#give me francesca and michaela GIVE THEM NOW

[guzhufuren]

where is the lesbian Bridgerton season that was promised so enticingly 😔 some of us are suffering dykes in need 😔

[spaceorphan18]

SO's Guide to the Bridgerton Children so @coffeegleek can tell them apart ;)

Violet Bridgerton

Okay, so first of all this is the mom of all these children. Her husband was Edmund. He got stung by a bee and died, so he is no longer around.

Anthony Bridgerton

Okay, so the oldest son is Anthony. He is the current Viscount (don't ask me about British nobility, I know nothing) and is currently running the Bridgerton estate, though that is not his favorite thing to do. He had very unfortunate sideburns in season one. And he likes to shout things like "you are the bane of my existence" and "LILACS". He does have oldest child syndrome where he acts like he doesn't want to be in charge, but he totally loves being in charge and telling everyone what to do.

His wife is Kate Sharma. She is a delight, and possibly the second best character on this show (obviously after Penelope). So just remember, passionate and loud guy with Kate -- that is Anthony. Oh, and they have one child who is being born in India because Jonathan Bailey is apparently very in demand right now.

Benedict Bridgerton

Benedict is the artsy, bisexual who hangs out on the swings with Eloise. He is an actual delight, but the writers don't seem to really know what to do with him. He makes a good comedic foil to Anthony. Also they cut his hair for seasons 2 and 3 which doesn't help the whole looking the same thing. We're speculating his season is next because of a bunch of hints. In the books he falls in love with a lower class girl.

Colin Bridgerton

Colin is the sweet, sensitive (most likely demisexual) writer and world traveler. He's got some insecurity issues, a massive hero complex, and is a complete simp for his wife.

HOW HAVE YOU FOLLOWED ME FOR THE PAST TWO MONTHS AND NOT KNOW WHO COLIN IS - C'MON GIRL, PAY ATTENTION

He is married to Penelope Featherington, aka Lady Whistledown, aka the best damn character on this whole show. 90% of the time, Colin is hanging off Penelope, so he honestly should be easy to spot. Also, he got her pregnant BEFORE the wedding and little Lord Feathertington was born 8 months into their marriage.

Daphne Bridgerton

She was the main character of Season 1, who looks a lot like Keira Knightly. You don't really need to worry about her, because it's doubtful that she's coming back.

She is married to the Duke - Simon Basset, Lord of Hastings or something. He enjoys licking spoons. Daphne burns for him. Again, he's not coming back so, you know, I wouldn't worry about it.

They do have a child together, a little boy I believe and I think they hinted at a second one? Idk, maybe the kids will come back to hang out with Gregory and Hyacinth at the end of the series.

Eloise Bridgerton

Probably my personal favorite Bridgerton? (Idk, Colin wormed his way up there.) She stands out because Claudia Jessie is just amazing at giving her a lot quirky mannerisms. She doesn't want to get married and is really into women's rights. She is also fucking hilarious. I would love her to be asexual, but the writers insist she's getting a love story at some point, so.... The internet would prefer her to be a lesbian. That's cool, too, but also unlikely to happen.

Eloise spends a lot of her time on swings with Benedict and in is often the third wheel with Pen and Colin (though sometimes Colin is that third wheel).

She and Penelope are BFFs. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!

Francesca Bridgerton

Francesca is SUPER into the piano(forte) and really nothing else. There's really not a whole lot to say about her other than she IS probably going to be the lesbian of the show.

She is currently married to John Stirling. The two are very quiet together and that's exactly how they want it. Don't get too attached to him, he's most likely going to die in the next season. John also has a female cousin named Michaela, whom the internet is mad about because she is a woman -- making Francesca's future love interest a woman instead of a man. I say more power to the lesbians. Calm your tits folks, it'll be fine.

Gregory Bridgerton

OMG, look how adorable this kid is. He's gonna look just like his older brothers when he grows up. They've already given him a tad more to do in Season 3, and he's been an utter delight. I'm sure he'll be great leading Season 8 when we get to it in 2034.

Hyacinth Bridgerton

The youngest Bridgerton! She is excitable and energetic and super excited about all the marriages and also KNOWS who is ending up with who and is totally down for it. She is also a sassy delight and really can't wait until she starts holding her own with Eloise!

THERE YOU GO THAT'S THE WHOLE BRIDGERTON FAMILY - DOES THAT HELP??

[greeneyessmize]

I decided to take some time to process the existence of Michaela Stirling. And ding! I think I am done cooking.

I love When He Was Wicked almost as much as Romancing Mr. Bridgerton.

Like I just adore that the story is so complex. Francesca is DEEPLY in love with John as Michael is all the while pining for Francesca. Then they have so much pain to sort out over John's death, the possible miscarriage, Francesca's secretly blooming desire for Michael and the guilt that comes with it for both of them, that it really gives a dark rainbowed hue to whole romance.

It might also be the hottest book of the series.

❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 Just saying ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

This is why I have concluded that I am actually glad we have Michaela. This means that I get to keep the book & have the show as separate entities in my heart. (It's akin to how much I dearly love both Practical Magics, book & movie.)

That being said, I still have a couple of critiques:

1. I don't like that Francesca was immediately moonstruck by Michaela. This is a relationship that is supposed to be emotionally resisted and be hard won on almost every front.

2. It also downplays how very much Francesca loved John. That love is ESSENTIAL to how Francesca and Michael moved forward after processing that love and grief.

I also have some ideas on how the story could change to still fit or adjust some of the prior needed plot points.

1. Francesca and Michael's proximity was easier to enforce at the peak of the story because Michael was the new Earl of Kilmartin. I think in this case that Francesca will have a child of John's. It will keep the Kilmartin factor in the story and make for new forced proximities.

2. This will also mean that Francesca will likely have a boy instead of a girl first. Which makes me a bit sad. I really like that in the book that Francesca quietly had her baby girl in Scotland and then just showed up with her to present to Violet. It's just such a Francecsa move, but I digress. Correction: A boy was born first in the book. But still, with no John there would be no little Janet to come second.

3. I think the entire dynamic of Francesca and Michaela will need to pivot. Michael was a seductor, he was trying to give permission to Francesca to say yes at every turn. If Francesca is more fully aware of her desire for Michaela, it's not a coaxing out of desire, it's a permission to leave society's mold.

Bonus. Now for an absolute fucking wildcard change thought: John doesn't die and Francesca realizes she is poly and somehow manages to have John & Michaela as her loves. It would also include a lot of drama but in an entirely new way.

[triviareads]

Francesca Wanted Michael to Get Her Pregnant

can't believe I'm back at it but after reading this recently published Screen Rant article rank Bridgerton spouses and rank Michael/Michaela Stirling fifth because, and I quote from the article—

Michael Stirling even threatens to impregnate Francesca Bridgerton if she refuses to marry him, which is not a good perception of his best side.

Like.... no. That is not what happened at all. Full stop. After having CONSENSUAL sex for the first time with Michael, Francesca is conflicted about "betraying" John her late husband, and isn't sure about her feelings towards Michael, but she's also aware of the practicalities of having sex, and having sex out of wedlock as far as reputation goes, so this is what SHE tells Michael:

And then, without even looking at him, she said, “I will consider it.” He quirked a brow, waiting for her to elaborate. “Marrying you,” she clarified, still keeping her eyes on the fire. “But I won’t give you an answer now.” “You might be carrying my child,” he said softly. “I am very much aware of that.” She wrapped her arms around her bent knees and hugged. “I will give you an answer once I have that answer.” —When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn, chapter 18

So she tells him to wait, has sex with him again, and at this point, Michael believes she wouldn't have sex with him twice if she didn't feel something for him, so he reiterates his marriage proposal:

“Will you marry me?” he repeated, and this time the words were hard, with more of an edge to them. “I don’t know,” she finally answered. “I need more time.” "Time for what?“ he snapped. ”For me to try a little harder to get you pregnant?“ She flinched as if struck. He advanced upon her. “Because I’ll do it,” he warned. “I’ll take you right now, and then again tonight, and then three times tomorrow if that’s what is required.” “Michael, stop…” she whispered. “I have lain with you,” he said, his words stark and yet strangely urgent. "Twice. You are no innocent. You know what that means.“ And it was because she was no innocent—and no one would ever expect her to be—that she was able to say, “I know. But that doesn’t matter. Not if I don’t conceive.” —When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn, chapter 20

Is it the nicest of proposals? No, and Michael is pissy that she isn't capitulating just because there's a *chance* she might be pregnant. That being said, he's NOT forcing her to get pregnant, and Francesca is 100% fine with continuing to have sex with Michael on the off-chance she could get pregnant, and if she does, only then will she make a decision about marrying him because at this moment in time, she is still unsure of her feelings for Michael and still feels like she's betraying John. But Michael is neither coercing her to have sex with him, nor is he attempting to get her pregnant against her will. And shortly after this dialogue, he storms off because he thinks convincing her further is futile and he's feeling tragic and *used* by her lol.

And ultimately, Francesca is INTO the idea of getting pregnant, or hell, trying to get pregnant with him.... a breeding kink if you will. There's a VERY telling passage after she says she'll marry him despite not being pregnant but having had sex with him multiple times over three weeks:

He rose slowly to his feet. “There will be no backing out. No cold feet. No changed minds.” “No,” she said. “I promise.” And that was when he finally let himself believe her. Francesca did not give promises lightly. And she never broke her vows. He was across the room in an instant, his hands at her back, his arms around her, his mouth raining desperate kisses on her face. “You will be mine,” he said. “This is it. Do you understand?” She nodded, arching her neck as his lips slid down the long column to her shoulder. “If I want to tie you to the bed, and keep you there until you’re heavy with child, I’ll do it,” he vowed. “Yes,” she gasped. “And you won’t complain.” She shook her head. His fingers tugged at her gown. It fell to the floor with stunning speed. “And you’ll like it,” he growled. “Yes. Oh, yes.” —When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn, chapter 21

Come on.... the "yes oh yes?" What do we think that is if not enthusiastic consent?

[mythuzalasheir3]

A word on The Michaela Stirling Discourse™️ Bc I have thoughts, a rant

Aside from the blatant homophobia and biphobia toward this change, a common complaint I have seen about the Michaela Stirling gender swap and Bisexual Francesca Bridgerton is the fact that it cheapens her (Fran’s) plotlines of infertility, love after loss and the different kinds of love by having her be instantly attracted to Michaela within thirty seconds, feeling the kind of love her siblings have with Kate, Simon and Penelope.

Being queer does not negate one’s fertility, exhibit A, me, an infertile bi woman. And Fran could and should still have an infertility storyline while in a relationship with a woman. We could possibly see her struggle conceiving with John and then when she re-enters the marriage mart, she could be finding someone to secure her future by having a child and earnestly be attracted to them (as she’s BI), while beginning to see Michaela as more than just her late husband’s cousin.

And having that moment between Fran and Michaela doesn’t completely undermine the point Francesca and Violet’s arc was making, even though I get how it can be seen that way. The whole point of the arc was that both kinds of love can coexist, both quiet love and sweeping romantic love, and one does not diminish the other. And as a bi woman, that moment between Michaela and Fran and the kiss at the wedding read more as Fran slowly beginning to realise that maybe she’s interested in women, and that doesn’t mean she’s attracted to Michaela in particular right now, she just spurred a bit of an awakening

ALSO bi people are still bi no matter the gender of their partner!

Also I have heard people explain that Fran and Michaela can’t have a proper happy ending due to the time period. To that I say, it’s historical fantasy, lighten up, anything could happen and the writers could weave a way to give them a happy future together.

Honestly, I was so ecstatic to see not one, but two bisexual Bridgerton siblings! (honestly hoping for a genderqueer reimagining of Sophie bc I feel like that’d be a vibe and also sapphic Eloise bc that bitch is as straight as I am which is to say not at all)

TLDR: stop being obtuse about the Michaela Stirling change and see its potential for interesting stories xoxo

[alientater]

I have so much to say about s3 of bridgerton so I’m dumping it all into one post. Take my dumbass opinions as a writer for what you will 😂

- first foremost thank you my QUEEN Nicola for your confidence and courage (I am no better than a man 👀). I feel like this whole season was a reminder for me, through both Pen and Colin that bodies that look like my own (Pens) deserve love. I can’t even begin to tell yall how much watching people swoon over her body specifically has made me 🥹 blush because my own looks so much like hers.

- I absolutely adored how devoted Colin was to Pen. Watching him realize his love for her in all her forms, with all her flaws was absolutely adorable and wonderful and beautiful, and it, in its own way, comforted me that the more masculine side of my self can be the romantic, the devoted, the loving person that I am as well. Both his little speech in the carriage and his love confession at the end are now living rent free in my brain.

- I know many people think they should have cut some of Benedict’s scenes but I’m against that opinion. I ADORED his character development this season, and I think it served well as a break in the tension of the plot. you will NEVER catch me unhappy to see a bisexual king living his best and horniest life.

- I’m so glad Pen got to keep her Column. The books end with Colin revealing her identity and I’m so glad they changed that. So much from the book was changed to give her more agency and I’m so so so happy about that.

- Genuinely, I’m so excited to see what happens in Scotland with Francesca and Eloise and Michaela and John!! I have a suspicion they’re going to make it another spinoff show like Queen Charlotte, and then we’ll get Benedict’s season (which 👀�� I have no clue what they’ll do with it but WHATEVER it is I will be parked in front of that TV the SECOND it drops). Whatever it is they have planned I have a sneaking suspicion we’re finally going to get some sapphic romance 👀 so.

- I absolutely cannot stand the hate this season is getting online. I really think it was well done, and I enjoyed every second of it.

- I do wish they’d shown a *few* more spicy Polin scenes (or maybe made the end one a bit longer bc HOOOO boy 👀 I needed about another full 5-10 minutes of her riding him lord GOD almighty I need a glass of WATER). BUT they really didn’t get any more spice than Kate and Anthony did last season (in fact they had quite a bit more I’d say), and I know we’ll see more of it next season hehe 😈 so 😏.

- John dying is literally actually physically going to break my heart when we get to Francesca’s storyline. ALSO I think I really…. I want her to fall in love with him wholly and completely too. I think she has in some ways. I hope in her story, they explore the very real love between them, mostly because I adore his beautiful lil autistic ass.

- I really wish they’d brought back Daphne and the duke a bit more to help violet and Fran a bit. I think Daphne specifically would have really helped soothe that relationship.

- can we get an Eloise Benedict swing scene every season?? Plz? For me? I adore their queer sibling bond so so so much.

- I’m so glad Pen and Eloise are on good terms again. Their friendship breaking just really…

- also, on Eloise, I adore the character growth I saw her go through this season. I think she’s really learning how to see and love the people around her for who they are and it’s so beautiful. I think people were right about her self absorption to a certain degree but… every character has flaws. No one is really infallible. And I think I went through a similar growth, learning how to check and weild my priveledge, and it’s comforting to know I’m not alone in some of the mistakes I made

- I have so many feelings about Cressida Cowper. I know she’s a bully, and I disliked her originally, but something about this season made me…. Sort of like her. First of all, she’s so cunty and I absolutely LOVE that for her. Her outfits are 😮‍💨 every single time. The SLEEVES on those dresses. Like. I really hope she has character growth of her own. Also. You can’t convince me that woman isn’t a femme lesbian. I want to see her set up a nice little estate and live happily ever after with a woman she loves, honestly. I feel like it was really realistic and fascinating to see her schism with her family. I hope she doesn’t take her mother’s advice to heart. That she breaks the generational curse and learns to be both kind AND cunty 😂. I hope Eloise and her make up somewhat too. I just. I don’t want her to be the villain. The pressures of society are their own villain.

- Bring back Edwina Sharma and her Prince can we start a FUCKING petition bro.

- two people in on that show that no matter what they are being paid, are not being paid enough 1) the COSTUME designer and 2) the intimacy coordinator. Every five seconds I found myself saying “god that dress” or “oh man, I need that waistcoat”

- I love that the writers chose to make the featherington sisters more than just… jokes? Philippa especially. She really had some of the best breakout lines of the season “insert himself where” GIRL “Farley, now! the bugs!!” SHES SO CUTE and Mr Finch baby boy so are you and your love for her 🥹 it’s just so wholesome. I love that Shonda really has showed through this show that even with our eccentricities, we all deserve to be loved, appreciated, cherished.

- we stand by Portia featherington. She really made the best of some SHITTY as situations, and we love her for that. It’s so important to me that she’s not the villain either. That she and pen worked things through, learned how to support each other, and that Portia apologized. I think she’s definitely…. Let’s say morally gray but how morally grey really is robbing the aristocracy? 🤫. I honestly? Kind of hope she finds a love match, or finds happiness in her singleness without having to rely on a man. That she learns to live in her power.

- Did I mention how devoted Colin is to Pen? Can we return to that? My FAVORITE moments of this season were the ones where he is so absolutely down bad for her that he can barely speak bc ME TOO baby boy. ME TOO. and that it’s pen. This season was for the girlies who never get noticed, who never had boys crush on them. Who have to make do living vicariously through others, who have to learn to love themselves, because the world does not seem to.

- can we bring back lord debbling? Lowkey…. I kinda liked him. I need him to be Cressida’s beard for real 🤫

- the mirror scene THE MIRROR SCENE 🫠😮‍💨😰🤤 I…. I have so many feelings. I keep hearing people being like “it was so cringe” but? I think I loved it because it felt so…. Realistic? I found myself loving it because it was so… slow and sweet and intentional and it was in every way an extension of Colin’s feelings for pen. He loves her enough that he treats her with only the most kind, most slow and soft touches. He considers her pleasure before his own (which, god is that dreamy I wanna be this man SO BAD). He talks her through. he appreciates in every way she SHOULD be appreciated. I’m just. I’m never going to be over how fantastically luke played him. How fantastic Luke and Nicola’s chemistry was. Can we appreciate the shots angles looking down on Penelope too bc oh man. Oh boy. Jesus Christ she would be walking ME like a dog to if she looked at me like that Holy Fuck. Also the THIGHS the TITTIES (👀 respectfully 👀 RESPECTFULLY). The little sneaky views of Colin’s butt hehe, the way Pen GULPS when she sees Colin (girl SAME). It reminded me so vividly of my own first time. it made me miss being that young and… idk. I feel like sex scenes often feel fake or unrealistic and the ones in this just felt SO real.

- on that topic can we all just appreciate how much Kate sharma is getting her cookie ate bc 😂 lord only knows she deserves it. ALSO. Petition for next season: I ABSOLUTELY need to see Colin on his knees doing the same for Pen 🤤👀 bc you KNow that man is a service top, and she deserves it.

- genuinely genuinely. I’m so afraid of the show now getting canceled because it has openly queer characters 🥺. I’ve fallen in love with it and it’s like there’s this dread, in the pit of my stomach, that it’s all going to end prematurely because people are already acting so shitty.

- I need violet to have her own spinoff with Marcus 👀 and CONTROVERSIAL OPINION (not controversial) I need their sex scenes bc 😳 LORD . I am not. ahem. I am sinning looking at lady bridgerton like this 😂

- I loved lady Danbury and pens exchange at the end of the season and they’re great friends in the books! I hope it develops more!

- how does Jonathan Bailey so convincingly play a man utterly in love/ lust with his wife as a gay man 😂. Also. Anthony’s little “LILACS”? Still thinking about that lol.

- I’m so glad Eloise didn’t tell Colin about pen being whistledown.

- really wish we’d had a wedding night sex scene 😅

- pen wearing a full set of acrylics and riding that man’s dick is….. god. I have been given a gift.

- Need Need NEED more of the Mondriches, just being happy and finding their place. Their ball this season was fucking fantastic.

- the end camera shot of Colin and pen kissing in front of the window she always watched him from 🫠🥹💕 I’m actually sick it’s SO PERFECT

- I knew Penelope was going to have the only boy 👀😏 called it hehe

- I think one of the things I love most about the show is just… seeing women support and uplift each other and work through things. Talk about the hard things. That’s how we grow as people.

In conclusion, I know many people disliked a lot of things about s3 but I, personally, adored it. And I also know why the writers cut what they did, and did what they did. I honestly think if they’d just added a few small things it would have been perfect. There was so much happening this season it felt overwhelming almost, and I think if I were to say if there’s anything to learn from this, it’s that they need to slow down. Focus on and give each plot its share. I wish I could give Bridgerton an infinite budget for infinite episodes to do whatever they wanted bc I know it would be good. ALSO if I have to endure a month wait like that again I’m actually fucking rioting. I liked the anticipation but it felt too long and just…. Idk. I think an episode a week would be a better way to stretch it if they wanted to keep that ploy. Anyways. If anyone’s actually read this far, I’m so sorry 😂. And to all the people griping… get a grip. It’s a beautiful show and the writing was honestly fantastic. just enjoy the media for what it is im actually begging you. If this show gets canceled because of something as trivial as not enough Polin sex scenes and having actual queer representation in fucking coming for ALL OF YOU.

Peace and light

Annika

[a--a---a]

tell me what you thought about season 3 of bridgerton. I also had really mixed feelings about the Michaela/Michael thing (like the last person) but overall the season was really okay for me. it felt like the PR was more than we got but otherwise I liked most it. i could have done without the Mondrich storyline and the 8 Benedict sex scenes but it was good.

I agree: The season was generally good. I liked it and have watched it several times now. (That is 90% my Nicola Coughlan obsession speaking, but nonetheless.)

Things that I thought were OUTSTANDING:

Agatha/Violet scenes - I fucking love them. Agatha is my fav character in the whole show, and that friendship is amazing. I am an Agatha, Charlotte, and Penelope girly as my top 3.

That scene outside of Genevieve's ("What good am I to you?") because fuck yes, Penelope. - Put that man in his place. Sometimes your only need for a man is to want him there because you love him.

Colin crying - 'nuff said.

Kanthony - there could have been more, but I understand.

Francesca & John - so relatable. I know you talked about Michaela being contentious, but I am excited for her. Again, I didn't read the books. I just want wlw. I loved John's interactions with the boys.

"You Belong With Me" for their wedding dance??? It's THEIR SONG, and I was so happy about it!

Lord Anderson - I am looking forward to him and Violet "gardening" in s4.

the Featheringtons and their character growth.

Nicola Coughlan's perfect breasts. 🥵😍

Things I DID NOT LIKE/WANTED MORE OF:

Not enough Polin scenes. Just in general there were not enough. Spicy would have been fine, but I am in the same camp as many that say they wanted more happy married life before the baby was born.

Colin accusing Penelope of trapping him and then never apologizing for it.

Colin telling Penelope she "has no say" in how the LW blackmail thing got handled. Like 🛑. You are JUST a man, Colin.

Luke Newton's wig for the wedding specifically (but it made other appearances).

Pen's wedding dress could have been more fairytale (but I do love how it highlighted her complexion, etc.).

Not enough Lord Debling/he didn't go with Cressida. I know she was the pt 2 villain, but like...he will be gone for three years.

Eloise was incredibly annoying without Pen. I didn't realize how Pen changed her and maybe softened her in ways. Her without that person to maybe not tame but guide her really showed that.

Too much Mondrichs. I think it would be cool if their son fell in love with Hyacinth and it was another friends to lovers we got to see evolve over time, but besides the ball and finally giving up the club, I feel like maybe 3 scenes in total would have been fine.

Too many Benedict sex scenes. The last was my fav by far, but for the most part they were fillers and didn't drive the plot. If they did it would have been different.

There's probably more, but that's all I've got.

I do think this is my favorite season yet because of Penelope, but there could have been changes. I hope they drop those deleted scenes, but even if they don't i am pretty satisfied with what we got. 💛

[daydreamer-in-reverie]

On an anonymous ask:

Hi, interesting perspective on S3 and I agree. I'd be very curious to hear your thoughts on Francesca character assassination and deviation from the books. The Michael/Michaela is very controversial and I prefered to reach out anonymous but I couldn't in your asks. That would be great if you could make a post, if you feel like doing so. Thanks!

HUGE BRIDGERTON SPOILERS

Francesca’s and Michael’s love story is one of my favorites from the books and I absolutely hate how much it has changed and NOT because Michael is now Michaela. I want to preface this by saying that I am an ally of the community and have always adored LGBTQIA+ representation on the screen.

That said, I don’t think I’ll enjoy Francesca and Michaela and not because Michaela’s a woman.

In the books, Francesca and Michael loved each other, albeit differently. Francesca loved Michael like one would love a brother while Michael was actually in love with Francesca. Michael longed and loved her in secret, yearning for any small moment they could share yet hating himself for falling for the one woman his cousin, John, the man he practically called brother, loved. It was his inner turmoil, the foil in his characterization that makes him so complex and the reason why it works so well is because Francesca doesn’t feel the same way at the start because Francesca loved John.

Francesca loved John will all her heart. Theirs was a true love match and it absolutely delighted Violet in the books that Francesca made a match so quickly and was so in love even if she had to move away. Francesca in the books never would have looked at Michael in the same way she looked at John until John’s death. It was John’s death that served as a catalyst to their love story because Francesca and Michael’s love story is finding love after grief.

Their story centered on themes of grief. How much they grieved John’s death together and how John’s death affected them both differently. Michael’s inner struggles of taking over the title of Earl of Kilmartin and moving into John’s old home made Michael feel like a usurper especially because he was in love with Francesca. Francesca’s grief over John’s death and losing their unborn child is what propels her to want to marry again because she didn’t just lose the husband she loved, she lost their child.

Grief is the only way their story can be told convincingly.

And yet, in a single stroke, we lose all sense of it with Francesca experiencing love at first sight upon meeting Michaela.

Because Francesca’s grief over John’s eventual death feels unconvincing and cheap because of how she looked at Michaela. How can she truly mourn the man that stands in the way of the woman she’s fallen in love with?

My gripe over Francesca/John/Michael/a is that essentially, their story has changed. And this changed wasn’t brought about because Michael is now Michaela but because Francesca loved Michaela before she ever truly loved John.

And don’t even get me started on Francesca not wanting children.

Francesca wanted kids point blank. She may have been the black sheep of her family (being firmly sequestered in the middle of the birth order) but she wanted kids. She wanted her own children to love and it’s what ultimately spurns her to once again trying her luck on the marriage mart. No sane widow of the time would marry again unless there was a need to. Francesca didn’t need to. She was extremely close with both John and Michael as well as their respective parents. They all adored her and even if Michael married a different woman, he would never have turned her out on the street. He even said he’d willingly provide her an allowance and a house with her own retinue of servants if that’s what she so wanted but it was Francesca who refused because she wanted children and wanted to give the marriage mart a try once again in the hopes she would find another man to love and marry. Francesca’s yearning for children is another catalyst to Francesca’s and Michael’s love story because Francesca never would have wanted to love again without it.

I truly believe an interesting story on Francesca’s struggles with infertility and grief could be told by her and Michaela’s relationship. I truly believe that with Michael now Michaela, Francesca’s want for children vs the reality of her situation could be told in a different way. In the books, Francesca eventually gets the children she wants (2) but it took her years of trying. With Michael now Michaela, her fertility journey could end with her not having children at all, and her learning to accept this fact. We so rarely see this struggle rightfully represented in media. Whenever couples struggle with infertility, they hit bump after bump after bump but eventually they’re granted children for their efforts in way or another (either through IVF or adoption). In reality, this isn’t always the case and so Francesca never having kids despite her desire for them would make for an interesting storyline. For a character to want, and struggle, and yearn for something yet ultimately fail at it is a story that will always have its audience. And in this context of a gay couple struggling to have children and ultimately not being able to, is something many LGBT couples will relate to. Not to mention the women as well, who project themselves onto Francesca’s struggle with infertility.

Essentially Francesca’s characterization was assassinated. Even Michael’s too, to an extent. Michael can’t struggle with feeling like he took everything from his cousin if he’s a woman because women at that time never inherited and so any feeling Michaela has about “taking” what’s rightfully John’s feels cheap. It’s not a true struggle if it’s impossible to have in the first place.

I’ll still watch Bridgerton because I firmly believe Benedict (who is my favorite character in both the books and the series) is next. But I’m losing hope that they’ll be able to tell his story and his struggles well if Francesca and Polin’s story is of any indication.

[sea-owl]

Have you seen the news about Michaela sterling? What are your thoughts?

I have, and I decided to sit on the information for a couple of hours before answering. Reminder I haven't seen the season yet but it's all over my dash so hard to avoid.

Initially, I was a little disappointed. Franchael is one of my favorites as is their story. I was also kinda hoping we get to explore the soilders more in this world since Michael is the only one of the lord husbands to be part of the army. By the shows own rules we would have to do a major rewrite to Michael's story for Michaela. By the shows own rules Michaela can't inherirt, and the merry rake persona wouldn't be that viable of an option either because of how easy a woman can be ruined. Now do they plan to have Michaela become a spinster as well so we have our third or fourth one or is she going to be a widow like Francesca by the time their season rolls around?

And this also brings up Francesca's infertility storyline. Is that going to continue or are they going to keep that baby with John so Francesca can keep running Kilmartin? Or are they going to go down the Featherington route where John leaves in his will that Michaela's son inheirts. Again that will bring back the question of Michaela getting married.

Now, like I said initially, I was a little disappointed because I was excited to see Michael on screen. Needed some time to process. And for those like me who are disappointed it is OK to feel those feelings and process them. Michael was a pretty beloved lead from the books. I kinda equate this to gender reveal disappointments. Mom and dad are expecting and then the gender of baby isn't what they originally wanted. Are they going to love their kid any less? Or are they less wanted? No. They still love their kid just need a moment to readjust.

Now let me be clear on this as well. Being disappointed is no excuse to attack the actress playing Michaela. Nor is it an excuse to send hate to anyone. Being disappointed and needing time to process is OK. Attacking others is not.

Onto Michaela Stirling, I'm sure Michaela's actress will do a wonderful job. I can see a few potential plot lines for Michaela. And I'm sure this question is gonna pop up eventually, too. For my writing, at least am I going to continue using Michael, or am I going to switch to Michaela?

I'll start by saying this isn't my first rodeo with something like this. I'm a little bit of a gamer and often with RPGs the avatars usually have a male or female option with a gender neutral name or male and female names. Like Tav on Baulder's Gate 3, Byleth on Fire Emblem Three Houses, Robin in Fire Emblem Awakening, the Pokemon franchise. For the fandoms they often just switch to their preferred or whatever the vibe is that day, what story elements they might be using. Another option I see but not used often is they kinda combine the two by making the character either Trans or genderfluid. Or my personal favorite, make them twins.

I'll probably switch depending on story vibes or more than likely make them twins. Francesca can have three Stirlings. Give her a why choose. I mean majority of the fandom agrees that modern day John, Francesca, and Michael would have worked out poly, we can throw Michaela in there too.

[wildwren]

i am also a michaela stirling truther— the more i think about it, the more i want it. i’ll definitely be a little disappointed if the rumors turn out to be false. don’t get me wrong, masali baduza is stunning and as a bisexual i already feel like a winner either way… but my god, she and Francesca would make such a gorgeous couple 😭

and i know people keep saying that gender bending Michael would erase important plot points but honestly i can think of several ways off the top of my head that they could maintain the integrity of the story even with Michaela as the lead instead of Michael.

and honestly, not that i have any reason to believe they’re actually going to genderbend Sophie, but they could easily rework Benedict’s story in a similar way— it irritates me that people are insisting there is no way they could make it work.

the book purists insisting xyz could not possibly happen because “that’s not how the story goes!” are making little sense to me. the show has already made many changes to the stories, large and small, and i don’t think “but the book story won’t work that way!” is a valid argument at this point. the writers have shown themselves very willing and even eager to uproot expectations and tell the story in a new way.

TOTALLY. i was previously on the "we should not expect queer rep from bridgerton they are clearly not very invested in it" train until jess brownell explicitly confirmed that a queer romance is coming and now im being a full ass clown about it. yea....when i think about masali baduza as michaela i actually need to lie down, it would end me. but also send an angel to protect her if that's actually true because some of the fandom....uh.....absolutely cannot handle that even remotely, and they WILL make it her problem.

but yes, i agree, there are many ways in which michael feels like a prime option for gender-bending. obviously when he was wicked has fans, but i think in general they're a little less rabid than some of the kanthony, polin, benophie, and philoise fans who would be specifically up in arms about major character changes to "their" ship. when he was wicked is later in the series, more disconnected, francesca's less present in the general narrative, etc.

also, because francesca has a widowhood storyline, it feels....how do i say this....deeply boring for bridgerton the show to introduce a man like john stirling, only to kill him off to make room for another random man. it would be exceedingly more interesting to have a queer element to the story, not least of all because it would add more tension to the "we cant be together because you're my dead husband's cousin" vibes.

also, women in the 19th century could inherit property. sometimes the property itself was not entailed and therefore not necessarily inherited by the male title holder. if francesca is living in the house....and michaela inherits the house....well, that's a pretty great set-up for a queer happy ending, which is, according to julia quinn, apparently impossible in a world where gay marriage isn't legal.

also, ALSOOOOO....a lesbian rake. i rest my case.

either way, im interested to see how they interpret when he was wicked's relationship to colonialism (if they do so), given that the show has now shown the Stirlings, or at least john stirling, to be Black. Kate's home and backstory in India has had some relevance to her characterization, and I'm curious to see if they take a similar tack with the stirlings (and how well they manage to execute it).

okay i think those are all of my michaela thoughts thank you so much for giving me an excuse to rant about them. truthers gotta stick together (until our hearts are inevitably dashed by cold hard reality)

[livsoulsecrets]

Michaela/Francesca Fic - If the pain is real, then why can’t I find a cure?

@fandombingo Prompt from Wonderland Bingo: "Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go am here?”

Fandom: Bridgerton (TV)

Rating: Teen and Up Audiences

Content Warnings: Death, Grief

Summary: In the wake of John’s death, Michaela and Francesca become each other’s anchors.

“John… He was my north. I never imagined the day would come when I would move towards a future without him.” Michaela inhaled sharply before continuing, “This is the worst day of our lives. All that I ask is that you try to survive it.”

Read on AO3.

The hours had blended together into an unending sequence of eerie silence and unstoppable sobs for Francesca.

She had no idea how Michaela was still standing, giving the servants directions and making arrangements.

Francesca watched as Michaela took the reins of the situation to the best of her abilities when she could not move. She observed as the woman dried her tears every few minutes, suffocating her own pain in order to ease Francesca’s.

She had never been more grateful for her presence. Francesca was not sure she could have managed without her. From the moment she saw John’s lifeless body, her soul had shattered, rendering her completely useless.

The mere thought of John—kind, brilliant, sweet John—as a body turned Francesca’s stomach.

It was unnatural. It was simply wrong.

“Francesca,” she distantly heard.

He could not be gone. Maybe they were wrong. Perhaps John was still there. If she called out for him loud enough, he would wake up again and smile at her and Michaela with the brightness of a thousand suns.

“Francesca,” Michaela’s voice sounded again, firmer. “Francesca, look at me.”

She pulled her mind away from the desperate thoughts of denial to stare at Michaela, sitting by Francesca’s side on the living room couch.

“You should eat,” Michaela muttered, reaching for a plate of biscuits placed on the center table.

“I am not hungry,” she replied, crossing her hands atop her lap.

“I understand, but you must eat anyway. It has been too long since breakfast, and you have not eaten since. These are your favorite.”

Michaela raised the plate closer to Francesca, but she pushed it away.

“I don’t think I can. I can’t eat. I can’t sleep. I can barely breathe as it is.”

Michaela put the plate away and instead took Francesca’s hands in hers.

“I am so sorry for asking of you more than you feel capable of giving,” she stated very quietly.

For a moment, the distant sounds of the maids preparing John’s body disappeared. There was just the coldness of her heart threatening to swallow her whole and the warmth of Michaela keeping it at bay.

“John… He was my north. I never imagined the day would come when I would move towards a future without him.” Michaela inhaled sharply before continuing, “This is the worst day of our lives. All that I ask is that you try to survive it.”

Francesca shook her hand, incapable of looking into Michaela’s eyes. “I do not think myself strong enough for that.”

“You must be,” Michaela said firmly.

Francesca was reminded of John’s stories of his childhood. Most of them involved Michaela leading John into some adventure that inadvertently ended in trouble.

She had asked him once, “Why did you follow her every time if you knew the chances of it ending poorly?”

He had shrugged and taken his time to think his answer through. “She has always been incredibly convincing. Besides, if there is one thing I have learned, it’s that, in times of crisis, Michaela is the person you want by your side.”

John had smiled, and his face had relaxed into a peaceful expression. “She will not let you drown.”

And that was precisely what Michaela attempted to do now.

She was trying to keep Francesca afloat.

“You must eat because you must live. And you must live because John loved you more than life itself. Otherwise, his love will die with you.”

Those were rough words to hear in the aftermath of such a heartbreaking loss. Had they come from anyone else, Francesca might have thought them cruel, but that was Michaela.

Her voice was a lighthouse amidst a storm—a balm to the tragedy that struck Francesca’s home.

She presented her indisputable truths, for she had known John longer than Francesca had been alive.

That was the cousin of each of her adventures, the brother she had been granted by life, and the twin flame of her very soul.

Michaela was giving Francesca the gift of truth when others would have given her false words of comfort and kind lies.

“Then, would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?” Francesca begged, her voice trembling.

Michaela paused, taking a moment to wipe away the tears that ran freely down her cheeks.

“I am afraid I do not hold the answer to your question. I have survived this day through sheer willpower and not much else. All I do know is what John would have wished for us—a life. Perhaps not an easy one, or even a happy one in this very moment, but a life nonetheless.”

Michaela squeezed Francesca’s hands. “So, please, Francesca, just eat.”

She did not want to. What Francesca wanted was to run as far away from this pain as she could.

Instead, she picked up one of the biscuits and forced herself to chew.

She swallowed one after the other, and cleared the plate, willing her stomach to keep them down.

Michaela kept hold of one of her hands through it all—an anchor, a tether to the here and now.

This pain was familiar in a way. The need to ground herself was too.

Francesca had just turned six at the time of her father’s passing, too young to remember much about those dark times, but what she did remember was the loudness of it.

The Bridgertons had never been a quiet bunch—it was the whole reason why she stood out from her siblings and mother, after all.

They laughed freely, they spoke loudly, and they grieved even more so.

Her mother’s cries remained in Francesca’s nightmares for years. She recalled Anthony’s despair as he yelled at them to back away, trying to protect his siblings from the vision of their dead father.

In the days that followed, Francesca was woken up by Eloise’s screaming as she called out for their dad and Daphne’s voice, just as desperate but somehow more contained, urging her to calm down.

There were no such noises now. Francesca’s beloved home, away from most of society and its distractions, was drenched in complete silence.

Grief had always been so deeply ingrained with outbursts for Francesca that it felt off-putting to have none of that now.

Even the normalcy of loss had been taken from her.

There were only her, Michaela, and the servants now. The only sounds were those of hurried footsteps and Francesca’s uneven breathing.

Francesca would have taken her mother’s sobs, Anthony’s firm yelling, and Hyacinth and Gregory’s endless bickering over the eerily quiet if only it meant she wasn’t alone with her grief.

Francesca missed their chaos, for she had realized it was the only reason she had survived loss the first time around.

“I want…” She started weekly, then felt her voice trailing off. Michaela bent forward, listening attentively.

“I need my family.” She managed to say, “My mother, my siblings. Please.”

Michaela was nodding before she even finished speaking. “I can send out a message to them. It may take a few days to be delivered, but I will do what I can. If you wish, we can go to them once the funeral is performed. I will accompany you. If you will have me.”

Francesca’s breath caught. “I can not possibly ask this of you.”

“You are not asking. I am making the offer. You must not be alone in that journey, should you choose to make it.”

Michaela stopped for a moment, and her voice broke a few times before she managed to speak again. “Neither should I, to be honest.”

Francesca watched as Michaela lost her battle to the tears that spilled freely down her cheeks.

The weight of that day seemed to have seized her completely.

Francesca pulled her in. She circled Michaela’s fragile frame with her arms and held her tightly as she sobbed.

Finally, the loudness had returned to her. That she knew how to deal with.

Far more grateful than Francesca ever thought she would be on such a disgraceful day, she laid her head atop Michaela’s and whispered words of comfort back to her.

[cherienymphe]

Sorry for the rant. Bridgerton is my shit.

As someone who had a longtime beef with Penelope, I adored her season much more than I thought I would. I'm so glad they handled her story with care because I was not going to be able to handle it if they kept on with the desperate crush she had on Colin. They made her so wise and confident and she loved him still of course, but my bitch now recognized she was also hot shit too and I loved it for her. And the way she had Colin obsessed over one kiss was just perfect. Nicola has been everything to me since Derry Girls and seeing her shine this season was just so good.

Overall everyone's stories were amazing but I hated how they handled Francesca's story at all. Loved the [redacted] twist but the wedding scene and her reaction was so unnecessary after we saw this neurodivergent girl fight tooth and nail all season to prove to Violet that there are different kinds of love and that John was perfect for her despite her own beliefs. They truly didn't have to butcher their relationship so last minute for what. She was perfectly capable of loving both suitors (which she did in the stories), but it wasn't that fast and it wasn't as if she just didn't love John at all.

Season 3 made me a Penelope fan for sure and that's not to say I hated her or even disliked her during seasons 1-2. I definitely didn't care for her and that was always because of how she handled certain situations but outside of that I enjoyed seeing her on screen and especially her moments with Eloise but season 3 did a great job of developing her character. I loved that she actually faced consequences for her actions bc the thing about Lady Whistledown isn't that it's just fun gossip but the things she was writing was actually hurting people, some of them people she loved and cared about and I loved when Colin brought up the Marina situation and saying that she should've told him face to face instead of putting that girl and her unborn child's livelihood at risk and she admitted and accepted it was bc she was a coward

Penelope had so much growth in season 3 and she was forced to come to terms with a lot of things about herself in order to be the confident and mature woman she was by the end of it. Seeing Colin be absolutely obsessed with her after she accepted that they were never going to be together was everything to me bc he absolutely deserved that torture 😭

As for Francesca's story, I didn't really see it as some love at first sight thing with Michaela. I think season 3 put an emphasis on different kinds of love and having a lot of love to give (see Benedict) for a reason. I think Francesca was just struck by Michaela and had a strong internal reaction to her that didn't negate her feelings about John at all. Because if I remember, Francesca's story is about loving both of them but just differently and even if it was a love at first sight thing, I think the writers were showing that her slow and easy love with John is okay and her punched in the chest star struck love with Michaela is okay too. At least that's what I got from it bc I don't think it butchered her relationship with John at all

[im-jas-dont-mind-me]

i’m sorry i keep seeing so much hate bc of the newly introduced queer bridgerton plots that stray from the books and i just have to get my feelings out (i have never read the books but ive heard about them and their plots)

so the two bridgerton siblings that are queer in the tv show are francesca and benedict, but almost all the hate i’ve been seeing is for francesca’s queerness, and my thoughts on this are that- i understand that in book francesca and michael’s story, michael’s gender DID matter to the story, and that genderbending him in particular as opposed to any of the other siblings’ love interests, was kind of stupid move. people who have had infertility issues felt represented in the book’s story and feel as if that has been taken away from them. all valid reasons to dislike the change the show has made.

now, i will say that the show could still make some other plot changes in francesca’s story to still represent women with infertility issues, but still let her end up with michaela. however, feeling upset at the show writers right now because we still don’t know if they WILL do that, is valid.

However the hate where people just simply say “francesca and benedict aren’t gay stop turning straight characters gay ” is just homophobic, and will be viewed as homophobic by others, simply because the reason you chose to be upset isn’t because of francesca’s deep and meaningful book story has been taken away from you, but because they’ve made her queer. if you don’t give additional context to express your dislike, and simply show anger at them being queer, you will come off as homophobic.

in terms of benedict, i don’t think hate against his plot is valid. like i said, most angry fans usually talk about francesca’s story more and don’t hate on benedict’s bisexuality, but there are still many that say “Bring michael and sophie back” or “Why did you ruin Benedict’s plot.” like ??? He’s BISEXUAL and hasn’t even met Sophie yet, for all you know, the show could have the exact same plot as his book. his activities in s3 don’t have anything to do with his main love story. it’s stupid to me that people start hating without understanding that bisexuality means you can like men AND women. also ppl have been saying benedict was queer coded since s1 don’t act surprised lmao.

to sum it up, homophobic hate is stupid, but ppl who are genuinely heartbroken over francesca’s story potentially completely changing in what it stood for and represented are valid (though i would wait and see what the show has in store for her season before i assume what the new plot will be).

[butchtaurus]

actually it’s sooo funny that francesca’s reaction to being introduced to michaela threw the book girlies into a tizzy.

we’re honestly only at the beginning of francesca and john’s relationship and i don’t think her trip up with michaela really tells us that much. mostly just hints to her liking women too.

because i do think francesca likes john, but like most women in regency society they don’t know what a relationship should be. like majority, the first marriage is their first full relationship. so far we’ve been shown that francesca finds comfort and peace with john, i don’t doubt she will love him. and again we only saw minimal parts of their courting and then get married. and the michaela introduction didn’t show anything untoward for me?

idk if anyone else interprets it as her possibly cheating on john or if that’s even what the book girlies are afraid of idk. i doubt the show runner would go for cheating in a romance show, nor do i think the book writer would give them the go ahead for that.

ill admit ive never and will never read the books so i don’t know her story that well really. but ill love the show anyway

edit: so even tho i don’t know the book i doubt there are themes and storylines that can’t be followed just because michael is a woman now. the ADAPTATION wasn’t gonna be 100% book accurate, and the writer gave the green light to how the show runner wants to interpret and screenwrite her stories.

also it’s literally pride month right now.

[jazzyjazzin]

I know michaela's inner monologue is resembling the most unhinged and horny hozier songs rn. I trust it's on an "the only heaven I'll be sent to is when I'm alone with you" level type of beat. 😭

the thing I love about francesca though is that she IS easy to understand, I think her intentions and feelings can easily bleed through her music, you just have to know when to listen. her feeling unheard and feeling like she never fit in was so sad so I get why you wrote that part where she plays for michaela for hours and they're just so connected in the music! (sidenote: there's this person "kassia" on youtube who does piano covers and I absolutely love their interpretation of classical pieces, it's how I was imagining francesca's playing sounding like. also—it might be too contemporary for the time period but just based on vibes—I imagined that the music francesca was playing to michaela sounded like fkj's album "just piano").

ahhh vampire cressida (my beloved) is coming up next!! I'm so excited (you already know this lol. also saw that you added some new songs to the playlist 🥰) I will be locked in reading that update!

I'll see about watching the first episode and seeing if it hooks my attention! I hope you're having a lovely day as well! 😊

-🧛🏻‍♀️

haha yes! i still need to make a playlist for “Tell Me Something Wicked” but rest assured hozier will have his place in it because he’s got a lot of perfect ones for them.

oh definitely this is why i relate to her so thoroughly as well, i think it’s really easy to hear her when she’s expressing herself, you just have to be listening but people tend to overlook her because she’s quiet and softly spoken most of the time. I’ll be giving a look to this stuff, especially because I love love love piano covers and piano only instrumentals. another thing i have in common with francesca is music, she’s just a bigger nerd about it than me i believe.

yes i’m working on her now and hope you like any of the additions tho one of them i believe is a rec you gave me at another time for something else! :)

let me know if it does or doesn’t! ❤️

[thewingedwolf]

We do agree then. Most of my timeline is filled with black women so that is what I'm most exposed to. My main gripe is that black women are always used as the rage bait in these shows. I'm truly tired of the racism and wish that new stories are created for us without the need to replace them for us to get representation. Sorry if I offended you for the 'black' comment.

sorry if i sounded suuuper annoyed lmao, i Am annoyed but at twitter not u aksksk. (also, was working children’s and there were just so many screaming kids today 😭). and that's definitely fair! i know The Interwebs in general is feeling very upset right now because of that romeo and juliet production that tom holland was in, because not only did they not really stand up for that poor actress, or turn off comments, they were just being sooo weird about her on social media. it's really nasty to just cast a black actress, especially one who is dark skinned, knowing she's going to get a shit storm of racism hurled at her and then not defend her and even actively make it worse by refusing to take basic precautions so she's not having people call her slurs in every damn post. and this show itself obviously also has a bad track record with that - not just with all the main black characters of color excluding agatha being light skinned and/or Mixed With White specifically (where's the blasian rep!!! where's the afrolatino rep!!!! why are mixed characters always mixed with white!!!!!!! also i love the sharma’s but not letting anthony and kate have their own fucking wedding OR a sex montage and then giving colin a bunch of annoying sex scenes is so!!!!!!) but also the way marina's storyline was handled was nauseating and pen never makes up to marina for doing something so egregiously awful, and on top of that poor ruby barker had a hard ass time on the set and on the internet. it sucked!!! i hope i didn't sound too mad lol, but my whole tl was either white women having a MELTDOWN over the show "ruining" michael (this is a paper thin character, there is nothing to ruin!!!) or other people (largely black women but also a lot of queer women in general) being like "sucks to suck anywayyyy hope francesca and michaela scissor on screen just to spite you personally" alkjdf and it hasn't even been 24 hours, i'm so over it 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

and yeah, that's something an author i like (i like her as a person, i don't love her romances haha) has mentioned - there are plenty of romances that are explicitly about black characters or indian characters or caribbean characters or jewish characters or whatever you fancy that take place in the regency/georgian/victorian era that could have been adapted but instead they went with julia quinn, who has explicitly talked about how she doesn't write characters of color because they ~don't get happy endings in this time period. and mind you, this is a woman who writes a duke living on every corner in london getting a love match!!! not to mention if they really just wanted to do some funky color blind/racebending, there are so many authors out there who have written longstanding romance series' with all white characters who are just better writers than julia!!! i mean, i have a lot of beef with tessa dare for what i feel is performative allyship (though i don't want to discount the way she has privately been a rock for a lot of authors of color, especially after the rwa blowup, she's still annoying to me tho haha), but she's just leaps and bounds better of a writer and also hasn't gone on record saying she would never write a black main character the way julia quinn has! it's unendingly annoying!!! courtney milan and diana quincy and beverly jenkins are right there!!!!