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 C1RomanceBlood Royal: A NovelIn a quaint English town, a new governess arrives, sparking quiet intrigue among its residents.
Level C1RomanceBlackbeard; Or, The Pirate of Roanoke.Amid the enchanting yet isolated beauty of Trinidad Island, a noble party enjoys nature’s pure splendor—until the notorious pirate Blackbeard suddenly appears, threatening their pe…
Level C1RomanceBlack OxenA weary drama critic, disillusioned with the stagnant world of New York's theater elite, longs for passion and purpose beyond the glittering facade.
Level C1MysteryBlack Caesar's Clan : A Florida Mystery StoryIn the sun-drenched Florida Keys, a hidden world of coral reefs and mangrove swamps hides mysteries and romance beneath its lush veneer.
Level C1RomanceBird of ParadiseTwo women navigate the delicate dance of love and society: Madeline yearns for the elusive Rupert Denison’s affection, while Bertha offers sharp wit and keen insight into the games…
Level C1RomanceBimbo, the pirate: A comedyCaptured by ruthless pirates, Robert and Lydia find themselves trapped aboard a briganteen where order is harsh and mercy scarce.
Level B2RomanceBijouIn a sunlit French terrace, Jean de Blaye longs for a glimpse of a distant cab, while charming Bijou gathers flowers nearby, capturing the quiet tensions and tender gazes of a fami…
Level B2RomanceBig Game: A Story for GirlsA young poet struggles to find success, buoyed by his sister’s unwavering faith and clever schemes.
Level C1RomanceBeyond the Frontier: A Romance of Early Days in the Middle WestIn the midst of early Middle West frontier intrigue, a young woman recalls a tender encounter with the elusive Sieur de la Salle, whose return stirs jealousy and danger.
Level C1RomanceBeyond These VoicesA young woman caught between her ambitious mother's high society expectations and her own passionate love for a captivating poet defies convention in a world where wealth and statu…
Level C1RomanceBeyond The Rocks: A Love StoryA spirited young woman faces a loveless marriage to a wealthy, much older man to support her struggling family, all while longing for the passion and freedom she’s been denied.
Level B2RomanceBeverly of GraustarkIn the secluded mountain principality of Graustark, political intrigue and ancient rivalries stir beneath a veneer of peace, as a deposed prince escapes and threatens the fragile b…
Level C1RomanceBeulahIn a quiet suburban orphan asylum, three young girls—each strikingly different—forge bonds amid innocence and hardship.
Level C1RomanceBetween the Dark and the DaylightIn the sunlit coastal town of San Remo, a chance encounter between a traveling doctor and a mysterious young woman sets the stage for a delicate exploration of identity, illness, a…
Level B1RomanceBetrothed for a day: Or, Queenie Trevalyn's love testAt Newport’s final grand ball, the enchanting Miss Trevalyn captivates all, especially a mysterious, handsome stranger whose identity intrigues the entire season’s fashionable crow…
Level B2RomanceBeth WoodburnIn a charming lakeside village, eighteen-year-old Beth Woodburn dreams of literary fame and a future beyond her quiet home, inspired by her favorite author and the gentle encourage…
Level B2RomanceBeth Norvell: A Romance of the WestExhausted and alone, a young actress finds refuge in a worn hotel room, where an unexpected visitor is drawn to her mysterious presence and haunted by a vague memory.
Level C1RomanceBest laid schemesAt twenty-six, Susan Parker’s life feels uneventful and marked by missed romantic chances, as she transitions from college charm to the quiet reality of a librarian’s life in India…
Level C1RomanceBess of the WoodsA sensitive young man escapes the coarse revelry of his aristocratic kin to find solace and mystery in the wild Pevensel forest, where nature's beauty contrasts sharply with the st…
Level B2RomanceBeryl of the Biplane: Being the Romance of an Air-Woman of To-DayAmid the thrill of wartime aviation, a daring pilot sidelined by injury channels his passion into building cutting-edge biplanes, while a mysterious, skilled airwoman named Beryl t…
Level C1RomanceBertha's engagementTorn between honor and heartache, Bertha Canfield must navigate love’s painful choices while racing against a rising flood that threatens the valley and those she holds dear.
Level B2RomanceBerlin and Sans-Souci; Or, Frederick the Great and His FriendsIn the serene gardens of Charlottenburg, secretive whispers of alchemy and ambition stir as a young man and the king’s favorite plot to summon the devil himself—seeking forbidden k…
Level C1RomanceBenita, an African romanceAmid whispers of a buried Portuguese treasure and ancient tribal curses, a haunting romance unfolds aboard a steamer bound for Africa, where fate intertwines two souls on the brink…
Level C1RomanceBeltane the SmithIn the heart of a mystical forest, Beltane the Smith lives a solitary life, skilled in ancient wisdom and woodcraft but naive to the ways of men and women.
Level C1RomanceBelles and RingersIn the grand yet flawed Todborough Grange, Lady Mary Bloxam maneuvers society and family ambitions to secure her daughters' futures amid the intrigues of country and London life, w…
Level B2RomanceBelinda of the Red CrossIn a bustling hospital, nurse Belinda Melnotte faces the urgent case of a daring aviator, Sandy Sanderson, whose mysterious accident challenges both her skills and her heart amid w…
Level C1RomanceBehind the ThroneIn a world where political ambition and corruption intertwine, an Italian Minister of War faces a dangerous bribe that could betray his country and test his conscience—while his da…
Level C1RomanceBeaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 08 of 10Amid London’s bustling streets, a sharp-witted woman navigates a turbulent marriage to a fiery husband, while secret lovers plot to defy harsh family expectations and seek true aff…
Level C1RomanceBeatrix of ClareA noble knight, Sir Aymer de Lacy, finds himself unexpectedly captured by mysterious archers during a forest encounter, setting the stage for intrigue, danger, and a clash of wills…
Level C1RomanceBeatrice Boville and Other StoriesIn a society wary of love and loyalty, Beatrice Boville captivates the reluctant Earlscourt with her fierce pride and unwavering honor.
Level C1RomanceBeatriceOn her twenty-second birthday, Beatrice confronts haunting memories and a mysterious mist that stirs the depths of her past.
Level C1RomanceBataille de damesIn a world shaped by wit and intrigue, rivalries ignite among women whose schemes and passions collide in a sparkling dance of comedy and romance.
Level C1RomanceBardelys the Magnificent: Being an account of the strange wooing pursued by the Sieur Marcel de Saint-Pol, marquis of Bardelys...In the glittering court of Louis XIII, the charming Marquis de Bardelys navigates rivalry, royal favor, and a mysterious wager that sets the stage for a daring pursuit of love and…
Level C1RomanceBandit LoveAmid the vibrant London season and the International Horse Show, fiery Myra Rostrevor commands her spirited thoroughbred with fearless grace, capturing the admiration of all—includ…
Level B2FantasyBalsamo, the magician; or, the memoirs of a physicianIn 1770, a mysterious and powerful stranger ventures into the shadowy forests near the Rhine, guided by a flickering light and veiled threats, as dark secrets and secret societies…
Level B2RomanceBaby MineA young man with strict views on marriage vows to find a wife who truly shares his ideals of home and heart—yet his best friend doubts such a woman exists.
Level C2RomanceAxel Thordson and Fair Valborg: a balladIn a world of noble courts and secret loves, Sir Axel Thordson's heart is bound to Valborg, a maiden raised in cloister and courtly grace.
Level C1RomanceAwakeningAn English artist encounters a mysterious and captivating Eastern woman at a Riviera hotel, inspiring him to capture her elusive beauty in his art.
Level C1MysteryAurora Floyd, Vol. 2In a grand Yorkshire estate, tangled emotions and past rivalries surface as Aurora's happiness challenges the hearts of those around her, revealing secrets and testing loyalties in…
Level C1RomanceAunt Rachel: A Rustic Sentimental ComedyIn a quaint garden alive with music and rustic charm, a gifted young violinist captivates his companions and a mysterious girl, setting the stage for a heartfelt tale of village wi…
Level B2RomanceAunt Patty's paying guestsA young governess, driven by ambition and exhaustion, faces a stern doctor's order to abandon her studies and embrace rest.
Level C1RomanceAugust FirstIn the sweltering heat of a midsummer afternoon, a young curate faces his first test alone at a bustling city parish, when a nervous woman seeking counsel arrives unexpectedly—spar…
Level C1RomanceAucassin and NicoletteIn a medieval tale blending prose and verse, forbidden love unfolds between Aucassin and Nicolette amidst cultural clashes and enchanting adventures, inviting readers into a tender…
Level C1RomanceAucassin and NicoleteIn a unique blend of prose and verse, a Christened knight and a captive lady defy faith and fortune in a tender, humorous tale of love’s trials and joys.![Cover of Aucassin & Nicolette, and Other Mediæval Romances and Legends by Eugene [Translator] Mason](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da8ao5cv7nos73d6pqng.webp)
Level C1RomanceAucassin & Nicolette, and Other Mediæval Romances and LegendsDive into a vivid tapestry of medieval life where chivalry, faith, rebellion, and romance intertwine against the complex backdrop of 13th-century France, revealing a world both enc…
Level C1RomanceAtmâ: A RomanceAmid the collapse of the Sikh Khalsa and the fading of a once-mighty spiritual and military legacy, an aged man grapples with loss, faith, and the search for a deeper, personal con…
Level C1RomanceAtalaIn the untamed wilderness of America, a tender and heroic romance unfolds, weaving vivid descriptions of nature’s wild beauty with the poignant lives of its aboriginal characters.
Level C1RomanceAt the Sign of the Sword: A Story of Love and War in BelgiumIn the serene Belgian Ardennes of July 1914, a secret romance unfolds between a refined Parisian beauty and a worldly, English-trained Belgian man, set against a timeless landscape…