12 books to read between episodes of 'Bridgerton' season 4

Though it's the fourth season of the Netflix series, Sophie and Benedict's story is actually the third book in Julia Quinn's "Bridgerton" series, and it's definitely worth reading if you haven't yet.

In the novel, the gentle reader finds Sophie at a crossroads. An illegitimate child, Sophie's biological father raised her as his ward, but after he died, her stepmother forced her to become a servant for herself and her two daughters. She finally gets the chance to be a proper lady of the ton for one night when she attends the Bridgerton masquerade ball in disguise. There, she crosses paths with Benedict Bridgerton, and they share an evening that will change both of them forever.

Try as he might, Benedict can't forget the mystery woman he met at the masquerade, who disappeared without even telling him her name. He's been searching for her for years when he crosses paths with Sophie again — this time, when she is working as a maid — but he doesn't recognize her.

Her familiarity nags at Benedict, but he soon finds himself drawn to the Sophie he knows now. Their relationship seems impossible because of their social standings and because of the piece of his heart that still belongs to his mysterious masquerade woman, but true love always finds a way.

A "Cinderella" retelling full of longing and forbidden love, "An Offer from a Gentleman" showcases Quinn at her finest.

"Bringing Down the Duke" is the first installment in Evie Dunmore's "A League of Extraordinary Women" series.

It follows Annabelle Archer, one of the first women admitted to the University of Oxford in 1879. Annabelle is a scholarship student, and her financial support depends on her commitment to recruiting influential men to join the suffragette movement.

Annabelle doesn't know how she'll convince Sebastian Devereux, the Duke of Montgomery, to help her cause. His support is crucial because he directly influences the Queen's policies, but the removed Sebastian is more interested in finding a suitable wife than in women's rights.

Worst of all, neither Annabelle nor Sebastian expected the palpable attraction between them, threatening to derail everything they were both working toward. They'll have to see which is more powerful: their goals or their feelings for each other.

If you love the ensemble cast of "Bridgerton," Krystal Marquis' "The Davenports" is the perfect addition to your to-be-read list.

Inspired by the true story of Charles Richard Patterson, Marquis' novel follows the family of William Davenport, a previously enslaved man who became a successful business owner with the Davenport Carriage Company. By 1910, his family is wealthy and secure, and his children — particularly his daughters Olivia and Helen — have become fixtures of high society.

When "The Davenports" begins, Olivia is set on marrying a suitable match until she finds herself drawn to Washington DeWight, a civil rights activist, while Helen can't stop thinking about the man who is supposed to be courting her sister, Jacob Lawrence. Meanwhile, the girls' former close friend and current maid, Amy-Rose, and Olivia's best friend, Ruby, end up in a love triangle with John Davenport, Olivia and Helen's charming brother, until Ruby falls for someone she never anticipated.

Full of heart and no shortage of romance, the first installment of "The Davenports" series will scratch the same itch as "Bridgerton."

Like "Bridgerton," Diana Gabaldon's historical romance "Outlander" became a successful TV series, but unlike Quinn's works, her nine-book series comes with a side of magic.

When "Outlander" begins, former combat nurse Claire Randall is trying to find her footing after the end of World War II in 1945. In an attempt to find a new normal, Claire and her husband Frank visit the Scottish Highlands, but a walk through a stone circle sends Claire back in time to 1743, when war was the backdrop of Scotland.

Claire is desperate to return to her life, but to stay alive, she is forced to marry the surprisingly kind warrior, Jamie Fraser. As time passes, her reluctant marriage to Jamie becomes a passion Claire has never known. Will she return to her life in the future or take on an adventure in the past she never expected?

KJ Charles' "The Magpie Lord" has all the aristocratic fun of "Bridgerton" with the added flair of dark magic.

It's been two decades since Lucien Vaudrey set foot in London following his exile to China. When his father and brother suddenly die, Lucien has to return to a life he never expected as the new Lord Crane.

However, his earldom comes with the same adversaries his father had, leaving Lucien in danger of nefarious magic. He enlists the help of Stephen Day, a magician who can't stand the Crane family, to help him.

Stephen expects to loathe Lucien as he did his relatives, but to his surprise, Lucien is relaxed, tattooed, and clearly wants him. As Stephen's feelings for Lucien deepen, evil continues to invade the lord's home, putting them both at risk.

Amanda Briars decides to take her sexuality into her own hands in "Suddenly You" by Lisa Kleypas.

As a 30th birthday gift to herself, author and spinster Amanda decides to seek out a male companion so she can experience intimacy. So when Jack Delvin, a publisher who wants to work with her, appears on her doorstep, she assumes he's there for a very different reason, leading to a night of passion neither anticipated.

After their encounter, Amanda and Jack still have to work together, and neither can ignore their attraction. Will their different backgrounds keep them apart, or will love bring them together?

If you want a romance like "Bridgerton" with a touch of darkness, "The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels" by India Holton will hit the spot.

Although Cecilia Bassingwaite appears to be a demure Victorian woman, she's actually a thief. She uses her societal standing to swindle goods from England's upper class as a member of the Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels.

Assassin for hire Ned Lightbourne is tasked with taking Cecilia out for his boss, Captain Morvath, but everything changes when Ned lays eyes on her.

Cecilia and Ned have no choice but to work together to save the Wisteria Society from Morvath's wrath — drawing them closer and closer together.

In "Rebel" by Beverly Jenkins, Valinda Lacy is building a new life for herself in Reconstruction-era New Orleans.

Originally from New York City, Valinda has big dreams of helping rebuild the city, but her hopes are dashed when ruffians make a target of her and the school she created.

Architect Captain Drake LeVeq steps in to help Valinda and is immediately smitten with her. Drake finds everything about Valinda alluring, especially her independence, so he's devastated to learn she has a responsible fiancé waiting for her in New York.

The more time Val spends in New Orleans with Drake, the less she wants to return to the life set out for her.

The first installment of Jenkins' "Women Who Dare" series, "Rebel," is exciting and steamy.

The first installment in Tessa Dare's "Girl Meets Duke" series is "The Duchess Deal," a perfect story for fans of the marriage-of-convenience trope.

The Duke of Ashbury rarely leaves his home after the war, hiding the burns and scars he took home with him. However, he needs to have a child, so he has to get married.

When his fiancée abruptly pulls out of the wedding, and he spots his seamstress, Emma Gladstone, with the dress in hand, he gets Emma to agree to step in and become the duchess.

The duke plans to keep Emma at arm's length, only visiting her bed at night to produce an heir. That won't work for Emma, though, who insists they dine together every night. And the longer Emma is in the Duke of Ashbury's world, the more enamored she is.

Like "Bridgerton," Liana De la Rosa's "Ana María and the Fox" takes place during a society season in Victorian London.

Mexican heiress Ana María Luna Valdés ends up in London with her sisters when the French occupy her home country, giving her the chance to see what life is like when she isn't under her father's watchful eye. She can't help but notice Gideon Fox, a politician with ambitious plans to bring an end to the Atlantic slave trade.

Gideon is sure he doesn't have time for a romance with anyone, no matter how alluring he finds Ana. To his dismay, he has no choice but to protect her when a rival politician makes advances on her — nor does he have a choice in the feelings he develops for her.

If you like the class tension in "An Offer from a Gentleman," Quinn's "A Night Like This" might be right up your alley.

The second novel in the "Smythe-Smith Quartet" follows Anne Wynter, the governess for three cousins in the Smythe-Smith family (who will be familiar to fans of "Bridgerton"). Being a governess isn't her dream job, but it works for Anne, especially since it helps her keep her real identity private.

Anne is hopeful she can maintain her low profile until Daniel Smythe-Smith, the Earl of Winstead, returns to town, and he immediately sets his sights on her. Anne has had no trouble resisting men in the past, but there's something about Daniel that stirs feelings in her she never anticipated.

When enemies from Daniel's past threaten not only him but Anne, he'll show her just how far he's willing to go to protect her.

Like "Bridgerton," the "Bedwyn Saga" follows a rambunctious family, and the first installment, "Slightly Married," focuses on the second eldest son, Aidan Bedwyn.

Aidan might look tough, but underneath it all, the colonel has a soft heart. That warmth leads him to visit Ringwood Manor after one of his soldiers died, determined to care for the man's sister in his stead.

Instead of finding a grieving, helpless woman, he meets Eve, an enchanting and fearless woman who quickly makes clear that Aidan's help is the last thing she wants. However, when Aidan offers to marry her so she can keep her home, Eve feels she has no choice but to accept.

Although Aidan is immediately drawn to Eve, the pair agree to a loveless marriage, but one kiss may undo everything they had planned.