ISBN: 0-380-82085-4
Publisher: Avon books
Source: I purchased this book to read
The fifth installment of the Bridgerton series is my least favorite, I think. Maybe that’s a bad way to start a review, but I might as well be honest up front that this particular story didn’t really appeal to me.
The story explores the relationship between Eloise Bridgerton and Sir Phillip Crane. Sir Phillip’s first wife died due to a fever after a suicide 
attempt. Since his wife is a distant relative of Eloise’s, she writes a letter of condolence upon the woman’s death. This starts a year long letter writing affair ending with Sir Phillip inviting Eloise to visit in order see if they would suit. Eloise feels lost after the marriage of her best friend, Penelope, to her brother Colin, and decides to visit Sir Phillip. Interestingly, she decides to go without taking a chaperone or letting her family know where she is going. She arrives to find two unruly, motherless children who do everything in their power to drive her away. Sir Phillip, it seems, is looking for a mother for his children. Eloise, growing up as 1 of 8 children, easily responds to the children’s pranks and turns them around but not until after several hilarious pranks are played by both sides! Sir Phillip is more work, but the decision to marry is taken out of their hands when all four of her brothers arrive to find her unchaperoned. Yet another interesting situation!
Although this is a story about tragic circumstances, I miss the glitter and the glamor of most of Julia Quinn’s books. I had trouble with the believability of the story line at times and I found the story somewhat contrived. I like the character of Eloise, but I found very little to like about Sir Phillip; he seems too stiff to me. Maybe it’s the missing glitter, but I thought Eloise could have found a better match.
This book was named one of the 6 best mass market original novels of the year by Publisher’s Weekly. I guess I don’t share their opinion.
The Romance Reader gives To Sir Phillip, With Love 4 hearts and say the following:”Julia Quinn has once again delivered with another Bridgerton story. One would think she would eventually struggle, but this one is fresh, humorous and delightful. And not once did she mention Lady Whistledown.”
The Romance Reader at Heart says: “Fans of Julia Quinn won’t be disappointed with this book. It continues the romances of the Bridgerton children with the marriage of Eloise to Sir Phillip Crane. I really enjoyed this story. The humor that you expect from Quinn is there, along with some seriousness.“
