The Bridgerton book series by Julia Quinn – which takes place in the Regency era in London – is a wildly popular series that follows the eight affluent Bridgerton siblings searching for love and marriage.
So, it wasn’t a surprise when Netflix unveiled that there was to be a Shonda Rhimes-produced show based on the books. Nor was it a surprise when it became an instant smash hit, reaching 63 million households in its first four weeks and making the Bridgerton cast bonafide stars.
So if you’re eagerly waiting for the third instalment of the steamy period drama to hit Netflix – which is set to explore Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan)’s relationship with Colin Bridgerton and has a tenuous 2024 release date – why not update yourself on the Bridgerton book series?
Read ahead to find out everything you need to know about the regency-era family that took the ‘Ton by storm.
What is the correct order of Bridgerton books?
The correct order of the right Bridgerton books are as follows: The Duke and I, The Viscount Who Loved Me, An Offer From a Gentleman, Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, To Sir Phillip, With Love, When He Was Wicked, It’s in His Kiss, and On the Way to the Wedding. Set between 1813 and 1827, the Bridgerton book series is a collection of eight main novels, which tell the story of one of the eight children of the late Viscount Bridgerton: Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth.
After you’ve read all the books, you can indulge in a few Bridgerton sequels: The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After (which focuses on the new chapters with each of the happy couple), The Further Observations of Lady Whistledown, Lady Whistledown Strikes Back, The Wit and Wisdom of Bridgerton.
Can the Bridgerton books be read out of order?
Yes! You most certainly don’t have to read them in order, as each book is centred on one sibling’s romance at a time. However, you may get the odd little spoiler here and there.
If we do say so ourselves, we recommend reading the books in order to see how other siblings mature over time as snippets of their characters appear throughout the novel series.
Does the Bridgerton series follow the books?
It has so far, but will deviate from the order for the third season.
Season one, like the first novel, centred on Daphne Bridgerton’s burgeoning romance with Simon, the Duke of Hastings, while season two follows older brother Anthony Bridgerton as he navigates his complicated love/hate relationship with the new leading lady, Kate Sharma.
However, season three is set to focus on Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington’s love story instead of Benedict’s romance, which is the focus of the third Bridgerton book. It is likely that Benedict will finally get his love story told in season four – and we can most certainly expect more Bridgerton sex scenes.
Below is a brief look into each novel in the Bridgerton book series — and where to buy them.
You’ve already seen this story come to life on Netflix: Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor) is looking to up her desirability on the marriage market, and Simon (Regé-Jean Page) wants the world to think he’s taken. So these two pretend to be in relationship so suitors find Daphne more interesting and singles back off Simon. The only problem? A real romance starts to develop between the two — and drama ensues.