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

• 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.
”

• Rated 5 stars

“after i started reading this one i realized i had read it already. it was good enough to read twice though. i love the bridgerton family.”

• Rated 5 stars

“Beautiful, passionate novel! I loved it.”

• Rated 2 stars

“I couldn't wait to get my hands on this particular Bridgerton book, i've heard so much about it, and read numerous reviews about how its one of Quinn's masterpeices. Unfortunately, i was very disappointed, this by far is my least favorite of Quinn's books, and i have read five books by her and have liked all of them. The first few chapters of "When he was wicked" were intriguing and heart-wrenching; the plot was going smoothly up until Michael came from India, the rest were all a swirl of blotchy occurrences. There were very little of secondary characters displayed in this books, the ever-so-charming Bridgerton siblings were nowhere to be seen. Worst of all was the love between the protagonists, Michael and Francesca. Michael has been constantly telling us that how's head over heels in love with Frannie but never for once has he showed it to us, it was almost an infatuation between the two characters drawn by outward sexual tension rather genuine love. I can go on forever...My point; while I can never tell anyone not to read a book even if it was the most horrid thing ever, I will only say that don't expect too much from this one.”

• Rated 5 stars

“i was first given an inkling of the unhappy circumstance which befell francesca's marriage in 'to sir phillip, with love.' i always thought, based on ms quinn's previous books on the bridgerton brood, that francesca was a tad different from her female siblings, with a poised and dryly humourous air about her. but to hear of her tragedy was just something i did not expect.

it was apparent all througout the book that quinn wielded a different style of writing in that she was a little bit more serious (of course, the death of a loved one threw a pall over part of the story), and that she delved more deeply in the emotional anguish that michael had had to go through in his love for francesca.

also quite different was that, unlike the other bridgerton series, the infamous family was hardly in sight. except for a mention here and there of some of the siblings and the few encounters of michael with colin, the boisterous brood were, for once, masterfully kept in the sidelines, leaving francesca and michael on their own devices.

though michael was established as a consummate rake, one would hardly think it of him, since he has a deep sense of honor and decency. and it was always heart wrenching whenever he has to squash down the bitterness he feels in not being able to express his fierce love for francesca. i especially loved that part when he eventually had to brutally drive her away, claiming that his heart could not take any further battering if francesca could not find it in her own to feel any sort of emotion other than the fraternal for him. trust me, that scene will just want you to bawl like a baby...

and francesca...well...she was always the special one among her siblings, wasnt she? wise beyond her years, and so oblivious of her beauty and wit. but it was thrilling to see how she finally "sees" michael as an intensely attractive and desirable man. and michael can be quite ruthless in his seduction once he senses even the slightest inclination from francesca's direction. oh boy, get ready for the fireworks, and, quite probably, ms quinn at her most daring in her love scenes. this is her steamiest and most romantic novel as yet!”

• Rated 0 stars

“This is by far my favorite book from JQ...and that says a lot considering she's my favorite author and I simply adore every book she has ever written. While this story is a bit darker than the other Bridgerton novels, it is by far the most emotional and sensual work she has turned out to date. This, to me, is JQ at her best and the epilogue is absolutely amazing. I cry every time I read it! Love, love, love this book!”

• Rated 5 stars

“Another excellent buk by Julia Quin....Julia is d best romantic author i have till now come across....n after reading this buk i am sure if not cent % bt ya there r atleast 80% chances of d reader falling in luv wd Michael...he is damn seductive n unresistable.....lolzzzz”

• Rated 2 stars

“One of my least favorite Bridgerton novel.”

• Rated 5 stars

“Great story! I really enjoy the "Bridgerton series."”

• Rated 5 stars

“Truly, Julia Quinn wrote WHEN HE WAS WICKED from her heart. I think this is her finest book. It is everything a romance should be: lustful desire, total obsession, and cherished love.

Michael Stirling fell in love the moment he saw her, yet she was forbidden . . . she belonged to someone else . . . she belonged to his cousin! A cousin he loved, a cousin he respected, a cousin he would never betray. Then the inconceivable happened: his cousin died and . . . she was free.

Francesca Bridgerton was beautiful and lovely. She adored and loved her husband, John Stirling. They were happy; they shared a marriage made in heaven . . . they shared a marriage the angels had kissed! But then John died and she was alone. Yet, she still had Michael . . . her friend.

Of course, this is Book 6 in the “Bridgerton series.” Shamefully, this novel sat on my TBR Shelf for months, as I continued to shove it aside. Why? Because I was SO disappointed in Quinn's last entry: TO SIR PHILLIP, WITH LOVE. I firmly believed the 'Bridgerton series' had run out of steam!

I was wrong! Wrong, wrong, wrong! This time Ms. Quinn delivered. This time Ms. Quinn abandoned the COMPLETE Bridgerton history repeat. Big brother Colin Bridgerton was a crucial story character, yet his presence was firmly kept in the background. And I rejoiced! Thank you, Julia Quinn, for simply writing Francesca's story! Her story is romantic, beautiful and sensual . . . WHEN HE WAS WICKED is pure “Keeper Shelf” material!

MaryGrace Meloche ”