This was my first historical fiction and I'll admit I didn't know much about the youthful Quenn Elizabeth. So I found this book fascinating! I thought the book itself was well written and it kept me turning the pages. I honestly had never really thought much about Queen Elizabeth being young so I guess it intrigued me. I found my self looking at pictures of them young to coincide with what I was reading. I definitely hadn't given much thought to how Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip became a couple. Obviously considering who she was the courtship was not what any normal person would experince but considering the time period and status that was interesting as well. I thought this was a good read and gave perspective I had not considered. Enjoy!

My sweet mother-in-law was a war bride. I loved learning about English royalty including watching movies my father-in-law took of the Queen’s Coronation along the streets of London. I wish she was still here to talk about Before the Crown by Flora Harding. First, the cover is stunning! I enjoyed reading this book told from both Elizabeth’s and Philip’s points of view. At times, I felt the writing was rather dry. I did feel for the most part the author caught what it was like to live in the bubble of Buckingham Palace. I was disappointed in the ending. It was very abrupt, and I felt a better ending would be at the end of the wedding day. My thanks to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The fascinating story of Queen Elizabeth's and Prince Phillip's meeting, courtship and engagement. Set against the years following WWII fans of historical fiction will enjoy this look into the Royal life and the life of the young Queen to be. Told in alternating points of view I found the chapters devoted to Phillip and his reactions the most interesting. He wasn't always Elizabeth's biggest fan but he grew to love and admire her deeply. Theirs is one of the world's most enduring marriages. So sit back and enjoy this peek into Royalty.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Before the Crown by Flora Harding is a fictional story of the courtship of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip. It encompasses the time period from their first meeting until the day of their wedding. If you are looking for dark secrets and scandal this is not the book you want to read but I did enjoy reading the story. Events and characters in the story had me searching google to find out more about them. The author does an excellent job of recreating the time period and gives life to Princess Elizabeth, Prince Phillip and to supporting characters whose names I recognized but knew nothing about. I recommend reading this book especially for people are interested in the royal family and stories of WW2 Britain. Publishing date: September 17, 2020. #BeforeTheCrown #FloraHarding #RoyalCourtship #HistoricalFiction #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter #Bookstagram #Bookstagrammer

FANS OF THE NETFLIX SHOW, THE CROWN, I HAVE A BOOK FOR YOU! 👑

I really enjoy learning about the British Royal Family and this book was everything I didn’t know I needed. It was a lovely and wholesome historical fiction romance. I loved learning about Queen Elizabeth and Phillip’s love story. *it even mentions her beloved corgis!! 🥺*

I truly thought the way the author wrote about the couple was so sweet. I began going down a Queen Elizabeth rabbit hole and researching about her life after finishing this story. I’m a fan.

I really loved so much about this novel. Harding’s writing was wonderful and I felt transported to Windsor Castle in the 40s. I also really loved the character development of Elizabeth, the pressure she felt as a princess and future Queen was palpable from the start. I loved that she chose to live her life and stood her ground for love. 💖

Before the Crown is a novel that tells the story Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's early days, before they were even on the throne. Their love story is part business transaction, part young love during war and Flora Harding does a solid job of interweaving fact and historical name dropping to keep the audience intrigued even though we all know how this romance turns out.

This is a must read for fans of the Netflix show The Crown! Thank you to HarperCollins UK via NetGalley for the early review copy. Before the Crown will be published on September 17, 2020.

Before the Crown by Flora Harding tells a story of the beginning of the relationship between then Princess Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth II) and Philip Mountbatten. I’m an absolute sucker for royal romance, and I love historical fiction, especially that of the United Kingdom so this book was perfect for me. I read it in two days, and I’m really impressed by how the author presented the story of their relationship and at the same time was able to maintain their characters. Elizabeth was quiet and dutiful, and Philip was charismatic and restless. I really enjoyed seeing how well their characters interact with each other despite their differences. I’m also glad that we got to see some insights into Philip’s family life. The author perfectly depicted their love story, and I really liked this book.

Okay, I LOVE Netflix’s The Crown so when I saw this ARC pop up on here I knew I needed to read it. I fascinated by the Royal Family and this novel is a sweet (fictional) telling of one of the most famous and long running marriages in history. Personally it was great reading more about the Duke of Edinburgh’s life before marrying into the Windsor family!

Recommended for those looking into historical fiction but wanting to ease their way in, and for fans of Her Majesty.

I liked how specific this book was. It follow the story of Elizabeth and Phillip and doesn't deviate from that story. It thought it provided a nice overview of their whole courtship. I wish it would have had a little more about the wedding, maybe instead ending at the end of the day instead of at the beginning of the wedding. It was a great book for royal readers.

Whenever I read a book that is a fictionalized biography, I wonder where the fiction ends and the facts start. And, so is the case about this tale about Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

The book is about their relationship from early days, through the war, through their friendship, to their courtship up to their marriage. It is very interesting to see how each of their personalities are portrayed. From the research the author has done, I can assume there is a fair bit of accuracy.

It is not a passionate and romantic love affair. They are very respectful to each other. It is a marriage of political convenience but it is wanted by both of them. Directly from the book: They are two members of a royal family negotiating a marriage that will be beneficial for them both.

Of course, the Prime Minister and the heads of the Commonwealth governments must be informed. So far beyond the realm of my own thought process.

They both seem to care for the other more than they can admit or demonstrate. It is interesting to watch their relationship mature.

A very interesting peek into what life inside the Royal Family involves. No big surprises but a lot of affirmation.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy for review purposes.

This historical fiction novel tells us about the courtship between Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. We learn of the complications they faced once they had announced their intention to marry. The story takes place before they are married. Elizabeth was determined to marry Philip. Her father did not approve of Philip, however he was eventually won over.

Although this piece of fiction may not be historically accurate, it's a most enjoyable read. This book has everything a good historical fiction book should have.: wonderful characters, the era has been well researched and a right royal love story. Philip gave up everything to marry Elizabeth: he lost his title, his Greek citizenship, his position in the Greek and Danish succession and his surname changed to Mountbatten. This is a really enjoyable fictional tale.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #FloraHarding for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the love story that I hope is real. I look at the Queen and at Prince Phillip and I hope at night, they are still young at heart and in love.

This book helps me keep that dream alive. This will be a constant re-read for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

We've all seen grainy black and white images and newsreel pictures of Princess Elizabeth, arm in arm, with her handsome fiancé, Prince Philip of Greece. This fascinating love story of the twentieth century seems to have taken place such a long time ago now but the interest in this devoted royal couple certainly doesn't dim with the passage of time. Before the Crown breathes new life into an old story with a fictional look at the romance and courtship of this beautiful, but shy, princess and her handsome, and charismatic, prince.

The story opens as seventeen year old Princess Elizabeth is eager to meet up again with twenty-three year old Philip, who she first met as a rather rather gauche thirteen year old. This introduction made such a lasting impression on her that she pursues a relationship with Philip despite her parents disapproval. However, both she and Philip realise that a match between them would be advantageous, especially for Philip, whose home circumstances are complicated as he is not without financial and personal difficulty.

The author really captures this time in history very well and brings all the necessary elements of Elizabeth and Philip's courtship to life in a very readable way. The natural concern of the King and Queen and their understandable reluctance about their precious daughter committing herself to a penniless naval officer is captured well, as is Elizabeth's dogged determination to get her own way and marry the man she truly loves despite her parent's misgivings.

I raced through the book, happy to spend time at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle with the Princess and the royal family. I was also just as comfortable to be with Philip as he carefully considers his future, both in terms of his personal happiness, and also his, quite valid, fears about the constraints that this relationship would, undoubtedly, have on his life and independence.

We all know the outcome of this courtship but it was interesting to see how the author carefully crafted the story to bring them together in a delightfully romantic way. I enjoyed the 'will they, won't they' aspect of their relationship, and of course, the sweet build up to the engagement and royal wedding.

I'm not a huge watcher of the TV series The Crown having only watched the first series with any great interest but I am sure that fans of the programme would enjoy this fictional account of how Elizabeth and Philip's relationship began from the beginning, and readers of royal romances will, I am sure, find much to enjoy simply because it's a rather sweet love story with two delightful main characters .

Wow! This is a beautiful love story. I was drawn in from the first page and had a hard time putting it down.

This is the story of Princess Elizabeth and Phillip, as they fall in love, through their courtship, until their wedding. Her father, the King, does not approve of Phillip, and fights the relationship at every turn. Elizabeth, however, is preparing to be the future Queen of England and is determined to have Phillip by her side when she steps into that role.
This book was fascinating. It was very well-written. The dialogue felt so natural that I could imagine watching it all unfold. It didn't just show the perfect love story, but it showed the gritty side as well, where Phillip was considered an outsider, his family an embarrassment, and he had doubts about whether he was up to being married to the future Queen. I love anything about the royal family so this was "right up my alley". I definitely recommend this to all historical fiction lovers.

Love the series of ‘The Crown’ so this was a must read ,full of great characters and fabulous story telling this book did not disappoint and will endear itself to all readers, very well written and 100% enjoyable

I would like to thank #OneMoreChapter for providing an #ARC of #BeforeTheCrown by #FloraHarding, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Before the Crown by Flora Harding is a fictional account (based off facts gleamed from multiple sources, such as biographies and other books), on the relationship between Princess Elizabeth Windsor (Queen Elizabeth II), and Prince Philip Mountbatten, (Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh) before their marriage. Before the Crown covers the period of time between 1943, and their interactions with one another during WWII, to 1947, after the war, their courtship. It ends just as Elizabeth see's Philip at the church the day of their wedding.

I don't read a whole lot of historical fiction. Especially when it is this blend of fiction and non-fiction. These are real people, and a lot of these things did happen. I ended up requesting this book, because I admit to finding the Royal Family fascinating, and in particular, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Their opposite personalities, with the added pressures of the court and state of the world after the war made their relationship a bit rocky at times, and for most of the book, I was left wondering if this is truly a romance, or a story of unrequited love, and a marriage of convenience. By the end of the book, this is quickly sorted out, but for much of the book, it didn't feel like a romance. It was an interesting read. I can't give points for originality ... it's based on real people after all ... but I do give points on the amount of research that was done. Even the personalities of these characters seemed consistent with other things I have read/watched about them.

If you enjoy historical fiction, and anything royal, you will enjoy Before the Crown by Flora Harding.

I loved Before the Crown by Flora Harding. When I saw this title, I knew I wanted to read it. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip are in their 90's now and I haven't read anything about their young courtship years. I find it amazing and inspiring a young Princess Elizabeth spotted Phillip when she was only 13, although they came together as a couple a few years later. The author really brought out their different personalities in her writing - Elizabeth's being calm and demure while Phillip's is very boisterous and fun loving. What a match. What a love story. The book was very well written and fun to read. Thank you HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the ARC - it was a real pleasure to read this one! Due out September 17.......

Okay, I have officially discovered a new favorite author! I was not previously familiar with Flora Harding's writing, but how happy I am to have discovered her now.

I absolutely love all things "royal." My favorite time period is the Tudor Era, and admittedly, my favorite Elizabeth is Queen Elizabeth I. While I greatly enjoy all things William and Kate, I confess that I do not know a great deal about Queen Elizabeth II. I was very anxious to finally dive into this novel and I have to tell you right off the bat, this is a book that I will be reading again. And I never read books twice. The author does an absolutely BRILLIANT job (yes, I had to use shouty caps) of capturing the humanity of Elizabeth and Phillip. From bringing their personalities to light, to giving us a glimpse into their personal lives and allowing us the privilege of experiencing their growing relationship, I can officially say that I am completely fascinated with Queen Elizabeth II and her Prince. What an amazing woman she is, and how absolutely wonderful the gifts of Flora Harding as an author. A definite recommend.

Oh sigh. Harding as written a delightful novel about the courtship between Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip-all imagined, of course. Or is it? Set in 1945, when Elizabeth's family was opposed to the match, it captures time and place well. There are no surprises - they've now been married since forever- but fans of the Crown will enjoy this for a more expansive fire of the relationship in its early days. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.