Romance
Read Romance Classics in English
1,592 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 Three Weeks, Threads gathered up and Those Dale Girls. 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.
- 1,592
- books
Level C1RomanceLady Maude's ManiaIn an aristocratic family on the brink of a double wedding, tensions simmer beneath polished surfaces as the old Earl worries over his daughters’ futures and the unromantic realiti…
Level C1RomanceLady LarkspurA playwright obsessed with a mysterious, vanished actress who inspired his greatest work struggles to find her, uncovering secrets behind the elusive Violet Dewing’s brief, enchant…
Level C1RomanceLady ConnieAs Lady Constance Bledlow arrives to live with the modest Hooper family after the loss of her wealthy parents, tensions rise over money, expectations, and the clash of different wo…
Level C1RomanceLady Chatterley's loverIn the aftermath of war, Lady Chatterley navigates life with her paralyzed husband amid the ruins of their aristocratic world, yearning for freedom, passion, and connection beyond…
Level C1RomanceLady Barbarity: A RomanceA dazzling beauty known as Lady Barbarity retreats from London’s superficial society to her ancestral northern home, seeking more than fleeting admiration in a world where wit and…
Level C1RomanceLady BaltimoreIn the charming town of Kings Port, a young man named John Mayrant navigates love, family secrets, and social challenges, all sparked by the bold challenge of a spirited woman name…
Level C1RomanceLady AthlyneAmid the icy grip of a relentless New York blizzard, passengers aboard the White Star S.
Level C1RomanceLa VendéeAmid the turmoil of revolutionary Paris, three young royalists from Poitou band together to protect King Louis XVI and restore the monarchy, navigating dangerous loyalties and the…
Level C1RomanceLa FiammettaA young man’s passionate longing for the elusive Lady Maria, known as La Fiammetta, unfolds in a poignant exploration of love, desire, and the complexities of the heart set against…
Level C1RomanceLa Chanson de Roland : Translated from the Seventh Edition of Léon GautierIn a Pyrenean valley, Charlemagne’s rear-guard, led by Roland, faces a deadly ambush that sparks legend.
Level C1RomanceL'Abbe Constantin — CompleteIn a quiet village, the venerable Abbe Constantin faces the impending sale and division of the grand Longueval estate, a symbol of heritage and family legacy now threatened by chan…
Level C1RomanceKophetua the ThirteenthIn a remote African colony born from Renaissance ideals, a visionary community seeks to build a society based on pure reason, untouched by old-world corruption.
Level C1RomanceKnightly Legends of Wales; or, The Boy's Mabinogion: Being the Earliest Welsh Tales of King Arthur in the Famous Red Book of HergestDive into the earliest Welsh tales of King Arthur, where wild adventures, chivalry, and ancient magic intertwine in vivid stories drawn from the mysterious Red Book of Hergest, rev…
Level C1RomanceKitty's ConquestA solitary young woman, radiant and mysterious, travels alone through the rugged Southern countryside, sparking the curiosity of a fellow passenger intrigued by her refined presenc…
Level C1RomanceKitty of the RosesAmid a lush garden bursting with timeless roses, a man finds his attention captivated by a mysterious presence that outshines even the most exquisite blooms, setting the stage for…
Level C1RomanceKit and Kitty: A Story of West MiddlesexA quiet life in an ancient garden by the Thames is upended when Christopher Orchardson reflects on his past and the complex ties to his stern uncle Corny, setting the stage for a t…
Level C1RomanceKissing the Rod: A Novel. (Vol. 1 of 3)In the bustling heart of the City, Robert Streightley navigates high-stakes finance with bold intellect and daring ambition, challenging established power while maintaining a humbl…
Level C1RomanceKing--of the Khyber Rifles: A Romance of AdventureAthelstan King, a British officer deeply entwined with India, is summoned to Peshawur amid the brewing tensions of war.
Level C1RomanceKing Penda's Captain: A Romance of Fighting in the Days of the Anglo-SaxonsIn a land torn by faith and war, the fierce pagan King Penda rallies his allies to challenge the rising Christian powers, while young warrior Feargus, pledged to Penda, rises amids…
Level C1RomanceKing Arthur in history and legendStep into the blurred line between history and myth as the tale of King Arthur unfolds, revealing a legendary king whose true origins and court remain shrouded in mystery amid a ri…
Level C1RomanceKilmeny of the OrchardAmid the hopeful spring air of Queenslea College, two cousins face their futures—one a charming, practical graduate, the other a determined doctor rising from humble beginnings—set…
Level C1RomanceKeith of the Border: A Tale of the PlainsA rugged plainsman navigates the vast, hostile frontier in 1868, caught between restless Native tribes united against settlers and his dangerous mission to deliver crucial news acr…
Level C1RomanceKatrine: A NovelIn the lush landscapes of North Carolina, a fearless Irish singer named Katrine captivates with her golden voice and boundless loyalty, entwining her fate with the enigmatic Frank…
Level C1RomanceKatharine Frensham: A NovelIn a grand Surrey estate surrounded by wild heather, a family confronts the painful unraveling of a marriage that has long been strained.
Level C1RomanceKaterfelto: A Story of ExmoorIn 1763 England, amid political turmoil and spirited tavern debates, a group of gentlemen navigate loyalty, defiance, and intrigue.
Level C1RomanceKate Vernon: A Tale. Vol. 1 (of 3)In a bleak autumn marked by social unrest and military exile, officers find solace and intrigue at a grand festival in Carrington, where the mysterious presence of a graceful gentl…
Level C1RomanceJust sweethearts: A Christmas love storyOn a sunlit Christmas day in the South, a charming young man spots a captivating stranger and, inspired by a sudden impulse, risks a bold encounter that could change both their liv…
Level C1RomanceJulia And Her Romeo: A Chronicle Of Castle Barfield: From "Schwartz" by David Christie MurrayIn a frost-bitten 1820s English countryside, two feuding families—the Reddys and the Mountains—carry a bitter legacy of hatred, while young Richard Reddy dares to defy ancestral gr…
Level C1RomanceJudith Moore; or, Fashioning a PipeA determined young farmer battles rugged land and stubborn stumps to transform his woodland clearing, embodying patience and strength amidst nature’s challenges.
Level C1RomanceJude the ObscureAn ambitious young scholar leaves his village for the university city of Christminster, chasing dreams of learning and ordination.
Level C1RomanceJuanaIn war-torn Tarragona, a fiercely brave but unruly Italian regiment faces chaos and pillage amidst a French occupation.
Level C1RomanceJohn, A Love Story; vol. 2 of 2Caught between the soaring ideals of young love and the harsh reality of a mundane banking job, John grapples with disillusionment and the search for meaning beyond duty and routin…
Level C1RomanceJohn, A Love Story; vol. 1 of 2After a frightening accident leaves Kate Crediton unconscious, she awakens in a haze, surrounded by mysterious caregivers and haunted by a pair of anxious eyes.
Level C1RomanceJohn Herring: A West of England Romance. Volume 3 (of 3)Amid a fierce winter storm, newlyweds set off on a perilous journey through a snowbound landscape, carrying hidden sorrows and fragile hopes.
Level C1RomanceJohn Herring: A West of England Romance. Volume 2 (of 3)Caught between shifting affections and social intrigues, Mirelle struggles to find her place amid cold rivals and unwanted admirers in a West of England household.
Level C1RomanceJohn Herring: A West of England Romance. Volume 1 (of 3)In the wild West of England, the savage Cobbledick clan lives apart, shrouded in mystery and rustic dialect, their lives intertwined with ancient monuments and untamed moorland.
Level C1RomanceJohn Burnet of Barns: A RomanceA young boy escapes his strict tutor to fish in the sun-scorched woods of Tweed, embarking on a journey through stirring times and strange scenes that reveal the trials and triumph…
Level C1RomanceJohn Bull on the Guadalquivir: From "Tales from All Countries"An Englishman bound for Seville navigates a marriage proposal entwined with family alliances and cultural contrasts, while a determined Spanish woman challenges his romantic expect…
Level C1RomanceJohn BrentIn the rugged California frontier, a gold miner wrestles with barren quartz and dashed hopes, revealing a raw tale of perseverance, human ambition, and the harsh laws of nature whe…
Level C1RomanceJoan, the CurateAmidst the wild marsh coast plagued by smugglers and wreckers, a courageous curate’s daughter races against time to aid a wounded sailor from a daring revenue cutter, braving tempe…
Level C1RomanceJoan of the Sword HandIn a rugged hillland ruled by the proud young Duchess Joan, political intrigue and soldierly camaraderie intertwine as captains Jorian and Boris navigate loyalty, love, and the wei…
Level C1RomanceJilted! Or, My Uncle's Scheme, Volume 3Caught between loyalty and temptation, a young man navigates complex family ties and shifting affections as he wrestles with love, jealousy, and the schemes of his uncle in a tale…
Level C1RomanceJilted! Or, My Uncle's Scheme, Volume 2Amid lively family dinners and witty banter, a young man navigates the complexities of love and marriage under his uncle’s watchful eye, uncovering schemes and secrets that challen…
Level C1RomanceJessamine: A NovelConfined by illness yet captivated by a stirring sermon, a young woman finds hope and heroism in the voice that echoes through her quiet church.
Level C1RomanceJerryAn American traveler’s summer plans are upended when a surprising letter from his sister arrives, promising unexpected family reunions and restless adventures in picturesque Europe…
Level C1RomanceJennie Gerhardt: A NovelA young woman and her family struggle against relentless poverty in 1880s Ohio, as they seek work and hope for better days while facing illness and mounting debts.
Level C1RomanceJeff Briggs's Love StoryCaught in a storm at a struggling frontier inn, Jeff Briggs confronts loneliness, loss, and the weight of his family’s legacy while awaiting a delayed stagecoach and the promise of…
Level C1MysteryJason: A RomanceIn the fragrant dusk of Paris, Ste.