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!

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.

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.✊🏻‼️
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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!🥳
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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.🤭
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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.😊
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What’s your favorite historical time period to travel into? Let me know!💋
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Dm me to talk about all things book or writing related! I’ll be looking forward to it! —Em😌

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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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Before the Crown, by Flora Harding, is a historical fiction novel that will appeal to anyone interested in the secrets of The Royal Family. This book was fresh and original in that it is written from the perspective of Prince Philip. To consider what it is like to walk in the shadow of his queen, Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, was surely not as he had anticipated.

Prince Philip has a past, and possibly not one admirable by Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, and King George VI. Philip had a certain reputation with the ladies and was seen as somewhat of a playboy. During his courtship to Princess Elizabeth, he was met with abrupt coolness and general distaste from the royal family. Although Philip became quite an asset, in high standing, to the Royal Navy, he was not of English blood. Philip was born of Greek and Danish royalty, under the name of Glucksburg. a name of German descent. Before a proposal would be considered, Philip adapted his maternal family name of Mountbatten, surrendered his titles of Prince, and became a naturalized British citizen. Philip was setting everything in place for a marriage proposal to Princess Elizabeth that could not be denied.

Philip, frequently known simply as the Queen's husband, has not always been a happy man. He in many ways felt emasculated and confined. He was held to certain expectations and behavior in which he was neither familiar or comfortable. I find it interesting to think of this man that was living the life of royalty, yet stripped of his dignity, feeling distant and quite utterly alone. Nonetheless, he has always stood by Her Majesty as a silent pillar of strength and admiration. For Philip, life became all about his Queen and he was along for her ride.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC of Before the Crown in exchange for my personal thoughts and opinions.
#beforethecrown #netgalley

Are you or are you not a fan of “The Crown” on Netflix? The answer to that question will likely determine if you’ll have any interest whatsoever in this novel.

Personally, I love the show. Watched all the episodes at least twice actually. And you know how it is when you binge a series and just can’t wait for the next season? You do what you can to fill the void. It’s like you’re craving your grandma’s homemade chocolate chip cookies, but you only get to visit her once a year. So you go to the grocery store and buy yourself some Chips Ahoy instead.

BEFORE THE CROWN is the Chips Ahoy version of “The Crown.” All the same ingredients are here, but it’s not quite as satisfying. Don’t get me wrong, I can plow my way through a bag, and I did plow my way through this novel in two sittings. It goes down easy, particularly if you go into it with knowledge of the ingredients beforehand. Want to know more about the steps of courtship that lead to the marriage of Elizabeth and Philip? Put BEFORE THE CROWN on your shopping list.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins Publishers Australia, and One More Chapter for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was excited to get this ARC from HarperCollins and NetGalley. I am a huge fan of literature about the British Royal family and love fictional takes on what is happening behind palace doors. Before the Crown by Flora Harding is a great step back into history, imagining the romance between Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip. This book begins during World War II, a few years before their wedding, and takes you through their complicated love story. This is a peek inside what seems like a fairy tale story, with the reality of the situation anything but a fairy tale. How hard it must be to have to think about things like how your marriage affects world politics and if your husband-to-be can prove himself worthy for you on the hunting grounds!

Fans of the Netflix show, The Crown, will love this book, which serves an informal prequel to its first season. Sometimes it is hard to capture the inner voice or private conversations from such important historical figures, and I think that is what makes historical fiction so fun to read. The only thing missing for me is a detailed author’s note to inform the reader on what was factual and what was fiction. I highly recommend it for any fellow Royal family fan! This book comes out on December 10th so get your preorder in today!

Before the Crown by Flora Harding

I loved this story of the courtship of Princess Elizabeth of England and Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh. The complexity of courting and getting engaged as a princess is a complicated affair.

The author makes all the characters so very human, from the king to the stable hands. Young and shy, Elizabeth blossoms throughout this peek at her life in Buckingham Palace.

War shortages and rationing are taking place in wartime London, and the royals are keenly aware of the sacrifices they all must make. How will Princess Elizabeth ever find a husband in the midst of it all? This five star tale will explain how, leading to the royal marriage that has lasted over 70 years.

Many thanks to #HarperCollinsPublishersAustralia and #NetGalley for an ARC for my review.

Royal family fans will definitely want to get their hands on this! Based on the courtship of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip, fictional telling of their relationship. How much is real vs embellishment? Not sure, but fun read if you like everything royal!

A great read - especially for lovers of the royal family or romance novels generally.

This would go down well with fans of The Crown TV series.