Oh I just finished my binge watch of Bridgerton and I could not have been more thrilled with the adaptation. Definitely one of the better book to tv/movie adaptations lately!
The casting was incredible, I think it captured what I loved about the books that I’ve read in the series, the cast was ABSOLUTELY impeccable.
It really and truly made me want to finally finish the books I haven’t read in the series! I read the first few books years ago and now I definitely want to get back into them.
Maybe you’ve just finished Bridgerton and are looking for, after you promptly binge the rest of Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series, books like Bridgerton on Netflix. I’ve got a great reading list for books to read if you love Bridgerton and want to dive into some good historical fiction.
Update: I first published this after Bridgerton series came out with season 1 and now here we are with season 4 coming out this week. I figured it was time to add a couple books I’ve read since (I think I updated after S2) and think are good reads for Bridgerton fans.
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Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series was MY first foray into historical romance and I quickly fell in love the light Regency romance filled with plenty of swoons, angst and humor. And the family, I loved the family immediately.
The series definitely made me look at a genre that I had previously dismissed as “probably not for me.” Julia Quinn is a perfect foray into historical romance honestly.
Plus the regency period has become MY FAVE to read. So here’s some other historical romance series fans of Bridgerton should read next after you finish the rest of the Bridgerton books!
I know some people have had a hard time getting into the Bridgerton books vs the show but I personally still find that series to be among my favorites (though honestly I think you can skip book 1 because it holds up the least for me now).
Lisa Kleypas’ Wallflower series
If you enjoyed the hunt for husbands in Bridgerton and wished Daphne had a group of friends to share that experience that all with, this is a great series to start.
But rather than it being about someone like Daphne, coveted and sought after, it’s more about a character like Penelope who is mostly ignored at the balls and not seriously considered.
This series chronicles four women in London society, not necessarily the most sought after ladies, who must use their wit and wiles to find suitable husbands and decide to band together to find each one of them a husband.
Lisa Kleypas is a must-read romance author (my first foray into her books was actual with her non-historical romance book Sugar Daddy) and I think this series is perfect if you liked Bridgerton.
Lisa Kleypas’ The Hathaways series
(Yes, another Lisa Kleypas because she is so good).
If you enjoyed the family aspect of Bridgerton and following along the sibling’s individual love stories, try this series. I think it’s great for fans of Bridgerton!
It’s about a quirky family who comes into an inheritance which elevates them into higher society and must learn to navigate this new world and life.
P.S. She also has another siblings centered series in the Ravenels but I haven’t read them yet.
The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare
(part of the Girl Meets Duke series)
If you enjoyed the marriage of convenience part of Bridgerton, check this first book out in this series!
The hero, who also is a broody guy who wants to be alone due to his past, is DESPERATE to find an heir and proposes a marriage of convenience to a woman – the seamstress who made his ex fiance’s wedding dress and is in desperate need of money – and places a ton of rules and terms on their marriage that’s goal is to produce an heir.
The heroine has some terms of her own and the two find themselves in a precarious toeing of the line of these rules. SA-WOON.
Bringing Down The Duke by Evie Dunmore
If you Eloise is your fave from the Bridgerton tv series and you were HERE for all of her “if I were a man I could do this” talks….you gotta read this one. It was one of my fave romances I read this year and I think it brings about a more fresh, modern-feeling vibe like Bridgerton the show!
It’s about a smart and strong young women who finds herself part of the women’s suffrage movement in England in 1879 and ends up on an undercover mission to get some powerful men on their side.
Her target is the broody and cold (yet very influential) Duke of Montgomery who she finds herself attracted to but whom she could never fall for because of their difference in stances on things. He’s attracted to her but she isn’t duchess material in social standing.
IT’S SO GOOD.
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A Duke Never Tells by Suzanne Enoch
This is one of my more recent favorites that prompted me to update this post! I felt like the vibe felt very fresh and fun like the tv series. My one caveat that it is NOT spicy so that could be great for you or a deal-breaker based on your romance preferences.
It’s about an heiress who decides to fake being a maid while in her fiance’s household to see if his reputation is true before she goes through with this extremely advantageous arranged marriage. However, she’s not the only one who is slipping into a new identity for the time being….and hijinx ensue!
This hilarious Regency romp was so fun and felt like it brought the humor, wit, scandal and a charming slow burn romance between characters I could really get a sense of. If you like your historical romances heavier on the accuracy/more detailed historical setting, this might bother you but to me it seemed in the vein of the show in that way.
A Week to Be Wicked by Tessa Dare
If you liked the whole fake courtship/convincing people they are in love trope of Daphne and Simon’s story, this one out of Tessa Dare’s Spindle Cove series is a good one.
It’s about a lord and spinster-to-be who need to get out of Spindle Cove (aka spinster’s cove) who fake an elopement so they get the heck out of dodge. Their carriage journey is full of adventures and mishaps…plus ONLY ONE BED trope. (My fave, omg, ONLY ONE BED WHAT SHALL WE DO tension).
The whole series is really worth a read though!!
Sarah MacLean’s Love By Numbers trilogy
Sarah MacLean, like Julia Quinn, is a staple in the historical romance world and is a good one if you just want more REALLY GREAT Regency era historical romance in your life.
If you loved the gossip and the scandals and wondered what happens to those who fall from grace after scandals in the Bridgerton type world, this series for you!
The Duke Heist by Erica Ridley
If you are looking for another family-centered Regency set romance series, check out the first book in the Wild Wynchesters (there are now 6 books in this series!).
Every book is a different sibling from this family and the family aspect of it is woven through so nicely like in Bridgerton — except these siblings are of the found family variety.
They were all orphans adopted by a wealthy Baron who has just passed away in the first book. It was such a fun read just like Bridgerton!
So there’s a good starter guide for books that are like the Bridgerton series. What are you some good Bridgerton readalikes/ books similar to Bridgerton that you think people should read next?
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Liz says
I LOVE the hathaways and was thinking that would be an amazing tv family as well!
Jamie says
RIGHT? I hope the success of Bridgertons will give us some series like that to adapt!!
Alice says
I binged watched all the bridgertons in just two days! Loved the vibe of gossip girl in victorian england.
I just started reading the first bridgerton book last night, and I must confess, I may actually like the Netflix show better:/
I just loved the diversity of the cast and the character of queen charlotte who wasn’t in the book.
Lindsi says
Bringing Down the Duke is one of my favorites! I also loved A Rogue of One’s Own. Did you read the bonus chapter for the first book? 🔥🔥🔥 I also binged the entire season of Bridgerton in a single night. I was ADDICTED, Jamie! My husband was not thrilled. 🤣 I definitely need more after how they left things.
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? 💬
Jamie says
I meant to get to A Rogue of One’s Own this year but it ended up going back to the library unread! So glad to hear you loved it!!! And no I need to find this bonus chapter!!! Also I KNOW…I read something that we will def be getting more seasons so yay!!
Paola Lee says
Loved the post! I’ve been looking for books to read since I’ve finished the tv show, I’m not an avid historical romance reader but after watching Bridgertons I’ve been wanting to read more historical romances. This post was my salvation hahaha Thanks!
Jamie says
Oh I’m so glad you found it helpful! Historical romance is such a great genre! I can’t wait to hear what you end up reading and what you think!
Mary A. says
Hi! I stumbled upon your blog after searching for this topic. I personally have had the Bridgerton and both Julia Quinn’s series on my bookshelves for what may have seem like FOREVER (10+years, along with their respective releases). So when I saw you put Julia Quinn first, I kid you not, I was STOKED. Like, “Yesss! This girl GETS IT!!” lmao! Those two series from hers are my favorite all-time as well. Ugh! So good! Since you get it (Lol!), I’m excited to try your other recommendations as well. Thanks for doing research!! I truly hope Julia Quinn’s Wallflower and Hathaways get their own Netflix series. They are so well-deserved. Take care!
Jamie says
YESSSS!! Julia Quinn is just so good all around and I hope people explore her other stuff now! And yes I AM WITH YOU in hoping for more Julia Quinn adaptations. Honestly there are so many good romance series that would make great adaptations. My kingdom for a Sarah MacLean adaptation!!
Lauren Kovar says
Just finished Bringing down the Duke on your recommendation and you were right! It was so good! Thank you!
Jamie says
Ah that makes me so happy! I loved that book so much! There are two more in that series and one upcoming for next year.