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 B2RomanceA Life For a Love: A NovelIn a lush rectory garden, two spirited sisters navigate family secrets and unexpected arrangements, while their father and brother grapple with an incomprehensible decision that wi…
Level C1RomanceA Laodicean : A Story of To-dayAmid the fading light of an ancient English village, a young architectural draughtsman becomes entwined in the shifting tides of tradition and modernity, where romance and social c…
Level C1RomanceA Lame Dog's DiaryIn a village abuzz with curiosity and whispered secrets, the arrival of a mysterious new house sparks intrigue among neighbors.
Level C1RomanceA Ladder of Swords: A Tale of Love, Laughter and TearsIn a perilous world of faith and war during Queen Elizabeth’s reign, a young Huguenot couple defies danger and separation, their love tested by exile, secret letters, and the deadl…
Level C1RomanceA Knight of the NetsIn a remote fishing village where the sea’s fury shapes every life, Christina Binnie stands apart—beautiful, independent, and unmarried against tradition.
Level C1RomanceA Japanese NightingaleBeneath a shimmering full moon, a mysterious and enchanting dance captivates guests on a Japanese island, blending beauty, sorrow, and storm into an unforgettable night.
Level C1RomanceA House Divided Against Itself; vol. 3 of 3Amidst graceful society and tender inquiries, a young soldier wrestles with painful memories and unspoken love for Constance, whose distant happiness haunts him.
Level C1RomanceA Heart-Song of To-day (Disturbed by Fire from the 'Unruly Member'): A NovelIn a world of charm and intrigue, a beautiful widow plots to ensnare a captivating captain torn between fleeting romances and a sincere offer of marriage, while a rival’s fiery pre…
Level B2RomanceA Hardy NorsemanA young Englishwoman, restless and unsatisfied with her sheltered life, embarks on a voyage to Norway seeking renewal amid the majestic fjords.
Level C1RomanceA Gray Eye or So. In Three Volumes—Volume IIIA man haunted by worldly doubts seeks a secret marriage to bind him and his beloved beyond any power that might separate them, challenging the true meaning of love and trust in a s…
Level C1RomanceA Gray Eye or So. In Three Volumes—Volume IIAt Castle Innisfail, sharp wit and hidden passions collide as Lord Fotheringay debates Irish history with an austere historian, while secrets and confessions stir between Edmund Ai…
Level C1RomanceA Golden Book of VeniceIn 16th-century Venice, beneath sunlit skies and amidst grand churches, a vibrant city of art, power, and mystery awakens, where noble families, artists, and clergy gather in a wor…
Level B2RomanceA Girl of VirginiaOn a crisp Virginia morning, a spirited young woman and a visiting student share a fleeting moment beneath the university’s historic Rotunda, where pride, place, and unspoken secre…
Level C1RomanceA Galahad of the Creeks; The Widow LamportAn ambitious young Englishman takes up his post as assistant commissioner in remote Pazobin, Burma, where the mysterious creeks and local customs challenge his resolve and reveal a…
Level B2RomanceA Frog He Would A-Wooing GoA determined frog sets out on a whimsical wooing adventure, joined by a rat and a mouse, but their merry-making is soon interrupted by unexpected dangers in this lively animal fabl…
Level C1RomanceA Forest Hearth: A Romance of Indiana in the ThirtiesIn the untamed wilderness of 1830s Indiana, a fiercely just matriarch battles nature and family strife while her gentle daughter, Rita, navigates the harsh realities of pioneer lif…
Level C1RomanceA Fool for LoveIn a rain-soaked Kansas City station, two men embark on a grueling winter journey to the rugged mountains, where unexpected encounters with a striking, proud woman from distinguish…
Level C1RomanceA Fool and His MoneyA young man inherits a fortune and sets out to prove his uncle wrong about fools and money, navigating the trials of youth, ambition, and the literary world while discovering what…
Level C1RomanceA Fair BarbarianWhen the stylish and spirited Octavia Bassett arrives from America, the quiet English town of Slowbridge braces for a whirlwind of change, scandal, and unexpected romance that thre…
Level B2RomanceA Duet, with an Occasional ChorusTwo lovers navigate the delicate negotiations and heartfelt letters leading up to their wedding, revealing the tender complexities and joyful anticipation of uniting two lives amid…
Level C1FantasyA Draught of the Blue, together with An Essence of the DuskIn a land where death is but an illusion and the color blue holds mystical power, witness a tale woven with cosmic echoes and eternal consequences, where every action reverberates…
Level B2RomanceA Dozen Ways Of LoveA devoted maid arrives at an aging Scottish household shadowed by the decline of Mistress Macdonald, whose fading memory unravels the threads of family history.
Level C1FantasyA Digit of the Moon: A Hindoo Love StoryIn a world where divine myths intertwine with human love, a beautiful woman embodies a "digit of the moon," igniting a passionate tale set against the mystical churning of the ocea…
Level C1RomanceA Devotee: An Episode in the Life of a ButterflyIn a cathedral filled with soaring music and soaring emotions, Sibyl Carruthers, a delicate heiress, yearns desperately for love and connection beyond her fragile beauty.
Level C1RomanceA Desperate Game: A Comic Drama in One ActA mysterious visitor arrives uninvited at Mrs.
Level C1RomanceA Day's Ride: A Life's RomanceAn apothecary’s son yearns to escape the confines of his humble heritage and seek adventures beyond the shadows of his family’s long-standing trade, embarking on a journey filled w…
Level C1RomanceA Day of FateA driven city editor, overwhelmed by relentless ambition and exhaustion, confronts the toll his restless pursuit of success takes on his mind and soul.
Level C1RomanceA Daughter of the VineIn stormy 1860s San Francisco, two men navigate treacherous terrain and social intrigues en route to a dazzling Randolph party, where charm and mystery surround the enigmatic Nina…
Level C1RomanceA Daughter of Witches: A RomanceTemperance Tribbey’s quiet life of preserving fruit is interrupted when Sidney Martin, a visitor with a troubled past, arrives seeking lodging at the old Lansing house.
Level C1RomanceA Daughter of Raasay: A Tale of the '45In the glittering court of St.
Level C1RomanceA Daughter of FifeIn a remote Scottish fishing village shaped by the relentless sea, Maggie Promoter faces the heartbreak of losing her father and brothers to a storm that claimed their trusted boat…
Level B2RomanceA Dangerous Flirtation; Or, Did Ida May Sin?Three charming young women, known as "The Three Graces," enjoy a summer afternoon in Newport, where a handsome stranger’s arrival sparks intrigue and the possibility of love, secre…
Level B2RomanceA Damaged ReputationIn the wilds of British Columbia, rancher Brooke battles the harsh land and his sinking hopes, torn between a rough wilderness life and the alluring, untamed woman claiming him.
Level C1RomanceA Crowned Queen: The Romance of a Minister of StateA former king turned minister arrives at a grand castle, stirring curiosity and old loyalties among servants and nobles alike.
Level B2RomanceA Countess from Canada: A Story of Life in the BackwoodsIn a remote backwoods trading post, determined Katherine Radford balances teaching her brothers and running the family store amid harsh winters and a dwindling community, all while…
Level B2RomanceA Comedy of ElopementIn warm December Florida, a young woman wrestles with a secret promise to elope, torn between two passionate suitors and the weight of family expectations, while her curious younge…
Level B2RomanceA Colony of GirlsIn a quiet town, the Lawrence sisters navigate childhood joys and family loss while caring for a lively group of children whose adventures test their patience and reveal hidden bon…
Level C1RomanceA College GirlIn a lively household where three spirited sisters navigate the challenges of youth and family dynamics, fifteen-year-old Darsie shines with charm and confidence, capturing hearts…
Level B2RomanceA City Schoolgirl and Her FriendsA determined young woman faces harsh realities when she and her sister must leave their home and survive on a meager income.
Level C1RomanceA Charmed LifeCaught between love and duty, a young correspondent heads to war despite his beloved’s desperate pleas to stay safe, believing their love will shield him.
Level C1RomanceA Changed Heart: A NovelIn foggy Speckport, Miss Jeannette McGregor hosts a grand gathering that reveals the city's sharp social divides and vibrant characters.
Level B2RomanceA Cathedral CourtshipA spirited young woman embarks on a meticulously planned tour of English cathedral towns with her strict aunt, discovering charming local characters, unexpected delights, and the t…
Level A2RomanceA Castle in Spain: A NovelA diverse group of travelers embarks on a journey from bustling Madrid, where unexpected alliances and mysteries unfold amid soldiers, priests, and peasants.
Level B2RomanceA California GirlOn the eve of her wedding, Clara Lawton reflects on love, family, and the future that awaits her in a new home nestled among California’s fertile orchards.
Level B2RomanceA British Islander: From "Mackinac And Lake Stories", 1899On a vibrant autumn island, Juliana Gunning, a captivating and deaf young woman, navigates the affections of two very different suitors—a devoted army captain and a wealthy Eastern…
Level C1RomanceA Bride of the PlainsIn a vast, sun-drenched Hungarian plain, young men face the harsh reality of conscription, torn from their homes and loved ones for three years of military service.
Level C1MysteryA Bitter Heritage: A Modern Story of Love and AdventureA young lieutenant races against time and mysterious delays to reach his ailing father, carrying a cryptic letter that hints at dark secrets and looming danger.
Level C1RomanceA Bachelor's DreamA reserved bachelor doctor seeks solace and companionship in the lively household of the Leslie sisters, where unspoken feelings and quiet hopes stir beneath the surface of everyda…