Are you looking for some YA books like Bridgerton to read and more shows like Bridgerton to watch? Check out What to Read and Watch That’s Like Bridgerton. Updated for 2025 and Bridgerton Season 4!
Did you love Bridgerton, with its high waisted dresses, strict social rules, and swoonworthy romance? Of course, you could just read the source material by Julia Quinn but maybe you already have.
Check out my list of YA books AND a few shows that have that Bridgerton feel. Some take place during the Regency era, and others have that romantic, historical feel and are set in London society.
As an Amazon Affiliate I may earn from qualifying purchases.
If You Have No Idea What “Regency” Means
If you’re a regency romance reader, you can skip this, but what does “regency” even mean?
- Regency romance is set during a period in British history in which a regent stepped in for a monarch who is unable to serve. Here’s a quick recap about what transpired:
- George III was deemed unfit to serve due to illness. (This was the “madness” of King George, as the movie shows.)
- His son George IV served as Prince Regent from 1811-1820.
- When George IV died in 1820, his brother William IV was crowned king.
- William IV then died without having legitimate children, so in 1837 the crown passed to Queen Victoria, his young niece.
- The Regency period is sometimes considered to extend to 1837, when the Victorian era began.
Who Were King George III and Queen Charlotte?
- King George III became king in 1730. He reigned during the Seven Years’ war, the American War of Independence, and wars against Napoleon and France.
- He was the monarch when the British banned slavery in 1807.
- His wife Charlotte was a German princess whom some believe had “Moorish” ancestry through the Portugese side of her family. The word “Moor” was used at the time to describe many non-white ethnicities.
- George suffered from health issues that caused him to have “manic” episodes. mania. Some scholars suggest he had the blood disorder porphyria while others think he had bipolar disorder.
What to Read and Watch That’s Like Bridgerton:
YA Set During the Time of Bridgerton (YA Regency Fiction)
An Improbable Season by Rosalyn Eves (2023)
An Unlikely Proposition by Rosalyn Eves (2024)
This YA regency duology about three women who wants to follow their regency dreams will win your heart!
- Thalia means to impress the intelligentsia and publish her poetry.
- Her sister Kalli aims to take high society by storm
- Their cousin Charis hopes to earn her place among the scientific elite.
- Scandal and heartbreak ensue. Can these young women find their happily ever afters in this turbulent London Season?
Queen Bee by Amalie Howard (2023)
Do you love a revenge book as much as I do? This retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo takes place in Regency London!
- Lady Ela Dalvi’s best friend Poppy betrayed her. Ely was sent away in disgrace, her reputation in tatters.
- Three years later, Ely is eighteen and set upon getting her revenge. She disguises herself and infiltrates the Regency elite.
- But as Ela falls in love, she begins to wonder whether vengeance is still her heart’s desire.
Sixteen Scandals by Sophie Jordan (2021)
This irreverent romp is like a Regency retelling of Sixteen Candles!
- Primrose Ainsworth decides to go rogue on the night of her sixteenth birthday.
- Donning a mask, Prim heads to infamous Vauxhall Gardens for one wild night. When her cover is nearly blown, a mysterious stranger intercedes, and Prim finds an unexpected partner in mischief . . . and romance.
The Season by Sarah MacLean (2009)
Seventeen year old Lady Alexandra tries to avoid being married off in this first book of a trilogy that takes place in Regency London.
This seres is like a YA version of the popular Wallflowers series by Lisa Kleypas. (Author Sarah MacLean also writes adult Regency romance.
Love, Lies and Spies (2016), Duels and Deception (2017) and Suitors and Sabotage (2018) by Cindy Anstey
These books have a mysterious Regency flair: In Love Lies, and Spies, Juliana is more interested in entymology than ballgowns… until she meets a dashing spy. Duals and Deception is about Miss Lydia Whitfield, who is kidnapped just before she is about to wed. In Suitors and Sabotage, shy Imogene and charming Ben try to hide their forbidden romance.
Victoria and the Rogue (also Nicola and the Viscount) by Meg Cabot (2003)
Lady Victoria is shipped from India to London to find a husband. And she finds the perfect one: the Early of Malfrey. But why can’t Victoria stop thinking about Jacob the charming (and completely inappropriate) ship captain she met on her voyage?
Dangerous Alliance by Jennieke Cohen (2019)
Lady Victoria must marry to save her family. They are destitute, and if Victoria can’t make a good marriage, they’ll be ruined. Armed with wisdom she has gained Jane Austen novels, she sets out to find a husband.
The Secret Diary of Lydia Bennet by Natasha Farrant (2016)
Pride and Prejudice from Lydia’s point of view. Okay, we all find Lydia highly annoying, but maybe she has been unfairly maligned and misrepresented!
YA Historical Romance Novels Set During the 1700s
Bellegarde by Jamie Lilac (2023)
This retelling of the 1990s teen movie classic She’s All That, set (I think) during the reign of Marie Antoinette was the YA historical I didn’t know I needed! This fresh, inspired retelling is perfect for fans of Bridgerton!
YA Historical Romance Novels Set During the Victorian Era/Gilded Age
Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban (2023)
I LOVE a good a Parent Trap retelling and if it has Taylor Swift references, I’m all in.
Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend, about two girls who try to set up their parents, who split years ago, and fall in love themselves. This f/f Victorian historical romance was fun, frothy, and romantic.
A companion book, You’re The Problem, It’s You (I know!) comes out in August 2024!
My Name is Victoria by Lucy Worsley (2017)
Miss V. Conroy is sent by father to Kensington Palace to become the companion to Princess Victoria, Miss V soon finds that she can no longer remain in the shadows.
Torn between loyalty to her father and her growing friendship with the wilful and passionate Victoria, Miss V has a decision to make: to continue in silence, or to speak out.
If you love the sound of this title, check out my list of Books about Coronations!
Bewitching Season (Leland Sisters #1) by Marissa Doyle (2008)
In 1837 London, shy Penelope has to track down her missing governess. She’d rather be engaging in her secret magic studies, but when her governess in magic has been kidnapped (as part of a plot to gain control of the soon-to-be Queen Victoria), she and her sister spring into action.
These Vicious Masks by Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas (2016)
In 1882 London, Evelyn has to help find her missing sister. But Evelyn is not the only one looking for Rose. A mysterious gentleman claims that both sisters have special healing powers. Can his strange tales of extraordinary people be true? And are she and her sister in grave danger?
The Luxe by Anna Godberson
This turn of the century Gossip Girl series takes place in 1899 New York, not London, but has the same lush, romantic feel. It’s filled with girls in ballgowns, irresistible boys with dangerous intentions, dark secrets, and scandalous hookups.
There are also steampunk and paranormal YA books that take place during a (reimagined) Victorian age, books like The Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare and The Great and Terrible Beauty series by Libba Bray. These don’t have the same focus on the social scene that Bridgerton does, but are still fun to read.
Early 1900s YA that has that Bridgerton feel
The Davenports by Krystal Marquis
The Davenports are one of the few Black families of immense wealth and status.
- Olivia, the dutiful elder daughter, meets a charismatic civil rights leader Washington DeWight and sparks fly.
- Younger daughter Helen is more interested in fixing cars than falling in love, unless it’s with her sister’s suitor.
- Amy-Rose, childhood friend turned maid, dreams of opening her own business—and marrying the one man she could never be with, Olivia and Helen’s brother, John.
- Olivia’s best friend, Ruby, also has her sights set on John Davenport, though she can’t seem to keep his interest . . . until family pressure has her scheming to win his heart, just as someone else wins hers.
Cinders and Sapphires by Leila Rasheed (2013)
It’s 1910 and the Averleys have returned to their ancestral state, Somerton, from India.
Rose Cliffe has never met a young lady like her new mistress. Clever, rich, and beautiful, Ada Averley treats Rose as an equal. And Rose could use a friend. Especially now that she, at barely sixteen, has risen to the position of ladies’ maid.
For the first time in a decade, the Averleys have returned to Somerton, their majestic ancestral estate. But terrible scandal has followed Ada’s beloved father all the way from India. Now Ada finds herself torn between her own happiness and her family’s honor. Only she has the power to restore the Averley name, but it would mean giving up her one true love, someone she could never persuade her father to accept.
Check out my review of Cinders and Sapphires.
The Ring and the Crown by Melissa de la Cruz. (2014)
Read my review of The Ring and the Crown!
This alt-historical fantasy set in the 1920s focuses on the London Season with parties, teas and the lavish Ball of the Gold Cloth.
Check out my review of The Ring and the Crown here!
Adult Regency Fiction Books That Have A Bridgerton Feel
These are not your mother’s regency romance books, with the romantic clinch (with cleavage) on the cover!
Queen of Exiles by Vanessa Riley
This book takes place in the early 1800s in the Caribbean, and features the widow of Henry I, who ruled over the newly liberated Kingdom of Hayti in the wake of the brutal Haitian Revolution.
You can also check out Island Queen by Vanessa Riley, a story about a formerly enslaved woman who finds romance with William IV, the son of King George III etgand Queen Charlotte.
Austenland by Shannon Hale.
A New Yorker despairs of meeting anyone like Mr. Darcy, so she goes to an English resort for Jane Austen fans, where she dresses in Regency fashion and finds romance.
Other Movies and Shows to Watch if You Like Bridgerton
The Buccaneers on Apple TV (London, 1870s)
Apple TV’s answer to Bridgerton is The Buccaneers. Set in the 1870s during the Gilded Age, it follows five wealthy young American women as they navigate London high society, deal with culture clashes, and try to land husbands. There’s a new second season airing in June 2025!
Sanditon (England, 1817) This miniseries is based on an unfinished Jane Austen novel. If you’re interested in finding out more about the source material, check out this New Yorker article.
Like the Bridgerton show, it features a diverse cast of characters including a West Indian heiress struggling to adjust to life with the British gentry. Watch on Amazon Prime video with a free Masterpiece trial (don’t forget to cancel) and then let’s beg for a second season!!
Belgravia. (London, 1815) From the team behind Downton Abbey, this series follows a family with secrets trying to ascend in London society during the Regency period. Watch on Amazon Prime or Sling Premium.
The Spanish Princess. The story of Catherine of Aragon and her marriage to King Henry. This takes place during the Tudor period, but, like Bridgerton, features diverse casting. Watch on Amazon Prime or STARZ.
The (newest) Emma movie. Based on the Jane Austen novel, this new adaptation stars Anya Taylor-Joy from The Queen’s Gambit. Watch on HBO Max.
The Madness of King George. Get the story behind the Regency crisis. King George is suffering from an undetermined illness and battling with his son and advisors. Watch on Prime Video or HBO Max.
Talk to me! Did you like Bridgerton? Do you love books set during the Regency? I definitely do. I loved Sanditon and am going to try some of these other shows soon!
Love books like this? Check out my list of YA Historical Royal Romance
Also, check out What to Read if You Love HBO’s The Gilded Age
I actually just started watching Bridgerton. I was going to read the books first, but given that I’m currently 175th on the wait list, I decided to just watch the show. I haven’t finished the first season, but I am enjoying it.
Possibly unpopular opinion: I think the show is better. Though I wish they weren’t doing one book per season as I thought the plot moved a little slowly!
Great post! I loved Bridgerton, and have just started the books (on #2 right now). I’ve since watched Belgravia and really enjoyed it, and loved The Spanish Princess too. I’ll take your suggestion and try Sanditon next!
Ooh, let me know what you think of Sanditon! I thought it felt similar to Bridgerton (no explicit scenes though haha).