How to Read the Bridgerton Books in Order (And How They Differ From the Netflix Show!)

Dear Julia Quinn Bridgerton The book series has been delighting lovers of romance novels since the first part, The duke and meit was published more than 20 years ago in 2000.

Like the Netflix adaptation, each novel in the collection focuses on a different Bridgerton sibling and explores their search for love in London’s Regency era. However, unlike the TV series, the order in which the siblings are lit is more chronological than the series would suggest.

“We’re not necessarily going in order, but we’re going to see each of the siblings and their stories,” executive producer Shonda Rhimes said. Party tonight Netflix hit in March 2022.

Fans looking to explore the literary series in the order in which it was written may find themselves ahead of the curve when compared to the series. Book three, titled An offer from a gentlemanwhich details Benedict Bridgerton’s love story, won’t be brought to life on the small screen until Season 3, which focuses on Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington — the subjects of the fourth book, The Romance of Mr. Bridgerton. The two-part season will be shown on May 16 and June 13, respectively.

“It’s not like they’re jumping ahead,” Quinn told PEOPLE ahead of the season premiere in December 2020. “But you can see little things, like they’re setting things up, hopefully for more.”

As for where it’s headed next, showrunner Jess Brownell told TV Insider fans will have to tune in to find out. “I think at the end of Season 3 there are some clues as to where we’re going,” she said.

Keep reading to learn how to read Bridgerton books in chronological order.

How to read Bridgerton Books in chronological order

1. The duke and me

Cover of the book “The Duke and I”.

Julia Quinn / Avon

The first book in Bridgerton the series introduces readers to the family’s eldest daughter, Daphne Bridgerton, as she makes her social debut.

To improve her chances of finding a desirable suitor, Daphne enlists the help of family friend Simon Basset, a young duke who agrees to woo her publicly in order to create jealousy among his peers and attract the most attractive prospects. In return, Daphne promises to help Simon avoid the hands of other potential marriage suitors.

They soon fall in love with each other despite their different wants and needs. “Daphne knows what she wants, Simon doesn’t,” Quinn told PEOPLE of the couple in 2020. “The irony is that he doesn’t know what he wants, but he has all the power. She knows what she wants, but she is quite powerless in society.”

2. The Viscount who loved me

Cover of the book “The Viscount Who Loved Me”.

Julia Quinn / Avon

Love blooms in all the wrong places for the eldest Bridgerton child, Anthony Bridgerton, who is the subject of the second book.

He is willing to marry Edwina Sheffield, even asking her disapproving older sister Kate for her blessing. Still, he can’t stop thinking about his older sister, who seems to despise him so much thanks to the gossip she’s read about him in Lady Whistledown’s column.

After a forbidden kiss between the two, Kate develops feelings for the viscount that threaten to derail all his best laid plans – and her sister’s happiness.

3. An offer from a gentleman

Cover of the book “Offer from the gentleman”.

Julia Quinn / Avon

Book three in Bridgerton The series compares the second oldest Bridgerton child, Benedict Bridgerton, to Prince Charming himself when he meets the girl of his dreams at a masquerade ball.

The fairy-tale object of Benedict’s affection, Sophie Beckett, seemingly disappears at midnight, only to reappear as his family’s new housekeeper.

Now, Benedict must weigh the undeniable connection he has with Sophie against his desire to continue his search for the elusive mystery girl who left him wanting more.

4. Romantic Mr. Bridgerton

Book cover of “Romancing Mister Bridgerton”.

Julia Quinn / Avon

Exploring the growing feelings between the third oldest Bridgerton, Colin, and his longtime friend and neighbor Penelope Featherington, Romantic Mr. Bridgerton see how the couple’s relationship transforms from something comfortable and familiar to something new and exciting.

However, the progress of their love is not without obstacles. The secrets the two keep threaten to disrupt their budding romance.

5. To Sir Phillip, with love

Cover of the book “To Sir Phillip, with love”.

Julia Quinn / Avon

Like literary plots on Bridgerton books before that, the fifth book is not a dry story of romance. The novel begins when Eloise Bridgerton is invited to the home of her new pen pal, Sir Phillip Crane, as a potential bride after the death of his wife, Marina Thompson.

For the high-minded feminist, the man she meets in Sir Phillip is far from the one she imagined as her perfect match. On the other hand, he sure is handsome and they have enough chemistry to make her reconcile herself.

6. When he was evil

“When He Was Wicked” book cover.

Julia Quinn / Avon

The sixth book explores the theme of unrequited love as Earl Michael Stirling struggles with his feelings of adoration for his cousin’s wife, Francesca Bridgerton.

Two years into their marriage, Francesca is suddenly widowed, leaving the Count free to express his love – but he dares not for fear of ruining their friendship.

However, when the two cross the line from friends to lovers, it quickly becomes clear that this once one-sided romance could have the potential to become fully realized love.

7. It’s in his kiss

“It’s In His Kiss” book cover.

Julia Quinn / Avon

Hyacinth Bridgerton, the youngest of them all, finds love shrouded in mystery in It’s in his kiss. After meeting his love, Garetha St. Clair, at the annual musical, she becomes embroiled in his quest to decipher an old family diary that may hold the keys to his financial freedom.

She gets more than she bargained for when her focus begins to shift from translating the book, which is written entirely in Italian, to translating Gareth’s heart after the perfect kiss between them.

8. On the way to the wedding

Cover of the book “On the way to the wedding”.

Julia Quinn / Avon

In the final Bridgerton meals, Gregory Bridgerton, the youngest son of the clan, is a hopeless romantic who longs for one Hermione Watson. Her best friend Lucinda promised to support their community, but Hermione had her sights set on someone else.

To make matters even more complicated, Lucinda herself begins to fall in love with Gregory – but she is already engaged. And by the time Gregory realizes that Lucinda might actually be the one he loves, the countdown to her impending wedding may be over.

How to read Bridgerton The order of the books in the series

Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton and Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington in the third season of ‘Bridgerton’.

Courtesy of Netflix

While the first two seasons of the Netflix hit series Bridgerton follow the order of Quinn’s novels, the series jumps forward in the third season, instead of showing the fourth book, Romantic Mr. Bridgerton. While Bridgerton has been renewed for a 4th season, it has not been confirmed which book it will follow.

Here’s how to read books in Netflix series order — so far.

1. Season 1: The duke and me
2. Season 2: The Viscount who loved me
3. Season 3: Romantic Mr. Bridgerton
4. Season 4: TBD

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Source: HIS Education