When He Was Wicked: The Second Epilogue (Bridgertons, #6)

by Julia Quinn

Do the best things really come to those who wait?Three years have passed since Francesca’s and Michael’s marriage, and they are still childless. And Francesca wonders--can a woman be truly and completely happy when a little piece of her heart remains empty? But just when she makes peace with her fate, something unexpected occurs...

• ISBN10: 0061444782
• ISBN13: 9780061444784
• Publish Date: 29 May 2007 (first published 29 June 2004)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc
• Imprint: HarperCollins e-books
• Format: eBook
• Pages: 35
• Language: English

Reviews

3.75 tbh

[kimbacaffeinate]

Caffeinated Reasons to grab your earbuds and listen to When He Was Wicked

• Michael fell in love with Francesca the moment he laid eyes on her, unfortunately, it was also the moment she married his best friend and cousin, John, the Earl of Kilmartin. The three of them became wonderful friends, and Micheal was frequently in residence. Francesa and John had a happy marriage and it suited Fran. I loved seeing the three together and the teasing way Fran was with Michael who never showed his feelings but took joy in their happiness.


• When tragedy strikes Michael realizes he could have everything only grief and guilt overwhelm him and he leaves Fran at Kilmartin and travels.


• Grab some truffles because Quinn will make you weep. I loved that she allowed us to know all three before tragedy struck as it connects the listener on a very emotional level.


• Quinn did such a splendid job developing these characters and sharing their sorrow, fears, desires and more. One cannot help but get caught up in their story.


• Four years have past and Fran is finally ready to come out of mourning. Will Michael finally make her his? You'll laugh, pull your hair in frustration and weep as their unconventional romance unfolds.


• Meddling and updates from the family added lighter moments and a little excitement.


• Simon Pebble narrates and he did such a splendid job of capturing the characters. He added another layer to this already heartwarming tale. I've listened to this narrator before and appreciate his tone and pacing. He offered a distinct voice to each character that I thoroughly enjoyed.

This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

[jamiereadthis]

Ok, so I get why Julia Quinn makes every “best of” list for the genre. This is so much fun. I’ve got to read more of hers.

[Lindsey Gray]

Originally read in September 2014.

[Amanda]

When He Was Wicked lacks the lighthearted fun of other Julia Quinn novels, but at the same time, it's to be expected. This is the story of Francesca, how she's widowed, and how she falls back in love. It deserves a certain amount of gravity, and Julia Quinn delivers.

And when I say "how she's widowed," I meant exactly that---the book begins with Francesca married to Michael's cousin. It's an odd, uncomfortable situation (as I'm sure it's meant to be) that I haven't experienced before in a romance novel.

But at the same time, we get to see John, Francesca's first husband, and who he is and how he's important not just to Francesca, but to Michael, too. And that's important, later on, when both are dealing with a new relationship.

And then there's the "Michael's always been in love with Francesca" twist too. Not gonna lie, he spends a good portion of the book loving her from afar that it's surreal almost when they finally get together. Buuuut. That doesn't mean I didn't like it. More that this book has situations I'm not used to in my romance novels.

Different can be good. And seriously. It's Julia Quinn. How can you not love Julia Quinn? I'm a little sad my time with the Bridgertons is almost over. Who's up for a Julia Quinn month?