Romance
Read Romance Classics in English
1,775 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.
- 1,775
- books
Level C1RomanceParzival: A Knightly Epic (vol. 2 of 2)Gawain embarks on perilous quests filled with enchantments, fierce battles, and complex alliances, weaving through castles and courts where love, honor, and magic collide in a rich…
Level C1RomanceParzival: A Knightly Epic (vol. 1 of 2)A young knight embarks on a spiritual and chivalric quest to find the Holy Grail, facing trials that test his honor, faith, and courage in a richly woven Arthurian world.
Level C1RomanceParrot & Co.In the dusty frontier of colonial Burma, an unlikely pair—a loyal Eurasian guide and a resilient American traveler—navigate a desolate land where civilization teeters on the edge,…
Level C1RomancePamela Pounce: A tale of tempestuous petticoatsIn 1788, amid the rustling petticoats and powdered curls of a society ruled by charm and wit, a young woman navigates the delicate dance of romance, fashion, and feminine allure in…
Level C1RomanceOvington's BankIn the bustling market town of Aldersbury, a confident young man named Arthur navigates the lively streets as the Holyhead Mail arrives, bringing news and visitors that will stir t…
Level C1RomanceOver the Border: A RomanceAmidst political intrigue and looming danger, a powerful yet ailing Earl navigates courtly rivalries and secret enemies, while a young French nobleman holds a curious influence ove…
Level B2RomanceOver Paradise Ridge: A RomanceA young woman struggles to reconcile her love for Sam, who has traded city ambitions for the rugged life of a farmer determined to nourish a valley teeming with promise.
Level C1RomanceOur Mutual FriendA father and daughter navigate the murky Thames in a shabby boat, haunted by dread and mystery as they search the river’s depths for a secret that sustains their grim existence.
Level C1RomanceOur Mr. Wrenn: The Romantic Adventures of a Gentle ManA timid sales clerk escapes his lonely New York life through vivid daydreams of far-off places, finding hope and quiet rebellion in the flickering images of travel films that promi…
Level C1RomanceOur Admirable Betty: A RomanceTwo battle-worn soldiers return home to a grand mansion filled with treasures—and unexpected hope—as they discover the meaning of duty, friendship, and the possibility of love in t…
Level C1RomanceOther Things Being EqualIn a San Francisco summer, Ruth Levice navigates the complex tensions between family duty, social expectations, and cultural divides, as whispers of her mother’s illness and uneasy…
Level C1RomanceOther People's Business: The Romantic Career of the Practical Miss DalePersis Dale juggles caring for her eccentric, bedridden brother and managing the lively demands of her small-town life, all while navigating the complexities of romance and practic…
Level C2MysteryOswald Langdon: or, Pierre and Paul Lanier. A Romance of 1894-1898Two brothers, Pierre and Paul Lanier, become entangled in a web of mystery spanning continents—from London to India—where secrets, conspiracies, and shifting alliances threaten the…
Level C1RomanceOswald Cray: A NovelIn a town divided by progress and tradition, the once-majestic Abbey stands as a silent witness to change and loss.
Level C1RomanceOrrain: A RomanceBanished from his family estate by a bitter stepbrother, a young nobleman torn between a church career and the call of arms must navigate betrayal, inheritance, and honor to reclai…
Level C1RomanceOrlando FuriosoIn a world of magic, war, and tangled love, knights Orlando and Ranaldo vie for the enchanting Angelica amid battles between Christians and heathens.
Level C1RomanceOriole's daughter, a novel, Volume 3 (of 3)At Yewridge Hall, the Marchmonts grapple with illness, societal expectations, and the weight of appearances, as Fulvia navigates sleepless nights and strained hopes for acceptance…
Level B2RomanceOpposite neighboursTwo soon-to-be-married couples prepare to start new lives as neighbors on Myrtle Street, where friendships, hopes, and hidden challenges bloom alongside their gardens.
Level B2RomanceOnly one loveA young man lost in the ancient and mysterious Forest of Warden must navigate its shadowy paths as night falls, hoping for rescue amid the wild—and perhaps discovering more than ju…
Level C1RomanceOnly an Ensign: A Tale of the Retreat from Cabul, Volume 2 (of 3)Amid the harsh Afghan landscape, British officers navigate danger and duty in a beleaguered fort near Cabul.
Level A2RomanceOnly a girl's loveA gifted painter finds solace in the tranquil English countryside, where nature's beauty inspires dreams and unspoken passions.
Level C1MysteryOne of the Six Hundred: A NovelA young cavalry officer granted leave from his regiment embarks on a journey home amid rising tensions and looming foreign conflict.
Level B2RomanceOne Wonderful Night: A Romance of New YorkA chance discovery of a marriage license leads John Delancy Curtis into a whirlwind New York night filled with mystery, romance, and unexpected confrontations, as he races to claim…
Level C1RomanceOne Woman: Being the Second Part of a Romance of SussexIn the tranquil Sussex countryside of 1908, newlyweds Ruth and Ernie embark on a quiet journey through familiar roads steeped in tradition and change, where old ties and new beginn…
Level C1RomanceOne Maid's MischiefIn a tranquil village, a gentle curate finds solace among blooming gardens and buzzing bees, but beneath the peaceful routine, subtle mischief and unexpected romance quietly stir.
Level C1RomanceOne Day: A sequel to 'Three Weeks'A young prince faces the crushing weight of a royal marriage arranged for duty, not desire, while London’s glittering society masks deeper passions and conflicts.
Level B2RomanceOn the wings of fateTorn between duty and desire, a woman navigates the twists of fate and society’s expectations in a tale where love’s unpredictable wings carry her toward an uncertain future.
Level C1RomanceOn the Cross: A Romance of the Passion Play at OberammergauIn the secluded village of Oberammergau, faith and tradition intertwine as young villagers bring the Passion Play to life, revealing timeless struggles of belief, sacrifice, and lo…
Level C1RomanceOn the Church StepsOn the church steps, two close friends navigate the delicate boundaries between affection and society’s watchful eyes, as secrets and unspoken feelings stir beneath the calm surfac…
Level B2RomanceOn the Brink of a Chasm: A record of plot and passionAmidst lavish parties and looming bankruptcy, a young woman defies expectations by refusing a wealthy but loveless match to follow her heart for a struggling barrister, challenging…
Level B2RomanceOn With TorchyAn office boy with a fiery spirit navigates love and ambition in bustling New York, chasing the elusive Vee despite obstacles from her formidable aunt and his own uncertain future.
Level C1RomanceOliviaIn a charming Devonshire village, Olivia Vanley’s serene life at Hawkwood Grange conceals a subtle mystery, unfolding amid family ties, refined society, and the delicate beauty of…
Level C1RomanceOliver's Bride; A true StoryTwo former lovers reunite after years apart, their hearts rekindling amid past regrets and newfound fortunes.
Level C1RomanceOld friends and new fanciesYears after their iconic stories, beloved characters from Austen’s novels navigate new romances and challenges, as Elizabeth and Darcy guide their family and friends through love’s…
Level C1RomanceOld comradesIn a gloomy London lodging on Christmas Eve, a stern retired colonel and his composed daughter navigate the rigid discipline of their daily life, hinting at quiet tensions and unsp…
Level B2RomanceOld Rose and SilverA woman on the brink of forty reflects on a life of comfort and beauty yet unfulfilled by love, yearning for a deeper passion as she navigates the quiet complexities of her shelter…
Level C1RomanceOld Love Stories RetoldA brilliant, mocking genius falls for a simple, devoted woman whose quiet goodness defies intellectual understanding.
Level C1RomanceOld Fritz and the New EraDive into a vivid blend of history and imagination where great deeds and hidden motives unfold, revealing the heart behind monumental events and stirring the passions of a transfor…
Level C1FantasyOld French Romances, Done into EnglishStep into a world where medieval tales intertwine with legend and history, revealing the enchanting origins of heroes and cities like Constantinople.
Level C1RomanceOld Bear-Paw, the trapper king; or, The love of a Blackfoot queenIn the untamed Black Hills, a seasoned scout strikes a daring pact with a wounded Blackfoot chief to rescue the chief’s kidnapped daughter from a rival tribe, setting off a perilou…
Level B2RomanceOh, Money! Money! A NovelA wealthy man struggles with how to spend his vast fortune and what will become of it after he's gone, wrestling with distrust of charities, reluctance to marry, and the meaning of…
Level B2RomanceOh! Susannah!: A Farcical Comedy in Three ActsIn a bustling London consulting room, devoted servant Aurora anxiously awaits her beloved doctor's return, unaware that his sudden departure and mysterious telegram may signal more…
Level B2RomanceOdeyne's marriageA charming yet impulsive young man faces the challenges of marriage to a country clergyman’s daughter, sparking concerns and hopes about how their union will transform their lives…
Level B2RomanceOdette's Marriage: A Novel, from the French of Albert Delpit, Translated from the "Revue des Deux Mondes," by Emily PrescottIn a sunlit seaside estate, Odette’s once vibrant spirit dims under society’s watchful eyes and her own restless heart, as she navigates the clash between personal freedom and rigi…
Level B2RomanceObject: matrimonyStruggling to save his mortgaged buildings in a tough New York neighborhood, a sharp salesman faces fierce rivals and complicated family ties.
Level B2RomanceObject, MatrimonyIn a gaudy mansion called the Hall of Mirth, three men face a dull winter without dances or company, pondering the pleasures and pitfalls of women and marriage as they navigate lon…
Level C1RomanceNotre-Dame de ParisIn 15th-century Paris, the ringing bells mark a day of festive chaos blending Epiphany, Feast of Fools, and mystery plays, setting the stage for a tale woven with medieval intrigue…
Level C1RomanceNothing But the TruthA carefree young man faces financial ruin when his father falls on hard times, forcing him to confront the harsh realities of responsibility and the tempting alternative of marriag…