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 C2RomanceA rogue's tragedyAmid the ethereal Alps, two lovers find their world transformed by a transcendent passion that blurs the line between dream and reality.
Level B2RomanceA private chivalryIn a remote mining camp, a man haunted by a troubled past faces the harsh consequences of his choices, entangled with a woman whose presence stirs old wounds and unsettled loyaltie…
Level C1RomanceA prince of loversIn a fragmented land of two hundred kingdoms, a determined duke and his scheming chancellor plot a politically charged union between Princess Ruperta and Prince Ludwig, where pride…
Level B1RomanceA perfect gentlemanA rugged stranger known as Joe rides into Oakwood and falls for Carol, a strong-willed woman who demands a perfect gentleman—mild, courteous, and above all, never to fight.
Level B2RomanceA new nameA reckless man waits anxiously in a hospital, haunted by the accident that left Bessie Chapparelle—a once sweet child now stunningly grown—gravely injured.
Level B2RomanceA master of craftA young woman waits alone on a quiet wharf, hoping to meet the elusive Captain Flower, while his loyal mate watches her with growing curiosity.
Level C1RomanceA lovers' taleIn a rugged land where the Mell river meets the sea, two brothers live under the shadow of their Viking father’s legacy—one steady and silent, the other a fierce, poetic soul explo…
Level B2RomanceA heroine of 1812Amid the bustling streets of Baltimore in 1812, young Lettice Hopkins anxiously awaits news of her uncle’s ship, threatened by British capture during wartime.
Level C1RomanceA crown of strawIn a shadowy room in Stuttgart, three men prepare a loaded pistol, setting the stage for a gripping tale of romance entwined with a dramatized, tragic event in contemporary history…
Level C1RomanceA broken blossom, vol. 3 of 3Amid the vibrant autumnal beauty of St.
Level C1RomanceA broken blossom, vol. 2 of 3In a fading château filled with relics of former grandeur, a noble but impoverished Baron welcomes guests into a world where delicate Venetian glass and a restless wolf hint at sec…
Level C1RomanceA bitter reckoning;A chilling telegram threatens to upend a joyous eighteenth birthday ball, as Rosamond Arleigh braces for a dark reckoning from her past.
Level B2RomanceA bankrupt heart, Vol. 3 (of 3)A sudden encounter with a brave country girl leads a lady into the charming world of the Llewellyn family, uncovering rustic beauty and unexpected connections that may change her l…
Level C1RomanceA bankrupt heart, Vol. 1 (of 3)In a London mansion, the elegant and devoted housekeeper Miss Llewellyn receives a mysterious letter from her absent employer, Lord Ilfracombe, hinting at secrets and unexpected ne…
Level B2RomanceA Young Man in a Hurry, and Other Short StoriesRushing against time through a snowy city, a young man mistakenly takes a stranger's cab, igniting a tense collision of wills as both desperately try to catch a crucial train—each…
Level C1RomanceA Young Girl's WooingA young girl, long regarded as an invalid and orphaned, navigates the complexities of family and society while a charming, lively brother of her sister’s husband brings unexpected…
RomanceA Woman's Love LettersDiscover a collection of heartfelt love letters that capture the tender emotions, hopes, and yearnings of a woman's heart, revealing the intimate journey of romance and passion.
Level C1RomanceA Woman's LoveTwo young American cousins return to their English ancestral home, sparking curiosity and prejudice among high society.
Level B2RomanceA Woman Named SmithInheriting a grand Southern estate with the condition to live in it, a woman named Smith faces the scorn of a conservative community and the legacy of a cantankerous great-aunt who…
Level C1RomanceA Woman MartyrA graceful young woman, torn between duty and desire, faces a sudden, unexpected reunion with the man who has long captivated her heart.
Level B2RomanceA Woman IntervenesA determined young woman arrives at a bustling New York newspaper office, tasked with uncovering secrets hidden in complex, guarded reports that have already slipped through others…![Cover of A Witch of the Hills, v. 2 [of 2] by Florence Warden](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da8as9sv7nos73d6pt10.webp)
Level C1RomanceA Witch of the Hills, v. 2 [of 2]A man struggles with rekindled passions and awkward courtship as he tries to win the love of a woman who has grown into maturity, navigating misunderstandings and societal expectat…![Cover of A Witch of the Hills, v. 1 [of 2] by Florence Warden](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daevdj8e1ofc73dh9np0.webp)
Level C1RomanceA Witch of the Hills, v. 1 [of 2]An aristocrat’s sudden fortune thrusts him into a world of shallow society and fleeting pleasures, but the haunting Deeside hills and memories of past loves beckon him to confront…
Level C1RomanceA Wife's Duty: A TaleTorn between duty and desire, a young bride navigates the complexities of love, loyalty, and societal expectations as her heart clings to a past affection while forging a new life…
Level C1RomanceA Whirl AsunderAn Englishman arrives in rugged California, weary from travel and wary of marriage, only to encounter the fierce independence of a wealthy heiress known for her pride and passion.
Level C1RomanceA Ward of the Golden GateIn a rain-soaked San Francisco, a determined woman seeks powerful allies to become guardians of her hidden daughter, setting the stage for a tale of secrets, society, and unexpecte…
Level C1RomanceA War-Time Wooing: A StoryAmid the turmoil of war, a young woman mourning her brother’s death finds unexpected connection and hope through a heartfelt correspondence with a gallant officer she has never met…
Level B2RomanceA Voice in the WildernessStranded alone on a desolate Western plain after a train abruptly leaves her behind, a young woman must summon courage and resourcefulness to navigate the wild night and uncertain…
Level C1RomanceA Virginia Cousin, & Bar Harbor TalesA wealthy New York gentleman, weary of idle society and public scorn, resolves to find purpose and love by proposing to a sensible, admired woman—setting the stage for a journey of…
Level B2RomanceA Village StradivariusA blind violinist pours his soul into his treasured Stradivarius, weaving haunting melodies that reveal hidden beauty and pain, while a spirited boy brings color and life to their…
Level B2MysteryA Vendetta of the HillsIn a sunlit California valley, a determined architect turned Westerner returns to a rugged frontier town, where legends of hidden gold, old rivalries, and mysterious figures like t…
Level B2MysteryA Traitor's WooingAt a glittering London ball, a mysterious Maharajah woos a charming Englishwoman under watchful eyes, setting the stage for a tangled web of intrigue and hidden motives where nothi…
Level C1RomanceA Top-Floor IdylA wistful painter reflects on memories and missed chances over a modest birthday dinner, keeping hope alive through an old piano tuned for a mysterious woman yet to arrive.
Level C1RomanceA Texas MatchmakerIn the rugged Texas frontier, Lance Lovelace, a seasoned pioneer marked by loss and resilience, presides over his remote ranch while matchmaking schemes stir beneath the vast sky.
Level C1RomanceA Terrible Temptation: A Story of To-DayIn a grand London home, a determined gentleman plots to reclaim his lost inheritance from a dissolute rival, while a gentle beauty navigates the tangled emotions and dangers of lov…
Level B2RomanceA Terrible Secret: A NovelIn the grand halls of Catheron Royals, a passionate Spanish heiress awaits her wedding day, torn by fiery emotions and a looming, terrible secret that threatens to unravel love and…
Level B2RomanceA Tame Surrender, A Story of The Chicago StrikeAmidst the backdrop of the Chicago strike, a spirited young woman with charm and complexity finds herself drawn to a reserved, enigmatic man whose mysterious past deepens their unl…
Level C1RomanceA Tale of Two Tunnels: A Romance of the Western WatersWhen Captain Jackman’s gold is stolen under mysterious circumstances, suspicion falls on a cunning sailor, while Ada Conway, a thoughtful young woman by the sea, awaits the unfoldi…
Level C1RomanceA Splendid HazardOn a rain-soaked day in Paris, two strangers collide beneath umbrellas near Napoleon’s tomb, sparking memories and mysteries.
Level C1RomanceA Song of a Single Note: A Love StoryAmid the turmoil of a war-torn New York under occupation, an old elder receives troubling news that stirs questions of loyalty, faith, and survival.
Level C1RomanceA Son of the ImmortalsIn early 20th-century Paris, artist Joan Vernon balances her passion for painting with encounters that hint at romance and rivalry, all set against the vibrant backdrop of the Lati…
Level C1FantasyA Son of Perdition: An Occult RomanceAn artist struggling to capture the enchanting Cornish landscape finds his vision intertwined with the ethereal presence of a mysterious girl who speaks of unseen nature spirits, d…
Level B2MysteryA Son of Ishmael: A NovelIn a remote old house shadowed by mystery, Nancy Follett lives a secluded life under her father's strict watch, until the enigmatic Adrian Rowton breaks through their isolation.
Level C1RomanceA Son of Hagar: A Romance of Our TimeA man of strong passions struggles between good and evil, facing temptation and societal judgment in the rugged mountains of Cumberland and the harsh streets of London.
Level B2RomanceA Soldier of the LegionAt a grand ball in Fort Ellsworth, a captivating actress’s dazzling entrance sets the stage for romance and intrigue, as a charismatic cavalry officer waits eagerly, caught between…
Level C1RomanceA Singular LifeIn a lively theological seminary, seven students grapple with faith, science, and the mysteries of heredity, revealing clashes between belief and emerging ideas.
Level B2RomanceA Singer from the SeaIn a rugged Cornish fishing village, a protective father fears for his daughter Denas when she wanders beyond their hidden shores, drawn to a mysterious young man whose intentions…
Level C1RomanceA SimpletonA restless young beauty waits anxiously in a picturesque English villa, her restless mind hinting at deeper intrigues beyond her delicate embroidery.