Romance Novels to Read While You Wait for Bridgerton
If you’re anything like us, you’ve been counting down until the release of Bridgerton (aka Christmas day) since the release of that very steamy trailer. And sure, we have to wait just a little while longer. And yes, it will feel like an eternity. But there’s always an incredible romance novel or two – or five! – that you can read to make the wait just a little bit easier. Here are some of our favorites.
Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory
Judging by the trailer – and the premise of the novels that Bridgerton is based on – this series is fueled by secret rendezvous and societal power. And while Party of Two is definitely more earnest in nature, it’s driven by the same. In Jasmine Guillory’s latest novel, a junior senator from finds himself falling for a local attorney. And while Max knows the feelings he and Olivia share are real, he’s hesitant to start anything serious because any relationship he enters is automatically (and understandably) thrust into the spotlight. Will Max and Olivia be able to handle it? Um, yes! This is a romance novel, of course.
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Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
If you also rewound the Bridgerton trailer over and over to make sure that was indeed a blink-and-you-miss-it queer romance featured, you’re going to love the long, languid looks of Red, White & Royal Blue – where the queer romance is deliciously prominent. Oh and did we mention that everything is on the transcontinental line? Because Alex Claremont-Diaz is the president’s son and Prince Henry is, um, a prince of England. If you’re looking for something that feels both regency and contemporary, Red, White & Royal Blue is the escapist romance for you.
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A Rogue of One’s Own by Evie Dunmore
If you’re looking for something that’s at least set in the same century as Bridgerton, look no further than A Rogue of One’s Own – where British suffragettes meet aristocracy. And, like Bridgerton, so much of Rogue’s lusting and, um, acting upon that lust happens in secret – raising the stakes in a big way so that by the time we get to the climax, the road to happily ever is such a big deal. The pacing in this novel is also chef’s kiss perfection, mirroring the inevitable binge watch of Bridgerton. Trust us, you won’t be able to put this book down.
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My Lady’s Choosing by Kitty Curran & Larissa Zageris
Speaking of novels set in the same century as Bridgerton, we have to talk about the interactive romance My Lady’s Choosing by Kitty Curran & Larissa Zageris. Because of the choose your own adventure style of this romance novel, no two reads are the same. And there’s even a path that sets the heroine into a love story with another woman. We love a bisexual protagonist in our romance novels!
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Crazy, Stupid Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams
If you like your romance novels meta, check out Crazy, Stupid Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams, the latest installment in the Bromance Book Club – a book club filled with men who love (and learn from) romance novels. In Crazy, Stupid Bromance, computer securities expert Noah is coming to terms with the fact that he’s in love with his best friend Alexis. And Alexis is realizing the very same thing. But, of course, they’re both worried about how this realization will affect their friendship. Spoiler alert: it goes really really well.
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