Feb 23, 20219 min read

To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn Book Review

To Sir Phillip, With Love

by Julia Quinn

Published by Avon Books

Book 5 in the Bridgerton Series

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.

RATED: 18+ CATEGORY: MOOD:

Steamy Historical-Romance Sweet

To Sir Phillip With Love, by Julia Quinn, is the fifth book in the Bridgerton series, and centers around Eloise Bridgerton, who disappeared in the middle of Daphne's ball in book 4, and Sir Phillip Crane, her late cousin's husband, who becomes a frequent correspondent when Eloise sends him a letter of condolence. After a year of writing back and forth, Phillip knows his children are in desperate need of a mother, and so he offers marriage to his late wife's cousin, assuming since she was a spinster, she would be desperate for marriage. Eloise considers his offer, and on a whim, runs off to meet him to see if they would be a good match. Little did she know, that he had children. Or that he was moody, and ill-mannered. And he had no idea that his assumptions of Eloise was all wrong. She may be a spinster, but she was beautiful, intelligent, and stirred desires in him long ignored. Can these two overcome their differences, and find their perfect match?

So I think I have my favorite Bridgerton book. Seriously. I won't lie - I kinda, sorta fell in love with Eloise in the netflix adaption, and I couldn't wait to get to her story, and it did not disappoint. It was original, it was addicting (I finished it in less than a day), and I adored the Eloise and Phillip - and Oliver and Amanda as well!

I have a thing for a grumpy male lead. I don't know why. So I instantly loved Phillip. One of the things I appreciated with his storyline, was his constant worries about fatherhood. Now, if you read this book, you will know -----------> he wasn't doing the best of jobs, due to his fear of turning out like his own, abusive father. <------------ How often do you get a romance novel that tackles a parents inadequacy? I found him incredibly relatable. Even the best parent, believes they are failing, and it was refreshing to get this, quite realistic issue. And look what the man has been through! I can understand his hesitancy, and worries. And how could I not fall for Eloise? I love a strong, independent woman, and Eloise is that. A woman not afraid to make her own decisions. Her strong personality is a perfect match for Phillip. Their chemistry was INSANE, and can I just say - Julia Quinn certainly upped her game when writing sex scenes, because this book was the hottest of the series.

I know, I know, if you were to ask other Bridgerton fans their favorite book, they would say Colin's book. And yes, his and Pen's story is all well and fine - but Eloise's book blows the others out of the water, in my humble opinion, and I highly recommend this book!

Favorite Moments

Phillip sending Eloise a pressed flower as thanks for her taking the time to write to him
Eloise explaining why she didn't send notice she was arriving ahead of time and Phillip trying to get a word in
Phillip telling Eloise he thought she was pretty
Eloise plotting her revenge for the twins ghosting her
Phillip bringing Eloise to the greenhouse ... and that KISS
Eloise's idea that the children make amends to her spending an afternoon with her.
The brothers coming to Phillip's house, and Eloise jumping on Benedict to try to stop them from beating up Phillip
Anthony and Eloise's talk
Phillip proving to Eloise that they would suit.
Shooting
Violet guessing that Francesca and her bribed a housemaid into explaining what happened between man and wife.
The wedding night * whew *
Phillip holding and comforting his children when he found out about the abuse
Phillip saving Charles
Phillip telling Eloise he loved her
Phillip's trail of letters

Where to Buy

Favorite Quotes

Phillip: "I didn't understand a word you said."

She felt her mouth form an oval of ... surprise? No, annoyance.

Eloise: "Weren't you listening?"

Phillip: "I tried."

Phillip: "You put a frog in your own bed?"

She nodded.

Phillip: "Why?"

She shrugged

Amanda: "I wanted to."

Phillip felt his chin thrust forward in disbelief

Phillip: "You wanted to?"

Amanda: "Yes."

Phillip: "Put a frog in your bed?"

Amanda: "I was trying to grow tadpoles."

Phillip: "In your bed?"

Amanda: "It seemed warm and cozy."

Phillip: "You are not what I expected, Miss Bridgerton."

Eloise: "Under the circumstances, I would not think it inappropriate for you to use my given name, and you are not what I expected, either."

He sat back in his seat, looking at her with the vaguest hint of a smile.

Phillip: "And what did you expect?"

Eloise: "What did you expect?"

Phillip: "I didn't expect you to be so pretty."

Phillip had never thought the day would come when he'd be frightened by a woman, but as God was his witness, Eloise Bridgerton scared the living wits out of him.

Eloise: "I'll not be treated like an imbecile."

Phillip: "If there is one thing I've learned in the twelve hours since your arrival, it's that you're no imbecile."

Eloise: "I'm sorry."

Phillip: "I'm not."

Eloise: "It was a figure of speech."

Phillip: "I beg your pardon?"

Eloise: "I said I was sorry. I wasn't, really. It was a figure of speech."

He kissed her again.

Eloise: "Sir Phillip!"

Phillip: "Sometimes, silence is a good thing."

Her mouth fell open

Eloise: "Are you saying I talk too much?"

He shrugged, having too much fun teasing her to do anything else.

Eloise: "I'll have you know that I have been much quieter here than I am at home."

Phillip: "That's difficult to imagine."

Eloise: "Sir Phillip!"

Phillip: "Shhh. We need a bit of noise around here."

Phillip: "Has anyone ever told you you can be a bit stubborn?"

Eloise: "All the time. It's my only flaw."

She heard his smile in the tenor of his breath

Phillip: "The only one, eh?"

Eloise: "The only one worth commenting upon."

Phillip: "I enjoy your company."

Eloise: "Then why have I been sitting alone in the garden for three hours?"

Phillip: "It hasn't been three hours."

Eloise: "It doesn't matter how long -"

Phillip: "It's been forty-five minutes."

Eloise: "Be that as it may -"

Phillip: "Be that as it is."

Phillip: "Good God, woman, you could try the patience of a saint."

She glared at him.

Phillip: "What would it take to keep you from moving from this spot?"

Eloise: "I can't think of a thing."

Phillip: "Fine. Hike the entire countryside. Swim to France."

Eloise: "From Gloucestershire?"

Phillip: "If anyone could figure out a way to do it, it would be you."

Eloise: "It's not as if I would listen to anything he has to say."

Colin: "As opposed to us, with whom you are the soul of meekness and obeisance."

Anthony: "If you tell me that he's a cruel man, that he will beat you, that he will insult you and demean you, I will not force your hand. But before you speak, I want you to consider my words. You are a Bridgerton. I don't care who you marry or what your name becomes when you stand up before a priest and say your vows. You will always be a Bridgerton, and we behave with honor and honesty, not because it is expected of us, but because that is what we are."

Anthony: "What did you want, Eloise?"

Eloise: "I'd hoped for a love match."

Anthony: "I see. You should have thought of that before you ran off, shouldn't you?"

Eloise: "You have a love match. You should understand."

Anthony: "I, married my wife after we were caught in a compromising position by the biggest bloody gossip in England. I didn't love my wife when I married her. Or, if I did, I did not yet realize it."

Eloise nodded

Eloise: "You were very lucky."

Anthony: "I know."

Anthony: "Eloise Bridgerton, I don't think anyone would ever make the mistake of leaving you behind."

Eloise: "I couldn't just sit and wait for life to happen to me any longer."

A chuckle burst from her brother's throat.

Anthony: "Eloise, that is the last think I would ever worry about on your behalf."

Eloise: "Anth -"

Anthony: "No, let m finish. You're one of the special ones, Eloise. Life never happens to you. Trust me on this. I've watched you grow up, had to be your father at times when I wanted only to be your brother. You happen to life, Eloise. You've always made your own decisions, always been in control."

Anthony: "Sir Phillip seems an honorable sort."

Eloise: "You were able to deduce this while you had your hands wrapped around his throat?"

He shot her a superior look

Anthony: "You'd be surprised what men can deduce about one another while fighting."

Eloise: "You call that fighting? It was four against one!"

He shrugged

Anthony: "I never said it was fair fighting."

Benedict: "And then, the tavern wench arrived and she had the biggest -"

Eloise: "Benedict!"

Benedict: "Sorry."

Eloise: "You're married."

Colin: "But not blind."

Eloise: "You're married, too!"

Colin: "But not blind."

Gregory: "Eloise, there are some things that are impossible not to see. Especially, when you're a man."

Anthony: "It's true. I saw it myself."

Gregory: "So, did you? Ever?"

Eloise: "Gregory!"

Eloise practically yelled. This was really too much. Her brothers should never have been talking about such things in front of her, but even more, the last thing she wanted to know was whether Sir Phillip had tupped a tavern wench with bosoms the size of soup tureens.

But Phillip just shook his head.

Phillip: "She's married. As was I."

Anthony turned to Eloise and whispered in her ear

Anthony: "He'll do."

Eloise: "I'm glad you have such high standards for your beloved sister."

Anthony: "I told you. I've seen Lucy. This is a man with restraint."

Eloise: "You don't know."

Phillip: "Of course I know."

Eloise: "No, you don't. If you did, you wouldn't be sitting there choking on air."

Phillip: "Good God, woman, do you have a charitable bone in your body? A man needs time to formulate an answer."

Colin: "Ah. Here's the happy couple."

Anthony: "How are you this morning?

Eloise: "Fine."

Anthony: "Hungry?"

Eloise: "No."

Anthony: "Cheerful?"

Eloise: "Not for you."

Anthony turned to Phillip.

Anthony: "She's usually more conversational."

Phillip: "You're so beautiful. Do you know what I thought when I saw you the first time?"

She shook her head, desperate for his words.

Phillip: "I thought I could drown in your eyes. I thought I could drown in you."

Anthony: "Be quiet. I'm trying to aim."

Colin: "Such need for silence will not serve you well at a time of crisis."

Anthony: "Shut up."

Colin: "If we were attacked, it would be quite noisy, and frankly, I find it disturbing to think -"

Anthony: "Colin!"

Colin: "Don't mind me."

Anthony: "I'm going to kill him. Does anyone mind if I kill him?"

No one did, although Sophie did look up and mention something about blood and messes and not wanting to have to clean up.

Phillip: "It's an excellent fertilizer."

Sophie: "Ah."

Sophie nodded and turned back to her book.

Sophie: "Kill him, then."

Anthony: "You are going to marry her, aren't you? Because frankly, if you get her off of our hands and allow her to shoot with you so that she doesn't pester us, I'll gladly double her dowry."

Phillip was quite certain at that point that he'd wed her for nothing, but he just grinned and said

Phillip: "It's a deal."

Eloise: "Why did you take me into Sophie's study yesterday?"

He spluttered and stumbled.

Phillip: "I should think that would be obvious."

he mumbled, his cheeks turning pink.

Eloise: "Well, yes. But surely you didn't think that was going to happen."

Phillip: "A man can always hope."

Eloise: "You don't mean that!"

Phillip: "Of course I do. "

Eloise: "What I'm trying to say -"

He snorted and rolled his eyes

Phillip: "You are always trying to say something."

Eloise: "It's what makes me charming."

Violet: "My children never disappoint me. They merely ... astonish me. I believe I like it that way."

Eloise: "It's just hair."

Phillip: "You're right. You must be, because on anyone else, I don't think it would be nearly so intoxicating. It must be you. Only you."

Phillip: "You are magnificent."

Eloise: "I keep telling everyone that, but you seem to be the only one to believe me."

Oliver: "Can Miss - Mother help to choose?"

Phillip: "Of course. I expect she'll want a say. She is a woman of a great many opinions, after all."

The children giggled.

Phillip allowed himself a smile.

Phillip: "I see you two know her well."

Oliver: "She does like to talk."

Amanda: "But she is terribly clever!"

Phillip: "Indeed she is."

Oliver: "I rather like her."

Amanda: "As do I."

Phillip: "I'm glad to hear that. Because I do believe she is here to stay."

Phillip: "I love you. You know that, don't you?"

They nodded, their eyes bright.

Phillip: "I will always love you. I will always love you."

He'd found everything he'd ever wanted in a marriage. Eloise ran his life to perfection by day and warmed his bed with the skill of a courtesan by night. She fulfilled his every desire so well that he hadn't noticed that she'd done something more.

She'd found his heart. She'd touched it, changed it. Changed him.

Eloise: "I'm exhausted, and you look the same. Shall we go take a nap?"

Phillip: "You go along without me."

She opened her mouth to question him, but he silenced her with a gentle squeeze on her shoulder.

Phillip: "I'll be up shortly. But right now, I think I want to hug my children."

Phillip: "I love you. I don't even care if you don't feel the same way. I love you and .... and ..."

Eloise: "Oh, Phillip. I love you, too."

Phillip: "I need you. I need you like I need breath. I need you like food, like water."

Phillip: "I'm so lucky. I think I've waited my entire life for you."

Eloise: "I know I've been waiting for you."

Phillip: "Today, the twins told me it was the best day ever. And I realized they were right."

Eloise nodded, beyond words.