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 B2RomanceMiss CapriceIn the vibrant setting of Malta's fortified city of Valetta, a spirited Englishwoman and her eclectic companions find their unexpected stopover stirring passions and rivalries.
Level B2RomanceMiss Billy — MarriedA whirlwind romance defies family expectations as Billy and Bertram marry in a quiet, sunlit ceremony, their love triumphing over misunderstandings, broken engagements, and a drama…
Level B2RomanceMischievous Maid FaynieIn a snowbound New York, two handsome cousins lead starkly different lives—one a struggling cashier with a heart of gold, the other a charming actor desperate for money.
Level B2RomanceMilly: At Love's Extremes; A Romance of the SouthlandIn the rugged Alabama mountains, an Englishman overseeing family mines seeks solace in the wild landscape, where nature’s beauty and a sudden storm mirror the complexities of his n…
Level B2RomanceMeg of the heatherCaught between the wild beauty of the heath and a brewing storm, Meg finds a moment of freedom shattered by harsh realities.
Level B2RomanceMay Iverson's CareerA young woman fresh from graduation shocks her family by deciding to become a nun, but her father persuades her to try a career as a newspaper reporter in New York first—setting th…
Level B2RomanceMason of Bar X RanchA wealthy young man in New York faces his father’s ultimatum: spend a year proving himself on a rugged Nevada ranch or be disinherited.
Level B2RomanceMarjorie Dean, Post-GraduateUnder a moonlit sky at Severn Beach, youthful friendships spark with playful challenges and unspoken feelings.
Level B2RomanceMarjorie Dean MacyIn sunlit Southern California, Marjorie Dean, poised between youthful charm and newfound love, reunites with her dear friend Ronny amidst the romantic beauty of the Manaña ranch—wh…
Level B2RomanceMarjorieA young man raised by cautious, well-meaning parents dreams of adventure beyond his quiet mercer's shop in Sussex, drawn irresistibly to the sea by tales of Arabian Nights and exot…
Level B2RomanceMarion Arleigh's Penance: Everyday Life Library No. 5On a scorching June afternoon, a mysterious veiled woman boards a train bound for Crewe, her silent despair and secretive demeanor hinting at a haunting past.
Level B2RomanceMarian GreyIn the shadowed halls of Redstone, a dying guardian wrestles with a haunting secret and urges young Marian to marry his son, intertwining love, loyalty, and a mysterious past that…
Level B2RomanceMaria Chapdelaine: A Tale of the Lake St. John CountryIn a remote, snowbound village by Lake St.
Level B2RomanceMargie's ventureAs Harry departs on a year-long voyage, young Margie faces family hardships and the pressure to marry amid financial struggles.
Level B2RomanceMarcia SchuylerAmid preparations for her sister Kate’s wedding, young Marcia yearns for a new dress and a life beyond her unnoticed role.
Level B2RomanceMadelineIn a small New England town divided by fierce school disputes, a young Boston doctor is unexpectedly appointed sole inspector of common schools, tasked with examining local teacher…
Level B2RomanceLuke's wifeUnder moonlit skies, newlyweds Luke and Rachel embark on a journey of love, faith, and the challenges of parish life, facing the trials of duty, home, and heart as they build their…
Level B2RomanceLucy HardingA group of determined American women embarks on a journey to St.
Level B2RomanceLoved you better than you knewSeventeen-year-old Cinthia Dawn, trapped in a dull, sheltered life under her strict aunt’s watch, longs for beauty, excitement, and love beyond her gray existence—until a stormy da…
Level B2RomanceLove's bitterest cupA newlywed doctor and teacher find their quiet plans upended by a whirlwind of lively winter celebrations, as neighbors compete to host unforgettable parties in their honor.
Level B2RomanceLove's Golden ThreadAs Bernard comes of age and inherits his fortune, he proposes to his beloved Doris, setting their future together amidst hopes, challenges, and the expectations of family.
Level B2RomanceLove in a MuddleCaught in a tense midnight encounter beneath watchful searchlights, a young woman struggles against the confines of her oppressive home life and a strict military world.
Level B2RomanceLove in a Mask; Or, Imprudence and HappinessOn a lively Mardi Gras night in Paris, a young cavalry officer is drawn into the mysterious allure of a masked woman determined to remain free from love's chains—sparking a flirtat…
Level B2RomanceLove in a Cloud: A Comedy in FiligreeIn a society buzzing with gossip about a mysterious novel, a spirited young woman defies convention by secretly writing to its elusive author, sparking intrigue, secrets, and playf…
Level B2RomanceLove conquers pride; or, Where peace dweltA young factory girl torn between her humble reality and dreams of love finds herself caught in a world of jealousy, ambition, and secret longings during a fleeting visit to the co…
Level B2RomanceLove and tea: A comedy-drama of colonial times in two actsIn a colonial village torn by revolution, a tea-loving spinster’s secret habit sparks conflict and romance as her niece’s engagement to a fiery Minuteman challenges loyalties.
Level B2RomanceLove InsuranceA nervous English lord seeks an unusual insurance policy from the famed Lloyds of London, pitching a bizarre gamble that could change his fortune forever.
Level B2RomanceLouie's married lifeNewlyweds Louie and Ronald face the harsh trials of illness and recovery in a cramped London lodging, where love’s quiet strength and music offer hope amid shadows that deepen arou…
Level B2RomanceLorraine: A RomanceIn the shadowed forests of Lorraine, a fierce young woman confronts strangers mapping her land, suspecting a brewing war across the border.
Level B2MysteryLord John in New YorkWounded and recovering in a convalescent home, a talented detective and war hero faces unexpected challenges when a powerful New York magnate threatens to ruin the theatrical debut…
Level B2RomanceLittle Robins' Love One to AnotherIn a charming countryside setting, the lively Robin family navigates lessons of behavior, kindness, and family dynamics as young Jack tests boundaries and each bird learns the valu…
Level B2RomanceLittle Golden's Daughter; or, The Dream of a Life TimeIn a faded ancestral home, spirited young Golden dreams of joining her cousins' elegant party, despite the social divides and whispered cruelties that shadow her simple life.
Level B2RomanceLister's Great AdventureAmid the shimmering lakes and pine forests of Ontario, a tangled web of love, ambition, and rivalry unfolds as Barbara defies expectations and Tom Cartwright maneuvers his struggli…
Level B2MysteryLillian's vowOn a quiet winter night, an old man is attacked for a mysterious memorandum-book that could expose dark secrets of forgery and embezzlement.
Level B2RomanceLiliecrona's homeAmid a fierce Christmas storm that traps a young girl and her family, hopes for a joyful holiday feast are dashed as they face harsh winds and uncertain roads, testing their spirit…
Level B2RomanceLet Us Kiss and Part; or, A Shattered TieA young couple's passionate love is tested by poverty and pride, driving them apart despite their deep affection.
Level B2RomanceLeonie, the Typewriter: A Romance of Actual LifeA talented stenographer steps into a demanding new role as a private secretary for a handsome, honorable lawyer cut out of his inheritance.
Level B2RomanceLena GrahamSeparated from her parents and raised by a devoted aunt, young Lena Graham eagerly awaits the arrival of her sisters and the reunion with her family, stepping into a new life fille…
Level B2RomanceLavender and Old LaceA city woman spends summer in her aunt's weathered countryside home, navigating rustic life and quirky locals—starting with a cautious carriage ride and a mysterious letter that hi…
Level B2RomanceLatitude 19°: A Romance of the West Indies in the Year of Our Lord Eighteen Hundred and TwentyStranded in the West Indies in 1820, a castaway recounts harrowing adventures amid pirate caves, mystical rites, and colonial courts, all while grappling with danger and an unexpec…
Level B2RomanceKitty Canary: A NovelAt sixteen, Kitty revels in the thrilling chaos of first love while navigating the expectations and protective watchfulness of Billy, her childhood guardian now abroad—discovering…
Level B2RomanceKing Arthur's Knights: The Tales Re-told for Boys & GirlsJourney into a world of magic, valor, and chivalry where King Arthur and his knights embark on daring quests to protect the weak, uphold truth, and defend honor in a land alive wit…
Level B2RomanceKing Arthur and the Knights of the Round TableStep into a world of chivalry, magic, and noble quests with King Arthur and his legendary knights as they face battles, enchantments, and the search for the Holy Grail in a realm w…
Level B2RomanceKidnapped at the Altar; Or, The Romance of that Saucy Jessie BainA chance glimpse of the elusive Jessie Bain haunts Hubert Varrick, a man bound to marry another, stirring jealousy and doubt amid a glamorous summer setting.
Level B2RomanceKathleen's Diamonds; or, She Loved a Handsome ActorA young heiress haunted by the tragic suicide of her mother finds herself captivated by a mysterious stranger who once saved her life, challenging societal expectations and stirrin…
Level B2RomanceKate Bonnet: The Romance of a Pirate's DaughterIn 17th-century Barbados, bright young Kate Bonnet contemplates her father’s mysterious ship and secretive plans to cruise the islands, while a hopeful suitor watches from the rive…
Level B2RomanceJolly Sally Pendleton; Or, the Wife Who Was Not a WifeIn a summer village where wealthy hearts and social ambitions collide, two dazzling sisters vie for the attention of a charming young millionaire determined to escape society’s exp…
Level B2RomanceJohn Stevens' Courtship: A Story of the Echo Canyon WarIn the rugged frontier of Utah during the Echo Canyon War, John Stevens navigates love and loyalty amidst pioneer hardships and stirring conflicts.