Your Next Read if You Love Netflix’s Bridgerton
Ballrooms, house parties, tea time, calling cards, trips to the modiste. If you love the embellished historical world created by Netflix’s Bridgerton, then you are probably desperate for season 4 to be released.
While many may think that reading Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series will get them through their dry spell, there are other series that may do a better job of scratching this itch. Why? Julia Quinn’s first books of the Bridgerton series were published over 20 years ago, and while they are captivating stories worthy of being enjoyed, they lack the same forward-thinking fantasy elements that Shondaland has integrated into the Netflix Bridgerton universe.
In the book series, you won’t find lords and ladies of color, LGBTQ characters, or even our beloved Theo. Women are kidnapped, blackmailed, and even told they need a muzzle by some of our Bridgerton male protagonists. The book series is simply an inspiration to the on-screen characters and plots, and I thoroughly enjoy seeing how Julia Quinn has worked with Shondaland to bring her written works to a more current audience.
I am certainly not suggesting that you never read the Bridgerton series, (I completely devoured them in a matter of weeks), but if you are looking to delve into the genre of Historical Romance because you’re pulled in by Netflix’s Bridgerton, then these book series may provide a world in which you’re more willing to indulge.
The League of Extraordinary Women by Evie Dunmore
If you enjoyed politically minded Eloise and the entrepreneurial brave spirit of Penn, then I absolutely recommend this series. It narrates the stories of four suffragists who form a close-knit friendship group that I truly wish I could join. Annabelle, Lucy, Hattie, and Catriona are each intelligent women with their own interests and passions, but they work together to campaign against the Married Women’s Property Act and for women’s right to vote.
This series is so fun to read, because, while there is an overarching plot and recurring cast of characters, there is such a delightful variety in the FMCs and MMCs. Dunmore writes about their studies at Oxford, photography, politics, publishing, antiquities, and so much more. The settings throughout the series are ever changing with backdrops of snowy country homes, Scottish coal mines, Oxford halls, and Levantine towns. Each book reignited my passion for women’s issues and education, and I was not ready to say goodbye to these women when I finished the final epilogue. I will absolutely be reading these again and giving each book a review that it deserves.
Duke Undone by Joanna Lowell
If your favorite part of the show was Benedict’s self-discovery and journey as an artist, Joanna Lowell’s writing would be a treat for you.
Her four Victorian novels include a sisterhood of art students, botanists, art critics, political players, bicyclists, and many more creative characters that add plot points unique in the genre. Lowell discusses class politics, gender and sexuality, issues in art creating, and other complex issues. These topics gave my brain something to ponder while my heart turned to mush over the romance.
Joanna writes queer characters exceptionally well in ways that other authors sometimes miss the mark. The queer characters have complex story lines. Some of the plot revolves around their gender and sexuality, and some does not. Their queerness is not ignored, but addressed in a way that provides education to the readers without turning into a Gender Studies 101 lecture.
Designing Debutantes by Sabrina Jeffries
Perhaps it was the matriarch, Lady Violet Bridgerton, who impressed you with her charm and social influence while she helped her children make their love matches and navigate life as part of the Ton. Your next read should be this series from the prolific HR author Sabrina Jeffries.
These books feature the girlboss trio of sisters, Diana, Elizabeth, and Verity, outed from society through no fault of their own. However, they become influential after forming their company, Elegant Occasions. Using their vast talents in art, fashion, and cuisine along with their keen observations of the happenings of society, they guide debutantes and plan the most sought-after social events. Jeffries includes a lot of fun whimsical descriptions about the entertainment of London’s elite, while pairing each sister with just the right MMC. It’s light, it's a quick read, and it’s a nice balance of empowerment and delight.
More from the Bridgerton Universe by Julia Quinn
If you love Bridgerton, by all means, read the eight Bridgerton novels that make up the series, and you get double the romances. But after that, keep reading! Julia Quinn has eight more books in her Bridgerton universe and, in my opinion, they are the creme de la creme.
The Rokesby Series
If you like the brothers of Bridgerton, there are four more in the Rokesby family to swoon over- an heir to earldom, privateer, soldier, and a doctor-in-training- this family. The Rokesbys are the neighbors and family friends of the Bridgertons of the previous generation. (Edmund is their youngest son.)
Oh my, this series has something for everyone. Set in the Georgian era, as a Bridgerton prequel, each book follows the romance of one of the four Rokesby brothers, as well as heroines, some of whom are Bridgertons themselves. In the first book, we see a head-strong FMC, Billie Bridgerton, who can’t be missed. The series takes us through the countryside, across the sea to Portugal, beautiful Edinburgh, and to the American colonies. Expect to read some of the best historical romance tropes crafted by a master of the genre, like enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience, secret identities, girl-next-doork, and even some amnesia.
The Smythe-Smith Quartet
If you enjoyed season 3’s portrayal of the musical Francesca, then this quartet should be your next read. Beware though, not all musicians who perform in this quartet share the same level of talent or interest. The annual misfortunate musical and poetry readings of the Smythe-Smith family provides many points of humor in the original Bridgerton book series, and there are some fun character cameos to be read.
In addition to these artistic endeavors, this series features an ongoing plot of an exiled brother as the result of a duel that should have never happened gone wrong, providing perfect opportunities for a nice redemption arc or two. This series does what Quinn does skillfully in her original series, which is to bring to life a family full of complicated by devoted relationships to life.
If I haven’t convinced you yet, the dance scene from The Sum of All Kisses lives rent free in my head. Please do yourself a favor and read this book, maybe even more than once. You can thank me when you do.
Enjoy your new or ongoing adventure into the historical romance genre! If you love any of these suggestions, feel free to let me know on my instagram page or in the comments section below.
The links included in this blog are affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking the link, I, as an Amazon Associate, can earn a small commission at no extra cost from you. Thank you for supporting my blog.