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 C1FantasyOld French Romances, Done into EnglishStep into a world where medieval tales intertwine with legend and history, revealing the enchanting origins of heroes and cities like Constantinople.
Level C1RomanceOld Bear-Paw, the trapper king; or, The love of a Blackfoot queenIn the untamed Black Hills, a seasoned scout strikes a daring pact with a wounded Blackfoot chief to rescue the chief’s kidnapped daughter from a rival tribe, setting off a perilou…
Level B2RomanceOh, Money! Money! A NovelA wealthy man struggles with how to spend his vast fortune and what will become of it after he's gone, wrestling with distrust of charities, reluctance to marry, and the meaning of…
Level B2RomanceOh! Susannah!: A Farcical Comedy in Three ActsIn a bustling London consulting room, devoted servant Aurora anxiously awaits her beloved doctor's return, unaware that his sudden departure and mysterious telegram may signal more…
Level B2RomanceOdeyne's marriageA charming yet impulsive young man faces the challenges of marriage to a country clergyman’s daughter, sparking concerns and hopes about how their union will transform their lives…
Level B2RomanceOdette's Marriage: A Novel, from the French of Albert Delpit, Translated from the "Revue des Deux Mondes," by Emily PrescottIn a sunlit seaside estate, Odette’s once vibrant spirit dims under society’s watchful eyes and her own restless heart, as she navigates the clash between personal freedom and rigi…
Level B2RomanceObject: matrimonyStruggling to save his mortgaged buildings in a tough New York neighborhood, a sharp salesman faces fierce rivals and complicated family ties.
Level B2RomanceObject, MatrimonyIn a gaudy mansion called the Hall of Mirth, three men face a dull winter without dances or company, pondering the pleasures and pitfalls of women and marriage as they navigate lon…
Level C1RomanceNotre-Dame de ParisIn 15th-century Paris, the ringing bells mark a day of festive chaos blending Epiphany, Feast of Fools, and mystery plays, setting the stage for a tale woven with medieval intrigue…
Level C1RomanceNothing But the TruthA carefree young man faces financial ruin when his father falls on hard times, forcing him to confront the harsh realities of responsibility and the tempting alternative of marriag…
Level B2RomanceNot Under the LawA young woman battles family tensions and harsh obstacles as she strives to pass a crucial exam that could secure her future as a teacher, all while enduring the cold hostility of…
Level C1RomanceNot Like Other GirlsIn the charming village of Oldfield, the warm hospitality of Mrs.
Level C1HorrorNorthanger AbbeyA plain and unremarkable girl, Catherine Morland’s life takes a turn as she grows into society’s expectations, craving excitement beyond her quiet upbringing.
Level C1RomanceNorston's RestAmidst the grandeur of an ancient English estate, a vibrant hunt gathers noble guests, where tradition and high society intertwine.
Level B2RomanceNina's perilA beautiful young woman, haunted by unbearable heartache, takes a desperate step on a cold, lonely night, setting in motion a tragic story of sorrow and hope.
Level C1RomanceNina BalatkaIn 19th-century Prague, Nina Balatka, a Christian maiden, defies societal norms by loving Anton Trendellsohn, a successful Jewish businessman, challenging the era's prejudices and…
Level C1RomanceNight and DayIn a refined Sunday tea gathering, Katharine Hilbery navigates the uneasy arrival of a nervous young visitor, sparking quiet reflections on duty, societal expectations, and the sta…
Level B2RomanceNigel BrowningReturning home after a year of global travel, Nigel Browning navigates familiar streets and unexpected encounters in the foggy town of Newton Bury, where old ties and new challenge…
Level C1RomanceNeæra: A Tale of Ancient RomeAmid the mysterious island retreat of Emperor Tiberius, a young Roman soldier ventures into a world of imperial power, dark secrets, and political intrigue, where the fate of an em…
Level C1RomanceNeva's three lovers: a novelAt Brighton’s lively pier, a chance encounter plunges a wealthy baronet into a dramatic rescue—and a perilous scheme hidden beneath the shimmering waves.
Level C1RomanceNeva's choice: A sequel to "Neva's three lovers"Caught in a web of deceit and dark family secrets, Neva refuses a forced marriage to Rufus Black, whose tortured past and hidden love haunt him.
Level B2RomanceNell, of Shorne MillsSibling rivalry and tender moments unfold in a sunny cottage where Nell struggles with bookkeeping while her mischievous brother Dick disrupts her with banjo tunes.
Level C1RomanceNeighbours on the GreenIn a charming village adorned with pretty gardens and sweet hawthorn hedges, two sisters captivate their neighbors with contrasting charms—fiery Nelly and gentle Martha—while a you…
Level B2RomanceNedraIn the heart of Chicago’s high society, an engaged couple navigates the pressures of impending announcements and social expectations, balancing love, secrets, and the humorous tria…
Level B2RomanceNatalie PageA spirited sixteen-year-old girl defies expectations with her daring feats and free-spirited ways, yet faces a new chapter when her relatives decide she needs refinement—and a prop…
Level B2RomanceNat Wolfe; or, The gold hunters: A romance of Pike's Peak and New YorkNat Wolfe navigates the harsh frontier, encountering a struggling emigrant family bound for Pike’s Peak amidst perilous plains and scarce water.
Level B2RomanceNarcissa, or the Road to Rome; In VeronaIn a weathered New England farmhouse, a quietly beautiful girl named Narcissa tends her lively turkeys, unaware of the young traveler whose curious blue eyes have just discovered h…
Level C1RomanceNancy: A NovelAmid lively family banter and the chaos of making taffy, six siblings navigate the quirks and challenges of growing up together in a bustling household.
Level B2RomanceNancy first and lastIn a lush garden, Nancy confronts the coldness in her lover Terrence’s heart, yearning for a passionate, poetic love that he cannot give.
Level B2RomanceNancy MacIntyre: A Tale of the PrairiesOn the vast prairie, a shy farmer wrestles with newfound feelings for Nancy MacIntyre, whose arrival stirs jealousy, rivalry, and tender moments.
Level C1MysteryMystery of the inn by the shoreThree friends seek leisure and golf at a faded seaside town, but curiosity leads them to uncover secrets at a shabby inn and a mysterious colonel’s home, where mistaken identities…
Level C1RomanceMystery and Confidence: A Tale. Vol. 1A weary traveler arrives at a quaint Welsh farmhouse, seeking rest amid simple rural beauty and unexpected kindness.
Level C1RomanceMyra's Well: A Tale of All-Hallow-E'enOn All-Hallow-E’en, a mysterious well sets the stage for a haunting romance where secrets buried in the past resurface, challenging love and fate under the moonlit night.
Level C1RomanceMyraA young mother lies frail and sorrowful, torn between love and despair as she gazes upon her infant daughter amid delicate flowers and lace.
Level C1RomanceMy lady of CleeveA weary band of troopers arrives at the mysterious Cleeve valley, drawn by the promise of a woman whose beauty and reputation captivate even the most cynical among them.
Level B2RomanceMy Terminal Moraine: 1892A solitary heir to a fading estate, a young man faces scorn and financial strain but finds his heart captured by Agnes Havelot—whose wealthy father forbids their union, forcing him…
Level C1RomanceMy Shipmate Louise: The Romance of a Wreck, Volume 1 (of 3)Aboard the Indiaman Countess Ida, a young passenger embarks on a perilous sea voyage to Bombay, where moonlit nights and the relentless power of the Channel set the stage for a rom…
Level B2RomanceMy Pretty Maid; or, Liane LesterA grieving mother clings to life only after a substitute infant is placed in her arms, sparking years of secret sacrifices and hidden truths.
Level C1RomanceMy Neighbor Raymond (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume XI)A chance encounter with a spirited flower girl on the Paris boulevards sparks a playful and determined pursuit through the city’s lively streets, blending wit and charm in a dance…
Level B2RomanceMy Lady of the NorthAmid the perilous backdrop of the Civil War, a young captain volunteers for a daring mission to deliver a vital message through enemy lines, risking everything to unite divided for…
Level C1RomanceMy Lady Rotha: A RomanceAmid the turmoil of the Thirty Years' War, a secluded county thrives under the shadow of a feared general’s legacy.
Level C1RomanceMy Lady ClancartyAmidst blooming roses and political divides, Lady Betty Clancarty grapples with a mysterious marriage to an absent Irish rebel, caught between loyalty, love, and the wide gulf of s…
Level C1RomanceMy Lady CapriceAn author caught between societal expectations and true affection must navigate the sharp-willed Lady Warburton’s schemes to win back his beloved Lisbeth, whose future is threatene…
Level B2RomanceMy Friend the ChauffeurAn English titled amateur automobilist offers ladies a unique tour through Europe, but when a surprising advertisement catches Lord Terence Barrymore's eye, a scheme to turn a moto…
Level C1RomanceMy Friend ProsperoIn sunlit Italy, Lady Blanchemain arrives at a grand castle promising art and history, only to face unexpected resistance from its guarded keeper.
Level C1RomanceMy Danish Sweetheart: A Novel. Volume 3 of 3Caught aboard a restless barque with a talkative captain and a suspicious crew, two passengers scheme for a chance to leave the ship and return home.
Level C1RomanceMy Danish Sweetheart: A Novel. Volume 2 of 3Survivors of a lifeboat disaster find themselves aboard the Deal lugger Early Morn, crewed by men on a daring voyage to Australia.
Level C1RomanceMy Danish Sweetheart: A Novel. Volume 1 of 3A lifeboat coxswain faces a brewing storm and haunting family legacy as dark skies and restless seas portend a perilous rescue.