32 of the Best Bedtime Stories for Your Girlfriend & Fun Storytelling Secrets!

End the day with a romantic gesture by reading your girl to sleep. Don’t know how? Check out these bedtime stories for your girlfriend to show her you care.

You can get lost in a good book, so why not share the adventure with your girlfriend? Creating bedtime stories for your girlfriend, or picking a book off the shelf, can be a great way to create a bond between you and your mate. Plus, you’ll spend a little more time talking and a little less time watching TV before bed.

Whether you’re looking to get sleepy or get hot and bothered, there’s going to be a great book out there for you to earn brownie points with your sweetie pie.

So why are bedtime stories for your girlfriend so good? Because it’s totally cute and adorable! There are so many benefits to reading as a couple that it’ll make your head spin.

Before we get into our list of fantastic reads, we’ll give you some excellent reasons to read bedtime stories to your girlfriend.

Why you should start reading bedtime stories for your girlfriend

This might be the very first time you’ve heard of the idea of bedtime stories for girlfriends. You might think that bedtime stories are for children, but reading your loved one a story before bed is actually a great way to improve adult relationships. [Read: The art of storytelling in a relationship]

Still not convinced? Here are some benefits you can get from reading to your girlfriend.

1. It helps long-distance couples connect

People who are in long-distance relationships are always looking for new ways to connect with their partners. Instead of texting a simple goodnight to your girlfriend, try reading her a bedtime story!

This is a cute and fun way to connect and build that before-bed intimacy that couples who live together would otherwise get from spooning their way to sleep. [Read: Long distance relationship – 46 LDR tips to make it work and not screw it up]

2. It can help with your girlfriend’s insomnia

What can you do when your girlfriend can’t sleep? Read to her, of course! A long reading session before bed is actually one way in which insomniacs train their bodies to sleep. What better way to help ease your girlfriend’s insomnia than to read her a bedtime story?

3. It’s good for the brain

Not only is reading together a bonding experience, but it also stimulates brain activity and promotes a healthy stress level.

Did you know that with every memory, new synapses are formed in the brain? This means that reading literally strengthens your brain. Research also suggests that regular reading may help slow or prevent Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

4. Reading together strengthens relationships

Brain benefits aside, reading as a couple is super intimate – even if you’re just reading a bedtime story for your girlfriend.

Picture yourself cuddled up, reading to your girlfriend while watching her slowly doze off. This is a relaxing pastime that both of you will look forward to.

Whether you’re reading a classic fairy tale or something a little sexier, the use of different voices and tones is sure to show off your creative side and make your girlfriend weak at the knees. [Read: How to dirty talk – 36 sexy tips and 55 examples to turn anyone on with words]

5. Reduces stress

Our minds are consumed by technology all day long. Sometimes it’s nice to sit back and relax with a good book, so why not make it a pastime for you as a couple?

Reading together can reduce stress levels. A study by the University of Sussex found that just 6 minutes of reading can reduce stress levels by almost 70%. It’s easy to get lost in a story together and let the stress from the day slip away.

So, the next time your girlfriend can’t sleep because she can’t stop thinking about the bills, pull out the ole’ storybook and have some well-deserved relaxation time. [Read: How to reduce stress – 17 fastest hacks to a calmer and happier life]

Bedtime stories for your girlfriend

Now that you know why reading bedtime stories for your girlfriend is so great, we’re going to move on to what you should read.

From classic to slutty, we’re showing you the ultimate list of must-have books to read before bed. [Read: How to fall in love slowly – 28 steps to create a real-life fairytale]

Classic fairy tales

Classics are classic for a reason. We’re talking books about good vs. evil, princes and princesses – classic romance stories.

The cartoon versions of these fairy tales may have your girlfriend saying “Awww,” but the true versions contain dark undertones with glittering princesses. What’s not to love?

Some great fairy tales to read to your girlfriend before bed include:

1. Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Believe it or not, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland were actually written by a mathematician named Charles Lutwidge Dodgson.

Using the pseudonym Lewis Carroll, Alice’s author writes about a disturbed young girl falling through a rabbit hole into a peculiar new world that is sometimes described as “literary nonsense.” This is also a fantastic book to practice using different voices!

2. Rumpelstiltskin by Brothers Grimm

Brothers Grimm certainly made sure these original fairy tales were exactly that—grim! The original Rumpelstiltskin is a story about a young girl who is locked in a tower by the king, demanding that she spin straw into gold after her father falsely claims she can *great job, dad! Not*.

Her punishment if she can’t make it happen? Beheading, of course! This tale is a dark and fascinating bedtime story for your girlfriend.

3. The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen

Much darker than the Disney version, this The Little Mermaid follows a mermaid who strikes a deal with a sea witch to swap her fins out for legs.

Plot twist? Somebody dies. We’ll leave it at that, and urge you to give it a read to your sweetheart.

4. The Princess and the Pea by Hans Christian Andersen

Cute, short, and to the point, this adorable fairy tale follows a princess with some major back issues! [Read: 78 sexy, dirty, wild things to say in bed and make them horny during sex]

5. Hansel and Gretel by Brothers Grimm

After being abandoned by their parents and left to die in the woods, Hansel and Gretel stumble across a gingerbread house with candy accents galore.

Inside the house is a nasty old witch who kidnaps them and plans to eat them *yuck*. Yet another cheery tale from the Brothers Grimm.

6. Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie

An absolute classic, Peter Pan follows the tale of a boy who refuses to grow up. He whisks Wendy Darling and her siblings off to Never Neverland and embarks on pirate-fighting adventures with them.

7. Rapunzel by Brothers Grimm

Published in 1812, this German classic tells the story of a man so desperate to save his ailing wife that he promises evil Dame Gothel his firstborn child in exchange for sustenance.

Father of the year? Ummm, no. Dame Gothel then locks Rapunzel up in a tower that she’s kept for years and years. [Read: 27 naughty, sexy, and fun games to play with your boyfriend in bed and out]

8. Beauty and the Beast by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve

Seeking shelter from a storm, a merchant takes refuge in a spooky, yet enchanting palace. There he runs into a terrible Beast who, to say the least, is pretty pissed he popped in.

The merchant promises he will bring the Beast his most beautiful daughter in exchange for sparing his life. As it turns out, Beauty is treated like a queen at the palace. Her sisters, jealous of her spoils, try to get the Beast to eat their sister *yuck, again*. Heartbreak and magic ensue.

9. Snow White by Brothers Grimm

An evil queen, a poisonous apple, and naïve ole’ Snow White. Need we say anything more? This morbid tale follows a queen so insistent on being the most beautiful gal on the block, she sends out a huntsman to murder the very pretty Snow White.

When the Huntsman can’t go through with it, Snow White is forced to flee into the woods where she meets seven dwarves. This odd little tale is an absolute classic.

10. Sleeping Beauty by Charles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm

Aptly named for a bedtime story, this fairytale follows Sleeping Beauty, a woman who pricks her finger on a spindle and falls asleep indefinitely. The only thing that can wake her? True love’s kiss. [Read: 104 kissing tips to be a good kisser and make them want to eat your lips!]

11. The Wolf and the Seven Little Kids by Brothers Grimm

If you know the tale of the three little pigs, then you know the basic plot of this story. Except replace the three pigs with seven baby goats. Now imagine six of them are eaten, only to be uneaten by a freehand surgery.

12. The Elves and the Shoemaker by Brothers Grimm

We know, we’ve covered some pretty grisly fairytales. Unfortunately, a lot of classic fairytales are just that. Disney just does a good job of glossing over the gory details! However, with this bedtime story, you can breathe a sigh of relief.

This is a very sweet story about the caring relationship between elves and a poor shoemaker. It will definitely make your girlfriend go to sleep with a warm heart. [Read: Pay it forward – 20 positive ways to create a chain of goodwill]

13. Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves

One Thousand and One Nights is a great collection of Arabic and Middle Eastern folk tales. While it doesn’t actually have a thousand stories, it is still a lengthy read that will take more than one night to get through.

Why not start with the classic, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves? This story is about riches beyond your wildest imagination, greed, and the cover-up of a dead body.

What more could you want to send you to sleep? If it’s good enough for King Shahryar, it’s good enough for your girlfriend!

14. The Queen Bee by Brothers Grimm

Three brothers go on an adventure, but only the nature-loving, peaceful brother fares well among them all.

A lovely short tale about the importance of kindness, this bedtime story is definitely for when your girlfriend is sick of hearing traumatizing Brothers Grimm stories. [Read: The 30 best sweetest day ideas to celebrate love & kindness the fun way]

15. The Valiant Little Tailor by Brothers Grimm

Has your girlfriend ever made fun of you for being so proud of squashing an annoying fly? Well, tell her the tale of the tailor who took his success of squashing multiple flies a bit too far… So far, he became a king!

Then she’ll see that no, you don’t gloat that much.

16. The Twelve Dancing Princesses by Brothers Grimm

This bedtime story is perfect for your girlfriend. Although they might not admit it, every woman would love to fall asleep to their boyfriend’s soothing voice reading them a whimsical story about sisters dancing the night away with secret princes in magical underground castles.

So go on, do the thing she doesn’t even know she wants but really does! [Read: What do women want in a man – 41 traits that make a guy VERY desirable]

17. The Enchanted Canary by Charles Deulin

This tale is very aptly named. Read your girlfriend this story about a prince who goes on a quest to pick oranges to turn a canary into a bride. Oh, and by the end of the story, make sure to tell her that she’s your golden girl. You’ll get it later!

18. The Marvellous Musician by Brothers Grimm

If you asked us, we’d think that making friends with woodland animals sounds like joyous fun! But for this musician who plays his fiddle in the woods to find companions, he is not satisfied with the company he attracts. He finds mischievous ways to ditch these new-found “friends,” until he finally finds a friend he can be proud of.

19. The Three Dwarves by Brothers Grimm

Yes, almost every story here has been from the Brothers Grimm. But when it comes to folklore and fairytales, they really knew what they were doing.

Take The Three Dwarves for example. It has everything a great fairytale needs: a beautiful yet poor girl, an ugly and jealous step-sister, a wicked stepmother, a prince, magical little creatures, spells, and a moral story all wrapped up into one.

Dirty bedtime stories for your girlfriend

If you’re looking for something a little less fairy and a little more frisky, these sexy reads are for you.

20. The Camelot Series by Ruthie Knox

This titillating series follows the Clarks of Camelot family and their salacious sex lives. Definitely worth reading this *wink* bedtime *wink* story to your girlfriend.

21. Tasting Her: Oral Sex Stories by Rachel Kramer Bussel

A variety of oral sex stories that range from kind of dirty to hot-and-heavy. These eating-out stories are sure to get your girlfriend hot and bothered.

22. Tasting Him: Oral Sex Stories by Rachel Kramer Bussel

A companion to Tasting Her, this book follows a similar pattern of erotic BJ stories. Are there any other kinds? [Read: 49 blowjob techniques, positions, and tips to give good head and make him gasp]

23. Erotic Poems by E. E. Cummings

Sure it’s a little corny, but erotic poems can also make you horny! See what we did there? E. E. Cummings’ book of erotic poems is sure to bring a chuckle to your girlfriend’s lips. [Read: Non-porn erotic movies that are sure to turn you on]

24. Tangled by Emma Chase

This is like a rom-com in book form. Consider this a bedtime “beach read.” Sure, it isn’t going to change your world, but the tale of a self-centered man coming to grips with falling in love is definitely cute, sexy, and fun to read.

25. The Beyond Series by Kit Rocha

This dystopian series features all the goods: forbidden love, lust, gangs, and plenty of drama. This is one of the most exciting bedtime stories for your girlfriend. [Read: Lust vs. love – 21 signs to know exactly what you feel for each other]

26. Dirty Girls: Erotica for Women by Rachel Kramer Brussel

As the title suggests, your girlfriend is going to love this bedtime story that discusses everything women want between the sheets. Plus, you can always learn something new! [Read: What women want in bed but are too ashamed to ask]

27. Delta of Venus by Anaïs Nin

A classic novel, Delta of Venus was considered to be erotic fiction in the 1940s, and with good reason! Covering all taboos, this story reveals sexual encounters and the unique differences between female and male sexuality.

28. On Dublin Street by Samantha Young

This sexy fiction follows the story of an American woman living in Scotland. There, she makes a sexual agreement with a Scotsman that’s very… explosive.

29. Deep Desires by Charlotte Stein

This book tells the tale of two neighbors who are both shut off from the world… And both have voyeuristic passions for one another. [Read: Sexual voyeurism, the horny rush & naughty ways to enjoy it as a couple]

30. Silence Fallen by Patricia Briggs

Does your girlfriend say that she likes Twilight, only that she wishes there were somehow more werewolves and vampires? Well, Silence Fallen is her answer.

A woman werewolf’s life is turned upside down when she is cut off from the rest of her pack and finds herself stuck within the clutches of some seriously scary vampires.

Get ready to read some of the biggest plot twists you’ll ever come across. Just don’t leave your girlfriend hanging on any unbearable cliffhangers! [Read: 69 best and most romantic movies that are a must-watch in 2023]

Romantic bedtime stories

If you want to send your girlfriend to sleep with all the feel-good lovey-dovey feelings that she gives to you every day, classic and steamy bedtime stories might not make the cut.

It sounds like you need some recommendations of romantic bedtime stories to read to your girlfriend.

31. The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory

This series is chock-a-block of unexpected romance and mushy feelings that get the heart souring. Witness a beautiful love story unfold over several books from one unexpected source—a fake date arranged in a broken-down elevator.

We won’t say any more than that.

32. See Me by Nicholas Sparks

Everyone knows that Nicholas Sparks is your go-to author when you’re looking for a romantic read. Your girlfriend might only expect you to know of his renowned novel, The Notebook.

So, knock her socks off *or impress her pj’s off* by whipping out another great novel of his, See Me. [Read: 50 best steamy romance movies to get you both hot, naughty, and in the mood]

A once violent man narrowly dodging the law meets with a highly successful lawyer in a chance encounter that changed their lives forever. The pairing faces more troubles than you’d think even with the description we’ve already given you, but can love conquer all?

How to tell a good bedtime story

You have a pretty decent list of bedtime stories to read to your girlfriend, but the work isn’t done yet. What, do you think these stories will tell themselves?

Now that you know what you should read to your girlfriend, it’s time to learn how to read her to sleep.

1. Play around with voices and tones

Think back to your school days—remember that one kid who read aloud in the most boring, monotone voice? It was hard to follow along, wasn’t it? So don’t put your girlfriend through the same torture.

Instead, use different voices for different characters’ dialogue. Put some emotion and emphasis behind your voice. And get silly with it!

Laughing together is a great way to bond, so don’t be shy—let that voice be heard! [Read: How to make a girl laugh and 29 ways to make her get a crush on you]

2. Pause for effect

Some of these stories can get pretty tense. Up the tense factor by pausing for dramatic effect. She’ll be leaning out of the bed hanging on your every word.

3. Keep it simple

We’ve given you a few pointers on how to add more to your performances, but now we’re going to tell you to cut it back! The star of the moment is the story, you’re just the literal messenger.

If you add too much pizzaz to your performance, you’ll distract from the plot and be left with one very confused girlfriend. So, keep it simple and easy to follow.

4. Don’t forget your face

The two of you can’t have fun if you’re not enjoying yourself. Even if your voice says, “I’m excited,” if your face says, “I’m being held hostage,” then your girlfriend won’t be able to have fun either.

So liven up those face muscles. Look scared, sad, anxious, and joyous when the stories call for it, and the experience will be all the more immersive for both of you.

5. Make it flirty

You’re not reading these stories to a child. You’re reading them to your girlfriend! So don’t be afraid to make it flirty. Send a wink over the top of the book, read in a low, flirty voice, and make the atmosphere hot, hot, hot!

Hey, why not change the ending of a story with your own flirty twist? You’ve got creative liberty here!

[Read: 41 cute couple things all guys & girls in love must try at least once]

You can come off as cute, charming, and creative all in one go! We call that a win/win/win! If you want to send your lover off to dreamland in the sweetest way possible, we highly recommend trying out these bedtime stories for your girlfriend.