When He Was Wicked (Bridgerton Family Series) (edit title)

• Rated 5 stars

“I seem to decide that each one of these books is my favorite when I'm about halfway through the book. But Francesca, who you really don't see much in the rest of the books, is a really enjoyable book, not for Francesca, who's a little bland, but for Michael Sterling, who is hopelessly in love with her. It's definitely a book to read. ”

• Rated 4 stars

“The notorious "Merry Rake" Michael Stirling fell in love the very moment he laid eyes on Francesca Bridgerton.But the worst part was, Francesca was about to marry his cousin and best friend John, the Earl of Kilmartin. After the couple was married, Michael found himself hiding behind a facade, all the while heartbroken to see them so happy and overwrought with guilt for being in love with his cousin's wife - the only woman he could never have. Yet destiny seems to have a different plan for them, for barely two years into the marriage, John dies, leaving the earldom to him. Now overwhelmed with the reaction from the ton for his new-found wealth and his own guilt and sorrow over his cousin's death and Francesca's sorrow, he decides to leave England, believing that distance would somehow make him forget about her. At least, that's what he hoped for...

Four years on and the reluctant earl come home, still pining for the woman he knows will never return his love. But funny how things change in four years for unbeknown to Michael, seeing him again has stirred a strange feeling deep within Francesca, something she never expected in her wildest dream she would feel for the man she's always thought of as her best friend. ”

• Rated 4 stars

“Second Epilogue was excellent.”

• Rated 4 stars

“Great historical romance”

• Rated 5 stars

“love it! wicked!!!”

• Rated 4 stars

“This is the 6th book in Julia Quinn's beloved Bridgerton series and a decent addition to the series it is. I really liked Michael Stirling's character. He finds himself completely and totally in love with Francesca from their first meeting. Unfortunately for him, the meeting took place at the festivities of Francesca's marriage to Michael's cousin John. I thought this approach to a romance book was very interesting. First off, it seems the pattern for romances is that the women fall first then the man follows when it comes to love. It was a nice change of pace that in this book it was the other way around. Secondly, the reader has to wonder how can a man fall in love with his cousin's wife and the book have a happy ending. This approach keeps the reader (at least this one) reading full into the dark of night to find the happy ending.

I have to admit that as far as likability, Francesca, is just OK. I didn't find her nearly as interesting as her sisters Daphne or Eloise. However, if you have read the Bridgerton books in order you will know how Francesca becomes available to Michael even after being married to John which the back blurb of the book also hints about.

This part will contain some spoilers so for those who have yet to read the Bridgerton books you might want to discontinue reading at this point.


What I found so compelling about this book was that I could identify with Francesca and Michael's struggles to thier attraction and the memory of John. If you have ever lost love, finding the courage to move on is a difficult task and Quinn did an excellent job of portraying the heartbreak of it all. I was glad that although she did introduce the reader to all the characters in the beginning she didn't make us fall in love with John and then take him away from us. I think that would have been difficult to write and even more difficult for a reader to read. It would have made the love of Michael and Francesca somewhat tainted I think.

Although I couldn't give this book an honest 5 star rating (I firmly believe that it isn't nearly as good as her first couple Bridgerton books) it is a strong 4 stars. It sends a little message out to those who have found love and lost it. When a loved one dies, love really doesn't die with them. It can and will find you again if you just open yourself up and let it. ”

• Rated 3 stars

“Michael is what really makes this book. For him, I would give it 4-4 1/2 stars. But Francesca was annoying. As it was said any number of times in the story, she really is the outsider of the Bridgerton clan. ”

• Rated 4 stars

“What happens when one of London's most notorious rake fall in love? Well, fall hard and fast he does, which is exactly what happened to the notorious "Merry Rake" Michael Stirling the very moment he laid eyes on Francesca Bridgerton. And the worst part was, Francesca was about to marry his cousin and best friend John, the Earl of Kilmartin. After the couple was married, Michael would find himself playing the third wheel, hiding behind a facade, all the while heartbroken to see them so happy and overwrought with guilt for being in love with his cousin's wife - the only woman he could never have. Yet destiny seems to have a different plan for them, for barely two years into the marriage, John dies, leaving the earldom to him. Now overwhelmed with the reaction from the ton for his newfound wealth, he decides to leave England, believing that distance would somehow make him forget about Francesca. At least, that's what he hoped for...

Four years on and the reluctant earl come home, still pining for the woman he knows will never return his love. But funny how things change in four years for unbeknown to Michael, seeing him again has stirred a strange feeling deep within Francesca, something she never expected in her wildest dream she would feel for the man she's always thought of as her best friend. And now the tables are turned, and it is now her who runs away.

WHEN HE WAS WICKED was, for me, a wonderful introduction to Julia Quinn. Right from the beginning, I found myself already half in love with the hero. What romance novel reader doesn't enjoy seeing a notorious rake fall head over heels in love? Michael Stirling is such an unforgettable hero - a charmer to the extreme, confident and deliciously wicked. You'll never doubt for a moment that Francesca would ever fall in love with him. I mean, I couldn't help but wish that he would fall in love me!

If I may point out a couple of minor issues, it is that I would have liked to have read more of the time when they were actually introduced just to really get the insight of how Michael was practically brought down to his knees by the intensity of his attraction to Francesca. I believe that would have also given more depth to Francesca as the heroine, if that encounter were fleshed out a bit more.

Nevertheless, this in no way detracts from the overall feeling you will get while reading this. The passion and poignancy of the story makes for some very involved reading. And watch out for the part when Michael finally declares his love for her. I nearly cried.

I really liked this book and now plan on reading the others in the series. ”

• Rated 4 stars

“I really enjoyed it. It was somewhat different unlike what Julia Quinn writes. The way she portraits Michael, he is rude, has a reputation of being a rack and he's in love with his cousin's wife.
And the description of the Intimate scenes between him and Francesca, it was so real.
Now it's my second favorite of Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series.
”