A review by apoppyinthewind
To Sir Phillip, with Love by Julia Quinn

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

2.5 stars. This book was hard to rate because I was drawn into the writing and I got through this book pretty quickly which often inclines me to rate a book higher with the thought 'If I couldn't put it down I <I>must</i> have enjoyed it, right?' Yet when I finished this book my brain immediately listed all the parts I wished were different and there were enough to make me realize it could have been better and I wouldn't be revisiting it. That brought the rating down.

Part of the problem for me is the book has plot points that involve another background character's mental illness & suicide that was simplified to 'She was sad & selfish' and that's all we know about that character. Those are subjects that are important to me & I have my own bias so I find it more irksome when I think they're handled poorly.

I also think part of the problem is that as a fan of the show I was introduced to a slightly different version of Eloise whose motivations are different from the book. Show Eloise doesn't want to get married because she craves her independence & wishes she had more freedom and could reject the role she feels stuck in as a woman. Book Eloise doesn't want to marry because she hasn't found the right man...yet. 

I knew they would be different because obviously they would, different mediums and clearly the show would flesh Eloise out a bit more. It didn't bother me too much until
the Brigderton Brothers showed up to tell her what to do. Book Eloise becomes the sulky but obedient sister at that moment which bugged me. Part of me wants to give it a pass because it's historical fiction and yes, as a woman she would be bossed around by the men in her family yet Eloise has been shown to be strong in her opinions and willing to be rebellious already. 

I feel like the author could have given her that space here to push back a little against her brothers to marry Phillip on her own terms. The whole first part of the book is about Eloise making the choice to go see Phillip and discuss his proposal, to seek out her own destiny independent of her family. Instead of getting to follow that choice through it becomes 'Oh my brothers are here and they say we have to marry'. I feel like if any Bridgerton was going to buck the family tradition of 'OMG we have to marry right away to save our reputation' it would be Eloise who has proven in the past reputation isn't a factor in her choice to marry otherwise, she would have taken one of the several proposals she had. I'm disappointed she didn't get to follow that path she wanted to lay for herself. 

Also during the guilt trip, the brothers give Eloise for running off there could have easily been a moment where Eloise gets to point out how easily the Bridgerton boys get to come & go without a thought as to how it affects the family. Looking at you there Colin! Yes, she still did something hurtful to her family but again, if any character could point out the double standard it would be Eloise. Just saying.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings