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 C1RomanceJanice Meredith: A Story of the American RevolutionAmid the strict discipline of colonial life, spirited Janice Meredith navigates friendship, rebellion, and the stirrings of young love during the turbulent days of the American Rev…
Level C1RomanceJane Seton; or, The King's Advocate: A Scottish Historical RomanceAmid 16th-century Scotland’s turbulent politics and fierce clans, a passionate romance unfolds involving Jane Seton and the King's Advocate, set against a backdrop of royal intrigu…
Level C1RomanceJane OglanderOn a quiet afternoon in London, Jane Oglander’s solitary walk across Westminster Bridge catches the eye of a thoughtful observer who becomes captivated by her subtle grace and myst…
Level C1RomanceJane Austen and her worksExplore the remarkable life and works of a woman who crafted timeless tales of love, society, and character with wit and insight before the age of twenty-three, illuminating human…
Level C1RomanceJack Carstairs of the power houseA young engineer in the wilds of northern Scotland encounters a mysterious girl from a nearby gypsy camp, sparking a connection amid the dawn of electric power and the rugged beaut…
Level C1RomanceIvanhoe: A RomanceAmidst the tension between Saxons and Normans during Richard I’s reign, a tale unfolds of chivalry, romance, and the struggle for power, revealing a vivid clash of cultures and loy…
Level C1RomanceIt May Be True, Vol. 3 (of 3)Amy cares for her ailing mother while grappling with unspoken heartache and the complicated returns of Charles and Robert, whose presence stirs unresolved feelings and the fragile…
Level C1RomanceIsopel Berners: The History of certain doings in a Staffordshire Dingle, July, 1825In the summer of 1825, a restless young man escapes the confines of London to a quiet Staffordshire dingle, where encounters with gypsy camps and vivid countryside awaken a world o…
Level C1RomanceIshmael; Or, In the DepthsBorn into poverty but gifted with strength and virtue, a young man rises against all odds in a story of hope and perseverance.
Level C1RomanceIsabel LeicesterIsabel Leicester faces a heart-wrenching fall from privilege as her father's death and financial ruin force her into the uncertain world of a governess.
Level C1RomanceIs He Popenjoy?A young woman of charm and complexity navigates love and social expectations in a small English city, where family ties and reputations hold sway.
Level C1RomanceIrene IddesleighIn the grand and mysterious Dunfern mansion, Irene Iddesleigh wrestles with sorrow and secrecy amidst ancestral legacies and locked rooms hiding untold stories.
Level C1RomanceInto the Unknown: A Romance of South AfricaTwo English cousins and their fierce Zulu ally find themselves trapped under fire in the rugged South African wilderness, forced to face hidden enemies and deadly danger as they st…
Level C1RomanceInstead of the Thorn: A NovelAmid the elegant South Shore Club, a spirited young woman dazzles with her vibrant charm, while her sensible sister navigates the complexities of family expectations and modern ide…
Level C1RomanceInnocent : her fancy and his factA delicate young woman finds solace among birds and blooming gardens on an old farm, where nature’s beauty contrasts with the harsh realities of life and love.
Level C1RomanceIndian SummerAmidst the fading beauty of Florence, a disillusioned journalist wrestles with the bitter fallout of political betrayal and personal pride, seeking to reclaim his life and purpose…
Level C1RomanceIndian SummerAmidst the brewing storm in a small New York village, Lavinia Larimore wrestles with doubt and longing as the man she loves delays their long-promised wedding, his secret trips to…
Level C1RomanceIndia's Love LyricsPassion and longing intertwine in a vivid tapestry of love poems set against the sunlit landscapes and ancient temples of India, where desire blooms transiently beneath the poppies…
Level C1RomanceIncognita; Or, Love and Duty Reconcil'dIn the vibrant city of Florence, young Aurelian navigates the intricate dance of love and duty over just three fateful days, where unexpected obstacles challenge the unions of two…
Level C1RomanceIn the Palace of the King: A Love Story of Old MadridIn the shadowed halls of old Madrid’s Moorish palace, a young noblewoman clings to hope and love as her soldier beloved faces perilous battles and bitter court intrigues.
Level C1RomanceIn the Name of the PeopleAmid political intrigue and daring adventure, a stirring romance unfolds where bold characters navigate a world of danger, passion, and unexpected alliances.
Level C1RomanceIn the Garden of the GodsCaught between a tense standoff and a daring rescue, a sharp-witted outsider and a defiant young woman confront danger amid the rugged beauty of the Garden of the Gods, where secre…
Level C1RomanceIn the Fire of the Forge: A Romance of Old Nuremberg — CompleteUnder moonlight in 1281 Nuremberg, a noble scion silently visits a young woman in a guarded mansion, hinting at secret bonds and whispered romances amid the city's political grande…
Level C1RomanceIn the Dead of Night: A Novel. Volume 1 (of 3)On a stormy night along treacherous cliffs, Lionel Dering confronts danger and the haunting memory of a lost love.
Level C1RomanceIn the Days of My Youth: A NovelIn a quaint English hamlet rich with history and charm, a young woman’s deep connection to her ancestral home sets the stage for a heartfelt journey through love, tradition, and th…
Level C1RomanceIn Trust: The Story of a Lady and Her LoverA determined young woman defies her father’s warnings and threatens their family fortune to stand by a man he distrusts—a charming lawyer with a past she chooses to believe in.
Level C1RomanceIn Spite of All: A NovelIn a wintry Hereford garden, childhood innocence clashes with harsh realities as Gabriel faces a fierce mastiff’s bite, while news of political turmoil and sacrifice looms—where tr…
Level C1RomanceIn Silk Attire: A NovelA passionate marquis wrestles with jealousy and societal scandal as he prepares to declare his love for Annie Napier, London's captivating actress, risking everything for a chance…
Level C1RomanceIn Search of MademoiselleAmid the fierce clash between French and Spanish colonists in 16th-century Florida, a mariner’s fierce love and hatred intertwine with historic battles and deceptions, revealing a…
Level C1MysteryIn Her Own RightA devastating financial collapse shatters fortunes and reveals ruthless betrayals among high society’s elite, where friendship is a facade and survival demands sharp wits.
Level C1RomanceIn Direst PerilAn honorable soldier of fortune recounts how a daring theft won the hand of the woman he loves, setting the stage for a romance born amidst danger, loyalty, and irresistible attrac…
Level C1RomanceImre: A MemorandumIn a vibrant Hungarian café, a chance encounter between two men sparks a profound exploration of love, identity, and society’s hidden truths about desire.
Level C1RomanceImprudenceIn the shadow of Wortheton’s towering chimneys, a young woman burdened by premature sorrow seeks refuge in nature’s embrace, while a powerful family navigates wealth, duty, and soc…
Level C1RomanceImogen: A Pastoral RomanceIn a richly imagined Welsh setting, ancient pagan traditions clash with emerging narratives as a mysterious manuscript reveals a pastoral romance steeped in classical beauty and de…
Level C1RomanceImmenseeAn elderly man revisits memories of his youth and a cherished friendship with Elisabeth, unfolding a tender tale of childhood innocence and the bittersweet passage of time in a qui…
Level C1RomanceIf Only etc.A young doctor impulsively marries Bella, a charming and innocent music-hall performer, hoping for love amidst uncertain futures and the challenges of new family ties.
Level C1FantasyIdolatry: A RomanceIn 1853 Boston, two mysterious guests check into neighboring rooms at a grand hotel overlooking a graveyard, setting the stage for uncanny adventures that blur the lines between fa…
Level C1RomanceI, Thou, and the Other One: A Love StoryIn the rugged hills of Yorkshire, a spirited wrestling match between a proud squire and a mysterious stranger sparks a clash of tradition and revolutionary ideas, setting the stage…
Level C1RomanceHurricane IslandA disillusioned doctor trapped in London's grim East End finds escape in the mysteries of the bustling river and the arrival of a secretive steam-yacht, promising a chance to break…
Level C1RomanceHurricane HurryBorn to a seafaring fate, a young sailor embarks on perilous voyages across the seas, facing duels, war, and shipwrecks while forging unbreakable bonds and chasing adventure on the…
Level C1RomanceHugo: A Fantasia on Modern ThemesIn a magnificent London dome, a vibrant bachelor on the cusp of midlife grapples with newfound love and whimsical desires—including a lady’s hat—while navigating the curious rhythm…
Level C1RomanceHugh Crichton's RomanceIn sunlit Civita Bella, a young Italian girl named Violante prepares for a performance that masks her pale sadness, while the arrival of the enigmatic Englishman Hugh Crichton hint…
Level C1RomanceHow to Settle Accounts with your Laundress: An Original Farce, in One ActIn a tailor’s showroom, a hopeful gentleman prepares for a secret supper with a captivating ballet dancer, but unexpected complications and comedic misunderstandings threaten his r…
Level C1RomanceHope Leslie: or, early times in the Massachusetts, volume 2 (of 2)In a tense colonial Massachusetts setting, Hope Leslie encounters Magawisca, a mysterious Native woman bearing news of her lost sister.
Level C1RomanceHooking Watermelons: 1898A successful young lawyer returns to his small hometown, where warm memories and familiar faces await amidst the summer heat and the simple rhythms of village life.
Level C1RomanceHistoric Tales: The Romance of Reality. Vol. 14 (of 15), King Arthur (2)Jealousy and treachery ignite as King Mark plots against the valiant Tristram, while knights clash and secrets unravel at Arthur’s court, where love and honor collide in a perilous…
Level C1RomanceHistoric Tales: The Romance of Reality. Vol. 13 (of 15), King Arthur (1)In a time when Celtic kings clash with Saxon invaders, a mystical star heralds the rise of Uther Pendragon and his legendary son Arthur, destined to become the greatest knight and…
Level C1RomanceHis fortunate GraceAn heiress determined to redistribute her immense fortune champions socialism and women's suffrage, challenging her privileged upbringing and societal expectations as she prepares…