Romance
Read Romance Classics in English
2,361 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.
- 2,361
- books
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 B2RomanceThe Girl at CobhurstWhen a sudden urgent call from the enigmatic Miss Panney disrupts Dr.
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 B2MysteryThe Ghost of Guir HouseA mysterious letter invites a man to a remote Virginia station, promising a meeting with the enigmatic Dorothy Guir.
Level B2RomanceThe Ghost in the Red ShirtA group of friends embarks on a lake outing that turns perilous as a storm strikes, forcing them ashore near an abandoned cabin where eerie happenings begin.
Level B2RomanceThe Ghost GirlIn the misty Irish countryside, spirited Phylice Berknowles defies tradition and school to carve her own path, but the arrival of a mysterious will from America threatens to upend…
Level B2MysteryThe Ghost Breaker: A Novel Based Upon the PlayAmidst the fading twilight of an old Southern manor, a wounded colonel entrusts his son with a grim mission: to uncover the truth and avenge the mysterious deaths that have shatter…
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 B2MysteryThe Gay Triangle: The Romance of the First Air AdventurersIn the misty Norfolk fens, a revolutionary motor-car transforms into a silent monoplane, piloted by two daring adventurers.
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 B2RomanceThe Gates of DawnA lone gamekeeper journeys through the English countryside in a colorful caravan, seeking an elusive destination beneath a towering pine.
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 B2RomanceThe Funny Philosophers, or Wags and Sweethearts. A NovelIn a lively debate beneath the stars, a young lawyer challenges the laws of gravity and the nature of love, spinning a whimsical tale of romance, philosophy, and unexpected discove…
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 B2RomanceThe Frontier Angel: A Romance of Kentucky Rangers' LifeIn a perilous frontier town near the Ohio River, young Marian Abbot prepares to journey westward on a flat-boat, leaving behind her beloved Russel Mansfield amid threats from reneg…
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 B1RomanceThe Fox Jumps Over the Parson's GateA lively hunt unfolds with a mischievous fox leaping over the parson’s gate, while the heart of the story beats for Nancy, weaving humor and romance through spirited songs and char…
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 B2MysteryThe Fortune HunterA charming but impecunious actor navigates New York's working-class society, weaving charm and ambition among its vibrant characters.
Level B2RomanceThe Forged Note: A Romance of the Darker RacesA young homesteader's marriage is shattered when his minister father-in-law forges his signature to steal a valuable land claim, sparking a fierce battle over justice and betrayal…
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 B2RomanceThe Forest Monster; or, Lamora, the Maid of the CanonA perilous journey through the wild Far West unfolds as emigrants face the looming threat of a massive Indian force.
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.
Level C1RomanceThe Forest King: Wild Hunter of the AdacaIn the wild beauty of the Adaca Valley, a fearless hunter named Mayall pursues love and adventure amid frontier dangers and family opposition.
Level B2RomanceThe Forbidden WayA determined young man navigates treacherous business deals and a fiery romance, balancing sharp schemes and passionate confrontations in a world where loyalty and love come at a h…
Level C1RomanceThe Fool Errant: Being the Memoirs of Francis-Anthony Strelley, Esq., Citizen of LuccaAn English youth arrives in 18th-century Padua, swept into the whirlwind life of his fiery Italian tutor, Dr.
Level B2RomanceThe Following of the Star: A RomanceIn a quaint Hampshire village, a devoted preacher grapples with the apathy and divided loyalties of his congregation, where tradition clashes with personal pride and faith is teste…
Level B2RomanceThe Flying MercuryA stranded young woman and her companion encounter a skilled and enigmatic driver who swiftly comes to their aid on a dark Long Island road, setting the stage for unexpected connec…
Level B2Science FictionThe Flying CuspidorsIn 2056, Hotlips Grogan, a top trumpet player on a gambling ship orbiting Earth, struggles with mysterious trouble linked to a captivating new band member.
Level C1RomanceThe FlyersOn a bleak spring night at the exclusive Faraway Country Club, restless members seek warmth and diversion amid biting winds and whispered scandals, as the promise of adventure and…
Level C1RomanceThe Flute of the GodsIn a drought-stricken Hopi village, ancient prayers and rituals struggle to bring rain to a parched land where survival hangs by a thread.
Level C1RomanceThe Flower of the Flock, Volume 2 (of 3)A sudden return and a restored fortune bring Colonel Mires into the orbit of the enchanting Flora Wilton, stirring a passionate and complicated love that challenges his guarded hea…
Level C1RomanceThe Flower of the Flock, Volume 1 (of 3)In sunlit London, a young goldsmith's admiration for a radiant girl turns to unease when a mysterious stranger appears at her door, hinting at hidden troubles beneath the city's go…
Level C1RomanceThe Flower of the ChapdelainesIn the heart of New Orleans, a young lawyer becomes entwined with a mysterious Creole woman and a secret literary legacy, navigating passion, intrigue, and the fading grandeur of a…
Level C1RomanceThe Flower Girl of The Château d'Eau, v.2 (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume XVI)A devoted husband’s love is tested when his beautiful but flirtatious wife embraces a life of parties and admirers, while a charming friend’s true intentions threaten to shatter th…
Level C2RomanceThe Flourishing of Romance and the Rise of Allegory: (Periods of European Literature, vol. II)Explore the vibrant interplay of romance and allegory across medieval Europe, as French, English, German, Provençal, and Icelandic literatures shape a rich tapestry of literary evo…
Level C1RomanceThe FlirtValentine Corliss returns to his transformed hometown, navigating its heated streets and shifting landscapes while confronting memories and rivalries that linger beneath the surfac…
Level C1RomanceThe Flight of Georgiana: A Story of Love and Peril in England in 1746In 1746 England, a gentleman’s servant hastens to prepare an inn for his master’s arrival, bringing home his niece to Foxwell Court—a place known for its wild frolics and gambling.
Level B2MysteryThe Five KnotsIn a grand estate filled with exotic orchids and elegant guests, Beatrice Galloway senses a mysterious presence lurking in the shadows, hinting at secrets beneath the opulent surfa…
Level C1RomanceThe First of the English: A NovelCaught in a fierce storm on the Schelde, a daring young captain commands the nimble Dover Lass, a battle-ready ship poised to outwit Spanish foes and navigate treacherous waters wh…