Romance
Read Romance Classics in English
587 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 B2RomanceThe Great AccidentIn the quiet town of Hardiston, where iron furnaces stand sentinel and apple blossoms hint at renewal, lives intertwine amid fading industries and enduring pride.
Level B2RomanceThe Golden SilenceAmid scandal and whispers, Stephen Knight faces the challenge of defending Margot Lorenzi, a woman whose mysterious past threatens his reputation and heart.
Level B2MysteryThe Golden Face: A Great 'Crook' RomanceAn ex-officer struggling to find his place after the war accepts a mysterious, high-paying job driving a Rolls for the enigmatic Rudolph Rayne.
Level B2RomanceThe God of Civilization: A RomanceYearning to escape her endless social routine, a young woman seizes the chance to embark on a months-long sailing voyage to Australia, seeking adventure and change.
Level B2RomanceThe Girls of St. Olave'sOn the eve of her engagement, Denys navigates the bittersweet shift from family life to new beginnings, caught between cherished memories and the promise of love.
Level B2RomanceThe Girl from MontanaA resolute young woman faces heartbreak and hardship in her Montana cabin, standing alone after the loss of her family to tragedy.
Level B2RomanceThe Girl at CobhurstWhen a sudden urgent call from the enigmatic Miss Panney disrupts Dr.
Level B2MysteryThe Ghost of Guir HouseA mysterious letter invites a man to a remote Virginia station, promising a meeting with the enigmatic Dorothy Guir.
Level B2RomanceThe Ghost in the Red ShirtA group of friends embarks on a lake outing that turns perilous as a storm strikes, forcing them ashore near an abandoned cabin where eerie happenings begin.
Level B2RomanceThe Ghost GirlIn the misty Irish countryside, spirited Phylice Berknowles defies tradition and school to carve her own path, but the arrival of a mysterious will from America threatens to upend…
Level B2MysteryThe Ghost Breaker: A Novel Based Upon the PlayAmidst the fading twilight of an old Southern manor, a wounded colonel entrusts his son with a grim mission: to uncover the truth and avenge the mysterious deaths that have shatter…
Level B2MysteryThe Gay Triangle: The Romance of the First Air AdventurersIn the misty Norfolk fens, a revolutionary motor-car transforms into a silent monoplane, piloted by two daring adventurers.
Level B2RomanceThe Gates of DawnA lone gamekeeper journeys through the English countryside in a colorful caravan, seeking an elusive destination beneath a towering pine.
Level B2RomanceThe Funny Philosophers, or Wags and Sweethearts. A NovelIn a lively debate beneath the stars, a young lawyer challenges the laws of gravity and the nature of love, spinning a whimsical tale of romance, philosophy, and unexpected discove…
Level B2RomanceThe Frontier Angel: A Romance of Kentucky Rangers' LifeIn a perilous frontier town near the Ohio River, young Marian Abbot prepares to journey westward on a flat-boat, leaving behind her beloved Russel Mansfield amid threats from reneg…
Level B2MysteryThe Fortune HunterA charming but impecunious actor navigates New York's working-class society, weaving charm and ambition among its vibrant characters.
Level B2RomanceThe Forged Note: A Romance of the Darker RacesA young homesteader's marriage is shattered when his minister father-in-law forges his signature to steal a valuable land claim, sparking a fierce battle over justice and betrayal…
Level B2RomanceThe Forest Monster; or, Lamora, the Maid of the CanonA perilous journey through the wild Far West unfolds as emigrants face the looming threat of a massive Indian force.
Level B2RomanceThe Forbidden WayA determined young man navigates treacherous business deals and a fiery romance, balancing sharp schemes and passionate confrontations in a world where loyalty and love come at a h…
Level B2RomanceThe Following of the Star: A RomanceIn a quaint Hampshire village, a devoted preacher grapples with the apathy and divided loyalties of his congregation, where tradition clashes with personal pride and faith is teste…
Level B2RomanceThe Flying MercuryA stranded young woman and her companion encounter a skilled and enigmatic driver who swiftly comes to their aid on a dark Long Island road, setting the stage for unexpected connec…
Level B2Science FictionThe Flying CuspidorsIn 2056, Hotlips Grogan, a top trumpet player on a gambling ship orbiting Earth, struggles with mysterious trouble linked to a captivating new band member.
Level B2MysteryThe Five KnotsIn a grand estate filled with exotic orchids and elegant guests, Beatrice Galloway senses a mysterious presence lurking in the shadows, hinting at secrets beneath the opulent surfa…
Level B2RomanceThe Enchanted BarnA young stenographer struggles to support her ailing mother and siblings while facing eviction from their cramped home, forcing her to seek a new place and hope for a brighter futu…
Level B2RomanceThe Disputed V.C.: A Tale of the Indian MutinyAmidst the looming chaos of the Indian Mutiny in 1857, young ensign Ted Russell grapples with his brother Jim’s unexpected infatuation with a spirited young woman, challenging thei…
Level B2MysteryThe Disagreeable Woman: A Social MysteryAt a bustling boarding house in New York, a sharp-tongued woman known only as the Disagreeable Woman stirs curiosity and unease with her biting remarks and mysterious past.
Level B2RomanceThe Devil's Own: A Romance of the Black Hawk WarAmid the tense frontier of 1832, a young soldier at a remote fort witnesses the brewing conflict between restless Native tribes and encroaching settlers, where fierce rivalries and…
Level B2RomanceThe Delafield AffairIn a parched New Mexican ranch, Curtis Conrad faces the harsh realities of drought and loss, until a surprising letter from old attorneys stirs new hope.
Level B2RomanceThe Definite Object: A Romance of New YorkIn the bustling heart of New York, a mournful millionaire searches for meaning beyond wealth and creditors, guided by the peculiar charm of a dignified butler’s whiskers.
Level B2RomanceThe Dazzling Miss DavisonIn a lively Bayswater house where young hopefuls gather, a clever but struggling barrister becomes captivated by the portrait—and soon the presence—of a charming, intelligent girl…
Level B2RomanceThe Day of the DogA determined lawyer races against time to secure a crucial signature on a sprawling estate, only to face unexpected obstacles—including a fierce bulldog guarding a lonely country b…
Level B2RomanceThe Day of JudgmentThree friends explore the wild beauty near Scotland's border, uncovering the intriguing and unconventional laws of Scottish marriage—where a simple mutual promise can bind two live…
Level B2RomanceThe Danger TrailA determined engineer leaves the comfort of civilization to conquer the wilds of northern Canada, tasked with building a railroad through untamed wilderness where mystery and dange…
Level B2RomanceThe Cruise of the Make-BelievesA finely dressed stranger ventures into the gritty Arcadia Street, seeking a mysterious Mr.
Level B2RomanceThe Courtship of Susan BellA young widow and her two daughters live a quiet life in Saratoga Springs, but when a mysterious young man arrives on a cold winter's day, the promise of romance and change stirs b…
Level B2RomanceThe Colonel of the Red HuzzarsAn American officer longs for action beyond dull engineering duties and finds himself drawn into a high-stakes wager involving a mysterious princess and the volatile politics of th…
Level B2MysteryThe Clock and the KeyIn the shimmering beauty of Venice, a man haunted by years of idle dreams wrestles with a secret he cannot share, while a spirited woman seeks to understand the clash between encha…
Level B2RomanceThe Cassowary; What Chanced in the Cleft MountainsCaught in a fierce blizzard, a trans-continental train is trapped in the deadly Cleft Mountains snowdrift, and only one passenger with unexpected skills can send a crucial message…
Level B2RomanceThe Car of DestinyA son of a disgraced Spanish family defies suspicion and exile to pursue freedom and adventure, racing toward Biarritz where royalty and romance intertwine.
Level B2RomanceThe Candidate: A Political RomanceIn a nation ready for change, a young, unheralded lawyer rises as the unlikely nominee for president, sparking a thrilling political battle where youth, courage, and democracy coll…
Level B2RomanceThe Call of the East: A Romance of Far FormosaIn a turbulent Far Eastern port during the Franco-Chinese War, a defiant young woman clashes with a charming doctor aboard a ship bound for Formosa.
Level B2RomanceThe Call of the CanyonHaunted by war and estranged from his past life, Glenn retreats West to heal, sending a letter that challenges the love he once knew.
Level B2MysteryThe Burglar and the Blizzard: A Christmas StoryA series of daring robberies plagues a wealthy mountain community, with a mysterious thief slipping in unnoticed under the cover of night.
Level B2RomanceThe Bronze BellA young man arrives at the remote Nokomis station, puzzled by a mysterious stranger who denies knowing him, yet hints at hidden connections and secrets waiting to unfold amidst the…
Level B2RomanceThe Broken CupIn the charming village of Napoule, the arrival of the beautiful Marietta stirs hearts and disrupts peace, as her innocent presence ignites jealousy, longing, and conflict among th…
Level B2MysteryThe BrightenerAmidst secret gardens and whispered rumors, a young princess faces devastating news of war and loss while navigating a web of family intrigue and hidden truths.
Level B2RomanceThe Boy Ranger; or, The Heiress of the Golden HornA young ranger races against time to save Dick Sherwood from a harsh frontier justice in the isolated settlement of Clontarf’s Post, where danger lurks in the shadows of the prairi…
Level B2RomanceThe Bow of Orange Ribbon: A Romance of New YorkIn 18th-century New York, amid blossoming gardens and rising trade, Joris Van Heemskirk navigates a world of political ambition and deep-rooted family pride, where love and legacy…