To Sir Phillip, With Love

Quinn, Julia. 2003. To Sir Phillip, With Love.

To Sir Phillip, With Love is the fifth in the Bridgerton series, a historical romance series set in Regency England. To Sir Phillip, With Love, Romancing Mister Bridgerton, and When He Was Wicked are the three of the series that are most tightly woven together. The action of all three occur within the same few months of 1824.

During the ball scene (the big reveal) of Romancing Mister Bridgerton, Eloise Bridgerton was noticeably absent. There was a big reason. She used her sister and brother-in-law's party as her getaway. She, partly out of jealousy, has decided to do something a bit bold and a bit out of character. She's off to meet her pen pal, a widower with two kids. Their correspondence began the previous year when she wrote condolences upon his wife's death. The letters have given them both a bit of comfort, and on his suggestion, she is on her way to meet them. He wants to see if she'll suit him as a wife.

Phillip never expected Eloise to be attractive. He was expecting a spinster. An unattractive but intelligent companion. That is what he wanted. He definitely didn't expect to find someone so talkative, so opinionated, so set in her ways, so spunky.

But Eloise forgot one thing when making her journey. Okay, she forgot two things. She forgot to write him that she was coming so he hasn't a chaperone ready to receive her and supervise their courtship. But more importantly, she forgot that her family would be worried and quite frantic about her sudden disappearance. She forgot to count on her four brothers--three older, one younger--hunting her down in angry pursuit!!! Poor Phillip. I almost feel sorry for him!

Phillip's kids are another story. A set of 8 year old twins--one boy, one girl. And they're more than a handful. But if anyone can handle this situation, it is Eloise.

The book is enjoyable. The kids add something more to this historical romance novel. I've not read too many Regency romance novels where kids play a role--a big role--in the action.

372 pages.