Best Bridgerton books

The Bridgerton novels are a distinguished book series of regency novels, which gained even more popularity with its adaptation into a Netflix series. Here are the best Bridgerton books and further information on this romance subgenre and its author.

Regency romance explained

Generally, a romance novel’s main plot centers around a love story. The novel is full of optimism and has a satisfying ending. These kinds of novels are what people usually describe as the Happily Ever After or HEA.

Regency romance also has a love story as the central theme, but it’s set in Regency England between 1811 and 1820. This genre’s main characteristic is its fast-paced, intelligent conversations between the characters.

Readers find the genre appealing because of its glamorous settings and rich trappings. You’ll rarely find a Regency romance with destitute main characters unless the author uses a rags-to-riches or Cinderella trope. Instead, expect sprawling estates filled with British aristocracy looking for love.

In addition, Regency romances, as a general rule, are filled with lots of external conflicts. Imagine that two unlikely characters fall for each other but are kept apart for political or financial reasons. On occasion, it’s not an external reason that keeps the lovers apart but their own pride.

This nail-biting narrative has many readers hooked. And even if a HEA is guaranteed, the journey there is still an emotional rollercoaster.

Lastly, in a world where social mores can make or break a character’s reputation (and marriage prospects), each action has some pretty high stakes, no matter how small. These constraints add to the romantic tension of the story.

Julia Quinn’s approach to the Regency genre is defined as sensual historical romance. These novels share the main characteristics of Regency. However, they are much more explicit about sex than traditional Regency.

Best books from the Bridgerton series

If you’re into regency romance, here are the best Bridgerton books you need to add to your reading list. Be aware there might be spoilers.

• The Duke and I. If you want to read Bridgerton books in order, The Duke and I is your starting point. The first book of the Bridgerton series was published in 2000. It centers on the lovable debutant Daphne Bridgerton and the stunning yet cold-hearted Duke of Hastings, also called Simon Basset. They decide to fake courtship as Daphne wants more time to evaluate her prospects, and Simon doesn’t want to get married. Their plan works perfectly at first. However, things get complicated when they start having feeling for each other.
• The Viscount Who Loved Me. The gossip columnist Lady Whistledown announces Anthony Bridgerton has decided to get married, but she falls short of the information. He hasn’t just decided on matrimony, he’s chosen his future wife. The only obstacle between him and his bride is her meddlesome older sister Kate Sheffield. She believes Mr. Bridgerton will not be a good husband for her little sister and intends to stop the betrothal.

• An Offer From a Gentleman. It follows the story of Sophie Beckett, the daughter of an earl who’s been relegated to a servant by her evil stepmother. That’s why she never dreamt of sneaking into Lady Bridgerton’s famous masquerade ball. Despite all odds, she is there, like Cinderella spinning around in the arms of the incredibly handsome Benedict Bridgerton. Alas, she knows no enchantment last forever.
• It’s in His Kiss. Gareth St. Clair is about to lose his inheritance, thanks to his vile father. His most valuable possession is an old family diary, which may hold the secrets of his past and be the key to his future. The only problem is the diary is in Italian. Hyacinth Bridgerton offers to translate the diary for him. When they start diving into the diary, they realize the answers are not in the pages but in each other. The answer might very well be in the most simple yet complicated perfect kiss.

About the author

Julia Quinn is the New York Times bestselling American author of the Bridgerton series. It follows the story of the Bridgerton family and how each of the Bridgerton siblings finds love.

After graduating from Harvard College with an art degree, Julia wanted to start a medical career. However, after learning that she would need a couple of additional years of science classes, she decided to postpone additional schooling and write more novels.

In those two years, she wrote two truly successful novels. She still went to Yale in search of a medical degree but dropped out two months later to pursue a writing career.

Her first novel Splendid was published in 1995. The author has published dozens of books under a pen name before the publication of the Bridgerton book series.

In 2020, Netflix premiered the first Bridgerton season based on Julia Quinn’s novels.

Netflix also brought Shonda Rhimes, Grey’s Anatomy writer, to the project to incorporate her unique additions to the story, including pop music string instrumentals, and steamy scenes. The second season was released in 2022.

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FAQ

What happens to Daphne and Simon in the books?

In the book, Daphne and Simon get married after an illicit kiss in the garden that would have ruined Daphne’s reputation.

They have marital problems when Daphne discovers that Simon is not incapable of having children, but he doesn’t want to.

The couple solves their differences in the end and has one child.

Who is the 4 book of Bridgerton about?

Book 4 of the Bridgerton series is Romancing Mister Bridgerton. Colin Bridgerton is the most endearing young man in London, especially in the eyes of Penelope Featherington. She has secretly adored her best friend’s brother for as long as she can remember.

She feels she knows everything about him after half a life of observing him at a distance. However, when she discovers his darkest secret, she fears she doesn’t know him at all.

What is the last Bridgerton book about?

The last book from the original Bridgerton series is On the Way to the Wedding, the love story between Gregory Bridgerton and Lucy.

However, the author released a ninth book named The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After with eight funny and endearing second epilogues and a bonus story about Violet Bridgerton.

For those fans that can’t get enough of the Bridgerton family, the author also published the Rokesby series, a prequel to the Bridgerton stories.

Who are some other main characters in Bridgerton?

Some other main characters in Bridgerton include Eloise Bridgerton, Francesca Bridgerton, and Lady Danbury.

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Enjoy the most epic love stories with the best Bridgerton Books

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Visit a time in history when health and status were all that mattered. The regency romance in the Bridgerton books will restore your faith in love.