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mattiehatter's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Available in:
Print: ✅️
Digital Print:✅️
Audiobook:✅️
Kindle Unlimited:❎️
Audible Plus:❎️
Check Libby and/or Hoopla:✅️
These availabilities are as of 6/4/24 and are subject to change.
This is only the second book from this series that I have given in and read. The other was Romancing Mister Bridgerton and that installment seemed oddly incomplete and dull. I had seen that When He Was Wicked was a favorite among those that had read the books and I certainly enjoyed the story.
The relationship of John and Franchesca is told more in the aftermath of his demise. Their marriage seemed healthy and sweet.
The relationship between Michael and Franchesca is hot and neither are afraid to challenge the other. Their struggle to come to grips with their relationship growing despite Michael's familial relation to John was a bit repetitive, but they got there.
The time setting really helps enhace the heat of the spice in this, but it's still a firm 🤎.
Spice Scale
〰️ No romantic plot
🤍 A small amount of romantic plot is present, but doesn't get past kisses and hugs.
💚 There is some light spice, but closed door
🧡 There is mildly descriptive spicy scenes, but they are finished very quickly and could be easily skipped over.
🤎 Spice is present, very descriptive, but doesn't overwhelm the plot.
🩷 There is a plot, but there are quite a lot of descriptive spicy scenes.
💜 Plot? There's just enough to get to the next round of spicy times.
Print: ✅️
Digital Print:✅️
Audiobook:✅️
Kindle Unlimited:❎️
Audible Plus:❎️
Check Libby and/or Hoopla:✅️
These availabilities are as of 6/4/24 and are subject to change.
This is only the second book from this series that I have given in and read. The other was Romancing Mister Bridgerton and that installment seemed oddly incomplete and dull. I had seen that When He Was Wicked was a favorite among those that had read the books and I certainly enjoyed the story.
The relationship between Michael and Franchesca is hot and neither are afraid to challenge the other. Their struggle to come to grips with their relationship growing despite Michael's familial relation to John was a bit repetitive, but they got there.
The time setting really helps enhace the heat of the spice in this, but it's still a firm 🤎.
Spice Scale
〰️ No romantic plot
🤍 A small amount of romantic plot is present, but doesn't get past kisses and hugs.
💚 There is some light spice, but closed door
🧡 There is mildly descriptive spicy scenes, but they are finished very quickly and could be easily skipped over.
🤎 Spice is present, very descriptive, but doesn't overwhelm the plot.
🩷 There is a plot, but there are quite a lot of descriptive spicy scenes.
💜 Plot? There's just enough to get to the next round of spicy times.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage and Death
Minor: Vomit and War
lauryn_with_a_y's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
overall: i think i liked it? i love francesca as a character and parts of the romance worked (namely the Yearning on michael's end) but christ alive the casual misogyny and not-so-veiled rape threats got to me. most of the romance didn't work for me for precisely that reason; michael wants to marry francesca, and instead of telling her he's been in love with her for six years and that her late husband would want her to be happy, he decides to seduce her in an attempt to manipulate her into marriage. he threatens to continue having sex with her (implied to be with or without her consent, at one point even threatening to tie her up so she can't get away) until she gets pregnant and is FORCED to marry him. romance!
after all that, i almost didn't finish the book. but then ms quinn hit me with a truly poignant and moving portrayal of grief, trauma, and moving on and allowing yourself to be happy again after the unthinkable has happened. that, combined with the really fun and heartfelt relationship of the bridgerton family, almost made it worth it for me. almost.
after all that, i almost didn't finish the book. but then ms quinn hit me with a truly poignant and moving portrayal of grief, trauma, and moving on and allowing yourself to be happy again after the unthinkable has happened. that, combined with the really fun and heartfelt relationship of the bridgerton family, almost made it worth it for me. almost.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Grief, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, Medical content, Misogyny, and Death
Moderate: Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Rape
Minor: Classism, Colonisation, and War
haleysversion's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Sexual content, Blood, Death of parent, Chronic illness, Death, Grief, Infertility, and War
erikalv97's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really enjoyed this book, the characters were likable, although, like the rest of Julia Quinn’s books I’ve read so far, the male character specially has some red flags, I feel like Michael is one of the men with fewer unhealthy behaviors towards women.
Also, I really really really like Francesca, of course she has flaws, but I appreciate her.
Also, I really really really like Francesca, of course she has flaws, but I appreciate her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Grief, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Abortion, and Death
Moderate: Blood
Minor: War
hmlongstreet's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.25
This one. This book, oh wow. This has to be one of the best Bridgerton books in the series that I have read so far. If you are reading the books in order like me you'll know that Francesca is not mentioned very often in the other books leading up to this one, giving her a sense of mystery. I understood Frannie, and could see where she was coming from which made me feel connected to her and the story. All I can say is this book had me feeling so many things at once (the intimate scenes especially if I can say that >///<). While the second epilogue made me swoon, with how endearing it was.
My negatives are the reoccurring themes, scenarios and character traits from previous Bridgerton books. It seems to be a common issue with this series but I can't really blame Julia Quinn, it's hard to be original sometimes! However I can say this one stood out to me as being much different than the previous five, especially when it comes to Francesca as an overall character. Michael was literally a mix of Anthony and Colin with the ability to realize that they are in love.
In conclusion I like this one!
My negatives are the reoccurring themes, scenarios and character traits from previous Bridgerton books. It seems to be a common issue with this series but I can't really blame Julia Quinn, it's hard to be original sometimes! However I can say this one stood out to me as being much different than the previous five, especially when it comes to Francesca as an overall character. Michael was literally a mix of Anthony and Colin with the ability to realize that they are in love.
In conclusion I like this one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, Sexual content, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Death of parent, Infertility, Miscarriage, and Alcohol
Minor: Blood, War, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
lunep's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Infertility, Medical content, Violence, Cursing, Sexual content, and Blood
Moderate: Alcohol, Death, and Miscarriage
Minor: Pregnancy and War
haley49's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.25
This was such a good edition to the series. It took awhile to get going, but it was so good getting to know and love Francesca. Her grief and her story of independence and realizing she can fall in love again was really sweet. Micheal was an attentive love interest and all the Bridgerton family cameos were great. This book was much steamier than the others in the series, so keep that in mind if you are uncomfortable with that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Sexual content
Moderate: Miscarriage, Medical content, and Infertility
Minor: Alcoholism, War, Pregnancy, Death of parent, and Classism
Spousal death, unexpected death, and illness (malaria)
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