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 C1RomanceDariel: A Romance of SurreyA young man struggles to revive his family's fortunes by farming the Surrey countryside, facing skepticism and hardship despite his dedication and hard work.
Level C1RomanceDamon and Delia: A TaleAt the heart of Southampton's dazzling races, the enchanting Delia captivates a host of admirers with her beauty and grace, yet her heart remains untouched—until fate stirs passion…
Level C1RomanceDaisy's AuntAt a London zoo, spirited Daisy embraces the wild and untamed, delighting in fierce creatures and defying convention, while her gentle cousin Gladys navigates the delicate social e…
Level C1RomanceDaisy in the FieldTorn between duty and heartbreak, a young woman struggles to focus on her studies as the harsh realities of war and love collide around her.
Level C1RomanceDaisy Brooks; Or, A Perilous LoveOn a sultry West Virginia night, a young master returns to his plantation with a new bride, igniting fierce jealousy and dark tensions within the household—especially from his pass…
Level B2RomanceDaireen. Volume 2 of 2A mysterious shipwreck survivor with a hidden fortune arrives, stirring curiosity and excitement among a colonial society eager for theatrical spectacle and whispered secrets.
Level C1RomanceDaireen. CompleteA proud but impoverished Irish family clings to their ancient royal heritage as a young man grapples with love and duty, torn between the weight of history and his passion for the…
Level B2RomanceDainty's Cruel Rivals; Or, The Fatal BirthdayIn a world of jealousy and ambition, shy and radiant Dainty Chase faces the cold rivalry of her stylish cousins as they vie for the heart of a wealthy heir during a summer invitati…
Level B2RomanceDaddy-Long-LegsSeventeen-year-old Jerusha Abbott, an imaginative orphan in a strict asylum, dreams of a life beyond its iron gates until an anonymous benefactor offers her an unexpected chance to…
Level C1RomanceCynthia: With an Introduction by Maurice HewlettA young novelist, newly successful yet struggling to balance love, family, and financial pressures, faces the challenges of artistic ambition and personal responsibility.
Level C1RomanceCynthia's ChauffeurOn a bright Derby Day in London, a young lord's plans unravel when his companion falls ill, leading him to embrace unexpected adventures and mingle with the lively crowd at the ico…
Level C2RomanceCymbelineIn a kingdom shadowed by sorrow and banishment, a princess defies royal expectations by marrying a humble gentleman, igniting tensions that stir hearts and courts alike.
Level B2RomanceCursed by a FortuneAs a wealthy banker faces death, he entrusts his fortune and daughter to a loyal uncle, warning against fortune hunters eager to claim her wealth.
Level B2RomanceCupid's UnderstudyBorn into modest means, Elizabeth's life transforms when a dreamer strikes gold in Death Valley, thrusting her into high society and a world of unexpected romance and adventure.
Level B2RomanceCupid's MiddlemanA seasoned love letter writer navigates the perils and pitfalls of matchmaking for his bachelor friend, uncovering comic misadventures and heartfelt truths about romance, communica…
Level C1RomanceCupid's Almanac and Guide to Hearticulture for This Year and NextNavigate the whimsical science of Hearticulture, where love blooms like a garden filled with Proposal Plants, Valentine Flowers, and tricky weeds to beware.
Level C1RomanceCruel as the graveA newlywed couple arrives at a quaint inn, their love intense but shadowed by an unshakable sense of impending doom.
Level C1RomanceCruel Barbara Allen: From Coals Of Fire And Other Stories, Volume II. (of III.)A gifted but misunderstood fiddler struggles against a dull town’s indifference while his heart is captivated by the charming Barbara, whose own spirit shines bright despite uncert…
Level C1RomanceCrittenden: A Kentucky Story of Love and WarAmid the dawn of a new war, Clay Crittenden returns to Kentucky, where family legacies and divided loyalties echo through the Bluegrass hills.
Level C1RomanceCowardice CourtTwo rival landowners—a proud American heiress and a defiant young gentleman—battle over a coveted wilderness estate in the Adirondacks, where nature’s beauty contrasts sharply with…
Level B2RomanceCourtin' ChristinaAmid the warmth and bustle of a Scottish family gathering, tensions rise as Macgregor’s late return from work stirs concern and curiosity, revealing the loving yet complex dynamics…
Level C1RomanceCountry LodgingsA young widow seeking solace from city loneliness takes lodgings in a grand but faded manor, where the echoes of history and rustic charm set the stage for unexpected connections a…
Level C1MysteryCount Zarka: A RomanceA daring agent is tasked with unraveling the mysterious and politically charged disappearance of Prince Roel of Rapsberg, whose vast territory threatens a powerful empire’s ambitio…
Level C1RomanceCount Hannibal: A Romance of the Court of FranceAmid the dazzling fêtes at the Louvre, a young provincial girl finds herself trapped in the dangerous intrigues of the French court, caught between unwanted attentions and the vola…
Level C1RomanceCossack TalesAmidst the chaos of 13th-century Russia, a fierce brotherhood rises from abandoned villagers turned warriors seeking freedom and revenge against relentless invaders.
Level C1RomanceCorse de Leon; or, The Brigand: A Romance. Volume 1 (of 2)In the lush valleys of Savoy, a foreboding gloom shadows a life of brightness and hope, signaling trials ahead for a dauntless spirit.
Level C1RomanceCorduroyGrieving the loss of her brother and guardian, Virginia McVeagh takes charge of her vast California ranch, cloaked in black and solitude.
Level B2RomanceCoralie: Everyday Life Library No. 2Struggling to support his ailing sister after their mother's death, a young man confronts the harsh realities of life on a modest clerk's salary in London.
Level C1RomanceContrary MaryIn a grand, festively adorned mansion, a somber visitor seeks out the elusive Mary Ballard, whose tower rooms hold secrets amidst a shimmering world of elegance and intrigue.
Level C1RomanceContraband; Or, A Losing HazardA spirited widow finds new passion and freedom amidst the thrill of the hunt, where society’s admiration and secret desires collide in the English countryside.
Level C1RomanceContigo Pan y CebollaTwo lovers face the harsh realities of poverty and family expectations in this poignant Spanish comedy, where simple bread and onions become symbols of loyalty and sacrifice in eve…
Level C1RomanceConjuror's House: A Romance of the Free ForestIn a remote northern trading post surrounded by an untamed wilderness, a young woman stands on the brink of a vast forest, caught between the harsh cycles of nature and the vibrant…
Level C1RomanceConfidenceA contemplative young artist lingers in the enchanting city of Siena, capturing its medieval charm while wrestling with solitude and unexpected encounters.
Level C1RomanceComedies of CourtshipTwo young lovers, separated by distance yet bound by secret letters, wrestle with jealousy and temptation amid the comforts of wealth and society.
Level C1RomanceComedies and ErrorsStep into the lively world of Rome’s English expatriates, where the elegant Miss Belmont hosts vibrant Thursday gatherings filled with art, intrigue, and unexpected encounters—like…
Level C1RomanceColville of the Guards, Volume 3 (of 3)Rescued from peril and trapped aboard a fog-shrouded yacht, Ellinor confronts the sinister Sir Redmond Sleath and his dubious companions, igniting a tense struggle for survival ami…
Level C1RomanceColville of the Guards, Volume 1 (of 3)In a secluded Scottish home, two orphaned sisters navigate loss, love, and duty while managing their modest estate and caring for those around them.
Level C1RomanceCoelebs: The Love Story of a BachelorA fastidious bachelor hires a plain yet proud housemaid whose peculiar habits and staunch respectability challenge his orderly world, revealing unexpected insights into virtue, tem…
Level C1RomanceCoelebs In Search of a WifeA thoughtful gentleman embarks on a quiet journey to find a wife, engaging in sincere conversations about love, reason, and religion within the peaceful rhythms of country life.
Level B2RomanceCobraUnder the moonlit skies of southern Italy, a handsome Italian aristocrat and a captivating flower girl cross paths in a café where charm, mystery, and simmering tensions mingle wit…
Level C1RomanceCliquot: A Racing Story of Ideal BeautyA restless racing stallion known for killing jockeys pushes the limits of passion and danger on the Southern racecourse, while Neil Emory grapples with his troubled past and a love…
Level C1FantasyCliges: A RomanceIn a world where chivalry and love intertwine, a noble youth of Greek and Arthurian lineage embarks on a journey of valor and passion, navigating intricate emotions and courtly int…
Level B2RomanceClever Betsy: A NovelIn a quaint seaport village, Betsy Foster, known as "Clever Betsy," navigates the complexities of love and loss, resisting the persistent affections of a longtime suitor while wres…
Level C1RomanceClash of Arms: A RomanceAiling Philip Vause eagerly awaits his estranged brother Andrew, a rugged soldier known for brawls and bravado, who promises a timely visit after an urgent royal audience—bringing…
Level C1MysteryClara Vaughan, Volume 3 (of 3)Passion and deception intertwine when a man, consumed by love, assumes his brother’s identity to win the heart of his beloved Lily, igniting a tale of intense emotion, dark secrets…
Level C1RomanceChronicles of Dustypore: A Tale of Modern Anglo-Indian SocietyIn the harsh, unforgiving Sandy Tracts of British India, new colonial order clashes with fierce extremes of nature and culture, setting the stage for a gripping tale of power, soci…
Level C1RomanceChronicle of the CidAn epic tale of Ruy Diaz, the legendary Cid Campeador, whose valor and cunning unite Christian knights and Moorish kings in medieval Spain’s fierce battles and chivalric honor.
Level B2RomanceChristmas on WheelsTrapped by a fierce snowstorm on a stranded train, a discontented young lawyer finds himself entangled with a spirited young woman and her dignified father—sparking unexpected conn…