Romance
Read Romance Classics in English
1,280 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.
- 1,280
- books
Level C1RomanceThe Heir of MondolfoIn a sun-drenched castle overlooking the Mediterranean, young Ludovico battles his tyrannical father’s hatred and vows to forge his own path as a courageous cavalier, defying the f…
Level C1RomanceThe Heather-MoonBarrie, a young woman starved for romance, discovers the garret door to a mysterious "Fairyland" unlocked for the first time—an irresistible invitation into a secret world that pro…
Level C1RomanceThe Heart's Secret; Or, the Fortunes of a Soldier: a Story of Love and the Low Latitudes.In the sultry twilight of Havana, a young boy’s keen eyes witness the secrets of the sea and society, surrounded by military men and aristocrats amid whispers of forbidden trade an…
Level C1RomanceThe Heart's Highway: A Romance of Virginia in the Seventeenth CenturyIn 1682 Virginia, a disgraced English convict turned tutor accompanies the spirited young Mistress Mary Cavendish through the colonial wilderness, where social boundaries blur and…
Level C1MysteryThe Heart of a WomanLouisa Harris, a sensible Englishwoman leading a quiet, ordinary life, unexpectedly receives a love letter that challenges her steadfast rejection of romance.
Level C1RomanceThe Heart of Princess OsraIn a city ruled by a fierce king known as the Lion, a humble smith named Stephen finds himself caught in royal intrigues when Prince Henry’s troubles stir unrest.
Level C1RomanceThe Heart of HyacinthIn tranquil Sendai, a foreign missionary embraces a new life with a local wife and child, only to face heartbreak and duty when his past calls him away, leaving love and loss entwi…
Level C1RomanceThe Hawk of EgyptIn the vibrant chaos of Cairo’s silk market, a striking young woman named Damaris navigates a world of exotic sights, scents, and secrets, where fate weaves an unexpected tale of l…
Level C1FantasyThe Haunted Homestead: A NovelA fearless girl fascinated by ghosts embarks on a summer journey with her inseparable friend Mathilde to Saratoga Springs, where amid bustling crowds and new acquaintances, eerie m…
Level C1MysteryThe Haunted Chamber: A NovelAs dusk settles over an ancient castle shrouded in chilling legends and bloodstained secrets, Sir Adrian Dynecourt prepares to host guests who may soon uncover the dark mysteries l…
Level C1RomanceThe Harlequin Opal: A Romance. Vol. 3 (of 3)Amidst the turmoil of war and rebellion, loyal soldiers face fierce battles and uncertain fates while an enchanted opal foretells destiny.
Level C1RomanceThe Harlequin Opal: A Romance. Vol. 2 (of 3)A daring mission unfolds aboard The Bohemian as Englishmen and Cholacacans journey north to challenge a rebel stronghold, navigating political tension and peril beneath tropical sk…
Level C1RomanceThe Harlequin Opal: A Romance. Vol. 1 (of 3)Four old friends vow to reunite after fifteen years, each changed by time and distance, amid a backdrop of exotic lands and mysterious legends.
Level C1RomanceThe Hand but Not the Heart; Or, The Life-Trials of Jessie LoringIn a society where wealth and appearances deceive, a young man wrestles with his feelings for Jessie Loring, whose heart may be swayed by riches he lacks.
Level C1RomanceThe Hampstead mystery: a novel. Volume 1 (of 3)A young woman’s secret romance sparks a fierce family feud, as her strict father battles to control her suitors and protect the family fortune—igniting tensions between love, duty,…
Level C1RomanceThe Guarded HeightsA skilled horseman from a struggling family becomes the trusted companion of a proud heiress, sparking a restless longing that challenges social boundaries and ignites a passionate…
Level C1RomanceThe Greek Romances of Heliodorus, Longus and Achilles Tatius: Comprising the Ethiopics; or, Adventures of Theagenes and Chariclea; The pastoral amours of Daphnis and Chloe; and the loves of Clitopho and LeucippeJourney into a world where imagination weaves tales of love, adventure, and the customs of ancient life, revealing the passions and trials of heroes and heroines bound by fate and…
Level C1RomanceThe Graysons: A Story of IllinoisIn a vibrant Illinois countryside, Rachel Albaugh captivates as the area's unmatched beauty and sought-after belle, yet her heart remains unclaimed amidst a lively social scene.
Level C1RomanceThe GrandissimesIn 1803 New Orleans, amid masked balls and Creole society’s intrigues, old loyalties clash with new realities as families like the Grandissimes navigate love, honor, and the shadow…
Level C1RomanceThe Grain of Dust: A NovelA quiet stenographer enters the bustling world of a powerful New York law firm, where ambition and intrigue swirl around the charismatic young partner Frederick Norman.
Level C1RomanceThe GraftersIn a booming frontier town built on speculation and ambition, lawyer David Kent navigates the highs and imminent crash of a wild real estate rush, balancing hope and risk in a rapi…
Level C1RomanceThe Gorgeous Isle: A Romance; Scene-- Nevis, B.W.I. 1842In the vibrant winter retreat of Nevis, amidst tropical gardens and dazzling fashion, a spirited young woman challenges the refined conventions of a glamorous yet fading Caribbean…
Level C1RomanceThe Gorgeous GirlIn a bustling leather company office, Trudy defies traditional roles, determined to win love and success on her own terms, while observing the lives of those around her—especially…
Level C1RomanceThe Golden Lion of GranpereIn the peaceful village of Granpere, nestled among the Vosges mountains, a quiet community thrives amid changing empires and old rivalries.
Level C1RomanceThe Golden Key; Or, A Heart's Silent WorshipGrieving a tragic loss, a young mother clings to life under her devoted sister’s care, while a mysterious abandoned infant appears, setting in motion a heartfelt tale of love, sorr…
Level C1RomanceThe Golden Fleece: A RomanceIn the sweltering heat of a veranda, a retired general and a professor reminisce about Susan Brown and her daughter Grace, a shop-girl in New York whose humble job might be the key…
Level C1RomanceThe Gold of ChickareeA young woman bound by a strict will faces a choice between love and fortune, navigating society’s expectations and her own secret desires.
Level C1RomanceThe Glory of the Conquered: The Story of a Great LoveTorn between the worlds of science and art, Ernestine faces a powerful choice when promised to one of the greatest scientists alive.
Level C1RomanceThe Glimpses of the MoonA newlywed couple embarks on a honeymoon at a famed lakeside villa, savoring the magic of love and luxury while quietly grappling with the financial strains beneath their blissful…
Level C1RomanceThe Girl of the Golden GateIn the vibrant port of Yokohama, a stoic sea captain haunted by past storms and mutiny crosses paths with a striking golden-haired woman whose arrival stirs intrigue and longing am…
Level C1MysteryThe Girl from MaltaA lavish steamship voyage to Malta sets the stage for romance, rivalry, and secrets among a lively group of passengers.
Level C1RomanceThe Girl at the Halfway House: A Story of the PlainsAmidst the turmoil of war and tradition, two prominent families' heirs navigate duty, expectation, and the stirrings of forbidden love in a Southern town where honor and heritage s…
Level C1MysteryThe Girl and the Bill: An American Story of Mystery, Romance and AdventureIn bustling Chicago, a practical young lawyer’s orderly world is upended when he encounters a mysterious woman caught in a chaotic traffic jam, sparking a chance meeting that hints…
Level C1MysteryThe Girl PhilippaAs war looms over Europe in 1914, secret negotiations and shifting alliances threaten to reshape the world—and the fate of Philippa, whose life becomes entwined with these turbulen…
Level C1Science FictionThe Gilded Man: A Romance of the AndesIn the shadow of the Andes, a long-lost golden city—El Dorado—beckons explorers with promises of immortality and unimaginable wealth.
Level C1RomanceThe Geste of Duke JocelynIn a medieval world where beauty and bravery clash, an unusual duke hides behind a jester’s cap and bells, his scarred face softened only by a radiant smile, as he embarks on a rom…
Level C1RomanceThe Gentleman of Fifty and The Damsel of Nineteen (An early uncompleted fragment)In a sunlit valley, a quirky vicar and his equally unconventional wife turn a hot summer day into a comical spectacle by wading fully clothed into the river, sparking laughter and…
Level C1RomanceThe Gentle Shepherd: A Pastoral ComedyIn a serene pastoral setting, rustic characters navigate love and life with elegance and heartfelt sentiment, proving that humble occupations can inspire timeless beauty and deligh…
Level C1RomanceThe Gathering of Brother HilariusA young novice monk wrestles with his longing for the untamed forest beyond the monastery walls, where the serene peace of cloistered life meets the mysterious call of the natural…
Level C1RomanceThe Gateless BarrierA successful man escapes the glittering but hollow society of New York for a solitary voyage, wrestling with questions of true achievement, love, and the soul’s worth beyond worldl…
Level C1RomanceThe Gaspards of Pine Croft: A Romance of the WindermereAn engineer and artist torn between Scottish and French heritage embraces a bold new life in British Columbia’s Windermere Valley, where vast wilderness and opportunity beckon him…
Level C1RomanceThe Garden of AllahA restless journey brings Domini Enfilden to North Africa, where the clash of cultures and lonely souls hint at a transformative experience in a land both mysterious and challengin…
Level C1RomanceThe Fruit of the TreeIn a hospital ward, a determined assistant mill manager confronts harsh realities after a mechanic’s devastating injury, seeking help beyond the rules to save a life and confront t…
Level C1RomanceThe Free Lances: A Romance of the Mexican ValleyIn the tense lead-up to the Texas Revolution, a determined young Irishman answers the call to volunteer, meeting Cris Rock, a towering Texan with a fierce spirit and a plan to rall…
Level C1RomanceThe Four FeathersAmidst tales of war and valor, young Harry Feversham grapples with his heritage and the weight of expectations as he joins a gathering of hardened veterans, eager to prove himself…
Level C1RomanceThe Fortunes of the FarrellsIn a world of glittering balls and dazzling jewels, penniless Mollie Farrell navigates the clash between high society's luxury and the harsh demands of everyday life.
Level C1RomanceThe Forester's Daughter: A Romance of the Bear-Tooth RangeIn the rugged Bear-Tooth Range, a spirited young forester’s daughter navigates the wild landscape and the affections of three determined men, while an enigmatic tourist’s fragile s…
Level C1RomanceThe Forest LoversA spirited young nobleman, cast out by his brother, rides boldly into the mysterious and dangerous Morgraunt Forest, where outlaws and wild beasts roam.