Dear readers,
Welcome to the glittering, glamorous world of Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series, where corsets are tight, lips are loose, and love always wins in the end. Ready for a whirlwind romp through Regency-era London’s upper-crust society? We took the liberty of ranking the Bridgerton books best to worst.
To be clear, ranking the Bridgerton books is no easy feat. However, we’re prepared to spill the afternoon tea on our favorite Regency family siblings’ fiery love stories, taking into account passion, steam, and emotional satisfaction. Fret not, each of these dear romances holds its own special place in our hearts.
Dazzling balls, scandalous affairs, and scheming matchmakers await you in the ton. Here are all eight of the Bridgerton books ranked.
Topping our ranking of Quinn’s beloved period romances is Anthony and Kate’s story. Many readers report the fiery duo as their favorite Bridgerton couple thanks to their slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance and witty repartee.
Season two of the Netflix adaptation is based on The Viscount Who Loved Me, but it dramatically changes one of the most iconic book moments involving a steamy bee sting. Which means you’ll have to read it for yourself to see what all the hype is about.
By far the steamiest and spiciest of all the Bridgerton romances, Francesca and Michael’s forbidden love stands out from the rest. When He Was Wicked is a bit darker in tone, as a tragic death overshadows all events in the novel. Given her adverse experiences at a young age, Francesca possesses a maturity and worldliness that sets her apart from the other Bridgerton heroines.
Fan favorites Colin and Penelope step into the spotlight in the fourth installment of the Regency series. Although Colin is initially blind to Penelope’s affection for him, he finally realizes that his perfect match was right in front of him all along. Much to the delight of readers, this is the novel in which Quinn finally reveals the identity of Lady Whistledown.
Widower Philip is dealing with depression and grief after losing his wife, Marina. Enter the middle Bridgerton child, Eloise, who brings new energy and an irresistible zest for life into Philip’s world.
Despite their opposite demeanors (the grumpy/sunshine trope is in full force here), the pair can’t deny their attraction to one another. The added chaos of Philip raising his unruly twins and Quinn’s realistic depictions of mental health struggles makes for a heartwarming and relatable tale.
The youngest Bridgerton, Hyacinth, falls for Lady Danbury’s grandson, Gareth, in the seventh entry of the Bridgerton series. Which means It’s in His Kiss features more Lady Danbury, a fierce, headstrong heroine, and top-notch banter — what’s not to love? Readers who like a dash of mystery with their romance particularly enjoy Hyacinth and Gareth’s journey to hunt down the family jewels.
The love story at the heart of An Offer from a Gentleman gets a Cinderella twist. Maid Sophie meets Benedict Bridgerton at a masquerade ball and it’s love at first sight. However, societal standards make it highly improper for the two to marry, leading Benedict to repeatedly ask Sophie to be his mistress. Of course, this is a romance, so there’s a happily ever after in the end.
Sometimes the road to true love requires a few wrong turns. Gregory is convinced Hermione is the one for him. Unfortunately, she’s interested in another man. Her best friend, Lucy, offers her assistance in helping Gregory win over Hermione. Much to his surprise, he discovers that it’s actually Lucy he’s in love with. (Classic.)
As fate would have it, she’s engaged to another man and it’ll be up to the youngest Bridgerton son to put a stop to the wedding. Gregory makes for a charming and likable romantic lead, though his novel is a bit slower and more intricately woven than his siblings’ stories.
Daphne Bridgerton enters into a courtship with Duke Simon Basset. Of course, it’s a sham — Simon just needs a fair lady to marry so it looks like he’s playing by society’s rules.
Although The Duke and I is the novel that started it all, there are a couple of aspects that put it at the bottom of our list. While there’s great chemistry between the leads, a problematic sexual assault scene between the two can’t be ignored. Plus, it’s the only book in the series with no Eloise.
Still, The Duke and I kicked off a craze, and it will forever hold a much esteemed place in our hearts.
