Last month, season two of Bridgerton came out on Netflix, and the world was once again swept up in all the drama of Regency-era England. Well, at least the flavor of Regency as reimagined by Shonda Rhimes. I immediately binge-watched the series and was absolutely captivated by the way they took Julia Quinn’s source material and transformed it for the screen. Simone Ashley was perfectly cast, her chemistry with Jonathan Bailey was undeniable, and I loved the way the creators were deliberate in the portrayal of Kate and Edwina’s Indian heritage.
It sent me running to the library for a Bridgerton fix, but since the exact same thing happened last year after watching season one, I only had two books left to read. And now that I’ve finally finished the entire Bridgerton series (at least the original series centered on Violet Bridgerton’s kids), I thought it was about time for my personal ranking of Bridgerton novels.
Before we dive into the books, a quick reminder that this is very much a series of romance novels, which are as—if not more—smutty than the Netflix series. They’re also based in Regency-era England, so time-appropriate, traditional gender roles abound. You have been warned! Also, spoilers for the Netflix series and minor spoilers for the books below.
My Ranking of the Bridgerton Novels
The Viscount Who Loved Me (#2 – Anthony Bridgerton)
One line synopsis: Guy courts lady, falls in love with her sister
I was equally excited and nervous to watch the latest season because The Viscount Who Loved Me is my favorite book in the series! Yes, there are a few moments that force you to suspend your disbelief (Anthony trying to suck the poison out of a bee sting?! Anthony believing he’s destined to not outlive his father? Anthony— just a lot of Anthony getting in his own damn way.) However, I’m a sucker for a forced marriage plot, and this is a good one.
Kate is an absolute boss throughout—fiercely loyal to her family members, not afraid to give Anthony a piece of her mind—and I really enjoyed the chapters told from her point of view. Another thing I liked about the book that was different in the show is that Edwina is pretty much team Kanthony from the moment she realizes he isn’t for her. Also, Newton is king. That is all.
Buy from Amazon Buy from Better World BooksRomancing Mr. Bridgerton (#3 – Colin Bridgerton)
One-line synopsis: Guy realizes what’s been in front of him his whole life, but she might be more than he ever imagined
It was tough to choose between Anthony and Colin’s stories in this ranking of Bridgerton books. They’re both so good! In the books, you don’t learn the identity of Lady Whistledown until the fourth book, which centers on Penelope Featherington and how she finally gets together with her longtime crush, Colin Bridgerton. (Having watched the first season before I read any of the books, this was obviously spoiled for me, but I don’t think it really ruined much.)
I think my favorite part about this book was Colin’s complete transformation. Once he realizes Penelope is the one for him, he becomes a loving, doting, almost obsessive partner. He shows his support for Penelope and her alter-ego in a very public way, and it helps make up for his previous idiocy of which there are multiple examples.
Buy from Amazon Buy from Better World BooksWhen He Was Wicked (#6 – Francesca Bridgerton)
One-line synopsis: Girl doesn’t necessarily want to be attracted to her late husband’s cousin, but they eventually give in to their undeniable chemistry
It’s really a shame that we haven’t seen much of Francesca in the TV series because she’s truly a delightful character. More reserved than the other Bridgertons but clever and happy to forge her own path away from the family. This book felt the most different from the others for me, and there wasn’t a hint of the formulaic romance novel within it.
It also felt more modern than the others. Maybe because by the time Francesca gets to tell her story, she’s a widow who doesn’t have quite the same amount of societal oversight or rules to deal with. She’s in Scotland, running her late husband’s estate and trying not to get swept off her feet by Michael Stirling, the new Earl who has, of course, been taken with her since even before she married his late cousin. Spoiler alert: She does.
Buy from Amazon Buy from Better World BooksIt’s in His Kiss (#7 – Hyacinth Bridgerton)
One-line synopsis: Girl helps guy sort out his family drama and falls in love along the way
We’re rounding out the top half of my ranking of Bridgerton novels with the first book that I read following season two. To be honest, I’m surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did. I was a little nervous that having read all the earlier books with Hyacinth as a little girl would make it difficult to read about her as a young woman, but it wasn’t. She’s a delight, a loud, messy, true-to-herself-at-every-turn delight.
I also adore the role that Lady Danbury plays in this one as her nephew, Gareth St. Clair, is the reformed rake who ends up courting Hyacinth. There’s also a captivating subplot with a diary written in Italian that the heroine and hero must uncover together plus the promise of hidden jewels.
Buy from Amazon Buy from Better World BooksOn the Way to the Wedding (#8 – Gregory Bridgerton)
One-line synopsis: Guy is a bit of an idiot about love and makes a grand gesture to win girl’s affections
I wasn’t particularly excited to read this one because I’d heard people say it was boring, but I actually liked it and thought it was very sweet! Gregory, the second-to-youngest Bridgerton child and youngest boy, has always believed in love. After all, he has a lot of familial examples to look to, which means he’s spent his life waiting for the “lightning bolt moment” that will change his life forever.
When he meets Hermione Watson, he believes it has finally happened for him. But then he finds himself more taken with Lady Lucinda Abernathy, the practical, practically engaged orphaned young lady about to make her debut. Needless to say, chaos ensues.
Buy from Amazon Buy from Better World BooksThe Duke and I (#1 – Daphne Bridgerton)
One-line synopsis: Girl is caught in compromising position with guy, forces him to marry her rather than duel her brother
You can’t have a ranking of Bridgerton novels without the one that started it all. And I was honestly a little surprised to find this one in the bottom half of the Bridgerton novels. Then I really thought about it, and I realized why.
Reason #1: I had a hard time getting past the sex scene with very dubious consent.
Reason #2: I’ve never really gotten over the incorrect grammar in the title. #EnglishMajorProblems
However, I will say that I like this book for its differences from the show: Daphne isn’t a “diamond of the first water.” She’s a few years “out” in society and has been basically friend zoned by most of the ton‘s eligible bachelors. This also makes her a little less naïve, a little more realistic about her situation, and a little bit feistier.
Finally, the story is basically an advertisement for sex education because the lack of knowledge Regency women had about procreation is real enough to be a plot device.
Buy from Amazon Buy from Better World BooksTo Sir Phillip, With Love (#5 – Eloise Bridgerton)
One-line synopsis: Girl runs away from home to answer the epistolary marriage proposal of a guy she’s never met
First, I just have to say that TV show Eloise and book Eloise are not the same. Don’t get me wrong, I adore what they’ve done with Eloise in the show, giving her aspirations beyond having a season and marrying a man from her requisite slice of society. It’s why I’m curious to see what will actually end up happening to her in whichever season becomes hers.
The one way the two characters are similar is their tendency to be impulsive. Because what is more impulsive than sneaking away from home to secretly marry your yearlong pen pal on a whim? The best scene in this one was when the Bridgerton brothers show up at Sir Phillip’s house to ensure Sir Phillip is actually going to marry their sister. Everything else was a little meh for me. I just feel like Eloise deserves more.
Buy from Amazon Buy from Better World BooksAn Offer From a Gentleman (#3 – Benedict Bridgerton)
One-line synopsis: Guy spends years looking for the girl he met at a masquerade ball and effs up royally along the way
I really like what they’ve done with Benedict’s character in the Netflix series, which is why it pains me to have to put this book on the bottom. (It’s also why I’m incredibly nervous to see how they handle his story in the next season of the show.)
This story is touted as a Cinderella story, and I do understand the elements that make it one. Mostly, though, I was so annoyed by Benedict’s lack of tact and ability to see things from Sophie’s perspective that I felt like she deserved a better “Prince Charming” for her troubles. I imagine the title of this one is supposed to point to an offer of marriage, but the offer of mistresshood (assuming that’s a word?) is the one I couldn’t get over.
Buy from Amazon Buy from Better World BooksWhat would your personal ranking of the Bridgerton novels look like?
P.S. If Regency-era England is your thing, I have a ranking of Pride and Prejudice adaptations that might interest you!
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