When He Was Wicked

I finally understand why so many people call this the best Bridgerton book, but for me, it was more of a "good, not great" read.

Michael absolutely carried this story. The man spent years hopelessly in love with Francesca while knowing she could never be his, and honestly? The pining was stronger than half the romances in this series combined. His devotion, guilt, longing, and inability to move on made him one of the more compelling Bridgerton heroes.

The problem was Francesca.

I didn't dislike her, but I spent most of the book wanting her to make a decision and stick with it. So much of the story is grief, guilt, more grief, more guilt, and then even more guilt. It made sense for the characters, but after a while it felt like the book was running in circles instead of moving forward.

What I did appreciate was that this wasn't a story about replacing a lost love. Francesca genuinely loved John, and the book never tries to diminish that. It's about learning that loving someone new doesn't erase the person you lost, which was probably the strongest aspect of the novel.

Overall, this was emotional, angsty, and definitely more mature than the previous books, but it never quite hit as hard for me as I wanted it to. Michael deserved every good thing, though.

"Obrigada, Michael, por ter permitido que meu filho a amasse primeiro".

I put this book in the scarred hero shelf, because Michael has loved Francesca Bridgerton from the day he met her ... when she was married to his best friend and cousin John. Sadly John died young, the guilt Michael felt for loving his cousin's wife drove him to India. Upon returning he learned she wanted to remarry so she could have children. But Michael had never stopped loving Francesca Good book, I liked the dynamics between Michael and Frannie ... I did find parts a little dragged out.