Reviews

When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn

05corinna15's review against another edition

5.0

My second favorite of all the Bridgerton books. God I loved Francesca so much!

lunar_owl_reader's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 stars

haleyxpearcy's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

tessademeer's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing sad medium-paced

3.5

tiffanygrace's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

penguin25's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

3.5

__meg's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

idusmartiae_'s review against another edition

1.0

I truly believe that I should simply accept the fact that these books are not for me, but, I only have two left…

half_bloodreader's review against another edition

Audiobook
Dual pov
Historical romance
Regency
Second love for her
Love at first sight for him
Secret love
Widow
Grieving
Fertility issues
Mmc was in the Napoleonic wars
Decommissioned from the army now
Altar the Speed
Only novel in the series where fmc isn't a "virgin"
No on page wedding ceremony

"It was just a headache."

The Angsty Guilt Trip One

I feel morally ambiguous towards this one. But I did not like it.

Michael does repeatedly ask for Francesca's consent. However, he is actively seducing her when he does. He doesn't step back to give her time to think without pheromones affecting her judgment.

And even though Francesca has previous s*xual experience, it seems she didn't do much in terms of experimenting with her departed husband?? Whom she loved very much? I mean, seriously. Not even riding?!

Plot wise, I did not like how Michael consistently kept his feelings in check all these years, only for a chat with Colin to change that. He kept them a secret through her marriage, after his cousin died. Heck, he even got away from his inherited title and patrimony, ran away to India, because now that everything that belonged to his dear cousin was his, he was certainly not going to take the one remaining thing which was his wife. And I respected that.

Then Colin tells him to marry Francesca and he's like "Oh what a great idea!" And when she's caught off guard by his proposal, he decides to seduce her?! Then he's angry it backfires?! 🤦‍♀️ (also, he gets angry when she "uses him for her pleasure" and does not agree to marry after, like it's not what he's been doing to women for decades 🤣 You offered, drama queen)

Little reminder that we now know malaria is spread by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito, for those of you who don't like doing research, but that wasn't theorised and proven until 1898.

CW: Death of spouse; miscarriage; non consensual kiss

jennyormrod's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0