Asia
3.5/5
I wish I liked this book more because I loved the premise. Eloise running away to meet her pen pal to see if they would be fit to marry, and Phillip, being not only blindsided by her visit, but also trying to connect with his children but couldn't. And them having to work through their differences to find happiness.
It was such an interesting premise, I was so excited to read it. Alas, the book was disappointing.
Firstly, Eloise was amazing. I really loved her (and she was so different from her show version. Who would have thought Eloise was the sunshine wanting to be a wife and a mother?), she was cheeky, and witty, and sarcastic. And I loved how she treated Oliver and Amanda from the start and even as blindsided as she was of learning aboutt heir existence, she was not only ready but also determined to take care of them.
Then, the twins. Or more specifically, Amanda. She was one of the best parts of the book for me. All cheeky and hoping for her father's attention and witty. I loved her. Meanwhile, Oliver was just there. I think that if Oliver didn't exist, the book would still have been the same - I mean even the 2nd epilogue was written from Amanda's perspective, Oliver was always like an afterthought.
And then there's Phillip-all-woe-is-me-Crane. I sympathised with him when it came to Marina and not wanting to be an abusive father like his own had been. But for heaven's sake, this man was so... bland. That's all there is to it. He was bland. He didn't contribute in any way (except for getting rid of the children's nurse, finally), I mean he didn't even know that his children could swim. Or count. Or that they outgrew their clothes. He was so clueless all of the time, it was annoying.
And while he was understandably annoyed with Eloise at first (she did, in fact, ignore his letter for a month and then showed up with no notice), it became frustrating when he locked himself in his greenhouse all day and sulked, and when Eloise tried tot alk to him about his own children, he screamed at her that there's nothing more important than him than to take her to bed because he hadn't been with a woman for years.
Boo hoo.
And their love confession came out of nowhere. At least it was more believable from Elosie's perspective, I think, since she was the one who was trying to reach out, but it was very sudden and slightly out of character for Phillip to confess first. He only wanted a wife to take care of his children and leave him alone (except at night) so it was just weird to see him confess.
But I have to admit that the flowers spelling out his love was very, very romantic.
Now, for the second-favorite part of the book. Bridgerton brothers.
More specifically, Anthony and COlin (but Gregory was there too!)
I love them so much. Anthony was such an older sibling, taking charge and reprimanding Eloise (as was his right imo) and making sure she was safe. I really loved him barging in and trying to strangle Phillip, it was funny to me. And the banter! Amazing. I laughed so much during that part of the book and then I cried when Anthony and Eloise talked in the study.
And Colin "I Miss My Wife" Bridgerton was absolutely fantastic. I couldn't get enough lol.
All in all, the book had an amazing premise but it didn't stick the landing - mostly because Phillip was so bland I think. I've heard fans opinions about him and I honestly forgot about them - but as soon as I finished the book I thought to myself "oh, so that's why they all hate Phillip, makes sense now." I personally don't hate him, I just don't care about him. At all.
Also, can we appreciate Eloise turning into Violet in the 2nd epilogue, as she tried to matchmake her daughter shamelessly? I loved that. Hilarious.
Highlights:
- Eloise was not who I expected but she's amazing anyway
- the twins (well, Amanda)
- ABCG charging after Eloise. The best (and funniest and most emotional) part of the book.
- The shooting competition. I loved that.
Lows:
- Phillip "woe is me" Crane. I didn't really care about him
- The book was a bit boring. I doin't know why, I just wish it was done differently.
Tropes:
- forced proximity
- love letters
- grumpy & sunshine
- opposites attract
- single parent
- marriage of convenience (if you squint)
3.5/5
I wish I liked this book more because I loved the premise. Eloise running away to meet her pen pal to see if they would be fit to marry, and Phillip, being not only blindsided by her visit, but also trying to connect with his children but couldn't. And them having to work through their differences to find happiness.
It was such an interesting premise, I was so excited to read it. Alas, the book was disappointing.
Firstly, Eloise was amazing. I really loved her (and she was so different from her show version. Who would have thought Eloise was the sunshine wanting to be a wife and a mother?), she was cheeky, and witty, and sarcastic. And I loved how she treated Oliver and Amanda from the start and even as blindsided as she was of learning aboutt heir existence, she was not only ready but also determined to take care of them.
Then, the twins. Or more specifically, Amanda. She was one of the best parts of the book for me. All cheeky and hoping for her father's attention and witty. I loved her. Meanwhile, Oliver was just there. I think that if Oliver didn't exist, the book would still have been the same - I mean even the 2nd epilogue was written from Amanda's perspective, Oliver was always like an afterthought.
And then there's Phillip-all-woe-is-me-Crane. I sympathised with him when it came to Marina and not wanting to be an abusive father like his own had been. But for heaven's sake, this man was so... bland. That's all there is to it. He was bland. He didn't contribute in any way (except for getting rid of the children's nurse, finally), I mean he didn't even know that his children could swim. Or count. Or that they outgrew their clothes. He was so clueless all of the time, it was annoying.
And while he was understandably annoyed with Eloise at first (she did, in fact, ignore his letter for a month and then showed up with no notice), it became frustrating when he locked himself in his greenhouse all day and sulked, and when Eloise tried tot alk to him about his own children, he screamed at her that there's nothing more important than him than to take her to bed because he hadn't been with a woman for years.
Boo hoo.
And their love confession came out of nowhere. At least it was more believable from Elosie's perspective, I think, since she was the one who was trying to reach out, but it was very sudden and slightly out of character for Phillip to confess first. He only wanted a wife to take care of his children and leave him alone (except at night) so it was just weird to see him confess.
But I have to admit that the flowers spelling out his love was very, very romantic.
Now, for the second-favorite part of the book. Bridgerton brothers.
More specifically, Anthony and COlin (but Gregory was there too!)
I love them so much. Anthony was such an older sibling, taking charge and reprimanding Eloise (as was his right imo) and making sure she was safe. I really loved him barging in and trying to strangle Phillip, it was funny to me. And the banter! Amazing. I laughed so much during that part of the book and then I cried when Anthony and Eloise talked in the study.
And Colin "I Miss My Wife" Bridgerton was absolutely fantastic. I couldn't get enough lol.
All in all, the book had an amazing premise but it didn't stick the landing - mostly because Phillip was so bland I think. I've heard fans opinions about him and I honestly forgot about them - but as soon as I finished the book I thought to myself "oh, so that's why they all hate Phillip, makes sense now." I personally don't hate him, I just don't care about him. At all.
Also, can we appreciate Eloise turning into Violet in the 2nd epilogue, as she tried to matchmake her daughter shamelessly? I loved that. Hilarious.
Highlights:
- Eloise was not who I expected but she's amazing anyway
- the twins (well, Amanda)
- ABCG charging after Eloise. The best (and funniest and most emotional) part of the book.
- The shooting competition. I loved that.
Lows:
- Phillip "woe is me" Crane. I didn't really care about him
- The book was a bit boring. I doin't know why, I just wish it was done differently.
Tropes:
- forced proximity
- love letters
- grumpy & sunshine
- opposites attract
- single parent
- marriage of convenience (if you squint)