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 Ragged EdgeTwo young dreamers navigate the vibrant, chaotic streets of ancient Canton, where unfamiliar sights, sounds, and customs challenge their perceptions and ignite a journey filled wit…
Level C1RomanceThe Quiet HeartIn a quiet Scottish home, spirited Menie Laurie faces the tender struggles and whispered fears of those around her, as a persistent visitor seeks her help amid family worries.
Level C1RomanceThe Quest of the Golden Girl: A RomanceA solitary bachelor, feeling the sting of loneliness after his sister’s marriage, embarks on a whimsical pilgrimage to seek the elusive Golden Girl—hoping that adventure and fate w…
Level C1RomanceThe Queen's cadet, and other talesA daring young Queen's cadet wrestles with unseen spiritual forces while navigating the challenges of military life and family secrets, blending adventure, mystery, and the hauntin…
Level C1RomanceThe Queen's Maries: A Romance of HolyroodAmid the gloomy streets of Calais, a young queen sleeps before leaving her beloved France forever, poised between hope and heartbreak.
Level C1RomanceThe Queen's Favourite: A Story of the RestorationIn a France shadowed by exile and loss, the young Princess Henrietta and her devoted court await the return of Charles II to reclaim the English throne, igniting hope, loyalty, and…
Level C1RomanceThe PursuitIn the bustling streets of Tangier, a tense American woman and her spirited son navigate a world of intrigue and danger, drawing the attention of a discerning gentleman whose insti…![Cover of The Prose Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley, Vol. 1 [of 2] by Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da8ub9tnmvfc73bii83g.webp)
Level C1RomanceThe Prose Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley, Vol. 1 [of 2]A shadowy figure driven by vengeance abducts the exiled Verezzi, spiriting him away through dark forests to an uncertain fate.
Level C1RomanceThe Prose Marmion: A Tale of the Scottish BorderAmid the rugged Scottish Borders, Norham Castle stands as a fortress of honor and intrigue, where warriors and minstrels gather under fading daylight to welcome Lord Marmion, setti…
Level C1RomanceThe ProfessorAn ambitious young man rejects wealth and social ties to forge his own path through life’s challenges, confronting the realities of work, love, and personal growth with unvarnished…
Level C1RomanceThe Princess of Ponthieu: (in) The New-York Weekly Magazine or Miscellaneous RepositoryIn a grand French court, a courageous young cavalier secretly falls for the brilliant Princess of Ponthieu, navigating love and honor amid tournaments, battles, and noble expectati…
Level C1RomanceThe Princess of ClevesAmid the dazzling grandeur of King Henry II’s court, where beauty, wit, and ambition collide, a young princess navigates the perilous intrigues of love and loyalty in a world ruled…
Level C1RomanceThe Princess SophiaIn the small, strategically vital principality of Rhodopé, Prince Leonard faces a gripping choice: ally with Greece or Turkey during a tense war, wielding power that could tip the…
Level C1RomanceThe Princess PassesAmid high society’s glittering façade, a man’s plans unravel when the woman he loves abruptly announces an engagement to another.
Level C1RomanceThe Princess ElopesIn a small, militaristic duchy where ancient laws clash with modern life, a diplomat navigates strict customs and political intrigue—until a rebellious princess sets the stage for…
Level C1RomanceThe Princess DehraAmid political exile and court intrigue, a mysterious woman rides beside a disgraced duke whose past schemes shadow their daring dreams of escape to Paris.
Level C1RomanceThe Princess De MontpensierAmidst the brutal religious wars tearing 16th-century France apart, a young heiress is forced into a politically charged marriage, while forbidden love and deadly rivalries threate…
Level C1RomanceThe Princess AlineA renowned portrait painter returns to New York, his heart and ambitions open, when the enchanting Princess Aline steps into his life, sparking a blend of romantic idealism and per…
Level C1RomanceThe Prince of the Captivity: The Epilogue to a RomanceA chance meeting with the enigmatic American heiress Félicia Steinherz transforms Lord Usk’s world, awakening a deep longing and reshaping his view of life and love.
Level C1RomanceThe Prince of GraustarkA wealthy couple debates the perfect noble match for their daughter, Maud, until the unexpected arrival of a royal prince in America turns their matrimonial plans upside down, blen…
Level C1RomanceThe Prime MinisterAmidst the turmoil of 18th-century Portugal, an ambitious minister rises to power during a time of reform, intrigue, and brutal political strife following a devastating earthquake.
Level C1RomanceThe Pride of Jennico: Being a Memoir of Captain Basil JennicoAmid a relentless Moravian storm, Captain Basil Jennico reflects on a mysterious legacy that transformed him from a modest officer into a wealthy landowner of a grand castle, thrus…
Level C1RomanceThe President: A NovelIn the winter chill of Washington, Richard Storms, a man of luxury and mystery, navigates a world of wealth, power, and whispered secrets under the roof of the enigmatic Mr.
Level C1RomanceThe PrecipiceA charming yet aimless man drifts through love and life in a sleepy Volga town, caught between old Russian traditions and the restless stirrings of change.
Level C1RomanceThe Potter and the Clay: A Romance of TodayA spirited young girl defies expectations and hides away her burdens as she navigates childhood’s contradictions, friendship, and the quiet struggles beneath a tempestuous surface…
Level C1RomanceThe Portrait of a Lady — Volume 2In the shadowed opera boxes of Rome, Isabel Archer navigates complex social entanglements, between the enigmatic Mr.
Level C1RomanceThe Portrait of a Lady — Volume 1A spirited young American woman embarks on a journey through Europe, navigating complex relationships and the challenges of independence in a richly detailed world where personal f…
Level C1RomanceThe Point of ViewIn the vibrant heart of Rome, young Stella Rawson escapes her stifling English life and an uninspiring engagement, discovering a world of excitement and possibility among the city'…
Level C1RomanceThe Place of HoneymoonsTorn between restless ambition and a longing for meaning, Courtlandt drifts through the dazzling allure of Parisian nights and distant jungles, seeking a path that will finally sat…
Level C1RomanceThe PirateAmid the rugged beauty of the Orkney Isles, a tale unfolds where history, legend, and romance intertwine, as a mysterious pirate’s presence stirs passion and intrigue among islande…
Level C1FantasyThe Pilgrims of the RhineJourney along the enchanting Rhine with Gertrude and Trevylyan, where love, legends, and the mystical spirit of the river intertwine in a tale blending romance, fantasy, and poetic…
Level C1RomanceThe Pilgrim of Castile; or, El Pelegrino in Su PatriaAfter surviving a shipwreck near Barcelona, a mysterious pilgrim drifts into a village caught in the midst of armed conflict, where danger and intrigue intertwine with unexpected a…
Level C1RomanceThe Piccinino, Volume 1 (of 2)In the shadowy valleys near Mount Ætna, a mysterious brigand chief emerges, blending romantic intrigue with the harsh realities of a rugged land.
Level C1RomanceThe Phantom Regiment; or, Stories of "Ours"Amid the rugged backdrop of Gibraltar and Andalusia, a British officer reflects on a fleeting romance with the enchanting Paulina, whose departure sets the stage for tales of love,…
Level C1RomanceThe Perfume of Eros: A Fifth Avenue IncidentIn the exclusive calm of Gramercy Park, Royal Loftus navigates high society’s intrigues, torn between captivating women and the pressures of wealth and status.
Level C1RomanceThe Pennycomequicks, Volume 2 (of 3)A young woman faces unexpected financial hardship and mysterious nightly intrusions as she strives to protect her ailing mother and navigate shattered plans for a new home, uncover…
Level C1RomanceThe Pearl Box: Containing One Hundred Beautiful Stories for Young PeopleDiscover heartfelt tales filled with moral lessons that guide young readers through kindness, faith, and the beauty of selflessness, as children navigate life's challenges with hop…
Level C1RomanceThe Pathfinder; Or, The Inland SeaFour intrepid travelers ascend a wind-row in the vast American wilderness, seeking a glimpse of the untamed Great Lakes region where sailors and Native Americans intertwine in a ru…
Level C1RomanceThe Path to HonourIn the volatile city of Ranjitgarh, two lifelong friends turned rivals vie for the attention of General Cinnamond’s daughter amidst the tense British effort to reform a rebellious…
Level C1RomanceThe Passionate FriendsA man reflects on his father’s life and their complex relationship, uncovering hidden memories and untold stories as he prepares to share his own journey with his son.
Level C1RomanceThe Parlor CarA chance encounter on a delayed train reunites Lucy Galbraith and Allen Richards, whose broken engagement simmers beneath tense words and unresolved feelings.
Level C1RomanceThe Other WorldAboard the luxurious steam yacht Bluebottle, a spirited debate unfolds over who will capture Teddy Somers’ heart during a six-month winter cruise.
Level C1RomanceThe Opened Shutters: A NovelIn a quiet town, Judge Trent wrestles with memories of a lost love while mentoring a bright young lawyer.
Level C1RomanceThe Old Peabody Pew: A Christmas Romance of a Country ChurchIn a quiet New England village, the old Tory Hill Meeting-House stands as a testament to fading traditions and the efforts of determined women striving to preserve their cherished…
Level C1RomanceThe Old Flute-Player: A Romance of To-dayIn a modest London lodging, a mysterious German flutist and his beautiful, reclusive daughter captivate the curious residents around them.
Level C1RomanceThe O'Conors of Castle Conor, County Mayo: From "Tales from All Countries"An outsider arrives in rural Ireland, seeking camaraderie and adventure among country huntsmen, only to find unexpected hospitality and complex ties at Castle Conor.
Level C1RomanceThe Noble RogueIn the opulent courts of Louis XIV’s Paris, a humble tailor secures a papal promise to elevate his daughter Rose Marie to English nobility, setting the stage for a stirring tale of…
Level C1RomanceThe Night of TemptationIn a stifling English rectory filled with bitterness and discord, Regina Marlow finds solace and hope in the beauty of nature and her own radiant spirit, challenging the harsh real…