Cover Image: Before the Crown

Before the Crown

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I could not put this book down!

Some of the historical inaccuracies bothered me, but it was fast moving and an insightful look at what both Elizabeth AND Philip May have felt during their courtship. It included a sympathetic take on what it could have been like for Philip to all of a sudden be apart of the royal family. This was my favorite plot line of the book.

I was really sad when Before The Crown ended.

This book is PG enough for the middle and high school classroom library!!

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to HarperCollins Australia and One More Chapter for an advanced copy of Before the Crown in exchange for my honest review.

I love all things Royal so I was excited to read Before the Crown, which is a historical fiction around the courtship of Princess Elizabeth by Prince Phillip. While most of the story is based on actual events around their early relationship, the conversations and thoughts are fictional.

It was fun to be swept up in their story and read a little bit more about them. This was a quick read and if you're a fan of the Royals or The Crown you'll love this! I only wish there was info at the end on the authors's creative license and what research she did.

Was this review helpful?

I might be one of the only reviewers to have read this book without having seen "The Crown" first. I found it to be a delightful, educational, and fun book that gives a nice background about the beginning of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip's relationship. I did not go in knowing much about their history, beyond the more modern stuff, so from my perspective it was an informative read. That is, of course, not to diminish that this is a love story about a young couple's courtship which was a very well told story.

I enjoyed the author's writing style and how they were able to make what was truly very historically accurate information into a compelling story. I found myself checking things online and finding that what I was reading were real life happenings and was very impressed with that.

If anything, the only thing I was upset about was the fact that the book ended! I would love to see a continuation of the story after their marriage and Elizabeth officially taking the throne.

Thank you to Flora Harding and Harper Collins Publishers Australia for the opportunity to read this lovely book in advance of it's release date!

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely adored this book. Rarely do historical fiction novels uncover the history and love between Elizabeth and Philip as well as Before the Crown. I was sucked in from page 1 and was actually upset when this novel ended. Can't wait for this to come out so I can share with friends!

Was this review helpful?

As a fan of the Netflix series The Crown, I really liked reading this book about Philips and Elizabeth’s relationship. Reading a love story about royals has always interested me and the story read as if I was watching The Crown. It expands on the romance of Philip and Elizabeth that was sort of glossed over in the tv show. Historical romance based in reality is really interesting concept because real life events are apart of the story. I recommend watching the show after reading the book.

Was this review helpful?

Before the Crown
*𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗼𝗻 𝟴/𝟭𝟯/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟬
While I am continuing to post my regular content, the BLM movement is still going on. Please keep referring to my story and linktree to find ways to help out.✊🏻‼️

Hi! It’s the first historical drama that I have received from netgalley, and I’m super excited to talk about it! Let’s gooooo!🥳

Before the Crown takes place before Elizabeth The Second becomes queen, instead, it’s her love story with Philip. It’s 1943 and WWII is still raging across the world, when Lilabeth comes face to face with one of the youngest first lieutenant’s in the Royal Navy. Philip is everything she has been taught to avoid, but coincidentally everything she has ever dreamed of. When the king learns about their secret affair the mysterious prince is questioned by everyone in court. His very name is a risk to the crown, and Elizabeth has to be very careful if she’s willing to take that risk.🤭

This was just alright. I have read A LOT of historical dramas, and A LOT of them following the Royal Family, so I feel like I can be more
critical than maybe a first time reader of this genre. One thing that kept bothering me throughout this novel is the amount of time skips that it had. It would jump to a year latter, when I was finally on track with where the story was, and honestly it was quite distracting. It also led me unable to connect to Liz and Philip, which was extremely disappointing. In my opinion, this is a great novel for those trying to break into the historical drama, but keep in mind the timeline can be a little wacky.😊

What’s your favorite historical time period to travel into? Let me know!💋

Dm me to talk about all things book or writing related! I’ll be looking forward to it! —Em😌

#bookstagram #books #book #bookworm #booklover #reading #bookish #bibliophile #instabook #booknerd #bookaddict #bookish #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #read #bookshelf #booksofinstagram #instabooks #booklove #igreads #reader #bookbloggerspost

Was this review helpful?

A compelling read that humanizes the stories behind the heads of the royal family. My existing knowledge of the royal family admittedly is just what I have seen in The Crown, and this novel provided even more context and insight. While I found it difficult to get into the story and invest in the characters, at some point without realizing it I was. Frustrating at times, endearing, moving, and sweet, I enjoyed the story and thought it was really well written.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with a digital ARC of this title via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I am a huge fan of the show The Crown and find the real life stories of the English Royalty to be so interesting. I was very excited for a change to read this title and luckily it did not disappoint. It was well written and very easy to read. I quickly became immersed in story and loved the glimpse into Elizabeth before she married Phillip and took over the crown. The book did a great job of portraying the realities of life for the Royal family as well as showing Elizabeth as herself, with her personality, dreams, fears. Great read

Was this review helpful?

This is a story of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip of Greece, or better known as Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh. I'm not a huge reader of historical fiction and especially ones that deals with actual royal figures, but I enjoyed this one.


I thank Netgalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for the digital ARC.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this book, but did feel strange at times reading about the queen and Phillip, it almost seemed intrusive. I guess because most historical fiction I read is about people who have already passed.

I started this book hating Phillip, then I loved him, then hated him... but ended it loving him. I felt like this book gave a good look into what it may have been like in the past for a royal when choosing a spouse, how little control they had over most of the process, situation, planning, etc. Overall I would recommend this book for fans of historical fiction and the royal family.

Was this review helpful?

A historical fiction with a royal family? Yes, please! I absolutely adored this book. It’s a light and quick read that focuses on Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillips’ courtship up through their wedding day. It alternates between Elizabeth’s and Phillip’s point of view and I enjoyed how you saw both of their thoughts, sacrifices, and vulnerabilities as it led up to their royal wedding and partnership. Avid watchers of the Crown will love this book as well as anyone who enjoys historical fiction and/or the British royal family. 4.5/5 stars.

Was this review helpful?

The book gave some insight into the early relationship between Elizabeth and Philip. It appeared both loved each other and each made sacrifices for their marriage.The book basically described a courtship that was not very exciting or romantic. A mediocre read that lacked lustre for an important and monumental time in history.

Was this review helpful?

An enjoyable romp through Elizabeth and Philip's courtship - if it could be called that! Loved the escapism of it, but didn't grip me quite as much as I wanted and I think I would have enjoyed it if it was a little more far fetched/fictionalised.

Was this review helpful?

A very lovely book! I have always liked to learn about the history of royalty in England. I couldn't put this book down, so I read it in one sitting. It is the story of Queen Elizabeth during her younger years. She is a stunning young woman who has supported her country during the Second World War, she can't wait for peace. One day she sees a very handsome naval officer that is courageously serving England. Elizabeth met this man nine years ago, but now she's more interested in getting to know him better. Philip, the naval officer represents everything young Elizabeth was taught to avoid: instability, audacity and adventure. The king, Elizabeth's father learns of their relationship, he doesn't agree and the suitability of the foreign prince is questioned by everyone in court. Elizabeth and Philip will have to prove to everyone that they are meant to each other. A very cute story, I loved the perseverance of Elizabeth to have Philip. But I also admire the professionalism and loyalty that Elizabeth has towards her family. It is amazing that she obeys her father, this means that duty is prioritized by her. I am glad I had the opportunity of reading this book, I recommend it because is a light read but also a lovable story. I thank NetGalley, HarperCollins Publishers Australia, and One More Chapter for granting me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This Texas girl had the opportunity to visit Windsor Castle in all its splendor last summer, so that, on top of the fact that I am a huge fan of The Crown made me instantly drawn into this story.

This novel gives a fictionalized look into the courtship of then Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip from both perspectives. I appreciated varying points of view which seem to provide us with a bit more backstory into their supposed relationship.

I particularly enjoyed the description of the wedding which shot me off into a YouTube rabbit hole making for a wonderful supplement to the novel as I was able to watch and read the events as they took place.

At times, I found the Princess Elizabeth depiction to be a bit off from what we see and hear about the queen in real life. Duty and responsibility over matters of the heart tend to be the vision we have of her, but this novel didn't quite give us the depth of character I was hoping for. However, it wasn’t a distracting feature of the novel and I would definitely recommend it to others.

This is a part of the story we rarely see (in tv or books) and it was a refreshing take on this royal relationship.

Was this review helpful?

This was a good story about the romantic beginning of two very fascinating people. Phillip is very comfortable with who he is despite his diversities from his childhood. The royal families have always fascinated me and the writing felt like I was IN their world. Loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone interested in historical fiction.

Was this review helpful?

It was hard for me not to fall in love with this story as I was taken on a journey through World War II and the love story of the woman we now know as Queen Elizabeth II and he now husband Prince Philip. I was so entertained and enthralled by this book that I had to tell people about it within a couple of chapters. Despite knowing how the end turns out, I was taken on a rollercoaster ride of will they - won't theys?

If you loved the TV series The Crown or are just royally-obsessed, then #beforethecrown is for you.

Was this review helpful?

This was a very interesting book for me. It goes fast and the dialogue is smooth. I truly enjoyed learning more about the courtship of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. It seems we're all much more familiar with the current royal wedding and matches. And we forget that Elizabeth was young and searching for her mate too during especially trying times. I would love to know though how much of the story was based on fact and how much was fiction. The author did not leave any clues.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Was this review helpful?

Before the Crown tells the story of the relationship of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. There were many ups and downs in the road to their wedding. The reader feels a part of the story all the way to its sweet conclusion.

Was this review helpful?

First sentence: He’s not there. Elizabeth has her eye pressed to the chink in the curtains.

Premise/plot: Before the Crown by Flora Harding is for any and every fan of Netflix's The Crown. It opens in 1943 and concludes with the wedding of Elizabeth and Philip. The book chronicles their relationship and is told by both the Princess and Prince. It includes some flashback scenes, especially when Philip is narrating that fills in some of his background.

My thoughts: For the most part, I love, love, love, love, love the Crown. Especially the first season of the Crown. I don't love, love, love everything about it. (Some of the scenes are a bit too graphic now and then. And I don't think nudity is really ever necessary to the plot.) But the stories and drama, well, that I love to watch. I was so happy to read and review Before the Crown. I would recommend it to viewers who love the show, to readers who love historical fiction, to readers who love all things royal.

Was this review helpful?