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
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Level C2RomanceThe Trumpeter of Säkkingen: A Song from the Upper Rhine.A wandering German minstrel finds inspiration and adventure across Italy, weaving a heartfelt song of love and home that echoes through the Black Forest and beyond.
Level C1RomanceThe Trumpet-MajorAmid the looming threat of Napoleon’s invasion, two brothers—soldier and seafarer—navigate love and loyalty in a coastal English village where romance and war intertwine against th…
Level C1RomanceThe Triumph of JillAs her ailing father’s final days slip away, Jill faces a lonely future armed only with her art and determination.
Level B2RomanceThe TriflersA decade of effortless pleasure and endless travel begins to lose its charm for Monte Covington, a wealthy bachelor whose restless heart seeks more than luxury and fleeting amuseme…
Level C1RomanceThe TrespasserIn a modest South London room, two women entwined in music reveal unspoken tensions, while a mysterious visitor watches, drawn into their complex and tender world.
Level C1RomanceThe Treasure of Pearls: A Romance of Adventures in CaliforniaIn the untamed wilderness of Sonora, a group of armed men navigates dense, vibrant landscapes teeming with danger and wonder.
Level B2RomanceThe Treasure of Hidden ValleyA young man returns home from New York, burdened by financial setbacks yet hopeful for a fresh start amid rugged hills and old friendships.
Level C1RomanceThe Treasure of Heaven: A Romance of RichesAmidst the restless bustle and shimmering lights of London’s high society, a night charged with tension and expectation sets the stage for a tale weaving romance and the pursuit of…
Level C1RomanceThe Transgression of Andrew Vane: A NovelA promising writer's effortless confidence and societal charm mask a deeper struggle with creative failure and disillusionment, as his wife confronts the unraveling of their seemin…
Level C1RomanceThe Transfiguration of Miss PhiluraA timid woman burdened by years of resignation embarks on a transformative journey into the world of metaphysical philosophy and progressive thought, awakening new hope and purpose…
Level C1RomanceThe Trampling of the LiliesOn the cusp of the French Revolution, a humble secretary finds his heart stirred by the noble daughter he serves, as new ideas of equality and love challenge the old order in a wor…
Level C1RomanceThe Trail to YesterdayLost and alone on a desolate, uncharted trail, Sheila Langford faces the harsh wilderness and an approaching storm, testing her courage and resolve in a land far harsher than she e…
Level C1RomanceThe Trail of the Sword, CompleteAmid the fierce struggles of old Quebec, a British soldier and his beloved navigate war, honor, and rivalry between French and English spirits.
Level B2RomanceThe Trail of the Lonesome PineIn the misty Appalachian hills, a curious girl spies a mysterious stranger navigating the rugged trail, sparking a captivating tale of discovery, danger, and the pull of a world be…
Level C1RomanceThe Tragic Comedians: A Study in a Well-known Story — CompleteIn a world where passion and power collide, a charismatic leader's tragic downfall unfolds through a fierce love entanglement with a captivating coquette.
Level B2RomanceThe Tracy diamondsIn the sweltering heat of midsummer at the Prospect House, a young man recovering his health seeks solace in a quiet New England town, where family history and unexpected connectio…
Level C1MysteryThe Tracer of Lost PersonsA disillusioned man with wealth but no purpose faces a challenge to seek his elusive ideal love amid the gilded facades of high society, sparking a journey into mystery and self-di…
Level C1RomanceThe Tory MaidYoung James Frisby rides from his Maryland home to join the Revolutionary War, carrying memories of a fair Tory maid and the fierce loyalty that will test friendships and hearts du…
Level C1RomanceThe Torrents of SpringHaunted by a suffocating weariness and the looming dread of death, Dimitri Pavlovitch Sanin reflects on his past as he embarks on a journey through memory and love, caught between…
Level B2RomanceThe Top of the WorldSylvia, a proud and independent woman, clings to a long-distance engagement with Guy Ranger despite five years apart, facing the challenge of love tested by time and absence amidst…
Level C1FantasyThe Tinted Venus: A Farcical RomanceIn a quirky London neighborhood, hairdresser Leander Tweddle concocts mysterious rejuvenators while navigating lively social plans with his friend James and the enchanting Parkinso…
Level C1RomanceThe Tinder-BoxA young architect fresh from Paris faces a powerful call to join a transformative movement shaping the destinies of women beyond suffrage and politics.
Level B2RomanceThe Time of RosesTwo young women return to a tiny country cottage, bringing laughter, memories, and the promise of change to the quiet life of a widowed mother.
Level C1RomanceThe Tides of BarnegatOn a radiant spring morning by the sea, a compassionate nurse and a charming doctor cross paths amidst the tranquil beauty of Barnegat Light.
Level B2RomanceThe Thunder BirdJohnny Jewel, a daring pilot, faces the harsh realities of love, debt, and ambition after winning the heart of Mary V Selmer and owning his own airplane.
Level B2RomanceThe Three SapphiresIn the moonlit splendor of Darpore, an English lord and a secret service captain navigate the intrigues of an Indian prince torn between tradition and modernity, amid a backdrop of…
Level C1FantasyThe Three Perils of Man; or, War, Women, and Witchcraft, Vol. 2 (of 3)A mysterious, desolate castle looms as a group approaches, where eerie silence and supernatural guardians hint at dark enchantments and hidden perils.
Level C1RomanceThe Three Perils of Man; or, War, Women, and Witchcraft, Vol. 1 (of 3)In a Scotland torn by war and rivalry, noble suitors vie for the hand of Princess Margaret amid the backdrop of border skirmishes and chivalrous feats.
Level C1RomanceThe Three Days' Tournament: A Study in Romance and Folk-Lore: Being an Appendix to the Author's 'Legend of Sir Lancelot'Delve into a rich exploration of Arthurian romance, where ancient Celtic lore and political history intertwine to reveal the origins and evolution of legendary tales surrounding Si…
Level C1RomanceThe Third VioletAn artist escapes the city for a mountain inn, where chance encounters with a mysterious woman and her children spark a journey filled with quiet longing and the promise of unexpec…
Level B2RomanceThe TexicanIn the rugged borderlands of Verde Crossing, a mysterious Texan cowboy arrives at a remote roadhouse, stirring quiet tensions and sparking a complicated bond with a proud Mexican g…
Level C1RomanceThe Testing of Diana MalloryOn a crisp Christmas morning, Diana Mallory returns to the timeless English countryside, seeking solace and a sense of belonging after a restless foreign life.
Level C1MysteryThe Terriford mysteryIn a tranquil English village, the arrival of the celebrated Australian cricket team brings excitement and camaraderie—but beneath the cheerful surface lies a mysterious and terrib…
Level C1MysteryThe Tenants of Malory, Volume 3In the shadowy streets where old fortunes fade, a chance encounter sparks a tense game of cat and mouse involving secret notes, mysterious watchers, and a daring young man drawn in…
Level C1MysteryThe Tenants of Malory, Volume 1In the quiet Welsh town of Cardyllian, the long-abandoned Malory estate finally has tenants, yet their mysterious reserve and the estate’s eerie decay spark curiosity and unease am…
Level C1RomanceThe Tallants of Barton, vol. 3 (of 3)Amidst high society and grand celebrations, a dazzling wedding unites Amy Tallant with the noble Earl of Verner, setting the stage for a tale of fortune, love, and the intricate da…
Level C1RomanceThe Talk of the Town, Volume 1 (of 2)An elderly woman bridges centuries, sharing vivid tales from a bygone era filled with historical events, social customs, and unforgettable characters.
Level C1RomanceThe Tales of the Heptameron, Vol. 5 (of 5)Dive into a vibrant collection of intertwined tales filled with intrigue, love, deception, and wit at the courts of Francis I and beyond, where nobles and commoners alike navigate…
Level C2RomanceThe Tales of the Heptameron, Vol. 4 (of 5)Intrigue and passion intertwine in a series of captivating tales where friars face justice, lovers test loyalty, and hidden secrets unravel amid the complexities of honor and desir…
Level C1RomanceThe Tales of the Heptameron, Vol. 3 (of 5)In a world where love defies social bounds, a gentleman and his beloved each choose the cloistered life to honor their forbidden bond, while tales of passion, betrayal, and virtue…
Level C1RomanceThe Tales of the Heptameron, Vol. 2 (of 5)Intrigue and irony unfold as Bornet schemes to seduce his maidservant with a friend’s help, only to unwittingly entangle himself in a web of deception involving his own wife.
Level C1RomanceThe Tales of the Heptameron, Vol. 1 (of 5)Dive into a richly illustrated collection of intertwined tales where love, wit, and intrigue unfold through the voices of noble narrators, revealing the complexities of romance and…
Level C1RomanceThe Tale of Chloe: An Episode in the History of Beau BeamishA charming dairymaid's life is upended when a flamboyant duke proposes an impulsive marriage, blending rustic innocence with aristocratic glamour.
Level C2RomanceThe Sylph, Volume I and IIA charming rogue’s reckless pursuit of elusive beauties leads to a fateful fall and an unexpected encounter with mysterious sylvan maidens, igniting an unconventional romance that…
Level B2RomanceThe Sword of GideonAs war erupts in 1702, loyal horsemen race through villages spreading the call to arms against the tyrannical King Louis, rallying England’s forces under the fierce leadership of t…
Level C1RomanceThe Sweet and Touching Tale of Fleur & Blanchefleur: A Mediæval Legend Translated from the FrenchAmidst a backdrop of war and captivity, two children—Fleur, the son of a heathen king, and Blanchefleur, a Christian captive—grow up inseparable, their deep bond challenged by roya…
Level B2FantasyThe Surprising Adventures of Sir Toady Lion with Those of General Napoleon Smith: An Improving History for Old Boys, Young Boys, Good Boys, Bad Boys, Big Boys, Little Boys, Cow Boys, and Tom-BoysFollow the mischievous childhood antics of the future General Napoleon Smith, his spirited sister Priscilla, and the unlikely Toady Lion as they navigate rivalry, pranks, and the e…
Level B2RomanceThe Sun of Saratoga: A Romance of Burgoyne's SurrenderAmid the tense watch of a critical Revolutionary War outpost, a young patriot guards a strategic hollow, confronting divided loyalties and the looming threat of British spies—while…