Author: Julia Quinn,
Genre: Romance, Historical Fiction
Personal Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ / ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5 out of 5 stars)
Francesca, whose first name starts with the sixth letter of the alphabet so it’s not coincidental that she’s the sixth Bridgerton sibling, was happily married until her husband died two years later. As if that wasn’t bad enough, she miscarried. The only person she counted on aside from her family was her ex-husband – the earl’s – closest cousin, Michael Stirling. The death would cause them to lose their friendship as Michael flees to India to grieve and distance himself from Francesca whom he already has feelings before the marriage. Francesca, not knowing that Michael has feelings for her, would feel abandoned and would be left alone to tend to the Earl’s estate and fulfill her Countess duties as Michael tries to figure out a way to return without feelings for her. Does it work? Of course not, this is Bridgerton!
We already know that each Bridgerton book in the series corresponds to a Bridgerton sibling’s quest for love and this is not an exception. The exception, however, lies in the fact that Francesca is the only Bridgerton sibling to fall in love and marry twice. This is a complete reverse of the previous book’s plot where Eloise Bridgerton navigates her relationship with the already widowed and father-to-twins, Sir Phillip Crane.
Honestly, this book pleasantly surprised me. Francesca has been one of the quietest Bridgerton siblings so I really didn’t know what to expect. She was poised and direct so partnering him with a rake like Michael was an interesting journey. The very real rift in their story is how to be okay with this situation when both of them loved the late earl in their own familiar way. The way it was resolved was very satisfying. These are not easy feelings to deal with but somehow the author manages to create situations that would lead to a satisfying conclusion.
If you’re interested in spice, and partly why this is now my highest-rated Bridgerton book in the series, then there are really some intense ones here that I think you’ll like; especially this one specific scene. Among all the Bridgerton books, Francesca was the only one who showed command in the bedroom in her own way and it was really empowering. Because Michael does engage in sexual affairs a lot to distract his own feelings from Francesca, he also had the experience to contribute. It was satisfying for him to actually love, not just lust, another person. To top it all off, since Francesca was unaware of his feelings before, they were used to teasing about Michael’s sexual adventures; now the spark and play were not only natural, it was inevitable. I usually find it embarrassing to read such expositions, but as usual, the author delivers it in a really romantic and passionate way.
Of course, there’s also the Bridgerton family to love. Francesca’s older brother, Colin, was a big part in urging Michael to pursue his sister and tell him it was okay. I also loved how Violet explained to Francesca that she saw her and how her unique position in the family strengthened her. I think a lot of middle children feel invisible, both in good and bad ways, but Violet reminded Francesca that she knows her as much as she knows her other children. Violet did not push too much when Francesca wanted to deal with her grief on her own. She was respectfully there.
I also love the overlap of Francesca’s stories with the others. I remember how she was absent at Eloise’s wedding and wondered why. Now we do know why! Her very absence was a catalyst of some sort in her own love story. It shows that the author really did think about this a lot and that was very apparent. It provided a nice touch.
All in all, I would definitely read it again as a standalone. It’s just so well executed. All the complicated feelings and their resolution were executed flawlessly. I thought by book six in the series it would start going downhill as that’s how sequels usually go. I am more than delighted to be wrong. In fact, the writing keeps getting better and better.
Favorite Quote(s):
“You couldn’t seduce an unwilling woman, at least not if you look seduction at the true sense of the word and took care not to confuse it with rape. They had to actually want it, and if they didn’t – if Michael sensed even a hint of unease, he turned and walked away.”
― Michael Stirling, When He Was Wicked
“Will you stay?” he whispered. “Or will you go?”
― Michael Stirling, When He Was Wicked
She stayed. Heaven help her, she stayed. And Michael showed her just how romantic a library could be.”
Michael touched her cheek. “I have no idea what I did to deserve you,” he said.
― Earl Michael Stirling and Countess Francesca Stirling, When He Was Wicked
“You didn’t have to do anything,” she whispered. “You just had to be.”
“Thank you, Michael, for letting my son love her first.”
― Countess Janet Stirling, When He Was Wicked
The Stray Reader 
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