When He Was Wicked (Bridgerton Family Series) Reviews

• not the usual, but just as good

  
  By A3TSKXGJ346JZ on 2004-06-29
  It seems to me that with each new novel Julia Quinn is trying to separate her stories more and more from the cookie cutter formula. In fact, she sets herself up for quite a big challenge with When He Was Wicked.

  First of all Ms. Quinn defies convention by giving her heroine a husband with whom she is deeply in love--a husband who is not the hero of the story. Secondly, the hero of the story, Michael Stirling, is in love with our heroine before the story even begins.

  Unlike many of Ms. Quinn's novels, this is no lighthearted read. The subjects of death and guilt play a major role in the lives of her characters. However, I disagree with the review. I do not believe the heavy subjects "weighed the book down," but rather fleshed it out instead. Had Ms. Quinn skimmed quickly through the grief, her characters would have lost much of their depth and a lot of my respect. Yes, there were moments when I felt a bit impatient. But the emotional build-up comes to such a splendid (and trust me, I mean splendid) climax when the hero and heroine come together, that I felt it was all worth the wait.

  As to the characters, Michael Stirling ranks as my second favorite male right after Colin Bridgerton (who has a couple of lovely cameos in this one, by the way). He's the classic rake, only slightly altered by Ms. Quinn's lovely sense of character and honor. My biggest disappointment with this novel, however, was Francesca. She's much less quirky and a lot less interesting than her siblings, unfortunately. She troops through the novel like quite a martyr, which while I found admirable, it wasn't quite as endearing. However, the secondary characters are the typical Bridgerton fare, funny and entertaining as usual.

  Also, the dialogue in this one does not disappoint and is just as snappy as Julia Quinn fans have come to expect. I was surprised to find that Ms. Quinn even wrote the tragic scenes with a very realistic, touching ability.

  All in all, I was not disappointed by this book. I think it's refreshing to have an author in the genre not afraid to challenge herself with each new novel. And I love the fact that the conflict in Ms. Quinn's novels comes completely from the lives and troubles of her chracters--no cheesy evil villains or subpar mystery plotline here.

  I don't recommend this one if you're looking for a lighthearted escape. It's a lot more involved than JQ's other novels, but just as quality. Personally, my only disappointment is that now it will be yet another long wait until the next one.
  
  

• An Emotional Read By JQ! Really Worth Picking Up!

  
  By AN0XWUHSHRUG6 on 2004-08-06
  Okay as you have probably already read this JQ book is a little different from Ms. Quinn's previous stories regardless of the series title. In this latest Bridgerton effort Ms. Quinn is short on humor and more focused on real emotion making this a much more emotional read then we are used to by this talented author. Does this make the read bad? Of course not. In fact it's nice to see Ms. Quinn stretch her talent by attempting to write a story that touches more on deep feelings regarding loss and confusion rather then wit and humor.
  
  This story is actually suppose to take place simultaneously as "To Sir Phillip With Love" and "Romancing Mr. Bridgerton". Francesca Bridgerton is now a widow and is dealing with the death of her husband John. His cousin and good friend Michael has not known a time when he has not been in love with Francesca. For him it was love at first sight after their first meeting. His life is retched because he can't seem to find love anywhere except with the one that he can't have. After the death of John, Michael leaves for India and spends four years living away from Frannie with the hope that "out of sight, out of mind" will cure him of his love. This is not to be and when he returns he finds himself fighting his true desire once Francesca makes the announcement she wants a baby and is now willing to find another husband. Wish that it were him.
  
  Francesca has mourned her sweet husband for four years and has decided she must join the ranks of the living. This means shedding her mourning and taking her place in society once again. While Michael has been abroad she has seen to his holdings and is happy to see his return. Of course she is unaware of the tender feelings he holds for her, so their reunion is not as happy or as sweet as Michael would have liked nor is it easy. Their seperation was set in motion by each other's pain and loss. Slowly they re-build their very strong relationship and feelings start to change for Francesca. She is starting to notice Michael as a man, a very handsome man, and seeing him less like a brother. How can this be? It's so wrong! Or is it? Will these two special people be able to see what is right in front of their faces and take a chance on love, or will Francesca loose Michael just when she realizes how much he means to her?
  
  This was not a book filled with witty dialogue or funny jokes. Yes, there is some rather funny interaction between Francesca and her family and at times between Francesca and Michael. But these are few and far between. This story really takes a look at deeper emotions and as a result Michael and Francesca are not the normal kind of character's you find in Ms. Quinn's books. To me this was a nice change and I found this book to be more appealing then a few of the past Bridgerton books that have been release. I highly recommend this read if you care to find more then humor between the pages. This was a well developed story and one that I found a pleasure to read!
  
  

• Disappointing Bridgerton Novel

  
  By A2VB7WQ6M2TLIW on 2004-07-01
  Michael Stirling falls in love with Francesca Bridgerton the moment he sees her-36 hours before she is to wed his cousin, John Striling the Duke of Kilmartin. He loves her but keeps his feelings hidden because he can't have Francesca and he feels guilty for coveting John's wife who is like a brother to him. The thing is that after two years of marriage, John suddenly dies and leaves Francesca a widow and Michael the new Duke of Kilmartin. Suddenly she is available, and overcome with grief for John and guilt for loving Francesca, he flees to India for 4 years. Did I mention that he feels sooooooo guilty? In fact, he goes on and on and on and on about his guilt throughout the whole book. And she doesn't even love him until the last few pages of the book. Oh she lusts after him and has sex with him, but love? Nope. He has to practically drag her agreement to merry him out if her. And then of course she feels guilty about having passion for Michael and goes on and on about that and so does Michael. Oh boy do they go on and on. And then suddenly they have an epiphany. Michael realizes that swell guy that John was he would have wanted Michael and Francesca to be happy and who better to love her than the man he loved the most-Michael. After Michael is very ill she discovers that she loves him too. Imagine that. The thing was that Michael's illness just seemed so contrived. It was as if Quinn made Michael deathly ill just so that Francesca could figure out she loved him. Tried and true formula and also boring. I felt that Francesca was a weak character. Throughout the book she mentions how she likes to be independent and strong but she is constantly running away. It was disappointing. I expected better of a Bridgerton novel.
  I really wanted to love this novel just because I absolutely love the Bridegerton family and had come to expect fabulouslove stories. Unforunately, I just could not get into Francesca at all. She was supposed to be the heroine but I never really got a sense of who she was. Where was this famed dry wit I kept on reading about? On the other hand, I have to admit that I really liked Michael Stirling. He had wit and it was easy to sympathize with him and his feelings for Francesca. Truthfuly, though, sometimes I felt that Francesca did not really deserve such unconditional devotion and sometimes I got a little tired of Michael being so very desperate for her. Eventhough they confessed their love for eachother I personally did not feel it. It was very anticlimactic. All in all it was just so DISAPPOINTING and BORING.
  
  

• Great character driven romance!

  
  By A3O50XA8DJZASX on 2004-07-02
  This is the first Quinn book in a long time that I could not put down! Compelling characters wrestling with significant personal issues - no mystery sub-plot or stereotype villains to get in the way of a wonderful romance!

  Michael Stirling and John, Earl of Kilmartin are first cousins - their fathers were twins. They have been raised almost as brothers because Michael's father dies when he was very young. They were not only raised - as brothers - they have a very strong and deep bond of friendship. Michael has never envied his younger cousin, even though (given the inheritance laws of the period) John has a title and fabulous wealth and Michael is son to a younger son and is destined for a career in the army. That is, Michael has never envied John anything until he meets Francesca Bridgerton and falls instantly in love with her - because she is John's fiancee and will be his wife in a day and a half!

  The book begins by giving us a glimpse of John and Francesca's extremely happy married life and their mutual friendship with Michael; we also get some insight into his strategy for keeping John and Francesca in ignorance of his feelings (his Merry Rake persona). Quinn makes us really care about John so that when he dies very suddenly we can feel the depth of Francesca's grief and Michael's difficulty in offering her comfort. Far more effective than just reporting something that happens about 4 years before the main part of the book begins. Overwhelmed by grief and guilt Michael takes himself off to India for four years, allowing Francesca to run the estate.

  Finally Michael returns from India - still very much in love with Francesca, and still convinced that there is something basically "wrong" or "immoral" in courting her himself when she announces that she wants to remarry; it would be a betrayal of his regard for John. These feelings of guilt on both Michael's and Francesca's part are what keeps them from a happy future together and the main body of the book is a tour-de-force of character development as we watch both of them work through their grief to acceptance and peace. All I can say is WOW!

  The Publisher's Weekly review states that the book is "weighed down" by the grief of the two protagonists. I do not agree! Without the need to work through the grieving process there wouldn't be any tension or barriers to overcome - this is the whole meat of the book!

  You don't have to be a fan of Quinn's Bridgerton series to love this book, in fact maybe it's better if you are not, then you won't have all these high expectations of what Francesca's character is supposed to be like.
  
  

• wonderful Bridgerton Regency romance

  
  By AFVQZQ8PW0L on 2004-06-30
  In 1818, the first time ever Michael "The Merry Rake" Stirling saw Francesca Bridgerton he knows he is in love although he never experienced that feeling before. However, he can not act on his emotion because Francesca is to wed his best friend, his cousin John in less than two days. Michael ironically thinks that he now has two new feelings: love and for the first time envy. Ironically, he never coveted the earldom or the wealth of the man he considers his "brother".

  Two years later, Michael hides his love for Francesca from her and his cousin. John complains of headache and soon afterward he, not quite thirty and in seemingly perfect health, is dead. At twenty-two, Francesca is a widow and Michael is the earl. He still hides his feelings while they mourn their loss until one innocent night he offers simple solace that turns into heated lovemaking. The aftermath is that both feel guilty as if they let down John. As they evade one another so as not to explore their feelings, Francesca begins to wonder if John arranged the whole thing as a heavenly matchmaker.

  Title aside as no one is "wicked" in a nasty sense; fans will appreciate this wonderful Regency romance starring a loving relationship triangle between three wonderful protagonists. John was a nice respected person loved by his wife and his cousin so that his memory serves as a ghostly barrier to Michael and Francesca following up on their feelings. The two illnesses that John and Michael respectfully suffered from provide a feel for the era as Julia Quinn uses that to anchor her sixth fabulous Bridgerton book.

  Harriet Klausner
  
  

• The cuckoo in the Bridgerton nest
  By A121D7WUM51SOC on 2004-08-02
  In every nest, a cuckoo can be born - and for the Bridgertons, her name must be Francesca. She can't be a Bridgerton. No humor. No fire. No substance. But hey, she was beautiful! No wonder she got married so young - she loved her husband, but apparently did nothing else with her life but be an ornament. And after he died, she did nothing but grieve - 4 years worth, folks and this is a romance novel - and later did not see or was running away from Michael's love. Sheesh. Until I read the other reviewers, I never picked up on the bit that she was known "to display a sly humor and dry wit". Where was it? And apparently Michael was wicked because he knew a lot about bedroom techniques and did not want his women to lie back and think of England. That is not my definition of wicked. And why did he fall in love with Francesca at first sight? Wellll, she was beautiful! (Or maybe, he just needed to spend years feeling guilty and whining to himself.)
  
  Quinn is one of the best with witty dialog and funny situations. Please don't judge her abilities by this sad mess. I think she painted herself into a corner years ago in the first Bridgerton books by making Francesca happily married and living in Scotland. I do believe we would have all been better served if she had let John live and kept Francesca in Scotland.
  
  
  
• Could have been great, but there was something missing.
  By A5D8F53M94YKU on 2004-07-10
  I love the stories of unrequited and impossible love. When I read the synopsis of this book, I though that possibly it was going to be my favorite Bridgerton book. After all what is more heartwrenchingly romantic than a hero who has secretly loved his cousin wife since the moment he met her, but knows that he could never have her? And there were really poignant moments that even managed to bring me to tears.

  What went wrong then? In the first place, at times it was difficult to understand why Michael fell in love with Francesca so quickly, deeply and undonditionally. The book just says he did, but I guess I don't believe in "love" at first sight. Atraction? Yes, but a deeper attachement takes more time to develop.

  The other thing I didn't like (and this is a criticism I had for "Romancing Mister Bridgerton" as well) is that their first kiss is described from Francesca's perspective instead of Michael's. I don't know why Julia Quinn always does that. One has been reading about how Michael loves her and desires her and longs to kiss her, but when the much awaited moment arrives when he, finally!, kisses her, we don't know how he felt, because the book shifts to Francesca's point of view. Isn't that frustrating? I think Julia Quinn could have gotten more feeling out of that important moment in the plot by simply narrating it from Michael's perspective. She can describe later what Francesca felt, but in that moment the most important thing is what Michael is feeling, not Francesca.

  And lastly, I don't like that Francesca is never very convincing in her love for Michael. Almost until the end of the book there is not love mentioned on her part. She doesn't even admit it to herself. She just says that she feels desire for Michael but John is the only man she has ever trully loved. It's not until Michael gets ill and she believes he might die that she can bring herself to admit that she loves him. But since she spends the rest of the novel oblivious to this feeling, it doesn't sound convincing.

  Other than that, the novel is not bad. Michael is a great character and the love story beautiful.
  
  

• Poignant love story ( and different from her others)...
  By A2HMHN6Y9VX18K on 2004-07-15
  I loved this book. I've read the other reviews and can definitely understand if people were expecting a book that copied the other Bridgerton books, they might be disappointed.
  Instead of the light-hearted banter, she has told a very moving story of what it's like to lose a loved one and find love again. Francesca and Michael were the closest people in her husband, John's life, and I thought Julia did a wonderful job of showing their grief and how they worked through their individual fears to find each other.

  Francesca is not like the other Bridgertons, as she herself states in the book on occasion. What she IS is a grieving widow, who loved her husband, mourned him for four years, and is beginning to feel things for his cousin that scare her.

  Michael Stirling was a wonderfully sweet, passionate man who lives with incredible guilt for all he gained at his cousin's death. And the one thing he loves above all is the one thing he feels he has no right to ever have - Francesca.

  I was impressed by the manner Ms. Quinn did this story. She didn't skirt the issue of their grief and mourning. Instead, she embraced it in a way that makes you feel for both Francesca and Michael. She developed their relationship from the friendship it had been in a careful, understandably slow way...all in all, I felt it was a very rich, very fulfilling story.
  
  

• Can people not read?
  By A3L2506W8QLD2Y on 2004-10-13
  To all those who gave this book a negative review because it wasn't all sweetness and light, I have to question your reading comprehension skills. If you knew from the other Bridgerton books that Frannie loved her husband very much, and you know (if you bothered to read the back of this one) that her beloved is now dead, how could you have not realized that this was going to be a darker novel? She is in mourning! She is not going to be boisterous and charming like her siblings. If she had been, you probably would have trashed Quinn for not making her somber enough. I haven't lost a spouse, but I imagine that falling in love again would be agonizing, and I think Quinn portrayed this brilliantly. As she did with Michael, who is struggling with his own guilt. But none of this should have been a surprise to anyone who took the time to figure out the plot ahead of time. If you were shocked by the more serious themes of this book, you have only yourselves to blame for not paying attention. Julia Quinn is an amazing writer, and I love that she used this book to show how broad her talent is. Not all of us want our authors pigeon-holed into writing the same book over and over again, only changing names and basic plot points. Brava, Ms. Quinn, and don't let a few folks who can't handle variety dampen your spirits.
  
  
• I WAS ROBBED!
  By on 2004-07-10
  Quinn is one of my favorites because of her witty dialogue. However, this falls more than flat when it comes to humor or wit. I think the author was going more for the tortured romance aspect, but it just didn't work. The characters were both immature and contrived. Before I buy her next book, I will await more reviews from Amazon readers.
  
  
• start with other quinn books
  By A1POC06TE57PUH on 2004-07-25
  Although some reviews were negative, I decided to read the latest in the Bridgerton series because I've enjoyed Quinn's novels in the past. This one didn't suck, but it wasn't great either. Her previous novels are smart, witty, and fast paced...this one was humdrum. I feel like it had a lot of potential and I even liked the idea of having the main conflict be based on emotion turmoil rather than external events; however, I fear Ms. Quinn may not have invested as much of her time or talent in creating this newest installment in an effort to feed the fans' (including myself) and avon's hunger for another Bridgerton romance. My recommendation: if you're already a JQ fan, read it (because you will regardless of what I say in this review). If not, read the earlier Bridgerton novels because they're simply better.
  
  
• Boring Crap!
  By A1FD4PAL49JMCX on 2004-07-28
  Oh my....... I usually read all of Julia Quinn's book, especially this series. This book is BORING!! I don't want to finish it. This one is worse then To Sir Phillip With Love; which was also a bad book. I have had this book for 2 weeks and it is just sitting on my shelve. Usually it takes me only 1 day to finish a book. I would tell you to not waste your money like I did. I think well known authors are sometimes in a rush to just get a book publish that they don't write good books. They think there name alone will sell the book. It seems to be the situation with this book. Francessca has no personality whatsoever and Michael is not that much better.
  
  
• A Disappointment!
  By A9I4W5GV6Z2H7 on 2005-02-11
  Ok, I have to agree with some of the other people who read this book: it was a disappoint. I was really looking forward to Francesca's story because in the other books, she did seem witty, funny, and mischievous. As one woman said, I too did not see any of those qualities in this "Francesca". Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Julia Quinn, she is one of my all time favorite writers. I literally run to the nearest book store whenever one of her books is released, however, this was one time I actually considered going back to the bookstore so that I could return this book and get my money back. To be honest, I didn't even finish reading this book because both Francesca and Michael got on my nerves, I just couldn't enjoy thier story. Take my advice ladies: read the other books in this series, especially Benedict's story (simply the best book i have ever read!) and skip "When He Was Wicked". i doubt you would miss much.
  
  
• Delightful, Mature Romance
  By A2IXV2QW0A8U3F on 2004-07-03
  At the beginning of this novel, Francesa Bridgeton, sixth of eight, is happily married to John Stirling, the Earl of Kilmartin. Francesa and John share their life with John's cousin, Michael Stirling. Unbeknownst to both, Michael has secretly been in love with Francesa since he has known her. He has disguised his love with rakish behavior. However, one day, John has a headache and goes to lay down. At the same time, Franscesa and Michael go for a walk, however when they return they find John has died. Unable to cope with the death of his cousin, the miscarriage Franscesa has soon after and responsibilities of earldom, Michael flees to India.

  Four years later, Franscesa is ready to remarry. She longs for a child and makes her way to London a full month early in order to begin a husband search. While seeking warmth in an unprepared London home, she discovers that Michael has returned. At this point, the novel begins in truth. We are taken on Michael and Franscesa's journey of accepting that they are allowed to move on after John's death and accepting that the two of them are perfect for each other. It is actually Colin Bridgeton that plays an important role in making sure Michael understands that it is alright to move on and to love his sister. (Nice appearance by one of our favorite Bridgeton!)

  WHEN HE WAS WICKED is a very good tale for two different reasons. Franscesa must learn that she may love again and that accepting that love is what her deceased husband would have wanted for her. Michael needed to learn his own worth and understand that he was worthy of Francesa, even though she was his cousin's wife. I completely disagree with the review that the book was weighed down with grief. This was an important element of the book, to understand both characters and how they end up together. This tale is quick moving, with the dialoge that is always a must read in Quinn's novel. No author does the prose of this time period better!
  
  

• An up-all-night read!
  By A2YUIO61EGDQ94 on 2004-07-04
  Bought this book yesterday afternoon, and didn't put it down till I read the last word. I was hooked from the get-go, mostly by Michael Stirling, my favorite JQ hero since Anthony Bridgerton. Actually, I'd be willing to say my all-time favorite JQ hero EVER. A tortured, self-loathing alpha male with a quick wit and easy charm...what could be bad?! All the emotions seemed very real and very authentic to me--yes, Francesca was known to be sharp-witted, but her life is in a upheaval here, and she behaves accordingly. I cared about these characters from the very first chapter--I laughed, I cried, and I cheered at the end.

  To me, this was just what a romance should be. Emotional, sexy, heart-wrenching, and yet still a bit of fun.
  
  

• Disappointing
  By on 2004-07-09
  I hate to say this about one of my favorite authors, but I found this book so boring that I really had to force myself to finish it. I kept on reading in the hope that SOMETHING would happen, it never really did. There were no mini climaxes, or even a major one. The whole premise was so predictable and the characters and writing rather flat, with none of JQ's usual humor or interesting twists. I'm glad I got this one from the library, I won't add it to my bookshelf.
  
  
• A Deep Read and Touching Romance
  By on 2004-07-10
  This is not a cookie cutter romance and these are not cookie cutter characters. This IS a different kind of romance and I think an excellent one. Many readers will relate to the characters in this book, as I did. Life isn't always perfect - and here JQ has given us a romance that is entirely believable and true. With every new book Julia Quinn gives the reader something new and fresh. In this book she also gives us deeper, richer characters and a story that rings true. I totally enjoyed it!
  
  
• Pleasantly Surprised!
  By AZ6EKFDLLFJAM on 2004-07-13
  I bought this book at the store instead of online like usual. When i got home I immediately went to Amazon to see what my fellow readers had to say about it. Based on some of the reviews, I was starting to second-guess my purchase. Glad I went ahead and read it though. Loved it!! I wasn't crazy about Eloise's story (To Sir Phillip, With Love), so I was apprehensive about this one. I really like this story. I didn't feel that the book was too depressing or over-done on the sadness factor. I could really feel how much love Frannie and Michael had for John and how much his death devastated them. I could empathise with the guilt they both felt. The romance scenes were just right, and took place at the exact right time in the story. The only thing I really missed and thought the story lacked was the hilarious bantering between the Bridgerton siblings and their mother. Can't wait to read the next one (Hyacynth?). Hopefully the story will take place in London with all the siblings present and accounted for as well as their spouses. Also, I hope to find that both Eloise and Francesca are new mommy's. Note to J.Q.--hint!hint!
  
  
• Lighten up Julia Quinn!
  By A2QLWCMH43XGRE on 2004-07-20
  A lot of previous reviewers have noted that this book seems almost as if it was written by someone else. I agree. If someone handed me this book with no cover to it, I would think Lisa Kleypas wrote it. The characters were moody and the whole tone of the book was darker than her usual light & witty stories. I hope in her next book she writes like her old self.
  
  
• Dissatisfying
  By A3IDBYYXY3UF6U on 2005-02-22
  As we progress in the Bridgerton series, we've come to acquaint ourselves with each siblings' idiosyncrasies and follow them as they find love. However with Francesca, our quiet Bridgerton, we only get a tiny glimpse at who she really is and that was somewhat disappointing. In past stories Francesca only made a sentence-worth of impact, and even then she was merely in the same vicinity with the featured Bridgerton so I expected to become well acquainted with her in this book. Sadly, I found that our heroine was rather flat. In what was to be her story, Francesca plays a supporting character yet again, only this time to the love interest, Michael Sterling.
  
  When He Was Wicked is probably one of my favorite Julia Quinn TITLES, however I found the actual story a bit lacking. It is to be expected that there will be factors contributing to a delayed "happily ever after," but Francesca's came in an overly frustrating way. I got tired of reading when I was well into the story because I found the conflict between Michael and Francesca stretched, prolonged, lengthened, drawn out, and any other synonym you can find to describe the plot line (yes, I'll admit it, a Thesaurus helped me). Don't get me wrong, I understood the emotional conflicts that toils our couple, but, to sneak in for a quick romp and then turn around and continue this confused facade over and over again just made me lose interest.
  
  Despite the disappointing storyline, Julia Quinn remains one of my favorite authors. Therefore, I gave this book three stars partly because the story wasn't horrible and partly because I just can.
  
  
  
• very disapointed
  By A39XSJRLRUBQ5U on 2004-07-02
  Love at first sight. Sounds great, but if there isn't some substance to back it up it falls apart, right? That's what happened to this book. It fell apart. Michael falls in love with Fran at first sight. But why? She was boring! She had no zest for life, no quick wit--she was just kinda there. I was left with no idea what Michael fell in love with besides Fran's blue eyes!

  The first half of the book was tragic and the last half was flat. It was very predictable with no twists or turns to the plot that could have made it memorable.

  I'm really glad that this was not a hardcover release because I would have bought it and been out $25 instead of $8.

  I really hope that Quinn's mix of humour and sensuality are back in her next novel. 'When He Was Wicked' was a real let down.
  
  

• Just Wonderful.
  By A127STAZPIATM0 on 2004-07-04
  Next to the first book in the Bridgeton series, this is my clear favorite. Micheal is a tortured, honorable, loyal hero... and "Frannie" is a smart, serious, genuine heroine that is his match in loyalty, honor, and passion. The ONLY thing I would change about this book is the title.

  I disliked the last book in this series, About Eloise and Philip, and I was a bit wary when I this new one up. I could not, however, put it down. I cared SO MUCH for these characters... their thoughts, their worries, their happiness... that they simply leap from the page and grabbed me.

  True some of Ms. Quinn's trademark humor is missing in this installation, but this a departure from her other work because it explores the character's and thier troubles so deeply... and levity for levity's sake had no place in this book. This is a fundementally character driven book, and through most of it, the character's have very little to rejoice about... but oh, when they did find a moment of joy, of laughter, or some mutual understanding... it was all the more wonderful, and precious.

  I did laugh, and I did cry... and I loved this book so much I re-read it the moment I finished it. A definate top shelf keeper!
  
  

• Think twice before buying
  By on 2004-07-10
  This book didn't measure up to Quinn's usual standards. The humor falls flat, the guilt that both characters feel for their romance is agonizingly tedious and never-ending, and the plot line is weak. I was bored. Don't bother spending money on this one.
  
  
• Was this tale written by a substitute?
  By on 2004-07-11
  Where is Lady Whistledown? Where is the wit and humor of Julia Quinn's other Bridgerton romances? This novel was far too full of lust and sex, and had little to recommend it. Ms. Quinn has written other novels that stood out from others of this genre, but this one sinks back into the muck of pure sex and nothing else. Read this if you must to continue the Bridgerton saga, but otherwise, find another author or reread one of her earlier books. BTW, I gave it one star because "no stars" was not an option. I am really disappointed in this book! Julia: leave out so much sex and get back to the lively writing of your earlier novels.
  
  
• S'good Stuff!
  By A3AJZFUF87LI0Y on 2004-07-14
  I've read a few reviews that said this book was less charming than previous Quinn books, and I couldn't disagree more!

  I think Julia Quinn wrote a much more mature story this time. Francesca Bridgerton Sterling is robbed of her young husband, John; he dies unexpectedly of an aneurism two years into their marriage. Francesca is distraught, so is Michael Sterling, John's cousin and best friend. Michael is doubly plagued by the death because he lusts after John's widow . . . in fact, has always lusted after her. Now that she's attainable, he has to find a happy medium between loving her and wrestling with the guilt of knowing that he covets John's wife.

  Quinn does a great job of spanning the emotional gauntlet with this one. It's poignant in some parts, sad in others. The subject matter is not as 'fluffy' as other tales, but it's well done all the same. The humor is toned down, but the sex is tuned up. What you lack in one you make up for in another.

  End result . . . buy it. It's great. I think Julia's growing with her writing, getting better at her trade - and more willing to experiment. I think I would have been disappointed with another cookie cutter romance in the Bridgerton line. The others books are great - don't get me wrong - but this one deviated from the formula in a big way, and I enjoyed it tremendously because of it.

  Happy reading.
  
  

• Who Really Wrote This Pile Of Garbage?
  By A1HAY7QGHHOVGF on 2004-07-20
  This is not not NOT a Julia Quinn book. Gone are the great characters, the humor, the wit, the chemistry, and romance's greatest dialogue. Francesca is boring and flat. She doesn't behave like a Bridgerton, a charming, boisterous, close-knit family. Michael is mean to Francesca, and she pretty much takes it. Where are the females she usually writes, who would punch a guy who talks down to her? Why does she dishonor Francesca's love for John, her first husband, by revealing that their sex life lacked anything? They were perfect in every other way, and John encouraged Francesca to take the lead, but he left out some very basic lovemaking techniques that everyone else knows about? Come on! If you wanted to read this because it is in the Bridgerton family series, skip it. You learn nothing new about characters from previous novels because it occurs in the same timeline as Romancing Mister Bridgerton AND To Sir Phillip, With Love. So if you wanted to know who had babies in the meanwhile, you get nothing. If you want to see Gregory and Hyacinth grow up, nothing. Just skip this one. You won't even miss it.
  
  
• Missed the mark
  By A3H6JZU28CXI5T on 2004-12-23
  The first book that I read in the Bridgerton series was "To Sir Phillip, With Love." This is actually the fifth book in the series, but I absolutely loved this book so I went out and bought the others. I was anxiously awaiting the release of Francesca's book. And I was really enjoying it until Michael finally made his feelings known to Francesca. Then in completely fell apart.
  
  I was willing to believe that he fell in love with her on sight. She had something about her that captivated him. I felt his anguish while he loved her from afar, and the pain of losing his cousin. I understood his reasoning for traveling for four years. Finally he comes back and he is more in love with her than ever. And now she is starting to see him in another light. Then he kisses her, admits his feelings, and she runs to Scotland because she is overwhelmed by it all. I totally bought into it. It was great. Then he happens to bump into Colin, and Colin says that Michael should just marry Francesca. And do you know what Michael thinks? "I never thought of that." WHAT?!! You have been in love with this woman for years and it never crossed your mind, especially in the years that she has been widowed, that you could marry Francesca?! I realize that his character was such that he felt like he would be betraying his cousin to ever make a move on Francesca, but we are to believe he never thought of a happy, perfect reality where they could be together. PLEASE! And if you have ever read any of the other Bridgerton books, what's with Colin always being the person to make a simple statement that somehow make a super-complicated situation so simple? "Tell your wife you love her" (The Viscount who Loved Me), "Tell her you love her" (An Offer From A Gentleman) and "Why don't you marry Francesca" (When He Was Wicked). After these conversation with Colin, the men finally realize what they want and go after it. Maybe it's just me, but Colin does not come off as that perceptive. So instead of being clever, this just seems to be lack of creativity on the author's part. But I digress. So Michael follows Francesca to Scotland and decides to make her a "slave to her passion" (my statement) and seduce her until she gives in and marries him. And after a long, drawn-out, painful journey (for the reader) it works! Up until this point Francesca is presented as being intelligent and sophisticated. (I also did not see the wit or humor she was suppossed to possess, but, again, I was willing to buy into it.) She was a mature, experienced woman who had known the joys of being married to her best friend and the happiness that it brings. She was not some young, quivering virgin who didn't know anything about relationships. But all of the sudden that is how she comes off. The last 100 pages of this book consist of her whining about her feelings. Does she marry Michael or not? After a while you don't care.
  
  My final issue with this book - why in the heck did Julia Quinn try to set this book in the same time frame as "Romancing Mr. Bridgerton"? Francesca is barely mentioned in that book. Now all of sudden she was acutally present in London almost the entire time? Huh? I think it was insulting to the reader's intelligence to try and pull that one off. Why not move it ahead a few months and have in take place in London while Eloise is in the midst of her romance in the country. That I would have believed. All of Eloise's story takes place outside of London, with barely any mention of city life. There seemed to be no logical explanation why this book had to be set in the time frame that it was. Oh, maybe it was set during Colin's book so Michael had an excuse to go to follow Francesca to Scotland (he took it upon himself to tell Francesca that Colin had moved up his wedding). Ms. Quinn couldn't have found any other reason to send Michael to Scotland. Business with the estate, perhaps? He was the Earl of Kilmartin for crying out loud. He would have responsibilities. Wouldn't he?
  
  All in all , I do like the Bridgerton's, I feel like I know these characters, and I am waiting for the next installment. This book is the weakest in the series (Colin's is not far behind). I gave this book 1 star for making me think it could become the best Bridgerton book. Instead it ended on a very disappointing note.
  
  
• Really Good
  By on 2004-06-30
  Next to the "The Duke and I" this book was my favorite in the Bridgerton family series. I absolutely fell in love with the hero, Micheal Stirling. While in past installments of the Bridgerton family books, Francesca was known in the family to display a sly humor and dry wit, I felt that Micheal possessed these traits in the book. (However,I forgive Francesca because throughout much of the book she was wracked by first sorrow, then guilt).
  Micheal was a fabulous hero, at times I had to laugh at his self-deprecating humor and other times I felt my heart clench because of the guilt he feels for loving his cousin's wife. To those who know and love the Bridgertons, Colin makes an appearance, and I loved how Julia Quinn brought him back to play the "matchmaker."
  Overall, if you love Julia Quinn and her past books, then you will not be disappointed by this book. It's funny, heart-wrenching at times, and very very sexy.
  Happy Reading!
  
  
• WONDERFUL!!!! Julia Quinn's BEST book!!!
  By A3ALZZUXVW7838 on 2004-07-02
  Michael Stirling has a deep dark secret. He is in love with his (like a brother) cousin's wife--and noone has a clue.
  
  Dubbed the Merry Rake, Michael goes through the motions of living a carefree existance of women wine and song when in fact his heart is in turmoil over the one thing in the world he cannot have: Francesca Bridgerton.
  
  Francesca is the rebel Bridgerton. Although she loves her family she wants to be known for herself, not for being a cutout copy of her siblings. She is happily married when tragedy strikes--she finds herself in her early twenties and widowed--and her closest confidant in the world, Michael, distancing himself emotionally and then physically by going half way around the world.
  
  The real story takes place a few years later when Francesca realizes what she is missing from life and Michael returns to face life.
  
  This is JQ's most emotionally powerful book. We get deep into the mind of Michael Stirling and there we find the hero that all women long for--a man that loves so deeply, so strongly that he cannot think straight to realize he could have what he wants.
  
  Francesca is not as complex as Michael--which helps keep this book from getting too melodramatic. She is smart and accomplished and she definately has her own mind!
  
  Don't be scared by some bad reviews--let this book tell this most Romantic story. The reason the novel is so highly contested is that this is not your typical frivilous and fun JQ novel. This is her darkest most intense fare. Read this book with no expectations and find yourself taken to a place that few romances go.
  
  
• Wonderful
  By A2YOYWY79QIPJH on 2004-07-12
  I've read all of Julia Quinn's books. Some have been more successful than others, but this is one of her finest.
  The story is not so much about Francesca, but about Michael Stirling. He's been in love with her for years, but held himself at a distance because she was the wife of his cousin. When his cousin dies suddenly, Michael inherits the earldom but is too tortued to declare his love for Francesca. Guilty and miserable, he flees the country for 4 years.
  When he returns to England, he faces Francesca again, but is still determined to keep his feelings a secret out of respect for his cousin's memory.
  Michael's inner torment really moved me. I always love the suffering hero/secret admirer storyline, and Quinn does it here to perfection. It's not as funny as some of her other books, but the emotion is more realistic. Of the Bridgerton books, this now ranks with "An Offer from a Gentleman" as my favorites.
  
  

• To Sir Phillip, With Love (Bridgerton Series, Book 5)
• Romancing Mister Bridgerton (Bridgerton Series, Book 4)
• Offer From a Gentleman, An (Bridgerton Series, Bk. 3)
• It's In His Kiss
• The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgerton Series, Bk. 2)