2 Ways to Read Bridgerton Books in Order by Julia Quinn

Binged the Bridgerton series on Netflix and still wanting more? You’re probably finding yourself wanting to read all of Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton books in order.

The Bridgerton series is by Julie Pottinger, an American historical romance author who uses the pseudonym Julia Quinn. Each book is about a different character finding their true love and overcoming obstacles.

The series centers on the close-knit Bridgerton family, against the backdrop of Regency England’s upper society. It features eight siblings and their widowed mom.

However, navigating marriage and society is not always easy. Read on for a sneak peek of the Bridgerton books in order.

#1 – Bridgerton Books in Order by Publication

The first way you can read the Bridgerton books in order is the recommended reading order if you are just beginning the series. This is the way that millions of fans experienced the books for the first time.

Reading the books in publication order is the best way to experience the series. That’s because it is the best way to grow familiar with the world, become fond of the characters, and avoid any spoilers.

Obviously each book follows a new couple, but since the overarching series follows the same close-knit family, protagonists from previous books will be in the background throughout the series. While a happily-ever-after is almost a guarantee in a romance, it would ruin an element of the suspense or will-they-won’t-they to read about a happily married couple before you experience the tumultuous start to their relationship.

Bridgerton Main Series

These are the main Bridgerton books, which is where you should start your Bridgerton reading journey. Each book in the series depicts the love story of a Bridgerton sibling.

Bridgerton Prequels

These books, the Rokesbys series, are prequels to the main Bridgerton books. The Rokesbys are neighbors and close friends of the Bridgertons, which is apparent with each book following a new romantic reunion between the families.

The books begin in the early 1790s, meaning these books take place in the Georgian era, not the Regency era. While you can choose to read the prequels first, it is best to read these books after the main series. This will mean you are already familiar with the world and writing.

It will also mean that the appearances of Anthony, Benedict, and Colin as young children will be a delightful Easter egg.

Because of Miss Bridgerton (2016)
The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband (2017)
The Other Miss Bridgerton (2018)
First Comes Scandal (2020)

Queen Charlotte

Before the Bridgertons, Queen Charlotte and King George III’s love story sparked societal shift. This book is based on the popular Shondaland Netflix series: Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.

Queen Charlotte (2023) (with Shonda Rhimes)

Companion Books

Finally, there are two companion books within this world. The first is a collection of short stories featuring the Bridgerton family, while the second is a compilation from Lady Whistledown featuring memorable quotes and moments. These books are perfect for any Bridgerton super fan.

Happily Ever After (2013)
The Wit and Wisdom of Bridgerton (2021)

#2 – Bridgerton Books in Chronological Order

The second way to read the Bridgerton books in order is by following the chronological timeline. Each book follows a new couple and a standalone romance, so if you prefer to read series in chronological order, it is certainly possible to do so with this series.

However, this reading order is best for a reread. That’s because then you can better enjoy all the subtle references to books that were published first, even if they take place later chronologically.

Bridgerton Book to Screen Adaptations

The Bridgerton adaptation on Netflix has been a runaway success with its inclusive casting, its beautiful score, and its choreographed intimacy scenes. There is so much to adore about the adaptation which has climbed to the top of the viewership ranks for both seasons.

The first season adapts The Duke and I telling Daphne Bridgerton’s love story with Simon Basset. Phoebe Dynevor stars as Daphne and Regé-Jean Page stars as Simon. Page broke hearts when he announced he would not be reprising his role in the second season and the role of the Duke took place off screen, rather than undertake a disappointing recast.

Anthony Bridgerton’s love life was the focus of the second season anyhow, which adapted The Viscount Who Loved Me. Jonathan Bailey returned as Anthony and Simone Ashley starred opposite him as Kate Sharma.

The third season will skip to the fourth book and adapt Colin’s love story in Romancing Mister Bridgerton. Luke Newton will return as Colin and Nicola Coughlan will return as Penelope Featherington. The third season is anticipated to premiere in late 2023 or early 2024, but there has been no official announcement yet. Unfortunately, Dynevor will not return.

The most recent Bridgerton adaptation is, of course, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story starring India Ria Amarteifio as the young Queen Charlotte and Corey Mylchreest as the young King George. It premiered on May 4, 2023 with six episodes to tremendous fanfare.

In its first two weeks on air it was the most-watched show on Netflix and boosted the first two seasons of Bridgerton back into the top ten list too. Queen Charlotte had 22 million views in its first four days on air, then an additional 25 million views in its first full week for a collective 47 million views in two weeks.

An Overview of Bridgerton Books in Order

Below you will find summaries to the Bridgerton books in order of publication and the prequel books. These summaries will help you understand what kind of tropes Julia Quinn uses in her writing and a bit more about the Bridgerton family.

The Duke and I Julia Quinn Bridgerton Books in Order

1. The Duke and I

There is a delicate balance of order that rules society in Regency London. Daphne Bridgerton has always failed at refraining from being too amiable, which is how she has formed friendships with the most eligible young men. Except none of them truly desire her.

Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings, is far from amiable. Only recently returned to London from abroad, he wishes to shun society just like his father shunned him throughout his childhood. So, he proposes the perfect plan to Daphne. A fake courtship between the two of them will cause Daphne’s reputation to soar and will prevent the parade of eligible women Simon is enduring.

It all begins perfectly. But love has a tendency to ignore every rule.

2. The Viscount Who Loved Me

Lady Whistledown insists that the consummate rake Anthony Bridgerton has no plans to settle down this season, but this time she’s wrong. That’s because Anthony has gone so far as to choose a wife. The only thing standing in his way is his intended’s older sister, Kate Sheffield.

Kate wants to protect her sister from the wicked rogue, but her own heart becomes vulnerable to his charms. Anthony, for his part, finds Kate irresistible and despite trying otherwise, her face haunts his dreams. When they finally kiss, Kate falls for the reprehensible rake herself.

3. An Offer from a Gentleman

Sophie Beckett may be the daughter of an earl, but she’s been cast into the role of a servant by her disgraceful stepmother. So, sneaking into Lady Bridgerton’s famous masquerade ball is a dream come true — even if just for one night.

Being in Benedict Bridgerton’s arms made Sophie feel like royalty, and Benedict can’t get the radiant beauty in silver out of his head either. He can’t think of any other woman’s attractions. But there is something familiar about the woman in housemaid’s apparel he saved from a disagreeable situation that is pulling him in her direction.

Romancing Mister Bridgerton Julia Quinn Bridgerton Books in Order

4. Romancing Mister Bridgerton

Penelope Featherington has secretly loved her best friend’s brother since, well, forever. She thinks she knows who Colin Bridgerton is, but then she discovers his deepest secrets and fears that she doesn’t know him at all.

Meanwhile, Colin is over the ton’s assumptions about him. After a long trip away from London, he returns to find that nothing is the same in his life, especially Penelope Featherington. Suddenly he can’t get her out of his head, but then he discovers she is harboring secrets of her own.

5. To Sir Phillip, With Love

Phillip thought that proposing to known spinster Eloise Bridgerton would be doing her a favor. He thought she would be homely, unassuming, and grateful for a marriage proposal. He was wrong.

At first Eloise was shocked by his proposal and intent on refusing. But as she began to contemplate the possibility, she hired a carriage in the middle of the night to visit him with the hopes he might be her perfect match. Except she never imagined he would be moody, ill-mannered, and have two young children.

For his part, Phillip was overcome with the desire to kiss the woman on his doorstep if she ever stopped talking.

6. When He Was Wicked

Every life has a turning point. Michael Stirling, London’s most notorious rake, had that moment when he first saw Francesca Bridgerton. After a lifetime of chasing women, he looked at Francesca Bridgerton once and fell completely in love with her. Unfortunately, Micheal then learned Francesca was betrothed to his cousin and their wedding was imminent.

But that was then and this is now, and now Francesca is free. Michael is hesitant to admit his love and ruin their friendship, until one night she steps into his arms and passion proves stronger than even the most wicked of secrets.

On the Way to the Wedding Julia Quinn Bridgerton Books in Order

7. It’s In His Kiss

Gareth St. Clair’s father hates him and wants to leave him nothing as his inheritance. Gareth’s only hope is an old family diary which may hold family secrets and the key to his future. Except it is in Italian, which Gareth cannot understand.

But Hyacinth Bridgerton can. She is fiendishly smart and devilishly outspoken, even if she did slightly exaggerate her understanding of Italian. However, as the pair work together to uncover the secrets in the diary, they begin to realize the answers may be found in each other.

8. On the Way to the Wedding

Unlike many men he knows, Gregory Bridgerton believes in true love. He is even more convinced that Miss Hermione Watson is the woman of his dreams, except she is in love with another man. Her best friend, Lady Lucinda Abernathy, agrees to help Gregory woo Hermione to save her from a disastrous alliance, except Lucy finds herself falling in love with Gregory instead.

But Lucy is already engaged and her uncle will not let her break off her engagement, even when Gregory realizes he is in love with her too. Which is how Gregory finds himself on the way to her wedding and ready to risk everything to ensure he is the only man standing opposite Lucy.

9. Happily Ever After

This is a collection of short stories, which Julia Quinn describes as second epilogues. Each story depicts a beloved Bridgerton sibling and their true love after the last page of their book. In addition to the eight stories, there is a bonus story about the Bridgerton matriarch, Violet.

The Bridgerton Prequel Series

The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband Julia Quinn

10. Because of Miss Bridgerton

Everyone expects Billie Bridgerton to marry one of the Rokesby brothers. The two families grew up together and Billie ran wild alongside Edward and Andrew as children. The only Rokesby she can’t stand is George, the eldest sibling and heir to the earldom.

Billie finds George arrogant, annoying, and she knows he detests her. But sometimes fate has a wicked sense of humour, and when the pair are thrown together, sparks begin to fly.

11. The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband

Cecilia Harcourt faces two options when her brother is hurt on the battlefront in the Colonies. The orphan can either move in with an aunt or marry a scheming cousin. Both options are detestable to her, so Cecilia flees across the Atlantic to find her brother and nurse him back to health.

Except it is his best friend, Edward Rokesby, who she finds. Edward is unconscious and in desperate need of care himself, so Cecilia tells one small little lie and promises to save his life.

When Edward awakes he can’t remember the last six months, but he’s sure he would remember if he had a wife. However, he decides it must be true. When the truth comes out, both Cecilia and Edward will be in for surprises of their own.

12. The Other Miss Bridgerton

Poppy Bridgerton is adamant that she will only marry if she can find an intellectual man with interests that match her own. A description that everyone in her London season falls far short of. Then, while visiting a friend on the Dorset coast, Poppy finds a smuggler’s hideaway inside a cave…and promptly gets kidnapped by pirates.

Captain Andrew James Rokesby has a reputation as a rascal and reckless privateer, but he’s actually working with the British government for important transport. Which means when he finds a woman bound in his cabin, it is duty to the Crown to protect her.

Then he learns she is a Bridgerton and he knows he will have to marry her to avoid scandal. Poppy has no idea he is the son of an earl and neighbor to her cousins, and as their proximity flares to passion, will the truth alter her feelings?

13. First Comes Scandal

After being abducted for her dowry, Georgiana Bridgerton has two options. She can either live out the rest of her days as a spinster, or she can marry her abductor to avoid the scandal. Then a third option presents itself.

Nicholas Rokesby is the fourth son of an earl and happily studying medicine in Edinburgh. He had no plans to find a wife and marry, but when he finds out that Georgie, the girl-next-door from his childhood, is facing ruin, he presents her with a marriage of convenience.

At first Georgie says no. She doesn’t want to be anyone’s sacrifice, least of all for her childhood friend. But as they embark on an unorthodox courtship they learn that first comes scandal, then comes marriage…then comes love?

Final thoughts on Bridgerton books in order

The Bridgerton series is a must-read for anyone who loves the Regency period. The books are full of witty banter, drama, and dashing heroes that are sure to have you hooked from the first page!

If you’re looking for an epic romance novel series or want something new to get lost in this summer, be sure to check out the Bridgerton books in order. Have any of these titles been on your TBR?

Looking for more books in order?

Check out The Selection series in order.