We know we’re not the only ones hoping that the now Emmy nominated Bridgerton based off of the novels by Julia Quinn paves the road for more romance adaptations, and we’re hoping Lisa Kleypas’ Wallflowers and Hathaways series are next. One or the either, but preferably both—we’re not picky.
We’ll keep these as spoiler free as possible in case someone hasn’t read them yet, but if you’re going to start reading, start with the Wallflowers. Comprised of four books (and an extra special): Secrets of a Summer Night, It Happened One Autumn, Devil in Winter, and Scandal in Spring follows four wallflowers on their journey towards finding love and a found sisterhood. Found families? Check. Fantastic romances? Check. Gorgeously written? Check, check.
The Wallflowers are charming, they’re hilarious, and they’ve each got such distinct personalities, it makes their love stories that much more extraordinary. Kleypas, much like Quinn does a beautiful job with reformed rakes, and if Anthony Bridgerton is your favorite, then you’re going to adore Sebastian St Vincent. But if we’re talking the enemies to lovers trope, don’t get me started on It Happened One Autumn‘s Lillian and Westcliff because I’ll never stop.
Where there are beautifully written females, there are also well-rounded men to balance out the stories perfectly. And with the Wallflowers especially, the women are so relatable, it’s refreshing. To see them on our screens? Yes, please.
The Hathaways takes place after the Wallflowers, so we’re all for reading the books in order though its not entirely necessary if you’re looking for family anthologies like Bridgerton. The Hathaways follows the Hathaway family on their journey towards aristocracy after a sudden death leaves their brother with a newfound viscountcy he isn’t ready to take on.
Mine Till Midnight, Seduce Me at Sunrise, Tempt Me at Twilight, Married by Morning, and Love in the Afternoon follow each member of the Hathaway family on their development while giving each of them the kind of partners that find themselves in a family they’d been needing all along. The misfits and the ones who had never belonged somewhere all have a home here.
Kleypas’ stories dive into some darker storylines like illnesses, larger scandals, and the pangs of grief, but as all brilliant romance novels, the happy endings showcase the beauty of healing that’s found in love.
As orphans, the Hathaways mainly have each other to take care of and some of the most tender moments throughout the books are the scenes between the family. The way they love one another is stunning, and their loyalty to each other is just beautiful.
The Hathaways, much like the Wallflowers are full of tropes galore—hurt/comfort, mutual pining, enemies to lovers, mistaken identities, forced marriages, fights and makeups, you name it. They’re as good as it gets and Kleypas is a wordsmith in all the right areas.
Further Recommended Historical Romance: A Day Until Forever by Erin Langston
The Ravenels are great as well, but if we have to choose favorites, I’m going with these two. And if you’ve yet to read them, trust us, get on them stat then let’s chat.