Dearest gentle readers: Are you looking for a book as satisfying, sweeping and romantic as Season Three of "Bridgerton"?
TODAY.com has collected a series of the best books like "Bridgerton" courtesy of historical romance novelists Vanessa Riley, Sarah McLean, Liana De la Rosa, Sophie Jordan and Lorraine Heath.
While not all the picks are set in Regency England like "Bridgerton," most will whisk you away to another era, and certainly another feeling.
Read on to imagine what it's like to live in a world where going out clothes are ballgowns — but finding love is seemingly just as complicated as it is today.
Check out the books below for your next read.
“Ana María and the Fox” by Liana De la Rosa
Vanessa Riley, author of books like "Island Queen" and "Queen of Exiles," recommended "Ana María and the Fox," a slow-burn story set during the French occupation of Mexico in the 1860s. She calls it a "tale of forbidden love amidst opulent world-building."
“Aphrodite and the Duke” by J.J. McAvoy
Riley also shouted out "Aphrodite and the Duke," J.J. McAvoy's tale set in Regency England. Aphrodite Du Bell is summoned back to London for her's sister debut. Her plan is to avoid the man who jilted her years ago. His plan is to find her back.
“The Heiress” by Molly Greeley
Riley said "The Heiress" by Molly Greeley adds a Gothic layer to "Bridgerton's" appeal. The book imagines the life of Anne de Bourgh, the character in "Pride and Prejudice" originally meant to marry Fitzwilliam Darcy (though we know who he ended up marrying).
“Pride and Protest” by Nikki Payne
For more Austen-inspired reads, Riley recommended “Pride and Protest” by Nikki Payne and “The Bennet Women” by Eden Appiah-Kubie, "contemporary romances that draw inspiration from Austen’s Regency rules, delivering fast-paced 'Bridgerton'-esque moments.”
"Pride and Protest" is set in the modern day, where a DJ goes up against a property developer for the soul of her neighborhood.
"The Bennet Women” by Eden Appiah-Kubi
"The Bennet Women" is another spin on "Pride and Prejudice," following a group of friends in an all-women's dorm called, fittingly, Bennet House.
“Something Like Love” by Beverly Jenkins
For a "throwback," Riley recommended a book by the legendary Beverly Jenkins. Our heroine Olivia Sterling escapes an arranged marriage and moves to Chicago, where she falls for the man who once robbed her train. The book "captures the hijinks, sexiness, and humor of the Bridgerton universe," Riley said.
"Her Night with the Duke" by Diana Quincy
Sarah MacLean, author of the "Hell's Belles" and the "Bareknuckle Bastards" series, among others, said "Her Night with the Duke" is ideal for people who rooted for the Sharma sisters in Season Two.
"A fierce, feisty heroine is stranded at a roadside inn alone, with no choice but to share the one remaining room — and one reckless night — with a handsome traveler also alone for the evening," she said.
The only problem? The man is engaged to her stepdaughter. MacLean said the book is "sexy, smart and an absolute love letter to female friendship."
“The Virgin and The Rogue” by Sophie Jordan
“Sophie Jordan’s entire backlist will deliver on your Bridgerton-y historical romance needs, but you should not miss ‘The Virgin and The Rogue,’ which will deliver for anyone who loves troublemaking siblings and an absolutely fire romance,” MacLean said.
Charlotte unwittingly takes an aphrodisiac, transforming her wallflower personality into someone who wants to track down, and seduce, a rogue.
"An Island Princess Starts a Scandal” by Adriana Herrera
Liana De la Rosa, whose book "Ana María and the Fox" was previously shouted out, said she loved "An Island Princess Starts a Scandal” the second book in Adriana Herrera's "Las Leonas" series.
The book tells the story of Manuela, a firebrand artist from Latin America and Cora, the stern, business savvy Duchess of Sundridge. "Adriana’s writing is lyrical and evocative, romantic and sexy without ignoring the weighty social and political issues of 1880s Paris," she said.
“Wake Me Most Wickedly" by Felicia Grossman
Felicia Grossman’s “Wake Me Most Wickedly" is a gender-bending retelling of Snow White. "Sol and Hannah’s romance offers a fascinating view of Jewish life in the Regency. Felicia’s writing is rich and descriptive, and her characters and the world of the East End comes alive in beautiful color under her deft hand," De La Rosa said.
“The Duke Gets Desperate” by Diana Quincy
De La Rosa called "The Duke Gets Desperate" by Diana Quincy a "wickedly clever story."
It follows an Arab American woman who inherits a British castle, which she learns is claimed by someone else. "Diana does a brilliant job of threading lush details of Arab culture into Raya and Stick’s story, and if you thought the fire burned hot between KAnthony, wait until you meet this American heiress and her duke!" she said.
"Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake" by Sarah MacLean
Sophie Jordan, author of the "Scandalous Ladies of London" series, called Sarah MacLean the "queen of the modern historical romance," who writes "refreshingly progressive romance while delivering all the swoons that get your heart racing."
"In her debut novel, MacLean writes the ultimate good-girl-rule-follower-wallflower who boldly decides to start living her life by breaking all the rules. It’s a wild ride full of high emotions and risk-taking and, of course, sexy times," she said.
“My Season of Scandal" by Julie Anne Long
Historical romance novelist Lorraine Heath said "My Season of Scandal" by Julie Anne Long centers importance of love and devotion to family, just like "Bridgerton."
"With 'The Palace of Rogues' series, Julie Anne Long has created a strong familial atmosphere within a boarding house of once-upon-a-time strangers. 'My Season of Scandal' is the first of the series to venture out into ballrooms and the aristocratic world that would be familiar to Bridgerton fans. It’s romantic and emotional, with a cast of characters who bring some lighthearted moments but also demonstrate the true value of family," she said.
"My Kind of Earl" by Vivienne Lorret
"My Kind of Earl by Vivienne Lorret has the sort of heroine Bridgerton is known for — feisty, self-assured, and adventurous," Heath said.
It follows a curious heroine who accidentally finds herself in a brawl in a brothel, where she meets a man with a troubled past.
"'My Kind of Earl' includes witty repartee, humor, and a depth of emotion that is sure to please any Bridgerton fan. Lorret’s stories always leave me smiling," Heath said.
