We feel uniquely qualified to generate this list, being a site dedicated to Regency romance for over 13 years! And we are so excited at how many newcomers have been dropping by to learn more about the era and look for new authors to explore, that we decided to offer an easy list of what to read next if you are looking for Bridgerton adjacent content.
Because Bridgerton has on screen intimacy, all the books we have selected also have moderate to heavy intimate content. We have mixed some older titles and series with some new releases to give you a sampling of the genre…and some of the most beloved books from the Regency genre.
Click on the image to be taken to Amazon for purchase or click on the underlined title to read our review.
Eloisa James: The Essex Sisters Series This series was written only a few years after the publication of The Duke and I, and is a wonderful series written with similar humor, lovable characters and sizzling romance. Our favorite of the series was the last, Pleasure for Pleasure, but all four books are worth a read.
Tessa Dare: The Study Club Trilogy Starts with this amazing book, One Dance with a Duke, which was a pure delight to read. Dare’s strength is humor, writing a diversity of character types, and incredibly well written stories that will pull you into her world.
Mary Balogh: The Westcott Series If you are new to the genre, I strongly encourage you to pick up at least one Mary Balogh. She is an undeniable figure with beautifully written books, usually in series, that feature wonderful love stories with often untraditional MCs and well written historical detail. This is one of her newer series, with 7 books currently released and two on the way, that get rave reviews. The most popular is the latest book, Someone to Romance.
Courtney Milan: The Turner Series has been packaged into a neat box set of three novels and one novella that follows the Turner brothers. Readers love this series for its in depth character work, and Courtney Milan is fantastic at the historic details and research that make readers swoon.
Duke I’d Like to F is a recently released anthology of short stories/nearly novellas that provides some very steamy content with a variety of great authors for readers new to the genre to explore.
Eva Leigh: My Fake Rake Love the fake engagement plot line? Then first in a new Union of the Rake series, My Fake Rake will deliver! We loved this for the humor, academic MCs, and low angst.
Sarah MacLean:The Rogue Not Taken is the first in the Scandal and Scoundrel series and features two unlikely lovers forced together. With some outlandish elements, this is a fun book but also with some real character development. Great for alpha-hero lovers.
Darcy Burke: The Spitfire Society The series starts with Never Have I Ever with A Duke, where the two MCs need to marry for money but end up falling in love. We also reviewed the last book, A Duke Will Never Do, and found it complex (and not without some reader controversy). This recently released series offers headstrong heroines and some diverse locations that get a bit away from the glitz and glamour of London while still offering full flavor of the era.
Cat Sebastian: Regency Imposters Series We reviewed the second title in the series as a standalone, but have loved all of Cat Sebastian’s books we have read enough to heartily endorse checking out the entire series. Sebastian is most noted for queer representation, which this series has, but generally writes one heck of a well researched Regency.
This is a few books over 25…but who’s counting! We hope you love these recommendations and find an author to help scratch your Bridgerton itch.
When all else fails, you can go directly to the source material and start with the first three Julia Quinn books in the Bridgerton series:
We would love to hear from you…what are some of your Regency favorites that would make good Bridgerton follow ups?
The Pennyroyal Green Series by Julie Ann Long.
Julie Ann Long does write some terrific Regency romance!
Valerie Bowman’s Playful Brides series (actually, any Regency by Valerie!)
I will have to check this series out myself! Thanks for the suggestions!
Love the Bridgerton novels – the Netflix series disappointed me greatly I’m afraid. But if you like the novels I’d suggest Stephanie Laurens particularly the Cynsters or the Bastion Club series
What a great suggestion! Stephanie Lauren’s series to have so many similarities to the Bridgerton series in that they follow families and are super fun! Thanks for the recommendation.