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A review by readyforit
To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
2⭐️1.5🌶️(open door, not very descriptive)
I’ve really been enjoying the series up until Eloise’s story. This book missed the mark for several reasons for me, mostly because I just think the whole premise of Eloise running away to marry a man she’s never met doesn’t sound like her at all. In the book, marina is a bridgerton cousin, still married to sir Phillip crane instead of his brother George who died in the war. She dies young and Eloise writes to Phillip, and they begin a year of correspondence before Phillip asks her to visit to see if they would be a good match for marriage. He only seems concerned with having her be a mother to his two unruly (and neglected and abused) children, and not as having her as a wife or partner. You expect some misogyny with historical fiction books but this one was especially bad, and I never found myself rooting for Phillip. In fact, I’d say he’s the villain of this story. Eloise deserves better and so do his kids. I am curious about how they will incorporate this book into the show. Before reading any of the books I had hoped they would allow Eloise to remain unmarried and maybe she would pursue writing or something, and after reading her story I can say I do NOT want it in the show without SIGNIFICANT changes to Phillip’s personality, the kids’ storyline, and how they insulted marina for having depression. I won’t be rereading this book and this was unfortunately the first in the series that I didn’t enjoy.
I’ve really been enjoying the series up until Eloise’s story. This book missed the mark for several reasons for me, mostly because I just think the whole premise of Eloise running away to marry a man she’s never met doesn’t sound like her at all. In the book, marina is a bridgerton cousin, still married to sir Phillip crane instead of his brother George who died in the war. She dies young and Eloise writes to Phillip, and they begin a year of correspondence before Phillip asks her to visit to see if they would be a good match for marriage. He only seems concerned with having her be a mother to his two unruly (and neglected and abused) children, and not as having her as a wife or partner. You expect some misogyny with historical fiction books but this one was especially bad, and I never found myself rooting for Phillip. In fact, I’d say he’s the villain of this story. Eloise deserves better and so do his kids. I am curious about how they will incorporate this book into the show. Before reading any of the books I had hoped they would allow Eloise to remain unmarried and maybe she would pursue writing or something, and after reading her story I can say I do NOT want it in the show without SIGNIFICANT changes to Phillip’s personality, the kids’ storyline, and how they insulted marina for having depression. I won’t be rereading this book and this was unfortunately the first in the series that I didn’t enjoy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual content
Minor: Pregnancy