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 C1RomanceMarianson: From "Mackinac And Lake Stories", 1899Amid the tense backdrop of the 1812 British invasion, a young Canadian voyageur flees through the wilds of Mackinac Island, seeking refuge in a mysterious cave where he encounters…
Level B2RomanceMarian GreyIn the shadowed halls of Redstone, a dying guardian wrestles with a haunting secret and urges young Marian to marry his son, intertwining love, loyalty, and a mysterious past that…
Level B2RomanceMaria Chapdelaine: A Tale of the Lake St. John CountryIn a remote, snowbound village by Lake St.
Level C1RomanceMarguerite De Roberval: A Romance of the Days of Jacques CartierIn 1539 France, daring seaman Jacques Cartier longs to escape cramped streets and return to the New World where gold, diamonds, and adventure await, while his loyal companion warns…
Level B2RomanceMargie's ventureAs Harry departs on a year-long voyage, young Margie faces family hardships and the pressure to marry amid financial struggles.
Level C1RomanceMargaret Vincent: A NovelIn the quiet English countryside, a disillusioned gentleman seeks refuge from society's noise and expectations, stumbling upon Woodside Farm where family secrets and unexpected rom…
Level C1RomanceMargaret Tudor: A Romance of Old St. AugustineHeld captive in 1670 San Augustin, Margaret Tudor pens a desperate plea for freedom while navigating perilous seas, lost loved ones, and a blossoming love with a noble kinsman amid…
Level C1RomanceMargaret DashwoodAmid the quiet trials of reduced means, Margaret Dashwood navigates family tensions and shifting affections with calm observation and gentle resilience.
Level C1RomanceMargaret Capel: A Novel, vol. 3 of 3In the quiet seclusion of Ashdale, Margaret Capel seeks solace from her sorrows, enduring unwanted attentions while finding healing in the wild beauty of the autumn shore.
Level B2RomanceMarcia SchuylerAmid preparations for her sister Kate’s wedding, young Marcia yearns for a new dress and a life beyond her unnoticed role.
Level C1RomanceMarcellaA young woman inherits an ancient estate, stepping into a world of privilege and mystery as she seeks to leave behind a troubled past.
Level C1RomanceMansfield ParkRaised from modest beginnings to Mansfield Park, Fanny Price enters a world of privilege and complex family ties, where love, duty, and social expectations intertwine in a delicate…
Level C1RomanceManners: A Novel, Vol 2Haunted by mixed emotions and sudden farewells, Selina navigates the complexities of society and her own tender heart amid the charms and challenges of fashionable life.
Level C1MysteryMan and MaidA sudden inheritance forces a reluctant man to return from a carefree holiday to an eerie family estate where he must confront an enigmatic cousin and a bizarre will that threatens…
Level C1RomanceMan and MaidHaunted by war wounds and lost love, a disfigured veteran in Paris navigates loneliness, desire, and the complex allure of three captivating women during the uncertain days of 1918…
Level C1FantasyMalvina of BrittanyIn a village shadowed by ancient folklore, a mischievous fairy named Malvina stirs trouble with magical pranks that challenge the boundary between myth and reality, weaving a tale…
Level C2RomanceMalcolmIn a small Scottish town, Miss Horn confronts whispered rumors and hidden sorrows surrounding the death of her cousin Griselda, revealing a world where harsh judgments clash with f…
Level C1RomanceMalbone: An Oldport RomanceAmid the stately colonial grandeur of Oldport, a summer arrival stirs old rivalries and hidden family secrets, setting the stage for a romance shadowed by past disappointments and…
Level C1RomanceMalayan Literature: Comprising Romantic Tales, Epic Poetry and Royal ChroniclesEnter a world of enchanted palaces, mystical sentinels, and passionate tales where love and supernatural forces intertwine in captivating Malayan romances filled with vivid imagery…
Level C1RomanceMaid Marian, and Other StoriesA reserved New York lawyer becomes captivated by a striking portrait of Maid Marian, stirring a deep, unexpected romantic sentiment within his practical life.
Level C1RomanceMaid MarianIn a forest abbey, a wedding is violently interrupted when the bride’s noble lover is accused of treason and drawn into a desperate fight for love and honor.
Level C1RomanceMaid Margaret of GallowayBound to a harsh convent against her will, a spirited young noblewoman wrestles with the stifling life imposed upon her and dreams of reclaiming the freedom and love she was denied…
Level C2RomanceMae MaddenA man haunted by a timeless dream finally glimpses the mysterious woman he’s sought through the ages on the shimmering canals of Venice.
Level C1RomanceMademoiselle de Maupin, Volume 1 (of 2)A daring tale of love and identity unfolds as Mademoiselle de Maupin navigates the complexities of passion and disguise in a world where appearances deceive and hearts are tested.
Level C1MysteryMadeline Payne, the Detective's DaughterRaised in loneliness and shadowed by cruelty, a young woman yearns for freedom and true happiness beyond her oppressive home.
Level B2RomanceMadelineIn a small New England town divided by fierce school disputes, a young Boston doctor is unexpectedly appointed sole inspector of common schools, tasked with examining local teacher…
Level C1RomanceMadame Flirt: A Romance of 'The Beggar's Opera'In the gritty streets of St.
Level C1RomanceMadame Chrysantheme — CompleteA French naval officer finds himself enchanted and entangled in a delicate romance with Madame Chrysantheme during his exotic stay in Japan, navigating cultural mysteries and fleet…
Level C1RomanceMadam ConstantiaAmid the turbulent backdrop of the American War of Independence, a British officer recounts his harrowing and unexpected experiences in the Carolinas, revealing the personal and po…
Level C1RomanceMacariaA young man shoulders the burden of supporting his ailing cousin and mother amid financial hardship, driven by unyielding ambition and love.
Level B2RomanceLuke's wifeUnder moonlit skies, newlyweds Luke and Rachel embark on a journey of love, faith, and the challenges of parish life, facing the trials of duty, home, and heart as they build their…
Level B2RomanceLucy HardingA group of determined American women embarks on a journey to St.
Level C1MysteryLucius Davoren; or, Publicans and sinners, vol. 3Amidst the lush gardens and genteel society of an English fête, a restless man wrestles with jealousy and discontent, haunted by love lost and a dark past.
Level C1RomanceLucindaA skilled business envoy returns to London in 1914, navigating high society, family ties, and the impending marriage of Lucinda, whose quiet strength and choices spark curiosity am…
Level C1RomanceLucileIn a lively London May, aristocratic Lord Alfred faces unexpected challenges when a mysterious letter from the enigmatic Comtesse de Nevers disrupts his planned marriage, stirring…
Level C1RomanceLovers' Saint Ruth's, and Three Other TalesIn a quiet English village, a chance reunion sparks a journey into the past, where ancient ruins and whispered legends of Lovers' Saint Ruth's reveal secrets of love, loss, and his…
Level B2RomanceLoved you better than you knewSeventeen-year-old Cinthia Dawn, trapped in a dull, sheltered life under her strict aunt’s watch, longs for beauty, excitement, and love beyond her gray existence—until a stormy da…
Level C1RomanceLove-at-armsIn a tense mountain hideout, six nobles await a secret visitor whose arrival is shadowed by danger and betrayal.
Level C1RomanceLove-Letters Between a Nobleman and His SisterAmidst the turmoil of rebellion in Paris, a young nobleman defies honor and law, entangled in a forbidden passion for his wife’s sister.
Level C1RomanceLove, the FiddlerIn a fading seaport town, a devoted chief engineer longs to win the heart of the beautiful Florence, who suddenly inherits a vast fortune—threatening to change everything in their…
Level C1RomanceLove's labor wonAt a grand reception in the new American Republic, the captivating Marguerite De Lancie commands attention with her striking beauty and fierce independence, navigating a world of p…
Level B2RomanceLove's bitterest cupA newlywed doctor and teacher find their quiet plans upended by a whirlwind of lively winter celebrations, as neighbors compete to host unforgettable parties in their honor.
Level C1RomanceLove's ShadowIn a small Knightsbridge flat, Edith navigates the delicate balance of marriage, motherhood, and the alluring influence of her captivating friend Hyacinth, whose charm stirs romanc…
Level B2RomanceLove's Golden ThreadAs Bernard comes of age and inherits his fortune, he proposes to his beloved Doris, setting their future together amidst hopes, challenges, and the expectations of family.
Level C1RomanceLove under FireCaught behind enemy lines with crucial intelligence to deliver, a lone soldier risks everything amid whispers of danger and duty.
Level B2RomanceLove in a MuddleCaught in a tense midnight encounter beneath watchful searchlights, a young woman struggles against the confines of her oppressive home life and a strict military world.
Level B2RomanceLove in a Mask; Or, Imprudence and HappinessOn a lively Mardi Gras night in Paris, a young cavalry officer is drawn into the mysterious allure of a masked woman determined to remain free from love's chains—sparking a flirtat…
Level B2RomanceLove in a Cloud: A Comedy in FiligreeIn a society buzzing with gossip about a mysterious novel, a spirited young woman defies convention by secretly writing to its elusive author, sparking intrigue, secrets, and playf…