7 diverse romances to read while waiting for Bridgerton season 3 part 2

Bridgerton is back on the scene with part 1 of season 3 and it's as good as it has ever been. The first four episodes had intrigue, character development, romance, and a complexity that is refreshing. But now that we have a couple weeks to wait for the next episodes, what are we supposed to do?

Read, of course! There are tons of diverse historical romances that can make the wait for more Bridgerton much easier. And who knows? You might find a new favorite!

Siren of Sussex

To say Mimi Matthews is a master of historical romance would be an understatement. Her books are well-written, complex, and often deal with difficult issues during a time you don't often think of as dealing with mental health, race, and class in a good way. One of her more diverse books is the first in her Belles of London series: The Siren Of Sussex.

While this takes place during the Victorian era, it has many of the same societal rules and gossip as Bridgerton. The two main characters are Evelyn Maltravers, who knows she must find a husband. But as she's from a family in ruin and she's a bluestocking (god forbid!), her prospects are not great. But she also doesn't expect to fall for a half-Indian, half-British tailor who not only makes her look amazing in his clothes but makes her feel things she didn't think possible.

Isabel and the Rogue

Isabel and the Rogue by Liana De la Rosa is the second book in The Luna Sisters series, but as with most historical romance series, each book is its own story. Although, you can certainly start from the beginning with Ana Maria and the Fox!

Isabel and the Rogue follows Isabel Luna Valdés, the "forgotten" Luna sister. But as a wallflower, she's resigned herself to that fate. But Isabel is also on a mission. She's tasked with looking for British intelligence that may help Mexico during the French Occupation.

What she doesn't expect is to find Captain Sirius Dawson. Sure, he's a rake, but he's also a secret agent with the British Home Office. With their cross purposes, could they possibly fall in love?

The Davenports

Looking for Bridgerton in America? Look no further than The Davenports by Krystal Marquis! The book tells the story of, you guessed it, the Davenports. They have an immense amount of wealth due to the brains and business savvy of William Davenport, a formerly enslaved man who started a carriage business. Now, his descendants are surrounded by servants, parties, and everything that comes with it. Oh, and don't forget romance!

The first book follows Olivia Davenport, who is ready to get married. She is the oldest, so she knows her duty. That is...until she meets civil rights leader Washington DeWight. But she is not the only Davenport sister looking for love! The second book in the series comes out in November 2024.

An Extraordinary Union

An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole is set during the American Civil War and follows Elle Burns, a former slave who chooses to turn in her freedom to become a spy for the Union Army. But while undercover, she meets Malcolm McCall, a detective for the Pinkerton Secret Service who is looking to infiltrate a rebel compound in Virginia. Can they perform their missions and find forbidden love together? You'll have to read to find out. Alyssa Cole is an extraordinary romance writer. Whether it's contemporary or historical romance, her books fully immerse you into the characters' lives. An Extraordinary Union is the first in the Loyal League series.

Rebel

This list would be nothing without THE Beverly Jenkins. She has been writing historical fiction with Black heroes and heroines for decades. Rebel came out in 2019 and is the first in her Women Who Dare series. It all begins with Valinda Lacey! She is on a mission to help newly emancipated people to flourish in their new lives. But helping people thrive comes at a risk. Her school is threatened, and soon her life is at risk. She runs to Captain Drake LeVeq, an architect from an old New Orleans family, and as a man raised by strong women, he can't help but admire Valinda. But when her father demands she marry another man, will their love survive?

A Lady for a Duke

Looking for some queer historical romance? You really can't go wrong with Alexis Hall! A Lady for a Duke follows Viola Carrell. She was presumed dead at the Battle of Waterloo but is alive and finally living as her true self. But the people she left behind, including a certain Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood, are grieving her loss. He lost himself so far into grief that Viola barely recognizes him when they meet again. But if there is one person who can get him back to fully living life and not just surviving, it's Viola!

The Duke Who Didn't

Chances are that if you are a historical romance reader, you have read a Courtney Milan book. She is one of the many legends on this list of authors and books. In her The Duke Who Didn't, she tells the story of Miss Chloe Fang, a woman who has a plan for everything. Unfortunately, she didn't plan for her former childhood sweetheart, who disappeared one night many years ago, to come back into her life. Jeremy Wentworth, Duke of Lansing, is back to woo Chloe but he also has A TON of secrets. She simply knows him as a jokester. But she doesn't know his real name, that he's a duke and you know...that he owns her entire town!!