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 C1RomanceAt the Sign of the Fox: A RomanceAmidst the tranquil beauty of the Moosatuk River kingdom, two old friends retreat into the woods for a quiet hunting day, where the peaceful landscape and unspoken bond hint at dee…
Level C1RomanceAt the Sign of the Cat and RacketIn the heart of old Paris, a young man becomes captivated by a mysterious, crumbling house marked by a whimsical sign of a cat playing rackets—uncovering secrets woven into the cit…
Level B2RomanceAt the CrossroadsA recovering writer, weighed down by illness and doubt, is urged by his friend to escape the shadows of his past and rediscover life beyond the page.
Level C1RomanceAt love's costA cynical man reluctantly joins a charming, wealthy companion on a rainy, misty journey to a mysterious lakeside estate, drawn into unexpected adventure and intrigue despite his be…
Level B2RomanceAt Pinney's Ranch: 1898When John Lansing is falsely accused of murder after a violent quarrel with the victim, he must flee to protect himself and his family, thrust into a desperate fight to prove his i…
Level C1RomanceAt Last: A NovelA devoted matchmaker with a tender heart and firm convictions, Mrs.
Level B2RomanceAt LargeTwo hawkers traverse the vast, unforgiving Australian desert, chasing dreams of fortune and survival against all odds.
Level C1RomanceAt FaultA grieving Creole widow inherits a vast Louisiana plantation and faces the challenges of preserving her late husband's legacy amid changing times, suspicious neighbors, and unwelco…
Level C1RomanceAt BayIn vibrant Paris, a wealthy lady and a sharp financier navigate high society, secret missions, and tangled relationships, where trust and fortune hang in delicate balance.
Level C1RomanceAsphodelBeneath a blazing midsummer sun in the enchanting Fontainebleau forest, free-spirited Daphne revels in nature’s wild beauty and the freedom from schoolroom confines, setting the st…
Level C1RomanceAspasiaIn ancient Athens, a captivatingly beautiful woman stirs awe, desire, and envy as she strides through the Agora, igniting silent tensions and unspoken conflicts.
Level C1RomanceAslauga's KnightA noble knight devoted to ancient legends becomes enchanted by the story of Aslauga, a hidden princess turned queen, while a mysterious veiled woman seeks his aid to reclaim lost h…
Level C1RomanceAscanioAmidst the splendor and intrigue of Francis I's French court, passionate rivalries and political schemes unfold as a young favorite rises to power, challenging queens and captivati…
Level B2RomanceAs We Sweep Through The DeepIn a time of pride and hardship, Jack Mackenzie sails away from England, leaving his family to face mounting debts and fading fortunes at the grand Grantley Hall.
Level C1RomanceAs It Was in the BeginningA weary inventor is offered a dreamlike escape: a voyage to Canton, China, tasked with escorting a grieving woman back home.
Level C1RomanceAs It Was Written: A Jewish Musician's StoryA restless musician’s solitary life is transformed when he encounters Veronika, a pale and mysterious beauty, on a moonlit New York evening.
Level C1RomanceArtist and Model (The Divorced Princess)In 1860 St.
Level C1RomanceArthurian Chronicles: Roman de BrutDive into a vivid retelling of Arthurian legend where history and chivalric romance intertwine, revealing noble knights and courtly valor through poetic chronicles that shaped medi…
Level C1RomanceArthur: A Short Sketch of His Life and History in English Verse of the First Half of the Fifteenth CenturyWitness the rise of a noble king who forges the legendary Round Table, conquers distant lands, and faces betrayal in a tale woven from early English verse that unveils Arthur’s val…
Level C1RomanceArthur Blane; or, The Hundred CuirassiersIn 17th-century Paris, a young Scottish swordsman navigates dark alleys and deadly intrigues with only his wits, a keen blade, and a fierce determination to survive amidst duels, p…
Level C1RomanceArthurIn a kingdom stirred by rebellion and loyalty, a mysterious wounded knight arrives, his identity hidden but his valor undeniable.
Level C1MysteryArsène Lupin, super-sleuthIn the bustling streets of Paris, a mysterious Englishwoman with striking blue eyes captivates a watchful observer, while a spirited local girl with mesmerizing green eyes weaves t…
Level C1RomanceArrah Neil; or, Times of OldAmid the turmoil of the English Civil War, loyalties are tested as Sir John Hotham’s uncertain stance threatens the fate of Hull, while the brash Royalist soldier Barecolt stirs ad…
Level C1RomanceArms and the WomanA young reporter encounters a mysterious, captivating woman in a secluded garden, sparking a delicate romance that unfolds amid social divides and personal ambitions.
Level C1RomanceArmorel of Lyonesse: A Romance of To-dayA young girl lives surrounded by the ever-changing sea and rugged coastlines, her days filled with dreams and silent yearnings beneath the warm sunlight.
Level C1RomanceArminell: A Social Romance, Vol. 3A young lord returns home to confront hidden family secrets and a bitter struggle for justice, as whispers of murder and lost promises threaten to unravel lives in a close-knit vil…
Level C1RomanceArminell: A Social Romance, Vol. 2In a grand but isolating household, two lonely souls—Giles Saltren and Arminell—forge a secret bond that breaks social barriers and awakens hidden desires for friendship and unders…
Level C1RomanceArminell: A Social Romance, Vol. 1In a humble, rat-infested basement beneath a churchyard keeper’s lodge, a Sunday-school strives to teach sacred lessons amid grime and gossip, driven by Lady Lamerton’s fervent bel…
Level C1RomanceAriadne in Mantua: A Romance in Five ActsIn the grand Palace of Mantua, a clash unfolds between impulsive passion and cold civility, as noble traditions confront raw, unyielding love—setting the stage for a poignant drama…
Level B2RomanceAraminta and the AutomobileA suburban bank clerk and his spirited wife, Araminta, embrace the thrill and challenges of owning one of the era’s first automobiles, defying skeptical neighbors and embarking on…
Level C1RomanceArabella Stuart: A Romance from English HistoryIn a turbulent era marked by ruthless ambition and shifting power, the tragic story of Arabella Stuart unfolds, revealing the clash of passion, politics, and betrayal within the ha…
Level C1RomanceApril HopesAt a lively Class Day celebration filled with youthful charm and elegance, Elbridge Mavering reunites with an old friend, sparking unexpected encounters and stirring reflections on…
Level C1RomanceAntoniaIn 1785 Paris, young painter Julien Thierry, burdened by debts and the shadow of loss, seeks solace in his art and the steadfast love of his mother amid the fleeting beauty of spri…
Level C1RomanceAnthony the AbsoluteA restless traveler aboard a ship to Yokohama navigates a sea of eccentric passengers, including a pompous judge and a serene Japanese merchant, while wrestling with his own solitu…
Level C1RomanceAntar: A Bedoueen RomanceBorn into slavery yet rising through unmatched bravery and poetic genius, Antar navigates the fierce honor and passion of Bedouin life, weaving a tale of love and valor set against…
Level C1RomanceAnnie o' the Banks o' DeeIn the serene setting of Bilberry Hall by the Dee River, young Annie Lane navigates the tender complexities of youth and love, caught between the ardent affections of two suitors a…
Level C1RomanceAnn Veronica: A Modern Love StoryA young woman returns home determined to confront her father and break free from the constraints of her stifling suburban life, eager to embrace independence and new experiences in…
Level C1RomanceAnn Arbor TalesIn a softly lit college town, a captivating woman named Florence holds sway over a circle of young men whose lives brim with youthful passion and peril.
Level C1RomanceAndrew the GladIn a Southern town, wounded war hero Andrew Sevier becomes the center of attention for a circle of determined women, sparking rivalry and romance as they vie to care for him and wi…
Level B2RomanceAnd So They Were MarriedUnder a moonlit winter night, a young woman returns from a romantic evening, her heart aflutter with new love and secret kisses, while her anxious mother and distant father watch o…
Level C1RomanceAncestors: A NovelIn Edwardian England, a sharp-witted woman navigates the delicate social dance among aristocrats, rekindling a complex friendship with Lady Victoria Gwynne, whose mysterious change…
Level B2RomanceAn Unwilling Maid: Being the History of Certain Episodes during the American Revolution in the Early Life of Mistress Betty Yorke, born WolcottAmid the Connecticut hills during the American Revolution, a young soldier lost behind enemy lines encounters two spirited sisters, stirring tension and unexpected connections in a…
Level C1RomanceAn Unknown LoverIn a dim old house shadowed by loss, siblings Katrine and Martin navigate the lingering grief of a vanished bride whose memory haunts every room.
Level C1RomanceAn Uncrowned King: A Romance of High PoliticsIn the turbulent halls of power, Viscount Usk faces political betrayal and personal rebellion as he navigates the ruthless game of high-stakes government and society, caught betwee…
Level C1RomanceAn Original BelleAmid the glitter of high society and the turmoil of the Civil War, a young belle confronts the limits of her beauty and charm, embarking on a journey of self-discovery and moral aw…
Level C1RomanceAn Old Sailor's YarnsDive into the gripping tales of daring sailors, smuggling escapades, and fierce sea battles in the Pacific, where lawless traders face peril, rescue, and romance on the high seas.
Level C1RomanceAn Old Meerschaum: From Coals Of Fire And Other Stories, Volume II. (of III.)In the vibrant market of Trieste, a chance reunion sparks a journey to Constantinople where unexpected encounters and subtle romantic tensions unfold.
Level C1RomanceAn Old Man's LoveA wealthy country gentleman wrestles with his conscience and society’s expectations as he contemplates offering shelter and a new future to Mary Lawrie, a young woman left alone af…