In case you haven’t picked up on it – we here at Fangirlish LOVED Bridgerton!! We can’t wait for season 2, it HAS TO HAPPEN. But until then we thought we would throw out into the world some other romance novel series that we know would make great TV.
With great series like Virgin River and Sweet Magnolias already being successfully and even more romance novels already in production – we know this is a growing field. Let’s tell the people what we want!
Let’s start with historical romance novels! Eloisa James, Tessa Dare and Sarah MacLean have developed wonderful series.
The Wildes of Lindow Castle series by Eloisa James
This series currently has five books published, plus a novella and another coming in April. It tells the story of the Wilde family, who live in a FREAKING castle! Like the Bridgerton, it focuses on the love lives of the siblings. I absolutely adored the characters and James’ mixing in of events and issues of the day. The books are smart, interesting, funny and oh so HOT. Not going to lie, Parth from Born to be Wilde book number is one of my favorite heroes EVER. Trust me, if you like Bridgerton, you will like this series as well!
Girl Meets Duke series by Tessa Dare
Dare has written many amazing series, some of which I’ve yet to read but I’d choose this one because these wonderful romances have made me laugh out loud, sometimes to the point of tears! Let’s face it, we all need a good laugh. There are currently three books in this series and another on the way in 2021, fingers crossed! Unlike Bridgerton, this story focuses on a group of women, not a family, but they are more of a found family. The books are just so so wonderful. I know if brought to the screen they would warm people’s hearts.
The Rules of Scoundrels series by Sarah MacLean
Seriously, with that series name, who wouldn’t be tempted to watch? Like Dare, MacLean also has other wonderful series to recommend but I like this one best for the screen, something about the amazing gaming hell and boxing ring?! In this series, the books are linked to the Fallen Angel gaming hell. It’s interesting to see the overlap of the posh ton with the other side of life. Like Bridgerton’s secret Lady Whistledown, this series also a big reveal in who the runner of the Fallen Angel is. Romance, intrigue and so much more, we know it would be a hit!
But historicals aren’t for everyone, so it’s worth mentioning some contemporary romance series that would also make great television. Alyssa Cole, Elizabeth Lowell and Julie Garwood have all written series that would translate perfectly to screen!
Reluctant Royals series by Alyssa Cole
These books are AMAZING!! Royalty in contemporary times, so hot, funny and original. I’ve not read anything like them and this is a good thing! There are three full-length novels and two novellas in the series. I really enjoyed that in the first book a romance is alluded to for a member of the royal staff and we later get that story! It’s like tying all the pieces together. Trust me, these books made me SQUEE, a TV show would be even better.
Donovan series by Elizabeth Lowell
Now, this is a bit of an older series, the books came out between 1997-2000 but there is no reason they can’t be updated to the present time. Like Bridgerton, this too is a family series. The Donovan family collects and protects precious stones in this romantic suspense series by Lowell. Each sibling and therefore book has a specialty for a particular gem. I really loved getting to learn more about the stones. There are four books and honestly, I always hoped she’d write more. The books cover amber, jade, pearl and ruby….so much pretty. I think this TV show would be exciting, romantic and so so pretty!!
Buchanan-Renard series by Julie Garwood
While many remember Garwood as a fabulous historical romance writer, which she is, her contemporary romantic suspense series is all kinds of fun. There are currently thirteen books in this series with more to come. A lot of the people are members of the FBI and each book has you sitting on the edge of your seat. With the success of cop shows on television, it’s hard to see how this series would not become an instant hit!
The great thing about romance novels is that many do come in the form of series. This really is an untapped source for truly fantastic television. Shonda Rhimes herself expressed how well romance novels lend themselves to television. There is no doubt given the success of Bridgerton, Virgin River and Sweet Magnolias, and the other romance novels in the works we are on the cusp of truly great TV for years to come!!
What about Jude Deveraux and Judith mcnaught!?!?
Yes! I enjoy those authors as well! So many wonderful options!