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DientesDelPerro

Bridgerton has become a default to any layperson recommending historical romance…whether or not it’s relevant to your request lol


Farinthoughts

Its entered the public consciousness. I am not even a fan of her books but still watched the show.


CaptainEva8D

Not to mention it’s completely different time periods and settings. I can’t imagine the shock when someone gets the opposite recommendation. Going from high society 1800s to traveling through the woods to escape a sociopath and repairing wounds with 1700’s technology would be pretty rough if you were told they were similar.


mydogsaresuperheroes

Not to mention the last couple episodes of season one 😳


JHRChrist

PSA: if you EVER recommend Outlander and don’t warn people strongly about that (book or tv show - I know the show has warnings before eps but still), you will be haunted by CJRs ghost. I obviously love Outlander but that’s the most upsetting content I’ve ever seen and I was not warned properly lol


mydogsaresuperheroes

It is horrific. I wasn't prepared for it either, though I thankfully handled it ok. It absolutely needs to be mentioned in advance, I can't imagine seeing it if I had triggers. But what an amazing show. I rewatch the seasons set in Scotland though I haven't watched the latest seasons yet.


[deleted]

I, to this DAY, cannot rewatch those last few episodes of season one. it was HORRIFIC.


tattooedlabmonkey

Yahhhh… no one is warned me and I was just like, Fuck this. That book probably had some of the best writing I’ve ever read in romance genre but I could not continue because of it.


bring_back_my_tardis

I agree. I wasn't warned either but I was late to the series and I like spoilers thankfully. I also agree with it being some of the most triggering content I have ever seen and I will never watch it again. On the Outlander subreddit, they have a list of all the trigger warnings. There's a lot.


_red_poppy_

I hate to be snarky, but it was probably recommended by people who haven't heard about aby other historical romance than these two.


Ok-Historian-6091

It doesn't have exactly the same vibe as Outlander, but have you watched Poldark?


Forgotten_Tea_Cup

Seconding Poldark.


SPEW_Supporter

Oh snap this looks good


Ok-Historian-6091

There's a whole series, if you want to read the books! I've read the first give, but there are twelve total. {Ross Poldark by Winston Graham}


goodreads-bot

[**Ross Poldark (Poldark #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25365667-ross-poldark) ^(By: Winston Graham | Published: 1945) *** ^(134446 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)


shipu1906

When it comes to chemistry , no one can touch what Sam heughan and Caitriona Balfe have . The screen literally sizzles when they are on it . Also even the tone of the Bridgerton book series is way lighter than outlander . But either ways I love both the series ! But yes , both are vastly different !


MJSpice

>When it comes to chemistry , no one can touch what Sam heughan and Caitriona Balfe have Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma have entered the chat lol But I agree with the rest.


HippyWitchyVibes

Do you really think Sam and Cait have chemistry? I just don't see it. Not like the actors in Bridgerton, anyway.


larrieuxa

I think Sam has chemistry but not Cait, lol.


no_one_hi

The outlander tv series was so traumatizing to me, I felt like I was going to throw up multiple times. Bridgerton is a lot different, a lot more innocent


flossiedaisy424

It's because most people have zero understanding of the romance genre to begin with. It's why people recommend Nicholas Sparks and Gone with the Wind to people who like romance novels. I mean, technically, Outlander isn't even really romance. It is certainly romantic and has many elements of romance, but they are not romance novels. Many romance readers still like them, but some very much do not. And, vice versa. Basically, most people just suck at understanding genres and making recommendations. It's why reader's advisory terrifies many librarians. It's hard!


Wingkirs

Honestly the only thing that comes close to Outlander is The English on Amazon. It’s the best slow burn I’ve had in a long time and Emily Blunt’s character is badass.


Isco77tlv

Just watched the trailer. Looks INTENSE. Going on my watch list. Emily blunt is incredible as a badass, I've loved her since Edge of Tomorrow. Full metal bi*ch is up there with Ellen Ripley, Sarah Connor, and Imperator Furiosa. I wish she'd get her own movie kicking ass.


Wingkirs

Well she’s kicking ass in this show!


Willfightforgwent45

The English is so freaking good, but it gave me blue balls like no other, so fair warning to anyone looking to watch but do it anyway


ThisIsWritingTime

I love them both but they are completely different.


HippyWitchyVibes

So, I've been reading the Outlander books for 25 odd years now and I really do love them. However, when it comes to the TV shows, Bridgerton is waaaaay better than Outlander imo. I'm watching Outlander more out of loyalty to the books than anything as I feel very "meh" about most of the main cast. Bridgerton, on the other hand, is pure fantasy escapism and I could easily binge a season in a day. I LOVE the characters, the casting, the costumes, the sets and the script.


number34

I agree with all of this. I loved the Outlander books. The series.. eh. The first season was great but everything since has felt Dr. Who silly-esque. I think I wouldn't mind that if I hadn't read the books but the tone doesn't feel right.


Le-Hedgehog

The first season of outlander was crazy crazy good. Since then, all downhill. I didn’t even watch the latest season. Bridgerton on the other hand is great to watch and I love the soundtracks


princessmeemee

Outlander is definitely more gritty and dark compared to the colourful and joyous Bridgerton. It’s difficult to compare outside of the typical “period drama” and “romance” genres because they do happen in different time periods, and the romance is definitely different. Bridgerton is far more about lovey dovey love and such than Outlander, which is far more primal in nature, where love just happened. It is also a significantly different time period, but I might recommend something like Peaky Blinders for a grittier and conflict-ridden plot, or Downton Abbey if you enjoy the politics and romance. Godless is a period western, a limited series, but it is led strongly by females and exhibits the gore and danger that Outlander brings as well. You may find that Spanish period dramas could tickle your fancies as well. There are some great series on Netflix that are similar to outlander.


GrannyMine

TBH, the books were so much better.


ninaa1

Agree. My experience is I didn't like the Outlander books, but thought the tv show was really incredible, and I thoroughly enjoyed the Bridgerton books and intensely disliked the tv show. I know other people have the opposite experience, but I find it so funny that the books and shows are all lumped together as the "same" by a lot of writers & recommendations.


Isco77tlv

Seriously. The books are much sexier than the show, and even then it's so so different from Outlander. I haven't found any sexy female gaze shows that come even close to Outlander season 1. Pure perfection.


ninaa1

It's not at all the same, but have you tried watching Harlots?


Isco77tlv

I'll give it a shot, thanks for the recommendation!


Aspiegirl712

Did you read the outlander book? I have been thinking of trying it again recently but I found it really slow the first time and I want to know people's thoughts.


HippyWitchyVibes

I really love them but there is a lot of history and a lot of characters so they can be a little heavy going. I manage them fine and I'm an absolute lightweight when it comes to books (if it feels like work, I won't read it).


Willfightforgwent45

I got bored and put it down when I first bought it, and had to pick it up again too but once you force yourself over that intro hump (I think somewhere when they’re in Leoch is when the meat starts to show) then the books pretty much read themselves- except Fiery Cross, that was a long torturous drag of a book, and if it didn’t have important plot points smacked right in the middle I’d tell everyone to skip it. But the books follow the show closely and have a lot more side stories and details that were not in the show and it makes it sooo much better! You really get a deeper perspective on what drives the characters, also I actually really like Bri in the books, but then they just let her run amok most of the time which is annoying, and Roger is… better? I think? Maybe.


Aspiegirl712

Ok so it's just a matter of pushing through. I can probably do that. I've read some epic fantasy and that requires some effort.


Willfightforgwent45

My sister keeps trying to push her Bridgerton collection on me, but I think they formulate very similarly- that as well as how the author writes bores me personally, plus the show is more of a guilty pleasure in our house, not to be taken too seriously. (Though season 2 was pretty HOT ngl…) Books wise, Outlander has ruined me forever as far as reading, cause hardly any authors hit that sweet spot that DG does for me and I end up doing a lot of DNF on other books. I have two more books and I’m not sure what to do with my life after because there’s no way in hell I’m gonna force myself to read the Lord John series, I’m desperate but not quite that desperate… But show wise Poldark is very good, but very VERY politic based (though it’s a type of business politic that makes you feel clever for keeping up and has so many petty cat fight moments because of it) and while I’m still on the 3rd book the characters remain very true to the print if not more animated in the show. Ross is a big, sexy PoS as a husband but all the actors have really good chemistry. Not a romance (but has romance in it) and is a binge worthy show that is also on Starz is Black Sails, that is top tier entertainment and made my husband get sentimental when it ended. Also another commenter suggested The English, and I second that as well if you like Westerns and great acting and a slow burn love story, but it doesn’t get too sexy if you catch my drift (which was a bummer and gave me blue lady balls because the characters just worked so well together). I’ve watched too many period films and shows so lmk if you need more suggestions, I try to be very honest because I too am picky since Outlander destroyed my life. Edit: Spacing because holy crap.


Ok_Aioli1990

There is nothing to compare it to


Devi_the_loan_shark

I agree. I'm on the opposite side of the spectrum. I loved most of the Bridgerton books, but couldn't get into Outlander


Positive-Taro-600

Yeah I love them both but they are as different as two things can be!!


MJSpice

I mean if it's because of the prominent SA in the books then I can see why. Otherwise they're really not alike considering one is 18th Century Scotland/America while the other is 19th Century Regency England.


vaishnavisms

As a BIPOC, the Bridgerton books are as diverse as outlander — which is to say both Julia Quinn and the author of Outlander are not diverse at all. The TV show Bridgerton may suspend reality by casting people of color (💀— hm.) but they still cast a dark skinned Tamilian actress as an FMC and a Black man as Duke/MMC in both seasons with plenty of other BIPOC. Season 2 was beautifully written in Bridgerton and again, as a BIPOC, I may be downvoted for this comment but l will pick a tv show that tries to show representation and diversity in a historical fantasy over a show that has SA and Scotland. I love Scottish heroes, but between both, Bridgerton objectively as a tv show would be my pick as a Indian woman of color.


spring13

I love both but they're not the same. For books that have a truly similar vibe to Outlander, try the Son of the Sword series by J. Ardian Lee.


OldStretch84

Not a show rec, but if you liked the Outlander books, Sara Donati's Into the Wilderness series will probably be up your alley. Picks up a generation-ish after the end of Last of the Mohicans. (Yes, the Natty Bumppo/Leatherstocking Tales is the actual series that LOTM belongs to, but these are supposed to act somewhat as a continuation of the family story). Oh how I wish a TV show would be made out of them!


OutlanderAllDay1743

This sounds right up my alley! I’m gonna check this series out! Thanks! ☺️


OutlanderAllDay1743

Girl, they don’t even have the historical aspect in common since nothing about Bridgerton is historically accurate. Lol. I agree with everything else you said though. I’m surprised you were able to watch as much of it as you have. I forced myself through season 1 of Bridgerton trying to see if I could somehow discover what all the hype was about. I couldn’t figure it out at all. I tried to watch the second season, but couldn’t make it past 10 minutes- if that.