Books to read while you wait for more Bridgerton

If you haven’t already, read the historical romance books that inspired the television show and its spin-off, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.

Also, see our article on all the differences between the books and the series.

Benedict saves Lady Amelia’s life. However, in the aftermath, they’re caught alone together and forced to marry. Amelia is a darling of the ton and everything Benedict hates about London society. Benedict is an untitled businessman, a far cry from the Duke Amelia was previously betrothed to. She’s furious, and he feels trapped. But spending time together, both begin to realise this forced marriage may be exactly what they needed.

The bastard son of a duke, Devil has spent a lifetime wielding power and seizing opportunity. In Felicity Faircloth, the spinster wallflower, he finds the woman who can help him exact a revenge plot years in the making. He’ll turn her into a temptress and set a trap for his enemy. But Felicity decides the man she wants is Devil. With Devil’s plans in chaos, he must choose between everything he wants … and the only thing he desires.

Desperate to save her sister and friends from destitution, governess Abigail Chantry breaks into an empty mansion, looking for items to sell. Instead, she finds the owner, Lady Beatrice Davenham, bedridden and neglected. Moved to oust Lady Beatrice’s predatory servants, Abby, her sister, and friends become her ‘nieces’. It’s a perfect solution for their problems, until Lady Beatrice’s arrogant nephew, Max, returns from abroad.

Rhine Fontaine is building the life he dreams of, but it depends on passing as White. When he rescues the defiant Eddy Carmichael from the desert, he wishes he could drop the façade. Eddy owes Rhine her life, but Eddy plans to leave Nevada as soon as she saves enough money. It doesn’t matter how handsome Rhine is, or how fiery the heat is between them. Giving in for one night could quench their longing. Or ignite an affair as irresistible as it is forbidden.

Robin Blyth is struggling to be a good brother and the baronet of a seat gutted by his late parents’ excesses. It doesn’t help when Robin is named the civil service liaison to a hidden magical society. Now he must contend with the beauty and danger of magic, and Edwin Courcey, his prickly counterpart in the magical bureaucracy. Confronted with a mysterious disappearance and facing unexpected dangers, Robin and Edwin soon discover a plot that threatens every magician in the British Isles.

Miss Chloe Fong has absolutely no time for nonsense. Three years ago, she told her childhood sweetheart he could talk to her once he planned to be serious. He disappeared that very night. But now Jeremy Wentworth has returned to woo Chloe. All Jeremy needs is to convince Chloe to make room for him in her life. Then disclose the truth about his real name, his title, Duke of Lansing, and the fact that he owns her entire village. Only one thing can go wrong: Everything.

Eliza Penrose arrives in the gold mining town of Maiden’s Creek to search for her brother, but instead finds a mystery and hints of betrayal by those closest to her. As lies threaten Eliza’s life, mining engineer Alec McLeod steps in. Alec left Scotland to escape the memory of his dead wife and child. Alec never wants to give his heart again, but he risks his livelihood to oppose the dangerous work practices at the Maiden’s Creek Mine. When disaster strikes, Eliza and Alec must save each other. But is it too late?

On the cusp of her first London season, Miss Madeline Gracechurch is shy, pretty, and hopelessly awkward. She invents a handsome and honourable Scotsman who’s devoted to her, but conveniently never around. She pours her heart into writing the imaginary Captain MacKenzie letter after letter … and manages to avoid the pressures of London society entirely. Years later, when this kilted Highland lover shows up in the flesh. The real Captain Logan MacKenzie is wounded, jaded, and ready to make good on every promise Maddie never expected to keep.

London, 1920s. Australian Kit Scott is cast in a West End play opposite another young hopeful, Canadian Zeke Gardiner, and dances blithely into the heady lifestyle of English high society. When Kit’s photographed dancing alongside the Prince of Wales, she finds herself at the centre of a scandal. She runs to her aristocratic English relatives and into the arms of the hedonistic Lord Henry Carleton. Amid the excesses of the Roaring Twenties, Zeke and Kit face temptations, making choices that will alter the course of their lives.

Paris, 1889. Luz Alana Heith-Benzan, heiress to the Caña Brava rum empire, is in Paris with one purpose: expanding her family’s business. The infuriatingly charming James Evanston Sinclair, Earl of Darnick, is willing to help. But why? James yearns for Luz Alana, and with Luz Alana’s inheritance dependent on her being married, a marriage of convenience might be the solution. It’s a good thing she has one simple rule: under no circumstances is she to fall in love.

Annabelle Peyton could have her pick of suitors – if only she had a dowry. With her family on the brink of disaster, Annabelle must marry a wealthy man. Unfortunately, her most persistent admirer is Simon Hunt, an ambitious entrepreneur who wants her to be his mistress. Annabelle wants to resist Simon, but can’t deny her attraction to him. As they try to outmanoeuvre each other, they find themselves surrendering to a powerful love. But fate’s other plans could destroy everything she holds dear.

Demon Cynster vows never to love. And then he spies Felicity sneaking around his country estate. Demon remembers Felicity as a girl, but now she’s all lush curves, sparkling eyes and temptation. Felicity knows Demon is a rogue of the worst sort, but he’s the only one capable of getting her friend out of trouble. Her fascination with him has nothing to do with the power lurking beneath his devil-may-care façade. She knows he’ll never give her the love she seeks, but could a marriage with passion alone be enough?

Kit Webb has left his days of thievery behind him, but when a handsome yet arrogant aristocrat storms into his coffee shop, he’s unable to deny this highborn man. To save himself and a beloved friend, Percy, Lord Holland must retrieve a book that once belonged to his mother, a book his father never lets out of his sight. Percy’s attempts to hire the ex-highwayman are shot down. However, Kit agrees to teach Percy to do the deed. But their careful plan goes dangerously wrong.

Lady Lucie and her band of suffragists are preparing a coup against Parliament. The person standing between her and success? Her old nemesis and London’s undisputed lord of sin, Lord Ballentine. He’s willing to hand over the reins for an outrageous price: a night in her bed. Lucie tempts Tristan like no other, but as their battle of wills and words fans the flames of long-smouldering devotion, he runs the risk of becoming caught in his own snare.

For all of the War Between the States, Marlie Lynch has helped the cause in peace: with coded letters, poultices, and silent aid. Her formerly enslaved mother’s traditions and the name of a white father she never knew protect her until the vicious Confederate Home Guard claims Marlie’s home for their new base. Sheltering there is escaped prisoner Ewan McCall, who has a history with the cruel captain of the Home Guard. When the revelation of a secret places Marlie’s freedom on the line, she and Ewan run for their lives, finding themselves in a vicious battle that could dash their hopes of freedom.

To save her impoverished family, Marian Langley will become a mistress, one so coveted that she can set her own terms, retaining control over her body and fate. First, she must find a tutor. Marian’s proposal intrigues Nathaniel, Duke of Warrington. Their lessons in seduction soon spin out of control. When Marian is blackmailed by a man she despises, Nate impulsively steals her away. He never intended to take a wife, but he can’t tolerate the idea of Marian forfeiting her freedom to another. Can he bear to give her what she demands: a real marriage?

Viola Carroll was presumed dead at Waterloo. She took the opportunity to live, at last, as herself. But freedom comes with a price, and Viola paid for hers with the loss of her wealth, title, and closest companion, Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood. Only when their families reconnect years later does Viola learn how deep that loss was for Gracewood, who has retreated so far into grief that Viola barely recognises him. As Viola strives to bring Gracewood back to himself, fresh desires give new names to old feelings. Feelings that may still be impossible, but which Viola cannot deny. Even if they cost her everything, all over again.

Only fools dare cross Alexander Moncrieffe, Duke of Falconbridge. When Ian Eversea does just that, Moncrieffe knows the perfect revenge: he’ll seduce Ian’s sister, Genevieve, the only Eversea untouched by scandal. First, he’ll capture her heart … and then he’ll break it. But Genevieve is not as he expected. Genevieve knows she trifles with Alexander at her peril, but one incendiary kiss tempts her into a world of sensuality. Then Genevieve faces a fateful question … is there anything she won’t do for a duke?

When Ana Maria Luna Valdes goes to London seeking refuge during the French occupation of Mexico, she experiences her first taste of freedom. If only she could ignore the piercing looks from the austere Mr Fox. Gideon Fox elevated himself from the London gutters. Now a member of Parliament, he’s on the cusp of securing the votes he needs to put forth a measure to abolish the Atlantic slave trade. Ana Maria is a distraction. But when she finds herself in the crosshairs of a nefarious nobleman, Gideon offers his hand as protection. But will this Mexican heiress win his heart too?

Jessica Trent aims to free her brother from the destructive influence of Sebastian Ballister, Marquess of Dain. She never expected to desire the arrogant cad. When Dain’s reciprocal passion places them in a scandalously compromising position, Jessica chooses to seek satisfaction. Lord Dain can’t wait to put the infuriating bluestocking in her place. If this means marriage, so be it. Though Sebastian is less than certain he can continue to remain aloof.

They call him the Devil Earl, a scoundrel and accused murderer. A lady risks more than her reputation when consorting with Lucian Langdon, but Lady Catherine Mabry has no choice. To protect those she loves, she would do anything. Lucian desires respectability and a wife. He longs to be accepted by the aristocracy. Catherine can help Lucian gain everything he wants. But what she asks for in exchange will put their very lives in jeopardy.

Lucy Muchelney wishes to escape, and the Countess of Moth is looking for someone to translate a French astronomy text. When Lucy shows up at the Countess’ London home, the woman takes her breath away. Catherine St Day looks forward to a quiet widowhood. First, though, she needs to fulfil her late husband’s scientific legacy. She’s intrigued by the young woman at her door, and agrees Lucy can stay. As Catherine finds herself longing for Lucy, everything she believes is tested. But sabotage and old wounds threaten to sever the threads that bind them.

Their marriage lasted only slightly longer than the honeymoon. No one is surprised. A man as sought after as Leo Marsden couldn’t possibly want to spend his life with a woman who rebelled against propriety by becoming a doctor. So why, three years after their annulment, does he track her down at her clinic in India? Leo has no reason to think Bryony could forgive his behaviour. However, Leo won’t rest until he fulfils his duty: delivering a message from her sister and escorting Bryony back to England. As they risk their lives on the journey home, will the biggest danger be the war around them or their rekindled passion?