To Sir Phillip, With Love: Bridgerton Family Series: Book 5 [Paperback]

Eloise Bridgerton has always liked writing letters, so following the death of a distant cousin, it's only natural to send a letter of condolence. When Sir Phillip's reply includes a pressed flower Eloise is intrigued. It seems only natural for them to correspond, but after a year of writing to each other, Sir Phillip suggests the possibility of marraige - and Eloise doesn't know what to think.

At eight and twenty, Eloise is considered a spinster by the ton, but until recently that hasn't bothered her. It's not like she hasn't had the opportunity to marry - six rejected proposals attest to that - she has simply chosen not to. Not that she doesn't want to, but seeing the love her siblings have found, how can she possibly settle for anything less?

So, when her discontent rises up, Eloise sneaks out of London and travels to meet a man she has never met, but might, possibly, decide to marry.

Sir Phillip Crane has become something of a recluse following the death of his wife, he knows that, but in truth prefers the company of his plants to anything people have to offer. And then there are his children.

Eight-year old twins, Oliver and Amanda, are not the best behaved of children, and do their best to drive out any visitors to the house. When Eloise shows up unexpectedly it is soon clear all round that nothing is what anyone else expected.

Then, just as things begin to settle down, four very angry Bridgerton men come to call...

It's difficult to know what to expect from the first post-Lady Whistledown novel, because for me her columns have always been a vital part of what the Bridgertons are about. However, JQ admirably fills the void with excerpts of the many, many letters Eloise had written throughout her life. It's a perfect insight into the way this member of the family thinks.

She's headstrong, tenacious, curious and never afraid to speak her mind. The one thing she truly lacks is patience, and once she's made up her mind about something woebetide any who stand in her way.

Yet this book isn't really about Eloise, it's about Phillip. True, she has her fair share of point of view scenes, and the showdown with her brothers is both hilarious and touching, but she's essentially the same person from beginning to end.

In Phillip, however, we see a hero whose everyday is ruled by his past. He's a father who doesn't know how to treat his children, and only too happy to ignore their misdemeanours because he's terrified of what his temper might do. And yet he wants to remarry for his children's sake. His guilt over the death of his first wife and his reaction to it is so tightly wound within him that he doesn't speare a thought for himself. Until he meets Eloise, of course, and then everything changes.

Phillip's personal journey is what makes this story special, culminating in a beautifully touching final chapter that definitely pulls on the heartstrings.

Not that this book is merely sentimental - this is JQ after all. So we have the inclusion of the Bridgerton siblings, which always produces amusement. One of the best touches is the return of Colin's voracious appetite. Then there's the shooting match. It's also nice to finally meet Gregory again, last seen knocking Simon and Anthony into the Thames in 'The Duke and I'. Violet returns too, bringing that special magic of hers that never fails to make her appearences special.

Away from the Bridgertons, JQ once again introduces a wonderful pair of children - not that 'wonderful' refers to their behaviour. One of the recurring joys of JQ's books is the way she writes small children, and these two are no exception. At times it's almost more important that they get their happy ending than it is for Eloise.

Yet another fabulous tale from Julia Quinn, with delightful characters and an epilogue that is perfectly gorgeous.

" 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 quite, and when she stopped talking long enough to close her mouth, all he wanted to do was to 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. "

This, I found out a bit too late, is book 5 in the Bridgerton series and the first introduction to a new author. I must admit that I absolutely and utterly enjoyed each and every page of this book. I am quite certain to purchase the rest of the series. I find Julia Quinn's writing quite amusing and entertaining, the story gripping, the characters witty yet complex.
The characters are well thought of and described. I found the pace of the story a little to slow at times, however that did not ruin the experience for me.
The story has been introduced many times before me, so all I can say is, if you are looking for a "feel-good" , romantic story, something to brighten your mood and help you relax and smile, buy and read this book ! Very much recommended indeed !

this was a typical bridgerton story. there are a few amusing parts and reads easily and quickly. one of the better books of the series which started well but got a bit lost with so many brothers and sisters to marry off. amusing scenes are when the children first meet with eloise and then the brothers untimely arrival, with famiiar family rivalaries