Audiobook Review: To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn

Author: Julia Quinn

Narrator: Rosalyn Landor

Title: To Sir Phillip, With Love

(Bridgertons #5)

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: Audiobook

Published: July 1st 2003

Where I got It: Library 

Summary: 

Sir Phillip knew from his correspondence with his dead wife's distant cousin that Eloise Bridgerton was a spinster, and so he'd proposed, figuring that she'd be homely and unassuming, and more than a little desperate for an offer of marriage. Except . . . she wasn't. The beautiful woman on his doorstep was anything but quiet, and when she stopped talking long enough to close her mouth, all he wanted to do was kiss her...

Eloise Bridgerton couldn't marry a man she had never met! But then she started thinking... and wondering... and before she knew it, she was in a hired carriage in the middle of the night, on her way to meet the man she hoped might be her perfect match. Except... he wasn't. Her perfect husband wouldn't be so moody and ill-mannered. And he certainly should have mentioned that he had two young - and decidedly unruly - children, as much in need of a mother as Phillip is in need of a wife.

Review:

I've been nervous about this one. People seem to hate it or love it. It's divided for sure on GR. Finally decided to get it over with and check it out. Pulling a bandage, eh?

Here we have Eloise and Phillip. Eloise never thought she would get married. Did she even want to? Until Phillip. They have been corresponding for nearly a year after the death of Phillip's wife. She seems like the perfect person to marry and help raise his unruly twins. He suggests this and offers for her to come over (with proper chaperoning of course). Without much of a thought or even a reply, she goes straight to his estate and surprises him. They realize they really don't know each other and decide to get to know each other before even thinking about marriage. 

Oh, Eloise. She is so smart but so daft at the same time. LOL. She didn't think her family would find out she just left to some dude's place without a chaperone??? Silly girl. But that is the Eloise-way. I ended up really liking her. I was neutral throughout the other books. Yes, she is ALWAYS talking and is bossy and kinda selfish. BUT I think she has matured in some ways and she really is a good person at the end of the day. 

I feel bad for Phillip. He really doesn't process emotion well and he went through a lot with his previous wife and his abusive father. She for sure had depression and hated her life. He tried, but he couldn't make her happy. He tries to be a good father, but he sucks at it. He is so scared of being like his abusive father that he stays away especially when the kids make him angry. He isn't very social and doesn't do well in social situations. Such an awkward fella. He is literally obsessed with his garden. It is his happy place. He could spend all day outside. He reminds me of someone I know who has Asperger's syndrome. He was such an enduring character when I made that connection. Sure, there were times he exhausted me and I wanted to give him a little shake, but I liked him overall. 

I thought he and Eloise were simply perfect for each other! And she was perfect for the kids who needed extra love. Oh boy. Did they find the extra love with this Bridgerton family!

I think what I liked about this one was how open they were with each other. They talked a LOT. They really and truly got to know about each other and about the kids even after they married. There was one scene that I thought was a tad overdramatic on Phillip's side. Like dude...chill. But they worked through it. 

Awwwww the ending was adorable. Especially the epilogues. So cute. 

The narrator was fantastic. I hope she does the rest of the books because her voices are always on point. 

In the end, I ended up really liking this one. I went in really, really worried because there is a huge division. Some love it. Some hate it. I ended up really loving it. A couple little issues like that one overdramatic scene, but it made me appreciate Eloise more and I loved Phillip. I can't wait for how they do this in the show. 4 stars on my end. 

Challenge(s):
- #33 for Audiobook challenge