Title: When He Was Wicked
Series: Bridgertons
Author: Julia Quinn
Read copy: eBook (Kindle)
Published: February 28, 2017
Publisher: Avon
ASIN: B00UG8RP9U
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...
My rating:
Michael Stirling fell in love with Francesca Bridgerton at first sight. Unfortunately, a little over a day later she was married to his cousin and best friend, and Michael spent the next two years lusting after her, hiding it, and feeling guilty for coveting the wife of the man that was like a brother to him.
Then John died and everything John had belonged to Michael. Everything, but Francesca...
There's nothing sweeter to read, or more romantic, than a man who pines. I'm wired that way. I love the underdog and I love it even more when the underdog, the piner, the hopelessly-in-love gets what he/she desired in the end. So this story was just up my alley.
Michael Stirling was the perfect romance hero. Deliciously wicked and an incorrigible flirt, a facade that hid his true feelings from the world. He was loyal, steadfast, and utterly and completely in love with the only woman he could never have. And when it turned out that just maybe he could have her, he ran off to India wracked with guilt that maybe he wished for his cousin's demise.
And when he returned, he was still as much in love with the woman as he was before, and still as determined not to claim her, because he didn't want to ruin their friendship and he still thought he didn't deserve her because he just might've caused his cousin's death by wishing things were different.
The perfect hero deserves a perfect heroine. Unfortunately, out Michael was saddled with the epitome of all the stereotypes of a fickle woman, the ultimate cliché. If there ever was a heroine who has no idea what she wants, a coward who cannot deal with her own actions and wants and prefers to run instead of facing whatever problem presents itself, that's Francesca Bridgerton Stirling is it.
She stared off rather nice, even though different from the other Brigderton siblings, and even though she obviously resented Michael for leaving her without a friend for four years, she was friendly and cordial, if a bit waspish from time to time. And then he goes and kisses her, which she more than provoked by following him into his room, and Francesca gets an utter and swift character transplant, first running off to Scotland and lamenting that he doesn't follow her, and when he does, she turns into a bitch who has no qualms in having sex with the poor man on every available surface, and yet unable to face her own actions that led to all the intimacies and running at the first mention of feelings.
And only finally facing those in the ultimate HR trope—when his life seemed to be in danger.
As far as I'm concerned, Michael deserved better. And it's because of him that this story has such a high rating.
4 stars, bitchslappable heroine/hero, favorites, georgian, historical, historical romance, Julia Quinn, re-read, regency
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