Romance
Read Romance Classics in English
1,582 romance books at CEFR A2 to C2 — learn English by reading the stories worth reading. Select any word for an instant translation, listen to the narration read the page aloud, and save the vocabulary you meet. Pick your level and start with a free sample.
What are the best romance classics to read in English as a learner?
The best romance classics for English learners are the well-known titles you can read in the original — start with Zoraida: A Romance of the Harem and the Great Sahara, Zibeline — Complete and Young Earnest: The Romance of a Bad Start in Life. Each one is labelled with a CEFR level, any word you do not know is one selection away from a translation, and the narration reads the page aloud while it highlights the words.
- 1,582
- books
Level C1RomanceThree WeeksA young Englishman’s chance encounter with a passionate, mysterious woman trapped in a brutal marriage awakens desires and ambitions that will challenge his youthful certainties an…
Level C1RomanceThis Side of ParadiseAmory Blaine, a charming and delicate boy raised amid wealth and cultured idleness, navigates the complexities of privilege, identity, and the restless search for meaning in a worl…
Level C1RomanceThis Man's WifeIn the quaint village of King’s Castor, a young curate named Christie Bayle finds solace among its old gardens and reserved folk, setting the stage for unexpected connections and h…
Level C1RomanceThere was a King in EgyptAn English Egyptologist unearths ancient mysteries and mystical prophecies amid the tombs of Pharaohs, while the desert's timeless dawn reveals a world where history, faith, and ro…
Level C1RomanceTheo: A Sprightly Love StoryAmidst the humdrum struggles of a modest household, a restless young woman named Theo yearns for a life beyond duty and drudgery, seeking the spark of romance and adventure that sh…
Level C1RomanceThelmaBeneath the ethereal glow of Norway's midnight sun, a solitary man is captivated by a haunting, unseen song that stirs deep yearnings and mysteries.
Level C1RomanceTheir Wedding JourneyA newly married couple embarks on a quietly charming wedding journey through familiar American landscapes, seeking intimacy and adventure despite a sudden summer storm.
Level C1RomanceThe works of Richard Hurd, volume 8 (of 8)In a stirring sermon delivered before the House of Lords, the speaker urges deep reflection and repentance amid national turmoil, challenging dangerous political ideologies and emp…
Level C1RomanceThe works of Richard Hurd, volume 7 (of 8)A corrupt governor and his adulterous wife confront the Apostle Paul, who boldly challenges their vices with truths of righteousness and impending judgment.
Level C1RomanceThe works of Richard Hurd, volume 6 (of 8)Dive into a thoughtful exploration of faith and duty, where a preacher’s wisdom is likened to a householder’s careful stewardship of treasures new and old, guiding believers throug…
Level C1RomanceThe works of Richard Hurd, volume 5 (of 8)Dive into a rigorous exploration of biblical prophecy, examining whether its predictions reveal divine inspiration or human invention.
Level C1RomanceThe works of Richard Hurd, volume 4 (of 8)Amidst the turmoil of war and religious persecution, a hopeful vision unfolds of a prince destined to champion liberty and faith across Europe, challenging tyranny and igniting the…
Level C1RomanceThe works of Richard Hurd, volume 2 (of 8)Explore the art of poetry as a pursuit of pleasure, where language transforms into vivid images and rhythmic beauty, inviting readers to discover how words enchant the mind beyond…
Level C1RomanceThe works of Richard Hurd, volume 1 (of 8)Explore the life and achievements of a devoted clergyman rising from humble beginnings to bishopric, guided by education, faith, and influential friendships.
Level C1RomanceThe works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 03In Restoration London, the blundering Sir Martin Mar-All schemes to win the clever Mrs Millisent, but his foolish plots and meddling servants threaten to unravel his plans in this…
Level C1RomanceThe woman's wayIn a stark London boarding house known as The Jail, Celia navigates modest means and a determined spirit, finding small joys amid harsh surroundings and unexpected visitors who sti…
Level C1RomanceThe woman with a stone heartAmidst the turmoil of the Filipino insurrection, Marie Sampalit and her fiancé Rolando face postponed dreams and dangerous duties, testing their love and resolve against a backdrop…
Level C1RomanceThe well in the desertIn a lonely desert town, a desperate, dying man confronts a cold lawyer from his past, seeking one last favor to return to the land he loves.
Level C1RomanceThe weight of the nameA young count, bound by duty and a prestigious name, harbors a secret, unspoken love for a married woman.
Level C1RomanceThe truce of God: A tale of the eleventh centuryIn a turbulent eleventh century Europe torn by private wars and fading imperial power, feudalism emerges as a fragile yet vital system of justice and protection.
Level C1RomanceThe traitor's wayHaunted by a shame that isolates him, a disgraced nobleman clings to a dangerous secret and forbidden love, risking honor and friendship in a tense court rife with conspiracy and b…
Level C1RomanceThe time spirit: A romantic taleIn foggy 1890 London, Harriet returns to her sister after a mysterious illness, stepping into a new role managing a noble estate.
Level C1RomanceThe strength of loveTwo men find themselves captivated by a young, graceful beauty whose charm ignites rivalry and stirs jealousy in a lively village setting.
Level C1FantasyThe stone dragon and other tragic romancesA young man defies a controlling family legacy when his father refuses a forced marriage planned by a stern aunt.
Level C1RomanceThe star dreamer: A romanceBehind the locked gates of an ancient estate lies a wild, forbidden garden steeped in mystery and legends of love, betrayal, and dark family secrets.
Level C1RomanceThe sprightly romance of MarsacIn a cramped Paris garret, two struggling artists dodge their washerwoman’s relentless demands for payment, balancing creativity and survival amid poverty and sharp wit.
Level C1RomanceThe silver dial, volume 3 (of 3)Amid chaos and rivalry, a master horologist vows to restore the ruined Horologe in time for the feast of St.
Level C1RomanceThe silver dial, volume 2 (of 3)In a grand ancestral mansion, the brilliant yet distant Radegund grapples with family tensions and unspoken sorrows while her impulsive brother Otto's impatience and jealousy threa…
Level C1RomanceThe silver dial, volume 1 (of 3)In the city of Strassburg, a kind-hearted merchant and his brilliant son Conrad navigate loss and ambition, as the young mathematician’s talent promises a future shaped by intellec…
Level C1MysteryThe red-hot dollar, and other stories from the Black CatA hatless man races against time and fate to catch a departing train, only to stumble and lose his chance—yet the pursuit reveals a tense encounter with a desperate young woman and…
Level C1RomanceThe raid of the guerilla: 1911In a secluded mountain cove threatened by a fierce guerilla raid, young Ethelinda risks everything to guide a Union detachment to safety through a secret cave, stirring danger and…
Level C1Science FictionThe professor's experiment: A novel, Vol. 3 (of 3)As twilight falls, Susan and Crosby’s conversation reveals a web of admiration and unspoken feelings, set against the backdrop of a mysterious experiment that promises to challenge…
Level C1RomanceThe prisoner of ZendaA carefree English gentleman finds his idle life upended when his royal heritage entangles him in a daring adventure of mistaken identity and political intrigue in the fictional ki…
Level C1RomanceThe principal girlA distinguished Englishman and newly minted peer navigates the intricate world of society, marriage, and influence, where old money and strategic alliances rule.
Level C1RomanceThe pot of basilIn sultry 18th-century Colorno, a young Archduke travels incognito, observing a world where romance, ambition, and intrigue entwine beneath the fading glories of a ducal court.
Level C1RomanceThe post-girlIn a sleepy Yorkshire village where visitors are rare and life moves slowly, the arrival of a mysterious newcomer stirs curiosity and changes the quiet rhythm of Ullbrig forever.
Level C1RomanceThe minstrel's curseIn a grand English estate, a passionate tutor defies social ranks by confessing his love to Lady Edith, whose charm conceals a haunting secret tied to the ominous "Minstrel’s Curse…
Level C1RomanceThe mill house mysteryA sudden bicycle accident near a grand estate draws Sir Robert Hadlow into a mysterious drama that entwines danger, unexpected kindness, and a tangled past.
Level C1MysteryThe melody of deathUnder cover of night, skilled burglars attempt a daring diamond heist in a seemingly secure office, but an unexpected third presence threatens to unravel their carefully laid plans…
Level C1RomanceThe malady of the centuryA group of young Heidelberg graduates embarks on a lively Black Forest hike, but one—melancholy Wilhelm Eynhardt—chooses solitude over companionship, setting the stage for a journe…
Level C1RomanceThe making of a womanA young woman struggles against her stern grandfather's forbidding control over her artistic dreams, yearning to follow her late mother's passion for painting despite a life constr…
Level C1RomanceThe magnetA retired naval captain’s three spirited daughters grow up aboard an old schooner, where love, discipline, and adventure intertwine beneath the watchful eye of their devoted sea ca…
Level C1FantasyThe magic ring, Vol. 3 (of 3)In a storm-lashed castle, Lady Bertha embarks on a perilous night journey to bless a dying Moorish soldier, guided by mysterious signals and her unwavering faith.
Level C1FantasyThe magic ring, Vol. 2 (of 3)In a realm where honor and magic collide, young Sir Otto faces mysterious champions, enchanted rings, and powerful foes as he navigates battles of strength, love, and supernatural…
Level C1FantasyThe magic ring, Vol. 1 (of 3)A mysterious magic ring weaves a tale of chivalry, ancient warriors, and northern legends, inviting readers into a richly imagined world where history and romance intertwine throug…
Level C1RomanceThe letters of Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Barrett, Vol. 2 (of 2) 1845-1846Two poets exchange intimate letters filled with wit, affection, and the trials of love, revealing a tender bond that blossoms through words despite distance and isolation.
Level C1RomanceThe lady's mileAmidst the dazzling crowds and high-stepping horses of the Lady’s Mile, a sharp observer glimpses the restless ambitions and hidden struggles beneath London’s glittering facade.
Level C1RomanceThe king's ringAmidst the turmoil of the Thirty Years' War, a young surgeon abandons his ecclesiastical studies to join the battlefield, navigating loyalty, love, and survival in a world torn by…