BRIDGERTON: 11 BOOKS TO READ AFTER WATCHING THE SHOW

Bridgerton: 11 Books to Read After Watching the Show

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Have you watched the show yet?

If you haven’t, I can only recommend it!

I read the Bridgertons series by Julia Quinn many years ago, during my regency romance phase. The Bridgertons are a family that is so very easy to fall in love with. Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth – eight siblings that will fill your heart with their genuine and likable personalities.

Now many years later I had the pleasure of watching them come alive on the screen and I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed the show. I binge watched all eight episodes as soon as they were aired, and adored it all!!! I loved how visually appealing the show was and how beautifully it was done.

The show kept closely to the books besides a few minor changes, but there was nothing that took away from the overall pleasure of watching a beloved series come alive on the screen. From the cast to the costumes. From the music to the backdrop. It was a feast for the eyes.

So, if you are interested in reading similar books, I have recommendations for you from all time favorite books to must read authors.

Let’s start with the series that the show is based on.

The Duke and I (Bridgertons, #1) by Julia Quinn

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Can there be any greater challenge to London’s Ambitious Mamas than an unmarried duke?—Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers, April 1813

By all accounts, Simon Basset is on the verge of proposing to his best friend’s sister—the lovely and almost-on-the-shelf—Daphne Bridgerton. But the two of them know the truth—it’s all an elaborate ruse to keep Simon free from marriage-minded society mothers. And as for Daphne, surely she will attract some worthy suitors now that it seems a duke has declared her desirable.

But as Daphne waltzes across ballroom after ballroom with Simon, it’s hard to remember that their courtship is a sham. Maybe it’s his devilish smile, certainly it’s the way his eyes seem to burn every time he looks at her . . . but somehow Daphne is falling for the dashing duke . . . for real! And now she must do the impossible and convince the handsome rogue that their clever little scheme deserves a slight alteration, and that nothing makes quite as much sense as falling in love.

THE CYNSTER SERIES

Devil’s Bride (Cynster, #1) by Stephanie Laurens

The Cynster book series by Stephanie Laurens is similar to The Bridgertons since it follows three pairs of brothers who are cousins. The Cynster clan is a tight knit clan and one of the pillars of the ton. And the women are as powerful as the men. But the story about Devil and Honoria is still my most favorite of all. She stubborn and smart. He one of the most eligible bachelors, and the head of a powerful family. I love their story. Love the push and pull between them, especially since they are both very strong personalities.

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When Devil, the most infamous member of the Cynster family, is caught in a compromising position with plucky governess Honoria Wetherby, he astonishes the entire town by offering his hand in marriage. No one dreamed this scandalous rake would ever take a bride. And as society mamas swooned at the loss of England′s most eligible bachelor, Devil′s infamous Cynster cousins began to place wagers on the wedding date.

But Honoria wasn′t about to bend society′s demands and marry a man “just” because they′d been found together virtually unchaperoned. No, she craved adventure, and while solving the murder of a young Cynster cousin fit the bill for a while, she decided that once the crime was solved she′d go off to see the world. But the scalding heat of her unsated desire for Devil soon had Honoria craving a very different sort of excitement. Could her passion for Devil cause her to embrace the enchanting peril of a lifelong adventure of the heart?

Bridgerton: 11 Books to Read After Watching the Show

THE WALLFLOWERS SERIES

Four young ladies at the side of the ballroom make a pact to help each other find husbands…no matter what it takes…

Devil in Winter (Wallflowers, #3) by Lisa Kleypas

Lisa Kleypas is often called the queen of regency romance and it’s a title she rightly deserves. She has a huge list of books that make it on many historical romance best of lists, but my favorite book of hers is still the Devil in Winter. The love story between the rake and the shyest of all four Wallflower was the most beautiful of all.

I would recommend the entire series, but I usually re-read this book out of order.

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A Devil’s Bargain

Easily the shyest Wallflower, Evangeline Jenner stands to become the wealthiest, once her inheritance comes due. Because she must first escape the clutches of her unscrupulous relatives, Evie has approached the rake Viscount St. Vincent with a most outrageous proposition: marriage!

Sebastian’s reputation is so dangerous that thirty seconds alone with him will ruin any maiden’s good name. Still, this bewitching chit appeared, unchaperoned, on his doorstep to offer her hand. Certainly an aristocrat with a fine eye for beauty could do far worse.

But Evie’s proposal comes with a condition: no lovemaking after their wedding night. She will never become just another of the dashing libertine’s callously discarded broken hearts—which means Sebastian will simply have to work harder at his seductions… or perhaps surrender his own heart for the very first time in the name of true love.

Bridgerton: 11 Books to Read After Watching the Show

Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels #3) by Loretta Chase

Lord of Scoundrels is often considered as the most popular historical romance of all times. It’s my most favorite historical romance novel as well. I love the combination of wit, banter and amazing chemistry between the couple. It makes for such a great read. And the Beauty and Beast retelling at the core of this story is just the icing on the cake.

Can be read as a standalone.

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They call him many names, but Angelic isn’t one of them . . . 

Sebastian Ballister, the notorious Marquess of Dain, is big, bad, and dangerous to know. No respectable woman would have anything to do with the “Bane and Blight of the Ballisters”—and he wants nothing to do with respectable women. He’s determined to continue doing what he does best—sin and sin again—and all that’s going swimmingly, thank you . . . until the day a shop door opens and she walks in.

She’s too intelligent to fall for the worst man in the world . . . 

Jessica Trent is a determined young woman, and she’s going to drag her imbecile brother off the road to ruin, no matter what it takes. If saving him—and with him, her family and future—means taking on the devil himself, she won’t back down. The trouble is, the devil in question is so shockingly irresistible, and the person who needs the most saving is—herself!

MACKENZIES & MCBRIDES SERIES

The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (Mackenzies & McBrides, #1) by Jennifer Ashley

I love stories with unique characters. And Ian is very different from other heroes. And his and Beth’s love story is so different, but also so very beautiful, and touching. I’m not exaggerating when I say that out of the many hundred regency romances I read over the years, only a handful books stand out from the crowd, and the story about Ian Mackenzie is one of them.

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The year is 1881. Meet the Mackenzie family—rich, powerful, dangerous, eccentric. A lady couldn’t be seen with them without ruin. Rumors surround them—of tragic violence, of their mistresses, of their dark appetites, of scandals that set England and Scotland abuzz. 

The youngest brother, Ian, known as the Mad Mackenzie, spent most of his young life in an asylum, and everyone agrees he is decidedly odd. He’s also hard and handsome and has a penchant for Ming pottery and beautiful women. 

Beth Ackerley, widow, has recently come into a fortune. She has decided that she wants no more drama in her life. She was raised in drama—an alcoholic father who drove them into the workhouse, a frail mother she had to nurse until her death, a fussy old lady she became constant companion to. No, she wants to take her money and find peace, to travel, to learn art, to sit back and fondly remember her brief but happy marriage to her late husband. 

And then Ian Mackenzie decides he wants her. 

The first of a new historical series.

Bridgerton: 11 Books to Read After Watching the Show

Ravished by Amanda Quick

Amanda Quick is one of my most favorite historical romance author. And her one word title romances are still my favorites. But out of all, Ravished is the one I’ve read the most. Not surprising, I adore witty and smart heroines, and love grumpy heroes. And the combination of both is catnip for me.

RAVISHED is a standalone

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The New York Times bestselling author of Rendezvous presents a spellbinding new Regency historical destined to be a hot beach read this summer. Moving from the cozy confines of a tiny seaside village named Upper Biddleton to the glittering crush of a fashionable London soiree, Quick offers an enthralling tale of a mismatched couple poised to discover the rapture of love.

There was no doubt about it. What Miss Harriet Pomeroy needed was a man. Someone powerful and clever who could help her rout the unscrupulous thieves who were using her beloved caves to hide their loot. But when Harriet summoned Gideon Westbrook, Viscount St. Justin, to her aid, she could not know that she was summoning the devil himself. . . . 

Dubbed the Beast of Blackthorne Hall for his scarred face and lecherous past, Gideon was strong and fierce and notoriously menacing. Yet Harriet could not find it in her heart to fear him. For in his tawny gaze she sensed a savage pain she longed to soothe . . . and a searing passion she yearned to answer. Now, caught up in the Beast’s clutches, Harriet must find a way to win his heart–and evade the deadly trap of a scheming villain who would see them parted for all time.

RAVISHED is a retelling of the classic tale, Beauty and the Beast.

Mastered By Love (Bastion Club, #8) by Stephanie Laurens

The men of the Bastion Club proved their bravery secretly fighting for their country. Now their leader faces that most dangerous mission of all: finding a bride.

Similar to Devil’s Bride, the heroine in Mastered by Love is pushed into the role of first lady, of future duchess. Minerva is smart and was trained for the role and seeing her successfully take over the role of Lady of the castle and stand by Dalziel’s side just works for me.

I would recommend the entire series, but I usually re-read this book out of order.

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As the mysterious leader of the Bastion Club known as “Dalziel,” Royce Varisey, 10th Duke of Wolverstone, served his country for decades, facing dangers untold. But as the holder of one of England’s most august noble titles, he must now take on that gravest duty of all: marriage.

Yet the young ladies the grandes dames would have him consider are predictably boring. Far more tempting is his castle’s willful and determindedly aloof chatelaine, Minerva Chesterton. Beneath her serene facade lies a woman of smoldering sensuality, one who will fill his days with comfort and his nights with sheer pleasure. Determined to claim her, he embarks on a seduction to prove his mastery over every inch of her body…and every piece of her heart. 

When Beauty Tamed the Beast (Fairy Tales, #2) by Eloisa James

If you loved watching the TV show DR HOUSE you’ll enjoy this book. The author took the main character of the show as inspiration for Piers. And since I have a weakness for grumpy heroes I had the best time reading this book.

I would recommend the entire series, but I read this book as standalone.

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Miss Linnet Berry Thrynne is a Beauty . . . Naturally, she’s betrothed to a Beast.

Piers Yelverton, Earl of Marchant, lives in a castle in Wales where, it is rumored, his bad temper flays everyone he crosses. And rumor also has it that a wound has left the earl immune to the charms of any woman.

Linnet is not just any woman.

She is more than merely lovely: her wit and charm brought a prince to his knees. She estimates the earl will fall madly in love—in just two weeks.

Yet Linnet has no idea of the danger posed to her own heart by a man who may never love her in return.

If she decides to be very wicked indeed . . . what price will she pay for taming his wild heart?

Bridgerton: 11 Books to Read After Watching the Show

THE HATHAWAYS SERIES

Mine Till Midnight (The Hathaways #1) by Lisa Kleypas

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When an unexpected inheritance elevates her family to the ranks of the aristocracy, Amelia Hathaway discovers that tending to her younger sisters and wayward brother was easy compared to navigating the intricacies of the ton. Even more challenging: the attraction she feels for the tall, dark, and dangerously handsome Cam Rohan.

Wealthy beyond most men’s dreams, Cam has tired of society’s petty restrictions and longs to return to his “uncivilized” Gypsy roots. When the delectable Amelia appeals to him for help, he intends to offer only friendship—but intentions are no match for the desire that blindsides them both. But can a man who spurns tradition be tempted into that most time-honored arrangement: marriage? Life in London society is about to get a whole lot hotter.

GIRL MEETS DUKE SERIES

The Duchess Deal (Girl Meets Duke, #1) by Tessa Dare

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When girl meets Duke, their marriage breaks all the rules… 

Since his return from war, the Duke of Ashbury’s to-do list has been short and anything but sweet: brooding, glowering, menacing London ne’er-do-wells by night. Now there’s a new item on the list. He needs an heir—which means he needs a wife. When Emma Gladstone, a vicar’s daughter turned seamstress, appears in his library wearing a wedding gown, he decides on the spot that she’ll do.

His terms are simple:
– They will be husband and wife by night only.
– No lights, no kissing. 
– No questions about his battle scars.
– Last, and most importantly… Once she’s pregnant with his heir, they need never share a bed again.

But Emma is no pushover. She has a few rules of her own:
– They will have dinner together every evening.
– With conversation.
– And unlimited teasing.
– Last, and most importantly… Once she’s seen the man beneath the scars, he can’t stop her from falling in love…

Bridgerton: 11 Books to Read After Watching the Show

LOVE BY NUMBERS SERIES

Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake (Love By Numbers, #1) by Sarah MacLean

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A lady does not smoke cheroot. She does not ride astride. She does not fence or attend duels. iShe does not fire a pistol, and she never gambles at a gentlemen’s club.

Lady Calpurnia Hartwell has always followed the rules, rules that have left her unmarried—and more than a little unsatisfied. And so she’s vowed to break the rules and live the life of pleasure she’s been missing.

But to dance every dance, to steal a midnight kiss—to do those things, Callie will need a willing partner. Someone who knows everything about rule-breaking. Someone like Gabriel St. John, the Marquess of Ralston—charming and devastatingly handsome, his wicked reputation matched only by his sinful smile.

If she’s not careful, she’ll break the most important rule of all—the one that says that pleasure-seekers should never fall hopelessly, desperately in love.

BROTHERS SINISTER SERIES

The Duchess War by Courtney Milan

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Sometimes love is an accident.

This time, it’s a strategy.

Miss Minerva Lane is a quiet, bespectacled wallflower, and she wants to keep it that way. After all, the last time she was the center of attention, it ended badly—so badly that she changed her name to escape her scandalous past. Wallflowers may not be the prettiest of blooms, but at least they don’t get trampled. So when a handsome duke comes to town, the last thing she wants is his attention.

But that is precisely what she gets.

Because Robert Blaisdell, the Duke of Clermont, is not fooled. When Minnie figures out what he’s up to, he realizes there is more to her than her spectacles and her quiet ways. And he’s determined to lay her every secret bare before she can discover his. But this time, one shy miss may prove to be more than his match…

Bridgerton: 11 Books to Read After Watching the Show