Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
When He Was Wicked
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn
In every life there is a turning point.A moment so tremendous, so sharp and breathtaking, that one knows one's life will never be the same. For Michael Stirling, London's most infamous rake, that moment came the first time he laid eyes on Francesca Bridgerton.After a lifetime of chasing women, of smiling slyly as they chased him, of allowing himself to be caught but never permitting his heart to become engaged, he took one look at Francesca Bridgerton and fell so fast and hard into love it was a wonder he managed to remain standing. Unfortunately for Michael, however, Francesca's surname was to remain Bridgerton for only a mere thirty-six hours longer -- the occasion of their meeting was, lamentably, a supper celebrating her imminent wedding to his cousin.But that was then . . . Now Michael is the earl and Francesca is free, but still she thinks of him as nothing other than her dear friend and confidant. Michael dares not speak to her of his love . . . until one dangerous night, when she steps innocently into his arms, and passion proves stronger than even the most wicked of secrets . . .
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
MsLeah8417
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn
post image
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️

quote
archaeolibrarianologist
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn
post image

7 likes1 stack add
blurb
humouress
post image

Premise: Michael Stirling, experienced man about town & notorious rake, falls in love at first sight with the one attractive woman he can‘t have (I suspect the author is confusing lust with love), returns after years abroad & still lusts after her. Francesca, whose husband has now died, desperately wants a baby. Outside Hollywood I‘ve never known of anyone who‘d do anything *just* to have a baby. Ch 6 … struggling on …

humouress The younger 4 siblings barely rate a mention in the 1st trilogy. This takes place about 10 yrs later so F would have been maybe 16? This starts with her about to marry at 20 & widowed 2 years later and the main story picks up 4 years after that (when she decides she needs a husband so she can have a baby) so we never really saw her before. Kind of a shame that John was disposed of so quickly (edited) 6mo
humouress Quotes: Ch 1 - I think it was about there that the book lost me. I have no idea why he ‘fell in love‘ with her. Ch 10 - scintillating conversations. Ch ? - seducing/ trapping her into marriage did not sit well with me 5mo
6 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
monibookishnerd
Pickpick

The best level of angst in this series so far. And so so so funny.

review
JillR
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn
post image
Mehso-so

Investing fully in Bridgerton fever and bridging (ha!) the gap between the new season with this…(Confession, my enthusiasm for the books is waning. Book five was dreadful, and I had issues with some of this one too. Maybe time to leave it to the TV show, which does it so much better?)

review
deeannloso
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn
post image
Pickpick

I‘m moving through these books so quickly because I can‘t put them down (or shut them off in my case). This was a great love story, but I was often very impatient with Francesca. I understand why she was hesitant, but after her and Michael‘s (ahem), I would be as frustrated with her as Michael was. I think Benedict‘s is still my favorite so far. #SeriesLove2024 @TheSpineView @Andrew65

blurb
deeannloso
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn
post image

In every life there is a turning point. A moment so tremendous, so sharp and breathtaking, that one knows one‘s life will never be the same. For Michael Stirling, London‘s most infamous rake, that moment came the first time he laid eyes on Francesca Bridgerton.

30 likes1 stack add
review
bookish6
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn
post image
Mehso-so

Francesca drove me a little nuts throughout this book.
She was back and forth way too much with what she wanted.
Her fertility issues really touched home for me, I can relate to how she felt.
I love that each book is a little different. Each of the Bridgerton's have a different experience!

review
RavenclawPrincess913
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn
Mehso-so

4/5 I loved the story but didn't at same time her getting with her husband's cousin after he died was to weird to me. I can relate to how she feels having a miscarriage and going through infertility myself though.

review
AngieKWilson
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn
post image
Pickpick

I love Julia Quinn and the beginning took a turn that I wasn‘t expecting. I felt so connected to Francesca and her story because if the raw story to start. I say this about every of the Bridgerton books, this one is my favorite. This one will stick because of her emotional journey. Another great one! Only two left!

quote
Purpleness
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn
post image
blurb
BarkingMadRead
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn
post image
vonnie862 That's a cute edition! 2y
BarkingMadRead @vonnie862 I have the whole set! Once upon a book club released them in two bundles 2y
47 likes2 stack adds2 comments
review
Crystal83
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn
Pickpick

I am moving right along with this book series. I enjoyed reading this book. It is not my favorite of the series. I enjoyed seeing all of the other characters again. I rated this book a 3 out of 5 stars. I read this book for #MarvellousMarchReadathon @Andrew65

blurb
hes7
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn
post image

My goal for the week is to tackle my Julia Quinn backlist stack. Hoping to finally get around to finishing the Bridgerton series and knock out another series or two, too. 🤞🏻 #backlistreadathon #loveathon #loveathon2023

Clwojick Great goals! Enjoy! 2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! Good luck!! 2y
StayCurious Sounds fun! 2y
47 likes3 comments
review
Linnea.aspen
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn
Pickpick

a fantastic book to read. The book takes twists and turns all the time and keeps up the tension in a fantastic way. The plot is of course similar to the other parts, but there is still something special in each book that makes you keep reading. This can absolutely be a favorite part of everyone.

review
limada
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn
post image
Pickpick

This one tool a long while to get to the point. We knew it was to be Michael and Francesca but man did they delay themselves. It was a worthwhile journey though, especially with the addition of the second epilogue. #82-2022

review
RobES
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn
post image
Mehso-so

FINALLY finished listening to this.... my love for the Bridgerton series makes no sense....the writing frustrates me and I think Julia Quinn actually lets her characters down by making them fit into a societal box, regardless of their character's personality...and yet, I'm fully invested in the characters and their sagas 🤷‍♀️

StaceyKondla I binged the entire series on audiobook during my time off over the summer. Yes predictable and at times irritating and a bit dated but also funny and delightful and the perfect escapist brain candy I needed 💜 2y
RobES @StaceyKondla you are so right- she can be very funny- I thought the prologue to Benedict and Sophie"s story, that focused on Posey, was hilarious ?... She should really try more deliberate humour as she's v good at subtle humour ? whose story did you like best? X 2y
37 likes2 comments
review
roronoazoro
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn
Pickpick

I loved it SO much, definitely topped An Offer From a Gentleman for me, which was my current favorite Bridgerton book.

Full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4854008985

quote
roronoazoro
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn

“Thank you, Michael, for letting my son love her first.”

quote
roronoazoro
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn

“This was heaven.
This was bliss.
This was something he‘d never dared hope to feel, something he never could have dreamed existed.
This was love.”

quote
roronoazoro
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn

“It was because she loved him.
This thing between them, this bond—it wasn‘t just passion, and it wasn‘t wicked.
It was love, and it was divine.”

quote
roronoazoro
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn

“She didn‘t have to love him. But she did have to feel free. Free to be happy.
Because if she wasn‘t happy…
Well, that would kill him. He could live without her love, but not without her happiness.”

quote
roronoazoro
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn

“Francesca,” he said, and he had no idea why he was saying it, just that her name was the most important thing in the world right then. Her name, and her body, and the beauty of her soul.”

quote
roronoazoro
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn

“He gave his head a little shake. He was turning into a sentimental fool. His heart had always skipped a beat when he saw her across a crowded room. Anything more, and he didn‘t think the organ could take the strain.”

quote
roronoazoro
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn

“She felt cherished.
Worshipped.
Loved.
It was humbling.
It was exquisite.”

quote
roronoazoro
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn

“He was her husband.
It was so hard to believe, and yet it felt so perfect and right.”

quote
roronoazoro
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn

“Why? It‘s because I love you, damn me to hell. Because I‘ve always loved you. Because I loved you when you were with John, and I loved you when I was in India, and God only knows I don‘t deserve you, but I love you, anyway.”

quote
roronoazoro
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn

“Michael wanted her—badly, she could see quite visibly. But he would stop if she just said the word.”

I swear nothing is hotter than a respectful man.

quote
roronoazoro
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn

“And he needed the yes. He had loved her for years, dreamed about touching her for so damned long. And now that the moment was finally here, he just didn‘t know if he could bear it if she didn‘t really want it. There were only so many ways a man‘s heart could break, and he had a feeling his couldn‘t survive another puncture.”

We love a respectful man.

quote
roronoazoro
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn

“Now that it had finally happened, now that he had tasted perfection, he was in more agony than ever before. Now he knew exactly what he was missing; he understood with painful clarity just what it was that would never be his.”

quote
roronoazoro
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn

“She stared at him, licked her lips, and waited…
Waited for the moment, the first touch, because as terrifying and wrong as it was, she knew it would feel like perfection.
And it did.”

quote
roronoazoro
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn

“Were you watching me?” she asked.
His lips curved, not quite into a smile, not even into the beginnings of a smile. “I‘m always watching you,” he said grimly.”

quote
roronoazoro
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn

“Marriage to Francesca. Good God. Everything about it was wrong.
Except he wanted it so badly.
It was hell watching her, hell speaking to her, hell living in the same house. He‘d thought it was difficult before—loving someone who could never be his—but this…
This was a thousand times worse.”

quote
roronoazoro
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn

“He would never escape her, this woman. He would never escape her, and he could never have her.”

quote
roronoazoro
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn

“Tell me something wicked,” he said again, more slowly this time. “That was it. You rather liked me when I was wicked.”

quote
roronoazoro
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn

“It was something in the way she moved.
Something in the way she breathed.
Something in the way she merely was.
And he didn‘t think he was ever going to get over it.”

review
Mrs_B
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn
post image
Pickpick

Julia Quinn does it again. I just love the Bridgerton books and Quinn does a great job of ensuring each of the siblings has a very different story. Francesca‘s is definitely one of my favourites though.

review
kricheal
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn
post image
Pickpick

This might be my favorite #Bridgertons so far. I might say that after every book though. I think it'll stick this time, Francesca is such a mysterious sibling up until this book. Love this trope though, #ForbiddenLove. #WorkingMyWayThroughTheBridgertons #6 of #8

blurb
Graciouswarriorprincess
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn
post image

Book 73/150 and a new summer reading badge.

blurb
kricheal
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn
post image
68 likes1 stack add
review
TheAromaofBooks
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn
post image
Pickpick

Finally got to the next Bridgerton books. I really enjoy these while I am actually reading them, yet never feel that push to pick up the next book right away. I liked Francesca and Michael, although it took a little too long to actually get them together. A fun fluff read, but nothing here that felt especially memorable. Soft pick.

#SeriesRead2022 @TheSpineView
#19822022 AND #192025 (2004) @Librarybelle

MoonWitch94 Julia Quinn says she meant each siblings novel to stand alone, but I think in some ways that made the younger siblings‘ books a bit boring to me. That‘s why I‘m not compelled to run through the end of the series. 2y
robinb This one stands out for me from the rest as I remember it being a lot steamier than the others…especially one scene. 2y
Librarybelle I need to read these! 2y
See All 10 Comments
TheAromaofBooks @MoonWitch94 - My favorite part of the earlier books was the sass between the siblings, but in this book and the one before it that's been really lacking, as the stories for both Francesca and Eloise take place away from London/majority of the family. So they're okay as romance, but don't have the fun family interaction that drew me to the original books. 2y
TheAromaofBooks @robinb - It has been a few months since I read the last book, so I was wondering if it was just my poor memory, or if this one was significantly spicier than the others! Wasn't expecting it!! 2y
TheAromaofBooks @Librarybelle - They've been fun fluff reads, but I'm not sure they are significantly more readable than most historical romance, despite all the buzz they have gotten 😂 I'm not sure I see myself purposefully reading through the rest of Quinn's backlog, 2y
Librarybelle True! I did read a couple a few years ago and found one of them way better than the other. Fluff is good for escaping from reality! 2y
robinb @TheAromaofBooks I agree. In fact to me it seemed so different in several ways to the rest of the series. 2y
MoonWitch94 @TheAromaofBooks I agree that the siblings banter is the best part! I‘m reading Eloise‘s book now and I‘m struggling to get through it at the same rate as the previous 4 books. 2y
TheSpineView Fantastic! 2y
72 likes1 stack add10 comments
blurb
TheAromaofBooks
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn
post image

#WeeklyForecast - the windowsill is full again, thanks to the influx of July challenge books!! I'm currently working on my June #LMPBC book (The Color of Dragons), and need to read the tagged book this week as it is due back at the library. Beyond that, I have my #BookSpin (The Hidden Hand), the #PemberLittens' buddy read (Excellent Women), July #LMPBC (A Picture of Dorian Gray), and a nonfiction read (Nudges) all on the go at a chapter-a-day-ish⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) I'm still reading my terrible paranormal romance series on KU because my brain has decided it's on summer vacation 😂 Only a couple of weeks left before peach season starts and my life gets a lot busier, so I'm trying to soak up the flexibility of my current schedule while I can!!

@Cinfhen
2y
LitStephanie I have totally been reading terrible paranormal romance series, too! Glad to hear I am not the only one enjoying completely turning my brain off lately. They are so bad yet reel you in. I find them as addictive as my mom's generation found soap operas. 🤣🤣 2y
LitStephanie Also, peach season? Do you have an orchard? 2y
See All 9 Comments
TheAromaofBooks @LitStephanie - For real! They're my indulgence reading, along with terrible P&P variations, also found on KU 😂 Just like, oh my gosh, when will they realize they're TRUE MATES!??! 😆

I actually work at an orchard - this will be my 7th season - just down the road. It's a small one and I've become good friends with the owners, so I put in a lot of hours, especially at the beginning of the season when we don't have a full crew yet. Not a job ⬇
2y
TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) where I get rich, but I do get a lot of free fruit, so that helps 😂 Peaches & blackberries start at the end of July, then apples August-October, then I work until we sell out of apples, usually in January. We also press our own cider & I drive the delivery truck for our wholesale route. I really love it, except when it's 95* and I'm covered in peach fuzz 😆 2y
LitStephanie @TheAromaofBooks that is awesome! You are rich in fresh delicious fruit. I bet the owners are super greatful. I know in my corner of the world, it is hard to get skilled seasonal pickers. 2y
Cinfhen Peach season really sounds blissful!!! I can‘t believe it‘s a new month!!!! 2y
TheAromaofBooks @LitStephanie - We're really blessed to have a few solid pickers who come back most years, two or three of them work third shift at their regular job, then come pick in the mornings, and then go home to sleep. I can't imagine!! I'm a bit scared of ladders so I'm not a good picker 😂 But I help sort, sell, press/jug cider, and drive my lil truck around. It's nice because it's close enough that I can come home for lunch, which my dogs love haha 2y
TheAromaofBooks @Cinfhen - It's funny because the peaches are SO different from the apples because the peaches don't store at all - you have to sell them as fast as you can, so it's a bit more chaotic. But eating peaches that have tree-ripened will forever ruin you for anything else. They're SO GOOD!!! 2y
64 likes9 comments
review
Weisubei
post image
Pickpick

3.6 ⭐

Finally Francesca got her stage, not really my fave though.
My 1st pick would be Benedict and Sophie.

#bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
12 likes1 comment
review
cariashley
When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn
post image
Pickpick

Ooh, one of the better Bridgerton novels so far - I loved Francesca and Michael‘s story. I understand why she‘s in the background up until now, especially in the show, goodness there are enough siblings to keep track of! #romantsy