Bridgertons Series

1. The Duke and I

by Julia Quinn

2. The Viscount Who Loved Me

3. An Offer from a Gentleman

4. Romancing Mister Bridgerton

5. To Sir Phillip, With Love

6. When He Was Wicked

7. It’s in His Kiss

8. On the Way to the Wedding

Perhaps you’ve watched “Bridgerton” on Netflix, or heard someone talking about it recently. But have you read the series of books it’s based on? Originally published in the early 2000s, this series follows the eight siblings of the Bridgerton family as they navigate the rules of high society in Regency, England, to find their match and fall in love. They are a family who loves each other fiercely and the close-knit siblings appear often in each story, along with their mother. Each book focuses on a different sibling’s journey, beginning with Daphne in, “The Duke and I.”

What makes this series even more fun are the gossip columns written by the mysterious Lady Whistledown. Throughout the first few novels, the reader is treated to witty revelations of the society the Bridgertons navigate, without knowing who the author is and how she comes to know all the juiciest gossip. Now, if you’re all caught up on the Netflix series, you may already know who Lady Whistledown is. But one way the books differ from the series is that Lady Whistledown’s identity isn’t revealed until much later. And while the overall plot of Daphne’s book is quite similar to her story in season one, the second season of the series deviates quite drastically from the plot of Anthony’s book, “The Viscount Who Loved Me.” Personally, I preferred Anthony’s story in the book over the series as the revised plot surrenders some of the most passionate moments between our couple in the book. That being said, I do applaud many of the other changes the Netflix series brings to the Bridgertons, including the diverse cast, expanded storylines for some of the minor characters, and some new characters that never appear in the books but are very entertaining. They also do an excellent job of bringing the varying personalities and quirks of our Bridgerton siblings to life while expanding on what those siblings are up to before they each get their own love story.

I find it exceedingly fun to spot the similarities and differences between book and screen along with nods to the next siblings’ stories, especially for this beautifully styled and filmed series. You can read the entire book series at either the Fargo Public Library or the West Fargo Public Library and they also have it available online as both e-books and audiobooks through the Libby and Hoopla apps with your library card.

The Wild Wynchesters Series

by Erica Ridley

1. The Duke Heist

2. The Perks of Loving a Wallflower

3. Nobody’s Princess

If you are already a fan of “Bridgerton” or historical romance novels and want something new to indulge your sensibilities, then “The Wild Wynchesters” series should be your next read.

Like the Bridgertons, this series follows a family of close-knit siblings as they find love. However, this family is a fun-loving, caper-committing group of adopted orphans who find adventure around every corner. The six uniquely talented Wynchesters were all adopted by their beloved father, Baron Vanderbean, and given a purpose as well as home. The family fights for justice from the margins of high society, helping those who most need it.

Each book follows a different sibling’s story of love and adventure during one of the family’s escapades. Book one, “The Duke Heist,” is about Chloe Wynchester as she accidentally abducts a duke in her quest to recover a missing painting that means the world to the Wynchesters. “Nobody’s Princess,” the third book, was just released this July and is next up on my list to read. I found the Wynchester family to be endearing and delightful scoundrels who are endlessly fun to read about and sure to capture your heart.

Be sure to check out the author’s website at ericaridley.com for bonus content and free novellas that give you a bit more time with the Wynchesters in between each novel.

The House in the Cerulean Sea

by T.J. Klune

This book is like a warm hug from your favorite person that leaves you feeling bright and joyful after it ends.

Our main character, Linus Baker, is a quiet, lonely forty-year-old case worker at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages. His next highly classified assignment sends him to an orphanage on a magical island in the Cerulean Sea where six dangerous children reside. The children are highly unusual — a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist — and their charming caretaker, Arthur, is just as mysterious. Linus must determine whether or not the they’re likely to bring about the end of days. As he gets to know Arthur and the children he protects, Linus discovers they are an unlikely family in an unexpected place, and might be just what he needs. Be sure to have a box of tissues nearby for all the happy tears.

The Love Con

by Seressia Glass

If you enjoy a reality competition show where talented people compete to win it all, or you’ve ever wondered about the people who dress up in fantastic costumes for Comic Con, then this fun contemporary romance is for you. Kendra dreams of turning her creative hobby making cosplay costumes into a career. Joining a reality show competition called Cosplay or No Way might be her big break, but there’s a catch. When the judges announce that the “iconic pairs” challenge in the final round of the competition will include the contestants’ significant others, single Kendra has to find a fake boyfriend for the show. Luckily her best friend Cameron agrees to play the role.

Kendra and Cameron have a ton of chemistry hidden under the mask of friendship. They also really respect and support each other throughout the entire story, first as friends and then as they begin to explore those feelings they’ve kept hidden. The author handles the tension and challenges these characters face in an incredibly positive way that I found very refreshing. From a mean-spirited judge on reality TV, to body positivity, to a mixed-race relationship, with some ex-girlfriend drama and parents who don’t understand Kendra’s creative dreams, this couple tackles a lot of issues. The characters handle all of it with grace and positivity and come out better for it in the end, together. [ aw ]