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These days, there’s only one bingeable TV series we have on our minds — Bridgerton. Yes, the worldwide phenomenon from Netflix has completely captivated our attention since the first episodes dropped on the streamer on Christmas Day in 2020. Now, season 2 of the sexy, scandalous series is here and — if we’re being honest with ourselves — we’re probably going to binge through the entire new batch of episodes in a matter of days (or maybe a day, we’re trying to be liberal with our time here).
But once we’ve torn through the whole season, what’s left to do? Do we watch the season over again? Maybe. But there might be a better way to spend our time — like preparing for the next season. How can we do that? Why, by reading the next Bridgerton book in author Julia Quinn’s series, of course. Now, we don’t know quite yet which member of the Bridgerton family will be prominently featured next season, but there are plenty of options to choose from.
Along with The Duke and I and The Viscount Who Loved Me (the books which offered the inspiration for seasons 1 and 2, respectively), there’s an entire treasure trove of Bridgerton stories still yet to be told. See what happens in Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton’s story with Romancing Mister Bridgerton. Or what happens when Eloise Bridgerton takes center stage in To Sir Phillip, With Love. Plus, Quinn has written prequels to the Bridgerton stories we know and love. You have the pick of the Ton with this batch of books. So, make the perfect match and choose yours wisely. Check out even more Bridgerton books by Julia Quinn below!
‘The Viscount Who Loved Me’
As with the Bridgerton family themselves, we’ll go about highlighting these books just as Violet, the matriarch of the family would want — in alphabetical order of her children’s first names. First up is the story of Anthony Bridgerton’s pursuit of love in The Viscount Who Loved Me. Serving as the inspiration for season 2, the book follows Anthony through his plot to secure the perfect match to be his viscountess. The only problem? That woman happens to have a sister, named Kate. But this enemies-to-lovers tale has a few twists that you might not see coming. After watching season 2, this will be the perfect way to relive some Bridgerton romance.
‘An Offer From A Gentleman’
Next is Benedict’s story. During a masquerade ball at Lady Bridgerton’s home, a young woman named Sophie sneaks into the evening’s festivities and finds herself in the arms of one Benedict Bridgerton. Unfortunately, Sophie has been relegated to a quasi-servant by her disdainful stepmother. But after such a magical night, Benedict is determined to find the young lady with whom he shared that memorable dance. But will his heart lead him in the right direction? Find out in An Offer From A Gentleman.
‘Romancing Mister Bridgerton’
Now, we’ve only seen two seasons of Bridgerton, but we’ve been invested in Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton’s story from the very beginning. In Romancing Mister Bridgerton, we finally get what we’ve been waiting for. Penelope has been in love with Colin for — well, forever, basically. But after she discovers a secret about him, she begins to question whether she knows him at all. At the same time, Colin is growing tired of Lady Whistledown’s newsletter, poking and prodding into his life. As the world around him changes, Colin has to decide if Penelope is one of his greatest threats, or the key to his ultimate happiness.
‘The Duke and I’
Call it the book that started it all: The Duke and I tells the story of Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset, The Duke of Hastings. These two weren’t exactly love at first sight. The two hatch a plan to become a couple, warding off suitors that aren’t worthy of Daphne, and gossip pertaining to Simon. The plan works like a charm, until things begin to unravel and feelings get in the way. Relive season 1 by reading the book that inspired the Netflix series.
‘To Sir Phillip, With Love’
Eloise Bridgerton was never particularly interested in marriage. But in To Sir Phillip, With Love, her spinster days might be over. Sir Phillip is ready to propose to Eloise out of pity, but there’s only one problem — he’s in love with her. And while Eloise isn’t necessarily sure of this unlikely suitor, she can’t help but wonder if, out of all the Ton, he could be the one for her.
‘When He Was Wicked’
Francesca Bridgerton is celebrating her imminent marriage in When He Was Wicked. It ought to be the happiest occasion of her life, until she meets her fiancé’s cousin — that’s when everything changes. Michael Stirling, a former Rake, falls immediately for Francesca, but will he ever be able to tell her how he feels? And if he does, with it be too late?
‘On The Way To The Wedding’
Gregory’s story takes the archetypal love triangle and raises it to the nth degree. Gregory believes in true love, and he has fallen for one Miss Hermione Watson. The only thing is, she’s engaged. But Gregory gets the help of Hermione’s friend Lucinda, who finds herself falling for Gregory. But there’s a catch — she, too, is engaged! Will Gregory realize the love of his life may have been the woman helping him woo another this whole time? He’ll have to figure something out while he’s On The Way To The Wedding.
‘It’s In His Kiss’
Hyacinth Bridgerton is feisty, beautiful, and well known by all in the London Ton. In It’s In His Kiss, the youngest Bridgerton offers her talents for speaking Italian to Gareth St. Clair, who is trying desperately to unravel the secrets of a diary written in the romantic language, given to him by his odious father. But as the two spend more time together, could it be that their greatest secret is the unspoken affection they share for one another?
‘The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After’
This collection of epilogues doesn’t just provide another chapter to many of the aforementioned Bridgerton books, it also includes Violet Bridgerton’s story. The matriarch of the Bridgerton family, Violet has an entire novella dedicated to her in The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After.
‘The Other Miss Bridgerton’
Even though we’ve been through the whole Bridgerton family, there are still more stories in store! The Other Miss Bridgerton is a prequel to the Bridgerton series and tells the story of Poppy Bridgerton. While visiting a friend on the coast, Poppy is captured, bound, and gagged by pirates, who leave her on the captain’s bed. Captain Andrew James Rokesby, secretly an earl and gentleman who transports goods and documents for the British government, finds her in his cabin and is shocked. He knows he’ll have to marry her, but will that dissuade scandal? And will Poppy learn to love him too?
‘Because of Miss Bridgerton’
In another Bridgerton prequel, Because of Miss Bridgerton, young Billie Bridgerton knows she has to marry, and one of her suitors might be amongst the Rokesby brothers, whose family has been close to her family for years. There’s just one Rokesby brother she cannot stand — eldest brother and heir to the family’s estate, George. But when the two are conveniently thrown together, they come to realize that, while they detest one another, they may just fall for one another too.
‘First Comes Scandal’
Georgiana Bridgerton isn’t exactly looking forward to marriage, in fact, she doesn’t like the institution whatsoever. But when her reputation is in danger of being ruined, her longtime friend, Nicholas Rokesby, returns from medical school to marry her. Only, she says no! But the would-be couple’s courtship, chronicled in First Comes Scandal, might just bring the two childhood friends closer together, and even see them fall in love.
‘The Girl With The Make-Believe Husband’
In The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband, Celia Harcourt is in desperate need to find her brother, who’s battling in the Colonies. She doesn’t find him, but she does discover his best friend, Edward Rokesby, is severely injured. She stays with him, and creates a little white lie in order to do so — telling everyone she is his wife. When Edward finally wakes from his injuries, he cannot remembers the last six months of his life, and believes Celia when she tells him they are married. But when the truth comes out, who will be left broken hearted?
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