Dearest readers: if you have a Bridgerton-shaped hole in your heart (and your reading list), do try these books. Within their pages you’ll find whip-smart heroines and dashing gentlemen mixed up in heart-fluttering plots.
For e-books and audiobooks like these, gentle reader, peruse the Bridgerton Readalikes shelf on cloudLibrary. Reading widely, after all, is a virtue.
Aphrodite and the Duke by J. J. McAvoy
On her return to London to aid in her sister’s debut, Aphrodite is determined to ignore the Duke of Everly, who jilted her and married another woman four years ago. Now that he’s a widower, though, he’s determined to win back Aphrodite’s trust—until she learns the real reason the Duke rejected her in the first place.
A Caribbean Heiress in Paris by Adriana Herrera
This romance takes place after the Regency era, in 1889. Luz Alana is in Paris to expand her family’s rum business, and under no circumstances will she allow herself to fall in love. But her customers are hesitant to do business with a woman, and her family has denied access to her inheritance until she marries. In need of help, she turns to the Earl of Darnick, who wants more than a marriage of convenience.
A Duke, the Lady, and a Baby by Vanessa Riley
After being falsely imprisoned for her husband’s suicide, Patience is hired as a wet nurse to care for her son in her own former home. The heir to her late husband’s estate, the Duke of Repington, brings his military strictness to the home. An unlikely friendship blossoms between the two as Patience’s strength and resourcefulness sweep past all his defenses.
The Duke Undone by Joanna Lowell
Royal Academy student Lucy Coover paints her memory of finding a man passed out in an alley. Little does she know she’s painted the infamous Duke of Weston – and that his younger brother, Anthony, will do whatever it takes to destroy the scandalous painting.
How to Be a Wallflower by Eloisa James
As she has no intent to marry, Cleopatra Lewis purchases a costume shop that can provide unflattering dresses to scare off suitors. This upsets Jacob Astor Addison, a roughhewn wealthy American who was planning to buy the shop himself. Cleo and Jacob pit themselves against each other, designing ridiculous clothing for each other—until their rivalry becomes something more.
A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting by Sophie Irwin
This book is loaded with witty repartee and bubbling wit! Kitty needs a husband with money—fast. She has only three months to save her family from ruin after her father left behind massive debts. With one goal in mind, she heads to London and encounters the worldly Lord Radcliffe, who sees her for the scheming fortune-hunter she is.
Mr. Malcolm’s List by Suzanne Allain
This witty novel follows Mr. Jeremy Malcolm, a well-to-do bachelor with a long list of requirements for any potential spouse. One of his spurned admirers, Julia, learns of the list and enlists a friend, Selina, to help her get revenge. Together they transform Selina into the woman of Jeremy’s dreams – until the pair hits it off and Jeremy grows wise to their schemes. The script for the film version was also written by Suzanne Allain!
Portrait of a Scotsman by Evie Dunmore
A spoiled but ambitious London banking heiress finds herself stuck with a churlish Scot who believes she’s the key to setting his political plans into motion. Driven by revenge, he doesn’t care about his new wife’s romantic notions—until a sudden journey to Scotland casts their relationship in a new light.
Someone Perfect by Mary Balogh
Since his father’s death six years ago, Justin has been Earl of Brandon and wants to bring his half-sister, Maria, to live with him. Maria’s friend, Lady Estelle Lamarr, begrudgingly comes with her friend to help her adjust to life with Justin. As family secrets begin to unravel, Lady Estelle finds herself wondering if she could ever be the right match for Justin.
Something in the Heir by Suzanne Enoch
A refreshing Regency romcom! Emmeline and William have enjoyed a marriage of convenience for eight years—even if William has secretly longed for more than that. But when Emmeline’s grandfather wants to meet their two children, William is shocked to learn his wife invented two heirs. In a bid to keep their home, they borrow two children, George and Rose, AKA the most unruly orphans in Britain.
The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton
This one has a little bit of everything: espionage, action, humor, and romance! Assassin Ned Lightbourne’s next target is Cecilia Bassingwaite, a daring thief in the Wisteria Society. While Ned is smitten from the moment he meets Cecilia, Ned’s uncle has other plans for the Wisteria Society. Forced to team up with her would-be killer, Cecilia proves once and for all that she’s just as much of a scoundrel as any man.
