Romance
Read Romance Classics in English
2,344 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 Winnie Childs, the Shop Girl, Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume 24 and Willy Reilly: The Works of William Carleton, Volume One. 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.
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Level B2RomanceGood ReferencesIn a world where only the best minds find work, Mary Wayne faces rejection at the Brain Workers' Exchange for lacking the all-important references.
Level B2RomanceGoing SomeUnder the vast southwestern sky, rival ranch hands grapple with pride, loss, and a precious phonograph won in a fierce foot-race, as music and tension weave through their nights—wh…
Level C1RomanceGodolphin, Volume 2.Two souls navigate the delicate dance of love and ambition, their contrasting passions and intellects weaving a tale of romance and reflection amid society’s expectations and perso…
Level C1RomanceGod's Good Man: A Simple Love StoryIn the vibrant bloom of an English May, a spirited country parson embraces the season’s promise of renewal and love.
Level C1RomanceGloriaA wealthy, beautiful heiress makes a desperate marriage proposal to a rugged, poor fisherman, seeking escape from an unnamed peril.
Level C1GothicGlenarvon, Volume 3 (of 3)Torn between love and duty, Calantha flees her past to find refuge—and confronts the agonizing ties that bind her to Glenarvon.
Level C1RomanceGlen's CreekIn the early 1800s Kentucky wilderness, a determined family leaves their Virginia home to face frontier dangers and forge a new life amid forests, Indian threats, and the birth of…
Level B2RomanceGlen of the High NorthA war-weary young man’s dull city life is transformed by a fleeting glimpse of a mysterious woman, sparking a restless desire for adventure and freedom beyond the urban grind.
Level C1RomanceGiven in MarriageIn the lush hills of Southern India, two planter cousins navigate the mysteries of gold rumors and estate life until a lost stranger arrives, setting in motion unexpected encounter…
Level C1RomanceGerfaut — CompleteIn the secluded valleys of Lorraine, a young traveler navigates a landscape where nature and human endeavor collide, setting the stage for a poignant romance entwined with high soc…
Level C1RomanceGeorgina's ReasonsA naval lieutenant falls for Georgina, a striking and enigmatic woman whose charm captivates yet confounds him, as they navigate love amid family tensions and unspoken doubts in Ne…
Level B2RomanceGeoffrey's victory;On a bitterly cold Boston night, a weary doctor is summoned to a mysterious hotel where a beautiful, pale woman lies gravely ill, setting in motion a tale of urgent secrets and hid…
Level B2RomanceGeoffrey StrongA young doctor arrives in a quiet village and becomes fascinated by the mysterious "Temple of Vesta," home to two reclusive sisters bound by past heartbreaks and guarded secrets.
Level C1RomanceGentle JuliaA young girl’s sharp tongue and lofty airs set the stage for a coming-of-age tale where pride, family expectations, and youthful dreams collide in a small town’s sunlit streets.
Level C1RomanceGeneral Bounce; Or, The Lady and the LocustsIn a world where wealth and beauty attract endless admirers, a spirited Englishman navigates the social whirl of London’s elite and the restless nomadic spirit of his ancestors.
Level B2RomanceGay LawlessAt a lively trotting race, spirited Gay Lawless navigates the thrills and rivalries of the sport, where friendships, wagers, and unexpected reunions spark a captivating tale of pas…
Level C1RomanceGabrielle of the Lagoon: A Romance of the South SeasIn the mysterious South Seas, a white girl suddenly emerges among the tribal dancers, captivating a primitive island tribe with her unearthly beauty and haunting song amidst ancien…
Level C1RomanceFrédérique, vol. 2A chance encounter with a mysterious young shopgirl reignites a man’s passion for the theater and stirs a hopeful new friendship, challenging rumors and the boundaries of innocent…
Level B2RomanceFräulein Schmidt and Mr. AnstrutherA young woman’s world transforms in a single hour when a long-time acquaintance reveals a sudden, soul-stirring love, awakening her from a life of duty and dullness to dazzling pos…
Level C1MysteryFrom the RanksA mysterious nighttime shooting at an old fort sparks intrigue as the officer of the day refuses to explain, while the garrison buzzes with rumors and the colonel hides a troubling…
Level C1RomanceFrom Ritual to RomanceExplore the mysterious origins and evolution of the Grail legend through ancient rituals, heroic quests, and comparative religion, uncovering the profound links between myth, ferti…
Level B2RomanceFrom MissouriWhen a mysterious letter arrives from Missouri, four cowboys face the surprise of a schoolmarm en route to their Arizona ranch—threatening their uneasy pact and stirring unexpected…
Level C1RomanceFrom Kingdom to ColonyAmidst the unrest of 17th-century England, a noble family prepares to journey across the ocean to a distant, untamed land, where adventure and danger await.
Level C1RomanceFrom Jest to EarnestAmidst a snowy Hudson winter, a spirited young belle escapes city life for a festive country mansion, where flirtations and family ties intertwine.
Level B2RomanceFrivolous CupidReturning home transformed, Harry Sterling navigates new social circles, flirtations, and unexpected feelings amid the genteel tennis clubs and village life, where youthful charm m…
Level C1RomanceFriendship Village Love StoriesIn a charming village reborn each spring, old friendships and new romances bloom amid familiar streets and changing homes.
Level C1RomanceFrida; or, the lover's leap: a legend of the West Country: From "Slain by the Doones" by R. D. BlackmoreIn 1626 Devon, a beloved lord's only daughter, Jennyfried, faces the pressures of duty and family expectations as her father schemes to secure her future through a marriage with he…
Level C1RomanceFrench and Oriental Love in a HaremA daring adventurer inherits a legacy tied to his enigmatic uncle, a sea-faring corsair turned Pasha with a turbulent past.
Level C1RomanceFrench Mediaeval Romances from the Lays of Marie de FranceExplore the passionate and intricate tales of love from the medieval world, told through the lyrical voices of women who dared to express themselves in a male-dominated era.
Level C1RomanceFrederick the Great and His CourtIn the glittering court of Prussia, Queen Sophia Dorothea prepares a grand ball to mask the king’s declining health and fierce resistance to his son Frederick's unconventional rule…
Level B2RomanceFred Fearnot's New Ranch: and How He and Terry Managed ItAmid fierce Wall Street rivalries and violent attacks, Fred Fearnot and Terry navigate high-stakes deals before returning to Texas to manage a sprawling ranch, blending financial c…
Level B2RomanceFrank Merriwell's Setback; Or, True Pluck Welcomes DefeatA towering freshman faces a daunting cycling challenge posed by scheming sophomores eager to test his mettle and pride.
Level B2RomanceFrances Kane's FortuneIn a fading family estate, Frances Kane manages the household and gardens with practical resolve while grappling with a mysterious letter from Australia that stirs memories and hop…
Level C1RomanceFoxglove Manor: A Novel, Volume 1 (of 3)In a sunlit English village, the ritualistic St.
Level C1FantasyFour Arthurian RomancesJourney to the court of Countess Marie de Champagne, where chivalry, romance, and adventure intertwine in tales of Arthur’s knights—Erec, Yvain, Lancelot, and more—woven with medie…
Level C1RomanceFound in the Philippines: The Story of a Woman's LettersAmid the fog and tension at division headquarters, a young officer known as "Belligerent Billy" navigates the challenges of war and duty, caught between his college days and the ca…
Level C1RomanceFound at Blazing StarIn a rain-soaked mining camp, a careless prospector finds a mysterious gold ring inscribed "May to Cass," sparking suspicion, superstition, and quiet dreams that could change his l…
Level C1RomanceFoul PlayIn a stiflingly formal dining room, a young man with remarkable mimicry skills faces a pivotal moment that could shatter his future and his father's trust.
Level B2RomanceFostina Woodman, the Wonderful AdventurerIn a serene Massachusetts village, Fostina Woodman lives peacefully in the picturesque Mountain Glen, surrounded by family and nature’s beauty.
Level C1RomanceFortune's My Foe: A RomanceAmid the vibrant backdrop of the 1739 siege of Cartagena, a fleet of British sailors and soldiers prepares for battle, while a captain contemplates the clash of love and war beneat…
Level C1RomanceFort Lafayette or, Love and Secession: A NovelIn the shadow of the looming Civil War, a young Virginia heiress awaits her brother's return while contending with dark, persistent suitors and the turbulent passions ignited by lo…
Level C1RomanceForest Days: A Romance of Old TimesIn a vibrant forested England of old, a spirited yeoman navigates the turbulent politics of Henry III’s reign, where rustic charm and fierce loyalty collide in a tale of love, loya…
Level C1RomanceFordham's FeudAs a steamer glides across the serene Lake Léman, a chance encounter unfolds amidst a diverse crowd of travelers, setting the stage for a tale of romance and rivalry beneath the wa…
Level C1RomanceFor the Love of Lady Margaret: A Romance of the Lost ColonyBanished by his family and haunted by lost love, a gentleman drifts through London's restless streets, facing disgrace and uncertain fate.
Level C1RomanceFor the Faith: A Story of the Young Pioneers of Reformation in OxfordIn turbulent Oxford, young reformers grapple with faith, truth, and persecution, challenging church authority to read Scriptures freely and seek greater liberty of thought amid ris…
Level C1RomanceFor love and life; vol. 2 of 2A young man’s world shifts when love entwines his fate with another’s, compelling him to abandon pride and seek work for the sake of his beloved.
Level B2RomanceFor Woman's LoveA barefooted orphan rises from foundry boy to governor-elect, winning the hand of a wealthy heiress through relentless ambition and love.
Level C1RomanceFor Love of Country: A Story of Land and Sea in the Days of the RevolutionAmid the turmoil of the American Revolution, a young patriot navigates love, loyalty, and fierce naval battles that test the spirit of a nation.