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 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.
Level B2RomanceStubborn peopleIn a sun-scorched frontier town, stoic homesteader Jim Hunter battles stubborn pride and unyielding land, haunted by letters that stir both hope and bitterness.
Level C1RomanceStradellaIn Venice, a wealthy senator plans to marry his young niece, Ortensia, whose mixed feelings reveal the tension between duty, power, and personal freedom in a world of art, culture,…
Level B2RomanceStories of the RailroadAmidst the grit and grind of 1863 railroad life, a young fireman finds family and hope with the seasoned engineer James Dillon and his wife, who secretly plans a Christmas gift tha…
Level C1RomanceStories of the Days of King ArthurStep into a world where Merlin’s magic weaves through tales of King Arthur’s rise, the legendary Round Table, and knightly quests filled with chivalry, enchantment, and timeless ro…
Level C1RomanceStories of RomanceAt a shared breakfast table, a shy young man is captivated by a mysterious blonde whose calm beauty hints at untamed depths, while an observant narrator traces the tangled threads…
Level C1RomanceStories of King Arthur and His Knights: Retold from Malory's "Morte dArthur"Step into a world of noble knights and chivalrous deeds as King Arthur and his legendary Round Table embark on quests filled with honor, valor, and the sacred pursuit of the Holy G…
Level C1RomanceStingareeIn the remote Australian wilderness, a captivating voice breaks the silence, drawing a mysterious visitor intrigued by the hidden talents of Mrs.
Level C1RomanceStepping WestwardIn a vibrant autumn countryside, Sol Bowditch, a hardworking stranger, meets a young carrier girl whose life and struggles intertwine with the rustic rhythms of the land, setting t…
Level B2RomanceStella RoseveltA young orphan braves a terrifying Atlantic storm aboard a lonely steamer, finding unexpected comfort in the silent presence of a mysterious old man amid the ship’s desperate strug…
Level C1RomanceStarvecrow FarmAmidst the treacherous tides and shifting loyalties of the Lancashire coast, a young woman flees a loveless past toward an uncertain future, bound by a fragile pact with her enigma…
Level C1RomanceStandish of Standish: A Story of the PilgrimsAmid the harsh new world of 1620 Plymouth, the Pilgrim Mothers’ steadfast traditions and the Pilgrim Fathers’ resolve collide with humor and heart.
Level C1RomanceStand Fast, Craig-Royston! (Volume III)In a world of political intrigue and hidden alliances, a determined young man seeks answers about a mysterious figure, navigating the sharp wit and veiled intentions of London's jo…
Level C1RomanceStand Fast, Craig-Royston! (Volume II)A young man grapples with a shocking letter accusing a revered Scottish elder of betrayal and fraud, threatening the bonds of friendship and trust.
Level C1RomanceSt. Ives: Being the Adventures of a French Prisoner in EnglandA French soldier imprisoned in Edinburgh crafts delicate toys to trade with curious locals, using wit and charm to navigate captivity.
Level C1RomanceSpeculum Amantis: Love Poems, from Rare Songbooks and Miscellanies of the Seventeenth CenturyDiscover a provocative collection of seventeenth-century love poems, ranging from audacious dedications to rare verses hidden in forgotten miscellanies, revealing the shifting boun…
Level C1RomanceSpecimens of German Romance; Vol. I. The PatriciansWidowed Althea struggles with grief and the pressure to remarry in turbulent 1568 Schweidnitz, as suitors vie for her hand to protect her son's future and her family's honor.
Level C1RomanceSophia: A RomanceIn 1742 London, young Sophia navigates family pressures and societal expectations as she confronts a scandalous suitor and the challenge of guarding her fortune and honor amid shar…
Level C1RomanceSons of fire, Vol. III.A restless young man returns to confront the woman he loves, only to find her torn between past promises and present desires, caught in a delicate dance of passion, loyalty, and he…
Level C2RomanceSonnets from the PortugueseA weary singer finds her solitary world transformed by a princely heart whose music and presence awaken deep love and longing, defying distance, fate, and even death itself.
Level C1RomanceSomewhere in Red GapIn a lively ranch house filled with quirky treasures, a determined woman navigates the challenges of ranch life and the mysterious connection between a boisterous Alaskan gentleman…
Level B2RomanceSome honeymoon!A steadfast businessman meets a captivating woman on a transatlantic voyage, sparking an unexpected romance that challenges his lifelong singlehood and business-first mindset.
Level B2RomanceSome buildersA man reeling from a devastating betrayal escapes the city’s strain for solitude in the countryside, where chance encounters and unexpected guests promise to challenge his pain and…
Level B2RomanceSoldiers of FortuneAt a high-society gathering, Alice Langham finds herself seated next to a mysterious cowboy with a wild past, while navigating the complexities of love and society's expectations.
Level C1MysterySlighted loveA young woman with dark, mysterious beauty uncovers her mother’s tragic past—a murder accusation that shattered their lives and left them branded outcasts.
Level C1RomanceSlain By The DoonesIn a secluded Exmoor wood, a young woman navigates loss, loyalty, and the shadows of her family's fallen fortune, while an unexpected visitor challenges her desire for solitude and…
Level C1RomanceSketchesAmidst a bitter feud between rival lords, Lady Imogene and the mysterious palmer Lothair risk everything for a secret love that defies their warring families.
Level B2MysterySix Feet FourA fierce mountain storm traps a diverse group of strangers at a remote road house, where secrets and suspicions brew as they await the arrival of a missing stagecoach driver.
Level C1RomanceSir Robert's Fortune: A NovelA young woman faces exile to a remote moor by her controlling uncle, but with her lover’s cunning plans, they hope to turn isolation into opportunity amid secrets and defiance.
Level C1RomanceSir Noel's Heir: A NovelOn a stormy December night, Sir Noel Thetford lies gravely injured after a mysterious horseback accident, plunging Thetford Towers into turmoil.
Level C1RomanceSir John Dering: A romantic comedyIn a world of duels and delicate honor, Sir John Dering faces the tragic death of his closest friend, igniting a fierce enmity with a striking woman who vows revenge.
Level B2RomanceSir Harry: A Love StoryA novelist-turned-vicar settles into the evocative Royd Castle, where moonlit glades and ancient walls inspire both literary dreams and tender hopes as he awaits his wife and the n…
Level C1RomanceSir Gawayne and the Green Knight: An Alliterative Romance-Poem (c. 1360 A.D.)At King Arthur’s Christmas feast, a towering Green Knight arrives unannounced, challenging the greatest of knights to a strange and perilous game.
Level C1RomanceSir Gawain and the Green Knight: A Middle-English Arthurian Romance Retold in Modern ProseWhen Sir Gawain accepts a mysterious beheading challenge, he embarks on a quest that tests his honor, courage, and chastity amid enchantments and temptations, revealing the true na…
Level C1RomanceSir Christopher: A Romance of a Maryland Manor in 1644In 1644 Maryland, amid feuds of faith and loyalty, young Cecil and his mother Elinor Calvert face hardship and hope on their new frontier manor, Robin Hood's Barn, where love and s…
Level B2RomanceSilver and Gold: A Story of Luck and Love in a Western Mining CampIn a rugged Western mining camp shadowed by a mysterious prophecy, a grizzled miner wrestles with fate, fortune, and a captivating artist’s love, as silver and gold symbolize choic…
Level C1MysterySilent guestsA young lawyer’s quest to uncover the fate of a missing English heir leads him deep into the Canadian wilderness, where eerie warnings and a sinister estate named Craighead Hall hi…
Level B2MysteryShuddering castleIn a secluded Long Island castle, a reclusive family’s quiet life shatters when a scientist’s quest to contact Mars via radio sparks eerie phenomena and a mysterious visitor from t…
Level C1RomanceShrewsbury: A RomanceAmid whispers of scandal and political intrigue, a devoted confidant seeks to clear the name of the Duke of Shrewsbury, revealing a tale of loyalty, suspicion, and the high stakes…
Level B2RomanceSheilah McLeod: A Heroine of the Back BlocksIn a remote South Pacific island, a rugged overseer clashes with a bold new missionary determined to impose his will, igniting a fierce battle of wills amid stunning tropical beaut…
Level B2RomanceSheavesIn a whimsical tale where the dead trader Hugh Grainger playfully haunts his Indian companions, children Jim and Daisy, bedtime stories unfold with humor and mystery, blending ghos…
Level C2RomanceShe and I, Volume 2: A Love Story. A Life History.Caught between dreams and reality, a man grapples with love and longing as he envisions a haunting ascent of the Alpine peaks, where a chasm bars his path to the woman he adores, t…
Level C1RomanceShe and I, Volume 1: A Love Story. A Life History.In a charming, forgotten corner of London, a chance encounter in an ancient church sparks a deep, enchanting romance.
Level C1FantasySheA strikingly handsome young man and his peculiar guardian embark on an extraordinary African adventure, uncovering mysteries that challenge belief and promise profound discoveries…
Level C1RomanceShaming the Speed LimitA romantic young woman escapes her strict household to indulge in forbidden love stories, only to encounter a mysterious stranger who both intrigues and unsettles her—setting the s…
Level C1RomanceShameless Wayne: A Romance of the last Feud of Wayne and RatcliffeAmidst a fierce moorland feud, a resolute young Wayne faces loss and loyalty as storms rage around Marsh House, where old grudges and new love collide beneath the tolling death bel…
Level B2RomanceSet in SilverTorn between her American roots and European sophistication, Audrie navigates friendship, ambition, and unexpected nerves during a summer in Switzerland.
Level C1RomanceSestrina: A romance of the South SeasIn the lush Marquesas Isles, young Englishman Royal Clensy navigates a world of tropical beauty, native customs, and unexpected companionship with a disreputable sailor, all while…