Romance
Read Romance Classics in English
1,673 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.
- 1,673
- books
Level C1RomanceThe White Hand and the Black: A Story of the Natal RisingOn a stormy mountain top, two men—one white, one dark—engage in a silent, deadly struggle where survival means outwitting a hidden peril beneath the grass.
Level C1RomanceThe White GauntletIn a sunlit forest clearing, Marion Wade, a radiant high-born woman with her hawk and hound, awaits a mysterious horseman whose arrival stirs anticipation and tension beneath the a…
Level C1RomanceThe Wheat PrincessIn a picturesque but impoverished Italian village crowned by ancient ruins, a noble family's haunting past and fading glory set the stage for a stirring tale of love, legacy, and t…
Level C1RomanceThe Wharf by the Docks: A NovelIn the tranquil English countryside, a retired London merchant grapples with family tensions and forbidden romances, while mysterious troubles loom over his daughter’s broken engag…
Level C1RomanceThe Weird of the Wentworths: A Tale of George IV's Time, Vol. 2A condemned man faces a desperate choice: escape his prison and lose his beloved Ellen forever, or embrace certain death to see her once more.
Level C1RomanceThe Weird Sisters: A Romance. Volume 3 (of 3)Haunted by mysterious visions and battling his own troubled mind, Henry grapples with isolation, secrets, and the possibility of a second marriage, all while seeking solace in the…
Level C1RomanceThe Weird Sisters: A Romance. Volume 2 (of 3)Haunted by guilt and loss, a man wrestles with his past as he faces the impending fate of Sir Alexander and the uncertain future of a young heiress thrown from her ancestral home.
Level C1RomanceThe Weird Sisters: A Romance. Volume 1 (of 3)In the quiet city of Daneford, Wat Grey, a wealthy and influential banker mourning his late wife, navigates society’s expectations and the subtle intrigues of power, all while harb…
Level C1RomanceThe Web of the Golden SpiderA theological student, suddenly penniless and adrift in Boston, wanders the rain-soaked streets searching for hope and connection.
Level C1RomanceThe Way of a ManA strong, confident man recalls the charged moment he kissed the proud and high-bred Grace Sheraton, his neighbor with a guarded heart and a complicated past between their families…
Level C1RomanceThe Wanderer; or, Female Difficulties (Volume 4 of 5)Caught between suspicion and desperation, a young woman named Juliet must navigate the harsh judgments of a protective noblewoman while confronting threats that could expose her my…
Level C1RomanceThe Voyage of the AuroraIn a quiet coastal village where smuggling thrives, Lucy Walford, a spirited young woman with golden curls and a sharp temper, navigates the challenges of love and family legacy am…
Level C1RomanceThe Voyage OutA woman burdened by sorrow walks the bustling streets of London, her grief hidden behind a stoic facade as she confronts the indifferent city around her.
Level C1MysteryThe Voice in the FogAmidst a thick, impenetrable London fog on a chaotic Walpurgis night, a mysterious voice cuts through the haze as Kitty Killigrew navigates a city teetering on the edge of unrest a…
Level C1RomanceThe Viper of Milan: A Romance of LombardyIn the turbulent dawn of Renaissance Italy, power and passion collide as Visconti, the ruthless "Viper of Milan," weaves a deadly web of treachery and ambition.
Level C1RomanceThe Vermilion Pencil: A Romance of ChinaAmid the ancient monasteries and misty mountains of China, two men ascend the White Cloud Hills, their silent journey shadowed by an ominous calm over the lush river valley and vib…
Level C1RomanceThe Vehement FlameA nineteen-year-old newlywed brims with ecstatic joy and passion as he revels in the first hour of marriage, facing doubt and defiance from the past while embracing a love that fee…
Level C1RomanceThe Van RoonIn a dingy London antique shop, a shrewd old dealer navigates the challenges of a missing assistant, a quarrelsome charwoman, and a mysterious shipment from the countryside—where h…
Level C1RomanceThe Valley of Vision : A Book of Romance and Some Half-Told TalesIn a dreamlike ancient city, two powerful figures embody a profound dispute at the heart of life, setting the stage for a collection of romantic tales and fables that explore visio…
Level C1RomanceThe Vale of Cedars; Or, The MartyrAmid delicate health and early struggles, a young woman’s keen intellect and deep faith shape a life devoted to learning, compassion, and the pursuit of truth.
Level C1RomanceThe Uttermost FarthingAn American diplomat and a married Englishwoman risk everything for a fleeting escape to Paris, seeking forbidden happiness amid the city's timeless romance and hidden dangers.
Level C1RomanceThe Up GradeA down-and-out man in Phoenix is offered a desperate chance for work at a remote mining company, setting off on a grueling journey through the desert.
Level C1RomanceThe Unknown Quantity: A Book of Romance and Some Half-Told TalesJourney through a series of intertwined tales where love, mystery, and the unpredictable forces of life flow like a chain of hidden lakes, revealing the unknown threads that connec…
Level C1RomanceThe U. P. TrailA rugged caravan carrying a hidden fortune treks the perilous Wyoming hills, shadowed by Sioux scouts and the wild, untamed landscape.
Level C1RomanceThe Two VanrevelsIn a sunlit town where old rivalries and guarded hearts reign, a convent-raised beauty returns, sparking a charged encounter that promises romance and conflict.
Level C1RomanceThe Two DestiniesAt a small, intimate dinner in London, newlyweds George and his charming wife welcome guests whose absent spouses spark curiosity and suspicion.
Level C1RomanceThe Two CaptainsUnder a warm Malaga evening, two young captains—one German, one Spanish—forge a bond amid war preparations and personal turmoil, as one pursues a delicate love threatened by jealou…
Level C1RomanceThe Twelfth HourIn a lavish London home, Felicity navigates the complexities of love, society, and family intrigue while preparing for a dazzling party orchestrated by her enigmatic father.
Level C1RomanceThe Turquoise Cup, and, the DesertAn English earl seeks the elusive turquoise cup from St.
Level C1RomanceThe Trysting Place: A Farce in One ActIn a secluded hotel lounge, a young man hopelessly in love confesses his unusual attraction to a worldly woman twice his age, sparking a charmingly awkward dance of youthful passio…
Level C1RomanceThe Trumpet-MajorAmid the looming threat of Napoleon’s invasion, two brothers—soldier and seafarer—navigate love and loyalty in a coastal English village where romance and war intertwine against th…
Level C1RomanceThe Triumph of JillAs her ailing father’s final days slip away, Jill faces a lonely future armed only with her art and determination.
Level C1RomanceThe TrespasserIn a modest South London room, two women entwined in music reveal unspoken tensions, while a mysterious visitor watches, drawn into their complex and tender world.
Level C1RomanceThe Treasure of Pearls: A Romance of Adventures in CaliforniaIn the untamed wilderness of Sonora, a group of armed men navigates dense, vibrant landscapes teeming with danger and wonder.
Level C1RomanceThe Treasure of Heaven: A Romance of RichesAmidst the restless bustle and shimmering lights of London’s high society, a night charged with tension and expectation sets the stage for a tale weaving romance and the pursuit of…
Level C1RomanceThe Transgression of Andrew Vane: A NovelA promising writer's effortless confidence and societal charm mask a deeper struggle with creative failure and disillusionment, as his wife confronts the unraveling of their seemin…
Level C1RomanceThe Transfiguration of Miss PhiluraA timid woman burdened by years of resignation embarks on a transformative journey into the world of metaphysical philosophy and progressive thought, awakening new hope and purpose…
Level C1RomanceThe Trampling of the LiliesOn the cusp of the French Revolution, a humble secretary finds his heart stirred by the noble daughter he serves, as new ideas of equality and love challenge the old order in a wor…
Level C1RomanceThe Trail to YesterdayLost and alone on a desolate, uncharted trail, Sheila Langford faces the harsh wilderness and an approaching storm, testing her courage and resolve in a land far harsher than she e…
Level C1RomanceThe Trail of the Sword, CompleteAmid the fierce struggles of old Quebec, a British soldier and his beloved navigate war, honor, and rivalry between French and English spirits.
Level C1RomanceThe Tragic Comedians: A Study in a Well-known Story — CompleteIn a world where passion and power collide, a charismatic leader's tragic downfall unfolds through a fierce love entanglement with a captivating coquette.
Level C1MysteryThe Tracer of Lost PersonsA disillusioned man with wealth but no purpose faces a challenge to seek his elusive ideal love amid the gilded facades of high society, sparking a journey into mystery and self-di…
Level C1RomanceThe Tory MaidYoung James Frisby rides from his Maryland home to join the Revolutionary War, carrying memories of a fair Tory maid and the fierce loyalty that will test friendships and hearts du…
Level C1RomanceThe Torrents of SpringHaunted by a suffocating weariness and the looming dread of death, Dimitri Pavlovitch Sanin reflects on his past as he embarks on a journey through memory and love, caught between…
Level C1FantasyThe Tinted Venus: A Farcical RomanceIn a quirky London neighborhood, hairdresser Leander Tweddle concocts mysterious rejuvenators while navigating lively social plans with his friend James and the enchanting Parkinso…
Level C1RomanceThe Tinder-BoxA young architect fresh from Paris faces a powerful call to join a transformative movement shaping the destinies of women beyond suffrage and politics.
Level C1RomanceThe Tides of BarnegatOn a radiant spring morning by the sea, a compassionate nurse and a charming doctor cross paths amidst the tranquil beauty of Barnegat Light.
Level C1FantasyThe Three Perils of Man; or, War, Women, and Witchcraft, Vol. 2 (of 3)A mysterious, desolate castle looms as a group approaches, where eerie silence and supernatural guardians hint at dark enchantments and hidden perils.