Brothers of the Vine
Forever Evermore
Women of W.A.R.
Bridgerton might just be my favourite TV show ever. It’s the perfect blend of fabulously gorgeous costumes, swoon-worthy romantic tension, strings-covers of pop songs, hijinks and a mere *whiff* of historical reality. It’s literally perfect.
We have to wait a whole MONTH to get the second half of the season, so in the mean time i’ll be getting my fictional feels by reading as many Regency romances as I possibly can. Here are my recommendations for what to read based on your number one Bridgerton ship (whether canon or not, I see you #Cresoise shippers).
Penelope & Colin
Dare I say it… best romance yet? This friends-to-lovers storyline has been on our screen for three seasons now and I can’t get enough. Not to mention the carriage scene… I died dead.
Read: Her Best Friend, the Duke by Laura Martin
An excellent student…in the art of flirtation!
Caroline Yaxley has always been in love with her best friend, James Dunstable, Duke of Heydon.
After years of waiting for him, she’s finally admitted defeat and decided to find a husband.
James suggests she practice her nonexistent flirtation skills on him, which seems like a good idea — until she must pull away to avoid a shattered heart.
Their pretend attraction has begun to feel alarmingly real!
Daphne & Simon
Marriage of convenience trope! Is there anything better than a marriage of convenience trope in a Regency setting?
A Scandal at Midnight by Annie Burrows
From reluctant debutante to scandalous bride!
After a disastrous first Season, Lady Daisy Patterdale is relieved to be back home with her books.
Looking for peace, she rows out to the island on the lake where she encounters Captain Lord Benjamin Bramhall — who’s been tricked and left there with no clothes!
It’s a scandalous encounter which rushes them straight to the altar… But, despite her unwillingness to wed, Daisy’s drawn to charismatic Benjamin. If only he felt more for her than duty…
Anthony & Kate
I don’t think I’d ever literally swooned in my lifetime until I watched season two of Bridgerton. The way their eyes met across crowded ballrooms? The way their hands grazed one another;s. The way he SMELT her?! This enemies to forbidden lovers romance made me FERAL.
Read: Challenging the Brooding Earl by Lucy Ashford
A Regency enemies-to-lovers story
Her biggest test? Not falling for her enigmatic rival!
Upon learning her family are the rightful heirs to Hythe Hall, Merryn Hythe must claim her ancestral home back from the brooding Earl of Marchwood.
The earl makes it clear he’s not used to losing challenges, but Merryn will show him he’s met his match!
Yet as she starts to see the vulnerability beneath his proud exterior, their unexpected attraction could lead to more than just a battle of wills…
Queen Charlotte & King George
Such an unexpected, beautiful and tragic tale. Forever falling back in love with them. Literally just read their book.
In 1761, on a sunny day in September, a King and Queen met for the very first time. They were married within hours.
Born a German Princess, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was beautiful, headstrong, and fiercely intelligent… not precisely the attributes the British Court had been seeking in a spouse for the young King George III. But her fire and independence were exactly what she, and her King, needed.
Because George has secrets… secrets with the potential to shake the very foundations of the monarchy.
Thrust into her new role, Charlotte must navigate the intricate politics of the court—with the newly-titled Lady Danbury at her side—all the while guarding her heart, because she is falling in love with the King…even as he pushes her away. Now, Charlotte must learn to rule, and to understand that she has been given the power to remake society, fulfilling her destiny as Queen. But she also has to fight for the love growing between her and George as people first, royals second. As she says to him: “Fight with me! Fight for me!”
Francesca & John
THEY ARE SO CUTE. Watching Francesca and John’s wholesome interactions so far this season. If they don’t end up together by the end of this season I will RIOT. If you love sweet, quiet romances where adorkable people meet their perfect match I recommend…
A Manhattan Heiress in Paris by Amanda Mccabe
Step into the roaring 1920s Parisian music scene
Leaving Manhattan…for a secret Parisian affair…
New York darling Elizabeth Van Hoeven has everything…except freedom. But now Eliza’s travelling to study piano at the Paris Conservatoire and falling for jazz prodigy Jack Coleman in the process!
A love like theirs is forbidden back home, and as they make beautiful music together under the Parisian lights, Eliza and Jack face a difficult choice: the life they’ve always known, or the possibility of a life they never could have imagined…
Daphne & Prince Friedrich
Literally no-one ships this but I love a royal romance trope… especially in a Regency-era setting!
Miss Isobel And The Prince by Catherine Tinley
What happens when a sensible Cinderella meets a European prince? Find out in this sparkling romantic Regency story!
A royal distraction…for the debutante!
Given her meagre dowry and lack of known parents, Isobel Lennox must use her only London season to make a sensible match. So why, oh why is she dazzled by the dashing, handsome Prince Claudio?
She’s not highborn enough to be his bride — and he’s certainly not ready to marry. But one mesmerising kiss later, neither can stay away from each other!
Brimsley & Reynolds
Lowkey, this little queer subplot was my FAVOURITE part of watching Queen Charlotte!
Read: The Queer Principles Of Kit Webb by Cat Sebastian
Kit Webb has left his stand-and-deliver days behind him. But dreary days at his coffee shop have begun to make him pine for the heady rush of thievery. When a handsome yet arrogant aristocrat storms into his shop, Kit quickly realizes he may be unable to deny whatever this highborn man desires.
In order to save himself and a beloved friend, Percy, Lord Holland must go against every gentlemanly behavior he holds dear to gain what he needs most: a book that once belonged to his mother, a book his father never lets out of his sight and could be Percy’s savior. More comfortable in silk-filled ballrooms than coffee shops frequented by criminals, his attempts to hire the roughly hewn highwayman, formerly known as Gladhand Jack, proves equal parts frustrating and electrifying.
Kit refuses to participate in the robbery but agrees to teach Percy how to do the deed. Percy knows he has little choice but to submit and as the lessons in thievery begin, he discovers thievery isn’t the only crime he’s desperate to commit with Kit.
But when their careful plan goes dangerously wrong and shocking revelations threaten to tear them apart, can these stolen hearts overcome the impediments in their path
Eloise & Cressida
Ok. I know, I know this one will never be canonical. But the tension!? The way in which Eloise encourages Cressida to give up her ‘mean girl’ ways? How Cressida accepts Eloise’s oddities, and helps her navigate the world of the ton. I can see it.
Read: Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban
Gwen has a brilliant beyond brilliant idea.
It’s 1857, and anxious debutante Beth has just one season to snag a wealthy husband, or she and her mother will be out on the street. But playing the blushing ingenue makes Beth’s skin crawl and she’d rather be anywhere but here.
Gwen, on the other hand, is on her fourth season and counting, with absolutely no intention of finding a husband, possibly ever. She figures she has plenty of security as the only daughter of a rakish earl, from whom she’s gotten all her flair, fun, and less-than-proper party games.
It doesn’t take long for Gwen to hatch her latest scheme: rather than surrender Beth to courtship, they should set up Gwen’s father and Beth’s newly widowed mother. Let them get married instead.
Of course, just as their plan begins to unfold, a handsome, wealthy viscount starts calling on Beth, offering up the perfect, secure marriage. Now Gwen must face the prospect of sharing Beth with someone else, forever. And Beth must reckon with the fact that she’s caught feelings, hard, and they’re definitely not for her potential fiancé.
That’s the trouble with matchmaking: sometimes you accidentally fall in love with your best friend in the process
In conclusion