Bridgerton has been making headlines ever since its release in the December of 2020. Set in Regency-era England, the Netflix Original series created by ShondaLand follows the life of the powerful Bridgerton family. With visuals, costumes, and a set that remains unmatched in terms of beauty and grandeur, the show quickly became one of Netflix’s most popular ones. Add to that a plot that feels like a warm cuddle with certain exciting scenes, and you have at hand a fan favorite. Here’s all you need to know about the books it is based on.

Netflix show Bridgerton is based on a famous book series by Julia Quinn

#1 New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn is no stranger to success. The author has had her works translated to over 41 languages long before cinephiles knew Bridgerton as a Netflix series. Despite her massive success as a writer, did you know that this wasn’t the field she wasn’t initially pursuing?

Like many of us, Quinn, who was then known as Julia Pottinger, was quite doubtful of her career choices. She graduated from esteemed educational institutions like Harvard and Hotchkiss School. Having second thoughts about her future with these degrees, she decided to attend medical school. It was during this time that Quinn began writing the lighthearted Regency-era novels to pass her days.

Right after she got into Yale medical school, Quinn realized two of her novels had been sold at an auction. Soon, she realized that writing was her calling and gave up pursuing medical school for full-time writing. And this is how the Bridgerton books and a show with over 80 million viewers came to be.

Bridgerton Books in Order

The Bridgerton books follow the lives of the Bridgerton family after the loss of the head of the family, Lord Edmund Bridgerton. Unlike most other powerful and rich families we see on television, the Bridgertons love each other fiercely. This aspect is what sets the books and the Netflix Original apart from others- although it is a commentary on serious and grim matters like equality, death, and freedom, it offers comfort. Actress Claudia Jessie, who plays Eloise Bridgerton, said in an interview that the appeal of the show is that it is “a bit of a cuddle“.

Oh, and, another inconsequential but endearing detail about the books is that the Bridgerton siblings, who the books are named after and based on, are named alphabetically. In order of age, the Bridgerton siblings are Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth.

Here’s all you need to know about the books:

Book 1: The Duke and I

Daphne and Simon

Although she is the fourth child in the Bridgerton family, we must remember that it was expected of women to be married younger. Hence, despite being much younger than her brother, the first person in the family to get married is Daphne.

The Bridgerton books follow some very popular YA romance tropes and the first one recounts a love story that begins with fake dating. After Daphne Bridgerton and Duke Simon Basset show interest in each other to meet their own ends, they realize that they have come to develop feelings for one another.

Book 2: The Viscount Who Loved Me

Anthony and Kate

The second in line in the series of Bridgerton books is ‘The Viscount Who Loved Me‘. As the title suggests, the book focuses on Viscount Anthony Bridgerton. Reserved and emotionally unavailable, Anthony seeks to marry only to fulfill his duty and not for love.

However, the season’s diamond, Edwina Sharma, has an older sister who’s not tamed easily. Loosely playing on Shakespeare’s play The Taming of the Shrew, The Viscount Who Loved Me shows two very similar characters. They go from first despising each other to eventually coming together. The trope of this marriage season is that of enemies-to-lovers.

Book 3: An Offer From A Gentleman

Benedict and Sophie

A beautiful and kind young woman sees the face of tragedy as her ‘wicked stepmother‘ does all in her power to make life miserable for the former. As soon as the girl’s father, the Earl, passes away, the stepmother makes life even worse. The young girl is forced to dress in old garbs and live the life of a servant. That is until she finally meets her Prince Charming, who she leaves as the clock turns to midnight. However, their paths cross again.

This wasn’t Cinderella we were talking about. It is Sophie Beckett. And the Prince Charming in this equation is Benedict Bridgerton, the third person in the family to find his true love. However, this fairy tale doesn’t go as straight as the original one. We see Benedict and Sophie go through many trials.

Book 4: Romancing Mr. Bridgerton

Colin and Penelope

We all know too well how Penelope has liked Colin since forever. Through the course of the books, Colin grows to be fans’ favorite Bridgerton sibling. With witty one-liners and a story that involves suspense like none other in the series, Romancing Mr. Bridgerton is a certain fan favorite. These childhood friends realize their deep feelings for one another as Colin returns to London after a long time. The two uncover secrets that make them question their perception of each other they had since their childhood.

Book 5: To Sir Phillip, With Love

Eloise and Phillip

While Benedict seemed too unconventional for the members of the Ton, Eloise is actually the most free-spirited Bridgerton sibling. She doesn’t get married before her brothers. In fact, she doesn’t get married at all and begins considering herself a spinster. Being a woman of academics, the thought of marriage barely crosses her mind. However, she is forced to reconsider all of her priorities (and taste in men) as she meets Sir Phillip Crane.

Book 6: When He Was Wicked

Francesca and Michael

Simon and Anthony aren’t the only two capital R Rakes in London. Michael Stirling gave them all a run for their money until his eyes found Francesca Bridgerton. The man falls in love with her immediately, but fate isn’t so quick, or kind. The occasion when Michael saw Francesca for the first time was when she was to get married to his cousin. However, things change over a period of time.

Book 7: It’s In His Kiss

Hyacinth and Gareth

Gareth St. Clair immediately falls in love with the perfect Hyacinth Bridgerton. But, he has other pressing matters that need more attention. Gareth’s father is hell-bent on destroying the St. Clair inheritance. All Gareth has left to him is an old family diary that will reveal past secrets and help him in his future. But, this super-secret family diary is written in Italian, something that lies far away from Gareth’s field of specialization.

Hyacinth, on the other hand, is a competitive young lady who takes all of Gareth’s words as a challenge. She takes it upon herself to translate this diary even though she doesn’t know Italian too well. In the process, the two happen to share a kiss that makes Hyacinth question a great many things.

Book 8: On The Way to the Wedding

Gregory and Lucy

A pattern that follows all of the Bridgerton books is that Bridgerton is rarely the one to fall in love first, except perhaps Benedict. Gregory follows the same theme and chases Miss Hermione Watson, who is already engaged. However, her best friend is very keen on helping Gregory win her heart due to the disastrous alliance she thinks Hermione is in.

During the period, Gregory realizes he has developed feelings for his best friend, Miss Lucy. Yet again, fate and Julia Quinn want Gregory to suffer a little more. Miss Lucy is also betrothed to another man.

Book 9: The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After

Second Epilogues

Serving as a conclusion to the main Bridgerton books is ‘The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After‘.

The book serves as a heartwarming epilogue that Quinn calls “2nd epilogues” to the Bridgerton books. We find out answers that were left to readers’ disposition in the original books.

Bridgerton Prequels

Other than the original Bridgerton book series, Quinn has also released a lot of material surrounding the history of the family. Some of these prequels are:

1- Because of Miss Bridgerton

2- The Girl With the Make-Believe Husband

3- The other Miss Bridgerton

4- First Comes Scandal

Where can I read the Bridgerton Books?

Quinn’s publisher is Avon Books and all of the Bridgerton books, along with her other works are available on Amazon. You can find Kindle, paperback, or hardcover versions of the books on the website.

However, if you are looking for a signed copy of the book, you might have to put in a little more effort. You can either visit a book-signing event. Quinn and her team realize how this isn’t accessible or feasible to all enthusiastic readers. Hence, there is also an option to order signed copies of her books online through the University Book Store in Seattle, Washington, USA. Making sure the experience is extra delightful for fans, Quinn makes sure she personalizes the books, as well. Fans will also receive a Julia Quinn fridge magnet and a Bridgerton bookmark to go with the books.

However, a personalized and signed copy will take much longer to arrive at your doorstep.

Nonetheless, we know that the wait is worth it. Read the Bridgerton books and make sure to stream the Netflix series now!