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 B2MysteryRosalind at Red GateA mysterious telegram summons a stranger to a secluded house at Annandale, thrusting the narrator into a web of enigmatic troubles and unexpected duties.
Level C1RomanceRomantic legends of SpainDive into haunting tales woven with passion and mystery along the banks of the Guadalquivir, where a young poet’s dreams and legends of Spain intertwine in a world of romance and w…
Level C1MysteryRomance IslandA sudden inheritance transforms a struggling journalist into a yacht owner, thrusting him into a world of wealth and mystery.
Level B2RomanceRockhavenOn the rugged island of Rockhaven, Jess Hutton’s unexpected sale of a granite quarry sets off a wave of change among fishermen and friends, stirring fortunes, rivalries, and buddin…
Level B2RomanceRobert Tournay: A Romance of the French RevolutionAgainst the backdrop of pre-revolutionary France, a servant’s son navigates the sharp divides of class and passion as noble alliances are forged without love, while revolutionary i…
Level C1RomanceRobert Orange: Being a Continuation of the History of Robert OrangeIn Victorian London, Lady Sara-Louise-Tatiana-Valérie De Treverell faces a pivotal choice between a marriage proposal from a wealthy duke and her own ambitious desires for power.
Level C1RomanceRidgeway: An Historical Romance of the Fenian Invasion of CanadaAmid centuries of English oppression, Irish patriots ignite a fierce resistance fueled by deep-rooted pride and a yearning for freedom.
Level C1RomanceRichardson's New London fashionable gentleman's valentine writer, or, the lover's own book for this yearDiscover a charming collection of original and popular valentines paired with heartfelt answers, capturing the hopes and hesitations of love across all ranks and walks of life in t…
Level C1RomanceRichard Vandermarck: A NovelAn orphaned young woman grows up in a gloomy, neglected home under the indifferent care of her uncle, finding solace only in books and a small sunlit garret room.
Level C1RomanceRich men's childrenIn the frosty stillness of a California mountain night, a mysterious woman arrives in the rough mining town of Rocky Bar, stirring curiosity and old memories as she reconnects with…
Level C1RomanceRezanovIn 1806 California, a Russian diplomat arrives to secure aid for a struggling outpost, only to find unexpected passion with the daughter of a Spanish commandante.
Level B2RomanceRevelations of a Wife: The Story of a HoneymoonA newlywed woman confronts the realities of marriage, reflecting on her doubts, past pain, and the promise to record their journey.
Level C1RomanceReturned EmptyA solitary man haunted by a mysterious label left with him as a baby wanders a cliffside path, yearning for a home he cannot find.
Level C1RomanceReliques of Ancient English Poetry, Volume 3 (of 3): Consisting of Old Heroic Ballads, Songs and Other Pieces of Our Earlier Poets Together With Some Few of Later DateDive into a rich collection of ancient English ballads and romantic tales, exploring legendary tests of fidelity like enchanted mantles and magical horns that reveal truth and hono…
Level C1RomanceReliques of Ancient English Poetry, Volume 2 (of 3): Consisting of Old Heroic Ballads, Songs and Other Pieces of Our Earlier Poets Together With Some Few of Later DateDive into a collection of ancient English ballads and songs that reveal the fiery spirit and satire of medieval times, capturing battles, betrayals, and the age-old struggle for po…
Level C1RomanceReliques of Ancient English Poetry, Volume 1 (of 3): Consisting of Old Heroic Ballads, Songs and Other Pieces of Our Earlier Poets Together With Some Few of Later DateDive into a rich collection of old heroic ballads, songs, and metrical romances that reveal the voices and stories of England’s earliest poets and minstrels.
Level B2FantasyRedcoat Captain: A Story of That CountryIn a whimsical army where elephants guard the fort and promotions depend on passing ABCs, a young Redcoat Captain named Tiny dreams of marrying Mabel and securing a cozy home amid…
Level C1RomanceRed as a Rose is She: A NovelIn a vividly drawn Welsh valley, complex characters navigate love, loyalty, and folly against a backdrop rich with local color and sharp observations.
Level C1RomanceRed Spider, Volume 2 (of 2)Amidst mysterious attacks on local sheep, a determined young heir takes nightly watch, finding unexpected companionship with the serious and noble Honor.
Level C1RomanceRed RowansIn a remote Highland glen, young Jeanie Duncan wrestles with her beauty and dreams of love, while artist Paul Macleod captures her elusive charm on canvas—but will their bond survi…
Level B2RomanceRed HairA young woman, unexpectedly disinherited and branded an adventuress, faces a pivotal meeting with the man destined to inherit her home—and possibly her future.
Level C1RomanceRecollections of a chaperonA widowed mother reflects on guiding her seven daughters through the complexities of love and society, balancing caution with hope in a world where marriage is both a gamble and an…
Level C1RomanceRay's Daughter: A Story of ManilaAs war with Spain erupts in 1898, a group of young recruits embark on a grueling westward train journey through harsh landscapes, facing hardship and uncertainty as they head towar…
Level C1RomanceRaphael; Or, Pages of the Book of Life at TwentyIn the autumnal hills of Savoy, two soul-sick lovers find a profound, unspoken bond amid illness and isolation, their pure and intense romance unfolding like a delicate, spiritual…
Level C1RomanceRanson's FollyAt a remote military post, Mary Cahill, the sharp-witted daughter of the post-trader, navigates the strict social lines between officers and enlisted men—until the arrival of Lieut…
Level C1RomanceRank and Talent; A Novel, Vol. 3 (of 3)Caught between the crafty, self-serving Henry Augustus Tippetson and the thoughtful Markham, Clara Rivolta faces a delicate struggle of heart and judgment amid society's intrigues.
Level C1RomanceRandvar the songsmithIn a hidden Norse settlement untouched by the Norman Conquest, a rebellious jarl’s son breaks away on a solitary hunt, igniting tensions and revealing fierce loyalties amid the pri…
Level B2MysteryRancho Del Muerto, and Other Stories of Adventure: by Various Authors, from "Outing"A paymaster and his cautious clerk arrive at a sinister Arizona ranch haunted by past murder and shadowed by a ruthless proprietor.
Level B2RomanceRanching for SylviaA widow returns from Canada to England, summoning her steadfast cousin George to settle her late husband's affairs.
Level C1MysteryRamshackle HouseOn a crumbling Chesapeake estate, spirited Pen Broome battles neglect and decay while managing her father's failing homestead, confronting simmering tensions and the relentless dem…
Level B2RomanceRamonaAmid the sun-drenched ranches of Southern California, a strong-willed senora quietly commands her family's legacy, balancing tradition and change during the tense sheep-shearing se…
Level C1RomanceRalph Wilton's weirdIn the faded grandeur of a Mayfair mansion, a weary nobleman summons his distant cousin, a battle-hardened colonel, to confront family grudges and the uncertain legacy tied to a no…
Level C1RomanceRachel RayA widow clings to her daughter for support, shaping their lives amid loss and duty in a small English town.
Level C1RomanceQuintus Claudius: A Romance of Imperial Rome. Volume 1Aboard a trireme near the shores of ancient Campania, a stout man named Herodianus peers toward the distant island of Capreae, setting the stage for a vivid journey through the sti…
Level B2RomanceQuincy Adams Sawyer and Mason's Corner Folks: A Picture of New England Home LifeIn a snowy New England village, the Eastborough Singing Society prepares for its annual concert amid youthful hopes and whispered romances.
Level C1RomanceQuicksandsIn a sultry English countryside, a young woman navigates family tensions and social snubs while uncovering secrets that threaten to upend her carefully guarded world.
Level C1RomanceQuick ActionIn a city veiled by mystery, a luminous crystal sphere reveals secrets only the enigmatic Countess Athalie can command, blending romance with the occult art of crystal gazing and t…
Level B2RomanceQueenie's whim, Volume 2 (of 3)When Queenie is appointed mistress of the Hepshaw girls' school, she faces the challenge of earning her place and salary with pride and independence, navigating new duties and unex…
Level C1RomanceQuality Street: A ComedyIn a quaint town during the Napoleonic wars, the refined ladies of Quality Street navigate love, society, and the sting of being labeled old maids, while a mysterious recruiting se…
Level C1RomanceQuaint CourtshipsIn a society where courtship follows simple, familiar patterns, a few lovers navigate the quirky twists and turns of romance, revealing the charm and eccentricity beneath their pur…
Level B2RomancePurple SpringsOn a cold day before a long-anticipated March 1st, Pearl Watson faces a momentous decision that has shaped her hopes and dreams for three years.
Level C1RomancePrue and IAn old book-keeper finds his greatest joy not in distant travels but in the simple, everyday romance of life with Prue and their children.
Level C1RomanceProper prideIn sunlit Malta, two British officers discuss the captivating Miss Saville, an orphaned heiress bound by guardianship and a looming marriage to a distant soldier.
Level B2RomancePrize of the airA daring pilot with a revoked license agrees to fly a banker and his spirited daughter across the country, navigating risky skies and unexpected tensions.
Level C1RomancePrisoners: Fast Bound In Misery And IronIn a sunlit Italian villa, a young English duchess navigates the complexities of an arranged marriage to a distinguished yet aging duke, caught between duty, desire, and the yearni…
Level C1RomancePriscilla of the Good Intent: A Romance of the Grey FellsIn a village where work and play intertwine, the blacksmith David Blake finds his steady rhythm disrupted by the spirited Priscilla and the enigmatic Billy the Fool, whose carefree…
Level B2RomancePrincess ZaraA young princess arrives in New York, cloaked in mystery and commanding respect with her regal presence and retinue.
Level C1RomancePrincess PuckA spirited young woman, Wilhelmina, known as Bill, is sent to the countryside to "grow up," sparking doubts and hopes among her family.