From the Bookshelf of 2-3-4 Challenge…

When He Was Wicked (Bridgertons, #6)

Julia Quinn

Start date: September 13, 2021

Finish date: September 30, 2021

Discussion: Buddy Reads

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What Members Thought

Jan 07, 2021 Tbabe001 rated it liked it

Too many comparisons between dead husband and current H by both h/H. It took away from enjoying the book.

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May 10, 2022 Vi ~ Inkvotary rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: pb, i-o-a-c, novel, romance, 2008-release-g

Young Michael Stirling, the new Earl of Kilmartin, has a big problem. He loves and lusts after Francesca, widow of his late cousin John, from whom he inherited the Kilmartin title and fortune. He devises a plan to get Francesca into his arms and in Scotland at Kilmartin, the family's ancestral home, his plan seems to come true. But he underestimated Francesca's will, her stubbornness, and her loyalty to her late husband.

The plot is divided into two parts. The time before India and the time after ...more

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Sep 20, 2021 Sharon Kallenberger Marzola rated it liked it

Shelves: audio-whispersync, buddy-read, series, friends-to-lovers, family-series, historical, challenge-read

3.5 Stars

We are at Francesca’s story in The Bridgertons saga. Early in the series we learn that Francesca is married to an Earl, but we don’t get the details of the relationship. In When He was Wicked, we get Francesca and John Stirling’s backstory. They are still married and very much in love. Michael Stirling, John’s cousin, and best friend has loved Francesca from afar since he met her at their wedding. Michael never let anyone know his feelings and played the rake with a bevy of women to cov 3.5 Stars

We are at Francesca’s story in The Bridgertons saga. Early in the series we learn that Francesca is married to an Earl, but we don’t get the details of the relationship. In When He was Wicked, we get Francesca and John Stirling’s backstory. They are still married and very much in love. Michael Stirling, John’s cousin, and best friend has loved Francesca from afar since he met her at their wedding. Michael never let anyone know his feelings and played the rake with a bevy of women to cover his true desire. Francesca and Michael are friends. They enjoy each other’s company in a purely platonic way. The three of them spend a lot of time together laughing and having fun. John’s sudden death changes everything.

Michael is now Earl. He is consumed by grief and worries that he wished John dead because of his love for Fran. One would think that Michael would begin to pursue his friend and longtime love interest as soon as appropriate, but no. Michael is grieving and makes some decisions that surprised me. I understand his grief, John is his best friend. Michael feels guilty for his feelings, but he never acted inappropriately with Francesca. Francesca is grieving too. Her husband is gone, and her best friend, Michael, leaves her to grieve alone.

When Francesca decides that she can begin to look for a new husband, Michael becomes jealous. Now the push-pull that I hate becomes the name of the game. I am already angry with Michael because he leaves Francesca to grieve alone. Now he comes back in her life and still treats her with kid gloves not like the friends they were.

I was also angry with Francesca. After her mourning years, she wants a husband, and yet she throws Michael's advances back at him. They rubbed me the wrong way to the point that I had to walk away from the book for a few hours. I don’t have a problem with push/pull when there is a valid reason, but these two were just ridiculous.

Parts of the story were a little confusing because the timeline is parallel to the two previous books. It took me a few chapters to get this timeline straight in my head. I loved Colin in this book. We see the old Colin that wasn’t present in his book. He recognizes what is going on with Michael and Francesca. He gives solid brotherly advice in true Colin fashion. I also loved the ending when these two get their heads on straight. When He Was Wicked is important to the series, but not as memorable as other books in the series. Make sure you get a book with the second epilogue--it makes the story. ...more

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Apr 14, 2021 Elizabeth Nolly rated it liked it

I normally love Julia Quinn books especially the Bridgertons series. This one was a little disappointing. The writing was still very good, I liked the plot and thought the story was entertaining. The only problem I had with it was the characters. I understand Francesca's husband passed away and I know that would make it hard to move on.... but she decided she had to remarry in order to have a child. I also understood where Michael was coming from since it was his cousin.... SO here is my issue.. ...more

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