Reviews

When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn

esproul8494's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

julie2525's review against another edition

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4.0

This book was so cute. It’s really more of a 4.5 since this is by no means a classic, but I couldn’t put it down and finished it in a day. I adored the story and may read it again when I want an easy pick-me up. It really was adorably cute.

The following isn’t really a spoiler since readers of the previous books know Francesca is a widow before the book begins: I was surprised that her first husband died at 28 of the same thing I survived. As soon as he mentioned the headache, I knew, but his was very quick. On a more positive note, it was really nice to see someone with sexual experience. I appreciated bypassing the “maidenhood” bit in the other books.

Regarding the rest of the Bridgertons, this story had fun overlaps with the prior 2 books. Francesca had her own life away from the family for most of the book, but it was fun to read about the other characters, doing the things we’ve read about, at the same parties.

eef_x's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

alexian14's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

thealiest's review against another edition

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3.5

Read it again after watching season 3 of Bridgerton because I remember it more positively than some of the other books in this series. Some things Michael does still give me a bit of an ick but I feared worse. All things considered it was kinda good but I prefer sticking to more modern (historical) romance books without slightly toxic male leads.

bee__'s review against another edition

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2.0

I liked the first half of the book even tho I thought it was a bit weird that Michael was in love w her for so long without any other woman being of any interest to him but whatever I can get past that. It’s creepy as hell and so glossed over that Michael’s intention was to trap Francesca into marriage by seducing her. And then it’s weird that Francesca loves sleeping w him, wants to be married, wants to have a baby but refuses to marry him. Presumably out of respect to John…yet she’s been sleeping with him so what’s the difference??? And it’s infuriating how she just doesn’t know anything. “Why don’t you wanna marry me” idk and when her mother asks her why she kept her pregnancy and child birth a secret from her and didn’t go see her for over a year she just says idk?? What does she know???? I find myself getting so disappointed in the Bridgerton men and some of the storylines just don’t hold up.

jakeyyy's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

jen_palk_reads's review against another edition

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5.0

4.5 rounded up. I LOVED this story. My favorite so far from the series.

graciefacieb's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I’m really excited for this to be a sapphic love story on screen— obvi Michael sounds like an absolute heartthrob but the story fits so well for forbidden love between women and I just wanna see my sweet baby Francesca happy and in love 

lorrreli's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

4.5