You loved Bridgerton now what?

 

        Dearest gentle reader, 

I am writing to you because it has come to my attention that some of you are on pins and needles. The anticipation of what will surely be Bridgertons most scandalous season yet is palpable. While we must wait for Pen and Collin to finally decide on more than friendship, we can still entertain ourselves in the meantime. The following is a list of ten lovely novels to keep readers entertained while we wait for this most delicious screen adaptation.

                                            1# Vanity fair by William Makepeace Thackeray

For those of you who loved the drama between Eloise and Pen, this is the novel for you. Vanity fair follows two friends Becky Sharp and Amelia Sedley. We watch as both girls try to make their way through victorian high society. Becky being a poor friend of  Amelia's must rely on her wits and their friendship in order to make the right connections. Becky must find herself a husband no matter the ends. Sharp, shocking, and classically British this novel is sure to be a great companion as you count down to Eloise and Penelope in the next season.

                                                        2# Paitence and Ester by S.W. Searle

This graphic novel is perfect for those Bridgerton fans that were hoping for more LGBTQ representation in the show. Patience and Ester follows two servant girls in Edwardian England. What starts out as friendship quickly blossoms into more, featuring multiple time skips in their lives. As well as a very sweet ending I can not recommend this enough. It's the perfect read to keep you company, especially for those of you who took quite a liking to soft-spoken and romantic Edwina.

                                                        3# Soulless By Gail Carriger

For those of you who could not get over the positively feral Lord Anthony, last season let me introduce you to a Lord who is even more so. This Novel follows Lady Alexia Tarabotti and her frequent run in's with Werewolf Lord Maccon and his Scottish accent. Set on the backdrop of a steampunk paranormal Victorian London this novel offers more than just steamy romance. The first in a series Soulless will keep readers in good company while they pine for the sharp looks and feral behavior of a certain Lord Bridgerton.

                                               4# Pride and Prejudice By Jane Austen

I know many of you will sigh seeing this on my list. Quite honestly, this novel defines historical romance at its finest. Yet, gentle reader, you must admit that not everyone has read this stunning novel. So I must list it here, for it would be a shame for this book to not be read by someone most deserving. Pride and Prejudice follows Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy and their immediate dislike for each other. However, Regency England Society is small and it will not stop the two of them from bumping into each other. What starts as dislike slowly turns into something softer as Elizabeth and Darcy are forced to see each other differently with each encounter. For those of you who loved Kate and Anthony's enemies to lovers arc, I bring you the most classic and well-written example of this trope. A book that will always remain a classic a first time or a reread this book is always a good idea.

                                                                5# Emma by Jane Austen

Another Austen you cry in disbelief! Dearest reader I know you are going to say the same things as you would have said about Pride and Prejudice. However, I must squash those cries of protest. Emma is just as sharp as Lady Whistledown and as playful as Daphne in her pursuit to find a husband for her dear friend. For those of you who cannot wait to see Penelope and Collin become more than friends, Emma is a perfect companion. Sharp, funny, and romantic Emma is a perfect companion for those who love a good barb and an even better romance.

                                                 6# The prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

For those of you who fell in love with the beautiful and elaborate costumes in Bridgerton. I bring you a graphic novel that will satisfy that love of fashion while also holding up that LGBTQ representation. I give you the prince and the Dressmaker. We follow prince Sebastian of France as he tries to balance finding a bride and his life of being the Parisian fashion icon Lady Crystallia. For those Brigerton lovers who hoped Madame Delacroix and Penelope would form a strong friendship over fashion, this graphic novel is perfect. The friendship between Sebastian and Frances (his dressmaker) could not be sweeter or more satisfying. For those readers who want to see beautiful fashion and friendship, you can't go wrong with this book.

                                                         7# The Luxe By Anna Godbersen

Those of you who like to partake in YA would find much appreciation for this series. Set in 1899 Manhattan we follow two sisters Elizabeth and Diana Holland as they try to secure their place in high society. That is until Elizabeth's tragic death. Now not only is society robbed of its diamond of the season, but Diana must be careful. For her family's future rests in her hands now that Elizabeth is dead. Gossip girl meets Bridgerton in this book series with more twists and glittering gowns than you can imagine. This series has enough society intrigue to even keep Lady Whistledown on her toes.

                                                         8# Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

How could I even make this list and not mention this series, gentle reader? Split between 1940s Scotland and 1740s Scotland. We follow our heroine Claire as she falls through a circle of standing stones back to the time of the Jacobites. Here she falls in love with the beautiful and strong-headed Jamie Fraiser. Claire must decide if she should stay in the 1740s with Jamie or try and return to her husband Frank in the 1940s. Full of passion and intrigue this series is definitely for those readers who loved the hard-headed dynamics of Kate and Anthony. 

                                                       9# Unmarrigable by Soniah Kamal

You will notice gentle reader that this is the first book mentioned that takes place in modern-day. However, I felt that I could not make this list and not mention it. Set in modern-day Pakistan we follow Alys Binat who teaches literature at an all-girls school and who has sworn never to marry. However, Alys can't seem to help being drawn to Valentine Darsee especially since they keep bumping into each other at all the wedding events they have to attend. Those of you who sympathized with Eloise's wants to be an independent writer this novel is for you. Alys shows what it truly means to be true to one's self and to one's heart in this novel.it is the perfect read for those of you who miss Eloise and need a fix until next season.

                                                        10# Eligable by Curtis Sittenfeld

What if I were to tell you, dear reader, that there is in fact a book in which Darcy and Elizabeth have hate sex? what if I were also to tell you that it is a cross of not only pride and prejudice but the Batchelor as well? I'm sure you would tell me you needed that book in your hands straight away as you wait out your Bridgerton season drop. This novel is almost as funny as it is steamy and is the perfect modern retelling for those Kate and Anthony fans who definitely wanted more.