With the confirmation that Francesca Bridgerton and Michaela Stirling will take centre stage in Season 5 of Bridgerton, fans of the show are turning to literature for similar sapphic romance. While the history of queer literature includes the 1872 gothic novella Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu, modern authors have transformed the genre into a celebration of happy endings set in Regency-era high society.
Emma R. Alban's Don't Want You Like a Best Friend is a debut novel that became an instant sensation, praised for its 'Parent Trap' style plot involving two debutantes trying to matchmake their parents. The book balances witty dialogue with emotional stakes, subverting the strict rules of the marriage mart.
For readers who appreciate Francesca's intellectual nature, Olivia Waite's The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics follows a scientist and a countess who find both astronomical and romantic alignment. Critics have hailed it as a groundbreaking work that shifted queer historical fiction toward sophisticated, character-driven storytelling.
Erica Ridley's The Perks of Loving a Wallflower brings adventure to the Regency setting, featuring a 'master of disguise' protagonist and a wallflower love interest. The story is a consistent bestseller, beloved for its high-energy plot and focus on a found family of misfits.
Finally, Alexis Hall's A Lady for a Duke is an epic romance about a trans woman returning to society and reconnecting with her best friend, the Duke of Gracewood. The book's success demonstrates a hunger for inclusive historical stories that prioritise heart and healing.
These four highly-rated books offer the perfect literary courtship for Bridgerton fans counting down to Season 5, ensuring that the path Francesca and Michaela are walking is lined with accolades and bestsellers.
