Romance
Read Romance Classics in English
622 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.
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Level B2RomanceZoraida: A Romance of the Harem and the Great SaharaLost in the scorching Sahara, an English traveler seeks a mysterious caravan led by Ali Ben Hafiz, hoping for protection and answers amid a harsh desert journey filled with peril a…
Level B2MysteryYoung BloodOn his twenty-first birthday, Harry Ringrose returns home from an adventurous voyage, eager to share tales of wild encounters and prove himself a man of the world.
Level B2RomanceWyndham's PalAmid a tense yacht race and fading mist, a determined young man battles both the elements and financial strain to win the coveted Commodore's Cup, hoping to secure his future and p…
Level B2RomanceWinnie Childs, the Shop GirlAboard a storm-tossed ocean liner, Peter Rolls stumbles upon a mysterious, mirror-walled room where five stunningly dressed women—like ethereal dryads—lounge in dazzling gowns.
Level B2RomanceWild HeatherAn eight-year-old girl returns from India with her charming father, navigating love, loss, and the quirky bonds of family and loyalty.
Level B2RomanceWife in Name OnlyA disheartened country doctor faces financial ruin and social rejection in a small Kent town, his hopes fading like the autumn sunset.
Level B2RomanceWho Cares? A Story of AdolescenceA young woman trapped in an ancient, stifling household longs for freedom and youthful joy as spring breathes new life around her.
Level B2RomanceWhite LightningIn 1905 Chicago, twelve-year-old Marvin Mahan, a curious and daring boy with a scientific spark, explores the mysteries of hydrogen and the wonders of chemistry under his father’s…
Level B2RomanceWhite FireA determined young woman embarks on a journey through a bustling industrial town, captivated by its beauty and brimming with quiet resolve.
Level B2RomanceWhich? Or, Between Two WomenA desperate mother flees through stormy March winds, seeking refuge for her newborn amid the wild French countryside.
Level B2RomanceWhere the Atlantic meets the landAmidst rugged cliffs and shimmering shores, two young lovers navigate the tides of their bond and the promise of marriage, discovering the beauty and challenges where the wild Atla…
Level B2RomanceWhen the Birds Begin to SingIn a sunlit countryside, spirited Eleanor’s playful game with a charming stranger sparks a lively chase and an unexpected kiss, setting the stage for a tender romance filled with l…
Level B2RomanceWhen Polly Was EighteenOn a tranquil afternoon atop Chimney Hill, Polly senses a shift in her lover David’s mood as he reveals plans to leave unexpectedly, stirring questions about love, friendship, and…
Level B2RomanceWhen Love CallsAmidst the vivid beauty of a Norwegian riverbank, two young women embrace the wild freedom of fishing and friendship, finding unexpected joy and challenges in their rugged outdoor…
Level B2RomanceWhen I Was CzarAn American traveler, mistaken for the Czar himself, is swept into a thrilling adventure across Russia’s vast empire, navigating royal intrigues and a captivating woman’s mysteriou…
Level B2MysteryWhat's Bred in the BoneWhen Elma narrowly escapes sitting on a coiled snake in a train compartment, she encounters a mysterious man whose true identity and intentions are as intriguing as the hidden dang…
Level B2RomanceWestover of Wanalah: A story of love and life in Old VirginiaIn antebellum Virginia, young Boyd Westover inherits a sprawling plantation burdened by debt and steeped in tradition.
Level B2RomanceWedded by fateOn a bleak November day, a mysterious young woman of aristocratic bearing seeks work as a nurse despite her delicate appearance, harboring a hidden sorrow and a secret past that pr…
Level B2RomanceWayside CourtshipsIn a world divided by social class, a passionate student and a graceful woman exchange longing glances across the balconies of an opera house, their connection charged with ambitio…
Level B2RomanceWar paintA spirited young New York heiress meets two stoic Texas Rangers on the wild border, where danger and unexpected romance ignite amid gunfire and daring showdowns.
Level B2RomanceVirgie's InheritanceAs her father's health fades and their past casts a shadow, Virgie faces a bleak future in their humble mountain home, determined to protect their secret and secure her inheritance…
Level B2FantasyViolet: A Fairy StoryIn a humble gardener's hut, young Violet's gentle spirit transforms even the simplest life into a world of wonder, where unseen fairies of Love and Contentment watch over her and n…
Level B2RomanceVictor VictoriousA privileged childhood unfolds amid a sprawling garden by the Thames, shaped by mysterious family ties and the loyal presence of a silent guardian.
Level B2Science FictionUnder the desert starsA mysterious European woman, lost in distant thoughts and harboring secrets, captivates a keen observer in bustling New York.
Level B2RomanceTrue to a Type, Vol. 2 (of 2)Stranded after a fierce storm, a group faces the challenge of surviving with scarce provisions while navigating tense relationships and the wild sea.
Level B2RomanceTrue Love's Reward: A Sequel to MonaA young woman navigates the sharp judgments and hidden secrets of high society, caught between duty and desire as she awaits a long-promised future.
Level B2RomanceTroubled WatersA charming range rider, carefree and flirtatious, finds an unexpected encounter beneath blooming apple trees that promises to stir more than just the spring air.
Level B2RomanceTorchy and VeeAmidst the backdrop of World War I home front life, a devoted daughter struggles with the exhausting demands of caring for her ailing, imperious father while navigating the quiet s…
Level B2RomanceTomina in retreatExhausted by the relentless pace of London society, Tomina faces a doctor's stark prescription: escape to a quiet retreat for her health.
Level B2MysteryTo Win the Love He Sought: The Great Awakening: Volume 3Under the vibrant Sicilian twilight, an English gentleman and a mysterious Sicilian meet by chance in Palermo’s lively promenade, setting the stage for intrigue, hidden motives, an…
Level B2RomanceTo LoveA young woman embraces independence in London, wrestling with love, desire, and her radical beliefs about marriage and free love, while caught in the complex charm of a self-indulg…
Level B2FantasyTing-a-lingIn an enchanted Eastern kingdom, a sheltered princess encounters a mysterious, dignified stranger while out walking—sparking a thrilling adventure filled with danger, unexpected br…
Level B2RomanceThrough the Postern Gate: A Romance in Seven DaysA young man boldly declares his love to Christobel, promising to win her heart in just seven days.
Level B2RomanceThrice wedded, but only once a wifeIn a charming New England town, a young boy faces accusation and shame, while the old homestead reveals stories of love, honor, and the trials of rural life—capturing the heartbeat…
Level B2RomanceThree millions!A self-made millionaire reflects on a lifetime of sacrifice and relentless ambition, amassing a vast fortune yet living in isolation and simplicity.
Level B2RomanceThreads gathered upYears after her father's disgrace and death, Virgie has built a peaceful life in San Francisco—until a mysterious, bedraggled stranger arrives on a stormy night claiming to be her…
Level B2RomanceThose Dale GirlsTwo lively sisters navigate the challenges of college life, society expectations, and family worries as they settle into a new town and try to bring joy to their preoccupied father…
Level B2RomanceThose Brewster ChildrenAmid the cozy chaos of a winter afternoon, a mother’s gentle authority is tested by the spirited antics of her three lively children.
Level B2RomanceThorns of regretIn a tale of ambition and shattered love, a self-made man marries for wealth but neglects the wife who secures his fortune, setting the stage for a gripping drama of regret, betray…
Level B2RomanceThey Looked and Loved; Or, Won by FaithA beautiful but penniless girl faces a desperate choice when an old, wealthy miser offers her a life of luxury in exchange for marriage.
Level B2RomanceTheir YesterdaysA young man faces the loss of his childhood home and the weight of growing into manhood, while a woman similarly revisits her past.
Level B2RomanceThe wooing of LeolaA lavish reception sets the stage for Jessie Stirling’s determined quest to win back Chester Olyphant’s love, complicated by the mysterious charm of Leola Mead, whose wild beauty t…
Level B2RomanceThe voice at JohnnywaterA weary actor, still painted as a Native American warrior, receives a mysterious phone call promising a surprise that could change everything—especially when a bold woman calls him…
Level B2RomanceThe valley of ArcanaLost in the vast, mysterious redwood forests of Northern California, two hunters must rely on their wits and each other to find shelter as night falls and the wilderness closes in.
Level B2RomanceThe vagabond loverA sensitive young man faces rejection in sports, music, and love as he struggles to find his place at university, dreaming of winning the heart of the campus queen despite repeated…
Level B2RomanceThe unlit lampOn a bitter night, two friends venture to a distant Staten Island dance, where the warmth and elegance of the Masons' home contrast sharply with the harsh journey—setting the stage…
Level B2RomanceThe unbidden guestA mysterious gypsy child is left behind after a cursed eviction, taken in reluctantly by an aristocratic household.
Level B2RomanceThe two countessesAt Sebenberg Castle, the dull post-shooting season is brightened by news of a young Swabian count’s arrival, stirring curiosity and anticipation in the lively Countess Muschi.