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Ranking The Bridgerton Book Series using Statistical Analysis
Written by Julia Quinn, The Bridergeton Book series spans eight books set in Regency England (1813-1827.) Each book tells the love story of a different Bridgerton sibling and each feature some sort of romantic trope, like fake-dating, enemies to lover to name a few.
The book series got a surge in popularity after being adapted into a Netflix show in 2020. It’s currently in their fourth season, adapting the third book with two addition seasons currently in preproduction. The show adaptations of the books are quite different and has a more ensemble cast with many sub-plots and added characters.
But the real question is which one of the book in the series is considered “The Best?” Which is the worse? And which ones are in the top four and which ones are in the bottom four?
Please Note- This post was originally posted on Hubpages and has been reworked but it still my own work and the rankings have not changed
Definitive Ranking of the Bridgerton Books
This is the definitive ranking of the Bridergeton series. A hundred different rankings for each book were surveyed and then averaged for each book.
This is not my personal rankings on the books in the series. The ranking were averaged from YouTube videos, video comments and subreddits posts. I only recorded the rankings that included all eight books with no ties in the individual’s ranked order. Some of the books are consistency ranked higher than others but most of the rankings were wildly different from each other.
#8 is the worst and #1 is the best.
In the event of a tie, which there was one, the total occurrence of a ranking of #1 was used as a tie breaker.
And Now on with the Rankings!
Remember this is very objective, your own ranking might differ as well as mine since my own opinion is different from this list. Remember this based 100 rankings with a high degree of differing opinions.
Warning for spoilers.
#8. The Duke & I ( Book 1)
Daphne’s Story (2000)
Trope: Fake-dating
For the first book in the series, Daphne’s Story is ranked very low across the all the rankings. Rarely ever being ranked much higher than 5th and only cracked the top four eleven times.
For many of the book-readers found The Duke & I underwhelming with not as much substance or much drama. Not that every story needs high-drama, there is plenty of witty banter between Simon and Daphne but The Duke & I just the lowest ranked of the series for being the weakest in the series.
Overall Average – 6.35
#7. To Sir Phillip, with Love (Book 5)
Eloise’s Story (2003)
Tropes: Beauty and Beauty mixed with The Sound of Music, long distance relationship and marriage of Connivence
Book 5 in the series, Eloise’s story, has a slightly better distribution of of rankings but still ranked 7th over-all. In fairness it doesn’t rank that much lower than 6th ranked book.
Eloise’s story, To Sir Phillip, with Love is rather different from other books as the courtship is unconventional since it’s done through letters and Sir Phillip himself is not a rake like some of the other leading male characters. While it’s different the romance didn’t really land for a lot of the readers being ranked in the bottom five slightly over seventy percent of the time.
Overall Average – 5.49
#6. On the Way to the Wedding (Book 8)
Gregory’s Story (2006)
Trope: Friends to Lovers
The final book in the Bridgerton series focuses on the 7th child, Gregory. While Daphne’s and Eloise books consistency landed lower in the rankings, Gregory’s book had more instances of being ranked in the lower middle of the pack, fluctuating between the 7th and the 5th position more often than 8th or in the top four. It’s only ever ranked in the top spot four times.
Gregory’s story, On the Way to the Wedding ranks in the lower four for a few reasons. One being that it lacked the subtly of the other books with a more over-the-top dramatics. Another reason is that story felt recycled especially from books two and four.
Overall Average – 5.17
#5. It’s in His Kiss (Book 7)
Hyacinth’s Story (2005)
Tropes: Mystery & a Treasure Hunt
Just missing out the fourth spot is seventh book of the series, Hyacinth’s story. Hyacinth is the most animated of the Bridgerton siblings, earning her lots of love within the fandom. This story is a combination of Hyacinth’s romance with Gareth and a Treasure hunt which has elements of a heist.
The ranking on It’s in His Kiss do skew more to the bottom five but there are a lot variety in how this book was ranked, not quite so many in the top but not many right at the bottom either.
The story is otherwise fairly simple with two friends finding treasure and falling in love. What is missing are the fun interactions and banter with the other Bridgerton but there is a lot of Lady Danbury.
The second epilogue does knock this book down for some readers as it undermines Hyacinth.
Overall Average – 4.2
#4. An Offer from a Gentleman (Book 3)
Benedict’s Story (2001)
Tropes: Cinderella retelling with interclass romance relations
Interestingly book 3, Benedict’s story, has the same score as the 3rd book in the ranking. Benedict’s story is a Cinderella retelling with a central interclass dynamic for added drama.
An Offer from a Gentleman is all over the place in terms of how people ranked it. For some this was their absolute favorite while others loathed it. What helps this story is the love interest who is very likable and for the most part stands her ground. Though many people still didn’t love Benedict’s attitude in this book more than a few can overlook it for Sophie with most people ranking this one consistency in the top four slots.
Overall Average – 3.93
#3. Romancing Mister Bridgerton (Book 4)
Colin’s Story (2002)
Tropes: Unrequited Romance with an Ugly Ducking to Swan Story
As previously stated there was a tie and it was between book 4, Colin’s story and Benedict’s story. Like Benedict’s story, Colin’s story ranged a lot in the rankings but in the end it just got a few more number one picks over Benedict’s book. However while a lot of people do love this book, many do not. More people ranked it lower than Book three but it did ranked first place 24 timed opposed to Benedict’s book which had nineteen instance at the first place position.
Unlike the other books in the series, Penelope is not introduced in Romancing Mister Bridgerton, she has been a minor character since book one. This is because she is the Bridgerton’s neighbor and friend.
As far as a couple they are cute for the most part with a slow burn. Colin goes from considering Penelope as a friend to being interested romantically in a heartbeat. However the two grow into themselves and their purpose along side their love story.
Overall Average – 3.93
#2. When He was Wicked (Book 6)
Francesca’s Story (2004)
Tropes: Second chance plus unrequited love
Book 6, Francesca’s story consistently ranked in the top four with only 30% ranking it in the bottom four. Unlike the other books in the series Francesca’s story has more angst, tension and drama as she deals with grief and a second chance love story. Her second chance at romance is with her friend and husband’s cousin, Michael who has been pining for her since they first met.
When He Was Wicked is the most mature of the Bridgerton’s books as it deal with deeper issues that are written with clear depth and authenticity which is one of the reason reader resonated so much with Francesca’s story.
Overall Average – 3.61
#1. The Viscount Who Loved Me (Book 2)
Anthony’s Story (2000)
While Book 2, Anthony’s story, has many similar narrative beats to The Duke & I, The Viscount who Loved Me elevates them into a more consistency rated book. Overall Anthony’s story has a 76% rate of being in the top four with only one person rating it the lowest book in the series in the 100 surveyed.
The Viscount who Loved Me has an enemies to lovers trope that mixes witty banter, some screwball-like comedy antics and emotional drama. Anthony’s love interest, Kate, is quite compelling and relatable herself and their dynamic makes for a great read. However some people took issue with same marriage of convince plot being used again but over-all the book is highly enjoyable.
Overall Average – 3.28
How would you rank the Books in the Bridgerton Series?
Which one is your favorite?
