10 books to read while you wait for the next season of 'Bridgerton'
Part two of season three of "Bridgerton" premiered on Netflix on Thursday.
Season four has no release date yet, but historical romance books can make the wait easier.
You can start with "Romancing Mister Bridgerton" by Julia Quinn.
The final four episodes of "Bridgerton" season three premiered on Netflix on Thursday after weeks of anticipation.
The steamy show brought Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton's beloved friends-to-lovers romance from the page to the screen, and it quickly became a fan favorite.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the show accumulated 45.05 million views in its first three days on Netflix, making it the best opening weekend for "Bridgerton." And on Friday, Netflix and Shondaland announced that "Bridgerton" has brought over £275 million, or about $349.3 million, to the UK economy.
Despite its popularity, viewers will likely have to wait until 2026 for the show's next season.
While you wait for the Bridgerton siblings to return to Netflix, historical romance books may help pass the time.
From stories of marriage of convenience to enemies-to-lovers epics, check out some of the best books for "Bridgerton" fans.
"Romancing Mister Bridgerton" by Julia Quinn
If you can't get enough of Colin and Penelope's love story, you can read Julia Quinn's novel "Romancing Mister Bridgerton," which is part of the book series the Netflix show is based on.
Colin and Penelope are just friends at the start of "Romancing Mister Bridgerton," though they're older than they are in the TV series. At 28, Penelope has become a quietly wealthy spinster thanks to the money she earns from her Lady Whistledown column, and she still harbors a secret crush on Colin, a 33-year-old bachelor who has just returned from his latest world travels.
After Penelope discovers Colin has a secret writing skill, a new closeness develops between them. When Penelope asks Colin to kiss her in a moment of desperation, he finds himself drawn to her in ways he never expected. But Penelope is still keeping secrets, and she doesn't know how Colin will react when he discovers the woman haunting his dreams has been gossiping about him in the papers for years.
"Romancing Mister Bridgerton" is the fourth installment in Quinn's series about the Bridgerton family, so you may want to read "The Duke & I," "The Viscount Who Loved Me," and "An Offer From a Gentleman" before diving into the friends-to-lovers romance.
Find out more about this book here.
"Bringing Down the Duke" by Evie Dunmore
"Bringing Down the Duke" is the first installment in Evie Dunmore's "A League of Extraordinary Women" series.
It follows Annabelle Archer, one of the first women admitted to the University of Oxford in 1879. Annabelle is a scholarship student, and her financial support is dependent on her commitment to getting influential men to join the suffragette movement.
Annabelle doesn't know how she'll convince Sebastian Devereux, the Duke of Montgomery, to help her cause. His support is crucial because he directly influences the Queen's policies, but the removed Sebastian is more interested in finding a suitable wife than in women's rights.
Worst of all, neither Annabelle nor Sebastian expected the palpable attraction between them, threatening to derail everything they were both working toward. They'll have to see which is more powerful: their goals or their feelings for each other.
Find out more about this book here.
"The Davenports" by Krystal Marquis
If you love the ensemble cast of "Bridgerton," Krystal Marquis' "The Davenports" is the perfect addition to your to-be-read list.
Inspired by the true story of Charles Richard Patterson, Marquis' novel follows the family of William Davenport, a previously enslaved man who became a successful business owner with the Davenport Carriage Company. By 1910, his family is wealthy and secure, and his children — particularly his daughters Olivia and Helen — have become fixtures of high society.
When "The Davenports" begins, Olivia is set on marrying a suitable match until she finds herself drawn to Washington DeWight, a civil rights activist, while Helen can't stop thinking about the man who is supposed to be courting her sister, Jacob Lawrence. Meanwhile, the girls' former close friend and current maid Amy-Rose and Olivia's best friend Ruby end up in a love triangle with John Davenport, Olivia and Helen's charming brother, until Ruby falls for someone she never anticipated.
Full of heart and no shortage of romance, the first installment of "The Davenports" series can help to fill the gap left by the end of a season of "Bridgerton."
Find out more about this book here.
"Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon
Like "Bridgerton," Diana Gabaldon's historical romance "Outlander" became a successful TV series. But unlike Quinn's works, her nine-book series comes with a side of magic.
When "Outlander" begins, former combat nurse Claire Randall is trying to find her footing after the end of World War II in 1945. In an attempt to find a new normal, Claire and her husband Frank visit the Scottish Highlands, but a walk through a stone circle sends Claire back in time to 1743 when war was the backdrop of Scotland.
Claire is desperate to return to her life, but to stay alive, she finds herself forced to marry the surprisingly kind warrior Jamie Fraser. As time passes, her reluctant marriage to Jamie becomes a passion Claire has never known. Will she return to her life in the future or take on an adventure in the past she never expected?
Find out more about this book here.
"The Magpie Lord" by KJ Charles
KJ Charles' "The Magpie Lord" has all the aristocratic fun of "Bridgerton" with the added flair of dark magic.
It's been two decades since Lucien Vaudrey set foot in London following his exile to China. But when his father and brother suddenly die, Lucien has to return to a life he never expected as the new Lord Crane.
But his earldom comes with the same adversaries his father had, leaving Lucien in danger of nefarious magic. He enlists the help of Stephen Day, a magician who can't stand the Crane family, to help him.
Stephen expects to loathe Lucien as he did his relatives, but to his surprise, Lucien is relaxed, tattooed, and clearly wants him. As Stephen's feelings for Lucien deepen, evil continues to invade the lord's home, putting them both at risk.
Find out more about this book here.
"Suddenly You" by Lisa Kleypas
Just like Penelope Featherington, Amanda Briars decides to take her sexuality into her own hands in "Suddenly You" by Lisa Kleypas.
As a 30th birthday gift to herself, the author and spinster Amanda decides to seek out a male companion so she can experience intimacy. So when Jack Delvin, a publisher who wants to work with her, appears on her doorstep, she assumes he's there for a very different reason, leading to a night of passion neither anticipated.
After their encounter, Amanda and Jack still have to work together, and neither can ignore their attraction. Will their different backgrounds keep them apart, or will love bring them together?
Find out more about this book here.
"The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels" by India Holton
If you want a romance like "Bridgerton" with a touch of darkness, "The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels" by India Holton will hit the spot.
Although Cecilia Bassingwaite looks like a demure Victorian woman, she's actually a thief. She uses her societal standing to swindle goods from England's upper class as a member of the Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels.
Assassin for hire Ned Lightbourne is tasked with taking Cecilia out for his boss, Captain Morvath, but everything changes when Ned lays eyes on her.
Cecilia and Ned have no choice but to work together to save the Wisteria Society from Morvath's wrath — drawing them closer and closer together.
Find out more about this book here.
"Rebel" by Beverly Jenkins
In "Rebel" by Beverly Jenkins, Valinda Lacy is making a new life for herself in Reconstruction Era New Orleans.
Originally from New York City, Valinda has big dreams of helping rebuild the city, but her hopes are dashed when ruffians make a target of her and the school she created.
Architect Captain Drake LeVeq steps in to help Valinda, who is immediately smitten with her. Drake finds everything about Valinda alluring, especially her independence, so he's devastated to learn she has a responsible fiancé to return to in New York.
But the more time Val spends in New Orleans with Drake, the less she wants to return to the life set out for her.
The first installment of Jenkins' "Women Who Dare Series," "Rebel" is exciting and steamy.
Find out more about this book here.
"The Duchess Deal" by Tessa Dare
The first installment in Tessa Dare's "Girl Meets Duke" series is "The Duchess Deal," a perfect story for fans of the marriage of convenience trope.
The Duke of Ashbury rarely leaves his home after the war, hiding the burns and scars he took home with him. But he needs to have a child, so he has to get married.
When his fiancée abruptly pulls out of the wedding and he spots his seamstress, Emma Gladstone, with the dress in hand, Emma agrees to step in and become the duchess.
The duke plans to keep Emma at arm's length, only visiting her bed at night to produce an heir and keeping his distance during the day. But that won't work for Emma, who insists they dine together every night. And the longer Emma is in the Duke of Ashbury's world, the more enamored she is.
Find out more about this book here.
"Ana María and the Fox" by Liana De la Rosa
Like "Bridgerton," Liana De la Rosa's "Ana María and the Fox" takes place during a society season in Victorian London.
Mexican heiress Ana María Luna Valdés ends up in London with her sisters when the French occupy her home country, giving her the first chance to see what life is like when she isn't under the watchful eye of her father. She can't help but notice Gideon Fox, a politician with ambitious plans to bring an end to the Atlantic slave trade.
Gideon is sure he doesn't have time for a romance with anyone, no matter how alluring he finds Ana. But he has no choice but to protect her when a rival politician makes advances on her — nor does he have a choice in the feelings he develops for her.
Find out more about this book here.
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