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 C1RomanceJude the ObscureAn ambitious young scholar leaves his village for the university city of Christminster, chasing dreams of learning and ordination.
Level C1RomanceJuanaIn war-torn Tarragona, a fiercely brave but unruly Italian regiment faces chaos and pillage amidst a French occupation.
Level B2RomanceJolly Sally Pendleton; Or, the Wife Who Was Not a WifeIn a summer village where wealthy hearts and social ambitions collide, two dazzling sisters vie for the attention of a charming young millionaire determined to escape society’s exp…
Level C1RomanceJohn, A Love Story; vol. 2 of 2Caught between the soaring ideals of young love and the harsh reality of a mundane banking job, John grapples with disillusionment and the search for meaning beyond duty and routin…
Level C1RomanceJohn, A Love Story; vol. 1 of 2After a frightening accident leaves Kate Crediton unconscious, she awakens in a haze, surrounded by mysterious caregivers and haunted by a pair of anxious eyes.
Level B2RomanceJohn Stevens' Courtship: A Story of the Echo Canyon WarIn the rugged frontier of Utah during the Echo Canyon War, John Stevens navigates love and loyalty amidst pioneer hardships and stirring conflicts.
Level B2RomanceJohn Marchmont's Legacy, Volume 2 (of 3)In a summer estate where love and secrets intertwine, a mysterious letter sets a young woman’s heart and fate in turmoil, unraveling hidden truths and testing the bonds between fam…
Level C1RomanceJohn Herring: A West of England Romance. Volume 3 (of 3)Amid a fierce winter storm, newlyweds set off on a perilous journey through a snowbound landscape, carrying hidden sorrows and fragile hopes.
Level C1RomanceJohn Herring: A West of England Romance. Volume 2 (of 3)Caught between shifting affections and social intrigues, Mirelle struggles to find her place amid cold rivals and unwanted admirers in a West of England household.
Level C1RomanceJohn Herring: A West of England Romance. Volume 1 (of 3)In the wild West of England, the savage Cobbledick clan lives apart, shrouded in mystery and rustic dialect, their lives intertwined with ancient monuments and untamed moorland.
Level A2RomanceJohn Henry Smith: A humorous romance of outdoor lifeAt the Woodvale Golf and Country Club, John Henry Smith navigates the quirks of outdoor life, Wall Street intrigue, and a captivating new arrival—Grace Harding, the glamorous heire…
Level C1RomanceJohn Burnet of Barns: A RomanceA young boy escapes his strict tutor to fish in the sun-scorched woods of Tweed, embarking on a journey through stirring times and strange scenes that reveal the trials and triumph…
Level C1RomanceJohn Bull on the Guadalquivir: From "Tales from All Countries"An Englishman bound for Seville navigates a marriage proposal entwined with family alliances and cultural contrasts, while a determined Spanish woman challenges his romantic expect…
Level C1RomanceJohn BrentIn the rugged California frontier, a gold miner wrestles with barren quartz and dashed hopes, revealing a raw tale of perseverance, human ambition, and the harsh laws of nature whe…
Level B2RomanceJock's inheritanceWhen a penniless mother and her spirited daughter arrive unexpectedly, Orris must navigate family tensions and uncertain futures while considering a fresh start in the countryside…
Level C1RomanceJoan, the CurateAmidst the wild marsh coast plagued by smugglers and wreckers, a courageous curate’s daughter races against time to aid a wounded sailor from a daring revenue cutter, braving tempe…
Level C1RomanceJoan of the Sword HandIn a rugged hillland ruled by the proud young Duchess Joan, political intrigue and soldierly camaraderie intertwine as captains Jorian and Boris navigate loyalty, love, and the wei…
Level B2RomanceJim of Hellas, or In Durance Vile; The Troubling of Bethesda PoolOn a fading island once alive with whaling fleets, weathered sea captains gather in the Upper House, where memories and maritime treasures tell tales of a bygone era.
Level C1RomanceJilted! Or, My Uncle's Scheme, Volume 3Caught between loyalty and temptation, a young man navigates complex family ties and shifting affections as he wrestles with love, jealousy, and the schemes of his uncle in a tale…
Level C1RomanceJilted! Or, My Uncle's Scheme, Volume 2Amid lively family dinners and witty banter, a young man navigates the complexities of love and marriage under his uncle’s watchful eye, uncovering schemes and secrets that challen…
Level C1RomanceJessamine: A NovelConfined by illness yet captivated by a stirring sermon, a young woman finds hope and heroism in the voice that echoes through her quiet church.
Level C1RomanceJerryAn American traveler’s summer plans are upended when a surprising letter from his sister arrives, promising unexpected family reunions and restless adventures in picturesque Europe…
Level C1RomanceJennie Gerhardt: A NovelA young woman and her family struggle against relentless poverty in 1880s Ohio, as they seek work and hope for better days while facing illness and mounting debts.
Level C1RomanceJeff Briggs's Love StoryCaught in a storm at a struggling frontier inn, Jeff Briggs confronts loneliness, loss, and the weight of his family’s legacy while awaiting a delayed stagecoach and the promise of…
Level B2MysteryJeanne of the MarshesIn a world of whispered suspicions and social exile, Major Forrest seeks refuge from an unseen threat among scarce allies and uncertain loyalties.
Level B1RomanceJean Craig Finds RomanceAn aspiring artist torn between her dreams and a budding romance, Jean Craig navigates family adventures and unexpected challenges in their new country home, while her spirited sis…
Level C1MysteryJason: A RomanceIn the fragrant dusk of Paris, Ste.
Level C1RomanceJanice Meredith: A Story of the American RevolutionAmid the strict discipline of colonial life, spirited Janice Meredith navigates friendship, rebellion, and the stirrings of young love during the turbulent days of the American Rev…
Level C1RomanceJane Seton; or, The King's Advocate: A Scottish Historical RomanceAmid 16th-century Scotland’s turbulent politics and fierce clans, a passionate romance unfolds involving Jane Seton and the King's Advocate, set against a backdrop of royal intrigu…
Level C1RomanceJane OglanderOn a quiet afternoon in London, Jane Oglander’s solitary walk across Westminster Bridge catches the eye of a thoughtful observer who becomes captivated by her subtle grace and myst…
Level B2RomanceJane CableIn a crisp Chicago afternoon, spirited Jane Cable waits impatiently for her father, only to be joined by a charming young man who unravels the tangled social intrigues surrounding…
Level C1RomanceJane Austen and her worksExplore the remarkable life and works of a woman who crafted timeless tales of love, society, and character with wit and insight before the age of twenty-three, illuminating human…
Level B2RomanceJack Chanty: A Story of AthabascaDrifting down the Spirit River with a bag of gold and a banjo, Jack Chanty embraces the wild freedom of the North, where fortune and danger await amid rugged hills and a small fron…
Level C1RomanceJack Carstairs of the power houseA young engineer in the wilds of northern Scotland encounters a mysterious girl from a nearby gypsy camp, sparking a connection amid the dawn of electric power and the rugged beaut…
Level C1RomanceIvanhoe: A RomanceAmidst the tension between Saxons and Normans during Richard I’s reign, a tale unfolds of chivalry, romance, and the struggle for power, revealing a vivid clash of cultures and loy…
Level C1RomanceIt May Be True, Vol. 3 (of 3)Amy cares for her ailing mother while grappling with unspoken heartache and the complicated returns of Charles and Robert, whose presence stirs unresolved feelings and the fragile…
Level C1RomanceIsopel Berners: The History of certain doings in a Staffordshire Dingle, July, 1825In the summer of 1825, a restless young man escapes the confines of London to a quiet Staffordshire dingle, where encounters with gypsy camps and vivid countryside awaken a world o…
Level B2RomanceIsobel : A Romance of the Northern TrailIn the frozen wilderness a Royal Northwest Mounted Police sergeant hunts a dangerous fugitive while battling isolation and a companion’s descent into madness.
Level C1RomanceIshmael; Or, In the DepthsBorn into poverty but gifted with strength and virtue, a young man rises against all odds in a story of hope and perseverance.
Level C1RomanceIsabel LeicesterIsabel Leicester faces a heart-wrenching fall from privilege as her father's death and financial ruin force her into the uncertain world of a governess.
Level C1RomanceIs He Popenjoy?A young woman of charm and complexity navigates love and social expectations in a small English city, where family ties and reputations hold sway.
Level C1RomanceIrene IddesleighIn the grand and mysterious Dunfern mansion, Irene Iddesleigh wrestles with sorrow and secrecy amidst ancestral legacies and locked rooms hiding untold stories.
Level B2RomanceIolanthe's WeddingAt a somber funeral, a loyal friend vows to support the deceased's grieving son, Lothar, a proud dragoon burdened by his late father's debts and wild spirit.
Level C1RomanceInto the Unknown: A Romance of South AfricaTwo English cousins and their fierce Zulu ally find themselves trapped under fire in the rugged South African wilderness, forced to face hidden enemies and deadly danger as they st…
Level C1RomanceInstead of the Thorn: A NovelAmid the elegant South Shore Club, a spirited young woman dazzles with her vibrant charm, while her sensible sister navigates the complexities of family expectations and modern ide…
Level B2MysteryInside the LinesA spirited traveler’s lost luggage sparks a tense encounter at a busy train station, leading to an unexpected alliance with a mysterious stranger.
Level C1RomanceInnocent : her fancy and his factA delicate young woman finds solace among birds and blooming gardens on an old farm, where nature’s beauty contrasts with the harsh realities of life and love.
Level C1RomanceIndian SummerAmidst the fading beauty of Florence, a disillusioned journalist wrestles with the bitter fallout of political betrayal and personal pride, seeking to reclaim his life and purpose…