Romance
Read Romance Classics in English
1,660 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.
- 1,660
- books
Level C1RomanceFrench and Oriental Love in a HaremA daring adventurer inherits a legacy tied to his enigmatic uncle, a sea-faring corsair turned Pasha with a turbulent past.
Level C1RomanceFrench Mediaeval Romances from the Lays of Marie de FranceExplore the passionate and intricate tales of love from the medieval world, told through the lyrical voices of women who dared to express themselves in a male-dominated era.
Level C1RomanceFrederick the Great and His CourtIn the glittering court of Prussia, Queen Sophia Dorothea prepares a grand ball to mask the king’s declining health and fierce resistance to his son Frederick's unconventional rule…
Level C1RomanceFoxglove Manor: A Novel, Volume 1 (of 3)In a sunlit English village, the ritualistic St.
Level C1FantasyFour Arthurian RomancesJourney to the court of Countess Marie de Champagne, where chivalry, romance, and adventure intertwine in tales of Arthur’s knights—Erec, Yvain, Lancelot, and more—woven with medie…
Level C1RomanceFound in the Philippines: The Story of a Woman's LettersAmid the fog and tension at division headquarters, a young officer known as "Belligerent Billy" navigates the challenges of war and duty, caught between his college days and the ca…
Level C1RomanceFound at Blazing StarIn a rain-soaked mining camp, a careless prospector finds a mysterious gold ring inscribed "May to Cass," sparking suspicion, superstition, and quiet dreams that could change his l…
Level C1RomanceFoul PlayIn a stiflingly formal dining room, a young man with remarkable mimicry skills faces a pivotal moment that could shatter his future and his father's trust.
Level C1RomanceFortune's My Foe: A RomanceAmid the vibrant backdrop of the 1739 siege of Cartagena, a fleet of British sailors and soldiers prepares for battle, while a captain contemplates the clash of love and war beneat…
Level C1RomanceFort Lafayette or, Love and Secession: A NovelIn the shadow of the looming Civil War, a young Virginia heiress awaits her brother's return while contending with dark, persistent suitors and the turbulent passions ignited by lo…
Level C1RomanceForest Days: A Romance of Old TimesIn a vibrant forested England of old, a spirited yeoman navigates the turbulent politics of Henry III’s reign, where rustic charm and fierce loyalty collide in a tale of love, loya…
Level C1RomanceFordham's FeudAs a steamer glides across the serene Lake Léman, a chance encounter unfolds amidst a diverse crowd of travelers, setting the stage for a tale of romance and rivalry beneath the wa…
Level C1RomanceFor the Love of Lady Margaret: A Romance of the Lost ColonyBanished by his family and haunted by lost love, a gentleman drifts through London's restless streets, facing disgrace and uncertain fate.
Level C1RomanceFor the Faith: A Story of the Young Pioneers of Reformation in OxfordIn turbulent Oxford, young reformers grapple with faith, truth, and persecution, challenging church authority to read Scriptures freely and seek greater liberty of thought amid ris…
Level C1RomanceFor love and life; vol. 2 of 2A young man’s world shifts when love entwines his fate with another’s, compelling him to abandon pride and seek work for the sake of his beloved.
Level C1RomanceFor Love of Country: A Story of Land and Sea in the Days of the RevolutionAmid the turmoil of the American Revolution, a young patriot navigates love, loyalty, and fierce naval battles that test the spirit of a nation.
Level C1RomanceFolly CornerIn the sweltering heat of London and the dusty calm of a market town, a young woman’s desperate hope collides with Jethro Jayne’s daring impulse—a story of longing, social divides,…
Level C1RomanceFlute and Violin, and Other Kentucky Tales and RomancesIn post-Revolution Kentucky, a devoted but misunderstood parson struggles to build a church and inspire faith amidst skepticism and hardship.
Level C1RomanceFloyd Grandon's HonorAfter seven years away, Floyd Grandon returns to the grand stone house of his youth, stirring tensions among his ambitious sisters and curious mother as whispers swirl about a myst…
Level C1RomanceFlower of the DuskA blind composer, surrounded by devoted women and memories of past grandeur, confronts the delicate beauty of a spring evening that stirs his soul and challenges the boundaries bet…
Level C1RomanceFlower o' the lily: A romance of old CambrayAmidst the turmoil of 16th-century battles, a wounded French nobleman fights fiercely against overwhelming foes, driven by loyalty and rage.
Level C1RomanceFlower o' the Heather: A Story of the Killing TimesA reckless student’s drunken prank leads to harsh punishment, forcing him from Oxford to the wilds of Scotland.
Level C1RomanceFlora Adair; or, Love Works Wonders. Vol. 2 (of 2)Haunted by past heartbreak yet captivated by Flora’s gentle charm, Mr.
Level C1RomanceFlip: A California RomanceA desperate gambler flees the law, seeking refuge in a mysterious, fiery mountain vale where intoxicating aromas stir wild exaltation.
Level C1RomanceFive O'Clock Tea: FarceIn a snowy drawing-room, Mrs.
Level C1RomanceFishpingle: A Romance of the CountrysideAmidst the timeless English countryside, a dedicated landowner grapples with preserving ancestral estates through hard work and modern wisdom, balancing tradition, sacrifice, and t…
Level C1RomanceFirst Love: A Novel. Vol. 3 of 3In the aftermath of a masquerade shadowed by murder and mystery, Julia finds herself entwined in a world of whispered secrets, naval heroism, and poignant loss.
Level C1RomanceFirst Love: A Novel. Vol. 2 of 3Amid the breathtaking beauty of a mountain lake, unspoken passions and jealousies stir as Julia finds herself the center of attention between noble suitors.
Level C1RomanceFirst Love: A Novel. Vol. 1 of 3A vulnerable boy endures harsh cruelty and neglect while navigating a harsh world of poverty and danger, seeking refuge and hope near the Lake of Derwent.
Level C1RomanceFeudal tyrants; or, The Counts of Carlsheim and Sargans, volume 4 (of 4)Betrayed as an infant heir, Henry of Montfort grows up in secret, raised by a loyal guardian and trained for battle to reclaim his rightful inheritance.
Level C1RomanceFeudal tyrants; or, The Counts of Carlsheim and Sargans, volume 3 (of 4)In a world of hidden snares and secret alliances, Amabel's innocent nature leads her into a web of mystery and danger surrounding her missing sister and a convent refuge.
Level C1RomanceFeudal tyrants; or, The Counts of Carlsheim and Sargans, volume 2 (of 4)Amidst treacherous alliances and hidden betrayals, Urania Venosta and Adelaide of the Beacon-Tower navigate a web of deceit and danger that threatens their lives and hearts in a wo…
Level C1RomanceFeudal tyrants; or, The Counts of Carlsheim and Sargans, volume 1 (of 4)A widowed countess retreats to a convent, her grief for a benefactor-husband intertwined with hidden burdens and difficult choices about wealth, loyalty, and sacrifice in a world o…
Level C1RomanceFenton's QuestAn Australian merchant visits the tranquil English village of Lidford, where a chance encounter with a captivating young woman stirs thoughts of a quieter, more meaningful life bey…
Level C1RomanceFelix Holt, the RadicalAmid the changing English countryside and fading traditions, a journey unfolds that reveals the lives, labors, and quiet struggles of rural folk, weaving a rich tapestry of social…
Level C1RomanceFata Morgana: A Romance of Art Student Life in ParisIn the vibrant heart of Paris, an American painter reawakens memories of Helia, a captivating circus girl turned muse, as he prepares a grand artistic tribute to the legendary Quee…
Level C1RomanceFarinaIn a vibrant Rhineland city ruled by fierce devotion, young men battle for the favor of Margarita, the dazzling White Rose, whose beauty ignites fierce loyalty and fierce rivalry a…
Level C1RomanceFar from the Madding CrowdIn the peaceful countryside, steady farmer Gabriel Oak’s life shifts when a young woman arrives in a bright spring wagon, setting the stage for a story of love, change, and the qui…
Level C1RomanceFar Above RubiesA young Scottish poet, Hector Macintosh, lives a quiet life of idealized love and distant dreams, untouched by true passion or connection—until a bright morning brings a mysterious…
Level C1RomanceFanshaweIn a secluded New England valley, Harley College stands as a modest seminary where rough, hardy students grapple with academic and moral challenges under the watchful eye of the le…
Level C1RomanceFalkland, Book 4.Torn between love and societal judgment, Emily faces a heart-wrenching choice as Erasmus demands a final farewell, challenging their fragile bond amid scandal and sacrifice.
Level C1RomanceFalkland, Book 3.Torn between love and guilt, Lady Emily Mandeville grapples with a passionate, forbidden connection to the enigmatic Falkland, whose intense devotion threatens to unravel the caref…
Level C1RomanceFalkland, Book 2.Caught between a loveless marriage and the intoxicating allure of Falkland’s genius, Emily Mandeville's heart awakens to desires that challenge her very existence.
Level C1RomanceFaithful Margaret: A NovelAs a beloved companion watches her dying mistress in a grand Surrey castle, she races against time to fulfill a final, desperate wish that could change everything—before death clai…
Level C1RomanceFair MargaretIn the turbulent spring of King Henry VII’s reign, political intrigue and royal ambitions intertwine as a mysterious Spanish cavalier with a secretive past navigates the shifting l…
Level C1RomanceFair EmAmid political upheaval and hidden identities, a nobleman forsakes his throne for love, while a miller’s daughter embraces humility to protect her family—where honor and passion co…
Level C1RomanceExit BettyOn her wedding night, a young bride’s dream turns to dread as she faces a haunting ordeal amid envious onlookers and unexpected absence.
Level C1RomanceExcavating a HusbandAt fifty, Katherine Boulby embraces her independent life and intellectual pursuits but yearns for romance.