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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My heart.
My GOD!
This is a tie with Colin’s book.
I can’t even. By far my favorite trope so I was immediately in love, but the passion and confliction that Francesca feels are palpable. I was unable to put this book down for a moment. I started it and neglected all of life until it was finished. Michael broke me in the best possible way.
I’m …
OMG a most beautiful story with two characters perfect for each other and so well developed.
The widow falling or her husbands cousin and her best friend.
The epilogue was BRILLIANT. ‘Thank you, Michael, for letting my son love her first.’ Gut-wrenchingly beautiful.
Another fabulous book on the Bridgerton family. Francesca’s story.
This is my favorite Julia Quinn book. I love her Bridgerton family books. I take her when I’m going to the airport. 3 hour delay ? Who cares. I’ve got my book. Funny, quick, nice romance set in England in a period I enjoy. Rereadable with a smile on my face. Listen to the rain, curl up, get my glass of port. Perfect !
A secret love is revealed. Loved this story. Michael brought me to tears.
Okay, so I think I enjoyed this one a lot more than most of the others. I can’t say it’s my favorite, but it’s definitely in the top three. This book had more emotion in it and less playfulness, which is honestly right up my alley. I love books with strong emotions and sadness and everything else that comes with heartbreak because they always feel …
I know I say this every time but is probably my favorite one. It’s incredibly emotional, romantic and so touching…
Francesca was very happy in her marriage. Two years in her husband unexpectedly dies. She was crushed and broken. The worst part was, that she didn’t just lose her husband, but also her unborn baby and her best friends.
Years …
The sheer level of angst is unparalleled in Michael and Francesca’s love story. The easy out would have been to write a story in which they both secretly pined for each other, but instead Julia Quinn very delicately handled the first marriage, writing a true love and loyalty between Francesca and John, and carefully navigating the aftermath of his …
Throughout the previous six books, I was always very curious to know what had happened with Francesca. We rarely see or hear of her and it’s always a mention in some kind of off hand way. So, I was very eager to get through this book and find out what was going on with the sixth Bridgerton sibling.
This book was one of the most emotionally …
With this book, I went back to the Bridgerton series for Francesca’s story. This story had me feeling strong emotions from the beginning and connect with her over an event early on. This wasn’t one of my favorite storylines but I enjoy that Julia Quinn writes such strong and different characters, along with having wit and banter throughout. I …
3.5
This edition of the Bridgerton siblings could be considered a slow burn or maybe it was just slow. We know from the previous books that Francesca married young to John Stirling, the Earl of Kilmartin. They had a wonderful beginning to their marriage, but it was over before they could truly get started with John’s sudden death. And as …
This is my favorite book of the series. I loved the closeness between Francesca and Michael and even Francesca’s late husband John. I have to admit, I usually don’t like books where one of the couple is widowed and still in love. It makes you think- well if they weren’t widowed then what would happen to this new love? Add in the fact that Michael …
Not gonna lie, I was a tad nervous about this one since we really don’t know Francesca from the previous books. But then… it quickly became one of my favorites. Probably second only to Romancing Mister Bridgerton (I mean Michael is great but Colin still holds that top spot). I came to love Francesca and her sarcasm and wit so much and Michael …
When I started this serious I was really curious with two books: Anthony’s and Francesca’s. I couldn’t be happier that they are my favorite so far.
Francesca was a really good character, so strong and human, so I felt really connected with her. And then Michael… what can I say? I just loved him so much. He’s the kind of hero that melts my heart …
When He Was I Wicked is yet another great book in the Bridgerton series. I really enjoyed reading Francesca and Michael’s story. Their story, and their book, is a little bit different than the rest of the series. It’s more about Francesca, her first husband John and his cousin Michael, and with that all the drama begins.
I really enjoyed …
This was my favorite Bridgerton.
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 …
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 …
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 …