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 C1MysteryThe Cottage on the FellsA struggling barrister falls passionately for a mysterious woman living apart from society in a quiet seaside town, but shadows from her past threaten to keep them apart.
Level B2RomanceThe Colonel of the Red HuzzarsAn American officer longs for action beyond dull engineering duties and finds himself drawn into a high-stakes wager involving a mysterious princess and the volatile politics of th…
Level C1RomanceThe Coast of AdventureIn the sweltering Caribbean town of Rio Frio, a British adventurer and a principled priest navigate a world of political corruption, foreign exploitation, and simmering tensions.
Level C1RomanceThe Cloister and the HearthIn 15th-century Holland, a devoted couple navigates the joys and hardships of raising nine children amid a turbulent world ruled by cunning monarchs.
Level B2MysteryThe Clock and the KeyIn the shimmering beauty of Venice, a man haunted by years of idle dreams wrestles with a secret he cannot share, while a spirited woman seeks to understand the clash between encha…
Level C1MysteryThe Clock Struck OneA fearless young woman and a devoted doctor uncover unsettling connections between a mysterious Lady Burville and a reclusive guardian whose sudden illness follows a chilling churc…
Level C1RomanceThe ClawA young woman embarks on a rugged, solitary journey across the wild, untamed landscapes of Mashonaland, battling discomfort and danger while drawn irresistibly by the haunting beau…
Level C1RomanceThe ClaveringsIn the parched gardens of Clavering Park, old acquaintances Julia and Harry confront tangled emotions and societal expectations that threaten their futures—will love or duty prevai…
Level C1RomanceThe Claim Jumpers: A RomanceIn a chaotic New York artists' boarding house, Bennie de Laney, a privileged young man chafing under his pompous family's expectations, dreams of escaping East Coast society for th…
Level C1RomanceThe Circassian Slave, or, the Sultan's favorite : a story of Constantinople and the CaucasusIn the bustling slave market of Constantinople, a stunning yet silent Circassian beauty captivates eager bidders, including a determined Turkish naval officer, as her mysterious fa…
Level C1RomanceThe Cid Campeador: A Historical RomanceIn 11th-century Spain, amid royal feuds and Moorish conflicts, a noble warrior's courage, loyalty, and love intertwine as he fights to restore honor, defend his land, and win the h…
Level C1RomanceThe Chronicles of the Imp: A RomanceIn a richly detailed Georgian world of stagecoaches and boxers, a tale of unyielding spirit and idyllic love unfolds, capturing the charm of a bygone era where honor and romance re…
Level C1RomanceThe Chronicles of Count AntonioCount Antonio defies a cunning Duke’s decree, risking outlawry for the love of Lady Lucia, whose hand is promised to another.
Level C1RomanceThe Christian: A StoryA spirited young woman named Glory departs the Isle of Man, accompanied by two clergymen who watch over her uncertain journey to London.
Level C1GothicThe Children of the Abbey: A TaleSeeking refuge in a tranquil Welsh cottage, Amanda returns to the tender care of her nurse and childhood companions, finding solace amidst picturesque valleys and rural charm as sh…
Level C1MysteryThe Childerbridge MysteryA self-made Australian millionaire prepares to return to his English roots with his grown children, but as they say farewell to their beloved station, an unexpected encounter by th…
Level C1RomanceThe Child WifeOn the scenic Isle of Peace, two cousins navigate the sharp divides of social status and simmering tensions among Newport’s elite, as one dreams of escape beyond America's shores t…
Level C1RomanceThe Chateau of Prince PolignacIn the picturesque volcanic town of Le Puy, an Englishwoman and a local official cross paths amidst ancient castles and steep streets, setting the stage for a tale of romance and i…
Level C1RomanceThe Chaste DianaIn 1727 London, the charismatic Lord Baltimore and the brooding Duke of Bolton navigate the glittering yet cutthroat world of theater and high society, where ambition, scandal, and…
Level C1RomanceThe Chartreuse of ParmaAmid the vibrant intrigues of Parma, a captivating duchess wields power and passion, drawing readers into a world of forbidden love and political machinations.
Level C1RomanceThe Charterhouse of Parma, Volume 2Amid political intrigue and fierce family loyalty, a young nobleman faces a harsh sentence while his determined aunt races against time to save him, weaving a tale of power, passio…
Level C1RomanceThe Charterhouse of Parma, Volume 1Amid political intrigue and passionate ambition, a young nobleman navigates the complexities of love and power in early 19th-century Italy.
Level C1RomanceThe Chapel on the HillTwo lifelong friends at Cambridge face a crossroads: Riverdale, the carefree artist heir, and Harold Stirling, the steadfast athlete, confront diverging paths and a clash of ideals…
Level B1RomanceThe Changed Valentines, and Other Plays for St. Valentine's DayWhen a mischievous boy swaps valentines between suitors, misunderstandings and romantic surprises unfold in a charming living-room comedy set on St.
Level C1RomanceThe Chalice Of Courage: A Romance of ColoradoIn the rugged Colorado canyons, a sudden, heart-stopping scream shatters a man's careless ride, launching him into a desperate search for a fallen woman whose fate hangs on a peril…
Level C1RomanceThe Cavaliers of Virginia, vol. 2 of 2: or, The Recluse of Jamestown; An historical romance of the Old DominionIn a tempest as wild as his own tormented soul, a desperate rider defies nature’s fury and fate itself, plunging into a world of madness and rebellion.
Level C1RomanceThe Cavaliers of Virginia, vol. 1 of 2: or, The Recluse of Jamestown; An historical romance of the Old DominionIn the turbulent wake of Cromwell's death and the Restoration of Charles II, Jamestown becomes a battleground of rival factions—Cavaliers and Roundheads—clashing amid political int…
Level C1RomanceThe CavalierAmid the chaos of a Confederate cavalry camp in Mississippi, a young soldier grapples with duty, dreams, and unexpected encounters when a strikingly elegant lady from New Orleans c…
Level C1FantasyThe Castle of Ehrenstein: Its Lords Spiritual and Temporal; Its Inhabitants Earthly and UnearthlyA young nobleman braves a stormy night to explore the shadowy, abandoned halls of the ancient Castle of Ehrenstein, uncovering eerie secrets and confronting the whispers of its gho…
Level B2RomanceThe Cassowary; What Chanced in the Cleft MountainsCaught in a fierce blizzard, a trans-continental train is trapped in the deadly Cleft Mountains snowdrift, and only one passenger with unexpected skills can send a crucial message…
Level C1RomanceThe Career of Katherine BushA sharp-minded typist from a modest background navigates the complexities of class and ambition in Edwardian London, using her wit and charm to explore a world far beyond her stati…
Level C1RomanceThe Cardinal's snuff-boxAmid the serene Italian landscape, Peter finds himself enchanted by a mysterious, elegant woman—the landlady of a grand castle—whose presence stirs his heart and sets the stage for…
Level C1MysteryThe Cardinal MothIn a lavish London orchid-house, Sir Clement Frobisher, a wealthy and audacious man with a shadowy past, awaits a mysterious visitor whose arrival could unravel secrets beneath the…
Level B2RomanceThe Car of DestinyA son of a disgraced Spanish family defies suspicion and exile to pursue freedom and adventure, racing toward Biarritz where royalty and romance intertwine.
Level C1RomanceThe Captain of the KansasA spirited invalid embarks on a Pacific voyage determined to charm the reserved Captain Courtenay and a dashing French count, turning a sea journey into a lively game of flirtation…
Level B2RomanceThe Candidate: A Political RomanceIn a nation ready for change, a young, unheralded lawyer rises as the unlikely nominee for president, sparking a thrilling political battle where youth, courage, and democracy coll…
Level B2RomanceThe Call of the East: A Romance of Far FormosaIn a turbulent Far Eastern port during the Franco-Chinese War, a defiant young woman clashes with a charming doctor aboard a ship bound for Formosa.
Level B2RomanceThe Call of the CanyonHaunted by war and estranged from his past life, Glenn retreats West to heal, sending a letter that challenges the love he once knew.
Level C1RomanceThe Business of LifeA mysterious woman appears unannounced, fleeing a loveless, controlled marriage and seeking refuge with a man bound by past promises and complex loyalties.
Level B2MysteryThe Burglar and the Blizzard: A Christmas StoryA series of daring robberies plagues a wealthy mountain community, with a mysterious thief slipping in unnoticed under the cover of night.
Level C1RomanceThe Buccaneer Chief: A Romance of the Spanish MainIn a sleepy French village trapped by stagnant wealth and fading glory, a mysterious inn known as the Court of France opens its doors to select guests, setting the stage for a rive…
Level C1RomanceThe Brown MouseTensions rise on a rustic farm when Jennie Woodruff challenges Jim Irwin, her father's hired man, to break free from the limitations of rural life and pursue a future beyond the fi…
Level B2RomanceThe Bronze BellA young man arrives at the remote Nokomis station, puzzled by a mysterious stranger who denies knowing him, yet hints at hidden connections and secrets waiting to unfold amidst the…
Level B2RomanceThe Broken CupIn the charming village of Napoule, the arrival of the beautiful Marietta stirs hearts and disrupts peace, as her innocent presence ignites jealousy, longing, and conflict among th…
Level C1RomanceThe Broad HighwayJourney through windswept roads and secluded inns where a highwayman, a pugilist, and a one-legged soldier cross paths in a tale rich with adventure, mystery, and the stirring disc…
Level B2MysteryThe BrightenerAmidst secret gardens and whispered rumors, a young princess faces devastating news of war and loss while navigating a web of family intrigue and hidden truths.
Level C1RomanceThe Bridge of the GodsIn the rugged Oregon wilderness, ancient legends come alive as powerful Indian tribes navigate love, conflict, and the mystical Bridge of the Gods—a natural stone arch said to have…
Level C1MysteryThe Bride of the Tomb, and Queenie's Terrible SecretOn the eve of her wedding, the radiant Lily Lawrence is found dead in her bridal gown, clutching a jeweled dagger—an apparent suicide that shatters a wealthy family and ignites a w…