How to Read All 8 Bridgerton Books in Order

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Netflix’s Bridgerton series quickly broke records in its first month on the streaming service, with 625 million hours viewed in its first 28 days on the platform.

While viewers love tuning in to catch up on the romantic drama of the Bridgerton family in Regency England, many may not realize that the story started as a series of books.

Set between 1813 and 1827, Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series consists of 8 novels, with each following a different member of the Bridgerton family.

In this post, we’ll break down the order of the Bridgerton books so you can enjoy a delicious slice of historical romance, whether you’re new to the franchise or just curious about the books after watching the show.

Bridgerton Books in Order

Here are all 8 Bridgerton books by Julia Quinn in order of publication date.

1. The Duke and I

Simon Basset is on the verge of proposing to his best friend’s sister, Daphne Bridgerton. But Simon and Daphne both know the truth: their looming engagement is all part of an elaborate plan to keep Simon free from the schemes of marriage-minded society mothers.

Daphne also knows that the Duke’s declaration will make her more desirable in the eyes of other potential suitors.

Despite their plan, as she waltzes across the ballroom with Simon, Daphne often finds it hard to remember that their courtship is a sham.

When she realizes that she’s falling for the duke, she must convince him that their clever scheme deserves a slight alteration.

2. The Viscount Who Loved Me

London’s gossip columnists constantly speculate on Anthony Bridgerton’s eternal bachelorhood, but this time they’ve gotten it wrong.

Anthony has indeed finally chosen a wife. There’s just one obstacle—his intended’s meddlesome older sister, Kate Sheffield. Convinced that reformed rakes do not make the best husbands, Kate is determined to stop the engagement and protect her sister.

Her efforts are driving Anthony mad, but when he goes to sleep at night, it’s Kate haunting his increasingly erotic dreams. Meanwhile, Kate fears the vulnerability of her own heart, especially when Anthony’s lips touch hers.

3. An Offer From a Gentleman

Sophie Beckett, the illegitimate daughter of an earl, never dreamed she’d be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton’s famed masquerade ball—or that her own “Prince Charming” would be waiting there for her.

Sophie’s disdainful stepmother has long relegated her to the role of servant. But now, spinning in the strong arms of the debonair Benedict Bridgerton, she feels like royalty. Too bad all enchantments must end at the stroke of midnight.

Ever since that magical night, Benedict has been set on finding that radiant girl he danced with. He’s distracted only by the oddly familiar beauty dressed as a housemaid, whom he feels compelled to rescue from her circumstances.

4. Romancing Mister Bridgerton

Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend’s brother, Colin Bridgerton, for what feels like forever.

After so many years of watching him from afar, Penelope thinks she knows everything about him. But when she stumbles across his deepest secret, she wonders whether she really knows him at all.

Colin is tired of being seen as just an empty-headed charmer and finding his name in every gossip column. When he returns to London after a trip abroad, he finds that nothing in his life is quite the same—including Penelope, who suddenly haunts his dreams.

When Colin learns that Penelope has secrets of her own, he’ll have to decide if she’s his biggest threat or his promise of a happy ending.

5. To Sir Phillip, With Love

Thinking Eloise Bridgerton a homely, unassuming spinster, Sir Phillip proposed marriage, expecting her to eagerly accept.

But the beautiful woman who showed up on his doorstep hoping to meet her perfect match turned out to be anything but quiet.

Eloise’s perfect husband turned out to be less than perfect—moody and ill-mannered, Phillip was certainly handsome, but completely unlike the London gentlemen vying for her hand.

Yet when he smiled and kissed her, the world seemed to fall away, making Eloise wonder whether this imperfect man might be perfect for her.

6. When He Was Wicked

Michael Stirling was London’s most notorious bachelor—until he took one look at Francesca Bridgerton and immediately fell in love.

Unfortunately, Michael met Francesca just 36 hours before her imminent wedding to his cousin.

But that was then—now Francesca is free an Michael is an earl. Still, she sees him only as a dear friend and confidant, and Michael wouldn’t dare speak of his love… until one dangerous night, when they’re both overpowered by passion.

7. It’s in His Kiss

Gareth St. Clair’s father is determined to ruin Gareth’s inheritance. His sole bequest ends up being an old family diary, which may or may not contain secrets of the past. Too bad it’s all in Italian, of which Gareth doesn’t speak a word.

Meanwhile, everyone agrees Hyacinth Bridgerton is fiendishly smart, outspoken, and according to Gareth, probably best in small doses. But there’s something so charming and vexing about her that Gareth can’t quite shake…

Hyacinth offers to translate the diary, even though her Italian is slightly less than perfect. As the two delve into the mysterious text, they realize that the answers they seek lie not in the diary, but in each other.

8. On the Way to the Wedding

In the final installment of this Regency series, we met Gregory Bridgerton, who truly believes in true love. He’s convinced that when he comes across the woman of his dreams, he’ll instantly know she’s the one.

That’s exactly what happens, except… she isn’t the one. Hermione Watson loves another, but her best friend, Lucy, offers to help Gregory win her over. In the process, of course, Lucy falls in love with Gregory.

Too bad Lucy is engaged, and her uncle is not about to let her back out of her betrothal—not even after Gregory comes to his senses and realizes that Lucy is the one for him.

Now, on the way to her wedding, Gregory must risk everything to ensure that he’s the one kissing the bride at the end of the altar.

Does Bridgerton Follow the Books?

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard about Netflix’s incredibly popular adaptation of the Bridgerton books, produced by Shonda Rhimes.

So far just two seasons have been released, and as far as the plots, they appear to follow the first two books, respectively. However, Rhimes has hinted that the rest of the seasons may not follow the same order of the books.

Rhimes’s adaptation has also generated much positive buzz for its representation of more diverse characters.

While the books don’t tackle race at all, the Netflix series features actors of color in starring roles, something that has rarely been seen in depictions of the Regency era, even though the London of that time was more diverse that these adaptations suggest.

Are you a fan of the Bridgerton books or Netflix show? Share your thoughts on either series in the comments below!

 

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