Romance
Read Romance Classics in English
2,345 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.
- 2,345
- books
Level C1RomanceThe Eichhofs: A RomanceIn the glittering world of Berlin's elite, three guardsmen watch a young heiress with intrigue and ambition.
Level C1RomanceThe Egoist: A Comedy in NarrativeIn a world obsessed with egoism, a sharp-witted comedy peels back the social masks of civilized men and women, revealing the vibrant, often absurd spirit beneath polite society.
Level C1RomanceThe Earl's promiseIn a small, sleepy Irish town on the brink of change, hopes rise with the coronation of a new king, stirring dreams of justice and prosperity amid deep-rooted divisions and faded g…
Level C1RomanceThe Eagle CliffA spirited young man races through the countryside on his bicycle, chasing the thrill of flight and the promise of the city beyond.
Level C1MysteryThe DumplingA summer day’s trespass leads a man to a serene lake where an unexpected encounter with a mysterious, enchanting woman in the water sparks a tale of intrigue, romance, and a brewin…
Level C1RomanceThe Duke's Sweetheart: A RomanceA charming gentleman known as the Duke of Long Acre, with no lands or title but a radiant spirit, prepares for a pivotal meeting with the lady who has captured his heart, setting t…
Level C1RomanceThe Duke's Prize; a Story of Art and Heart in FlorenceIn sunlit Florence, a diverse group of artists from across Europe converge, drawn by the city's rich art and vibrant spirit.
Level C1RomanceThe Duke's Daughter; and, The Fugitives; vol. 1/3Amidst the grandeur and pride of English nobility, a sensible duchess navigates family tensions and financial decline, while her proud husband clings to fading traditions.
Level C1MysteryThe Duke in the SuburbsIn a quiet London suburb where neighbors keep to themselves, the arrival of an enigmatic Duke upends the orderly lives of Kymott Crescent, drawing together an intriguing cast of ch…
Level C1RomanceThe Duchesse of LangeaisIn a remote Mediterranean convent renowned for its severe discipline and spiritual solitude, a tale unfolds where passion and religious devotion collide, revealing the hidden sorro…
Level C1RomanceThe Doomswoman: An Historical Romance of Old CaliforniaIn a vibrant Monterey filled with tradition and tension, a bold and enigmatic man known as Don Diego Estenega captivates the lives of high society, stirring old rivalries and forbi…
Level C1RomanceThe Divine Lady: A Romance of Nelson and Emma HamiltonIn a quiet London suburb, a beautiful young woman with a passionate spirit faces suspicion and scorn, yet her vibrant voice and presence hint at a story that will intertwine with t…
Level B2RomanceThe Disputed V.C.: A Tale of the Indian MutinyAmidst the looming chaos of the Indian Mutiny in 1857, young ensign Ted Russell grapples with his brother Jim’s unexpected infatuation with a spirited young woman, challenging thei…
Level B2MysteryThe Disagreeable Woman: A Social MysteryAt a bustling boarding house in New York, a sharp-tongued woman known only as the Disagreeable Woman stirs curiosity and unease with her biting remarks and mysterious past.
Level C1RomanceThe Dim LanternIn a fading suburb overshadowed by change, Jane Barnes embraces life with boundless enthusiasm while her brother Baldwin battles despair and dreams of a brighter future.
Level C1RomanceThe Dew of Their YouthAt Eden Valley Academy, where boys and girls share woods and secrets, a spirited schoolmaster’s son becomes intrigued by Gertrude, the swift runner in a grey-green dress.
Level B2RomanceThe Devil's Own: A Romance of the Black Hawk WarAmid the tense frontier of 1832, a young soldier at a remote fort witnesses the brewing conflict between restless Native tribes and encroaching settlers, where fierce rivalries and…
Level C1MysteryThe Destroying AngelFacing a grim diagnosis with only months to live, a young lawyer confronts his shattered future and the bitter injustice of fate.
Level C1RomanceThe Deserted WomanA young Parisian arrives in a quiet Norman town to recover, only to find himself entangled in the intricate social rivalries and fading aristocratic customs of provincial France in…
Level C1RomanceThe Desert HealerIn the sun-drenched solitude of the Algerian desert, a weary healer and his companions seek refuge from past struggles and tangled relationships, while whispers of loneliness and t…
Level C1RomanceThe DelugeA bold financier rises from humble beginnings to challenge the iron grip of the kings of finance, using unorthodox methods and fearless self-assertion to sway the masses and shake…
Level B2RomanceThe Delafield AffairIn a parched New Mexican ranch, Curtis Conrad faces the harsh realities of drought and loss, until a surprising letter from old attorneys stirs new hope.
Level B2RomanceThe Definite Object: A Romance of New YorkIn the bustling heart of New York, a mournful millionaire searches for meaning beyond wealth and creditors, guided by the peculiar charm of a dignified butler’s whiskers.
Level C1RomanceThe Defence of Guenevere and Other PoemsStep into a world of chivalry and enchantment, where angels arm noble knights and legends like Sir Galahad and Rapunzel unfold through lyrical tales of love, valor, and mystical qu…
Level C1RomanceThe Deceased Wife's Sister, and My Beautiful Neighbour, v. 3A young man becomes captivated by a mysterious, beautiful neighbor seen only once during a midnight walk, sparking an intense, secret longing that distracts him from his studies an…
Level C1RomanceThe Death Shot: A Story RetoldOn a stark Texan prairie, a mysterious, disembodied human head defies natural laws, warding off predatory beasts with eerie life and menace.
Level C1MysteryThe Dead Letter: An American RomanceIn the Dead Letter office, a mysterious two-year-old letter addressed to John Owen captivates a cynical clerk, pulling him into a tangled web of secrets and forgotten connections t…
Level B2RomanceThe Dazzling Miss DavisonIn a lively Bayswater house where young hopefuls gather, a clever but struggling barrister becomes captivated by the portrait—and soon the presence—of a charming, intelligent girl…
Level B2RomanceThe Day of the DogA determined lawyer races against time to secure a crucial signature on a sprawling estate, only to face unexpected obstacles—including a fierce bulldog guarding a lonely country b…
Level B2RomanceThe Day of JudgmentThree friends explore the wild beauty near Scotland's border, uncovering the intriguing and unconventional laws of Scottish marriage—where a simple mutual promise can bind two live…
Level C1RomanceThe Daughter of the CommandantA young sergeant's sheltered upbringing unravels amid family drama and unexpected events, as he navigates education, loyalty, and love in a turbulent world shaped by duty and rebel…
Level C1RomanceThe Daughter PaysIn a sunlit London art gallery, two captivating young women, Virginia and Miriam, bask in luxury and carefree charm—until a mysterious, hostile stranger’s gaze unsettles their sere…
Level C2RomanceThe Dark StarBeneath the ominous reign of the Dark Star Erlik, lives intertwine across continents and destinies, bound by ancient cosmic forces and the relentless tides of history.
Level B2RomanceThe Danger TrailA determined engineer leaves the comfort of civilization to conquer the wilds of northern Canada, tasked with building a railroad through untamed wilderness where mystery and dange…
Level C1RomanceThe Cursed Patois: From "Mackinac And Lake Stories", 1899Amidst the rugged beauty of a lakeside camp, a chance encounter with a widow and her child challenges two guides to confront their fears and prejudices, weaving a tale of unexpecte…
Level C1RomanceThe Cuckoo in the Nest, v. 1/2In a fading country inn once grand, spirited Patience Hewitt confronts the challenges of family pride and complicated courtship, as the old world meets new at The Seven Thorns.
Level C1RomanceThe Cryptogram: A Story of Northwest CanadaIn the vast, untamed wilderness of 19th-century Canada, a young fur trader embarks on a perilous winter journey from Fort Royal to Quebec, navigating brutal landscapes and hidden d…
Level B2RomanceThe Cruise of the Make-BelievesA finely dressed stranger ventures into the gritty Arcadia Street, seeking a mysterious Mr.
Level C1RomanceThe CrucibleA defiant young woman named Jean, who rejects traditional femininity and longs to live as a man, faces confinement in a harsh refuge where she must confront her past, her identity,…
Level C1RomanceThe Cross of Berny; Or, Irene's LoversTorn between duty and desire, a young woman engaged to a noble prince grapples with unexpected fears and doubts about her future.
Level C1RomanceThe Crimson Gardenia and Other Tales of AdventureAmid the dazzling Mardi Gras in New Orleans, a disillusioned socialite dismisses love and passion as relics of the past—until unexpected adventure and romance threaten to upend his…
Level C1Science FictionThe Crack of DoomA mysterious society challenges the very nature of the universe as a disillusioned traveler encounters a brilliant, enigmatic man whose radical ideas promise to change everything h…
Level C1RomanceThe Coxswain's Bride; also, Jack Frost and Sons; and, A Double RescueAs a fierce hurricane threatens the western shores, Sturdy Bob, the brave coxswain of the Greyton lifeboat, prepares to face wild seas and storms, all while his heart is anchored b…
Level B2RomanceThe Courtship of Susan BellA young widow and her two daughters live a quiet life in Saratoga Springs, but when a mysterious young man arrives on a cold winter's day, the promise of romance and change stirs b…
Level C1RomanceThe Courtship of Morrice Buckler: A RomanceA bookish student revisits a tumultuous two-year period marked by adventure, intrigue, and romance, as memories of a distant Tyrolean castle and a mysterious countess come vividly…
Level C1RomanceThe Courtship of Miles Standish:: With Suggestions for Study and NotesIn a time of religious strife and exile, a determined band of Puritans embarks on a perilous journey to the New World, seeking freedom to worship and a place to build a new life am…
Level C1RomanceThe Countess of Pembroke's ArcadiaJourney into a richly imagined world where poetic romance and prose narrative intertwine, exploring the evolving nature of storytelling through passion, imagination, and reason in…
Level C1RomanceThe Countess Cosel: A Romance of History of the Times of Augustus the StrongAs the once-mighty Augustus the Strong mourns his lost Polish crown in a shadowed Dresden castle, court intrigues and shattered dreams unfold.