⭐3.5/5
Author: Julia Quinn
Pages: 368
Saga:Bridgerton #6
Publishing house: Avon Books
ISBN: 0060531231
Synopsis
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 thirty-six 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…
"I could live without her love, but not without her happiness."
-The Heart of a Bridgerton, Julia Quinn
Review
I must confess that I was very excited to read this book, because in none of the previous books we had any Bridgerton brothers married since the beginning of the book, none had the experience of marriage. They were all single, inexperienced (especially the sisters) and they all had different paths traveled and dreams to achieve. So the idea for this book struck me as very innovative. Especially since we had Francesca as the protagonist, one of the sisters who has appeared the least in the previous books.
Wow, this book dissapointed me….
I don't want to say that everything in this book is wrong, no, because in the end it also has its good parts. Only that in my opinion, I do not get on with the characters.
Francesca, I thought she was a bland character for most of the book. She is described as a charismatic, determined and courageous woman throughout most of the book (especially from Michael's perspective), she was simply the perfect woman for a high society lady. Although many of her actions could correspond to this last term, many others do not. For me, she was painfully indecisive in the book, a woman who practically did not know herself.
And Michael, well, he's just another typical womanizer in love with a lady who can never be his. As much as Michael has his good attributes, I didn't feel him at all as a round character, despite the fact that he has his flaws. I mean, Julia Quinn has given us Bridgerton men to various womanizers and macho, is it too much to ask for something different?
I honestly did not feel that they were completely round characters, despite their lived trajectory and all the feelings involved in this story.
“All of the above had been his body. This was his soul "
-The Heart of a Bridgerton, Julia Quinn
I must say that this book is different from the other books in this saga. Julia Quinn creates a melancholic scenario for us, sadness and tragedy from the beginning of the book, using the weather as an element to accentuate these events, and the feelings of the characters. A totally different atmosphere from previous books, which tend to have more liveliness and warmth between their pages.
I loved this new setting, because now we know that Julia Quinn is a versatile author, with the ability to transport us to all kinds of stories, no matter if they are sweet, or romantic or sad.
Despite all this, I would have loved for Julia Quinn to express more deeply the feelings of the characters, especially Francesca. Which, at some point in the story, seemed superficial to me, and for the plot of this story, I would have loved such depth.
After all that I have told you about this book, I want to talk to you about the internal plot (before theme) of this book. Of course, not without first telling you the plot of all the books in this saga.
The Duke and I: Love, or, meet the right person to love and be loved.
The Viscount Who Loved: The fear / fears, or, the fear of our own nightmares or fears.
Romancing Mr Bridgerton: The dreams or goals that one wants to fulfill.
To Sir Phillip, with love: Loneliness.
When he was wicked: Letting Go of What Is No Longer and Accepting a New
Final Opinion
Although I have liked most of the Bridgerton brothers' stories, I was disappointed in this book. It is an innovative story, different from the other books in this book series. With a melancholic atmosphere, full of tragedy and sadness.
Francesca seemed to me extremely indecisive and she really got me nuts, at some point I was even indifferent towards her; while Michael, he was like another of the male characters that Julia Quinn has created, with the same guidelines even.
When he was wicked is a story with too many feelings involved, and in my opinion they lacked depth in some parts of this story.
-Fer 🌙
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