It’s been almost 2 weeks since I finished Bridgerton on Netflix (for the first time anyways) and my obsession is still going strong. I decided to make this week’s Friday Five Bridgerton themed because if you’ve finished the show and you’re all kinds of obsessed-like me- you’re going to want to pick up these reads as soon as possible!
Here are 5 books you should read if you LOVE Bridgerton. Written while listening to the instrumental versions of Thank You, Next, Bad Guy, and Wildest Dreams, of course!
The Duke and I & The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn
Let’s start with the actual Bridgerton books. I started watching episode 1 and then decided I wanted to read the book that season 1 is based off of before I finished the rest of the series. The Duke and I (book 1) is such a wonderful read. It follows Daphne and Simon, just like the Netflix series. I feel like the book is very different from the series though. I mean, the main plot points are the same, but there is so much left out/changed in the Netflix series. I think the book is actually much funnier than the series.I also like that the book mostly follows just Daphne and Simon….there isn’t as many side stories. Don’t get me wrong, I love alllll the side characters in the Netflix series (especially Anthony), but I love how much more we get to see of Daphne and Simon’s relationship. There are lots of swoon-worthy moments that didn’t make it into the show. Even if you’ve already watched the series, I still recommend reading the book because you’ll get a different story. The same basic story, but different!
The second book is the only other one I’ve read (so far!) and it follows Daphne’s brother, Anthony. Oh, Anthony. My favorite Bridgerton brother. I feel like Anthony is totally different in the books. I absolutely LOVED this book-even more than The Duke and I. If you’ve finished the Netflix series, you have to read The Viscount Who Loved Me. Season 2 will most definitely follow Anthony’s story. The ONE thing I really didn’t like about the show was the Anthony/Sienna storyline. You will LOVE Kate Sheffield!
The Heiress Gets a Duke by Harper St. George
The Heiress Gets a Duke doesn’t come out until the end of this month, but when it is released, you neeeeeed to read this one-especially if you have read The Viscount Who Loved Me. I loved the heroine in the one. She is such a strong, independent female that doesn’t want to get married because if she does, she has to give up her job in order to become a wife. The male lead also slightly reminds me of the Duke from Bridgerton. There’s boxing involved in this one-just like in Bridgerton, so if you loved those scenes, you’ll enjoy this one. Swoony and smart!
To Have and to Hoax & To Love and to Loathe by Martha Waters
You have heard me rave about Martha Waters’ historical romance series. I read it back in January of 2020 and it made me fall in love with the genre. If you’re just now discovering this type of story after watching Bridgerton, I highly recommend To Have and to Hoax (the first book) and To Love and to Loathe (the second book.) These are part of a series, but can be read as stand alones. Y’all these books are SO funny and SO sweet! The first book is my favorite, but I love TLATL so so much. The second one comes out in April. So fun and cute!
Bringing Down the Duke & A Rogue of One’s Own by Evie Dunmore
Bringing Down the Duke is another one that I’ve been shouting from the rooftops. If you love a strong, smart female who strives for equality, this is the romance for you. I absolutely love the message of these feminist historical romance stories. A Rogue of One’s Own is even more swoon-worthy. I think I may even like it more? I can’t decide! If you love Chuck Bass from Gossip Girl, you will enjoy this story. Again, these two are part of a series, but can be read as stand alones.
Mr. Malcolm’s List by Suzanne Allain
Now, I’m taking a risk with Mr. Malcom’s List because I haven’t read it yet, but it sounds like it has a similar vibe to The Duke and I. PLUS, they are making it into a movie starting Sam Heughan (you know, JAMIE FRASER from Outlander!!) It isn’t supposed to come out until 2022, but we can get a jumpstart on the obsession, right? This one sounds so fun. I have high hopes! Here’s the synopsis. Doesn’t it sound dreamy??
The Honorable Jeremy Malcolm is searching for a wife, but not just any wife. He’s determined to elude the fortune hunters and find a near-perfect woman, one who will meet the qualifications on his well-crafted list. But after years of searching, he’s beginning to despair of finding this paragon. And then Selina Dalton arrives in town…
Selina, a vicar’s daughter of limited means and a stranger to high society, is thrilled when her friend Julia invites her to London. Until she learns it’s part of a plot to exact revenge on Mr. Malcolm. Selina is reluctant to participate in Julia’s scheme, especially after meeting the irresistible Mr. Malcolm, who seems very different from the arrogant scoundrel of Julia’s description.
But when Mr. Malcolm begins judging Selina against his unattainable standards, Selina decides that she has qualifications of her own. And if he is to meet them he must reveal the real man behind…Mr. Malcolm’s List.
I’m excited to read all of these! I loved Bridgerton too. Just started To Have and To Hoax last night! Every book I’ve read that you have recommended has been wonderful.