As an avid Bridgerton fan myself, I’ve read the full series more than once and find myself surprised at how the order of my favorites has shifted as I’ve grown up.
The only reason it really ranks higher than the other two is simply because of how it introduces the reader to the larger world of the story and the people who inhabit it.
The beauty and sadness of this book comes from both Francesca and Michael each grieving John in their own way, while slowly finding themselves drawn to one another.