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 B2RomanceDr. Paull's Theory: A RomanceA dedicated house-surgeon confronts an unexpected challenge when a distinguished old man, brought in after a frightening carriage accident, lies unconscious under his care—setting…
Level C1RomanceDoubloons—and the GirlA restless clerk on the bustling East River docks encounters a captivating young woman whose presence ignites a longing for adventure and change amid the monotony of his daily life…
Level C1RomanceDouble HarnessAmid the fresh air and rolling downs of a quiet village, two friends grapple with the challenges of marriage, social expectations, and personal freedom.
Level C1MysteryDorothy's Double. Volume 2 (of 3)A young woman faces suspicion and mystery when a series of events involving stolen jewels, secret orders, and veiled identities entangles her family and trusted friends in a tense…
Level C1RomanceDorothy South: A Love Story of Virginia Just Before the WarIn the lush woodlands of pre-Civil War Virginia, a cultured young stranger arrives, stirring curiosity and change as he navigates the intricate social landscape, meeting locals lik…
Level C1RomanceDora ThorneA young nobleman defies his aristocratic father’s warnings as he insists on marrying Dora Thorne, a modest and virtuous lodge keeper’s daughter, challenging the rigid social class…
Level C1RomanceDon SebastianAmid political exile and the collapse of his homeland, a noble prince leads his people across treacherous seas to forge a new empire, blending historical intrigue with the personal…
Level B2FantasyDon Miguel Lehumada: discoverer of liquid from the sun's rays: an occult romance of Mexico and the United StatesIn a future Mexico where science and spirituality intertwine, a brilliant scientist unlocks the secret to capturing sunlight’s essence as liquid memory fluid, while his old friend,…
Level C1RomanceDomestic PeaceAmid the dazzling splendor and reckless passions of Napoleon's empire at its zenith, hearts and fortunes intertwine in a world where love, ambition, and power collide in glittering…
Level B2RomanceDogs Always KnowIn a small town, a proud Bostonian woman and a confident New Yorker clash over their first uneasy encounter, each wrestling with loneliness and prejudice.
Level C1RomanceDodo's Daughter: A Sequel to DodoIn a lively North Wales cottage, Nadine Waldenech navigates family drama, sharp wit, and tangled romances as her chaotic clan gathers, including the unexpected arrival of a former…
Level C1RomanceDoctor ThorneIn the rural county of Barsetshire, a young country doctor navigates the complex social and political divides shaped by tradition, reform, and family ties, where loyalty and love a…
Level C1RomanceDoctor Luttrell's First PatientA young doctor and his practical wife navigate the struggles of a fledgling medical practice and the hardships of modest living, testing their love and resilience in a neighborhood…
Level C1RomanceDoctor Cupid: A NovelTwo sisters navigate the joys and sorrows of life under the shadow of a grand estate, where society intrigues, damaged reputations, and the elusive Freddy Ducane complicate their s…
Level B2RomanceDoctor Claudius, A True StoryA solitary scholar in Heidelberg wrestles with his sense of aging and isolation, surrounded by books and memories in a humble garret.
Level C1RomanceDiscovering "Evelina": An Old-fashioned Romance: A Companion Book to "The Jessamy Bride"In a household stirred by the magnetic influence of the famed Mr.
Level C1RomanceDilemmas of Pride, (Vol 2 of 3)Torn between brotherly loyalty and his own growing passion, a young gentleman struggles to navigate love and rivalry within the elegant society of Cheltenham.
Level C1RomanceDiane of Ville Marie: A Romance of French CanadaAmidst the rugged wilderness of 1690 New France, a determined heiress and a captive New England girl embark on a perilous pilgrimage to Mount Royal, navigating danger, faith, and t…
Level C1RomanceDiana Tempest, Volume IIIAmbition and love collide as John wrestles with his desire to achieve greatness and win Diana’s heart amid a bitter winter that blankets Overleigh in ice and stirs hidden passions.
Level C1RomanceDiana Tempest, Volume IIIn the sweltering heart of London’s fading social season, Diana Tempest navigates the challenges of modest means and unfulfilled desires, dreaming of love, wealth, and escape while…
Level C1RomanceDevotaA mysterious and aloof heiress, Devota Lindsay, surprises her acquaintances with an unexpected visit, stirring curiosity about her enigmatic past and her refusal to embrace the soc…
Level C1MysteryDevil's DiceA restless Londoner drifts into a chance encounter with a mysterious English woman while seeking escape in the Pyrenees, sparking a bittersweet tale of secret sorrows, fleeting rom…
Level C1RomanceDesperate RemediesIn 1835 London, a young architect falls deeply for the captivating Cytherea, whose elusive affections and hidden secrets spark a tangled tale of love, mystery, and moral complexity…
Level C1RomanceDeserted: 1898Two travelers share a train journey across Nevada’s stark desert, discovering a surprising beauty in its desolation while engaging in witty, intimate conversations that hint at dee…
Level C1RomanceDesert LoveAmid the sunbaked desert and bustling Egyptian stations, a golden-haired woman stands apart from the crowd, drawn into a world of camels, Bedouins, and hidden passions where East m…
Level C1RomanceDerelictsA fallen gentleman, freshly released from prison, wanders aimlessly through a once-familiar neighborhood, haunted by lost wealth and shattered relationships.
Level C1RomanceDenounced: A RomanceCaught in a fierce storm, a young noblewoman journeys across treacherous seas with mysterious companions, her sharp gaze and defiant spirit hinting at secrets and dangers that thre…
Level C1RomanceDenis Dent: A NovelA determined young officer with a complex heritage faces uncertain tides aboard a ship and in his heart, as he navigates duty, identity, and the possibility of love with the captai…
Level C1MysteryDecember LoveIn autumn London, a Foreign Office man learns of Lady Sellingworth, a once-glorious beauty who mysteriously vanished from society after her priceless jewels were stolen in Paris—an…
Level C1RomanceDeath to the Inquisitive! A story of sinful loveIn the grimy shadows of London's Whitechapel, Queen Liz's mysterious ties to a wealthy Chinese man and a secretive gentleman from high society spark tension and danger amidst the a…
Level B2FantasyDeath and TaxesWhen the historic Waukeena Lighthouse faces demolition, artist Jerry Masterson finds himself haunted—literally—by Captain Wully MacGreggor, a ghost desperate to save his home and e…
Level C1RomanceDead-sea fruit, Vol. 3 (of 3)Haunted by love and betrayal, a man searches desperately for Medora, who has vanished after witnessing his secret meetings with another woman.
Level C1RomanceDead-sea fruit, Vol. 2 (of 3)A weary aristocrat returns to his childhood estate, seeking solace and rekindled friendships amidst memories and faded dreams.
Level B2RomanceDead Shot; Or, The White Vulture: A Romance of the YellowstoneA seasoned guide haunted by his father’s murder leads a wagon train through the perilous Yellowstone wilderness, where fierce Native tribes and untamed nature threaten every step o…
Level B2MysteryDead Man's LoveAn escaped convict seizes a daring chance to flee prison during a fire, risking everything for freedom in a wild, unforgiving landscape.
Level C1RomanceDe L'Orme.: The Works of G. P. R. James, Esq., Vol. XVI.A young man’s thirst for adventure draws him into perilous errors and bitter regrets in a tale that explores honor, virtue, and the harsh consequences of reckless ambition.
Level C1FantasyDaybreak: A Romance of an Old WorldAs a couple returns home after years apart, a tender yet distant love faces a test: can passion and warmth be awakened in a relationship long defined by quiet affection and unspoke…
Level B2RomanceDawn of the MorningIn a somber 1824 estate, a young girl struggles with the shadow of her mother’s banishment and the cold authority of her father’s new wife, igniting a fierce defiance that challeng…
Level B2RomanceDavid Dunne: A Romance of the Middle WestA hardworking boy in the Middle West balances chores and school, finding warmth and kindness in the Brumble household.
Level B2RomanceDaughters of the Revolution and Their Times: 1769 - 1776 A Historical RomanceAmid rising tensions before the American Revolution, the daughters and mothers of Boston lead a quiet but powerful resistance against British taxation, reshaping social life and st…
Level B2RomanceDaughters of Nijo: A Romance of JapanIn a province torn by political strife, a humble farmer’s new bride defies convention to glimpse the dazzling royal parade, sparking a tale of love, duty, and the clash between sim…
Level C1RomanceDaughters of DestinyA determined prince returns from exile in London to reclaim his usurped throne in Baluchistan, seeking the aid of a shrewd English financier to convert ancient treasures into an ar…
Level C1RomanceDaughters of Belgravia; vol. 3 of 3Passion and betrayal collide in a world of high society as Gabrielle, fiercely in love with the elusive Lord Delaval, confronts the heartbreak of his faithlessness and her own fier…
Level C1RomanceDaughters of Belgravia; vol. 2 of 3Torn between scorn and secret longing, Zai navigates a treacherous social web where appearances deceive and hearts are broken.
Level C1RomanceDaughters of Belgravia; vol. 1 of 3In the glittering world of London’s elite, Lady Beranger’s lavish parties mask a family tangled in ambition, rivalry, and hidden resentments.
Level B2Science FictionDaughter of the Sun: A Tale of AdventureIn a dusty border town, the daring Jim Kendric returns with a mysterious letter and a wild spirit, ready to stir trouble and chase adventure across the lawless line into Old Town M…
Level C1RomanceDarnley; or, The Field of the Cloth of GoldAmid the winding roads of 16th-century Kent, a stalwart knight embarks on a journey filled with adventure and historical intrigue, set against the vibrant backdrop of King Henry VI…
Level B2RomanceDarkness and Daylight: A NovelA once-abandoned ancestral mansion stirs with secrets and renewal as a father and son return to Collingwood, confronting haunting memories and the promise of new beginnings amid vi…