As I delved into this book, I couldn't help but find myself constantly needing to remind myself that it was a work of fiction. The writing was incredibly immersive, and it was filled with so many historical facts that it felt undeniably authentic. I'm not typically someone who gravitates toward historical books, maybe only delving into a couple each year, but I'm thrilled that I decided to pick up this particular one.

Flora Harding truly excelled in crafting this love story. I'm earnestly hoping that she will consider penning a sequel to further explore the characters' journey. I'm genuinely eager to witness how she would navigate the next phase of their lives.

I apprecitate the publisher allowing me to read this book. I found this a really interesting read and the characters are quite engaging. it kept me reading until the end. I highly recommend.

I absolutely love reading about the royal family and with the recent passing of Queen Elizabeth and King Phillip I thought it was time to read the tale of their start. I absolutely loved this book. The writing style, the history behind the story and well everything worked great together. I will be adding this author to my favorites list and looking for more by her soon.

A lovely romance between Queen Elizabeth (before she was queen) and Prince Phillip (before he was a prince). Their early young romance, and lack of romance was refreshingly real. I enjoyed reading this perspective on their lives. For fans of The Crown and royal gossip, this is a nice addition.

Before the Crown tells the courtship story between Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip. Princess Elizabeth has been in love with Phillip, a Greek prince and a Navy officer, since she was a little girl. Since their first meeting, she has been writing letters to Phillip. However, Phillip does not notice her until she performs in the play, Aladdin. This novel chronicles their enduring romance that would be their foundation to a successful marriage that would last decades.

Through many non-fiction books and documentaries, I have learned about Queen Elizabeth’s relationship with her husband Prince Phillip. As a fan of the tv show, The Crown, I was disappointed that they did not show the Queen’s courtship with Phillip. Thus, I was delighted when this historical fiction novel was released because it would focus on the Queen’s courtship. This novel did not disappoint. I admired Princess Elizabeth’s tenacity. She was a woman who fought for what she wanted. She was also a mature woman and knew the weight of the responsibility that comes from being the heir to a kingdom. Therefore, Elizabeth is truly an admirable woman. I also found Prince Phillip to be the most suitable match for Elizabeth. It is not easy to marry the heir of a kingdom. While Phillip was struggling with the responsibility of marrying the future queen of England, he nevertheless supported and loved Elizabeth. Thus, their romance was very sweet.

Overall, this novel gives an in-depth look at Queen Elizabeth’s early life. The characters seem very complex. The story is very well-written and meticulously researched! There were some scenes that I thought were unnecessary. Still, Before the Crown was a very short and simple story! I recommend this novel not only for fans of the tv show but also fans of the Royals! Fans of The Queen’s Secret, A Most English Princess, and The Other Windsor Girl will enjoy this novel! Before the Crown is the perfect novel to read during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee!

I guess I can start off by saying that yes, I did watch the Crown, but there's something so bizarre about this book. It didn't seem like much of a love story, but trying to think of it like a biography was strange because it was from the "perspective" of Elizabeth and Philip.

This was a cute fun heartfelt read but it also made me feel very sad for the queen. For being ready to settle for a loveless marriage but then ending up falling in love and losing her partner in life so recently. Sure they had 70 beautiful years but now she has no one.
But anyway this was cute.

Before the Crown is a fictionalized deep dive into Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s courtship. The book literally takes place before The Crown on Netflix. I think I’m enough of royal watcher that I didn’t learn anything new, so it felt slow at times. I’m picky about my historical fiction though.

Thanks to Harper360 and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I listened to the audiobook, and I’d recommend it. There are two narrators, and I think you really

A great book that keeps you very entertained. If you enjoy British Royalty or nobility you will enjoy this story. This is my first book by Flora Harding and I won’t hesitate to read more from her in the future. Set in Windsor Castle, 1943, As war rages across the world, Princess Elizabeth comes face to face with the dashing naval officer she first met in London nine years before. One of the youngest first lieutenants in the Royal Navy, Philip represents everything she has always been taught to avoid. Instability. Audacity. Adventure. But when the king learns of their relationship, the suitability of the foreign prince is questioned by all at court. He is the risk she has never been allowed to take. The risk not even the shadow of the crown will stop her from taking…

Loved it!

4 Stars ⭐️

I am a fan of "The Crown" so was eager to pick up this fictional account of Elizabeth and Phillip's courtship. It was a fun and relatively fast read. The characters were well sketched out and the situations and conversations believable. I enjoyed it and would recommend to anyone looking to get their fix before the next season.

Before the Crown is historical fiction, about the then Princess Elizabeth’s courtship with her husband-to-be, Phillip. Although it's fiction, the story is rooted in fact. It's fun to read Elizabeth’s inner thoughts and the speculation about their lives. I liked this descriptions of life at Windsor Castle. This is an interesting book that historical fiction and royalty fans will love. 4 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was so beautifully written. I find the British royalty fascinating to learn and read about and this was a very sweet novel about Elizabeth and Phillip before they had to become "the" royal couple.

Loved this one!! I had to keep reminding myself though that this was a fictionalized story!! This book have an absolutely stunning cover, and it is perfect to have the queen not facing us! I desperately want more tell all and details about anything and everything involving the royal family. So this was very enjoyable for me!

This delightful fiction book brings to life the relationship that Princess and Prince Philip has prior to their marriage and Elizabeth ascending to the Throne. We are privy to conversations between Elizabeth and Philip, walks at Balmoral, their growing closeness and, dare I say love? I learned more about Philips back story than I had previously known and how it shaped him into the Duke he became. It also details the resistance the couple faced from Elizabeth's parents and the British government, fresh off WWII. Although we all know the ending of the story, that did not take away my enjoyment of the novel. Well written, it seems to draw fairly accurate portraits of the royals as we know them. Than to NetGalley for the ARC and this review is all my own,

There is so much to love about this charming book! With such a gorgeous cover, I was hooked immediately. This book immediately peaked by interested because I've always been intrigued by the Royal Family.

A huge fan of the The Crown, it was nice to this focused specifically on the courtship between Elizabeth and Phillip. I often found myself wanting more about their courtship and this book delivered on all of that. It was clear the author did extensive research because it felt very natural and true to the characters.

It was so well done and I highly recommend this book to anyone who interested in the Royals or are fans of The Crown.

Thank you to Flora Harding, Harper Collins Publishing and NetGalley for the arc of this book.

Review will be posted on 6/22/21

The year is 1943 and Elizabeth is a young woman who plays an important role in the British monarchy and has started thinking about who she will marry. She still thinks about the handsome Prince Philip of Greece that she met nine years ago. Her parents want her to marry someone stable, which is pretty much the opposite of Philip who is the epitome of a dauntless bad boy who loves adventure. After seeing Philip again, there's no denying that Elizabeth is smitten. Who wouldn't be? He is often described as an extremely good looking, tall Viking. Things with Philip aren't easy though. Behind the scenes he has issues with obtaining citizenship (he is a foreign prince!), his family isn't exactly stable or respectable in the eyes of the British monarchy, and he has a reputation of being someone who fights convention. Elizabeth's parents are certain that this is a match that cannot happen; however, Elizabeth's heart says differently. As Elizabeth and Philip's relationship progresses, they deal with many issues, such as separations, war, unsure feelings, and meddling parents. But we all know how this ends and the glimpse into their early years of courtship was definitely a captivating one. Flora Harding's Before the Crown is a fantastic and timely historical tale based on the real-life courtship of Elizabeth and Philip; it tugged on my heartstrings.

Harding portrays Elizabeth just how I would imagine her to be in Before the Crown. She's shy, loyal, constant, determined and understands her role in the monarchy. On the other hand, Philip is exactly how I would imagine him as well. He is charismatic, good looking, adventurous, says what he wants, and tends to break the rules. Harding does a phenomenal job bringing these influential people to life so very well and making them relatable too. Readers get an inside view from Elizabeth's perspective about the rules of the monarchy, the pressures of her family, the ins and outs of Royal life, and much more. I also appreciated the background information regarding Philip's childhood and his unconventional family life, not to mention some of issues surrounding his sisters. His sisters' ties to the Nazis makes it another hurdle for Elizabeth and for her to showcase Philip as a suitable suitor. In addition to this, Philip's childhood was anything, but stable and readers learn more about this in Before the Crown. Readers can easily see how he might not be the traditional suitor that Elizabeth parents were hoping for.

Nonetheless, their relationship blossoms despite all the challenges in Before the Crown. I loved their courtship and their dedication to one another as well as Elizabeth's role in the monarchy. That takes a lot of dedication from both of them and Philip had to give up a lot to support Elizabeth. Before the Crown was a very timely book, because I had read and listened to it right after Philip's passing, so I found aspects of this novel to be especially moving.

Fans of The Crown will will especially love Before the Crown, because it's well researched, but heartfelt, too. If you are a Royal family fan like me, you will love being immersed in Elizabeth's world back to a time when she was young and Elizabeth and Philip had their whole lives ahead of them.

This is a wonderfully crafted story of fiction with history to keep the events true. I love reading and watching stories about the Queen and the Royal Family. We really have no idea what really happened behind the closed doors. After watching "The Crown" which I loved, and now after reading "Before the Crown" I could see and understand growing up to put yourself last as duty comes first for a young child must have been a cold and lonely life. But it also helps you to pull back the curtain as it were. To see a young girl, wealthy, royal, being groomed to become Queen, wanting one thing the man of her dreams. I could picture myself in the room while these conversations happening. The story of Elizabeth and Philip is very believable.

Elizabeth had lived a somewhat quiet and normal life, for a member of the Royal Family, that changes direction for her and her family when her uncle abdicates the throne of England. Now her father is the king and she, the heir apparent. Elizabeth, 13 years old, meets a young and handsome lieutenant by the name of Philip a distant cousin. Elizabeth is quite taken by Philip. They begin to write one another over the next few years. With the unasked for help of Lord Mountbatten who has his own agenda will persuade Philip of the advantage of marriage to Elizabeth. Each time Philip sees Elizabeth he sees her maturing from young girl to quiet and strong young woman. A relationship begins to blossom, but Philip is hardly the man her parents as well as what the Palace want for the future queen. But both Elizabeth and Philip will stand up together in order to be married. Most marriages in the Royal Family were for alliances but Elizabeth and Philip's will be one of mutual understanding a partnership and about love. It won't be an easy on with all the demands and crises that are put to them, but it will last a lifetime.

The author did a fabulous job of bringing the reader into the life and thoughts of both Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip prior to their marriage! She weaves fact with fiction in this insightful historical story about their courtship and early romance. Seeing the younger Princess Elizabeth stand tall in her choice to choose love in her royal partner with grace and dignity was inspiring. This novel is beautifully written and is interesting from beginning to end. I highly recommend this novel to anyone that enjoys reading about the royal family!

Stand tall… Choose love…

** Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review! **

#PamelaReads2021 #100BooksIn2021 #BeforeTheCrown #RoyalFamily #PrincessElizabethAndPrincePhilip #NetGalleyARC

Before the Crown was such a delightful read! This is a very light romance fictionalizing the courtship of Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten, who was Prince of Greece at the time. This book reads like a prequel to the show The Crown, in both content and tone and I found it utterly charming.

Such a beautiful love story of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip of Greece known to us as Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh. It explores the relationship between the two and is equally beautiful and sad given that the Duke passed this year. A great read if you're a fan of that popular show.