Romance
Read Romance Classics in English
722 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 Morriña (Homesickness), Morning Star and Morley Ernstein; or, the Tenants of the Heart. 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 C1RomanceMorriña (Homesickness)A devoted mother watches over her university-bound son in bustling Madrid, blending tender care with sharp wit as she navigates the challenges of student life and maternal love.
Level C1FantasyMorning StarIn ancient Egypt, a powerful queen’s immortal "Ka" must navigate treacherous plots and forbidden magic to escape a deadly marriage and protect her throne, blending history, romance…
Level C1RomanceMorley Ernstein; or, the Tenants of the HeartAt twenty-one, Morley Ernstein grapples with the fierce clash between earthly desires and higher aspirations, caught in a stirring struggle of body and soul.
Level C1RomanceMorley Ashton: A Story of the Sea. Volume 1 (of 3)A restless traveler returns to his English village after perilous sea voyages, carrying secrets and a desperate mission.
Level C1RomanceMorien: A Metrical Romance Rendered into English Prose from the Mediæval DutchA Moorish knight, born of a mysterious union between a Christian and a Moorish princess, embarks on a quest intertwined with the legendary Grail and the complex legacy of Arthurian…
Level C1RomanceMore About PeggyA diverse group of passengers embarks on a long voyage across the Bay of Bengal, where initial coldness and suspicion give way to unexpected friendships and hidden stories.
Level C1RomanceMordred and Hildebrand: A Book of TragediesIn a land torn by war and sin, a weary king seeks redemption for a haunting, dark past while wrestling with the hope of restoring peace and honor to his troubled kingdom.
Level C1RomanceMoodsIn a sunlit room shadowed by doubt, a newly betrothed couple confronts the fragile threads of love, pride, and truth.
Level C1RomanceMonte-Cristo's DaughterIn Rome, the enigmatic daughter of Monte-Cristo, Zuleika, navigates love and danger as her suitor becomes entangled in dark suspicions, while the Count himself delves into a myster…
Level C1RomanceMonsieur BeaucaireA clever young Frenchman exposes a cheating duke at a high-stakes card game, setting off a daring game of wit and deception.
Level C1RomanceMonica: A Novel, Volume 3 (of 3)In a world of social expectations and hidden sorrows, Beatrice wrestles with a restless heart and a complicated past involving the enigmatic Tom Pendrill.
Level C1RomanceMonica: A Novel, Volume 1 (of 3)In a lonely, decaying castle by the rugged Cornish coast, Monica devotes herself to caring for her ailing stepbrother, bound by a shared past and a haunting secret that has transfo…
Level C1RomanceMoney Magic: A NovelIn a bustling Colorado town, Bertha Gilman manages a lively hotel and dreams beyond her daily grind, navigating the challenges of work, family, and unexpected romance in a land tra…
Level C1RomanceMolly BawnWhen a dashing young hussar unexpectedly accepts an invitation to stay at a countryside estate, lively Molly vows to charm him with her wit and warmth.
Level C1RomanceMollie's Prince: A NovelIn a nostalgic corner of Chelsea, a delicate young woman with captivating eyes wanders through a timeless lime avenue, where old war veterans recount their tales of valor—setting t…
Level C1RomanceMoll Davis: a comedyIn 1661 London, a sharp-witted young woman stranded at a rough inn faces a standoff with its landlord over unpaid debts, until a charming yet unscrupulous cavalier arrives to stir…
Level C1RomanceMohawks: A Novel. Volume 3 of 3Amidst the glittering social whirl of London’s new reign, Lady Judith Topsparkle’s card parties and a playwright’s daring debut on Drury Lane set the stage for intrigue, ambition,…
Level C1RomanceMohammed Ali and His HouseAmidst the tempestuous sea and brewing storm, a proud youth named Mohammed defies warnings, setting the stage for a tale of courage, conflict, and the fierce forces that bind a coa…
Level C1RomanceModern Flirtations: A NovelIn a society where light reading replaces grand entertainments, a woman navigates the complexities of modern flirtations and moral expectations, revealing the delicate balance betw…
Level C1RomanceMistress WildingA tense, scandalous encounter erupts when a young man insults Mr.
Level C1RomanceMistress PenwickA young woman raised in a Quebec convent learns she must leave for England under the care of a stern Scottish guardian who controls her inheritance and marriage prospects.
Level C1MysteryMiss or Mrs.?Aboard a silent schooner yacht, tensions ripple beneath the calm sea as Richard Turlington oversees a holiday voyage with his medical attendant and the Graybrooke family, sparking…
Level C1RomanceMiss Sarah Jack of Spanish Town, JamaicaIn a fading Jamaican paradise, Maurice Cumming battles relentless misfortune to keep his family sugar estate alive amid the island’s social upheaval and economic decline.
Level C1RomanceMiss PrimroseIn a bleak coastal town, determined Pauline confronts her indecisive father amid financial struggles and looming decisions, challenging family dynamics and the weight of unspoken r…
Level C1RomanceMiss Philly Firkin, The China-WomanIn bustling Belford Regis, Philadelphia Firkin runs a charming glass and china shop, blending business with sharp wit and local gossip.
Level C1RomanceMiss MarjoribanksAfter her mother's death, young Lucilla Marjoribanks resolves to transform her household and become the devoted sunshine of her widowed father's life, all while navigating the chal…
Level C1MysteryMiss Maitland, Private SecretaryAmidst the unraveling of a wealthy family's troubled marriage, secrets and societal judgments collide at Grasslands estate, where loyalties are tested and a private secretary might…
Level C1RomanceMiss MackenzieMiss Mackenzie navigates the complexities of family legacy and social expectations after inheriting wealth from her estranged relatives.
Level C1RomanceMiss Hildreth: A Novel, Volume 1A broken engagement leads a woman to seek the comfort of an old love, stirring memories of youth, passion, and regret.
Level C1RomanceMiss Fairfax of Virginia: A Romance of Love and Adventure Under the PalmettosIn the shadowed streets of Dublin, a skilled American diplomat encounters a mysterious woman disguised as a nun, who warns him of a deadly plot—sparking a tense game of intrigue an…
Level C1RomanceMiss Dividends: A NovelA determined Western adventurer arrives in New York to negotiate the sale of a silver mine, captivated by a mysterious beauty and drawn into high-stakes financial dealings amid the…
Level C1RomanceMiss Devereux, spinsterSybella Devereux faces life alone for the first time, a sheltered woman whose gentle nature has been shaped by years of protection and indecision.
Level C1RomanceMiss CrespignyLisbeth Crespigny is a bold, enigmatic young woman restless to escape her quiet village life and the stifling attention of three devoted spinster aunts.
Level C1RomanceMiss Cheyne of Essilmont, Volume 2 (of 3)Haunted by love and secrets, Alison Cheyne embarks on a voyage along the French coast, caught between hope and despair as she contemplates her future with Bevil Goring amidst subtl…
Level C1RomanceMiss Cheyne of Essilmont, Volume 1 (of 3)A chance meeting between Alison Cheyne, the last of her line, and Captain Goring, a soldier bound by loss and duty, sparks a connection amid the thrill of a royal hunt and the shad…
Level C1RomanceMiss Billy's DecisionIn Paris, a witty friendship unfolds between Calderwell and the enigmatic M.
Level C1RomanceMiles Tremenhere: A Novel. Vol. 2 of 2A husband’s deep love spirals into dark jealousy as he battles haunting fears of losing his wife’s affection, revealing a fragile heart caught between passion and despair in their…
Level C1RomanceMiles Tremenhere: A Novel. Vol. 1 of 2Seventeen years old and orphaned, Minnie yearns for the elusive love she’s only just beginning to imagine, caught between the watchful eyes of her aunts, uncle, and a trio of suito…
Level C1RomanceMildred Arkell: A Novel. Vol. 2 (of 3)A young college boy, forbidden from entering the exclusive Bishop’s Garden, finds a golden locket belonging to the spirited Georgina Beauclerc and dares to deliver it himself, spar…![Cover of Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Complete by Gilbert Parker](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da63fmi7a4gs73ek2680.webp)
Level C1RomanceMichel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — CompleteAmidst the turmoil of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, a tender romance unfolds between Michel de la Foret and Angele Aubert, whose love story is pieced together from faded letters and chu…
Level C1Science FictionMercia, the astronomer royal: A romanceIn a future where peace is enforced by the terrifying power of science, women rise to claim their rightful place alongside men, challenging centuries of inequality and forging a ne…
Level C1RomanceMemoirs of Emma CourtneyA passionate woman wrestles with the clash between virtue and desire, revealing the fragile nature of the human heart.
Level C1RomanceMaxA young man travels through the wintry night on the north express, clutching a secret treasure as memories of cold landscapes and distant cities flood his dreams—setting the stage…
Level C1RomanceMaurice GuestIn the vibrant heart of Leipzig's musical world, a young man named Maurice Guest is swept into a passionate journey of art, ambition, and longing, where the promise of spring mirro…
Level C1RomanceMaster of the VineyardAmid the tranquil beauty of a vineyard valley, Rosemary clings to a secret ritual—a scarlet ribbon signal—to summon a mysterious visitor who brings the promise of love and escape f…
Level C1RomanceMaster and MaidAs the new term begins at Hamchester College, the arrival of Lallie, a charming and spirited young woman with a mysterious connection to the students, stirs the quiet housemaster a…
Level C1RomanceMassimilla DoniAmid the faded grandeur of Venice’s noble families, a young patrician clings to his ancestral palace and the delicate beauty of a duchess, weaving a tale of love and loss where ari…
Level C1RomanceMary Seaham: A Novel. Volume 3 of 3A chance encounter in Edinburgh reignites the complicated romance between Mary and Eugene, whose love is tested by distance, doubt, and the pressures of society.