“I happen to believe a lady’s business is her own.”
People loved the series, and now they’re on the hunt for the best novels like Bridgerton. Started in 2000 by Julian Quinn, Bridgerton has become one of the most popular historical romance series in the literary world. Praised for their striking historical accuracy and vivid storytelling, the series follows the eight Bridgerton siblings across Regency-era England as they experience all forms of love and marriage. The books received further attention following the launch of the critical and commercially successful Netflix series in 2020. Blending together romance, historical fiction with social commentary, check out the best books like Bridgerton at What We Reading!
To Have And To Hoax – Martha Waters
To Have And To Hoax is a Historical Romance Comedy by Martha Waters. In it, readers follow the troubled relationship of Lady Violet Grey and Lord James Audley, an estranged couple living in Regency England. The pair have been married for five years but haven’t spoken for four of those until an escalating game of deceit and manipulation leads to them rekindling their spark and connection with one another.
One of the best books like Bridgerton for its usage of humour and playfulness as a means of exploring the deeper ambiguities involved with relationships, To Have And To Hoax combines the social complexities of the Regency period with an empowering female lead and her charming male counterpart.
Reputation – Lex Croucher
Another Historical Regency Comedy, Lex Croucher’s Reputation is the perfect go-to for those looking to blend Bridgerton with a contemporary Feminist twist. Georgina Ellers spends her time living out in the English countryside with her aunt and uncle.
Her mundane life is thrown upside down however during a party where she meets the wealthy Frances Campbell and all the drunken debauchery that comes with the aristocracy. As she becomes more and more consumed by this new life, Georgina has to decide whether or not Frances’ world is one she truly belongs.
The Gentleman’s Gambit (A League Of Extraordinary Women #4) – Evie Dunmore
Another one of the best forced proximity books like Bridgerton where two opposites are forced to face that they might be perfect for one another comes from Evie Dunmore in her 2023 romance read, The Gentleman’s Gambit. Bookish suffragist Catriona Campbell is busy dealing with everything from her ailing estate, and her academic writer’s block to the knife edge England’s women’s rights movement finds itself on. The last thing she needs is to be playing host for her father’s dashingly handsome new colleague.
Elias Khoury has weaved his way into Professor Campbell’s inner circle under false pretences. He hasn’t arrived at Oxford to classify ancient artefacts, he is determined to take them back to his homeland in the Middle East. And winning the favour of Catriona could be the key to success. But, winning the heart of the fiercely guarded lady scholar soon becomes a mission in itself. A risky game develops between the pair, one that demands Catriona put her heart and her wildest dreams at risk.
A Lady’s Guide To Fortune-Hunting (A Lady’s Guide #1) – Sophie Irwin
Kitty Talbot needs a fortune. Rather, she needs a husband who has a fortune. Having been burdened with her father’s massive debts, she finds herself with just twelve weeks to save her family. She has never been one to shy away from a challenge, so she decides to leave home and brave the biggest one of her life so far: the London season.
Kitty may not be accomplished or especially genteel – but she is certainly single-minded, brimming with ingenuity and cunning, and knows that risk is just a part of the game. The one thing she hadn’t counted on, however, is Lord Radcliffe. The savvy Radcliffe sees Kitty for the sly fortune-hunter she really is and is determined to sink her plans no matter the cost. That is until their parrying leads to them taking an entirely different path. Sophie Irwin’s A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting is a Regency-era historical romance full of wit and repartee, perfect for any fans of Bridgerton!
A Love By Design (The Secret Scientists Of London #3) – Elizabeth Everett
Widowed and determined, Margaret Gault has returned to Athena’s Retreat with an ambitious new plan: establish England’s first woman-owned engineering firm. But, upon setting foot in London, she finds her plans constantly threatened by greedy investors and – at literally every turn – the irritatingly handsome Earl Grantham, the man she can never forgive.
George Willis, the Earl Grantham, is overjoyed that the woman he has loved since his childhood has returned to London.
But, when Margaret’s grand plans and Grantham’s parliamentary reforms threaten to collide, he must use all of his charm and stunning good looks to win her over to his cause. Like Bridgerton, Elizabeth Everett’s A Love by Design is a love story of second chances and obstacles seemingly too large to overcome. Will Grantham and Margaret find a way to rekindle their spark, or will they remain forever disconnected?
Mr Malcolm’s List – Suzanne Allain
In Suzanne Allain’s bestseller, arrogant bachelor Jeremy Malcolm is searching for a new wife. Keen to avoid those only interested in his fortune, he has compiled a list of requirements for his perfect woman.
When Selina Dalton, daughter of a vicar, arrives in town, she is enlisted by her best friend to give Jeremy the comeuppance he deserves. Jeremy’s charm is irresistible and before long Selina begins to wonder whether this enigmatic man truly deserves the revenge her friend has in store for him. However, as he continues to hold her to his impossibly high standards, Selina soon settles on cultivating a list of her own in an effort to truly see the man behind the front.
Something In The Heir – Suzanne Enoch
Emmeline and William Pershing have spent eight years in a marriage that is seemingly the perfect blend of their interests and talents. They live separate lives under the same roof, though Emmeline would have never expected her husband to want more from their relationship.
When the pair are summoned by Emmeline’s grandfather, the Duke of Welshire, who tells them they have to bring their two angelic children along with them, William discovers his wife has invented not one, but two heirs to the family. The pair recruit two unruly orphans to act as their children, kicking off a hilarious and surprisingly intimate story that will capture the hearts, in the same way, fans of Julia Quinn’s books have become accustomed to.
Bringing Down The Duke – Evie Dunmore
Set in 1879, Bringing Down The Duke is a Historical Romance novel by Evie Dunmore. In it, readers follow the brilliant Annabelle Archer, a lowly vicar’s daughter who earns a scholarship to Oxford University. As a part of her scholarship, Annabelle is tasked with promoting the women’s suffrage movement by recruiting influential men to the cause, leading her straight into the gaze of the alluring Duke of Montgomery.
As the pair lock ideological horns, they are forced to navigate societal barriers whilst simultaneously acknowledging a growing deeper connection with one another. Like Bridgerton, Bringing Down The Duke is a book that champions strong female leads challenging historical societal norms towards love and romance.
The Ace Of Hearts – Ashtyn Newbold
For a book that matches Bridgerton for secrets, love and societal pressure in Regency England, look no further than Ashtyn Newbold’s The Ace Of Hearts. In it, readers once again follow two star-crossed lovers, Alice and Thomas, who must balance the roles and expectations of their standings against the deep feelings they hold for one another.
What makes Newbold’s work so acclaimed is the clever layerings of intrigue and twists that keep a reader enthralled throughout. In terms of wit, lust and surprises, The Ace Of Hearts takes some beating.
The Secret History Of The Pink Carnation – Lauren Willig
Lauren Willig’s The Secret History Of The Pink Carnation is a Historical Fiction Romance novel set during the heyday of the Napoleonic Wars between Great Britain and France. Protagonist Eloise Kelly is a graduate student who embarks on a remarkable journey to discover the identity of the Pink Carnation, one of the most infamous spies in history.
Whilst it is undoubtedly a potent tale of love and romance, Willig’s work stands out as a great follow-up to Bridgerton by offering a unique historical setting and injecting its espionage elements throughout. For a book that blends suspense with intrigue in one of history’s most under-appreciated backdrops, The Secret History Of The Pink Carnation is a must-read.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
