Bridgerton Books Ranking
By Sioph LealThe Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn is a delightful collection that transports readers to the glamorous and captivating world of Regency-era London. Quinn's storytelling weaves together stories of love, scandal, and wit, revolving around the eight Bridgerton siblings and their pursuit of romance in a society filled with intrigue and societal expectations. With each book focusing on a different Bridgerton sibling, readers are treated to unique and compelling narratives that explore the complexities of relationships and the power of love. We have ranked what we think is the weakest and best of Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton book series, starting with what we perceive as the weaker books from the series.
8) Book 1: The Duke and I ( Simon and Daphne)
The Duke and I is the first in Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton book series and the main couple features Simon Bassett, the Duke of Hastings and Daphne Bridgerton, sister to a viscount. As the oldest Bridgerton daughter, Daphne’s matches will set a standard for her own sisters and after years on the marriage market, she and Simon come up with a plan to fake their courtship therefore leaving Simon without the pressures of marriage and Daphne suddenly becoming the one everyone desires. Their friendship blossoms into love. Once married, Daphne must face the struggles of becoming a duchess while she believes that her husband has lied to her, making her do something unforgivable.
Having Simon and Daphne’s relationship blossom from friendship to two people in love was not a unique plot, but it is perfect for romance fans. Had the book simply ended there, The Duke and I would have been a lot further up this list. Quinn seems to relish in having Simon as misogynistic (yes, the time period, but that doesn’t mean the author could have omitted this) claiming that he owns Daphne when she is wife but that still doesn’t justify Daphne assaulting her husband. The romance falls short in this book and is the weakest in the entire series.
7) Book 4: Romancing Mr Bridgerton (Penelope and Colin)
The fourth book in Quinn’s Bridgerton series is Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington. The book explores Colin’s deepening friendship with his sister’s best friend as he uncovers Penelope’s secret. Romancing Mr. Bridgerton is supposed to follow self-discovery as Colin struggles to find a place in the world as a travel writer, while envying the success of his new love interest.
After finishing this book, it was a struggle to find the energy to finish the rest of the Bridgerton. Three books down just seemed to heavily focus and attempt to romanticize the abusive men that Quinn idealized. For a romance book, Colin Bridgerton spent most of the novel in a jealous, envious rage at Penelope’s success. Though it is supposed to have the Bridgertons as the main and most appealing, it is Penelope that steals the show, something that Colin seemingly detests. It is just a shame that Penelope allows herself to be absorbed into Colin, forgoing anything that set her apart as a smart, clever, and entrepreneurial character that could have been ahead of her time, had the writer not settled her with one of the dullest and abusive Bridgerton children.
6) Book 7: It’s In His Kiss (Gareth and Hyacinth)
The penultimate series of the Bridgerton books focuses on Hyacinth’s step into the romantic world. After many suitors’ lose interest in having Hyacinth as a wife, she has almost given up but isn’t particularly bothered at the prospect of being a spinster until she meets Gareth St Clair. Together they embark on a quest to find secret family diamonds, only to stumble upon a St Clair family secret that proves to be immensely valuable.
Hyacinth and Gareth have amazing banter between them, and it makes the book an enjoyable read. Both don’t feel as if they fit into society and when they are introduced, Hyacinth and Gareth don’t feel the loneliness of London society. While this was an entertaining read, Quinn falls back into her manipulative roles with the leading man, which is a shame as for most of the book, Gareth is a welcomed change. With his stepfather threatening to expose that Gareth is illegitimate, he sleeps with Hyacinth so she can’t end their engagement should it come out. It’s the one moment that leaves a sour taste.
5) Book 8: On The Way to a Wedding (Lucy and Gregory)
On The Way to A Wedding is the final book in Quinn’s Bridgerton book series and the youngest Bridgeton boy takes centre stage. Gregory Bridgerton is lost, wondering what to do with his life as the youngest Bridgerton desperately wants to fall in love and believes he will know it when he sees the one he is meant to be with. Believing his love to be Hermoine, he falls instantly only for her to be in love with someone else. Her friend, Lucy Abernathy is one he falls for in the end, but she is to be married to another.
The final book is a light-hearted read but a little disappointing as a final book. There were a lot of over-the-top tropes that don’t tend to fit the narrative of subtly in regency era books that makes it border on trivial. As a final book, it did feel that Quinn was running out of ideas and tried to recycle most of the previous books themes and condense it into one final book, but Gregory seems to be the only Bridgerton male that lacks any abusive tendencies. Having Gregory not wanting to silence or manipulate his love interest is the only refreshing thing about On The Way To A Wedding.
4) Book 5: To Sir Phillip, With Love (Phillip and Eloise)
To Sir Philip, With Love is Quinn’s fifth book in her Bridgerton series, following Romancing Mr. Bridgerton. Eloise Bridgerton is the second Bridgerton daughter and has been writing to Sir Philip Crane for a year following the death of his wife. Eloise is lonely and with her brother marrying her best friend, she feels lost. When an offer of marriage comes from Sir Philip in the form of his letters, she accepts and sneaks away.
While Philip isn’t as abusive as most of the male romantic leads in Quinn’s series, Philip tends to lean more towards a bland character. His redeeming quality is that he wants to break the abusive parenting cycle that he had to endure. Overall, it was a bit of a disappointing read as you expected more from Eloise rather than a marriage of convenience because she was lonely. It’s almost like this book is a palette cleanser from abusive romantic leads but still doesn’t really stand on its own. Some of the strongest parts of the books is how Eloise interacts with Philip’s children. They are mischievous and funny all at the same time, adding some much-needed levity to the books.
3) Book 2: The Viscount Who Loved me (Kate and Anthony)
Following The Duke and I, The Viscount Who Loved Me has the eldest Bridgerton child decide it is his year to find a wife and continue his family line as he fears he will die soon enough. Taking love out of the equation, Anthony sets his sights on Edwina Sheffield, only she isn’t interested in the eldest Bridgerton but that doesn’t stop his pursuit. With Edwina is her older and independent sister, Kate, who has many verbal battles with Anthony. Their dislike for each other masks a mutual deep attraction as the two finally come to terms with their own feelings, with the support of all their family.
The Viscount Who Loved Me is probably one of the books that has the most family interaction, be it from a competitive game of pall mall. Kate is one of the biggest selling points of this novel as she is a genuinely fun character to read, which is heightened by the back and forth between Anthony and Kate. Anthony by no means is a perfect male lead and his abusive tendencies, but while Colin and diminished and completely absorbed Penelope, Anthony loves Kate for who she is without any pettiness or jealousy, which is what sets the two Bridgerton brothers apart.
2) Book 3: An Offer from A Gentleman (Sophie and Benedict)
An Offer From A Gentleman is Benedict Bridgerton’s time to take on the role of a male lead and shows him falling head over heels for a mysterious woman at a masked ball. Unknown to him, this woman is Sophie Beckett, a servant who was the illegitimate child of a Lord, but their encounter is brief. Years later, Sophie and Benedict can’t get each other out of their heads, but when they cross paths again, Benedict has no idea who Sophie really is.
Sophie Beckett steals the show in this book with her hope and resilience. Many readers loved this book for its Cinderella-inspired introduction, but for me, the story was so much better when it left this plot and focused more on Sophie’s life. While Benedict can come off as someone who constantly pressures her into choices she doesn’t want to make, the vulnerable moments in My Cottage are what set the book apart.
1) Book 6: When He Was Wicked (Michael and Francessa)
Francesca Bridgerton is the forgotten Bridgerton sibling and the female lead of When He Was Wicked, and she begins the novel in a happy marriage to John Stirling. Michael Sterling, John’s cousin, fell in love with Francesca the moment he saw her, but he never let this impact his deep bond with his cousin. Soon after the novel begins, Francesca is suddenly widowed and soon loses her unborn child. Years later, Francesca and Michael reunite as the two take on the social season in London after years away, and Michael must deal with the feeling of guilt for loving Francesca.
When He Was Wicked feels like a completely different book from the entire series, and with its more mature take, it’s the most compelling read of the series. Francesca offers readers a glimpse into adult life, something the other books lacked, but it’s the aspect of grief that sets the story apart. Michael is a strong male lead, as he is king and patient, but the right amount of cheekiness makes him the best partner in the entire series and probably the best male lead. When He Was Wicked is a great story of love, loss, duty, and desire.