Whether you’re a lover of the Bridgerton books or the TV series, these are the must-read books like Bridgerton that all fans will devour.
Even if historical romance isn’t normally your genre of choice, I’ve got historical AND contemporary romance book recommendations that offer storylines just like the Bridgerton series.
*Disclosure: I participate in the Amazon Affiliates program so if you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, I make a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Considering the Bridgerton series is the second most-watched English-language series on Netflix (Season 2 just got edged out of the #1 spot by Stranger Things Season 4), I may be hard pressed to find someone who hasn’t seen the TV series and loved it.
I was a fan of the Julia Quinn historical romance series long before the TV series debuted on Netflix in 2020, but boy did I love the TV show just as much.
I’m so happy that the show brought Quinn’s romance novels the attention they deserve and that it sparked an interest in more books like Bridgerton!
As a huge fan of historical romance novels and all things romance, you’re in the right place to find the best book recommendations like Bridgerton here on She Reads Romance Books.
And this book list has it all!
What Makes Bridgerton Great?
There is honestly so much to love about the Bridgerton novels (and TV series) that makes this historical romance series stand out among the rest.
Family Focus
First and foremost, I love the family focus of this series. Each book focuses on a different family member finding love.
In each book, you see how the family gets involved (or meddles) in the match-making of their sibling, plus you get glimpses of the other siblings’ lives as well.
The TV series does such a wonderful job of portraying this tight-knit family and I love it!
If you too love the focus on family in the Bridgerton series, I have more historical romance series to recommend below!
Strong Heroines and Dashing Heroes
You wouldn’t necessarily think that a Regency romance novel would feature strong heroines since it was a time when women’s rights were quite repressed but that’s not the case with the Bridgerton books.
From Lady Violet, the matriarch of the family and single parent, to Daphne, the eldest, Eloise with her strong opinions, to even Penelope who finds her own way to earn an income, this series has quite the cast of strong leading ladies.
Of course, we can’t forget about the dashing heroes in the Bridgerton books who are just as compelling!
Anthony, Benedict, Colin, and Gregory are such strong heroes in their own right that provide the perfect match for the leading ladies of their stories.
Do you love books with strong heroines? Check out the books like Bridgerton that feature leading ladies you’ll love below.
Regency Romance at its Finest
Of course, the Bridgerton series also represents Regency romance at its finest.
The Regency time period is considered the years 1811-1820, during the Regency Era of England, though some books in this category may expand the time period anywhere between 1795-1837.
While Jane Austen may be the most recognized Regency romance author, it’s been embraced by many historical romance authors, like Julia Quinn, and fans alike.
If Regency romance novels are your favorite, I have book recommendations on Regency series and standalone novels for you to check out too.
Contemporary Books Like Bridgerton to Love
Even though someone may love the Bridgerton TV show, they may not want to dive into historical romance if it’s not their preferred genre of choice.
That’s why this list of books like Bridgerton also has contemporary romance titles!
These are contemporary romance books that have a very similar storyline to each of the books in the Bridgerton series, so if that sparks your interest, you’re going to love the books I have in mind for you!
I’ve matched each Bridgerton novel with the perfect contemporary romance book below.
That’s a lot so let’s recap what you’ll find on this list:
- Bridgerton Books in Order
- Historical Series with a Family Focus
- Historical Series with Strong Heroines & Dashing Heroes
- Regency Romance Series
- Standalone Regency Romance Novels like Bridgerton
- Contemporary Romance Books like Bridgerton
I guarantee that you’re going to find something to love so happy reading!
Bridgerton Book Series Order
If you’re brand new to the book series after having binge-watched the TV show or need a refresher on Quinn’s book series, here they are in order:
The Duke and I
Daphne’s Story:
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 to help Daphne attract some worthy suitors.
Though as Daphne waltzes across ballroom after ballroom with Simon, it’s hard to remember that their courtship is a sham.
Somehow Daphne is falling for the dashing duke and now she must do the impossible and convince the handsome rogue that their clever little scheme deserves a slight alteration like falling in love.
The Viscount Who Loved Me
Anthony’s Story:
London’s most elusive bachelor Anthony Bridgerton hasn’t just decided to marry, he’s even chosen a wife!
The only obstacle is his intended’s older sister, Kate Sheffield, the most meddlesome woman ever to grace a London ballroom.
The spirited schemer is driving Anthony mad with her determination to stop the betrothal, but when he closes his eyes at night, Kate’s the woman haunting his dreams.
Kate is quite sure that reformed rakes do not make the best husbands so she’s determined to protect her sister.
Only when Anthony’s lips touch hers, she’s suddenly afraid she might not be able to resist the reprehensible rake herself.
An Offer From a Gentleman
Benedict’s Story:
Sophie Beckett never dreamed she’d be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton’s famed masquerade ball or that “Prince Charming” would be waiting there for her!
Though the daughter of an earl, Sophie has been relegated to the role of servant by her disdainful stepmother. But the night she spent dancing with the handsome Benedict Bridgerton, she felt like royalty.
Ever since that magical night, Benedict has been blinded to the attractions of any other except an oddly familiar beauty dressed in housemaid’s garb that he rescues from a precarious situation.
He has sworn to find and wed his mystery miss, but this breathtaking maid makes him weak with wanting her.
Yet, if he offers her his heart, will Benedict sacrifice his only chance for a fairy-tale love?
Romancing Mr. Bridgerton
Colin’s Story:
Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend’s brother forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret.
Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought of as nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown.
But when Colin returns to London from a trip abroad, he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same, especially Penelope Featherington!
The girl who was always simply there is suddenly the girl haunting his dreams.
When he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide – is she his biggest threat or his promise of a happy ending?
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To Sir Phillip with Love
Eloise’s Story:
Sir Phillip knew that Eloise Bridgerton was a spinster, and so he’d proposed, figuring that she’d be homely and unassuming, and more than a little desperate for an offer of marriage.
Except the beautiful woman on his doorstep was anything but quiet, and when she stopped talking, all he wanted to do was kiss her.
Eloise Bridgerton couldn’t marry a man she had never met, but before she knew it, she was on her way to meet the man she hoped might be her perfect match.
Only Phillip was moody and ill-mannered, and totally unlike the London gentlemen vying for her hand. But could this imperfect man be perfect for her?
When He Was Wicked
Francesca’s Story:
In every life there is a turning point. For Michael Stirling, London’s most infamous rake, that moment came the first time he laid eyes on Francesca Bridgerton.
Unfortunately for Michael, however, Francesca’s surname was to remain Bridgerton for only a mere thirty-six hours longer—the occasion of their meeting was a supper celebrating her imminent wedding to his cousin.
Now Michael is the earl and Francesca is free, but still she thinks of him as nothing other than her dear friend and confidant.
Michael dares not speak to her of his love until one dangerous night, when she steps innocently into his arms, and passion proves stronger than even the most wicked of secrets.
It’s in His Kiss
Hyacinth’s Story:
Gareth St. Clair’s father, who detests him, is determined to beggar the St. Clair estates and ruin his inheritance.
His sole bequest is an old family diary, which may or may not contain the secrets of his past and the key to his future. Only the diary is written in Italian.
Hyacinth Bridgerton is smart, outspoken, and according to Gareth, probably best in small doses.
When Gareth and Hyacinth cross paths at the annual Smythe-Smith musicale, Hyacinth offers to translate his diary, even though her Italian is slightly less than perfect.
But as they delve into the mysterious text, they discover that the answers they seek lie not in the diary, but in each other.
On the Way to the Wedding
Gregory’s Story:
Unlike most men of his acquaintance, Gregory Bridgerton believes in true love. And he is convinced that when he finds the woman of his dreams, he will know in an instant that she is the one.
Except she wasn’t the one. In fact, the ravishing Miss Hermione Watson is in love with another.
But her best friend, the ever-practical Lady Lucinda Abernathy, wants to save Hermione from a disastrous alliance, so she offers to help Gregory win her over.
But in the process, Lucy falls in love. With Gregory! Except Lucy is engaged and her uncle is not inclined to let her back out of the betrothal, even once Gregory comes to his senses and realizes that it is Lucy he wants.
And now, on the way to the wedding, Gregory must risk everything to ensure that when it comes time to kiss the bride, he is the only man standing at the altar.
Historical Romance Series Like Bridgerton with a Family Focus
The Ravenels is another historical romance series to devour that takes you back to London’s high society where women of strong wills meet their match in the men who fall for them.
It follows a noble family in Victorian London where matches are found and made for the siblings and relatives of the Ravenel family.
The series kicks off with Devon Ravenel who unexpectedly inherits an earldom from his cousin. The estate however also comes with the late earl’s three sisters and a young widow who catches the attention of the notorious rake.
The Bedwyn Saga follows six siblings and their road to finding love while managing high society and courting scandal.
This historical romance series starts with the second son, Aidan Bedwyn who’s loyalty drives him to honor a dying soldier’s wish to protect his sister. His protection turns into a marriage of convenience that gradually moves from business arrangement to love match.
Historical Romance Series Like Bridgerton with Strong Heroines and Dashing Heroes
Lisa Kleypas dazzles with this glorious historical series where four young ladies enter London society with one necessary goal: use their feminine wit and wiles to find a husband.
So they band together, and a daring husband-hunting scheme is born—one that will undeniably change their lives forever.
The Wallflower series starts with Annabelle whose family in on the brink of disaster and it’s up to her to save them and marry a wealthy man.
This is a sweeping historical romance series where strong heroines and dashing heroes carve out their own destinies and happily-ever-afters at The Grand Palace on the Thames.
The Palace of Rogues series begins with Delilah Swanpoole, Countess of Derring, who inherits the grand ruins of a building her late husband left her, sparking her liberation. And she vows never again to place herself at the mercy of a man.
Immerse yourself in the time period of Victorian England with this historical romance series where women are out to change the world.
A League of Extraordinary Women follows the extraordinary suffragists ready to take on the world and end up finding love in the process.
In the first novel, Annabelle Archer, a vicar’s daughter, takes on a Duke to change the British social order and support the women’s suffragist movement.
Regency Romance Series Like Bridgerton
The Girl Meets Duke series is the perfect series to read if you have a thing for Dukes.
It begins when the Duke of Ashbury returns from war, and his sole focus is an heir and for that he needs a wife.
When he meets the vicar’s daughter, he proposes a deal to which she proposes her own stipulations, never imagining the result would be finding love.
If you love historical romances with scandals, you’ll love MacLean’s Rules of Scoundrels series which features four scandals whispered about in ballrooms across Britain, four aristocrats exiled from society, now royalty in the London underworld, and four loves powerful enough to tame the darkness and return these fallen angels to the light.
It begins with the Marquess of Bourne who was cast from society with nothing but his title.
Now a partner in London’s most exclusive gaming hell, the cold, ruthless Bourne will do whatever it takes to regain his inheritance—including marrying perfect, proper Lady Penelope Marbury.
Standalone Historical Romance Novels Like Bridgerton
Here are some Regency Era historical romance books like Bridgerton to enjoy if you’re looking for a standalone read:
Mr. Malcom’s List
by Suzanne Allain
The Honourable Mr. Jeremy Malcolm is searching for a wife, but not just any wife.
He’s determined to avoid the fortune hunters and find a near-perfect woman, one who will meet the qualifications on his well-crafted list.
But after years of searching, he’s beginning to despair of ever finding this paragon. Until Selina Dalton arrives in town.
Selina, a vicar’s daughter of limited means and a stranger to high society, is thrilled when her friend Julia Thistlewaite invites her to London, until she learns it’s all part of a plot to exact revenge on Mr. Malcolm.
Selina is reluctant to participate in Julia’s scheme, but when Mr. Malcolm begins judging Selina against his unattainable standards, Selina decides that she has some qualifications of her own.
And if he is to meet them he must reveal the real man behind…Mr. Malcolm’s List.
If you love to see a book come to life on the big or small screen like Bridgerton, then put this on your must-read list because it was made into a movie in 2022!
If you loved Bridgerton Season 2, then you’ll enjoy this book which gives me similar vibes to The Viscount Who Loved Me.
Just as Anthony was set on finding a suitable wife, Mr. Malcolm is determined to find the ideal wife who must meet a list of criteria.
I adore that it’s the heroine of the stories that turn these men on their heads and show them what they actually are looking for.
Reputation
by Lex Croucher
Abandoned by her parents, bookish and sheltered Georgiana Ellers is spending the summer with her stodgy aunt and uncle at their home in the English countryside.
At a particularly dull party, she meets the enigmatic Frances Campbell, a wealthy member of the in-crowd who delights Georgiana with her disregard for so-called “polite society.”
Lonely and vulnerable, Georgiana quickly falls in with Frances and her wealthy, wild, and deeply improper friends.
One, in particular, stands out from the rest: Thomas Hawksley, who has a tendency to cross paths with Georgiana in her most embarrassing moments. Sparks fly, but Thomas seems unimpressed with the company she is keeping.
And soon, Georgiana begins to wonder whether she’ll ever feel like she fits in, or if the price of entry into Frances’s gilded world will ultimately be higher than she is willing to pay.
If you’re looking for a Regency romance that has a more modern, feminist feel, then this is your book.
It definitely has more of a young adult feel with characters struggling with excess, patriarchy, peer pressure, and privilege, as opposed to a strict historical romance but that’s what sets it apart.
Be sure to also check out the next installment in this series, Infamous, which has a storyline between two close friends like Eloise and Penelope in the Bridgerton series.
Aphrodite and the Duke
by J.J. McAvoy
Aphrodite Du Bell has always found it hard to live up to the goddess of beauty she’s named after despite being praised for her good looks.
Especially since her renowned loveliness didn’t stop the love of her life from jilting her and marrying another woman four years ago.
When Aphrodite’s mother summons her back to London to aid in her sister’s debut, she is determined to ignore Evander Eagleman, the Duke of Everely, the man who devastated her all those years ago.
But now that he is an unattached widower, Evander is determined to win back Aphrodite’s trust and her hand in marriage.
Though Evander’s true reason for rejecting Aphrodite threatens their coveted future and even their lives.
I love the diversity in this Regency romance which is what I loved best about the adaptation of The Viscount Who Loved Me for season 2 of the Bridgerton TV series.
Grab this historical romance for its diversity and a beautiful second chance romance story.
A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting
by Sophie Irwin
To save her family from ruin, Kitty Talbot must find a husband who has a fortune, and she has only twelve weeks to do it.
She knows that the London season is her only chance at playing the game and finding their salvation only she doesn’t anticipate Lord Radcliffe.
The worldly Radcliffe sees Kitty for the mercenary fortune-hunter that she really is and is determined to scotch her plans at all costs, until their parrying takes a completely different turn.
If you love The Duke and I, then you’ll love this book like the first of the Bridgerton series.
Kitty reminds me of Daphne in that she is the eldest and knows that she has to find a good match in a husband to help her family.
Lord Radcliffe also reminds me of Simon in that they both struggle with their inner demons and fall for the strong-willed heroine.
Pride and Prejudice
by Jane Austen
Elizabeth Bennet, is the second of five sisters who are all unmarried. When a wealthy and sociable young gentleman, Charles Bingley, rents the nearby manor of Netherfield Park the opportunity to find husbands presents itself.
While attending a ball the Bennets meet Charles Bingley and his friend Fitzwilliam Darcy for the first time.
While Charles and Jane, Elizabeth’s older sister, form a quick friendship, Fitzwilliam comes across as overly prideful with little interest in Elizabeth by refusing to dance with her.
In the weeks that follow Elizabeth and Darcy find themselves repeatedly forced into each other’s company allowing Elizabeth to overcome the prejudice of her first impression and open herself up to the idea of a once in a lifetime romance.
If you haven’t yet read the most famous Regency romance novel, then now is a great time to do so!
Plus, it’s another book you can then watch on the big or small screen though I’m torn as to whether I like the Colin Firth series or the Matthew Macfayden movie better!
I also loved the family focus of this novel which reminds me of the close-knit Bridgertons.
Contemporary Romance Books To Read Like Each Bridgerton Book
The Bridgerton series has so many great romance book tropes weaved throughout the novels including fake relationship, enemies to lovers, single parent, marriage of convenience, friends to lovers and more.
If you love these storylines but want to check them out in a contemporary romance book, I’ve matched contemporary titles with each Bridgerton book below!
The Last Eligible Billionaire
by Pippa Grant
Emotionally unavailable doesn’t even begin to describe my new fake boyfriend.
My job’s simple: Keep Hayes Rutherford’s matchmaking relatives and all interested ladies away from the cranky, grumpy heir, and in return, he won’t ruin my life over a teensy, tiny little misunderstanding.
But the more I sneak past Hayes’s walls and fences, the more I realize that while we might be from different worlds, we have more in common than either of us expected.
This billionaire romance has the perfect fake relationship set up as The Duke and I since Hayes is looking to hold off the willing ladies wanting to marry him just as Simon was hoping to ward off the ladies of the ton interested in making a match.
Of course, the best thing about fake relationship romances is the moment that both main characters begin to realize that their feelings are more real than fake – I love it!
Brutal Vows
by J.T. Geissinger
Reyna won’t allow her innocent niece to suffer the same way she did.
So if the arrogant Irish mobster her brother sold her niece to thinks she’s going to play nice over their arranged marriage contract, he should think again.
Spider is supposed to marry sweet, beautiful Lili. So why can’t he stop thinking about her swamp witch of an aunt? Reyna who hates him. Reyna who challenges him.
Nothing good can come of what he’s feeling for a woman who’s not the one in the wedding contract he signed.
A woman he wants so much, he’ll have to burn the whole world down to get. If she doesn’t end him first.
If you loved the enemies to lovers vibe in The Viscount Who Loved Me, then you’ll love this steamy read from Geissinger.
Just as Kate is determined to stop the marriage between Anthony and her sister, Reyna will do anything to keep her niece from marrying Spider in this mafia romance.
Both heroines are such headstrong, independent women who I adore. Plus, the sparks between these supposed enemies in each book are HOT! My Review.
That Swoony Feeling
by Meghan Quinn
Brig Knightly is painfully single while the rest of his brothers have already paired off into coupledom bliss.
He’s tried to find the one but he’s plagued by that wretched curse.
Luckily the town has started a new pen pal program and he’s hit it off with his mysterious writer.
The only problem – he’s been hanging out with Ruth Barber, his new work neighbor, and he’s getting that swoony feeling for both women.
OMG, how I loved Brig Knightly who is such a romantic and desperate to find love. But he feels the joke is on him because he’s finding himself falling for two women – Ruth and his mystery pen pal.
An Offer From a Gentleman is one of my all-time favorite romance books because I loved Benedict’s struggle in falling for two “different” women.
If you love friends to lovers or slow burn romance books, you’ll love this contemporary book like Bridgerton’s An Offer From a Gentleman. My Review.
Make Me Hate You
by Kandi Steiner
I remember the first time I kissed my best friend’s brother, seven years ago before I left this town and vowed never to return.
I remember the pain when he rejected me, so I stayed away from Tyler Wagner, putting an entire country between us.
But when his sister’s wedding brings us back to the same town, to the same house, I can’t avoid him, no matter how hard I try.
Now, hours before our plus ones arrive for the wedding, I’m in his arms, begging him to make me hate him, knowing he never could.
I don’t think anything was more devastating than the scene Penelope witnesses with Colin and his pals at the end of Bridgerton season 2.
In Romancing Mister Bridgerton, Penelope is confronted with her unrequited crush on her best friend’s brother, Colin Bridgerton, when he returns from his travels abroad.
If you loved the angst of this friends to lovers story, then you’ll want to grab this contemporary romance by Steiner.
I love how Jasmine had her heart broken by her best friend’s brother, like Penelope, but she’s the one who returns home after time away from her small town and finds her feelings still just as strong.
Down Too Deep
by J. Daniels
When Nathan lost his wife, he let his parents raise his baby girl while he lost himself in his restaurant.
But when his parents give him an ultimatum to step up, he needs to find childcare fast.
Jenna is happy to watch Nate’s little girl, and the more time she and her two kids spend with Nate and his daughter, the more she can’t help but fall for the family they seemed to be building.
I thought this was such a perfect match for To Sir Phillip, With Love because it features another single father who has tragically lost his wife and is in desperate need of help in raising his child.
Unlike single Eloise, Jenna too is a single parent just trying to do right with her young children and wants to help Nathan in any way she can.
I loved their connection and know you’ll enjoy it if you loved Eloise’s story. My Review.
From This Moment
by Melanie Harlow
When my late husband’s twin brother moves back to our small town, I want to avoid him.
Everything about Wes reminds me of the man I lost and the life we’d planned together, and after eighteen long months struggling, I’m finally doing okay.
I have a new job, an amazing support group, and a beautiful five-year-old daughter to parent. I don’t want to go backward.
But I’m drawn to him, too. He understands my grief and anger and guilt like no one else, but soon that understanding becomes desire, and that desire becomes uncontrollable.
He says he doesn’t care what people think, and love can never be wrong. But life has taught me its cruelest lesson, love doesn’t always win.
Francesca does not get enough book time in the Bridgerton series in my opinion which is why I loved When He Was Wicked so much. Or, maybe because I loved Michael so much as well 😊
In Harlow’s contemporary romance, Hannah is a widow who’s still struggling with her loss. Her late husband’s twin has always loved her (and met her before his brother!) but it was his shyness that lost her to his brother.
I loved the similarities between these two books so much they are the perfect slow burn romances!
Beard Science
by Penny Reid
Jennifer Sylvester wants one thing, and that one thing is NOT to be Tennessee’s reigning Banana Cake Queen.
Ever the perpetual good girl and obedient daughter, Jennifer is buckling under the weight of her social media celebrity, her mother’s ambitions, and her father’s puritanical mandates.
Jennifer is officially desperate. And desperate times call for Cletus Winston.
Cletus Winston is a puzzle wrapped in a mystery covered in conundrum sauce, and now he’s in a pickle.
Despite being convinced of his own omniscience, extortion by the exalted Banana Cake Queen of Green Valley has taken him completely by surprise. So…what’s a maniacal mastermind to do?
A great match to It’s In His Kiss is one with great banter, a bit of mystery, and some shenanigans which Beard Science has and more!
I loved how Jennifer had a goal she was determined to achieve and she used (ok, blackmailed) Cletus to do so just as Gareth was pretty desperate to achieve his goal of saving his future with the diary.
Hyacinth was supposedly best in small doses, and maybe you’d say the same about Cletus, and yet he is just too awesome for words.
The Deal
by Elle Kennedy
Hannah Wells has finally found someone who turns her on. But while she might be confident in every other area of her life, she’s lacking when it comes to intimacy and seduction.
If she wants to get her crush’s attention, she’ll have to step out of her comfort zone and make him take notice – even if it means tutoring the annoying, childish, cocky captain of the hockey team in exchange for a pretend date.
All Garrett Graham has ever wanted is to play professional hockey after graduation, but his plummeting GPA is threatening everything he’s worked so hard for.
If helping a sarcastic brunette make another guy jealous will help him secure his position on the team, he’s all for it.
But when one unexpected kiss leads to the wildest night of both their lives, it doesn’t take long for Garrett to realize that pretend isn’t going to cut it.
Now he just has to convince Hannah that the man she wants looks a lot like him.
This is such a popular college romance because it’s that good and totally reminds me of the love story between Gregory and Lucy in On the Way to the Wedding.
In both books, it’s a case of helping out someone who’s vying for the attention of someone else, only for the helper to fall desperately in love with them! Gah!
I love this storyline so much and The Deal does it so well.
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