How to Read the 'Bridgerton' Books in Order While Watching the Popular Netflix Series

Just like in the show, The Duke and I centers around the amiable debutante Daphne Bridgerton and the handsome, yet callous, Duke of Hastings (also called Simon Basset). Though Daphne and the Duke agree to faking a courtship to keep their marriage-minded loved ones at bay, their plan ultimately fails when they discover their true feelings for one another.

While the first book focuses on Daphne and Simon's up-and-down romance, the second revolves around "London's most elusive bachelor" — a.k.a. Anthony, the eldest Bridgerton son. After years of searching, Anthony finally finds his bride, but his intended's older sister, Kate Sheffield, complicates matters. Kate is sure that Anthony is not the best husband for her younger sister ... but is it because she has feelings for him?

Benedict Bridgerton, the esteemed family's second son, is the subject of this Cinderella-esque novel. The story starts with the handsome bachelor falling for a mysterious woman at a masquerade ball. As the reader soon discovers, this woman is Sophie Beckett, a daughter of an earl who is relegated to servant work thanks to her contemptuous stepmother. After a magical evening of dancing, Benedict becomes determined to find the mysterious woman who stole his heart.

The third book returns to Penelope Featherington's enduring crush on Colin Bridgerton. Though she has long adored the charming Bridgerton sibling, things change for Penelope when she discovers Colin's deepest secret. Meanwhile, Colin returns home from a trip abroad to discover that he may have feelings for Penelope after all.

For the fifth book, the sharp-witted and career-focused Eloise Bridgerton is front and center. The second eldest Bridgerton daughter was never really into the idea of marriage — but that was before Sir Phillip Crane came into her life. Though she isn't keen on being with him at first, Eloise gradually comes to see Phillip's imperfections in a new light.

Womanizer Michael Stirling is suddenly a changed man when he lays eyes on Francesca Bridgerton. The only problem is (besides his infamous reputation in British society) Michael may be too late — ironically, Francesca is engaged to his cousin. But later on, the tables turn: Michael becomes an earl and Francesca is single. Though they try to fight their feelings for one another, passion ultimately takes over one particularly scandalous night.

A romance first begins to blossom when Hyacinth Bridgerton and Gareth St. Clair's worlds collide at the Smythe-Smith musicale. After connecting with each other, Gareth reveals a family diary written in Italian that contains secrets of his past. When Hyacinth helps Gareth translate the text, the two discover that the answers they were hoping to find in the journal actually lie within each other.

In book eight, it's Gregory Bridgerton's time to find true love. Though Gregory thinks Miss Hermione Watson is the one, his true match is her best friend Lady Lucinda Abernathy. Though Lucinda tries to help Gregory win Hermione over, the two discover that they are the ones with the real connection. But there's a twist, of course — Lucy is already engaged and her uncle is not keen on letting her back out of her betrothal.