I tried real hard for my Cannonball to be with, like, a super cool book that I lost my mind over, but I guess I’ll just have to settle for an ordinary one that I just plain old enjoyed. It did make me swoon a little, so that’s something at least. Maybe it’s just because I’m a sucker for a good love story with pining, but I really liked this Bridgerton book, maybe more than most people seem to have done.
This is Francesca’s book, and she is already married at the beginning of the book, a situation which soon changes as her husband dies very unexpectedly, leaving her a young widow. Also left behind is her husband’s best friend, Michael, who also happens to be in love with her. Enter years of pining and lost friendship and hurt feelings and some more pining. I found most of it delicious because I am an evil hussy with pants feelings where my heart should be. I actually found the story much more compelling and believable and well-executed than in my two least favorite (and I think weakest of the bunch) Bridgerton books, To Sir Phillip, With Love and On the Way to the Wedding.
Francesca’s grief was so well portrayed, and Michael’s feelings never went into over the top territory like they could have. I also was really into the way he finally won her over, especially since it involved lots of tempestuous illicit sex in the Scottish Highlands.
BTW August 1st is the latest I have ever Cannonballed since joining in CBR4. I have never Cannonballed later than May or June. Send help.
There’s a lot going on that’s taking up a lot of headspace we would normally use for fun things like Cannonballing or looking for more work. Regardless of the lateness of your Cannonball, I love this review. Congratulations!
Man, you’re not kidding. And thanks :)
But you did CANNONBALL! So CONGRATULATIONS on the CANNONBALL!
I don’t know about your personal headspace but watching the country crumble takes up a lot of mine (review count is uh…zero I think) so I’m impressed that you got there!
Thanks! And yeah, that has something to do with it, but I’m not just not reviewing things, I’m also not reading as much, which maybe freaks me out more. I believe this time last year I had read double the books I’ve read currently.
Happy Cannonball! I’ve been hiding under the bleachers not reviewing either; feel free to hang out with me. I’ve got pizza, beer, and mundane observations about life sometimes getting in the way of things
Mmmm, pizza.
(Thank you.)
CANNONBALL!
I loathed this one, but I can’t say I blame Quinn for trying to do something a little different.
I’m curious why you loathed it. I found it very enjoyable (obvs from my review).
Happy Cannonball! Better late than never. I am also reading less this year and it’s a real slog making myself review (hence Emmalita/Rochelle’s constant lead on me). While I’ve been really enjoying the challenge of making myself review everything I read, I may in fact stop after my double Cannonball this year, and only review things I really have something passionate to share about – it might help me recharge. I really don’t want to run out of steam entirely, just in time for CBR10.
That sounds like an excellent idea. I think I actually did something similar in my first Cannonball for CBR4 and it did really help, especially since I wasn’t really used to reviewing so much at that point.
Happy Cannonball!!
As always, a delightful review.
This killed me:
I found most of it delicious because I am an evil hussy with pants feelings where my heart should be.
Thanks :)
Happy Cannonball! My pace is slowing down this year as well, so don’t be too hard on yourself. I also liked this one quite a lot, because I also enjoy characters who suffer. What can I say, I’m a bit dark. :)
DARKNESS. NO PARENTS.
Sorry. That’s the first thing I think of now when I hear the word “dark.”
I’m glad you enjoyed this one as well. I remembered going in that you had, so I didn’t feel quite so weird about it when everyone’s reviews were lower than mine.
I didn’t realize that many people disliked WHEN HE WAS WICKED. In fact, it is my second favorite of the Bridgerton series (after Romancing Mr. Bridgerton because I read it first, I think) and the most memorable emotion-wise because Francesca’s grief felt so real. I liked that Quinn took an approach to this romance that is different from others I’ve read, and I think it paid off.
I think I’ve only read one romance where the heroine is a grieving widow, but I don’t think it counts, since she’s not grieving for most of it due to the hero pretending to be his dead twin brother. The grief here felt much more genuine to me.
Congratulations on your Cannonball!! [ Siri tried to make that “cannibal,” WTF, Apple!?]
Glad you had some this swooning with this one. Here’s to another 52!
Thank you! And I’ll be lucky if I make it to my double this year. I think I foresee lots of comic books and novellas in my near future . . .
No pressure!!