The Greatest English "Romance" Books of All Time

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 300 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

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Romance

The Romance category of books typically involves stories that revolve around romantic relationships between two or more characters. These stories often explore themes of love, passion, and intimacy, and may include elements of drama, suspense, or humor. Romance novels can range from sweet and innocent to steamy and erotic, and may be set in a variety of time periods and locations. Overall, the Romance genre offers readers a chance to escape into a world of love and romance, where anything is possible.

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English

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  1. 1. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

    "Northanger Abbey" is a coming-of-age novel that follows the story of Catherine Morland, a young and naive girl who is invited to stay with the wealthy Tilney family at their estate, Northanger Abbey. Catherine's imagination is fueled by her love for gothic novels, leading her to create fantastical scenarios in her mind. As she navigates the complexities of society and falls in love, Catherine learns valuable lessons about the dangers of letting her imagination run wild and the importance of distinguishing reality from fiction.

  2. 2. Troilus And Criseyde by Geoffrey Chaucer

    The narrative is a medieval romance that tells the tragic tale of the young Trojan prince Troilus and his doomed love affair with the beautiful Criseyde amidst the backdrop of the Trojan War. After falling deeply in love with Criseyde, Troilus's happiness is short-lived as political circumstances force her to leave Troy and join the Greek camp. Despite her initial vow to remain faithful, Criseyde succumbs to the advances of the Greek warrior Diomedes, leaving Troilus heartbroken and disillusioned. The story explores themes of love, fate, and the capricious nature of fortune, ultimately leading to Troilus's untimely death on the battlefield, as he is unable to reconcile his loss and despair.

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download