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lmeierhoff's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
I love the friends to lovers aspect of this book, so the first half was great. In the second half I felt like the mmc kind of used sex as a weapon to get what he wanted, which did not sit well with me. But then by the end it all works out so 🤷🏻♀️
And of course the 2nd epilogue made me cry, sad and then happy tears. Not sure how I feel about this resolution, but I guess an HEA means everybody gets what they want!
And of course the 2nd epilogue made me cry, sad and then happy tears. Not sure how I feel about this resolution, but I guess an HEA means everybody gets what they want!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Death, and Infertility
britwalsh16's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed Francesca’s story. I wish we had gotten more of her & Johns relationship at the beginning. But I do love her & Michael & them being best friends, makes me really happy to read about. I liked watching their internal struggles dealing with their feelings for eachother in the wake of John’s death too, very realistic.
The only part I didn’t really like was the whole "seduction" plot Michael started when he got to Scotland. It seemed so out of character. He spent the first half of the book fighting his feelings for Francesca & how he couldn’t be with her cause it "disrespected" John. I agree with them getting married making sense & him proposing & trying to convince her, but when the convincing became seduction, it just felt wrong, & it just surprised me coming from Michael who deeply respected Francesca, but that didn’t feel like respect at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Misogyny, Chronic illness, Cursing, Sexual content, and Medical content
Moderate: Blood, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Infertility, Violence, War, and Alcohol
etianamichele's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Death, Infertility, Miscarriage, and Sexual harassment
mikaylawood's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Medical content, Sexual content, and Death
Moderate: Miscarriage and Pregnancy
Minor: War
danutalis's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Sexual content
notbambi's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
There's so much I should like about this entry. There's a more serious theme of allowing oneself to move on from grief. Despite sleeping around a lot before getting together with Francesca, Michael isn't abusive or controlling or problematic the way a lot of Bridgerton protagonists are. The opening chapters are pretty strong. The spicy scenes are probably the best in the series so far.
And yet, it didn't work for me as much as I'd hoped. I found the pacing to be really off. I didn't feel like there was much build up to them getting together. I didn't find it believable that Francesca would turn around and start sleeping with a man she hadn't seen in 4 years so quickly, especially given how it would ruin her if it got out. I didn't like how wanting a family was such a major motivator for Frannie to start, then gets totally forgotten by the end. It had potential, but it wasn't what I'd hoped.
And yet, it didn't work for me as much as I'd hoped. I found the pacing to be really off. I didn't feel like there was much build up to them getting together. I didn't find it believable that Francesca would turn around and start sleeping with a man she hadn't seen in 4 years so quickly, especially given how it would ruin her if it got out. I didn't like how wanting a family was such a major motivator for Frannie to start, then gets totally forgotten by the end. It had potential, but it wasn't what I'd hoped.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage and Death
esv_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Sexual content, and Death
Moderate: Blood, Terminal illness, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Alcohol, and Medical content
Minor: Sexual assault, Classism, Death of parent, Vomit, Rape, Sexual harassment, Panic attacks/disorders, Cursing, and Colonisation
hcgambrell's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Infertility
Minor: Infidelity
arianatee's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
I hadn't read a Bridgerton book in quite some time as I found the formula to be a bit repetitive and I just wasn't into the cheesy drama anymore. But, now I was in between part one and part two of the third season of the show and felt like I needed something to help tide me over till I got more from the cast. I actually liked Francesca's story a lot as it had some more serious topics at hand such as losing one's husband and infertility. So, aside from the romance, there were a great deal of other conversations tackling what it's like to live with these problems and how one might carry on in life in spite of these obstacles. I found Michael adorable and honestly, he did not have the typical outburst that became so typical in all the previous installments. Yes, there were heated arguments but it seemed measured and no completely unreasonable. A very solid addition to the series indeed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infertility, Pregnancy, and Grief
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