Someone who wants to get really technical about the timeline would actually start with the Bridgerton prequels, also known as the Rokesby Series. The Rokesbys are the neighbors and longtime family friends of the Bridgertons, and the books follow the romantic lives of the four sons: George, Edward, Andrew, and Nicholas. And there’s some connection to the O.G. Bridgerton series: Edmund, Violet, and even little Anthony, Benedict, and Colin make appearances. Edmund’s sisters, Billie and Georgiana, are also the love interests in two of the Rokesby books. That order goes: Because of Miss Bridgerton, The Girl With the Make-Believe Husband, The Other Miss Bridgerton, and First Comes Scandal.
But do you have to read the Bridgerton books in order?
No, you don’t have to. Each book centers on one sibling’s romance at a time, so they can be read interchangeably. You may get some minor spoilers, but do you care? With romance books like Bridgerton, the appeal is in knowing that everyone ends up happily married.
That said, I would recommend reading in their intended order. You might be more invested if you have the background information that The Duke and I sets up so well, and it’s fun to see the different siblings and their spouses pop up as the series continues. I also recommend starting the Rokesby prequels after you finish the original Bridgerton collection.
How many books are in the Bridgerton series?
There are eight total—one for each sibling–in the core Bridgerton series. Twelve in the series if you count the sequels like Happily Ever After. Add in the four Rokesby prequels, and you have a total of 16 books on your list to read. It sounds overwhelming, but once you start it is nice to know there’s always a new Bridgerton book waiting for you to dive into next.
Does the Bridgerton show follow the books?
Yes and no. So far, Netflix’s Bridgerton has kept with the core details of the books, and the seasons are following the same order of the novels. If you’ve read the books, you’ll spot where the show takes some departures, but the love stories have stayed true for the most part. The biggest change on the Netflix show is that characters outside of the core Bridgerton family, like the Queen and the extended Featherington clan, have much meatier parts than in the books.
What about the second season of Bridgerton?
The second season of Bridgerton focuses on the same love story as the second book in the series: The Viscount Who Loved Me, an enemies-to-lovers tale about Anthony, the eldest Bridgerton sibling. He thinks he wants to marry the season’s diamond, a lovely young woman named Edwina, but her prickly older sister Kate becomes an obstacle. As you can guess, all that heat and tension turns into something a lot more like passion.
The second season mostly keeps in line with the book, but there is a big departure from the story in episodes three and four. I won’t spoil it for you because everything ultimately ends as it should.
Who is Lady Whistledown in the books?
Same as in the show! Penelope Featherington turns out to be Lady Whistledown in the novels, a storyline that isn’t explored until she enters the spotlight in book four, Romancing Mr. Bridgerton.
Who is the third Bridgerton book—and season—about?
While we don’t know yet—at least not officially—which Bridgerton sibling will lead season three, we can make an educated guess. If Netflix continues to follow the order of the books, season three will be about sensitive artist Benedict Bridgerton. His novel is a spin on the classic Cinderella story: He falls for Sophie Beckett, the illegitimate daughter of an earl. Sophia has been relegated to the role of a servant by her evil stepmother. Benedict meets her at a masquerade ball and spends years trying to find the mysterious woman who stole his heart.
What are all the Bridgerton books about?
I’ll tell you! I’ve read all of the Bridgerton books in order, so below you’ll find the plot descriptions as well as some opinions.
The Duke and I (2000)
You’ve already seen this story come to life on Netflix: Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) is looking to up her desirability on the marriage market, while Simon Basset (Regé-Jean Page) wants the world to think he’s taken so the matchmaking-crazed mothers of the ton back off. Then, the two pretend to form an attachment in the hopes that suitors will find Daphne more interesting, and singles will assume Simon is taken. This being a romance novel, real feelings start to develop between the two—and drama ensues.
A Crash Course on the Bridgerton Book Series
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