Romance
Read Romance Classics in English
2,344 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.
- 2,344
- books
Level C1RomanceThe Amazing Marriage — CompleteAmid whispers of scandal and high society’s intrigues, the captivating Countess of Cressett navigates a world of art, gossip, and daring exploits.
Level B1RomanceThe Amazing InheritanceA discontented salesgirl's life takes an unbelievable turn when she discovers she’s actually a queen of a real kingdom with thousands of subjects, challenging her dreams and the un…
Level C1RomanceThe AlternativeIn a prestigious New York club amid a fierce blizzard, old family legacies and sharp social tensions simmer as the aristocratic Van Pyckes navigate tradition, rivalry, and the rele…
Level B2RomanceThe Alpine Fay: A RomanceIn a secluded Alpine valley, a proud baron fiercely protects his ancestral estate from an encroaching railway company determined to claim his land.
Level C1MysteryThe Agony ColumnIn sweltering London on the brink of war, an American man becomes captivated by the mysterious personal notices in the newspaper’s Agony Column, where secret messages of love, intr…
Level C1RomanceThe Age of InnocenceIn the glittering world of 1870s New York society, Newland Archer navigates the delicate rituals of love and tradition amid the grandeur of the opera and the strict codes of the el…
Level C1RomanceThe Adventures of a Modest ManTwo Long Island gentlemen confront the ennui of routine, spurred by a curious purchase: a pig.
Level B2RomanceThe Adventure of Princess SylviaA spirited princess defies convention, dreaming not of a mere suitor but the Emperor himself—her ideal match in a world where royal blood and political power collide.
Level C1RomanceThe Admiral: A Romance of Nelson in the Year of the NileIn 1798, amidst the turmoil of war and political intrigue, Admiral Nelson navigates both fierce naval battles and his passionate affair with Lady Hamilton, revealing the complex ch…
Level C1RomanceThe Actress in High Life: An Episode in Winter QuartersIn the rugged plains of 1812 Portugal, a traveler journeys through wild landscapes and encounters vivid local life, where nature’s beauty contrasts with harsh realities.
Level C1RomanceThe Abbot's Ghost, or Maurice Treherne's Temptation: A Christmas StoryA proud and spirited man, crippled after a heroic rescue, returns home to face a tangled inheritance and a fierce rivalry for the love of Octavia.
Level C1RomanceThe 'Scots Brigade,' and other talesA young lieutenant in the famed Scots Brigade struggles to balance his forbidden love for the enchanting Dolores against his stern uncle's ironclad military discipline.
Level C1RomanceThat Unfortunate Marriage, Vol. 3Tensions rise as May's quiet morning is disrupted by the arrival of Mr.
Level C1RomanceThat Girl in Black; and, BronzieA spoiled yet charming young man struggles between social expectations and his own restless heart at a modest reception, where old loyalties and quiet kindness stir memories and hi…
Level C1RomanceThankful BlossomIn the harsh winter of 1779 New Jersey, a restless Continental Army captain waits under a frosty elm for a secret meeting that hints at love and longing amid the desolation of war.
Level C1RomanceTetherstonesIn a sunlit cathedral garden, Frances Thorold wrestles with the dullness of her life and the weight of unseen chains, until a charming stranger disrupts her solitude with wit and c…
Level B2RomanceTerry: A Tale of the Hill PeopleIn the snow-covered hills, Terry, a young man torn between tradition and his own spirit, embarks on a winter hunt that leads him back to a rigid village where old codes rule and qu…
Level C1MysteryTerror keepIn the eerie confines of Broadmoor Asylum, the infamous John Flack, a genius criminal confined for nine murders, has penned a vast encyclopedia of crime—an obsession that could unl…
Level C1RomanceTempest-Driven: A Romance (Vol. 3 of 3)Amid family tensions and secret affections, two sisters navigate love and societal expectations while a captivating widow stirs unexpected emotions.
Level B2MysteryTempest-Driven: A Romance (Vol. 2 of 3)Torn between love and looming tragedy, Jerry O'Brien faces a desperate struggle as his friend Alfred’s life hangs in the balance, while shadowy legal battles over salmon weirs thre…
Level B2MysteryTempest-Driven: A Romance (Vol. 1 of 3)A mysterious woman pleads for help from a locked house where her husband lies ill, sparking a tense night of secrets and danger in a quiet London neighborhood.
Level C1RomanceTempest and SunshineA young Northerner arrives in a small Kentucky town seeking a teaching position, only to encounter suspicion, kindness, and the rugged ways of the South.
Level C1RomanceTekla: A Romance of Love and WarA young emperor, disguised as a traveler, approaches the ancient city of Treves, navigating political intrigue and the looming threat of war.
Level C1RomanceTattle-tales of CupidIn a stable where horses converse, tales of love, loyalty, and memory unfold through their lively debates and reflections, revealing the secret bonds between humans and their equin…
Level C1RomanceTarry thou till I come; or, Salathiel, the wandering Jew.An immortal man wanders through history, bearing witness to the tumultuous clash between early Judaism and Christianity after the Crucifixion.
Level C1RomanceTamaIn a province buzzing with anticipation, a foreign professor arrives to teach at a Japanese university, stirring excitement and unease alike.
Level C1RomanceTales of two peopleAn erratic aristocrat with a rebellious streak inherits a title and fortune, returning from wild adventures abroad to face the expectations of English society.
Level C1FantasyTales of the supernatural: Six romantic storiesTwo deadly bravos, bound by dark sorcery and a blood oath, confront the eerie depths of Italy’s Bottomless Lake on a sinister night when the forces of hell stir.
Level C1RomanceTales of the peerage and the peasantryIn the shadow of exile and loyalty to a lost king, a young noblewoman embraces a convent life, torn between faith, family sacrifice, and the turbulent politics of Jacobite Scotland…
Level B2RomanceTales of RomanceIn a richly wooded medieval England, an outlaw named Robin Hood defies the law to protect the poor and challenge the powerful.
Level C1RomanceTales of My Time, Vol. 1 (of 3): Who Is She?In a quiet English shire, Francis Hartland, a man with a mysterious past and newfound independence, settles into a stately home, sparking curiosity and rumors about the true story…
Level B2RomanceTales of King Arthur and the Round Table, Adapted from the Book of RomanceIn a turbulent Britain without a king, a mysterious sword embedded in stone challenges knights to prove their right to rule.
Level C1RomanceTales of Humour, Gallantry & Romance, Selected and Translated from the ItalianTwo young nobles in Renaissance Italy embark on studies in Bologna, but one takes an unusual course: learning the art of love from a witty professor who guides him through charming…
Level C1RomanceTales for Young and OldAmidst war and suspicion, a young bride embarks on a perilous journey to join her husband, only to face betrayal and deadly schemes from those entrusted to escort her.
Level C1RomanceTales and Novels — Volume 03: BelindaA young woman raised with country values faces the high society world of Bath and London, where her ambitious aunt schemes to secure her a wealthy marriage.
Level C1MysteryTaken AliveA mysterious visitor disrupts the quiet life at a remote mine, setting off a chain of events filled with suspense and unexpected revelations.
Level C1RomanceSylvie: souvenirs du ValoisA young poet haunted by lost love and memories of the French countryside seeks a mysterious maiden named Sylvie, whose enchanting songs and rustic charm evoke the fading beauty of…
Level B2RomanceSydney Lisle, the Heiress of St. QuentinOn a rainy London afternoon, young Sydney Lisle eagerly awaits the arrival of her family, clutching a letter that promises her first literary success and a guinea prize—launching h…
Level C1RomanceSybil, Or, The Two NationsIn the opulent world of 1837 high society, wagers and whispered intrigues set the stage for a dramatic exploration of England’s stark social divides.
Level C1RomanceSweetapple CoveA doctor abandons city life for a remote coastal village, where he becomes the sole healer and boarder, grappling with his sudden choice and the complexities of a budding romance w…
Level C1RomanceSweet VioletIn a world where appearances define destiny, the captivating Violet navigates love and societal expectations, challenging conventions to claim her own happiness amidst romance and…
Level C1RomanceSweet Mace: A Sussex Legend of the Iron TimesAmidst the blossoming Sussex valley, Gil Carr revels in the vibrant spring chorus of nature, where every bird and bloom seems to herald a timeless romance waiting to unfold beneath…
Level B2RomanceSweet Clover: A Romance of the White CityA recent Harvard graduate faces the bittersweet challenge of leaving college life behind while navigating family expectations and social invitations before embarking on a possible…
Level B2RomanceSusanOn the eve of a seaside trip, Susan’s sudden uncharacteristic behavior puzzles her employer, revealing the hidden depths behind her cheerful facade and sparking a delicate explorat…
Level B2RomanceSunshine and shadow, or, Paul Burton's surpriseIn a serene New England farm, Nettie Spaulding, a once-wealthy city girl, faces sorrow and change as she finds refuge with kind relatives by the lake, seeking hope and happiness am…
Level C1RomanceSummerIn a quiet, sunlit village overshadowed by a looming mountain, a young woman named Charity Royall grapples with her restless heart and the narrow confines of North Dormer as the ar…
Level C1RomanceStudies on the Legend of the Holy Grail: With Especial Reference to the Hypothesis of Its Celtic OriginDelve into the mysterious origins of the Holy Grail legend, exploring its deep roots in Celtic folklore and the sacred talismans that inspired timeless tales of healing and heroism…
Level C1HorrorStudies in love and in terrorA proud mayor’s wife gazes from a cliff above a secretive submarine cove, torn between patriotic pride and a haunting personal sacrifice.