The Bachelorette’s Desirée Hartsock and Chris Siegfried Just Welcomed Their First Baby, and His Name Is Adorable

Former Bachelorette Desirée Hartsock (who now goes by Desirée Siegfried) had an inkling on her one-year anniversary that she was pregnant, so she took a test while in Hawaii, and voila, she was right. She revealed in August that she was having a baby boy, and it’s been all preparation since then. Now, all the waiting has surely been worth it, as Desirée and her hubby, Chris Siegfried, just welcomed their first baby into the world.

Desirée and Chris, who both appeared on season nine of The Bachelorette, welcomed little Asher Wrigley Siegfried into the family on Wednesday, October 19. Coming in at eight pounds and 20.5 inches, he was “happy, healthy and strong!”

Desirée posted a pic to Instagram showing a glimpse of the little one holding her finger (OMG so cute!) with the caption, “He already has us wrapped around his precious little fingers! We are overjoyed to welcome the newest addition to our family, Asher Wrigley Siegfried…”

Congratulations, Siegfried family!

Are you excited that Desirée and Chris are still together and now having a family? Tweet us @BritandCo!

(h/t E!)

Hoda Kotb is officially a mom of two! The Today co-host surprised her colleagues on Tuesday, April 16, by calling in to reveal that she and partner Joel Schiffman adopted their second daughter.

“It’s a girl! It’s a girl!” Kotb said over the phone as her Today co-workers excitedly applauded the news. “And her name is Hope.”

Kotb went on to tearfully describe the overwhelming feeling of bringing home her second daughter. “Oh my god, you guys. First of all, she’s laying on the boppy pillow right now, I’m feeding her, and I can’t believe it,” she said. “In your life, you think that maybe you’ve gotten what you deserve, but man, I’m so happy.”

Back in February 2017, Kotb revealed that she and Schiffman were the proud new parents of a newborn baby girl named Haley Joy. Now 2, Haley is enjoying being a big sister to her newborn sibling. “She was trying to feed her her raspberries and I was like, ‘Not yet, babe,'” Kotb joked, adding that the toddler was marching around and proudly calling herself a big sister.

The Today co-anchor previously dropped what we now know was a hint about the little one’s arrival, posting an image to Instagram that said simply, “Choose Hope,” on Monday, April 15.

Hope’s middle name is significant, too. “We named her middle name Catherine after my best friend Karen[‘s] daughter,” Kotb said through more tears. “Her husband passed a little while ago and Catherine is so super strong and it just so happens she was here this weekend with Karen and I was like, ‘You know what? There are no accidents in life. Everything is supposed to happen in this moment the way it’s happened.’ So anyway, Hope Catherine Kotb.”

Congrats to the growing family!

RELATED: 13 Celebrity Couples Expecting Babies in 2019

(Photo via Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

As much as we'd love to hear that BridgertonSeason 4 is releasing earlier than next year, we'll have to settle for as many teasers and first looks as we can get for now! Fans already know Yerin Ha will be stepping into Sophie Baek's shoes alongside Luke Thompson as Benedict, but Netflix finally released something that'll keep us satiated for a while. We can't promise much else — except these two are clearly going to make our hearts race when they're finally on-screen.

Here's the official Bridgerton Season 4 first look with Sophie & Benedict!

Liam Daniel/Netflix

Benedict's always been one of the lighthearted Bridgerton siblings, but Season 3 showed up just how, uh, free he can be. While he and Eloise did discuss their mutual feelings of wanting to explore life, it seems our loving bachelor is set on finding love in unexpected places.

Liam Daniel/Netflix

Benedict may not have fallen in love with Tilley, but it appears he's head over heels for Sophie and we think it's adorable. But, there's one glaring problem: Sophie's a maid who has plenty of secrets.

Never before have any of the Bridgerton children gotten romantically involved with someone who's in another social class, so this already sounds scandalous.

Liam Daniel/Netflix

Ah, but what will the watchful Queen Charlotte think? Remember, she was certain she was going to expose and punish Lady Whistledown before Penelope's moving speech got her to change her mind. We can only guess how she'll feel about the Bridgertons once she learns of Benedict and Sophie's forbidden romance.

In the meantime, we're already dreaming up as much as we can about this exciting season with these pictures! Oh, and did we mention there's a video too?!

Watch The 'Bridgerton' Season 4 Sneak Peak Here!

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

Seriously...season 4 can't come fast enough!!!

We can't wait to see how Benedict and Sophie's love shakes up the Ton in Season 4. We're sure Queen Charlotte and Lady Danbury will have much to discuss!

Lately, we don't have to look far for doomsday news or potential policies that make us feel like a dystopian future will soon be our reality. Although we like to joke about it, we've seen pop culture seemingly predict our current societal and political landscape via everything from episodes of the The Simpsons to the books we've read over the years, wondering how these fictitious communities could experience horrible environments at the hands of others' decisions.

Since art is often bred from very real feelings about history's patterns, we think it's time to open a few relatable books. In our eyes, unprecedented times call for reading thought-provoking work that may seem bleak, but offers hope set in motion by one person's courage in the face of oppression and fear. These are the best dystopian books you should read in 2025.

Here are 15 dystopian books to read if you're tired of doom scrolling on social media.

Amazon

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Guy Montag's job as a fireman isn't like what you or I are used to. Instead of saving the lives of those affected by fires, he and his co-workers set them because it's a crime to have books in one's home. He does his job well and comes home to the passionless marriage he has with his wife Mildred, running on a mindless loop. It isn't until he meets a teenager named Clarisse that he begins seeing the world through her eyes and it makes him uncomfortable.

Underneath that discomfort is the knowledge that he's been keeping a secret all along and will have to decide which side of history he wants to be on.

Amazon

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

Even if you've never read the book or watched the hit TV series, chances are you've heard about The Handmaid's Tale. It's ruffled feathers to the point it's made it to the banned books list, but author Margaret Atwood's message is loud and clear: women's reproductive rights could become weaponized.
She begins her tale in the aftermath of a second Civil War that's dismantled "normal" America. As such, the Republic of Gilead has been set in place that's meant to remind men and women how things used to be. With men holding positions of power and fertile women being enslaved to help regrow the population comes a sordid tale of oppression and abuse.
However, one maid's memories and desire to break free from her horrible role encourages her to stage one of the biggest coups.

Amazon

The Power by Naomi Alderman

The Power places decisions in the hands of young girls who aren't typically afforded it. Readers will meet several characters like a wealthy Nigerian boy and a tough-as-nails girl, but what's shocking is what happens when something ignites teenaged girls with something powerful. If they choose, these girls can cause great harm to others or even end their lives.
It's a far cry from the idea that young girls are weak and powerless in a world that seeks to tame them.

Amazon

Chain-Gain All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

Loretta Thurwar and Hamara "Hurricane Staxxx" are a part of Criminal Actional Penal Entertainment, aka CAPE, as prisoners. They've worked their way up the hierarchy of the Chain-Gain All-Stars and are the reigning champs as they fight until the death to earn freedom.

However, there's a catch: one of them will be heavily discouraged from leaving with every hardship they face. It seems greed has no bounds and will make sure to keep viewers invested.

Amazon

American War by Omar El Akkad

Sarat Chestnut was a little girl when the another Civil War occurred in the year 2074, but she was aware enough to understand the criminalization of oil. Also, she's watched half of Louisiana succumb to being under sea level. Once her father loses his life and her family's driven to Camp Patience, she surrenders to a new normal. However, there's a false underbelly of the Camp and it works its magic on Sarat.
Before long, she's become a weapon for a war that'll change the lives of everyone.

Amazon

Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

What happens when to a world without animal meat? In Tender Is the Flesh, readers will face the horror of this staunch reality.
For main character Marcos, life has dealt him a set of terrible cards. He's separated from his wife and watching his father's health deplete quicker than he can blink his eyes. There's also the sickening fact that he's a part of the "Transition" that helps process specialized human meat.
Then one day it happens: he meets a woman who's supposed to be packaged for consumption and it shatters his usual resolve. The more he interacts with her, the more he wants to find a way to turn away from this horrific government project.

Amazon

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

15-year-old Tally has been waiting to turn 16 for a long time because she's finally going to become gorgeous. Thanks to life-altering surgery, she gets to stop being looked over and will join a society where she doesn't have to work hard. But her friend Shay isn't so sure about this idyllic world and decides to escape it.
However, those in charge aren't a fan of this runaway situation and put Tally in a complicated position that'll alter her future.

Amazon

The Last Murder at the End of the Worldby Stuart Turton

The former world? Utterly destroyed.The island? A perfect paradise that's home to 125 people who have learned to peacefully coexist. They don't question their right to live off the land nor the curfew that's been set in place. The crack in their perfect situation doesn't come until they find out a popular scientist's been murdered.
This death triggers a breakdown in the security that was keeping them safe from the atmosphere that killed others once before and they don't have long to fix it. However, their memories have been erased and they're not sure who caused these scary chain of events.

Amazon

The Ferryman by Justin Cronin

The Ferryman describes what happens when another "perfect" paradise seems like it's everything but that.
On Prospera, only the privileged are allowed to enjoy glorious living. Though they enjoy the finer things in life, the staff who makes sure they're comfortable aren't granted the same opportunities. Truthfully, they're waiting for the right time to rebel against their conditions because they know the spoiled citizens of Prospera will be granted multiple chances at life.
For Proctor Bennett, his job as a ferryman is to make sure people are able to "retire" when it's time. It's a job he does without fail until a lone message makes him question the validity of the islands.

Amazon

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Beatrice Prior lives in a society that's divided into the Candon (honest), Abnegation (selfless), Dauntless (brave), Amity (peaceful), and Erudite (intelligent) factions. This helps keep society running according to the government's plans, but Beatrice is torn between remaining with the Abnegation or joining a new faction.
When she makes her choice, it sends ripples among those who know her and then there's Tris. He's harboring something that's sure to make him a target so she'll try to protect his secret while keeping her own interests at heart.

Amazon

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

North America's now known as Panem, and it's comprised of twelve districts that once rebelled again the Capitol. However, their defeat was costly and caused them to allow two kids per district to participate in "The Hunger Games." It's a known fact that they may die as a result, but nothing's happened to change this unimaginable law.

When Katniss Everdeen volunteers as tribute so her young sister doesn't have to compete, this sets forth a chain of events that prove her an unlikely winner and hero.

Amazon

Ripe by Sarah Rose Etter

Cassie's secured a job in her ideal role in Silicon Valley, but it turns into something nightmarish. She doesn't have a work-life balance and is tasked with doing borderline illegal things. She also can see the stark difference in economic classes because her job has a front row view of many displaced members of society.
Accompanying Cassie is something dark that responds to the state of her mental health. As she grapples with pregnancy and the things her job demands of her, she'll have to ask herself if the cost of success is worth it.

Amazon

The Garden by Nick Newman (February 18, 2025)

Evelyn and Lily are two sisters who've been living in a beautiful garden that no one can see behind. They don't remember what life was like prior to being near it as they've become preoccupied with making sure it flourishes. All of this changes with an unknown boy shows up in their curated world. They're not sure who he is, but his presence makes them question how they've chosen to live their lives.

Amazon

Fable for the End of the World (March 4, 2025)

Caerus is fueling the nation's debt problem among those who aren't wealthy, and it affects Inesa as well as her family. She and her brother are in charge of a taxidermy shop, but their mother's selfishness puts their lives in danger when her debt reaches an astronomical level. The only solution for this is for Inesa or her brother to be entered into the Lamb's Gauntlet where they'll be killed. The merciless killer? Melinoë.
She has no remorse as she's been trained to be heartless towards her victims. But Inesa proves to be the first "Lamb" that makes her question what she's doing. Together, they'll go on a journey that changes how they see their lives and love.

Amazon

Outlawed by Anna North

Ada and her husband were happy, but she failed to conceive a child in a town that views infertile women as evil. Though she wishes things could be different, she runs away before she can be hanged and joins the Hole in the Wall Gang. It's leader is known as the Kid who wants the world to stop harming women. But the Gang's got a plan that's not safe because creating a viable future is scary.

Still looking for the next book that'll wow you? Here's what to read next!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Spring will be here before you know it – that means it’s time to refresh your wardrobe with the cutest dresses! Luckily, Target has you covered with every kind of dress style under the sun. Of course, their selection is nothing but affordable, so you can get your spring wardrobe lineup going without breaking the bank!

Get ready for warmer weather with these 10 Target spring dresses!

Target

Future Collective Denim Mini Shirtdress

Denim is always gonna be in style. This mini also lets your look breathe when it's warm out!

Target

Universal Thread Eyelet Maxi Sundress

Easy and breezy, you can never go wrong with a long, white sundress for springtime.

Target

A New Day Ruffle Slip Dress

Date night is calling with this adorable ruffled moment! Wear your favorite flats or heels, and you're good to go.

Target

A New Day Short Sleeve Midi Dress

The puff sleeves on this coral piece are so dreamy.

Target

A New Day Chiffon Ruffle Maxi Dress

Chiffon is just the right weight – light and flowy – to keep your spring get-up lookin' right. This dress is also fashioned with some mini ruffles for added cuteness.

Target

Wild Fable Strapless Bubble Dress

Bubble hems are going to be everywhere this season, so jump on the trend with this plaid moment that you can pair with tall boots and sandals alike!

Target

A New Day Tube Knit Maxi Dress

This drop waist moment looks just like something I'd find at Free People, but it's only $32 (was $40)!

Target

A New Day Balloon Sleeve Mini A-Line Dress

This dress boasts a micro cheetah print that gives you an instant confidence boost. I adore the styling with some tall black boots!

Target

Wild Fable Bubble Sleeve Mini Dress

Fit for the office or happy hour, this sleek black mini can be styled in endless ways.

Target

Wild Fable Cap Sleeve Satin Maxi Bodycon Dress

Florals were meant for springtime after all!

Subscribe to our newsletter to shop more trendy spring fashion!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.