When He Was Wicked Deluxe Collector's Edition: Bridgerton – A Regency Romance Set in 18th Century London

by Julia Quinn

Genres: Romance

400 pages, Hardcover

Published March 3, 2026

About the author

#1 New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn loves to dispel the myth that smart women don't read (or write) romance, and and if you watch reruns of the game show The Weakest Link you might just catch her winning the $79,000 jackpot. She displayed a decided lack of knowledge about baseball, country music, and plush toys, but she is proud to say that she aced all things British and literary, answered all of her history and geography questions correctly, and knew that there was a Da Vinci long before there was a code.

A graduate of Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges, Ms. Quinn is one of only sixteen members of Romance Writers of America’s Hall of Fame. Her books have been translated into 32 languages, and she lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest.

The Bridgertons, her popular series of historical romance, is currently in production by Shondaland as a Netflix original series starring Julie Andrews, Phoebe Dynevor, and Rége-Jean Page.

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was mostly fine but the end didn’t sit right. Micheal is very manipulative and is open about it, that he’ll do whatever he has to for Francesca to marry him. The rushed wedding felt very not right and for someone who was so concerned for so long with respecting the memory of John and not just replacing him, he decided real quick that oh yea John would’ve been cool with this The trying to baby trap and seduce her hand was crazy. Boo Micheal. Francesca was poorly fleshed out in the novel too. It never once mentions a real interest like playing piano and she just says “I don’t know” constantly. Otherwise though I had liked this book, just wish it had fleshed out her character and their dynamic a bit more.

[Brandy Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this book was so sweet. I’m honestly I read it because everyone is mad at Netflix for turning Michael into Michelle. Don’t get me wrong I want to meet Michael but I do think it will be okay with Michelle. Not as great but whatever. This was the sweetest and heart warming book I’ve read in a while.

[STish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was really good.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book!

[Sarah Jamieson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Julia Quinn's at her best in this one.

It's different from the first five, and Francesca's such a compelling protagonist.