In every life there is a turning point . . .A moment so tremendous, so sharp and breathtaking, that one knows one’s life will never be the same. For Michael Stirling, London’s most infamous rake, that moment came the first time he laid eyes on Francesca Bridgerton.After a lifetime of chasing women, of smiling slyly as they chased him, of allowing himself to be caught but never permitting his … permitting his heart to become engaged, he took one look at Francesca Bridgerton and fell so fast and hard into love it was a wonder he managed to remain standing. Unfortunately for Michael, however, Francesca’s surname was to remain Bridgerton for only a mere thirty-six hours longer—the occasion of their meeting was, lamentably, a supper celebrating her imminent wedding to his cousin.
But that was then . . . Now Michael is the earl and Francesca is free, but still she thinks of him as nothing other than her dear friend and confidant. Michael dares not speak to her of his love . . . until one dangerous night, when she steps innocently into his arms and passion proves stronger than even the most wicked of secrets . . .
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Book 60 towards my goal of 265! 5/5 stars for this Regency Romance! What am I going to do with only 2 Bridgerton books left?! Ugh this one pulled at my heart strings for sure. TW for infertility. I loved getting to know Francesca better! Can’t recommend this series enough!
I’ve been tearing through the Bridgerton books sinc I finished with season one of the Netflix show just like so many others, but sadly this book nearly stopped me reading completely. I just couldn’t get into it the way I did the previous books. This is by far the steamiest of the Bridgerton books which with my preferences should have put it top of the list but no matter how sexy the scenes were I couldn’t make myself care about this pairing. Maybe it’s because I didn’t feel like I knew Francesca the way I did the others (she’s barely in the series or early books for that matter). Maybe it was simply the dead husband glorified as incomparable trope which has never a favorite of mine. But whatever the reason I was glad to shut this book and move on to the next with hopes I’ll be sucked back into the Bridgerton world.
This is book 6 of the series and can be read as a stand alone but I suggest reading them all so you get to know everyone in the family and life.
This books starts out with Micheal Sterling who has lived a charmed life of being a rake and loving it. He is has found love the only problem the women he loves is marrying his cousin. John sterling the Earl of Kilmartin and his best friend/brother. The happy couple share their life with him as friend and he loves her from a far. But sadly John passes away. Micheal is forced into a life he didn’t want and guilt over his beloved cousins death because of his feeling for Francesca. So he leaves for India for 4 years.
Francesca has lives a life of love and sorrow from the love of her family the death of her father . The love of her husband then the sorrow of his loss, the los of a child and her best friend she had in Micheal when he left.after 4 years of mourning she decides that it is time to find a husband and have a child. She goes to London for the spring marriage mart where all the men and eligible females go to find suited matched for marriage. Micheal and Francesca didn’t realize they would be in town at the same time. They have an attraction of friendship and so much more. But Fannie is not allowing herself to have those feeling and Micheal still feel guilty. After A few twist and turns they find themselves in the passion of Steamy love making and Francesca can not believe she has these feeling . These two must work through there fears to find there future. This story had me laughing and crying . It’s heart felt and I did not want to put it down.
I can not wait to read the next book.
I want to say the book started with a bit of romance, but it turbos downhill from there and never regains its footing. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m an avid fan of the Netflix series, yet found the books to be disappointing, but this one took it to a whole new level for me. Michael has zero redeeming qualities, and Francesca isn’t much better. I applaud Quinn for addressing the struggle that many women have with infertility issues that come in many different forms, but that’s sums up my only compliment for this book. There’s no romance whatsoever. There’s plenty of lust, and wickedness (how can it not with the title), but next to no actual love. I don’t want to continue to completely grate her over the coals, but this was the worst book in the series for me. It was dark, dismal, manipulative, confusing; I mean the list goes on for me. If I didn’t want to just know who gets paired with whom for the Netflix series, I would not have continued with the series.
It’s hard to pick a favorite among the Bridgerton books, but this one definitely qualifies as the most emotional. Still, the plot was tender and light where it needed to be. I adored Francesca and Michael. Best of all, this book gives readers a more intimate glimpse at Violet Bridgerton and her emotional journey as a widowed mother of eight.
Do you prefer the shy romantic or the sexy devil characters?
Author: Julia Quinn
Series: Bridgertons
Kindle
Book 5 and 6 on the series
Rating:5/5
Eloise is amazing, I knew she was going to end up doing something crazy and I was right. I loved her book and Phillip was without even trying a very shy and romantic sort of fellow. Perfect match I tell you.
Now, now on When He was Wicked we get to finally meet Franchesca. She’s pretty cool and down to earth. Some things happened and she ends of entangled with Michael who is the sexiest rascal ever. I adore him.
I don’t know if I like him more than Simon though but pretty close.
So the fifth book was good but the sixth was perfection. I loved it.
Now on to the last two.
Francesca seems to be the least mentioned Bridgerton throughout the series. Reading about her in her book doesn’t even feel like she is a Bridgerton. For Michael to be considered best friends with Frannie, I feel like I missed that opportunity because him and even John appear out of NOWHERE. I know books 4-6 eventually takes place at the same time, but really though I think there needed to be more family interaction, not Frannie, basically wanting to be removed from the family. When the events take place in Scotland, it was basically just Michael and Frannie and the seldom appearance of the valet Riviere. No side character interactions. This one was just my least favorite so far, but with the 2 youngest Bridgerton siblings books left, I wonder how their stories will compare.
When He Was Wicked is the sixth book in the Bridgerton series and I just had so much fun getting to reenter this amazing world. I just couldn’t get enough of this wonderful story and it’s amazing characters. I can’t wait to read more wonderful stories by this author.
3.5 stars rounded up for Michael.
Carefree and rakish Michael Stirling has always enjoyed chasing and being pursued by women, but never allowed one into his heart. That all changed when he took one look at Francesca Bridgerton and fell head over heels in love with her. Unfortunately, the occasion of their meeting was a dinner celebrating her forthcoming wedding to John, the Earl of Kilmartin, Michael’s cousin and best friend.
Now, four years later, Michael has become the Earl of Kilmartin and Francesca is a widow after John’s death. Francesca still sees Michael as a dear friend and he is afraid to shatter that illusion by revealing his feelings. But when Francesca begins to speak of remarrying so that she might have children, Michael realizes he cannot stand by and watch her marry another once again. He must woo her himself instead.
I loved the opening and setup of this book. It was bittersweet and rather poignant to see that closeness between Francesca, John and Michael and their grief at John’s death was tough to read. Michael, despite his four year absence in India, made an excellent hero and his pining love for Francesca was adorable and so sincere. His running away is something I could understand as a way for him to come into his new identity as the earl and to deal with his grief and guilt at essentially taking his beloved cousin’s place in many ways. Michael’s interactions with Colin and Violet were lovely and his longing for Francesca was lovely and palpable. What knocked off stars for me here was Francesca and her utter ridiculousness. In the first part of the book I thought she was great and I related to her quite a bit, but in the latter half it was as if she became a different character altogether in many ways. It made no sense to me that, even after she’d begun to see Michael in a different light than just friendship, she still ran away from him, quite literally and repeatedly, rather than having a conversation with him. She had a closer relationship with him than with anyone else and they shared grief over John so it didn’t make sense to me for her character to feel like she couldn’t speak honestly with him. For me Francesca’s reticence and withholding of her true feelings and love for Michael up until the last possible moment cheapened this story. All that drama felt like a stilted, artificial filler that didn’t really fit the characters. Michael gave so much of himself and displayed such vulnerability and I don’t think she ever really reciprocated that. He may have instigated her seduction, but she used him quite a bit to sate her own passions and exploited his emotions quite a bit. I love Michael as a hero and he carried this story for me, but I think he deserved more communication, care, and affection than he really got. This book fits for the most unique Bridgerton, but it’s definitely not my favorite.
Amazing and fun read!
I’ve read almost the whole series that this book is a part of and love them all.
Another great book in the Bridgerton series!
Great series
My favorite Bridgerton book. It has more angst the the usual Julia Quinn.
Another great one in the series. This one didn’t have the same lightness and humor that I have come to adore from the Bridgerton series but it was still a great story full of heartache and jumbled feelings between two friends with a forbidden love element.
Francesca lost her husband at 21 years old and !pat their child from miscarriage after his death. She was always friends with his cousin Michael , whom always loved her from afar. Upon his death he leaves England to travel to India.
Four years after his return it turn to be duke to his cousins title. Which he also learns Francesca has decided to remarry for she wants children of her own. After years away and returning he find his feelings are still the same but don’t want to have the old dukes stuff .
I have to say even though this book in the series isn’t as funny as the others , I still enjoyed it more realistic and has pain as we readers can all relate to very realistic. Yet enjoyable to see our hero get his woman
I loved this book. The slow burn was killer, the passion was incredible. The story unfurled beautifully. Wonderful characters. I borrowed the audio from the library after I read it and it was masterfully done. Must read, even if you’ve never read any of the Bridgerton Family books.
This is my favorite Julia Quinn book. Ever. Michael and Francesca’s relationship is heartbreaking–especially because Michael has been in love with her from the first glance. The story is written very well, especially Francesca’s transition from loving her husband, who passed away, to loving his cousin. The steamy scenes are sexy and delicious! Highly recommended!
I liked all the books in this series, but this was my favorite. The realistic passage of time to heal wounds and change minds was done well.