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

Get ready to cry....Spoilers below:

Do not read while pregnant or menstrating - you will cry hard ugly tears.

This is a good book, maybe a great book. But you really need to be in the mood for some heavy angst here and honestly one of the reasons that I read JQ is for something fairly lighthearted, funny, and low angst.

First of all, I have a very hard time with the idea of loving someone and then going and sleeping with a different person/or many people as some sort of surrogate. That gives me a huge ick factor and I have a hard time trusting that person (a) actually IS in love or (b) can be faithful to said love. I know, I’m going to get shit for that, but that’s how I feel especially when it comes to romance novels. I detest other woman and other man drama, sleeping around after meeting the heroine/hero, etc. and love triangles. And each one of those things is in this book... and yet, it’s really a very good book. But it’s just too sad! Michael’s unrequited love is too sad.
Francesca losing her husband, too sad.
Francesca losing her baby, too sad.
Francesca losing Michael to India, too sad.
Michael and Francesca’s guilt, too sad.
Michael’s sleeping around when (a) he loves Francesca and (b) even when she becomes available... too flipping sad.
All’s well that ends well but while this book is perfect for those looking for an angsty borderline depressing book, or just need a good cry jag, look no further!

Sweet and Steamy!

I've noticed other reviews where folks were frustrated with how Francesca couldn't make up her mind. I actually thought it was quite normal under the circumstances. I imagine it would be difficult to reconcile that your falling in love with the cousin of your deceased husband. So, although it may have seemed to go on for quite a while, you could tell he was breaking her down. wonderful story.

This, to me, has been the steamiest book on the series. Some of it may seem cheesy by today's standards, but I'm sure it was so very scandalous back in that day for a woman to take charge in bed. I admired Francesca's grit it that scene.

It's a great story of two very good friends who go through heartbreak, mourning, lust, and find that they fall in love after all that they've been through... a true "love match".

Volume Issues

I am hard if hearing and usually need to turn the volume up to hear audiobooks adequately. I was unable to get the volume I needed to listen to this book comfortably. I couldn't do anything like wash dishes while listening because the noise from the faucet would drown out the audiobook in my earbuds. Three different sets of buds, it wasnt my equipment.

I found it inordinately frustrating to listen to because of this.

behavior inconsistent with the time

my three issues with this book:
1. The characters values are inconsistent with the time. They are way to politically correct and feminist. This makes for a two dimensional feel good story, when there could have been so much more

2.Rosalyn Landor had a nice voice but she cannot do a Scottish accent if her life depended upon it. also, all her male characters sound exactly the same. More missed opportunities.

3. The author has very little knowledge of Scottish history. The Scots even today but certainly back then were not fond of the English. and assuming that a Scottish aristocrat would just blend in English society is. nothing short of ignorance. It is equivalent to writing a story about a Palestinian married to an Israeli and making it sound like it's just a matter of geography.

So if you are looking for a feel good listen that is quite shallow. This is a good fit.

The author had a great setting, too bad she chose to go the path she did...

Confused Leading Lady

This was, so far, my least favorite book in the series. Francesca was so confused for most of the book that I found myself just getting bored by her dithering. The lead male, Michael, was also surly and mean for most of the book as well.

Not Author's best work.

Not the beat of the series. My least favorite. Franchesca got on my nerves. Michael was great.

Thin plot line

Not much creativity went into the writing. A disappointment. More sex than substance. Appears to be written in haste to meet a publisher’s deadline.

This was my least favorite of the series

I couldn’t stand Francesca. She was a simpering idiot who runs away all the time. I liked Michael. His character was well developed. But Francesca just ruined it with her indecision and her going against her character and her constant whining.
Narration was good.

I can’t even finish it

I have loved all the others but after days struggling, I’m giving up. Francesca is just annoying, I’m totally over all the sex (and I never thought I’d say that!), it’s totally unrealistic of behavior in that period and of Scottish, English relations. Do yourself a favor and give this one a miss. And I’m a fan of the narrator usually, but she really is horrible at male voices, they all sound old and stuffy!

Disappointed

I know we were privy to the fact that Michael loved Francesca, but I was so uncomfortable with his tone and speech to her. He didn't display love, but lust. Francesca claimed Michael was her best friend but seemed to have very little regard for him, and yet kepted hopping in bed with him. Through the whole book, until the last chapter, they seem to be angry with each other. Get enough of that in the real world.

A bit disappointed

Francesca has lacked character, just did not like the story line. Too repetitive and without the beloved member's of the family. The only thing I have enjoyed was Colin's interference.

as good as The Duke and I

loved Rosalyn Landor's reading of this book and rate it as highly as the first one, with the remaining ones coming in at 2nd place

Insufferable

Great story like the rest of the Bridgerton books, but this ladies voice is dull and boring. Reminds me of Anne haggerty off the chase.

I thought this book would be a good one!!

I was surprised that I really didn't enjoy this book as I did the others... I am not sure why maybe because I had to wait so long for it and the others had become a distant memory!!!... I do love Rosalyn Landor she is a great narrator.xx

Another smasher

Loved that it wasn’t as simple as just getting married and reproducing so quickly! Built a great anticipation of it all- knowing full well all the bridgetons conceived but not knowing how and when! Well done another great story!

Bridgerton lover

Love Julia Quinn’s books and they are enhanced by Rosalyn Landors magnificent story telling. Her voice takes you deep into Julia’s world where the wonderful Bridgerton family live. Thank you to both author and narrator for yet another great book

Maybe I need a break from the series...

Whilst there were some lovely parts to the story the narration / reading seemed to lack diversity and after having listened to a few now, I think some additional voices to mix it up would be good as each character sounds like the ones in previous books and it can be hard to differentiate characters. Plot wise there's a lot of graphic detail about the sex but otherwise it's a lovely story which makes for predictable outcomes.

One of the more interesting Bridgeton books

Prior to this one all the Bridgeton books felt like repetitions of one form or another. Whilst there are similarities this one stands out.

The best bridgerton novel!!!

I couldn’t put it down.... in a figure of speech.
Lovely story, romantic, insightful, funny, sexi...
Truly the best I have heard in a long time.
And very well performed.

Unlikable characters

It might be a personal thing, but I hate when the female character has sex over and over again and every time they finish, she acts as if he just molested her.
It's so uncomfortable to hear how she cries and blames him for riding him, but then has sex with him the next day and then cries again and says she can't.