Romance
Read Romance Classics in English
997 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 Melting of Molly, The McBrides: A Romance of Arran and The Master's Violin. 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 C1RomanceThe Adventures of a Modest ManTwo Long Island gentlemen confront the ennui of routine, spurred by a curious purchase: a pig.
Level C1RomanceThe Admiral: A Romance of Nelson in the Year of the NileIn 1798, amidst the turmoil of war and political intrigue, Admiral Nelson navigates both fierce naval battles and his passionate affair with Lady Hamilton, revealing the complex ch…
Level C1RomanceThe Actress in High Life: An Episode in Winter QuartersIn the rugged plains of 1812 Portugal, a traveler journeys through wild landscapes and encounters vivid local life, where nature’s beauty contrasts with harsh realities.
Level C1RomanceThe Abbot's Ghost, or Maurice Treherne's Temptation: A Christmas StoryA proud and spirited man, crippled after a heroic rescue, returns home to face a tangled inheritance and a fierce rivalry for the love of Octavia.
Level C1RomanceThe 'Scots Brigade,' and other talesA young lieutenant in the famed Scots Brigade struggles to balance his forbidden love for the enchanting Dolores against his stern uncle's ironclad military discipline.
Level C1RomanceThat Unfortunate Marriage, Vol. 3Tensions rise as May's quiet morning is disrupted by the arrival of Mr.
Level C1RomanceThat Girl in Black; and, BronzieA spoiled yet charming young man struggles between social expectations and his own restless heart at a modest reception, where old loyalties and quiet kindness stir memories and hi…
Level C1RomanceThankful BlossomIn the harsh winter of 1779 New Jersey, a restless Continental Army captain waits under a frosty elm for a secret meeting that hints at love and longing amid the desolation of war.
Level C1RomanceTetherstonesIn a sunlit cathedral garden, Frances Thorold wrestles with the dullness of her life and the weight of unseen chains, until a charming stranger disrupts her solitude with wit and c…
Level C1MysteryTerror keepIn the eerie confines of Broadmoor Asylum, the infamous John Flack, a genius criminal confined for nine murders, has penned a vast encyclopedia of crime—an obsession that could unl…
Level C1RomanceTempest-Driven: A Romance (Vol. 3 of 3)Amid family tensions and secret affections, two sisters navigate love and societal expectations while a captivating widow stirs unexpected emotions.
Level C1RomanceTempest and SunshineA young Northerner arrives in a small Kentucky town seeking a teaching position, only to encounter suspicion, kindness, and the rugged ways of the South.
Level C1RomanceTekla: A Romance of Love and WarA young emperor, disguised as a traveler, approaches the ancient city of Treves, navigating political intrigue and the looming threat of war.
Level C1RomanceTattle-tales of CupidIn a stable where horses converse, tales of love, loyalty, and memory unfold through their lively debates and reflections, revealing the secret bonds between humans and their equin…
Level C1RomanceTarry thou till I come; or, Salathiel, the wandering Jew.An immortal man wanders through history, bearing witness to the tumultuous clash between early Judaism and Christianity after the Crucifixion.
Level C1RomanceTamaIn a province buzzing with anticipation, a foreign professor arrives to teach at a Japanese university, stirring excitement and unease alike.
Level C1RomanceTales of two peopleAn erratic aristocrat with a rebellious streak inherits a title and fortune, returning from wild adventures abroad to face the expectations of English society.
Level C1FantasyTales of the supernatural: Six romantic storiesTwo deadly bravos, bound by dark sorcery and a blood oath, confront the eerie depths of Italy’s Bottomless Lake on a sinister night when the forces of hell stir.
Level C1RomanceTales of the peerage and the peasantryIn the shadow of exile and loyalty to a lost king, a young noblewoman embraces a convent life, torn between faith, family sacrifice, and the turbulent politics of Jacobite Scotland…
Level C1RomanceTales of My Time, Vol. 1 (of 3): Who Is She?In a quiet English shire, Francis Hartland, a man with a mysterious past and newfound independence, settles into a stately home, sparking curiosity and rumors about the true story…
Level C1RomanceTales of Humour, Gallantry & Romance, Selected and Translated from the ItalianTwo young nobles in Renaissance Italy embark on studies in Bologna, but one takes an unusual course: learning the art of love from a witty professor who guides him through charming…
Level C1RomanceTales for Young and OldAmidst war and suspicion, a young bride embarks on a perilous journey to join her husband, only to face betrayal and deadly schemes from those entrusted to escort her.
Level C1RomanceTales and Novels — Volume 03: BelindaA young woman raised with country values faces the high society world of Bath and London, where her ambitious aunt schemes to secure her a wealthy marriage.
Level C1MysteryTaken AliveA mysterious visitor disrupts the quiet life at a remote mine, setting off a chain of events filled with suspense and unexpected revelations.
Level C1RomanceSylvie: souvenirs du ValoisA young poet haunted by lost love and memories of the French countryside seeks a mysterious maiden named Sylvie, whose enchanting songs and rustic charm evoke the fading beauty of…
Level C1RomanceSybil, Or, The Two NationsIn the opulent world of 1837 high society, wagers and whispered intrigues set the stage for a dramatic exploration of England’s stark social divides.
Level C1RomanceSweetapple CoveA doctor abandons city life for a remote coastal village, where he becomes the sole healer and boarder, grappling with his sudden choice and the complexities of a budding romance w…
Level C1RomanceSweet VioletIn a world where appearances define destiny, the captivating Violet navigates love and societal expectations, challenging conventions to claim her own happiness amidst romance and…
Level C1RomanceSweet Mace: A Sussex Legend of the Iron TimesAmidst the blossoming Sussex valley, Gil Carr revels in the vibrant spring chorus of nature, where every bird and bloom seems to herald a timeless romance waiting to unfold beneath…
Level C1RomanceSummerIn a quiet, sunlit village overshadowed by a looming mountain, a young woman named Charity Royall grapples with her restless heart and the narrow confines of North Dormer as the ar…
Level C1RomanceStudies on the Legend of the Holy Grail: With Especial Reference to the Hypothesis of Its Celtic OriginDelve into the mysterious origins of the Holy Grail legend, exploring its deep roots in Celtic folklore and the sacred talismans that inspired timeless tales of healing and heroism…
Level C1HorrorStudies in love and in terrorA proud mayor’s wife gazes from a cliff above a secretive submarine cove, torn between patriotic pride and a haunting personal sacrifice.
Level C1RomanceStradellaIn Venice, a wealthy senator plans to marry his young niece, Ortensia, whose mixed feelings reveal the tension between duty, power, and personal freedom in a world of art, culture,…
Level C1RomanceStories of the Days of King ArthurStep into a world where Merlin’s magic weaves through tales of King Arthur’s rise, the legendary Round Table, and knightly quests filled with chivalry, enchantment, and timeless ro…
Level C1RomanceStories of RomanceAt a shared breakfast table, a shy young man is captivated by a mysterious blonde whose calm beauty hints at untamed depths, while an observant narrator traces the tangled threads…
Level C1RomanceStories of King Arthur and His Knights: Retold from Malory's "Morte dArthur"Step into a world of noble knights and chivalrous deeds as King Arthur and his legendary Round Table embark on quests filled with honor, valor, and the sacred pursuit of the Holy G…
Level C1RomanceStingareeIn the remote Australian wilderness, a captivating voice breaks the silence, drawing a mysterious visitor intrigued by the hidden talents of Mrs.
Level C1RomanceStepping WestwardIn a vibrant autumn countryside, Sol Bowditch, a hardworking stranger, meets a young carrier girl whose life and struggles intertwine with the rustic rhythms of the land, setting t…
Level C1RomanceStarvecrow FarmAmidst the treacherous tides and shifting loyalties of the Lancashire coast, a young woman flees a loveless past toward an uncertain future, bound by a fragile pact with her enigma…
Level C1RomanceStandish of Standish: A Story of the PilgrimsAmid the harsh new world of 1620 Plymouth, the Pilgrim Mothers’ steadfast traditions and the Pilgrim Fathers’ resolve collide with humor and heart.
Level C1RomanceStand Fast, Craig-Royston! (Volume III)In a world of political intrigue and hidden alliances, a determined young man seeks answers about a mysterious figure, navigating the sharp wit and veiled intentions of London's jo…
Level C1RomanceStand Fast, Craig-Royston! (Volume II)A young man grapples with a shocking letter accusing a revered Scottish elder of betrayal and fraud, threatening the bonds of friendship and trust.
Level C1RomanceSt. Ives: Being the Adventures of a French Prisoner in EnglandA French soldier imprisoned in Edinburgh crafts delicate toys to trade with curious locals, using wit and charm to navigate captivity.
Level C1RomanceSpeculum Amantis: Love Poems, from Rare Songbooks and Miscellanies of the Seventeenth CenturyDiscover a provocative collection of seventeenth-century love poems, ranging from audacious dedications to rare verses hidden in forgotten miscellanies, revealing the shifting boun…
Level C1RomanceSpecimens of German Romance; Vol. I. The PatriciansWidowed Althea struggles with grief and the pressure to remarry in turbulent 1568 Schweidnitz, as suitors vie for her hand to protect her son's future and her family's honor.
Level C1RomanceSophia: A RomanceIn 1742 London, young Sophia navigates family pressures and societal expectations as she confronts a scandalous suitor and the challenge of guarding her fortune and honor amid shar…
Level C1RomanceSons of fire, Vol. III.A restless young man returns to confront the woman he loves, only to find her torn between past promises and present desires, caught in a delicate dance of passion, loyalty, and he…
Level C1RomanceSomewhere in Red GapIn a lively ranch house filled with quirky treasures, a determined woman navigates the challenges of ranch life and the mysterious connection between a boisterous Alaskan gentleman…