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mythie's review against another edition
4.0
One would hope that positions of privilege would enable people to struggle less, yet this is a story of serious ongoing struggle. As I read, I applauded Harry and Meghan for making those hard decisions to rise above the toxicity and get themselves free.
carolineinthelibrary's review against another edition
4.0
Knowing very, very little about the royal family, I thought this book was interesting and journalistic. I learned a lot about Harry and Meghan's relationship and the innerworkings of the Royal Family. I was shocked by how toxic the media is toward her. It's easy to see how the decisions the couple make for themselves are heavily influenced by Princess Diana's untimely death and the circumstances surrounding it.
readfrenzy's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
My opinion, in short: excellent fact checking, mediocre writing. I’m a firm Sussex supporter. The charitable endeavors by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, their obvious love for each other, and their warm demeanor quickly made me a fan. Even I have to admit, though, that the writing in this book is saccharine. Nobody is as perfect as Meghan is depicted.
Where the book shines is in debunking many of the salacious headlines and asinine accusations hurled at Meghan. Where it falls short is in getting to the heart of the emotional powder keg that became so toxic that Harry and Meghan felt they had no other choice but to step away. There isn’t enough emphasis on the reasons behind their urgency to leave. The book sugarcoats the incessant vilification of Meghan in the press, particularly when she was pregnant. But exactly why wasn’t she supported publicly by the family? Did they support her privately at all? I’m also curious about how Meghan’s many successful initiatives were received by The Firm? (The book omits two of her record-breaking projects that she launched while pregnant and on maternity leave: guest editing of the September 2019 issue of British Vogue — which was also criticized in the press — and creating a fashion capsule collection for the charity SmartWorks.)
The sequence of events tends to jump around, giving the book a disjointed feeling sometimes. As much as I love one of the authors for his straightforward and balanced reporting, this reads more like a gushing amateur piece of writing than a professionally published biography.
My opinion, in short: excellent fact checking, mediocre writing. I’m a firm Sussex supporter. The charitable endeavors by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, their obvious love for each other, and their warm demeanor quickly made me a fan. Even I have to admit, though, that the writing in this book is saccharine. Nobody is as perfect as Meghan is depicted.
Where the book shines is in debunking many of the salacious headlines and asinine accusations hurled at Meghan. Where it falls short is in getting to the heart of the emotional powder keg that became so toxic that Harry and Meghan felt they had no other choice but to step away. There isn’t enough emphasis on the reasons behind their urgency to leave. The book sugarcoats the incessant vilification of Meghan in the press, particularly when she was pregnant. But exactly why wasn’t she supported publicly by the family? Did they support her privately at all? I’m also curious about how Meghan’s many successful initiatives were received by The Firm? (The book omits two of her record-breaking projects that she launched while pregnant and on maternity leave: guest editing of the September 2019 issue of British Vogue — which was also criticized in the press — and creating a fashion capsule collection for the charity SmartWorks.)
The sequence of events tends to jump around, giving the book a disjointed feeling sometimes. As much as I love one of the authors for his straightforward and balanced reporting, this reads more like a gushing amateur piece of writing than a professionally published biography.
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 rounded up. But Wow. People have really trashed this book and its authors. More proof of the hatred for Harry and Meghan? I thought it was well informed and not overly biased. If you want to learn more about the couple this book does a good job in my opinion. Its a shame they didnt get more support from the family.
cassandra67b07's review against another edition
4.0
Quick read with SO many menu descriptions, you feel like you are at the party. There is a LOT here about their courtship and the progression of their relationship.
Very favorable towards Harry and Meghan obviously. Meghan’s friends talked and they definitely spilled some tea. The authors are experienced in covering the Royals and claim to have made sure of at least two sources for any info.
YMMV but it seems clear that Harry has hated the press intrusions since his mother’s death and their burning of his military career by leaking the news that he was on the front lines in Afghanistan. Their treatment of Meghan was the last straw and most of Megexit seems to have been really driven by Harry. Neither are saints nor are the Cambridges treated unfairly. The separate paths the brothers are on is really a problem in a family business built on hierarchy.
As with Diana’s experience, the palace’s little gray men are the worst. 3.5 stars
Very favorable towards Harry and Meghan obviously. Meghan’s friends talked and they definitely spilled some tea. The authors are experienced in covering the Royals and claim to have made sure of at least two sources for any info.
YMMV but it seems clear that Harry has hated the press intrusions since his mother’s death and their burning of his military career by leaking the news that he was on the front lines in Afghanistan. Their treatment of Meghan was the last straw and most of Megexit seems to have been really driven by Harry. Neither are saints nor are the Cambridges treated unfairly. The separate paths the brothers are on is really a problem in a family business built on hierarchy.
As with Diana’s experience, the palace’s little gray men are the worst. 3.5 stars
rshort7's review against another edition
1.0
It felt like propaganda to feel sorry for them. It doesn’t feel speak of what they actually wanted freedom from. The whole theme seemed to be they wanted publicity and the perks of being Royal, but on their terms.