Romance
Read Romance Classics in English
996 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 The Bronze Bell, The Broken Cup and The Broad Highway. 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 C1RomanceColville of the Guards, Volume 3 (of 3)Rescued from peril and trapped aboard a fog-shrouded yacht, Ellinor confronts the sinister Sir Redmond Sleath and his dubious companions, igniting a tense struggle for survival ami…
Level C1RomanceColville of the Guards, Volume 1 (of 3)In a secluded Scottish home, two orphaned sisters navigate loss, love, and duty while managing their modest estate and caring for those around them.
Level C1RomanceCoelebs: The Love Story of a BachelorA fastidious bachelor hires a plain yet proud housemaid whose peculiar habits and staunch respectability challenge his orderly world, revealing unexpected insights into virtue, tem…
Level C1RomanceCoelebs In Search of a WifeA thoughtful gentleman embarks on a quiet journey to find a wife, engaging in sincere conversations about love, reason, and religion within the peaceful rhythms of country life.
Level C1RomanceCliquot: A Racing Story of Ideal BeautyA restless racing stallion known for killing jockeys pushes the limits of passion and danger on the Southern racecourse, while Neil Emory grapples with his troubled past and a love…
Level C1FantasyCliges: A RomanceIn a world where chivalry and love intertwine, a noble youth of Greek and Arthurian lineage embarks on a journey of valor and passion, navigating intricate emotions and courtly int…
Level C1RomanceClash of Arms: A RomanceAiling Philip Vause eagerly awaits his estranged brother Andrew, a rugged soldier known for brawls and bravado, who promises a timely visit after an urgent royal audience—bringing…
Level C1MysteryClara Vaughan, Volume 3 (of 3)Passion and deception intertwine when a man, consumed by love, assumes his brother’s identity to win the heart of his beloved Lily, igniting a tale of intense emotion, dark secrets…
Level C1RomanceChronicles of Dustypore: A Tale of Modern Anglo-Indian SocietyIn the harsh, unforgiving Sandy Tracts of British India, new colonial order clashes with fierce extremes of nature and culture, setting the stage for a gripping tale of power, soci…
Level C1RomanceChronicle of the CidAn epic tale of Ruy Diaz, the legendary Cid Campeador, whose valor and cunning unite Christian knights and Moorish kings in medieval Spain’s fierce battles and chivalric honor.
Level C1RomanceChristinaA charming bachelor contemplates placing a matrimonial ad, sparking playful banter among friends about love, marriage, and domestic life.
Level C1RomanceChiquita, an American Novel: The Romance of a Ute Chief's DaughterBorn into a once-respected family shadowed by a reckless father's downfall, Jack Sheppard navigates the tensions of heritage, hardship, and hope in a New England valley where love…
Level C1MysteryChildren of the WhirlwindIn a grimy New York street, the enigmatic Duchess’s pawnshop hides tangled secrets as young Maggie Carlisle and Larry Brainard’s lives intertwine, setting the stage for a turbulent…
Level C1RomanceChaucer's Works, Volume 2 — Boethius and TroilusImprisoned and awaiting execution, a philosopher confronts fate and seeks solace in reason, exploring fortune, free will, and the divine order.
Level C1RomanceCharlotte's InheritanceIn the shadowy world of a grim Parisian boarding house, young law student Gustave Lenoble navigates political divides and family loyalty while chasing his place in society, where m…
Level C1RomanceCharles RexA restless lord, known as Charles Rex, seeks escape from society's monotony aboard his yacht, where freedom and fate intertwine beneath the vast, unpredictable sea.
Level C1RomanceChance: A Tale in Two PartsA young seaman reflects on the pride and challenges of maritime life, navigating the uncertainties of career and fate.
Level C1RomanceCecilia; Or, Memoirs of an Heiress — Volume 3Torn by doubt yet bound by duty, Cecilia wrestles with her heart and honor as she faces a secret, hastened marriage that could alter her life forever.
Level C1RomanceCecilia; Or, Memoirs of an Heiress — Volume 2Caught between duty and despair, Cecilia aids a struggling family torn by illness and fading fortunes, navigating the harsh realities of society and the sacrifices made for love an…
Level C1RomanceCecilia; Or, Memoirs of an Heiress — Volume 1An orphaned heiress embarks on a journey to navigate the complexities of wealth, society, and virtue in 18th-century England, determined to honor her parents' legacy while facing t…
Level C1RomanceCastle RichmondAmid the backdrop of the Irish famine, a complex tale unfolds featuring cunning rogues and steadfast priests, exploring the harsh realities and resilient spirits of 19th-century Ir…
Level C1RomanceCastle Hohenwald: A RomanceAt a grand spring ball, a delicate Assessor navigates the lively company of young officers while a mysterious young woman, radiant yet sorrowful, captures the gaze of Count Styrum,…
Level C1RomanceCaravans By Night: A Romance of IndiaIn the bustling bazaars of India, a proud silk merchant’s life is shaken by a lost talisman and deep-seated rivalries, while a mysterious encounter with two strangers stirs a web o…
Level C1RomanceCaptain Ravenshaw; Or, The Maid of Cheapside. A Romance of Elizabethan LondonIn Elizabethan London, a stirring romance unfolds amid the bustling streets and vivid characters of a bygone era, where imagination breathes life into history and passion ignites i…
Level C1RomanceCaptain Kyd; or, The Wizard of the Sea. Vol. IIAs a noble party embarks on a graceful yacht bound for adventure, unexpected reunions and tender farewells set the stage for a romance on the high seas filled with gallantry, secre…
Level C1RomanceCaptain Kyd; or, The Wizard of the Sea. Vol. IOn the rugged Irish coast, a grand archery fête unfolds at Castle Cor, setting the stage for a dramatic romance filled with noble rivalries, ancient customs, and the stirring begin…
Level C1RomanceCapt'n Davy's HoneymoonNewlyweds Capt’n Davy and Ellen clash over money and the invisible barrier of education that threatens their love.
Level C1RomanceCapricious CarolineAs a motorcar journey through misty, windswept landscapes unfolds, Camilla Lancing savors a rare escape from life's cares, while Rupert Haverford tends to her with quiet devotion—y…
Level C1RomanceCan You Forgive Her?Caught between family expectations and social ambitions, Alice Vavasor navigates love and loyalty amid the rigid class structures of Victorian England, where fortunes and reputatio…
Level C1RomanceCameron of LochielA young Scottish exile navigates love and loyalty amid the fading traditions and shifting allegiances of old French Canada, where patriotism, family devotion, and cultural pride sh…
Level C1RomanceCaleb TrenchIn a genteel drawing-room, a proud young woman confronts Caleb Trench, the humble village shopkeeper who insists on returning six cents of owed change in person—an encounter that s…
Level C1MysteryBy Wit of WomanA disgraced colonel, wrongly accused of murder and imprisoned for years, leaves a secret legacy to his daughter Christabel—challenging her to uncover the truth and restore their fa…
Level C1RomanceBy Neva's watersAt a Berlin state ball in 1801, English Viscount Wilfrid Courtenay, a chivalrous adventurer and artist, reunites with his Russian friend Prince Ouvaroff amid rising political tensi…
Level C1RomanceBy Berwen BanksIn a sleepy Welsh town, Caradoc Wynne returns home burdened by family secrets and a restless heart, as the lingering shadows of his past and the quiet rhythms of Berwen Banks set t…
Level C1RomanceBurning SandsIn the sultry heat of Cairo, Lady Muriel Blair navigates society’s expectations and the complexities of her new life as the Residency’s mistress, where romance and intrigue simmer…
Level C1RomanceBurgo's RomanceIn the lush conservatory of a London house, Burgo Brabazon wrestles with love and rivalry as he vies for Clara Leslie’s heart amid society’s intrigues and competing suitors.
Level C1RomanceBulldog And Butterfly: From "Schwartz" by David Christie MurrayIn the quiet English countryside of 1850, Bertha Fellowes navigates life at the weathered Oak House, balancing rustic charm with a tender, resolute spirit amid the rhythms of rural…
Level C1RomanceBothwell; or, The Days of Mary Queen of Scots, Volume 2 (of 3)Amid courtly intrigue and shifting loyalties, the dashing Earl of Bothwell pledges fierce allegiance to Queen Mary, navigating love, power, and rivalry in turbulent Scotland.
Level C1RomanceBothwell; or, The Days of Mary Queen of Scots, Volume 1 (of 3)In the turbulent autumn of 1566, amid Norway's stormy seas and the shadow of political unrest, the fate of Mary Queen of Scots intertwines with daring voyages, secret rivalries, an…
Level C1RomanceBohemians of the Latin QuarterDive into the vibrant world of the Latin Quarter, where artists and poets embrace a bohemian life of passion, poverty, and creativity, tracing their rich lineage from ancient Greec…
Level C1RomanceBlue-grass and BroadwayA determined Broadway producer and a resourceful Kentucky woman join forces amidst the high-stakes, dazzling world of theatrical productions, chasing success and survival under the…
Level C1RomanceBlue-Bird WeatherIn the shadowy marshlands of a remote Southern island, a weary man arrives to reclaim a fading duck club, guided by a taciturn boy and greeted by a mysterious young woman—where nat…
Level C1RomanceBlowing weatherReturning to his childhood streets turned bustling trade hub, a young man navigates the docks and warehouses to meet a mysterious merchant tied to distant ports and rare goods.
Level C1RomanceBlow The Man Down: A Romance Of The CoastA captain aboard a luxurious yacht wrestles with an overwhelming, forbidden passion that breaks through his disciplined reserve, risking honor and sanity in a sudden, reckless embr…
Level C1RomanceBlood Royal: A NovelIn a quaint English town, a new governess arrives, sparking quiet intrigue among its residents.
Level C1RomanceBlackbeard; Or, The Pirate of Roanoke.Amid the enchanting yet isolated beauty of Trinidad Island, a noble party enjoys nature’s pure splendor—until the notorious pirate Blackbeard suddenly appears, threatening their pe…
Level C1RomanceBlack OxenA weary drama critic, disillusioned with the stagnant world of New York's theater elite, longs for passion and purpose beyond the glittering facade.
Level C1MysteryBlack Caesar's Clan : A Florida Mystery StoryIn the sun-drenched Florida Keys, a hidden world of coral reefs and mangrove swamps hides mysteries and romance beneath its lush veneer.