To Sir Phillip, With Love (Bridgerton Series, Book 5)

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.

This book is so boring, I had to force myself to keep reading to se if it would improve, but it didn't. Sir Phillip is so boring, it makes it hard to believe she'd fall for him. Not a good 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.

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.

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.