A review by coleyelizabeth
When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.5

how anybody can find these books anything but abhorrent is beyond me. michael is admittedly predatory and talks a lot of shit about always getting consent for a guy that seems to hate the concept. he sees francesca as nothing but property to be claimed and his issue for the whole book is that he still sees her as belonging to his cousin. she is not a individual human being to him. he takes satisfaction in compromising her and he believes she will belong to him if he manipulates her into sleeping with him. he’s not wicked for being in love with his cousin’s wife but he is wicked for the way in which he treats her. i’m so glad this book is getting a complete sapphic revamp for the show and anyone who is upset about losing an on-screen adaptation of this should probably look at their internalised misogyny. michael stirling is not “the best bridgerton man”. he is awful just like the rest of them.