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.
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Level C1RomanceThe Wild Huntress: Love in the WildernessIn the heart of a vast Tennessean forest, a solitary squatter carves out a rugged life surrounded by nature’s wild beauty and lurking dangers.![Cover of The Widow [To Say Nothing of the Man] by Helen Rowland](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daes33oe1ofc73dh8krg.webp)
Level B2RomanceThe Widow [To Say Nothing of the Man]A witty debate unfolds between a bachelor and a widow as they compare women to automobiles, exploring the complexities of marriage and the elusive ideal wife.
Level C1RomanceThe White ShieldA struggling artist hosts his first exhibition, haunted by the elusive quality his paintings lack, until a mysterious woman’s candid insight challenges him to uncover the true esse…
Level B2RomanceThe White Rose of MemphisA daring captain and his partner launch the elegant steamboat "White Rose of Memphis," planning a grand masquerade ball to celebrate its maiden voyage from Memphis to New Orleans,…
Level C1RomanceThe White Plumes of Navarre: A Romance of the Wars of ReligionAmid the tense eve of Saint Bartholomew in 1572 Paris, Huguenot nobles face a deadly betrayal as political intrigue and religious war collide.
Level C1RomanceThe White Ladies of Worcester: A Romance of the Twelfth CenturyBeneath the serene cloisters of the White Ladies of Worcester lies a haunting subterranean passage where nuns walk in silent procession, haunted by the tragic fate of Sister Agatha…
Level C1RomanceThe White HorsesAmid the turmoil of civil war, young Christopher Metcalf faces the fierce challenge of love and loyalty, caught between his heart's desire and the call to ride for the king in a la…
Level C1RomanceThe White Hand and the Black: A Story of the Natal RisingOn a stormy mountain top, two men—one white, one dark—engage in a silent, deadly struggle where survival means outwitting a hidden peril beneath the grass.
Level C1RomanceThe White GauntletIn a sunlit forest clearing, Marion Wade, a radiant high-born woman with her hawk and hound, awaits a mysterious horseman whose arrival stirs anticipation and tension beneath the a…
Level B2RomanceThe Whip Hand: A Tale of the Pine CountryAmid a fierce storm on Lake Michigan, a determined young leader rallies a brave crew to launch a daring rescue from the treacherous surf.
Level C1RomanceThe Wheat PrincessIn a picturesque but impoverished Italian village crowned by ancient ruins, a noble family's haunting past and fading glory set the stage for a stirring tale of love, legacy, and t…
Level C1RomanceThe Wharf by the Docks: A NovelIn the tranquil English countryside, a retired London merchant grapples with family tensions and forbidden romances, while mysterious troubles loom over his daughter’s broken engag…
Level B2RomanceThe Wellfields: A novel. Vol. 2 of 3In a grand Abbey, Nita Bolton navigates family expectations and social intrigues, while Jerome finds himself drawn into their world of delicate secrets and cautious alliances.
Level C1RomanceThe Weird of the Wentworths: A Tale of George IV's Time, Vol. 2A condemned man faces a desperate choice: escape his prison and lose his beloved Ellen forever, or embrace certain death to see her once more.
Level C1RomanceThe Weird Sisters: A Romance. Volume 3 (of 3)Haunted by mysterious visions and battling his own troubled mind, Henry grapples with isolation, secrets, and the possibility of a second marriage, all while seeking solace in the…
Level C1RomanceThe Weird Sisters: A Romance. Volume 2 (of 3)Haunted by guilt and loss, a man wrestles with his past as he faces the impending fate of Sir Alexander and the uncertain future of a young heiress thrown from her ancestral home.
Level C1RomanceThe Weird Sisters: A Romance. Volume 1 (of 3)In the quiet city of Daneford, Wat Grey, a wealthy and influential banker mourning his late wife, navigates society’s expectations and the subtle intrigues of power, all while harb…
Level B2RomanceThe Weight of the CrownDismissed under scandalous accusations while struggling to support her delicate sister, Jessie Harcourt faces a desperate fight to reclaim her dignity and uncover the truth behind…
Level C1RomanceThe Web of the Golden SpiderA theological student, suddenly penniless and adrift in Boston, wanders the rain-soaked streets searching for hope and connection.
Level B2MysteryThe Weapons of MysteryA young bachelor and newly wealthy writer receives an unexpected invitation to spend Christmas at a remote Yorkshire estate, promising skating, hunting, and festive camaraderie—but…
Level C1RomanceThe Way of a ManA strong, confident man recalls the charged moment he kissed the proud and high-bred Grace Sheraton, his neighbor with a guarded heart and a complicated past between their families…
Level C1RomanceThe Wanderer; or, Female Difficulties (Volume 4 of 5)Caught between suspicion and desperation, a young woman named Juliet must navigate the harsh judgments of a protective noblewoman while confronting threats that could expose her my…
Level C1RomanceThe Voyage of the AuroraIn a quiet coastal village where smuggling thrives, Lucy Walford, a spirited young woman with golden curls and a sharp temper, navigates the challenges of love and family legacy am…
Level C1RomanceThe Voyage OutA woman burdened by sorrow walks the bustling streets of London, her grief hidden behind a stoic facade as she confronts the indifferent city around her.
Level C1MysteryThe Voice in the FogAmidst a thick, impenetrable London fog on a chaotic Walpurgis night, a mysterious voice cuts through the haze as Kitty Killigrew navigates a city teetering on the edge of unrest a…
Level B2RomanceThe Vision of DesireA man receives a heartbreaking letter ending their romance, yet he refuses to let go of the passionate night they shared.
Level C1RomanceThe Viper of Milan: A Romance of LombardyIn the turbulent dawn of Renaissance Italy, power and passion collide as Visconti, the ruthless "Viper of Milan," weaves a deadly web of treachery and ambition.
Level B2RomanceThe Victim: A Romance of the Real Jefferson DavisAmid the turmoil of the South, a young boy named Jeff Davis faces a painful separation from his family as he is sent away for education, while the shadow of war and leadership loom…
Level B2RomanceThe Vicissitudes of EvangelineA young woman, disinherited and determined to live by her charm alone, faces uncertain prospects after the death of her harsh guardian.
Level B2Science FictionThe Very BlackA jet test pilot faces the daunting challenge of flying a cutting-edge, pilot-controlled saucer after a string of deadly crashes, while his psychic girlfriend pleads with him to re…
Level C1RomanceThe Vermilion Pencil: A Romance of ChinaAmid the ancient monasteries and misty mountains of China, two men ascend the White Cloud Hills, their silent journey shadowed by an ominous calm over the lush river valley and vib…
Level C1RomanceThe Vehement FlameA nineteen-year-old newlywed brims with ecstatic joy and passion as he revels in the first hour of marriage, facing doubt and defiance from the past while embracing a love that fee…
Level C1RomanceThe Van RoonIn a dingy London antique shop, a shrewd old dealer navigates the challenges of a missing assistant, a quarrelsome charwoman, and a mysterious shipment from the countryside—where h…
Level C1RomanceThe Valley of Vision : A Book of Romance and Some Half-Told TalesIn a dreamlike ancient city, two powerful figures embody a profound dispute at the heart of life, setting the stage for a collection of romantic tales and fables that explore visio…
Level C1RomanceThe Vale of Cedars; Or, The MartyrAmid delicate health and early struggles, a young woman’s keen intellect and deep faith shape a life devoted to learning, compassion, and the pursuit of truth.
Level C1RomanceThe Uttermost FarthingAn American diplomat and a married Englishwoman risk everything for a fleeting escape to Paris, seeking forbidden happiness amid the city's timeless romance and hidden dangers.
Level B2RomanceThe Upas Tree: A Christmas Story for all the YearA husband wrestles with a life-changing decision to journey to Central Africa, while his wife, embodying calm understanding, prepares to share her own urgent news—setting the stage…
Level C1RomanceThe Up GradeA down-and-out man in Phoenix is offered a desperate chance for work at a remote mining company, setting off on a grueling journey through the desert.
Level B2RomanceThe Unseen Bridegroom; Or, Wedded For a WeekIn a stormy New York night, the rebellious Carl Walraven returns home after twenty years, seeking redemption and a fresh start amidst the grandeur—and hidden tensions—of his mother…
Level C1RomanceThe Unknown Quantity: A Book of Romance and Some Half-Told TalesJourney through a series of intertwined tales where love, mystery, and the unpredictable forces of life flow like a chain of hidden lakes, revealing the unknown threads that connec…
Level C1RomanceThe U. P. TrailA rugged caravan carrying a hidden fortune treks the perilous Wyoming hills, shadowed by Sioux scouts and the wild, untamed landscape.
Level C1RomanceThe Two VanrevelsIn a sunlit town where old rivalries and guarded hearts reign, a convent-raised beauty returns, sparking a charged encounter that promises romance and conflict.
Level C1RomanceThe Two DestiniesAt a small, intimate dinner in London, newlyweds George and his charming wife welcome guests whose absent spouses spark curiosity and suspicion.
Level C1RomanceThe Two CaptainsUnder a warm Malaga evening, two young captains—one German, one Spanish—forge a bond amid war preparations and personal turmoil, as one pursues a delicate love threatened by jealou…
Level C1RomanceThe Twelfth HourIn a lavish London home, Felicity navigates the complexities of love, society, and family intrigue while preparing for a dazzling party orchestrated by her enigmatic father.
Level C1RomanceThe Turquoise Cup, and, the DesertAn English earl seeks the elusive turquoise cup from St.
Level B2RomanceThe Turning of Griggsby: Being a Story of Keeping up with Dan'l WebsterIn a town gripped by the fervor of Daniel Webster's legacy, a young man named Uriel Havelock navigates rivalry, character, and ambition amid the echoes of grand speeches and local…
Level C1RomanceThe Trysting Place: A Farce in One ActIn a secluded hotel lounge, a young man hopelessly in love confesses his unusual attraction to a worldly woman twice his age, sparking a charmingly awkward dance of youthful passio…