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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.
kinx128's review against another edition
2.0
There is no objectivity is this book. Completely a one-sided view of the Royal dynamic.
adifferentreadingview's review against another edition
2.0
Listening to this with everything we know after their interview with Oprah and their Netflix special, it’s basically repeating almost all of the same things. When Harry and Meghan first started dating, I adored them. I thought they were this really modern couple that truly loved one another. The more and more I hear about this couple, I still believe that they love each other, but I just don’t know where they are trying to go with all of this tell all but not really telling it all publicity. I believe the truth lies somewhere in the middle. I definitely feel like the royal family is racist, but there are also some inconsistencies from this book/what I’ve seen being said in other interviews. Since a lot of this was already stuff I had already known from their TV specials, it was hard for me to keep myself interested. It’s sad to see what has happened with Harry and his dad/brother, but I really commend him on moving forward with his life and finding a way to truly protect and take care of his wife and children. While I didn’t really enjoy this book, I wanted to read it before I get to Harry’s autobiography so I made sure to get myself through it even though there was a lot of times I just wanted to DNF it. Listening to the audio book make it easier to get through it as quickly as possible.
bribeemajorlee's review against another edition
4.0
It has been said that this book wasn’t authorized or endorsed by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. I believe it. While the book does take a more in depth look at their side it doesn’t paint them as total victims and angels. This book was supposed to be “their side of the story” in reality it’s just the story that’s been relayed over the past two years. It’s looked at the good the bad and the ugly. Areas they did well in and areas the made missteps. As excerpts of the book has been released over the past weeks many have asked why didn’t the palace correct many of the false damaging stories that were put out. That question is the overall theme of the book.