8 Bridgerton Books In Order Of Release

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“Pen, living for the estimation of others is a trap. Once you break free, the world opens up”

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If you’ve fallen head over heels in love with Bridgerton – whether through the Julia Quinn novels or the hit Netflix adaptation – you may be wondering about the Bridgerton book in order and the best way of reading them. This beloved Regency romance series follows the eight Bridgerton siblings as they navigate love, society and scandal. Each book focuses on a different sibling’s journey to finding their perfect match, filled with witty banter, heartwarming moments and swoon-worthy romance. While the Bridgerton books can all be read as standalones, reading them in order allows you to fully immerse yourself in the arcs, dynamics and interconnections that unfold during the series. Join us at What We Reading as we help you discover the Bridgerton series book order so that you can experience all of its magic and charm in the best way possible. Let’s dive into the complete Bridgerton book list in order to find out which story to start with! 

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The Bridgerton Books In Order (With Summaries)

The Bridgerton series consists of eight main books, each following a different Bridgerton sibling’s love story. Below is the complete Bridgerton book list in order of release, so you can enjoy every romance in the way Julia Quinn intended. 

1. The Duke and I (2000)

• Main couple: Daphne Bridgerton & Simon Basset
• Summary: As the eldest Bridgerton daughter, Daphne faces increasing pressure to marry. To escape society’s expectations of her, she strikes a fake courtship deal with Simon, the Duke of Hastings, who has no interest in being married. But, as their staged romance turns into something real, both must confront their deepest fears about love and commitment. (This book inspired Netflix’s Bridgerton Season 1.)

2. The Viscount Who Loved Me (2000)

• Main couple: Anthony Bridgerton & Kate Sheffield
• Summary: Anthony Bridgerton, the eldest of the family, has vowed to marry out of duty, not love. Yet, when he sets his sights on Edwina Sheffield, her sharp-tongued older sister, Kate, becomes his biggest obstacle – and soon, his greatest temptation. Their enemies-to-lovers romance is brimming with banter, stolen glances and undeniable chemistry. (This book inspired Bridgerton Season 2.)

3. An Offer from a Gentleman (2001)

• Main couple: Benedict Bridgerton & Sophie Beckett
• Summary: A Cinderella-inspired tale, this book follows Sophie Beckett, a nobleman’s illegitimate daughter forced into servitude. After a magical encounter at a masquerade ball, she captures Benedict Bridgerton’s heart – only to disappear at midnight. Years on, fate reunites them. But will their love overcome their difference in status?

4. Romancing Mister Bridgerton (2002)

• Main couple: Colin Bridgerton & Penelope Featherington
• Summary: Penelope Featherington has secretly loved Colin Bridgerton for years, but he has never seen her as anything more than friends. When Colin returns from his travels, he discovers that Penelope is holding a shocking secret – one that could change both of their lives forever. This is a friends-to-lovers romance packed with charm, self-discovery and surprises. (This book is the basis for Bridgerton Season 3.)

5. To Sir Phillip, With Love (2003)

• Main couple: Eloise Bridgerton & Sir Phillip Crane
• Summary: After exchanging letters with Sir Phillip Crane, headstrong and independent Eloise Bridgerton impulsively travels to meet him, hoping for romance. Instead, she finds a gruff widower with two unruly children. Can they turn a practical arrangement into true love? This book is a mix of slow-burn romance, family drama and heartfelt connections.

6. When He Was Wicked (2004)

• Main couple: Francesca Bridgerton & Michael Stirling
• Summary: Francesca Bridgerton’s love story is one of the most emotional in the entire series. After the tragic loss of her husband, she finds herself pulled to Michael Stirling, a man who has secretly loved her from afar. But can she open her heart up again? A deeply poignant second-chance romance story.

7. It’s in His Kiss (2005)

• Main couple: Hyacinth Bridgerton & Gareth St. Clair
• Summary: The witty and sharp-tongued Hyacinth Bridgerton meets her match in the shape of Gareth St. Clair, a rogue with a mysterious diary containing secrets about his family. As they work together to decipher the diary, their flirtation turns into a thrilling romance filled with adventure, laughter and intrigue.

8. On the Way to the Wedding (2006)

• Main couple: Gregory Bridgerton & Lucy Abernathy
• Summary: Gregory Bridgerton believes in love at first sight – but the woman he falls for is in love with someone else. Her best friend, Lucy, tries to help him win her over… that is, until Lucy realises that she is the one falling for Gregory. A story filled with twists, misunderstandings and a dramatic wedding interruption, this is a classic slow-burn romance with a sprinkling of humour laced in.

Should You Read The Bridgerton Prequels?

Before Bridgerton, there was The Rokesbys – Julia Quinn’s prequel series set in the late eighteenth century, following a family closely tied to the Bridgertons. 

The Rokesby series consists of four books:

1. Because of Miss Bridgerton (2016)
2. The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband (2017)
3. The Other Miss Bridgerton (2018)

While these novels aren’t essential to understanding the main Bridgerton books, they do offer a fun look at the previous generation, including young Edmund Bridgerton, the future father of the Bridgerton siblings. Fans of Quinn’s trademark wit, romance and family dynamics will find these stories just as charming, but they can be read in any order – or skipped entirely – without missing out on anything crucial in the main series. 

If you’re looking for more Regency-era romance while waiting for the Bridgerton season, these Rokesby books are a great bonus to have on your TBR pile! 

FAQs About The Bridgerton Books

Got questions about the Bridgerton series? Here are some of the most common queries from readers and Netflix fans alike! 

Do you need to read the Bridgerton books in order?

Not necessarily! While each book focuses on a different Bridgerton sibling and their love story, they can be read as standalones. However, reading them in the correct order allows you to fully appreciate the family dynamics, character development and ongoing storylines that develop across the series. 

How many books are there in the Bridgerton series?

There are eight main Bridgerton books, each following a different sibling’s romance: 

1. The Duke and I (Daphne)
2. The Viscount Who Loved Me (Anthony)
3. An Offer from a Gentleman (Benedict)
4. Romancing Mister Bridgerton (Colin)
5. To Sir Phillip, With Love (Eloise)
6. When He Was Wicked (Francesca)
7. It’s in His Kiss (Hyacinth)
8. On the Way to the Wedding (Gregory)

Julia Quinn has also released The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After, a collection of epilogues and a bonus story about Violet Bridgerton. 

Furthermore, there’s the Bridgerton prequel series, The Rokesbys, which follows a previous generation of characters.

Which books correspond to the Netflix show’s seasons?

Netflix’s Bridgerton adapts one book per season (with some creative liberties):

• Season 1: The Duke and I – Daphne & Simon’s story;
• Season 2: The Viscount Who Loved Me – Anthony & Kate’s romance;
• Season 3: Romancing Mister Bridgerton – Colin & Penelope’s love story.

Future seasons are sure to follow the remaining books in order, though Netflix may adjust the timeline. 

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