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 C1RomanceLove in Idleness: A Bar Harbour TaleAn earnest young artist arrives at a summer retreat managed by the peculiar Miss Miners sisters, whose lives and personalities promise a mix of charm, wit, and unexpected intrigue…
Level C1RomanceLove in Excess; or, the Fatal Enquiry: A Novel in Three PartsAmidst the glittering court of Paris, a famed and charming Count returns from war to find himself the object of secret, intense admiration—yet he remains oblivious to the passionat…
Level B2RomanceLove conquers pride; or, Where peace dweltA young factory girl torn between her humble reality and dreams of love finds herself caught in a world of jealousy, ambition, and secret longings during a fleeting visit to the co…
Level C1RomanceLove at PaddingtonIn lively Praed Street near Paddington Station, Gertie navigates family ties, unexpected visitors, and whispered scandals that threaten to upend her quiet Sunday afternoon.
Level B2RomanceLove and tea: A comedy-drama of colonial times in two actsIn a colonial village torn by revolution, a tea-loving spinster’s secret habit sparks conflict and romance as her niece’s engagement to a fiery Minuteman challenges loyalties.
Level C1RomanceLove and Mr. LewishamAn ambitious young schoolmaster meticulously plans his rise to greatness through relentless study and self-discipline, only to find that the unpredictable force of love soon challe…
Level C1RomanceLove and LucyIn the midst of a lively London dinner party, the Macartneys navigate the delicate balance between middle-class propriety and the hidden depths of their souls, unveiling the romant…
Level C1RomanceLove and Life: An Old Story in Eighteenth Century CostumeIn eighteenth-century England, a maiden named Psyche is whisked away to a mysterious palace by a secretive husband whose love and identity remain hidden—until curiosity and jealous…![Cover of Love and Freindship [sic] by Jane Austen](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da4g61ae2hvc73bmvsu0.webp)
Level C1RomanceLove and Freindship [sic]A young woman recounts her tumultuous life through letters, revealing beauty, talent, and misfortune in a quiet Welsh valley.
Level C1RomanceLove Works Wonders: A NovelAn aristocratic gentleman hires a refined governess to tame his wild, uncultured niece—a girl raised in scandal and neglect.
Level C1RomanceLove Me Little, Love Me LongTorn between two guardians' contrasting worlds before her marriage, Lucy Fountain navigates family tensions and unexpected childhood chaos, discovering love's complexities amid soc…
Level C1RomanceLove Letters of a Violinist, and Other PoemsDiscover the mysterious love letters of a violinist, whose poetic confessions blend classical beauty with heartfelt passion, drawing readers into an ethereal world of music, dreams…
Level B2RomanceLove InsuranceA nervous English lord seeks an unusual insurance policy from the famed Lloyds of London, pitching a bizarre gamble that could change his fortune forever.
Level C1RomanceLove Instigated: The Story of a Carved Ivory Umbrella HandleA carved ivory umbrella handle, seemingly alive with shifting expressions, draws a man into a haunting tale of love, betrayal, and mysterious artifacts—where a simple object harbor…
Level C1RomanceLove EternalTwo souls bound by fate awaken in neighboring Essex estates, their lives entwined across time and circumstance.
Level C1RomanceLove Among the Lions: A Matrimonial ExperienceA tea merchant's quiet life is upended when he becomes captivated by a mysterious woman gazing from a window in Canonbury Square.
Level C1RomanceLove After Marriage; and Other Stories of the HeartAn unexpected visitor bearing a letter from a dying friend disrupts the poised world of Miss Temple, challenging her illusions about her betrothed and igniting a poignant story of…
Level C1RomanceLoveTwo strangers meet repeatedly at a nearly empty theatre, drawn together by a shared passion for a haunting Celtic play.
Level B2RomanceLouie's married lifeNewlyweds Louie and Ronald face the harsh trials of illness and recovery in a cramped London lodging, where love’s quiet strength and music offer hope amid shadows that deepen arou…
Level C1RomanceLost: 1898In 1866 Bonn, two young lovers face a heart-wrenching farewell as he must return to America, leaving her behind with promises of reunion shadowed by doubt and fierce devotion.
Level B2RomanceLorraine: A RomanceIn the shadowed forests of Lorraine, a fierce young woman confronts strangers mapping her land, suspecting a brewing war across the border.
Level C1RomanceLord Ormont and His Aminta — CompleteIn a school where boys disdain girls, a rising leader’s unexpected fascination with a spirited girl named Browny challenges old prejudices and ignites a quiet yet powerful connecti…
Level C1RomanceLord Montagu's Page: An Historical RomanceIn the turbulent seventeenth century, loyalty, love, and ambition intertwine as a young page navigates the intrigues and passions surrounding Lord Montagu’s world.
Level B2MysteryLord John in New YorkWounded and recovering in a convalescent home, a talented detective and war hero faces unexpected challenges when a powerful New York magnate threatens to ruin the theatrical debut…
Level C1RomanceLonesome LandIn the vast, untamed prairies of northern Montana, a young woman arrives to start a new life on a cattle ranch, filled with hope and the promise of freedom, only to find unexpected…
Level C1RomanceLochinvar: A NovelAmid the wild lands of Galloway in 1685, a strong-willed widow stirs unrest at Balmaghie House, where a silent gardener resists the charms of a determined handmaiden, setting the s…
Level C1RomanceLittle sweetheartA handsome young traveler becomes intrigued by a mysterious widow and her sleeping child on a dreary train journey, sparking curiosity and quiet longing amidst the humdrum of a res…
Level B2RomanceLittle Robins' Love One to AnotherIn a charming countryside setting, the lively Robin family navigates lessons of behavior, kindness, and family dynamics as young Jack tests boundaries and each bird learns the valu…
Level B2RomanceLittle Golden's Daughter; or, The Dream of a Life TimeIn a faded ancestral home, spirited young Golden dreams of joining her cousins' elegant party, despite the social divides and whispered cruelties that shadow her simple life.
Level C1RomanceLittle DorritImprisoned by debt and bound by family duty, Little Dorrit navigates the harsh realities of life inside the Marshalsea prison while dreams of love and freedom flicker beyond its wa…
Level B2RomanceLister's Great AdventureAmid the shimmering lakes and pine forests of Ontario, a tangled web of love, ambition, and rivalry unfolds as Barbara defies expectations and Tom Cartwright maneuvers his struggli…
Level C1RomanceLinnet: A RomanceIn the heart of the Tyrol, Florian Wood embarks on a journey through the picturesque Zillerthal valley, where tradition and romance intertwine amid the vibrant culture of Alpine mi…
Level B2MysteryLillian's vowOn a quiet winter night, an old man is attacked for a mysterious memorandum-book that could expose dark secrets of forgery and embezzlement.
Level B2RomanceLiliecrona's homeAmid a fierce Christmas storm that traps a young girl and her family, hopes for a joyful holiday feast are dashed as they face harsh winds and uncertain roads, testing their spirit…
RomanceLife and Adventures of Mr. Pig and Miss Crane: A Nursery TaleJoin Mr.
Level C1RomanceLiber Amoris, Or, The New PygmalionA man haunted by a passionate, unrequited love pours out his heart in a tender confession, comparing his beloved to a timeless Italian masterpiece.
Level B2RomanceLet Us Kiss and Part; or, A Shattered TieA young couple's passionate love is tested by poverty and pride, driving them apart despite their deep affection.
Level A2RomanceLeslie's loyaltyIn a quiet coastal village untouched by crowds, Leslie Lisle captivates with her enchanting beauty and spirited charm, unknowingly stirring deep passions in those who meet her.
Level C1RomanceLeonora D'Orco: A Historical RomanceIn a treacherous mountain pass of Renaissance Italy, where danger and beauty entwine, a dazzling party rides through shadows of bandits and betrayal.
Level B2RomanceLeonie, the Typewriter: A Romance of Actual LifeA talented stenographer steps into a demanding new role as a private secretary for a handsome, honorable lawyer cut out of his inheritance.
Level B2RomanceLena GrahamSeparated from her parents and raised by a devoted aunt, young Lena Graham eagerly awaits the arrival of her sisters and the reunion with her family, stepping into a new life fille…
Level C1RomanceLemorne Versus HuellThrown into the tangled world of Aunt Eliza Huell's health struggles and a bitter property lawsuit, a young woman navigates high society, family rivalries, and unexpected duties du…
Level C1RomanceLeila or, the Siege of Granada, Book IV.In a besieged castle near Granada, Leila faces a heart-wrenching conflict between loyalty and love as Moorish forces, led by a fierce and seemingly magical warrior, challenge the C…
Level C1RomanceLeila or, the Siege of Granada, Book III.In a kingdom torn by faith and forbidden love, a gentle Jewish maiden faces the harsh scrutiny of the Inquisition and the protective mercy of a compassionate queen, caught between…
Level C1RomanceLeila or, the Siege of Granada, Book I.Amidst the 1491 siege of Granada, a mysterious enchanter and noble Moorish prince navigate a city on the brink of conquest, where ancient magic and fierce loyalty intertwine in a d…
Level C1RomanceLed Astray and The Sphinx: Two Novellas In One VolumeA man embarks on a mission to investigate the mysterious ruins of Rozel Abbey, uncovering secrets hidden in a rustic Norman landscape while navigating local indifference and unexpe…
Level C1FantasyLe Morte d'Arthur: Volume 2In a world of chivalry and fierce battles, Sir Tristram faces mysterious knights, tests his honor, and confronts foes both known and unknown.
Level C1FantasyLe Morte d'Arthur: Volume 1Enter a world of chivalry and magic where King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table embark on quests of honor, love, and destiny, weaving a timeless tapestry of medieval adven…