Bridgertons Books in Order By Julia Quinn
Love’s about finding the one person who makes your heart complete. Who makes you a better person than you ever dreamed you could be. Its about looking in the eyes of your wife and knowing all the way to your bones that she’s simply the best person you’ve ever known.
― Julia Quinn, The Viscount Who Loved Me
1. The Duke and I (2000)
2. The Viscount Who Loved Me (2000)
3. An Offer From a Gentleman (2001)
4. Romancing Mister Bridgerton (2002)
5. To Sir Phillip, With Love (2003)
6. When He Was Wicked (2004)
7. It’s in His Kiss (2005)
8. On the Way to the Wedding (2006)
8.6 Bridgertons Happily Ever After (2013)
What is Bridgertons about?
Bridgertons is a series of eight books and one collection of short stories written by Julia Quinn, they are a series of mildly steamy romance books. More specifically they are of the Regency Romance kind. The main series of books, released between 2000-2006, are set in London during 1813-1827.
Each of the eight books follows a different sibling of the noble Bridgerton family as they try to navigate London high society, all in the search of love, adventure and hopefully happiness. The eight children are as follows; Anthony (the current Viscount Bridgerton), Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory and Hyacinth.
In 2020, Netflix took on the series of books and adapted them into a series, going by the name of Bridgerton. This was taken on by Shondaland, and starred Julie Andrews, Phoebe Dynevor and Rége-Jean Page. There are currently two seasons out, and a prequel series of the name, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. Netflix has recently finished production on a third season, with hopes that they will manage to achieve eight in total, one for each book.
Who is Julia Quinn?
Julia Quinn is the pen name for Julie Cotler, born Julie Pottinger on 12 January 1970. She is an American author of historical romance, most famously known for her Bridgertons series, more famously known by the Netflix series based on these books. Her books have been translated into 41 different languages. They have also appeared on The New York Times Bestseller List a total of 19 times as of yet! Her books are so popular that in 2010, Julia Quinn was inducted into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame.
Julie Cotler has been an active writer since 1994, and as of writing she has 17 novels published. She currently lives with her family, husband and two children in the Pacific Northwest.
Things to Note First
Julia Quinn’s most recent series of books, The Rokesby Series, is a prequel to the famous Bridgertons series. The tagline of this series is: A generation before the Bridgertons, there were the Rokesbys, and her latest book Queen Charlotte. This series won’t be included in the list below, along with The Lady Whistledown story collections. If you are wanting to read or are curious as to how all the books set in Bridgerton all fit together, we have a post detailing the best order for reading them all. And you can check this expanded Bridgerton Universe out right here.
Also, if you are interested, all her books contain recurring characters outside the main Bridgerton siblings, and you can check out how they all come together here!
It was strange, to find a woman who could make him happy just with her mere presence. He didn’t even have to see her, or hear her voice, or even smell her scent. He just had to know that she was there.
― Julia Quinn, An Offer From a Gentleman
The Order
For the main series of books that inspired the hit show on Netflix, we recommend that the order for reading Bridgertons is in the publication order. This is essentially in chronological order for how the main books were published. The only difference would be if you were to include the 2nd Epilogues that Julia Quinn released at the end. This is because there are massive spoilers early in the series of 2nd Epilogues that may spoil the reading experience for some. But for now, we will go into detail of the publication order and the best reading order for the Bridgertons series of books.
The Duke and I (2000) 
Bridgertons #1
114,815 words, 23 chapters, 384 pages, 7hrs 40mins to read
4,991 average words per chapter, 16.6 average pages per chapter
Published by Avon
3.81 out of 5 on Goodreads
Daphne’s story – April, 1813.
In the ballrooms and drawing rooms of Regency London, rules abound. From their earliest days, children of aristocrats learn how to address an earl and curtsey before a prince—while other dictates of the ton are unspoken yet universally understood. A proper duke should be imperious and aloof. A young, marriageable lady should be amiable… but not too amiable.
Daphne Bridgerton has always failed at the latter. The fourth of eight siblings in her close-knit family, she has formed friendships with the most eligible young men in London. Everyone likes Daphne for her kindness and wit. But no one truly desires her. She is simply too deuced honest for that, too unwilling to play the romantic games that captivate gentlemen.
Amiability is not a characteristic shared by Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings. Recently returned to England from abroad, he intends to shun both marriage and society—just as his callous father shunned Simon throughout his painful childhood. Yet an encounter with his best friend’s sister offers another option. If Daphne agrees to a fake courtship, Simon can deter the mamas who parade their daughters before him. Daphne, meanwhile, will see her prospects and her reputation soar.
The plan works like a charm—at first. But amid the glittering, gossipy, cut-throat world of London’s elite, there is only one certainty: love ignores every rule…
The Viscount Who Loved Me (2000) 
Bridgertons #2
105,845 words, 24 chapters, 354 pages, 7hrs 5mins to read
4,410 average words per chapter, 14.7 average pages per chapter
Published by Avon
4.04 out of 5 on Goodreads
Anthony’s story – 1814
1814 promises to be another eventful season, but not, this author believes, for Anthony Bridgerton, London’s most elusive bachelor, who has shown no indication that he plans to marry.
And in truth, why should he? When it comes to playing the consummate rake, nobody does it better…
—Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers, April 1814
But this time, the gossip columnists have it wrong. Anthony Bridgerton hasn’t just decided to marry—he’s even chosen a wife! The only obstacle is his intended’s older sister, Kate Sheffield—the most meddlesome woman ever to grace a London ballroom. The spirited schemer is driving Anthony mad with her determination to stop the betrothal, but when he closes his eyes at night, Kate is the woman haunting his increasingly erotic dreams…
Contrary to popular belief, Kate is quite sure that reformed rakes do not make the best husbands—and Anthony Bridgerton is the most wicked rogue of them all. Kate is determined to protect her sister—but she fears her own heart is vulnerable. And when Anthony’s lips touch hers, she’s suddenly afraid she might not be able to resist the reprehensible rake herself…
An Offer From a Gentleman (2001) 
Bridgertons #3
116,610 words, 26 chapters, 390 pages, 7hrs 50mins to read
4,485 average words per chapter, 15 average pages per chapter
Published by Avon
3.95 out of 5 on Goodreads
Benedict’s story – 1815
Will she accept his offer before the clock strikes midnight?
Sophie Beckett never dreamed she’d be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton’s famed masquerade ball—or that “Prince Charming” would be waiting there for her! Though the daughter of an earl, Sophie has been relegated to the role of servant by her disdainful stepmother. But now, spinning in the strong arms of the debonair and devastatingly handsome Benedict Bridgerton, she feels like royalty. Alas, she knows all enchantments must end when the clock strikes midnight.
Who was that extraordinary woman? Ever since that magical night, a radiant vision in silver has blinded Benedict to the attractions of any other—except, perhaps this alluring and oddly familiar beauty dressed in housemaid’s garb whom he feels compelled to rescue from a most disagreeable situation. He has sworn to find and wed his mystery miss, but this breathtaking maid makes him weak with wanting her. Yet, if he offers his heart, will Benedict sacrifice his only chance for a fairy tale love?
Romancing Mister Bridgerton (2002) 
Bridgertons #4
110,630 words, 25 chapters, 370 pages, 7hrs 25mins to read
4,425 average words per chapter, 14.8 average pages per chapter
Published by Avon
3.94 out of 5 on Goodreads
Colin’s story – 1824
Everyone knows that Colin Bridgerton is the most charming man in London. Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend’s brother for…well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret…and fears she doesn’t know him at all.
Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of everyone’s preoccupation with the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can’t seem to publish an edition without mentioning him in the first paragraph. But when Colin returns to London from a trip abroad he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same – especially Penelope Featherington! The girl haunting his dreams. But when he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide…is she his biggest threat – or his promise of a happy ending?
To Sir Phillip, WIth Love (2003) 
Bridgertons #5
111,230 words, 21 chapters, 372 pages, 7hrs 25mins to read
5,296 average words per chapter, 17.7 average pages per chapter
Published by Avon
3.74 out of 5 on Goodreads
Eloise’s story – 1824
Sir Phillip knew from his correspondence with his dead wife’s distant cousin that Eloise Bridgerton was a spinster, and so he’d proposed, figuring that she’d be homely and unassuming, and more than a little desperate for an offer of marriage. Except . . . she wasn’t. The beautiful woman on his doorstep was anything but quiet, and when she stopped talking long enough to close her mouth, all he wanted to do was kiss her…
Eloise Bridgerton couldn’t marry a man she had never met! But then she started thinking… and wondering… and before she knew it, she was in a hired carriage in the middle of the night, on her way to meet the man she hoped might be her perfect match. Except… he wasn’t. Her perfect husband wouldn’t be so moody and ill-mannered. And he certainly should have mentioned that he had two young – and decidedly unruly – children, as much in need of a mother as Phillip is in need of a wife.
When He Was Wicked (2004) 
Bridgertons #6
106,500 words, 25 chapters, 368 pages, 7hrs 10mins to read
4,260 average words per chapter, 14.7 average pages per chapter
Published by Avon
4.01 out of 5 on Goodreads
Francesca’s story – 1824
Everything was so much simpler… when he was wicked.
In every life there is a turning point. A moment so tremendous, so sharp and breathtaking, that one knows one’s life will never be the same. For Michael Stirling, London’s most infamous rake, that moment came the first time he laid eyes on Francesca Bridgerton.
After a lifetime of chasing women, of smiling slyly as they chased him, of allowing himself to be caught but never permitting his heart to become engaged, he took one look at Francesca Bridgerton and fell so fast and hard into love it was a wonder he managed to remain standing. Unfortunately for Michael, however, Francesca’s surname was to remain Bridgerton for only a mere thirty-six hours longer—the occasion of their meeting was, lamentably, a supper celebrating her imminent wedding to his cousin.
But that was then… Now Michael is the earl and Francesca is free, but still she thinks of him as nothing other than her dear friend and confidant. Michael dares not speak to her of his love… until one dangerous night, when she steps innocently into his arms, and passion proves stronger than even the most wicked of secrets…
It’s in His Kiss (2005) 
Bridgertons #7
114,820 words, 23 chapters, 384 pages, 7hrs 40mins to read
4,992 average words per chapter, 16.6 average pages per chapter
Published by Avon
4.00 out of 5 on Goodreads
Hyacinth’s story – 1825
IF IT’S IN HIS HEART… IT’S IN HIS KISS
MEET OUR HERO…
Gareth St. Clair is in a bind. His father, who detests him, is determined to beggar the St. Clair estates and ruin his inheritance. Gareth’s sole bequest is an old family diary, which may or may not contain the secrets of his past… and the key to his future. The problem is—it’s written in Italian, of which Gareth speaks not a word.
MEET OUR HEROINE…
All the ton agreed: there was no one quite like Hyacinth Bridgerton. She’s fiendishly smart, devilishly outspoken, and according to Gareth, probably best in small doses. But there’s something about her—something charming and vexing—that grabs him and won’t quite let go…
MEET POOR MR. MOZART…
Or don’t. But rest assured, he’s spinning in his grave when Gareth and Hyacinth cross paths at the annual—and annually discordant—Smythe-Smith musicale. To Hyacinth, Gareth’s every word seems a dare, and she offers to translate his diary, even though her Italian is slightly less than perfect. But as they delve into the mysterious text, they discover that the answers they seek lie not in the diary, but in each other… and that there is nothing as simple—or as complicated—as a single, perfect kiss.
On the Way to the Wedding (2006) 
Bridgertons #8
108,000 words, 27 chapters, 371 pages, 7hrs 15mins to read
4,000 average words per chapter, 13.7 average pages per chapter
Published by Avon
3.84 out of 5 on Goodreads
Gregory’s story – 1827
A funny thing happened…
Unlike most men of his acquaintance, Gregory Bridgerton believes in true love. And he is convinced that when he finds the woman of his dreams, he will know in an instant that she is the one. And that is exactly what happened. Except…
She wasn’t the one. In fact, the ravishing Miss Hermione Watson is in love with another. But her best friend, the ever-practical Lady Lucinda Abernathy, wants to save Hermione from a disastrous alliance, so she offers to help Gregory win her over. But in the process, Lucy falls in love. With Gregory! Except…
Lucy is engaged. And her uncle is not inclined to let her back out of the betrothal, even once Gregory comes to his senses and realizes that it is Lucy, with her sharp wit and sunny smile, who makes his heart sing. And now, on the way to the wedding, Gregory must risk everything to ensure that when it comes time to kiss the bride, he is the only man standing at the altar…
Bridgertons Happily Ever After (2013) 
Bridgertons #1.5-8.5, #8.6
111,825 words, 9 short stories, 374 pages, 7hrs 30mins to read
12,425 average words per story, 41.5 average pages per story
Published by Avon
4.00 out of 5 on Goodreads
Includes Violet’s story
ONCE UPON A TIME, A HISTORICAL ROMANCE AUTHOR CREATED A FAMILY…
But not just any family. Eight brothers and sisters, assorted in-laws, sons and daughters, nieces and nephews, (not to mention an overweight corgi), plus an irrepressible matriarch who’s a match for any of them… These are the Bridgertons: less a family than a force of nature. Through eight bestselling novels, readers laughed, cried, and fell in love. But they wanted more.
And so the readers asked the author…
What happened next? Does Simon ever read his father’s letters? Do Francesca and Michael become parents? Who would win in a Pall Mall grudge match?
Does “The End” really have to be the end?
Now, with The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After, Julia Quinn delivers eight sexy, funny, and heartwarming “2nd epilogues,” plus a bonus story about none other than the wise and witty Violet Bridgerton herself. So get to know the Bridgertons all over again—because Happily Ever After is a whole lot of fun.
There were rules among friends, commandments, really, and the most important one was Thou Shalt Not Lust After Thy Friend’s Sister.
― Julia Quinn, The Duke and I
Overall
Dubbed “the contemporary Jane Austen” and a “true master of romance” by her critics, Julia Quinn’s series Bridgertons are well worth a read if you are a fan of reading romance, sex and scandal, set in the aristocratic world of London in the early 1800’s. The series is a big hit, and has an ever-growing fan base thanks to the massively successful Netflix series. Don’t be left behind, as there are plenty more to enjoy.
If you have enjoyed any of Julia Quinn’s work and want to learn more about her or any other of her work, then feel free to check out her website.
Which one is your favourite or most looking forward to picking up next?
Let us know!
Happy reading!
Bridgertons Total Word Count
Novels (Excl. Bridgerton Happily Ever After)
Total words: 888,450 words
Total chapters: 194 chapters
Total pages: 2,993 pages
Total reading time: 59hrs 15mins
Altogether
Total words: 1,000,275 words
Total chapters: 203 chapters
Total pages: 3,367 pages
Total reading time: 66hrs 40mins
More of the same, but different:
Things to Note:
- Word count is an approximation.
- Amount of pages may differ due to different publications, font style and/or size etc.
- Time spent reading is generally an approximation based on the word count and the average reading time. The average reader will read 250 WPM (Words Per Minute).
- This is the original publisher of the books.
- The current Goodreads score at the time of writing.
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