Julia Quinn's eight-novel Regency romance series — one book per Bridgerton sibling — from The Duke and I (Anthony's book) to On the Way to the Wedding. Beloved before Netflix, beloved after.
About the Bridgerton Series
Julia Quinn published The Duke and I in 2000, beginning what would become one of the most successful Regency romance series ever written. The series follows the eight Bridgerton siblings — Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth — across eight novels, one per sibling.
Quinn writes with wit and intelligence — her dialogue is sharp, her heroines have genuine personalities, and her heroes earn their redemption. The Regency setting is rendered with enough historical texture to feel authentic without ever becoming a research project.
The Netflix adaptation (2020-present) brought the series to a global audience of 82 million households in its first month. Quinn's involvement in the show has been active and her satisfaction with the adaptation has been publicly expressed.
Start Here
The Duke and I
Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings, enter a fake courtship to deflect unwanted attention from both of them. The arrangement, inevitably, becomes something real. The Netflix Season 1 adaptation is faithful. The natural starting point for most readers.
Reading order options: You can read in publication order (recommended for the full experience) or by character. Each book is a standalone romance — but the overarching family story rewards reading in order. The books are listed below in publication order.
The Eight Bridgerton Novels — In Order
One book per sibling. All are standalone romances but share characters and family storylines. Publication order recommended.
1
The Duke and I
2000
Regency Romance
Daphne and Simon. The fake courtship that becomes real. The one Netflix adapted for Season 1. Start here for the full series experience.
Anthony Bridgerton — the eldest, and perhaps the most beloved by fans — and Kate Sharma. Enemies-to-lovers, a bee sting, and one of Quinn's best heroes. Season 2 of Netflix.
Benedict Bridgerton meets a mysterious woman at a masquerade ball — a Cinderella story in Regency dress. Season 3 of Netflix adapted a different storyline; the book is quite different.
Colin Bridgerton finally notices Penelope Featherington — and discovers she's been his secret admirer for years. The fan favourite. One of Quinn's funniest and most emotionally satisfying books. Netflix Season 3.
Eloise Bridgerton and Sir Phillip Crane, a botanist who was engaged to her pen pal. Quinn steps outside the usual London season setting and the result is one of the series' best.
Gregory Bridgerton falls for the wrong woman — who is in love with someone else — and ends up with the right one. The series conclusion that ties the family story together.
Second epilogues for each of the eight Bridgerton novels — what happens after the happily ever after. Essential for fans who want to spend more time with all eight couples.
The first book in the Rokesby series — a prequel set a generation before the Bridgertons. George Rokesby and Billie Bridgerton. Start here if you've finished the main series.
Publication order is recommended: The Duke and I, The Viscount Who Loved Me, An Offer from a Gentleman, Romancing Mister Bridgerton, To Sir Phillip with Love, When He Was Wicked, It's in His Kiss, On the Way to the Wedding. But each book is standalone — you can start anywhere.
Season 1 (Daphne/Simon) is fairly faithful. Season 2 (Anthony/Kate) changes some details but stays true to the emotional arc. Season 3 (Penelope/Colin) takes the most liberties with the source material. All are enjoyable whether you've read the books or not.
Eight main Bridgerton novels (one per sibling) plus the Rokesby prequel series (four books) and a companion short story collection.