Book Review: When He Was Wicked

Over the weekend I read the 6th Bridgerton book, When He Was Wicked, which is Francesca’s book!

I wasn’t sure what I’d think of this book going into it because Francesca doesn’t play much of a role in any of the previous books. It was a little confusing at first because this novel takes place a little before and then during the previous book, To Sir Phillip, With Love (Eloise’s book) so I was thrown off by the timeline.

It is mentioned in To Sir Phillip, With Love that Francesca has been widowed – although I honestly don’t remember reading about her getting married before that, but I might have just glossed over it. Anyway, when When He Was Wicked begins she is married to John Stirling, an earl in Scotland. After 2 happy years of marriage, John dies unexpectedly. Francesca and Michael are in shock and mourning. Michael Stirling is John’s cousin who was raised with him and is more like a brother and now the earl after John’s passing. He is also good friends with Francesca ever since she married his cousin and he’s secretly been in love with her since the moment he met her.

Afraid to spend more time alone with Francesca now that she is widowed and he thinks it’s wrong that he has feelings for her, Michael leaves for India for 4 years and lets Francesca run the earldom in his absence. The novel follows Francesca and Michael when he returns to London and then Scotland and the two navigate their secret feelings for one another. Their need to recognize their feelings for one another is spurned on by the fact that Michael is a very eligible bachelor and everyone wants to marry him or have him marry their daughters and Francesca thinks after 4 years it is time to come out of half-mourning especially because she really wants children. But would either be okay with the other marrying someone else?

I loved this book and actually really liked Francesca and I didn’t know if I would or not since I didn’t know much about her. Even in the tv show’s previous seasons we hardly ever see Francesca since they always say she’s away in Bath or wherever staying with an aunt to learn piano and whatnot for more than half the time. The tension between her and Michael was so good and top tier. And what made this one different is that Francesca is widowed so the sexual tension between her and Michael could come from a place of experience since she wasn’t inexperienced and “innocent” like the previous fmcs. Since she was able to take charge at times and because Michael could talk to her knowing she wasn’t “clueless” made it a lot hotter. And the epilogue was so sweet!

I’m not sure how I’m going to like the next season since they have made changes to the story and made Michael, Michaela, because Francesca wanting a baby so much is a prominent thread in the story, which makes the epilogue for her and Michael so much sweeter. I guess we’ll see!

*This post contains affiliate links.*