Before the Crown
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Narrated by:
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Edward Killingback
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Imogen Wilde
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By:
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Flora Harding
About this listen
Before the crown there was a love story…
‘If you’re a fan of The Crown, you’ll love this’ Woman’s Weekly
‘Fascinating…a beautiful love story’ Woman
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.
©2020 Flora Harding (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers LimitedListeners also enjoyed...
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Critic reviews
"If you’re a fan of The Crown, you’ll love this." (Woman’s Weekly)
"A wonderfully poignant love story involving characters whose lives we all think we know about." (Celia Anderson, best-selling author of 59 Memory Lane)
"I loved this story...it felt like a sneak peek into the Queen’s life." (Glynis Peters, USA Today best-selling author of The Secret Orphan)
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Story
Major Calborne Rutherford returns to England on the trail of an assassin, only to find he's become Lord Ashendon, with the responsibility for vast estates and dependent relatives. Cal can command the toughest of men, but his wild half-sisters are quite another matter. They might just be his undoing. When he discovers that Miss Emmaline Westwood, the girls' former teacher, guides them with ease, Cal offers her a marriage of convenience.
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Ruined by the robotic narrator.
- By Cate F. on 05-29-17
By: Anne Gracie
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Between Two Thorns
- The Split Worlds Series, Book 1
- By: Emma Newman
- Narrated by: Emma Newman
- Length: 11 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
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The new season is starting and the Master of Ceremonies is missing. Max, an Arbiter of the Split Worlds Treaty, is assigned with the task of finding him - with no one to help but a dislocated soul and a mad sorcerer. There is a witness, but his memories have been bound by magical chains only the enemy can break. A rebellious woman trying to escape her family may prove to be the ally Max needs. But can she be trusted? And why does she want to give up eternal youth and the life of privilege she’s been born into?
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I hate writing Bad reviews but.....
- By Joseph Reeves on 04-26-17
By: Emma Newman
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The Pretenders
- By: Joan Wolf
- Narrated by: Karen Cass
- Length: 9 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
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Deborah Woodly agreed to a pretend engagement with Reeve, Earl of Cambridge, because his straitlaced uncle wouldn’t let him touch his inheritance before his 26th birthday. Not unless he contracted a marriage, which would presumably “settle” him. Deb and Reeve promised not to fall in love, or marry, but to ultimately declare they wouldn’t suit. Broken promises, but also someone was trying to kill Deb.
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No pretending...
- By 🌿🌸Susynne🌸🌿 on 04-10-18
By: Joan Wolf
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The Royal Correspondent
- A Novel
- By: Alexandra Joel
- Narrated by: Caroline Lee
- Length: 14 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
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The author of The Paris Model captures the glamour, style, excitement, and romance of a bygone era in this sumptuous novel - set in the Sydney and London of the 1960s - about an up-and-coming young Australian reporter with a deadly secret.
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Story engaging. Narrator not so much.
- By Anne M. Kelley on 09-15-22
By: Alexandra Joel
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A Sky Painted Gold
- By: Laura Wood
- Narrated by: Fiona Hardingham
- Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
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It is the summer of 1929. Lou Trevelyan is a small-town girl with big dreams of becoming a writer. Then she meets the Cardew siblings: the bubbly Caitlin and her handsome, enigmatic brother, Robert. Lou is swept into their glittering whirlwind of moonlit parties, unrivaled glamour, and whispered secrets. As she falls deeper into the world of high society, Lou must find a way to stay true to herself...and her heart.
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Lovely
- By Cassia on 07-20-22
By: Laura Wood
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The Promised Prince
- Desolation, Book 2
- By: Kortney Keisel
- Narrated by: Kim Churchhill
- Length: 12 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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Eighteen-year-old Renna Degray is hopeful about love and her future after a chance encounter with a handsome stranger. Until she discovers who the mysterious man is — the Prince of Albion, betrothed to Renna’s stepsister. Now Renna must try to keep her feelings for the prince in check. But he’s not making it easy. The prince is charming, funny, and impossible not to fall for.
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I LOVE THIS BOOK
- By colebyc on 01-16-23
By: Kortney Keisel
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The Holly and the Ivy
- By: Sarah M. Eden, Anneka R. Walker, Esther Hatch, and others
- Narrated by: Noah Wall
- Length: 15 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
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As nursemaid to the eight-year-old Duke of Kielder, Robbie will spend her holidays with her young charge as a guest of Lord and Lady Jonquil. While the couple makes the child’s holiday magical, the handsome gardener works his own magic on Nurse Robbie’s heart. A Christmas house party offers two members of the ton an irresistible weekend of anonymity. But their charade comes with unexpected romantic consequences. Alice Hunt is searching for a Christmas miracle: a husband of her choosing. With the threat of an arranged marriage looming, she looks to an unlikely matchmaker for help.
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Great stories!
- By k.vano on 03-05-23
By: Sarah M. Eden, and others
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Irish Thoroughbred
- Irish Hearts, Book 1
- By: Nora Roberts
- Narrated by: Amy Rubinate
- Length: 4 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
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Irish lass Adelia Cunnane had entered a fairy tale! Working at the world-renowned Royal Meadows stables was a dream come true. She was determined to prove her worth, especially to the stables' owner - the very opinionated and ruggedly handsome Travis Grant. Princesses weren't the only ones who could have a happily ever after!
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Terrible narrator
- By J.A. on 09-22-15
By: Nora Roberts
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The Scoundrel's Daughter
- Brides of Bellaire Gardens Series, Book 1
- By: Anne Gracie
- Narrated by: Christine Rendel
- Length: 14 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
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Alice, Lady Charlton, is finally free of her dominating husband, but on the verge of her new life, she is trapped when a blackmailer threatens to publish letters that could ruin her. To protect the secrets of her past Alice must find a lord for his daughter, Lucy, to marry. Alice reluctantly agrees to find the girl a noble husband but when Lucy arrives, she's difficult and uncooperative and has no interest in her father's scheme. A lord, she says, will only look down his nose at her-and she's having none of that! Desperate, Alice enlists the aid of her handsome young nephew.
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Stopped listening @ Ch14 bc of coercive "romance"
- By potsherds on 01-20-22
By: Anne Gracie
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The Royal We
- By: Heather Cocks, Jessica Morgan
- Narrated by: Christine Lakin
- Length: 17 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
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An American girl finds her prince in this "fun and dishy" (People) royal romance inspired by Prince William and Kate Middleton. American Bex Porter was never one for fairy tales. Her twin sister Lacey was always the romantic, the one who daydreamed of being a princess. But it's adventure-seeking Bex who goes to Oxford and meets dreamy Nick across the hall - and Bex who finds herself accidentally in love with the heir to the British throne. Nick is wonderful, but he comes with unimaginable baggage.
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I deserve a medal for getting to the endless end.
- By Anne on 09-30-17
By: Heather Cocks, and others
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The War Nurses: A Moving Wartime Romance Saga Full of Heart
- The War Nurses Series
- By: Lizzie Page
- Narrated by: Marian Hussey
- Length: 10 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
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You will love every moment of this absolutely brilliant wartime saga, perfect for fans of Diney Costeloe, Soraya M. Lane, and Nadine Dorries. As war takes its toll, the love and care of two brave young nurses become everything to the wounded soldiers they tend... 1914. Two plucky young nurses pledge to help the war effort: Mairi, a wholesome idealist hoping to leave behind her past and Elsie, a glamorous single mother with a weakness for handsome soldiers. Despite their differences, the pair become firm friends.
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I really really wanted to like this book...
- By Teresa M. Thornborough on 09-26-19
By: Lizzie Page
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Courting Catherine
- The Calhoun Women, Book 1
- By: Nora Roberts
- Narrated by: Kate Rudd
- Length: 5 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
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Catherine "C.C." Calhoun is determined to keep her family's estate, known affectionately as the Towers, in the family. She admits the cost of keeping up the crumbling mansion might be quickly exceeding what C.C., her sisters and her aunt can afford, but the only way to save the house can't be to sell it. Especially not to arrogant and handsome hotel magnate Trenton St. James III.
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The narration is really annoying
- By Kate on 04-08-15
By: Nora Roberts
What listeners say about Before the Crown
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Kelly Ball
- 08-01-24
Interesting read
Great story! Made me want to learn more I really enjoyed & hope to read more like it
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- E
- 12-29-23
Lovely
I think this book about the Queen is lovely.... I loved reading how he falls for Phillip at first sight and she never gives up her love! I enjoyed the story very-very much... Enjoyable book!
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- Mellisa
- 09-20-21
Enjoyable
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Nicely written and narrated. I enjoy books of this content.
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- joyce tuer
- 03-18-23
A must to listen to
I thoroughly enjoyed this. Highly recommend. If you loved watching The Crown you’ll enjoy this.
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- suzanne
- 03-29-21
loved it. the narration is excellent.
beautiful story. excellent narration. i learned a lot about the royal family and the time leading up to the wedding.
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- C. Rob
- 03-06-23
Enjoyable
I enjoyed the book, and many moments very much that it helped me envision. I thought it ended rather abruptly and wish there was an epilogue regarding any facts ., etc. I didn’t see a need for two readers since both were expressed in each chapter and person changed throughput.
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