Before the Crown by Flora Harding: A Book Review

Before the Crown
Author: Flora Harding
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: One More Chapter
Release Date: 2020
Pages: 401
Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: Before the crown there was a love story.

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…

Step through the palace gates and discover a captivating historical novel of royal secrets and forbidden love exploring the tempestuous courtship between Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip in the wake of WWII.

My Review: 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!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The Peasant King by Tessa Afshar: A Book Review

The Peasant King Author: Tessa Afshar Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian, Biblical Fiction, Romance Publisher: Tyndale House Publishing Release Date: 2023 Pages: 376 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: Jemmah has always thought of herself as perfectly ordinary . . . until she faces extraordinary circumstances. When her mother, the Persian king’s famous senior scribe, is kidnapped, Jemmah and her sister must sneak undetected into enemy territory to rescue her. But infiltrating their adversary’s lands proves easier than escaping them. Fleeing through dangerous mountain passes, their survival depends on the skills of a stranger they free from prison: a mysterious prince named Asher. Asher is not who the world believes he is. Despite his royal blood, he has had to climb his way out of poverty to forge success from nothing. A manufacturer of some of the best weaponry in th...

Cook Recipes From The Women of The American Revolution

My friend recommended to me Founding Mothers by Cokie Roberts. It is a biography the wives, sisters and daughters of America's Founding Fathers. In her biography, she included some recipes that these women used. I found them fascinating, so I decided to share some of them with you. I hope you enjoy reading them as I did. Be sure to check out Cokie Roberts Founding Mothers . This is a book you wouldn't want to miss for it is the story of the Founding of America told from the perspective of the Founding Fathers' women. Martha Washington’s Recipes: Crab Soup: Ingredients: Fresh crabs Butter Flour Hard-boiled eggs ...

A Thousand Miles to Freedom: My Escape from North Korea by Eunsun Kim and Sebastien Falletti: A Book Review

A Thousand Miles to Freedom: My Escape from North Korea Author: Eunsun Kim and Sebastien Falletti Genre: Nonfiction, Modern History, Autobiography and Memoir Publisher: St. Martin's Press Release Date: July 21, 2015 Pages: 240 Source: My State Public Library Synopsis: Eunsun Kim was born in North Korea, one of the most secretive and oppressive countries in the modern world. As a child Eunsun loved her country...despite her school field trips to public executions, daily self-criticism sessions, and the increasing gnaw of hunger as the country-wide famine escalated. By the time she was eleven years old, Eunsun's father and grandparents had died of starvation, and Eunsun was in danger of the same. Finally, her mother decided to escape North Korea with Eunsun and her sister, not knowing that they were embarking on a journey that would take them nine long years to complete. Before finally reaching South Korea and freedom, Eunsun and her family would live homeles...

History from a Woman's Perspective- A Book Blog

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