Best Bridgerton Books: Read It Alright After Watching Netflix

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One of the biggest surprises in the 2020-21 streaming season was Bridgerton, the Regency era series that were equal parts of the scandalous Shondaland drama because it was a love letter to the entire fiction genre.

Based on Julia Quinn’s best-selling series of historical novels, the first season of the Shonda Rhimes-produced Netflix program has its first book, The Duke and I, following the whirlwind of upper-class socialists Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and Simon Basset (Regé-Jean Page). The show was an instant hit with both royal viewers and drama fans, driving the cast to rising star status while taking the original book series to the top of the bestseller list.

What is the best Bridgerton Books in order?

While Netflix has announced that they will renew Bridgerton for a second season, it may take a while before another heavy-duty series of episodes is available. However, if you devour the first few episodes like a delicious teacup and are hungry for more, look no further. Quinn’s original Bridgerton the series has eight novels that follow the trials, and of course the romantic lives of the other Bridgerton brothers and sisters. With high-tension, whirlwind romances and steamy scenes (sometimes more X-rated than what appears in the TV show), it’s ideal for people who think the gentle caressing of Austen’s work is just too tame.

While you eagerly await season 2, here’s our guide to catching up with the eight Bridgerton novels, and how to read them in sequence. Buy it on paperback, for your Kindle, or listen to the audiobooks for free with a free 30-day trial of Audible here.

1. The Duke & I (Bridgerton)

The source material for the Netflix series, The duke and I centers around the classic fake-dating, they-do-not-want-them-herd, but it’s oh so well done. Bridgerton’s eldest daughter, Daphne, agrees during the high season court period to end the courtship with the mysterious Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings. They plan their extended character to keep the prying eyes of prying mothers from the Duke of the Duke, and to make Daphne a hot commodity along with the other qualifying bachelors. However, their plan begins to unravel when Daphne falls in love with Simon – you can see where it’s going, but the passionate journey is worth it.

2. The Burgh Count who loved me

While the first book focuses on Daphne and Simon’s journey to marriage, the second surrounds the elusive bachelor and Lady Whistledown certified rake, Anthony, the eldest Bridgerton son. After getting tired of his reputation, Anthony decides to settle down and marry Edwina, exactly the honorable young woman he thinks he needs. Too bad her sister, Kate Sheffield, stops his efforts every turn, determined to stop her younger sister from marrying someone like Anthony. But through their witty chatter and testament struggle, Kate finds that she might just want the Viscount for herself. Not everyone can be immune to the Regency bad boy charm.

3. An offer from a gentleman

Who does not like a good Cinderella story? Benedict Bridgerton, the second eldest son of the tribe, plays the role of Prince Charming while dancing the night of his life on a masquerade ball with a mysterious woman. That woman turns out to be Sophie Beckett, the daughter of a count, but who lives her days as a maid as she was forced into the position by her cruel stepmother. Benedict is attracted to a famous maid as he searches for the mysterious woman of his dream. But the novel explores the consequences of their class difference, as Sophie knows they may never be able to be together.

Romancing Mister Bridgerton

Fans of the Netflix adaptation will enjoy this sequel to the unanswered romance between Colin, Bridgerton’s third brother, and Penelope, Featherington’s youngest daughter. After spending a lot of time abroad and getting tired of his ominous manners (sounds familiar?), Colin returns to the city and crosses with Penelope again. She’s not quite the wallflower she’s ever been, but she’s still holding a flame for him, even though they’s years apart. While they dance around each other, Penelope has a secret that could threaten anything if Colin notices it (those who watched the show can probably deduce what this secret is).

5. To Sir Phillip, With love

Fast-paced fan favorite Eloise Bridgerton, who had no interest in marriage in the first season, is now a screenplay if we find her in the fifth book. While keeping track of her correspondence from her late cousin’s husband, Sir Philip Crane, he suggests that she come and live with him, as his children need a new mother. Eloise therefore moves out to the countryside and begins her new, imperfect match. But despite the doubts about him and their fake marriage, they slowly learn to accept and love each other’s flaws.

6. When he was bad

This book again shifts perspectives to seeing the Bridgerton family from the outside, with the biggest love interest (and another infamous rake), Michael Stirling. He cherishes a deep love for Francesca Bridgerton after the first time he enlightens her – coincidentally days before her wedding to his cousin. But when unfortunate circumstances lead to Michael taking his cousin’s title and Francesca being left alone, Michael tries to show her that he can be more than just her trusted confidant.

7. It’s in his kiss

After the youngest Bridgerton daughter, Hyacinth, Gareth St. Clair meets in the Smythe-Smith musicals, blooms a tentative spark. When Gareth reveals that he needs help translating an old diary written in Italian to save his legacy, Hyacinth agrees to help. The longer they spend together and work on their single goal, the closer they get to finding answers that have always been in front of them (spoiler: the answer is love).

8. On the way to the wedding

With the latest installment of the Bridgerton saga, we follow Bridgerton’s only non-touching brother, Gregory. He is sentimental and believes in love at first sight when he sees Hermione Watson. However, she is in love with another man, someone who is her best friend Lady Lucinda Abernathy. While Lucinda graciously agrees to help Gregory win Hermione’s hand, they discover the true love between the two of them. But double turn! Lucy is already engaged to a man who has chosen her uncle, and he does not want her to come back so easily.

How are books Bridgerton?

Although Bridgerton’s storylines are admittedly excessive, and their true royal counterparts themselves have had their share of bad stories. Here are some books on the real Regency era, if you want the historical look behind your favorite Bridgerton romance.

1. Jane Austen’s England

Jane Austen’s novels remain one of the greatest inspirations for the way we view the Regency period in modern times. No one can deny, however, that her lens was entirely focused on the way the other half lived, especially the issues of money and class (including romance) that concern a very small part of English society. Authors Roy and Lesley Adkins offer a profound dive into England at the time of Austen’s novels, and the way in which events such as war and unrest affected ordinary government and ordinary people. It is an essential reading for both history lovers and Janeites.

2. Mal & bad

“The popular image of the Regency is still mythologized by the hundreds of novels set during the period, focusing almost exclusively on wealthy, white, upper-class Christian members,” reads the description of author Bea Koch’s book. Looking at a feminist look at the popular era, Koch tells the stories of true women who lived floors, beyond the limited scope of this popular genre. She examines the history of LGBTQ and Jewish Regency women, women of color and women who were in fields such as astronomy and paleontology.

3. The Regency Years

The Regency Years feels like a romantic novel that tells the historical events – which is why we strongly recommend it. Author Robert Morrison argues here that it was actually the Regency that planted the seeds for the modern era, rather than all the honor the Victorians regularly receive. Chapters cover a wide range of topics, covering economics, social reforms, arts and entertainment, war and more. You may know the key players of the era (the Shelleys, Byron, Austen, etc.), but do you know all the others who made history in the background? Morrison’s dynamic style, as well as quotes from letters and diaries, will teach you all about how this period shaped the world we know today.