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If the lengthy wait for the next episodes of Bridgerton is proving too much for you, there are just two options available to you. You could, as we often do just before a new season of the Netflix hit comes out, binge all the existing episodes, or you could read the books that inspired the show. Just remember that things happen in a slightly different order for the Bridgerton books.

The Bridgerton Netflix series is based on the eight-book romance series by Julia Quinn. However, the show deviates from the source material in several ways that might surprise you, including the order in which they are adapting the books. That is because season three skipped ahead to book four of the series to give us the resolution to Colin and Penelope’s story we so desperately needed.

The Bridgerton series in order

However, we wouldn’t recommend reading the books out of order simply because they build on each other so much. The best reading order for the Bridgerton books is the order they were released:

• The Duke and I (2000)
• The Viscount Who Loved Me (2000)
• An Offer from a Gentleman (2001)
• Romancing Mister Bridgerton (2002)
• To Sir Phillip, with Love (2003)
• The Further Observations of Lady Whistledown (2003) - Note that this is a collection of short stories written by Julia Quinn and other writers set in the Bridgerton world.
• When He Was Wicked (2004)
• Lady Whistledown Strikes Back (2004) - Note that this is a collection of short stories written by Julia Quinn and other writers set in the Bridgerton world.
• It’s In His Kiss (2005)
• On the Way to the Wedding (2006)
• The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After (2013) - Note that this is a collection of epilogue stories that wrap up the events of the Bridgerton series.
• Queen Charlotte (2022) - Note that this is a prequel written by Julia Quinn and Shonda Rhimes following the events of Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story on Netflix.

In addition to the mainline Bridgerton series of books, there is also the Rokesby series. These four books serve as prequels to the events in the main series. There are plenty of familiar characters that show up, but it isn't necessary to read them to understand the events of the Bridgerton book series.

The Rokesby series consists of:

• Because of Miss Bridgerton (2016)
• The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband (2017)
• The Other Miss Bridgerton (2018)
• First Comes Scandal (2020)

Of these novels, only The Duke and I (season one), The Viscount Who Loved Me (season two), Romancing Mister Bridgerton (season three), and An Offer From A Gentleman (season four) have been adapted for the Netflix Bridgerton series. That leaves a lot more angst, drama, and sexy people doing sexy things for us to enjoy over the coming years.

Is it OK to read the Bridgerton books out of order?

While we wouldn't deprive you of reading it in the order you desire, the recommended way to read Bridgerton is in the above release order. However, if you are like us and reading the books after watching the show, you can binge the Bridgerton books to spoil yourself on what's to come in the TV show.

Why did Netflix skip Benedict's story from book 3, An Offer from a Gentleman?

Netflix chose to skip Bridgerton book 3, An Offer from a Gentleman, because, as the showrunner Jess Brownel told Variety, "[it] really [feels] like it's Colin and Penelope's time.” However, that doesn't mean that Benedict and Sophie aren't getting their time to shine. An Offer from a Gentleman is being adapted in Bridgerton Season 4 in 2026.

Is the Bridgerton book series spicy?

The core storylines of the Bridgerton TV shows follow the Bridgerton books fairly closely; however, besides the fashion and diversity embracing more modernity, the TV show is also more adult. If you can handle the Bridgerton show, you'll be fine with the Bridgerton books - unless you're expecting a more Rated-R version of the Bridgertons' story.

How many total Bridgerton books are there?

To date, there are 16 Bridgerton books. That is comprised of the eight core Bridgerton books, two anthologies, the four-part Rokesby prequels, the special The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After, and the Queen Charlotte prequel.

Can I read Bridgerton Book 4 before Book 3?

When Netflix decided to change the order in which they adapted the Bridgerton books, they caused a bit of confusion among new readers. Could you skip Book 3 in favor of Book 4, as the Netflix series had? However, this isn't something we would recommend. Bridgerton Book 3, An Offer from a Gentleman, sets up many of the events of Book 4, to the point where Netflix had to shift around events to establish their own continuity. That should be cleared up by the end of Season 4, which adapts Book 3 of the series, in 2026.

Whether its the bane of your existence or the object of all your desires (or both), Bridgerton is back. Read all our spoiler-y thoughts on Bridgerton season 3 here, and then delight at a guide to how to watch all of Bridgerton (and the spinoff), how to read the Bridgerton books (all 16 of them!), an our exclusive interview with the show's costume designer John Glaser, as well as some recommended reads for all Bridgerton fans.