Michael is almost the antithesis of Francesca, being the light-hearted poor cousin initially and then running to another continent in his grief. It was a pleasure to get to know her, and like all the Bridgertons she knows how to be witty. Francesca is older and more experienced in this novel, lending an insight into adult life that her sisters haven’t really had to deal with in their books. (Good thing, as Michael delights in trying to shock her multiple times). She’s also not afraid to break the rules when it suits her and she’s not easily shocked. She’s clever and quiet, but she knows her own mind. Francesca is such an unknown that it’s delightful to get to know her better. When He Was Wicked is completely different from the previous books in the series, keeping it fresh and unexpected. How can he make her see that he can love her, but in a different way to John? And that neither of them will be betraying John’s memory? His method is unconventional, but passion seems to be the key to Francesca’s heart… His problem? He’s been in love with Francesca for years and years. Michael is also being pressured to marry and produce an heir to the earldom. She wants a baby and she’s pragmatic that she won’t find the kind of love she had with John. Francesca has been managing the estates well and she’s also come to the conclusion that she needs to marry again. John’s cousin and his (and Francesca’s) best friend, Michael, is now the earl.

Unfortunately, he died young and Francesca, deep in grief, has hibernated. She married John in a love match and moved to Kilmartin, where he was the earl. She’s not as loud and opinionated but rather quiet and happy to be in a smaller group. It’s a great story of love, loss, duty and desire.įrancesca has always been a little overwhelmed by the rest of her family.

But When He Was Wicked is Francesca’s time to shine as the reader finally gets to know her. She’s always been on the fringes of the family, perhaps drowned out by Hyacinth, Eloise or a game of Pall Mall.

The reader doesn’t even get to hear about her wedding as it takes place between books, nor that she has been widowed. In the books, she seems to spend all her time in Scotland. In the first season of the TV series, she spends 99.9% of her time in Bath. Why I chose it: The sixth book in the Bridgerton series.įrancesca has always been the Bridgerton that readers and viewers don’t know much about. The good: Getting to know Francesca, who has been an enigma in both the books and the TV series. The new earl is desperately in love with her and also happens to be a good friend of her and her husband’s… She’s a young widow who decides she wants a baby. In brief: The story of the ‘quiet’ Bridgerton, Francesca.

Bridgerton when he was wicked