Romance
Read Romance Classics in English
1,391 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 The Bronze Bell, The Broken Cup and The Broad Highway. 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.
- 1,391
- books
Level C1RomanceRezanovIn 1806 California, a Russian diplomat arrives to secure aid for a struggling outpost, only to find unexpected passion with the daughter of a Spanish commandante.
Level B2RomanceRevelations of a Wife: The Story of a HoneymoonA newlywed woman confronts the realities of marriage, reflecting on her doubts, past pain, and the promise to record their journey.
Level C1RomanceReturned EmptyA solitary man haunted by a mysterious label left with him as a baby wanders a cliffside path, yearning for a home he cannot find.
Level C1RomanceReliques of Ancient English Poetry, Volume 3 (of 3): Consisting of Old Heroic Ballads, Songs and Other Pieces of Our Earlier Poets Together With Some Few of Later DateDive into a rich collection of ancient English ballads and romantic tales, exploring legendary tests of fidelity like enchanted mantles and magical horns that reveal truth and hono…
Level C1RomanceReliques of Ancient English Poetry, Volume 2 (of 3): Consisting of Old Heroic Ballads, Songs and Other Pieces of Our Earlier Poets Together With Some Few of Later DateDive into a collection of ancient English ballads and songs that reveal the fiery spirit and satire of medieval times, capturing battles, betrayals, and the age-old struggle for po…
Level C1RomanceReliques of Ancient English Poetry, Volume 1 (of 3): Consisting of Old Heroic Ballads, Songs and Other Pieces of Our Earlier Poets Together With Some Few of Later DateDive into a rich collection of old heroic ballads, songs, and metrical romances that reveal the voices and stories of England’s earliest poets and minstrels.
Level B2FantasyRedcoat Captain: A Story of That CountryIn a whimsical army where elephants guard the fort and promotions depend on passing ABCs, a young Redcoat Captain named Tiny dreams of marrying Mabel and securing a cozy home amid…
Level C1RomanceRed as a Rose is She: A NovelIn a vividly drawn Welsh valley, complex characters navigate love, loyalty, and folly against a backdrop rich with local color and sharp observations.
Level C1RomanceRed Spider, Volume 2 (of 2)Amidst mysterious attacks on local sheep, a determined young heir takes nightly watch, finding unexpected companionship with the serious and noble Honor.
Level C1RomanceRed RowansIn a remote Highland glen, young Jeanie Duncan wrestles with her beauty and dreams of love, while artist Paul Macleod captures her elusive charm on canvas—but will their bond survi…
Level B2RomanceRed HairA young woman, unexpectedly disinherited and branded an adventuress, faces a pivotal meeting with the man destined to inherit her home—and possibly her future.
Level C1RomanceRecollections of a chaperonA widowed mother reflects on guiding her seven daughters through the complexities of love and society, balancing caution with hope in a world where marriage is both a gamble and an…
Level C1RomanceRay's Daughter: A Story of ManilaAs war with Spain erupts in 1898, a group of young recruits embark on a grueling westward train journey through harsh landscapes, facing hardship and uncertainty as they head towar…
Level C1RomanceRaphael; Or, Pages of the Book of Life at TwentyIn the autumnal hills of Savoy, two soul-sick lovers find a profound, unspoken bond amid illness and isolation, their pure and intense romance unfolding like a delicate, spiritual…
Level C1RomanceRanson's FollyAt a remote military post, Mary Cahill, the sharp-witted daughter of the post-trader, navigates the strict social lines between officers and enlisted men—until the arrival of Lieut…
Level C1RomanceRank and Talent; A Novel, Vol. 3 (of 3)Caught between the crafty, self-serving Henry Augustus Tippetson and the thoughtful Markham, Clara Rivolta faces a delicate struggle of heart and judgment amid society's intrigues.
Level C1RomanceRandvar the songsmithIn a hidden Norse settlement untouched by the Norman Conquest, a rebellious jarl’s son breaks away on a solitary hunt, igniting tensions and revealing fierce loyalties amid the pri…
Level B2MysteryRancho Del Muerto, and Other Stories of Adventure: by Various Authors, from "Outing"A paymaster and his cautious clerk arrive at a sinister Arizona ranch haunted by past murder and shadowed by a ruthless proprietor.
Level B2RomanceRanching for SylviaA widow returns from Canada to England, summoning her steadfast cousin George to settle her late husband's affairs.
Level C1MysteryRamshackle HouseOn a crumbling Chesapeake estate, spirited Pen Broome battles neglect and decay while managing her father's failing homestead, confronting simmering tensions and the relentless dem…
Level B2RomanceRamonaAmid the sun-drenched ranches of Southern California, a strong-willed senora quietly commands her family's legacy, balancing tradition and change during the tense sheep-shearing se…
Level C1RomanceRalph Wilton's weirdIn the faded grandeur of a Mayfair mansion, a weary nobleman summons his distant cousin, a battle-hardened colonel, to confront family grudges and the uncertain legacy tied to a no…
Level C1RomanceRachel RayA widow clings to her daughter for support, shaping their lives amid loss and duty in a small English town.
Level C1RomanceQuintus Claudius: A Romance of Imperial Rome. Volume 1Aboard a trireme near the shores of ancient Campania, a stout man named Herodianus peers toward the distant island of Capreae, setting the stage for a vivid journey through the sti…
Level B2RomanceQuincy Adams Sawyer and Mason's Corner Folks: A Picture of New England Home LifeIn a snowy New England village, the Eastborough Singing Society prepares for its annual concert amid youthful hopes and whispered romances.
Level C1RomanceQuicksandsIn a sultry English countryside, a young woman navigates family tensions and social snubs while uncovering secrets that threaten to upend her carefully guarded world.
Level C1RomanceQuick ActionIn a city veiled by mystery, a luminous crystal sphere reveals secrets only the enigmatic Countess Athalie can command, blending romance with the occult art of crystal gazing and t…
Level B2RomanceQueenie's whim, Volume 2 (of 3)When Queenie is appointed mistress of the Hepshaw girls' school, she faces the challenge of earning her place and salary with pride and independence, navigating new duties and unex…
Level C1RomanceQuality Street: A ComedyIn a quaint town during the Napoleonic wars, the refined ladies of Quality Street navigate love, society, and the sting of being labeled old maids, while a mysterious recruiting se…
Level C1RomanceQuaint CourtshipsIn a society where courtship follows simple, familiar patterns, a few lovers navigate the quirky twists and turns of romance, revealing the charm and eccentricity beneath their pur…
Level B2RomancePurple SpringsOn a cold day before a long-anticipated March 1st, Pearl Watson faces a momentous decision that has shaped her hopes and dreams for three years.
Level C1RomancePrue and IAn old book-keeper finds his greatest joy not in distant travels but in the simple, everyday romance of life with Prue and their children.
Level C1RomanceProper prideIn sunlit Malta, two British officers discuss the captivating Miss Saville, an orphaned heiress bound by guardianship and a looming marriage to a distant soldier.
Level B2RomancePrize of the airA daring pilot with a revoked license agrees to fly a banker and his spirited daughter across the country, navigating risky skies and unexpected tensions.
Level C1RomancePrisoners: Fast Bound In Misery And IronIn a sunlit Italian villa, a young English duchess navigates the complexities of an arranged marriage to a distinguished yet aging duke, caught between duty, desire, and the yearni…
Level C1RomancePriscilla of the Good Intent: A Romance of the Grey FellsIn a village where work and play intertwine, the blacksmith David Blake finds his steady rhythm disrupted by the spirited Priscilla and the enigmatic Billy the Fool, whose carefree…
Level B2RomancePrincess ZaraA young princess arrives in New York, cloaked in mystery and commanding respect with her regal presence and retinue.
Level C1RomancePrincess PuckA spirited young woman, Wilhelmina, known as Bill, is sent to the countryside to "grow up," sparking doubts and hopes among her family.
Level C1RomancePrincess MaritzaOn a radiant morning, a determined man burdened by a shadowed past meets a fiery, free-spirited young woman who yearns to break society’s bounds—sparking a clash of ambition, freed…
Level B2RomancePrincess Kiku: A Japanese Romance. A Play for GirlsIn a delicate Japanese garden, Princess Kiku faces mysterious curses and misunderstandings fueled by a cunning rival’s dark magic.
Level B2RomancePrince or Chauffeur? A Story of NewportA naval lieutenant's chance encounter on a midnight train sparks intrigue as he crosses paths with a spirited young woman and her mother, setting the stage for a tale of mistaken i…
Level C1RomancePrince Zilah — CompleteIn a world where passion and power collide, a noble prince navigates the complexities of love and duty.
Level C1RomancePrince Rupert, the BuccaneerAmidst the Caribbean's ruthless buccaneers, Prince Rupert confronts the brutal fate of his loyal soldiers, now sold as mere cargo in a harsh new world where honor and survival coll…
Level C1RomancePrince Otto, a RomanceIn the fading principality of Grünewald, Prince Otto embarks on a daring adventure amid rugged landscapes and political intrigue.
Level C1RomancePrince CharlieIn the quiet seaside town of Wivernsea, a solitary writer seeks refuge and inspiration by the shore, where the arrival of a mysterious young woman promises to stir his carefully gu…
Level B2RomancePretty Madcap Dorothy; Or, How She Won a LoverIn a bustling book-bindery, young Dorothy Glenn dares to believe fate will bring her true love despite the hardships of working life.
Level B2RomancePretty Geraldine, the New York Salesgirl; or, Wedded to Her ChoiceIn the bustling heart of New York, a stunning salesgirl with starry eyes and a proud spirit stands at the crossroads of fate, where love and choice intertwine in a world of ambitio…
Level B2Science FictionPreferred RiskIn a world where a powerful Company controls every risk and weapon, an Adjuster arrives in Naples amid sudden, tense security measures and an urgent manhunt.