enough for that. Next.
julia___reads's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mesaunders627's review against another edition
5.0
I honestly loved this book. It was fascinating and I loved the split between Elizabeth and Phillip.
kdurham2's review against another edition
5.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip had quite the interesting courtship story and I have seen tv shows and movies and seen all the things, but a fictional story that gets really behind the scenes felt like something completely new. From their introduction to the wait after being engaged, this story hit all the high points and my hope is that some of the details are possibly spot on and closer to fact than fiction!
It is awkward to talk about the characters or plot in this book as they are true people and the events are based in fact. I can say the author wrote a story that was addicting and hard to put down and I couldn't wait to see where she would go next and where she would place the ending. I was completely satisfied with where she chose to conclude the book.
Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip had quite the interesting courtship story and I have seen tv shows and movies and seen all the things, but a fictional story that gets really behind the scenes felt like something completely new. From their introduction to the wait after being engaged, this story hit all the high points and my hope is that some of the details are possibly spot on and closer to fact than fiction!
It is awkward to talk about the characters or plot in this book as they are true people and the events are based in fact. I can say the author wrote a story that was addicting and hard to put down and I couldn't wait to see where she would go next and where she would place the ending. I was completely satisfied with where she chose to conclude the book.
jackiepenn18's review against another edition
5.0
There is so much to love about this charming book! With such a gorgeous cover, I was hooked immediately. This book immediately peaked by interested because I've always been intrigued by the Royal Family.
A huge fan of the The Crown, it was nice to this focused specifically on the courtship between Elizabeth and Phillip. I often found myself wanting more about their courtship and this book delivered on all of that. It was clear the author did extensive research because it felt very natural and true to the characters.
It was so well done and I highly recommend this book to anyone who interested in the Royals or are fans of The Crown.
Thank you to Flora Harding, Harper Collins Publishing and NetGalley for the arc of this book.
A huge fan of the The Crown, it was nice to this focused specifically on the courtship between Elizabeth and Phillip. I often found myself wanting more about their courtship and this book delivered on all of that. It was clear the author did extensive research because it felt very natural and true to the characters.
It was so well done and I highly recommend this book to anyone who interested in the Royals or are fans of The Crown.
Thank you to Flora Harding, Harper Collins Publishing and NetGalley for the arc of this book.
tangerine7199's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you Netgalley for the Advanced Copy.
I have to say. I didn't particularly love this. I was a bit disappointed by the title--one could get the impression that this would cover the time of their courtship to when Elizabeth become Queen. But the book really just covered the courtship and stopped at the wedding. I was curious about their first few years in Malta too.
Unfortunately this book didn't add anything to what I already knew about the couple.
I have to say. I didn't particularly love this. I was a bit disappointed by the title--one could get the impression that this would cover the time of their courtship to when Elizabeth become Queen. But the book really just covered the courtship and stopped at the wedding. I was curious about their first few years in Malta too.
Unfortunately this book didn't add anything to what I already knew about the couple.