What are the 'Bridgerton' prequels? Time to get lost in another historical romance

Who said romance was reserved for Regency England? The Bridgerton prequels take readers even further back in time for enticingly passionate affairs of the heart. 

Though Kate (Simone Ashley) and Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) have us glued to our TVs, there is more to Julia Quinn's fictitious world than the Bridgerton brood. Allow us to introduce you.

In the late 1700s, the Georgian era, we get a glimpse of the family with close ties to the Bridgerton clan: the Rokesbys. With this four-book prequel series, we catch a glimpse of several new romances: Billie and George, Cecelia and Edward, Poppy and Andrew, and Georgiana and Nicholas. 

So, why take a step back in time?

"People don't expect it," author Julia Quinn revealed to Entertainment Weekly. "People expect you to [write about] the [Bridgerton] children. I thought it'd be more fun to go backward instead."

If you were wondering how to read the Bridgerton books in order, do be sure to put these prequels on your list, too. Trust us, you won't want to miss a single page. 

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What are the 'Bridgerton' prequels?

Long before we learned about Daphne and burned for the Duke of Hastings—this is what Regé-Jean Page is doing now, FYI—the Rokesbys were in search of love (yes, with a few Bridgerton family members you've come to know). 

If your to-be-read pile needs a few recommendations, we have some steamy suggestions for you: 

Amazon, Because of Miss Bridgerton (Rokesby series book one) by Julia Quinn ($5.98, £3.99)

Billie Bridgerton is a tomboy who always got along with the Rokesby brothers...except one. George, the eldest of the clan, is incredibly obnoxious and Billie cannot stand the thought of him...or can she?

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Amazon, The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband (Rokesby series book two) by Julia Quinn ($7.99, £4.99 )

Cecilia Harcourt is left in a precarious situation when her brother is injured in war. Rather than be shipped off to a distant relative—or marry a distant relative—Cecilia heads across the Atlantic to tend to her brother. That's where she crosses paths with his best friend, Edward Rokesby, who is also in need of care. What happens next is a bit crazy, but is it crazy enough to work?

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Amazon, The Other Miss Bridgerton (Rokesby series book three) by Julia Quinn ($7.99, £4.99)

Poppy is adventurous, but stumbling upon a smugglers’ hideaway only gets her in trouble. She's then kidnapped by pirates and left waiting for Captain Andrew James Rokesby. Though many assume this man to be wicked, he is actually just responsible for transporting essential goods for the government. How will discovering Poppy in his quarters affect the voyage?

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Amazon, First Comes Scandal (Rokesby series book four) by Julia Quinn ($7.99, £3.99)

What first appears to be a marriage of convenience between Georgiana and Nicholas is actually fate. Georgina's social status might be crumbling, but her union with her next-door neighbor just might be exactly what she's always needed. 

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'Bridgerton' prequel Netflix: what is it about?

Wonderful news, your grace! Shonda Rhimes is working on a Bridgerton spinoff that focuses on a young Queen Charlotte, who is played by Golda Rosheuvel. 

Netflix said: "All Hail The Queen! Thrilled to announce we’re expanding the Bridgerton universe with a limited series that will tell Queen Charlotte’s origin story—the series will also feature young Violet Bridgerton and young Lady Danbury." 

Though details are still minimum, you know we are going to be gobbling up this story, too. But for now, we are still consumed with Bridgerton season 2.