The Bridgerton books series by Julia Quinn – which takes place in the Regency era in London – is a wildly popular series that follows the eight affluent Bridgerton siblings searching for love and marriage.
So, it wasn’t a surprise when Netflix unveiled that there was to be a Shonda Rhimes-produced show based on the books. Nor was it a surprise when it became an instant smash hit, reaching 63 million households in its first four weeks and making the Bridgerton cast bonafide stars.
So if you enjoyed the third instalment of the steamy period drama on Netflix, which explored Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan)'s relationship with Colin Bridgerton – and you can't wait for season 4, which will explore Benedict Bridgerton's love story, why not update yourself on the Bridgerton book series?
Read ahead to find out everything you need to know about the regency-era family that took the ‘Ton by storm. Especially if you’re curious about who will be the focus of Bridgerton season 5?
The correct order of Bridgerton books
The correct order of the right Bridgerton books are as follows:
- The Duke and I, The Viscount Who Loved Me
- An Offer From a Gentleman
- Romancing Mr. Bridgerton
- To Sir Phillip, With Love
- When He Was Wicked
- It’s in His Kiss
- On the Way to the Wedding.
Set between 1813 and 1827, the Bridgerton book series is a collection of eight main novels, which tell the story of one of the eight children of the late Viscount Bridgerton: Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth.
After you've read all the books, you can indulge in a few Bridgerton sequels: The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After (which focuses on the new chapters with each of the happy couple), The Further Observations of Lady Whistledown, Lady Whistledown Strikes Back, and The Wit and Wisdom of Bridgerton.
Can the Bridgerton books be read out of order?
Yes! You most certainly don't have to read them in order, as each book is centred on one sibling's romance at a time. However, you may get the odd little spoiler here and there.
If we do say so ourselves, we recommend reading the Bridgerton books in order to see how other siblings mature over time as snippets of their characters appear throughout the novel series.
Does the Bridgerton series follow the books?
It does not, our gentle readers. As you've noticed, the books start with Daphne's story, and then go for the traditional alphabetical order. The series initially followed the same format, until season 3.
Season one, like the first novel, centred on Daphne Bridgerton’s burgeoning romance with Simon, the Duke of Hastings, while season two follows older brother Anthony Bridgerton as he navigates his complicated love/hate relationship with the new leading lady, Kate Sharma.
However, season three focused on Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington's love story instead of Benedict's romance, which is the focus of the third Bridgerton book. Benedict will finally get his love story told in season four – and we can most certainly expect more Bridgerton sex scenes.
Below is a description of each novel in the Bridgerton book series — and where to buy them.
1. The Duke And I (2000)
You’ve already seen this story come to life on Netflix. Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor) is looking to up her desirability on the marriage market, and Simon (Regé-Jean Page) wants the world to think he’s taken. In the book, the two meet when Daphne knocks out an unwanted suitor with one punch. They soon become friends and he helps her to navigate the world of dating, or courting, as it was called back then.
So these two pretend to be in a relationship, so suitors find Daphne more interesting and singles back off Simon. The only problem? A real romance starts to develop between the two — and drama ensues. The onscreen chemistry between Dyvenor and Page is pretty unforgettable, we'll say that for sure.
The two marry, but their troubles aren't over. Daphne starts to discover the impact of Simon's childhood, and his decision to not have children as a result. The book is even more controversial about this than the TV series, but both depict Daphne assaulting Simon in order to try get him to impregnate her. Both the book and the series see the couple have a happy ending when Daphne falls pregnant.
2. The Viscount Who Loved Me (2000)
In this novel, Anthony Bridgerton has finally chosen a wife to marry, but there’s one obstacle in his way: Kate, his fiancée’s older sister, who’s determined to not let this union happen. Kate isn’t charmed by former playboy Anthony and thinks he’ll make a downright horrible husband. What happens, then, when sparks fly between the two?
The second season of the Netflix show made stars out of Jonathan Bailey (who plays Anthony) and Simone Ashley (Kate) as well as Charithra Chandran, who plays Kate's sister Edwina Sharma. But the book takes a slightly different route to the series – Edwina doesn't protest Anthony and Kate's union in the novel, much wiser to their romance than the onscreen rendition of the characters. The Viscount Who Loved Me tackles parental traumas for the couple, as well as Anthony's anxiety around telling Kate he loves her.
3. An Offer From A Gentleman (2001)
Benedict Bridgerton is the star of this story, which is a bit of a play on Cinderella. At his mother’s famous masquerade ball, Benedict becomes entranced by the mysterious Sophie, a servant girl with a wicked stepmother. Sophie thinks their romance must end when the clock strikes midnight, but Benedict becomes determined to find her – and marry her.
In the book, when Benedict goes looking for Sophie, she's locked in the closet by her stepsisters so they don't meet. Three years later, Sophie is working in Benedict's mother's house and the pair grow close again and eventually marry. We don't know yet how closely the Netflix series will stick to this plotline, though.
4. Romancing Mister Bridgerton (2002)
At last, Penelope Featherington gets her due! Book four focuses on the “Will they or won’t they?” relationship between her and Colin Bridgerton, whom she’s been crushing on since the beginning of the series. And when Colin returns from a trip abroad, he starts developing a crush too.
Of course, their story is covered by the Netflix series this year, instead of Benedict's. The love story between Penelope and Colin is tackled slightly differently in the book, as they come together 10 years after he is overheard telling his brothers that he would never see Penelope in a romantic way.
We see Penelope ensnared by Colin's travel journal, just in the series, and she also asks Colin to kiss her after they have words about their differing options for societal success. Unlike in the series, he doesn't immediately realise his feelings. The book also covers Cressida's campaign to be Lady Whistledown and Colin's discovery of Penelope's true identity, as well as their debate over whether she should continue as the anonymous writer once they eventually declare their love for each other. Book four also introduces Eloise's love story with the husband of her late cousin Marina, Philip.
5. To Sir Phillip, With Love (2003)
It’s Eloise Bridgerton’s turn to find love now, and she finds it in an unlikely place: with Sir Phillip, a rough-around-the-edges brute who’s the polar opposite of the London gentleman vying for her attention. But this seemingly imperfect man may be the perfect one for her.
It's been described as something of a Beauty and the Beast story, we can't wait to see this on screen. Eloise seemingly helps to put Phillip's heart back together, healing it with the charm of her beauty and intelligent opinions. She also turns her hand to parenting his two twins from his first marriage. We wonder how much of this will make it to the Netflix TV series.
6. When He Was Wicked (2004)
Playboy Michael Stirling’s heart stops when he meets Francesca Bridgerton, but she’s set to marry his cousin. Years later, though, circumstances change, and a relationship prospect is back on the table. But Francesca only thinks of Michael as a friend… that is, until one passionate night.
In the book, we see Michael keep his feelings to himself, until John dies young while Francesca is pregnant. When she miscarries, the title of the Earl of Kilmartin is passed to Michael, who wrestles with his feelings of guilt for inheriting a title he didn't expect, but also his love for Francesca as she turns to him in her grief. The sexual tension gets the better of the both of them in the end.
This might be handled differently on the show. We've seen Francesca marry John in the third series of Bridgerton, and we've also seen her meet Michaela, not Michael, Stirling – played by Masali Baduza. We're here for this queer representation.
7. It’s In His Kiss (2005)
Book seven tracks the romance between Hyacinth, the youngest Bridgerton sibling, and Gareth St. Clair, who asks Hyacinth to help him translate his family’s Italian diary, which contains vital information, secrets and treasure.
Just like many Bridgerton pairings, the pair initially can't stand each other. But their quest for the truth keeps them close, ultimately causing them to realise why they might just be the perfect match…
8. On the Way To The Wedding (2006)
Talk about a love triangle. Here, Gregory Bridgerton is in love with Miss Hermione Watson, whose heart belongs to someone else. But her best friend, Lady Lucinda Abernathy, doesn’t approve of the relationship. So Lucinda agrees to help Gregory win Hermione over. Along the way, though, Lucinda falls in love with Gregory. The catch? Lucinda is also engaged to someone else.
Will all of the romantic entanglements resolve themselves in true, sizzling, Bridgerton form? We'd bet so.
9. The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After (2013)
This ninth novel contains a series of epilogues that take place after the original eight books.
What are the Bridgerton prequel novels?
Still not ready to leave the drama-filled ton behind? Don’t worry, there are four Bridgerton prequel novels you can dive into next.
The Rokesby prequels are set in the late 1700s and follow the Bridgerton siblings’ aunts and uncles as they travel the high seas, venture to America, and carve out lives back in England, all while discovering true love, of course. It’s the perfect way to get a taste of Regency romance before season 5 arrives.
- Because of Miss Bridgerton
- The Girl With the Make-Believe Husband
- The Other Miss Bridgerton
- First Comes Scandal
The final book in the Bridgerton series, First Comes Scandal, offers a charming glimpse of a young Violet and Edmund Bridgerton and their three eldest children as kids. You don’t need to read the prequel novels to follow the main story, but if you do, there’s no risk of spoilers. So really, it’s entirely up to you whether you dive in for a little extra Bridgerton backstory!
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