13 books to read while you wait for the new seasons of 'Bridgerton'
· Business Insider
Zoe McConnell/Liam Daniel/Netflix
- "Bridgerton" has two new seasons in the works.
- One will focus on Francesca Bridgerton, while the other will show Violet and Edmund's love story.
- You can read some historical romance books while you wait for the seasons to come out on Netflix.
It's a great time to be a "Bridgerton" fan.
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Season five of the beloved Netflix series is officially in production following the success of season four, which told Benedict Bridgerton's love story. Francesca Bridgerton Kilmartin will pick up the helm in season five. Two years after her husband died, she will try to make sense of her feelings for his cousin, Michaela Stirling, marking the first queer love story to be the focus of a season of the show, as the streamer first announced in March 2026.
And on Thursday, Netflix announced that it's not the only "Bridgerton" production in the works.
A new spinoff series about Violet and Viscount Edmund Bridgerton, the parents of the Bridgerton brood, is coming. The show will go back in time to their love story, much like "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story" did for Queen Charlotte and King George.
Though there is movement in the "Bridgerton" world, it's not yet clear when new episodes will arrive. Season five of the show will hit screens sometime in 2027, and the Violet spinoff does not have a premiere date.
Some historical romance books could help pass the time while you wait. From stories of marriage of convenience to enemies-to-lovers epics, check out some of the best books for "Bridgerton" fans.
"When He Was Wicked" by Julia Quinn"When He Was Wicked" by Julia Quinn.HarperCollins
Season five of "Bridgerton" will be based on "When He Was Wicked," book six in Quinn's series. But the show will be substantially different from the novel, as the Michaela Stirling that viewers know on screen is actually Michael Stirling in the book.
In the novel, Michael Stirling falls in love with Francesca Bridgerton at first sight, ready to put his life as a rake behind him for her. To his dismay, though, his beloved cousin John met Francesca first, and Michael plans to live his life supporting them from afar and quietly wondering what could have been.
However, when John dies unexpectedly two years later, Michael must return to Scotland and take over as the Earl of Kilmartin, putting him in the orbit of a grieving Francesca. Francesca is thrilled to have Michael back and eager to lean on him for friendship and support, as she always has.
When that comfort gives way to a passion Francesca never expected, she'll have to rethink everything she thought she knew about love.
"Violet in Bloom" by Julia Quinn"The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After" by Julia Quinn.HarperCollins
Quinn did not write a full-length novel about Violet and Edmund's love story; instead, she included a novella about them in her collection "The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After," called "Violet in Bloom."
The short story offers readers a look at Violet's childhood and her courtship with Edmund. Quinn wrote on her website that she did not feel she could write a full-length book about the couple because Edmund dies when they are still quite young, but the novella's structure gave her a way into their love story.
Violet's consuming love with Edmund is the reason she encourages all of her children to find their love match, and the novella gives readers a front-row seat to their bond.
Be warned, the other installments in the collection are second epilogues to the "Bridgerton" novels, so don't read them unless you have already read the series (or don't mind spoilers).
"Bringing Down the Duke" by Evie Dunmore"Bringing Down the Duke" by Evie Dunmore.Penguin Random House
"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 depends on her commitment to recruiting 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.
"The Davenports" by Krystal Marquis"The Davenports" by Krystal Marquis.Penguin Random House
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 will scratch the same itch as "Bridgerton."
"Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon"Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon.Penguin Random House
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 World War II ends 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 is 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?
"The Magpie Lord" by KJ Charles"The Magpie Lord."Amazon
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. When his father and brother suddenly die, Lucien has to return to a life he never expected as the new Lord Crane.
However, 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.
"Suddenly You" by Lisa Kleypas"Suddenly You" by Lisa Kleypas.HarperCollins
Amanda Briars decides to take her sexuality into her own hands in "Suddenly You" by Lisa Kleypas.
As a 30th birthday gift to herself, 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?
"The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels" by India Holton"The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels" by India Holton.Penguin Random House
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 appears to be 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.
"Rebel" by Beverly Jenkins"Rebel" by Beverly Jenkins.HarperCollins
In "Rebel" by Beverly Jenkins, Valinda Lacy is building 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 and 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 waiting for her in New York.
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.
"The Duchess Deal" by Tessa Dare"The Duchess Deal" by Tessa Dare.HarperCollins
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 romance trope.
The Duke of Ashbury rarely leaves his home after the war, hiding the burns and scars he took home with him. However, 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, he gets Emma to agree 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. That won't work for Emma, though, who insists they dine together every night. And the longer Emma is in the Duke of Ashbury's world, the more enamored she is.
"Ana María and the Fox" by Liana De la Rosa"Ana María and the Fox" by Liana De la Rosa.Penguin Random House
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 chance to see what life is like when she isn't under her father's watchful eye. 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. To his dismay, 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.
"A Night Like This" by Julia Quinn"A Night Like This" by Julia Quinn.HarperCollins
If you like the class tension that was central to season four of "Bridgerton," Quinn's "A Night Like This" might be right up your alley.
The second novel in the "Smythe-Smith Quartet" follows Anne Wynter, the governess for three cousins in the Smythe-Smith family (who will be familiar to fans of "Bridgerton"). Being a governess isn't her dream job, but it works for Anne, especially since it helps her keep her real identity private.
Anne is hopeful she can maintain her low profile until Daniel Smythe-Smith, the Earl of Winstead, returns to town, and he immediately sets his sights on her. Anne has had no trouble resisting men in the past, but there's something about Daniel that stirs feelings in her she never anticipated.
When enemies from Daniel's past threaten not only him but Anne, he'll show her just how far he's willing to go to protect her.
"Slightly Married" by Mary Balogh"Slightly Married" by Mary Balogh.Amazon
Like "Bridgerton," the "Bedwyn Saga" follows a rambunctious family, and the first installment, "Slightly Married," focuses on the second eldest son, Aidan Bedwyn.
Aidan might look tough, but underneath it all, the colonel has a soft heart. That warmth leads him to visit Ringwood Manor after one of his soldiers died, determined to care for the man's sister in his stead.
Instead of finding a grieving, helpless woman, he meets Eve, an enchanting and fearless woman who quickly makes clear that Aidan's help is the last thing she wants. However, when Aidan offers to marry her so she can keep her home, Eve feels she has no choice but to accept.
Although Aidan is immediately drawn to Eve, the pair agree to a loveless marriage, but one kiss may undo everything they had planned.
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