When He Was Wicked

By: Julia Quinn

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

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 36 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....

©2017 Julia Quinn (P)2020 Recorded Books

Love this one!

Of the now 8 Bridgerton books I’ve now listened to, this one is one of my favorites. Granted some parts are sad, but I overall love the story of Francesca and Michael.

Enjoying this series

Regarding the other reviews of this story: I agree with the volume comment, but disagree with the comments about this being JQ’s poorly written story. Given the context of Michael and Francesca’s circumstances and history, I felt the story was well developed. Looking forward to Hyacinth’s story, she is always so funny and entertaining.

Clever and heart warming until the end

This book is very different from the others in this series. The love that comes through is true and challenging until the very end!

Second Read

This is my second time reading this book. I liked it more this time. The relationship between Francesca and Micheal was sad at times but also sweet and real. I've seen some negative reviews. I really don't know how that's possible as the couple relationship is the most fully developed of the series.
Rosalyn Landor is excellent as always.

The best

I think this might be my favorite of the series. It is grr Such a fun listen!

FEM BOSS

I love this series if I’m quite honest I’ve read all the books, watched the show and am now listening to the audible version. Honestly this is my favorite book of the series. Unlike the others where the female leads (even Eloise) just submit to the men She does not. I also love the narrator!!!! I must admit it does not sound like the voice in my head when I read them but I very much prefer their voice over that of my own.

Addictive

I loved it! When I wasn't reading it, I was listening and I couldn't stop. It probably my favorite so far, besides Benedict's story.

I fell in love

I fell in love with the characters of this book. The way that they hated each other and loved each other and the drama of the emotions of love that is wrapped all around this book. It gave me joy and tears and giggles sadness and happiness.

Best Bridgerton novel yet

My favorite Bridgerton novel so far in the series! Love these books and can’t wait to read more

Francesca's 2nd husband's love story with her

Warning, this book while in my opinion enjoyable, could be highly triggering for a lot of women as it repeatedly deals with seductions that border on the R word

IF however you're fine with seductions where the guy keeps at you till you finally give in and say yes because your passion has taken over your brain, in spite of finding yourself upset and angry the next day (which does happen in this book, more than once) then go ahead and enjoy.... personally this doesn't bother me but I know a lot of women who wouldn't agree.

if this sort of stuff doesn't bother you than yah this is probably one of the better Bridgeton books

This is the story of Francesca's 2nd husband who was the life long bestie/cousin and next in line for the title of her first husband. He had been madly in love with her from the day he first met her, when she was already his best friends girl, so he kept it to himself, He would instead have meaningless sex with any low born woman he could seduce, once again Quinn leans in with a will towards her obsession with Rakes, and Franchesca would often when alone with him, (usually while out shopping or at some public place) insist that he regale her with the stories, "tell me something wicked" ... hence the book's title.

Spoiler alert!!!

After her hubby dies, and franchesca miscarries their only child.... our romantic lead finds himself inheriting the lands and titles, he takes himself off to India to try to put as much distance between himself and her to avoid the temptation... but after having had malaria a few too many times (this happened to a friend of mine, the descriptions of the malady are real) he returns to the UK, in part because he feels it's time for him to settle down and find a wife so as to produce an heir ... only to discover that he serendipitously timed it to exactly to the season when she has decided -- without telling him -- to put away her mourning and look for 2nd husband, because she really wants a kid.

They find themselves staying in the same house (because she still has use of her husband's lands till she remarries). She suddenly realizes he's incredibly attractive (something which wasn't true for her when her husband was alive) and finds that so disturbing that she runs away first to her mom's home and then from London entirely to their estates in Scotland. He, realizing he couldn't bare the idea of her married to anyone but him chases after her with the intention of forcibly seducing her so that she'll be forced to marry him and not anyone else. This escalates to the point of him trying to knock her up ... working at her to where her "no"s become yes, only to have her wake the next morning angry and hurt... rinse repeat... and when she still says she won't marry him in spite of them having had sex a few times (which blows his mind) ... he hopes he's knocked her up which will force her hand... only she doesn't. This goes on till she finally gives in to her attraction to him and convinces herself that she's not in fact betraying her first husband by being with his best friend, that he would be smiling down from heaven that the two people he loved most in the world were now together.