Here at RUSSH, we're avid readers, so when a new book comes across our desk, we simply must flip through the pages. But the latest novel series to catch our attention (and the world's) isn't new at all — in fact, it's nearly 40 years old. The Rutshire Chronicles is an 11-part book series by author Jilly Cooper, which inspired our current-favourite show, Rivals.

After binge-watching all 8 episodes (and patiently waiting for Rivals season 2), we were looking for more sex, love, and scandal (and Rupert Campbell-Black, if we're honest). So where better to satisfy this craving than with the source novels themselves?

While the Rutshire Chronicles were wildly popular when they were first published back in 1988, the success of Rivals has put Cooper's work on the map for a whole new generation. If you fall into that camp, allow us to catch you up. We're diving into each of Jilly Cooper's hit books to inspire your next read, below.

Riders (1986)

The first book in the series, Riders takes place in the world of show jumping. It follows Jake Lovell, a character who doesn't appear in the show Rivals, who is driven by his hatred for show jumping favourite Rupert Campbell-Black. Tensions eventually boil over at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, where Lovell seeks the ultimate revenge against Campbell-Black. Naturally, being a Jilly Cooper book, there's plenty of romance and betrayal in between.

Rivals (1988)

Much of the television show finds its plot from this sequel. The drama takes place in the world of television, when dazzling presenter Declan O'Hara is recruited by Lord Baddingham for a role at broadcaster Corinium. He finds himself, alongside his wife and two daughters, living in the Cotswolds next door to notorious womanizer Rupert Campbell-Black, now divorced and the Minister for Sport. Before long, conflict explodes at Corinium, made worse by the arrival of a rival broadcaster, desperate to pitch for the franchise. Again, drama and romance ensue.

The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous (1993)

The third installation to the series follows the breathtakingly good looking and kindhearted Lysander Hawkley. Realising he has a knack for comforting neglected wives, Hawkley quickly becomes incredibly unpopular with the husbands of Rutshire. Then, things take another surprising turn when he meets the fiendishly promiscuous classical conductor, Rannaldini.

Appasionata (1996)

This book tells the story of Abigail Rosen, an equal-parts sought after but incredibly lonely classical violinist. When her career comes crashing down, she sets out to conquer the male-dominated heights of the conductor’s rostrum. But in the midst of all this, she meets fatally attractive French horn play Viking O’Neill, and the previous novel's Rannaldini, who both throw things into disarray.

Score (1999)

This novel charts Rannaldini, who Cooper describes in her blurb as "the most successful but detested conductor in the world." This time, we meet Rannaldini as he attempts to seduce his stepdaughter, Tabitha (Taggie), while also stepping into a promotion... Until he is suddenly found murdered.

Pandora (2002)

This book takes us on a journey through Europe, on the hunt to find and recover a famous painting, Pandora, which has gone missing. All the while, a separate story is unfolding in the Cotswalds: the scandalous lives of the Kelvedon family are unfolding, as told from the perspective of the very woman in the missing painting.

Wicked! (2002)

No, not like the musical. Wicked! takes us to the halls of two schools: the ultra-expensive Bagley Hall, and the falling apart Larkminster Comprehensive. Despite the schools' differences, the respective headmasters become embroiled in an affair, threatening the fate of both institutions, and causing chaos amongst the students and their parents.

Jump! (2010)

In Jump! we meet Etta Bancroft who, after the death of her husband, is forced to relocate with her children to the Cotswalds. While there, she discovers an injured horse wandering the woods near her house, and nurses it back to health. But when the horse is revealed to be an impressively well-bred racehorse, Etta decides to see exactly how far this newfound skill can take her.

Mount! (2016)

Our favourite anti-hero, Rupert Campbell-Black, returns to the spotlight in Mount!. This time, we see Rupert chasing a horse racing victory across the globe, leaving his wife Taggie behind in the process. In the meantime, Rupert's temptation is tested by a woman he meets on his travels, why Taggie catches the eye of someone back home.

Tackle! (2023)

A new addition to the Rutshire Chronicles, Tackle! finds Rupert Campbell-Black down on his luck: his wife is undergoing chemotherapy, and his prize horse has been assassinated. But more scandals, sabotage and seduction ensues when, at the request of his daughter, Rupert purchases the local football club.

Feature image: IMDb, Jilly Cooper.