Romance
Read Romance Classics in English
1,673 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.
- 1,673
- books
Level C1RomanceThe Lamp in the DesertUnder the scorching Indian sun, a British officer battles inner turmoil and dangerous secrets amid the oppressive heat and fleeting joys of military life.
Level C1RomanceThe Lady of the IsleOn a radiant May morning in Devon, a lavish wedding is poised to unite noble families—until a mysterious summons disrupts the bride and groom's plans, hinting at secrets that could…
Level C1RomanceThe Lady of the Ice: A NovelA man’s declaration of love sparks a perilous adventure across icy waters, tangled secrets, and unexpected encounters.
Level C1RomanceThe Lady of Loyalty House: A NovelAmidst the brewing conflict of 1642 England, a worldly traveler returns to Cambridge and soon rides to Harby, where loyalty and politics collide.
Level C1RomanceThe Lady of BlossholmeAmid the timeless ruins of Blossholme Abbey, a fierce land dispute ignites deep-seated rivalries, while the legacy of a persecuted lady and the shadow of witchcraft haunt the winds…
Level C1RomanceThe Lady in the CarA mysterious prince with a shadowy past navigates high society and secret intrigues while an inquisitive American girl uncovers the hidden connections between European nobility and…
Level C1RomanceThe Lady ParamountOn her twenty-second birthday, Susanna defies expectations by embarking alone on a bold journey from her Italian island home to explore the wider world, challenging tradition and s…
Level C1RomanceThe Ladies Lindores, Vol. 2 (of 3)A restless duke's son abandons aristocratic life for American adventures, only to return home where his family eagerly schemes to marry him off—despite his charming, unconventional…
Level C1RomanceThe Knights of the Cross, or, Krzyzacy: Historical RomanceAmidst the brutal crusade to conquer pagan Lithuania, a fierce clash unfolds between the militant Knights of the Cross and the resilient Slavic peoples, revealing a gripping tale o…
Level C1RomanceThe Knight of the Golden Melice: A Historical RomanceIn the early 17th century, amid the rugged wilderness of New England, adventurers, merchants, and settlers embark on a perilous quest to establish a new colony, driven by ambition,…
Level C1RomanceThe Knight of MaltaAlong the turbulent coasts of 17th-century Provence, fearless sentries watch for ruthless Barbary pirates who raid villages and seize ships despite fortresses and muskets.
Level C1RomanceThe Knave of DiamondsIn a dazzling ballroom filled with music and laughter, a mysterious woman seeks refuge by an open window, only to be approached by a wary stranger whose intentions unfold amidst wh…
Level C1RomanceThe King's Own Borderers: A Military Romance, Volume 3 (of 3)Caught in relentless rain and isolated in a deserted Spanish villa, Quentin and the passionate Donna Isidora navigate growing affection and dangerous uncertainty during the chaos o…
Level C1RomanceThe King's Own Borderers: A Military Romance, Volume 2 (of 3)An officer faces a sudden summons to command a battalion abroad, forcing a tense farewell amid family hopes and hidden emotions.
Level C1RomanceThe King's Own Borderers: A Military Romance, Volume 1 (of 3)Amid a stormy November sea near the rugged Scottish coast, Lady Winifred watches anxiously as a brig battles treacherous reefs and rising tides, setting the stage for a tale of war…
Level C1RomanceThe King of ArcadiaAs Breckenridge Ballard takes on the chief engineer role for the Arcadia Irrigation project, he faces a deadly mystery: three predecessors have met suspicious ends.
Level C1RomanceThe King of AlsanderIn a quaint English village, a whimsical tale unfolds filled with madmen, kings, scholars, and conspiracies, where beauty, love, and absurdity intertwine beneath the sunlit skies o…
Level C1RomanceThe Journal to Eliza and Various letters by Laurence Sterne and Elizabeth DraperA passionate and turbulent love unfolds through intimate letters and journal entries between a London wit and the captivating Eliza, whose life straddles the exotic allure and hars…
Level C1RomanceThe Jessica Letters: An Editor's RomanceAn aspiring writer seeks guidance from a seasoned editor in bustling New York, confronting the harsh realities and sacrifices demanded by a life devoted to literature.
Level C1HorrorThe Italian, Volume 2 (of 3)In a shadowy Italian convent, Ellena risks exposure to exchange secret messages with the mysterious Vivaldi amid solemn rituals and veiled glances, where danger and intrigue lurk b…
Level C1HorrorThe Italian, Volume 1 (of 3)Amid the shadowed aisles of a solemn Italian church, an assassin seeks sanctuary within the confessional of the Black Penitents, protected by ancient laws and cloaked in mystery.
Level C1RomanceThe Isle of UnrestIn a remote Corsican village battered by mistral winds, a mysterious death disrupts the brooding silence and stirs hidden tensions.
Level C1RomanceThe Island of Fantasy: A RomanceA wealthy young sculptor battles a deep malaise despite his success, haunted by ennui and lost ambition.
Level C1RomanceThe Invasion of France in 1814As foreign armies invade France in 1814, villagers unite in fierce resistance, blending courage and desperation to defend their homeland.
Level C1RomanceThe Intrusions of PeggyWidowed Trix Trevalla reflects on a life shaped by hardship, family secrets, and a marriage born from unspoken alliances.
Level C1RomanceThe Innocents: A Story for LoversIn a modest New York flat, an aging couple clings to love and simple joys amid the city's relentless pace.
Level C1RomanceThe Initials: A Story of Modern LifeAn English traveler in Munich grows restless amid predictable journeys and deserted city streets, yearning to uncover the true character and hidden stories of the Germans he meets.
Level C1RomanceThe Infidel; or, the Fall of Mexico. Vol. II.Amidst a grand feast in Tezcuco, Cortes prepares to lead a diverse army in a daring campaign against Tenochtitlan, while political tensions simmer beneath the surface of celebratio…
Level C1RomanceThe Infidel; or, the Fall of Mexico. Vol. I.Amid the fading grandeur of Tezcuco, once a majestic kingdom rich in culture and learning, the return of Spanish conquerors threatens to shatter the fragile peace.
Level C1RomanceThe Indiscretion of the Duchess: Being a Story Concerning Two Ladies, a Nobleman, and a NecklaceAn Englishman finds himself drawn into a tangled drama of intrigue and romance when his friend invites him to join a forbidden visit to a French duchess, whose life is shadowed by…
Level C1RomanceThe Indian On The Trail: From "Mackinac And Lake Stories", 1899In a secluded lime-kiln on a quiet island, Maurice Barrett wrestles with the passion and complexities of a love that defies age and past regrets, as he awaits the woman who has awa…
Level C1MysteryThe Indian BangleA widow in colonial Bombay navigates grief, wealth, and complex family ties as she prepares to honor her late husband while unraveling secrets tied to a longstanding engagement and…
Level C1RomanceThe Independence of ClaireTorn between duty and desire, Claire Gifford faces a heart-wrenching choice as her family's financial troubles force her to consider marriage not for love, but for survival.
Level C1RomanceThe Incredible HoneymoonA young engineer inherits property and abandons his trade to pursue a pastoral dream, embarking on a whimsical adventure with a loyal dog by his side.
Level C1RomanceThe Imprudence of PrueOn a dark moorland evening, two women’s carriage is stopped by a bold highwayman demanding a kiss instead of gold—a daring encounter that promises romance, danger, and secrets lurk…
Level C1RomanceThe Impostor: A Tale of Old AnnapolisIn colonial Annapolis, the charming and clever Martha Stirling navigates courtship and intrigue amid the arrival of the handsome, mysterious Sir Edward Parkington, whose shipwrecke…
Level C1RomanceThe House of the Wolf: A RomanceIn the tense summer of 1572, three brothers and their cousin Catherine face a stirring revelation and looming dangers at the French court, where loyalty, love, and the shadow of a…
Level C1RomanceThe House of de MaillyIn 1744 Paris, Count Claude de Mailly navigates treacherous court intrigues and forbidden desires as he grapples with his feelings for the proud and elusive Mme.
Level C1RomanceThe House of ToysA young architect, charming yet struggling, dreams of building a house of love for the girl who inspires him—but fate and unexpected encounters test his hopes, weaving a tale where…
Level C1RomanceThe House of Dreams-Come-TrueIn a shadowy, grand hall, a father and daughter share a moment charged with unspoken hopes as an unexpected invitation to England promises to change their lives forever.
Level C1RomanceThe Hope of the Katzekopfs; or, The Sorrows of Selfishness. A Fairy Tale.In a world where fairy tales hold hidden lessons, a timeless storyteller seeks to awaken young hearts to the dangers of selfishness and the power of empathy, inviting readers into…
Level C1RomanceThe Honourable Mr. TawnishIn a world of duels, dog-fights, and high society intrigues, a young gentleman faces the scandal of a rebellious love that defies his family's plans—challenging honor, tradition, a…
Level C1RomanceThe Honour of Savelli: A RomanceIn a tense camp before Arezzo, a sharp betrayal shatters fragile peace among knights and nobles, entangling honor, friendship, and passion in a volatile Italian romance set against…
Level C1RomanceThe Honorable Peter Stirling and What People Thought of HimA smooth-talking socialite challenges the notion that modern life lacks romance and nobility, arguing that love and heroism still shape destinies amid the bustle of a New York yach…
Level C1RomanceThe History of the Seven Wise Masters of RomeA young prince faces a deadly accusation from his stepmother, but seven wise sages weave tales to defend his innocence against her deceitful plots.
Level C1RomanceThe History of the Lady Betty StairIn 1798, amid the turmoil of revolution and exile, Lady Betty Stair navigates a world of court intrigue, old rivalries, and forbidden passions at the haunted palace of Holyrood, wh…
Level C1RomanceThe History of Pendennis, Volume 2: His Fortunes and Misfortunes, His Friends and His Greatest EnemyIn a world of restless youth and tangled loyalties, Mr.
Level C1RomanceThe History of Emily MontagueAn adventurous lieutenant-colonel seeks a fresh start in the wild beauty of Canada, captivated by its untamed landscapes and promising new life.