Need more Bridgerton now? 17 steamy historical romances and raciest Regency books to whet your appetite

If you’ve already watched the first part of Bridgerton season 4 and enjoyed watching Benedict and Sophie fall in love, you’re likely eagerly awaiting the next set of episodes on February 26th. We understand the anticipation!

Looking for a relaxing way to spend your time? Instead of watching TV, try reading a book! It’s a great way to really get lost in the worlds of shows like Bridgerton and other historical dramas.

While you wait for the next installment, here’s a collection of fantastic historical romances and Regency-era books to keep you entertained.

Let’s get into some historical fiction.

What to read after finishing Bridgerton

An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn
Marry Me By Midnight by Felicia Grossman
Bookshop Cinderella by Laura Lee Guhrke
A Waltz on the Wild Side by Erica Ridley
A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting by Sophie Irwin
A Lady For a Duke by Alex Hall
A Rogue of One’s Own by Evie Dunmore
Desperate Duchesses by Eloisa James
Much Ado About Margaret by Madeleine Roux
A Gentleman’s Gentleman by TJ Alexander
Hathor and the Prince by JJ McAvoy
Remember When by Mary Balogh
The Duke Undone by Joanna Lowell
Notorious by Katherine Harlow
Denying the Duke by Callie Hutton
The Duchess Takes a Husband by Harper St George
Lady Sophia’s Lover by Lisa Kleypas

1. An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn

If you enjoyed season 4 of Bridgerton and are looking for similar stories, the best place to begin is with the book it’s based on. This third installment in the series tells the love story of Benedict and Sophie, which is a charming take on the Cinderella story – and many readers find it even more captivating than the show.

The character of Sophie Beckett was changed to Sophie Baek for the show, which allowed Yerin Ha to bring unique depth to the part. To coincide with the series, the original book has been re-released, making it a great read after finishing the season.

2. Marry Me By Midnight by Felicia Grossman

This story feels similar to Cinderella, like the upcoming season of Bridgerton, but with a twist: instead of a poor girl and a prince, it’s a rich woman and a man with nothing.

And if you loved this one, don’t miss Felicia’s other books, including Dearest Beast, out in June.

3. Bookshop Cinderella by Laura Lee Guhrke

This charming story reimagines Cinderella with the same delightful feel as “An Offer From a Gentleman,” adding a cozy bookshop setting and a classic makeover. It’s a perfect read for those who enjoyed season 3 of Bridgerton.

Evie Harlow owns a cozy bookshop in London, which feels like a wonderful life for a single woman. Everything changes when the handsome Duke of Westbourne walks in and proposes a scandalous bet: he wants to transform Evie into the most sought-after woman in London. Evie is determined to refuse, but when her shop faces a crisis, she’s forced to accept his offer and enter a glittering world of high society.

4. A Waltz on the Wild Side by Erica Ridley

A wilder take on historical romance, packed with danger, daring rescues, and swoon-worthy heroes.

Vivian Henry, a popular advice columnist, can’t stand the glamorous Wynchester family that her young cousin is obsessed with. She believes wealthy families often escape consequences while everyone else follows the rules. When her cousin disappears and the police don’t seem to care, Viv reluctantly turns to the Wynchesters for help – the very people she dislikes. Meanwhile, Jacob Wynchester, an animal trainer with a hidden talent for poetry, is pulled into an unexpected and thrilling adventure that takes him far from his quiet life.

This historical romance offers the same elegant atmosphere as Bridgerton, complete with a captivating mystery similar to Lady Whistledown’s gossip, but with a bit more edge.

5. A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting by Sophie Irwin

Kitty Talbot isn’t looking for romance – she needs money, and believes marriage is the only way to get it. She has just twelve weeks to find a rich husband and rescue her sisters, forcing her to rely on her wit and resourcefulness to navigate London’s high society. However, Lord Radcliffe isn’t fooled by her plans and is determined to thwart her efforts.

As a huge fan of period dramas like Bridgerton, I really appreciate how this author tackles the complexities of the time. They don’t shy away from showing how unfair things were for women, the burden placed on the firstborn child, and how the wealthy looked down on anyone less privileged. It’s a really nuanced look at the social pressures and inequalities of the era.

6. A Lady For a Duke by Alexis Hall

The Bridgerton series is known for its sensitive handling of LGBTQ+ stories, and this historical romance follows suit. After being presumed dead at Waterloo, Viola Carroll took the opportunity to live openly as her true self. However, this freedom came with significant sacrifices – she lost her fortune, her noble title, and her close friend, Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood. Years later, when their families are brought back together, Viola realizes how deeply Gracewood was affected by her disappearance. He’s become a withdrawn and melancholic man, almost unrecognizable from the person she once knew, still heartbroken by her perceived death.

While trying to reclaim his life at Gracewood, Viola finds himself experiencing familiar emotions in a new way, feelings that once seemed impossible. He can’t ignore these desires, even though giving in to them could mean losing everything he’s worked for. The consequences are enormous.

7. A Rogue of One’s Own by Evie Dunmore

Fans of strong Regency heroines like Sophie Baek and Kate Sharma will absolutely love this new novel by Evie Dunmore. Lady Lucie is leading a group of suffragists determined to change Parliament, but she faces an unexpected challenge: her longtime rival, the scandalous Lord Ballentine. He’ll only help her if she agrees to spend one night with him. Get ready for a captivating and steamy Regency romance!

8. Desperate Duchesses by Eloisa James

Throughout Bridgerton, a woman’s reputation is consistently presented as her most valuable possession, and the show repeatedly demonstrates how much is at risk when it’s threatened.

Lady Roberta St Giles, the sheltered daughter of a marquess, is captivated by a duke she sees at a ball. He’s known for being a charming, scandalous man who doesn’t want to get married—that is, until he meets Roberta.

The Earl of Gryffyn understands that achieving power can come at a great cost. He’s determined to protect the beautiful Roberta from a fate he believes would harm her, and tries to draw her into a risky plan of his own – even if it means putting his heart on the line.

9. Much Ado About Margaret by Madeleine Roux

Fancy another masquerade ball?

Margaret Arden longs for a life as exciting as the heroines in her favorite books. While she feels secure living with her mother and sisters at Mosely Cottage, she yearns for something beyond the quiet, proper life she’s always led. After a harsh rejection from a handsome publisher, she worries she might be forced into a marriage of convenience to help her family. But a glamorous wedding and a masked ball change everything, leading Margaret into a whirlwind of scandal, attention, and perhaps even romance.

10. A Gentleman’s Gentleman by TJ Alexander

Lord Christopher Eden isn’t like most gentlemen. He prefers the company of his old cook and butler to the bustling social scene, and avoids public attention whenever possible. However, his father’s will presents a problem: Christopher must marry before the season ends to inherit his family’s wealth and estate. This is a daunting task, as he’s not interested in women and fears he could never make a wife happy.

Things get really complicated when Christopher meets James Harding, his strikingly handsome new valet. As they become friends, secrets emerge that could change everything, and even threaten Christopher’s upcoming wedding.

11. Hathor and the Prince by JJ McAvoy

Though Daphne didn’t find her prince in the first season of Bridgerton, her sister, Hathor Du Bell, might be luckier in love. Hathor has always lived in her sister’s shadow and is frustrated with the uninteresting men she’s met. As the London social season nears its end, she’s starting to think she won’t find a husband. However, everything changes when the Queen announces that Prince Wilhelm of Malrovia will be attending a grand event at the Du Bell family’s castle.

I was completely swept away by this story, but the magic really shifted when Hathor finally came face-to-face with the prince. He wasn’t at all what she—or I—expected! What followed was a wonderfully playful and flirty back-and-forth between them, a rivalry they just couldn’t help but indulge in. Honestly, it’s the kind of Regency romance that just grabs you and doesn’t let go, just like it did for Hathor!

12. Remember When by Mary Balogh

I have to say, I was really drawn to Violet and Marcus’s story this season, and it got me thinking about the show’s wider world. That’s why I’m so excited they’re introducing Clarissa Ware, the Dowager Countess of Stratton! Apparently, after successfully finding a husband for her daughter, she’s heading back to Ravenswood to enjoy a quiet summer alone. I’m already intrigued to see what role she’ll play!

It’s complicated by the return of Matthew Taylor, a carpenter she knew well as a young woman. He always seemed an unlikely match for her, but now things are different. As their summer friendship blossoms into something more, they’re both facing an uncertain future together.

13. The Duke Undone by Joanna Lowell

Before his quest for the Lady in Silver, Benedict was a painter perfecting his skills, making this story about a Royal Academy art student particularly relevant. Lucy Coover unexpectedly helps a naked, intoxicated man she finds one night in the poor Shoreditch district.

She wished she could stop dreaming about him, but found herself irresistibly drawn to paint his portrait. Unbeknownst to her, the man she was painting was actually Anthony Philby, the seventh Duke of Weston. Desperate to protect his reputation, he tracked down the artist, only to discover something unexpected.

14. Notorious by Katherine Harlow

Looking for a scandalous romance? Viscount Rochford is your man. He’s notorious for breaking hearts and abandoning women all over London. So, when people start saying he’s finally ready to marry, everyone is surprised – especially Miss Penelope Stratton.

Penelope is a lovely and modest woman with a generous inheritance, so she has plenty of potential husbands. However, she’s unexpectedly attracted to a man known for his wild ways and troubled history. If you enjoyed the character of Benedict Bridgerton, you’ll love this story!

15. Denying the Duke by Callie Hutton

16. The Duchess Takes a Husband by Harper St George

Lady Danbury is a fan favorite in Bridgerton, and this book captures her same bold and independent spirit. It follows Camille, a Duchess ostracized for being American and advocating for women’s rights. She makes a daring proposition to Jacob Thorne, the illegitimate son of an earl who runs a scandalous London club: a fake engagement for respectability in exchange for exploring her own desires. This is a captivating and provocative story you won’t want to put down.

17. Lady Sophia’s Lover by Lisa Kleypas

We’ll finish our list of passionate, Bridgerton-like books with this exciting story. Lady Sophia Sydney is determined to win over the aloof Sir Ross Cannon, even if it means damaging his reputation and causing a major scandal throughout London. She skillfully enters his world, gaining his confidence and eventually moving into his house.

Authors

Fleurine Tideman

2026-02-10 13:10