[Editor’s note: This post was originally published on July 19, 2024. It has been updated to include the “Bridgerton” prequel stories.]
The “Bridgerton” Netflix TV series is about a family with eight siblings, all either horny rakes or attracted to horny rakes, looking for love on the Regency marriage mart. Based on a beloved bestselling series of books by Julia Quinn that began in 2000, each season of the show is a loose adaptation of one of the books about the Bridgerton family, highlighting one specific sibling.
So far, that includes Book No. 1, “The Duke and I,” which became Season 1 of “Bridgerton,” focusing on Simon and Daphne; Book. No. 2, “The Viscount Who Loves Me,” which became the second season centering Anthony and Kate; and “Romancing Mister Bridgerton,” Book No. 4 (twist!), which became Season 3 of the Netflix smash, which saw Penelope Featherington and Colin finding love.
What’s next? Clues at the end of Season 3 suggested that Season 4 will center on Benedict Bridgerton’s story (Benedict’s book is “An Offer from a Gentleman”), which Netflix soon confirmed. Fans of both know that the show takes creative liberties with the 20-year-old books, making the tale a more diverse treat as well as softening up some of the historically accurate but not exactly romance-inducing behavior from the reformed rakes that populate the novels.
Even if one has never seen the show, each book is a standalone that doesn’t require any previous knowledge. (To clarify here: These are steamy historical romances, and while there is a plot, it’s best not to think about it too deeply. People lust after each other! Repression is hot.) Unlike the show, the plots of the novels don’t tend to weave together too much. Also unlike the show, the mysterious Lady Whistledown is simply not that big of a presence, as much as this gentle reader wishes Julie Andrews also narrated the books.
The novels themselves have only gotten more popular since the show premiered (they currently average about 35,000 reviews each on Amazon), but if online discussion is any indication, many fans of the show prefer to remain unspoiled and don’t read the source material.
For those that are curious and want to dive in, below, are all nine original Bridgerton books, ranked from worst to best.
9. “The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After” (Bridgerton Book 9)
This is a bit of a cop-out as this installment was an add-on once the books became popular. It’s comprised of “second epilogues” for the each of the previous books, which mostly feel like fun fanfic additions, although some have quite large plot reveals. There is also a novella about Bridgerton matriarch Violet, which is a fun treat. (Tip: If you read the original installments on Kindle, they now include the respective second epilogue in the book already.)
Hot: The best of the bunch is a cute story about Eloise’s now-grown stepdaughter finding love.
Not Hot: Most of these tales amount to “This horny couple is still hot for each other (and that’s a good thing).” Even by the low plot standards typical of much of the genre, this is truly easy breezy.
8. “To Sir Philip, with Love” (Bridgerton Book 5)
I’m on record noting that when they adapt Eloise’s tale for the TV show, they are going to need to make some massive changes to her story. Fearing spinsterhood, Eloise departs for a grand adventure in Gloucestershire after exchanging letters with her (now dead) cousin’s husband, Sir Philip Crane. He’s a grump and has kids he doesn’t know what to do with. She has protective older brothers that are going to flip. Can she save him and the kids from a dreary life of sadness?
Hot: Fun scenes where readers can see how much more clever Eloise is than all of her brothers.
Not Hot: Eesh, much of this. The actual sex scenes are fun but the plot involves a lot of having to turn one’s brain off to pretend Eloise is getting a good deal in the end.
7. “The Duke and I” (Bridgerton Book 1)
In the first installment of the series, author Quinn had (understandably) not quite found her groove yet when it came to the various personalities that populate her later books. This traditional tale that kicks off the series is pretty comparable to what appears on screen between Daphne and Simon in Season 1 of the show. He’s a duke who hates his father and refuses to have kids, Daphne is … a protagonist.
Hot: Having your brother and your crush fight a duel over you.
Not Hot: Martial rape (kind of).
6. “An Offer from a Gentleman” (Bridgerton Book 3)
Clearly taking inspiration from Cinderella, Benedict Bridgerton meets a mysterious woman at a masquerade ball and instantly falls in love with her — despite not knowing what she looks like. He spends years trying to find her, and also save a sweet servant girl from an attempted gang rape (….yes). Would you believe it just might be the same lady!
Hot: Benedict is a real charmer in this one. The character came alive in Season 3 of the show, and fans hope he’ll retain that spark when the show adapts this more traditional story.
Not Hot: Benedict Bridgerton has never heard of power dynamics. Sad!
5. “When He Was Wicked” (Bridgerton Book 6)
Francesca Bridgerton’s story is quite different than what fans have already seen on Netflix. Married to Lord John Stirling at the beginning of the book, he dies quickly and Francesca is a sad widow whose dead husband’s best friend/cousin is in love with her. This is the weepy tragedy of the “Bridgerton” world, full of forbidden feelings and second chances. It will likely change significantly when it comes to screens, so even if you’re hoping to remain spoiler-free, this is a smart one to dive into for a taste.
Hot: This books is very pro oral sex!
Not Hot: If you like John on the TV show, this book is a bit of a bummer.
4. “Romancing Mister Bridgerton” (Bridgerton Book 4)
This one was a lot more fun than I was expecting! Colin and Penelope’s love story is much more endearing in book form than on Netflix — primarily because Quinn gives Colin real personality, wants, and desires, mostly around finding his purpose (Colin is actually a secret charmer in several of the books). The many other plots in Season 3 are excised, so this novel is better able to focus on all the Whistledown mystery, plus a deepening of Eloise and Penelope’s friendship. It hits the big moments from the show, like the carriage hookup and the reveal of Lady Whistledown, but it’s all with a lighter, more romantic touch. Polin fans, make the time.
Hot: The Colin character is significantly more swoon-worthy here than on the TV series.
Not Hot: Spinster talk :(.
3. “On the Way to the Wedding” (Bridgerton Book 8)
I’m as stunned as you are that two of my personal top three “Bridgerton” books come at the end of the series, with characters the show has yet to barely touch upon. But it’s the truth! Here, youngest brother Gregory absolutely believes in love, because of all his loved-up siblings (we get it). So when he instantly falls in love with Hermione Watson (sure), he believes it’s fate. Except she isn’t interested. But, she’s got a smart best friend waiting in the wings…
Hot: Julia Roberts-esque rom-com worthy moments like breaking up a wedding; spying on your beloved from a tree.
Not Hot: Feeling like a second choice.
2. “It’s in His Kiss” (Bridgerton Book 7)
Hyacinth may not have much to do on the TV show yet, but in her book, she’s a fun, bossy know-it-all who longs for adventure. Also, Lady Danbury is a delightful side character here. (Hyacinth’s love interest Gareth is her grandson.) Presumably freed up because we are seven books in at this point, Quinn experiments a bit more with tropes in this one, adding in a mystery element (long, long diary entries in Italian! missing jewelry!) for our young would-be lovers to explore.
Hot: Solving a mystery with a cute guy.
Not Hot: Generational family trauma.
1. “The Viscount Who Loved Me” (Bridgerton Book 2)
The sexy, charming story that formed the basis for Season 2 of the Netflix show is even better in book form. For one thing, there isn’t a weird love triangle between sisters in the novel. Even better, the book is one of the more substance-filled of the series, with both Kate and Anthony harboring family secrets with some depth. If you’re just going to read one Bridgerton installment, make it this one — even if you’ve already watched the show and therefore think you know the tale.
Hot: A rogue, saving a woman he loathes from a carriage crash.
Not Hot: He’s a viscount, it’s historically accurate, etc. etc. Before he was Head Wife Guy, Anthony is a bossy nag!
Bridgerton Prequels
Need more? Julia Quinn has her fans covered. There are also four “Bridgerton” prequel books, circa 1779-1786, about the Rokesby siblings. The Rokesbys grew up next door to the Bridgertons a generation or so prior to the events in the “Bridgerton” books. (In one, Bridgerton matriarch Violet makes a cameo appearance with toddler-aged Anthony and Benedict.) Like all the books on this list, each can be read as a standalone, though it’s more fun if you read them in order for little appearances from other characters.
Overall, while still historical romance novels, the plots in these are a little more adventure-focused compared to the original series. These books have spies! war! pirates! Plus, obviously, a lot of will they-won’t they tension and s e x. All the Bridgerton prequel books are ranked below.
4. “Because of Miss Bridgerton” Book No. 1
Truthfully, this one is more than a little basic. It’s ostensibly an enemies-to-lovers situation about the literal girl next door, Billie Bridgerton, who has hung out with the Rokesby siblings her entire life. Two of them are her great pals, and then there is an older brother/future earl, George, who has always been kind of cold to her. Guess which one she ultimately falls in love with!
Hot: Kissing an adversary.
Not Hot: Falling from a tree.
3. “First Comes Scandal” Book No. 4
Georgiana Bridgerton is abducted by a rogue for her generous dowry! Given that her reputation is ruined because she spent 10 unsupervised minutes alone in a carriage with this scoundrel and would therefore be forced to marry him, her childhood friend Nicholas Rokesby comes to her aide and agrees to marry her instead (with some heavy pressure from his family). But this is a marriage of convenience — these two hot youngsters couldn’t possibly fall in love post-marriage, could they? You’re not going to believe this…
Hot: Elaborate revenge schemes in the dead of night.
Not Hot: A ruined reputation due to the evils of men.
2. “The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband” Book No. 2
When her brother goes missing during the Revolutionary War, Cecilia Harcourt is determined to find him, so she hightails it across the Atlantic for New York. Once there, she can’t find her brother, but instead finds his injured, unconscious best friend, officer Edward Rokesby. She nurses him back to health while posing as his wife. When he recovers, she must keep up the ruse for safety … but how much of a ruse is it really if she’s gone and fallen in love with him!?
Hot: There’s only one bed.
Not Hot: Maybe-dead brothers.
1. “The Other Miss Bridgerton” Book No. 3
I need a Netflix adaptation of this, like, yesterday. Poppy Bridgerton is off exploring when she stumbles upon a cave and comes across some pirates and stolen treasure. The pirates (OK, technically privateers) can’t leave her alone so they chloroform her (sad!) and take her aboard, where she becomes Captain Andrew Rokesby’s problem. Stuck in his captain’s quarters where he assures her she’ll be safe, it quickly becomes obvious that the captain has more than a few secrets — and an adventure-loving Bridgerton girl is going to crack the code.
Hot: Sneaking around Lisbon with a spy.
Not Hot: Being drugged and kidnapped.
If you can believe it, there is now basically a BCU (“Bridgerton” Cinematic Universe) of stories by Julia Quinn in addition to the books above. Amongst others, there are spin-off stories about the Smythe-Smith siblings from the same era and three cash-in books about Lady Whistledown. There’s also a “Queen Charlotte” book, though that was written to coincide with the spinoff Netflix TV show, not the inspiration for it.
If you’ve read all of those and still want some historical romance, consider Evie Dunmore’s “The League of Extraordinary Women” series or “Never Fall for Your Fiancee” by Virginia Heath. Note to Netflix: Adapt these next.
Want more about the Bridgertons? Read about why Benedict Bridgerton will make a wonderful Season 4 lead; why Eloise’s Bridgerton book needs to be reworked; and more about Francesca Bridgerton’s two sexy marriages and her infertility plot line.
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