16 Best Clean Contemporary Romance Novels To Start Reading Today!
Best clean romance novels
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Are you tired of starting a romance novel thinking it was Christian and clean to read but then it’s loaded with steamy scenes and explicit language?
Well, you’re not alone. When I made the switch from “mainstream” romance to clean contemporary romance novels, I was shocked about how hard it was to find any good stories.
I know as a reader of romance I wanted all the swoon-worthy moments without all the smut. These books are not just only more wholesome, but they have a wider appeal, making them perfect for readers of all ages.
If you’re someone who’s looking to indulge in a heartwarming love story without all the raunchy bits, then you’re in luck! In this blog post, I’ll be sharing some of the best clean romance novels that are sure to tug at your heartstrings.
From a sweet romantic comedy to emotionally charged dramas, I’ve got it all covered. So, grab your cozy blanket, and let’s dive in!
What is a clean romance novel?
Clean contemporary romance novels are love stories that don’t have explicit sexual content, graphic violence, and profanity. Unlike other sub-genres of romance, the focus is on building a strong emotional connection between the characters through conversations, gestures, and experiences.
These stories are perfect for readers who are looking for a more wholesome and heartwarming reading experience without compromising on romance. Clean romance doesn’t always mean that Christain messages will be included but this genre is usually safe for Christians to read!
These types of books are great for readers who value a more innocent and uplifting approach to love stories. They offer a refreshing break from mainstream novels and allow readers to fully immerse themselves in the emotional journey of the characters.
What authors write clean romance?
There are many talented authors who specialize in writing good clean romance books that are sure to leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Among them are:
- Karen Kingsbury
- Irene Hannon
- Becky Wade
- Janice Kay Johnson
- Denise Hunter
- Julianne Donaldson
This is obviously not a full list of clean romance authors but just some of my top favorites!
Is there a market for clean romance?
Have you ever wondered if there is a market for clean romance? If so, the answer is a HUGE yes! In recent years, clean romance has become very popular. More and more readers are looking for stories that focus on the emotional connection between the main characters, instead of all the added sexual content.
The increasing demand for clean romance is shown in the sales numbers, which have been rising steadily. So why is there a sudden interest in clean romance?
I think is a natural response to some of the more explicit content that is now being published. Readers want a more wholesome and sweet reading experience. While others just prefer stories that don’t rely on sexual content to be the main plot point.
Whatever the reason, the future of clean romance in the publishing market looks bright. As more readers enjoy this genre, we can expect to see even more best selling clean romance novels hitting the shelves in the future.
What is another word for clean romance?
You may have heard the term “clean romance” being used to describe a genre that focuses on love stories free from explicit content, but did you know that there are other terms used to describe this type of fiction?
Some alternative terms you might come across include:
- Sweet romance
- Wholesome romance
- Inspirational romance
While these terms are all used to describe a similar type of story, they each have slightly different connotations.
For example, a sweet romance might imply a focus on the emotional connection between the main characters, while a wholesome romance might suggest a story that is uplifting and positive.
These terms can also be used in marketing and promotion, with publishers and authors using them to reach readers who are looking for a certain type of romance. So, if you’re a fan of clean romance, keep an eye out for these alternative terms – they might just lead you to your next favorite read!
List of clean contemporary romance books
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
1 | Turning Home by Janice Kay Johnson
Contemporary Amish Romance
Luke Bowman, an Amish man returns to his Amish faith and is drawn to Julia Durant, a non-Amish woman recovering from a past assault. As their friendship grows stronger, they must decide whether their relationship can survive the divide between their faiths.
♡ Why read this contemporary romance? This is a great first book to start with if you are new to the Amish genre! I loved reading about Luke and Julia’s relationship, and their struggles with faith were very relatable.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
2 | Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade
Christian Contemporary Romance
Meg Cole inherits her father’s oil company and returns home to Texas to take over his empire. She meets Bo Porter, the manager of her father’s thoroughbred racehorse farm, and despite their differences, they develop a bond. However, their relationship is tested when a force from Meg’s past threatens to break them apart.
♡ Why read this contemporary romance? This is a sweet romance that has everything you could want in a book! A little bit of danger, slow burn romance, and lots of humor. Plus, you can currently find it on Kindle Unlimited!
For me, you’re perfect just the way you are, and nothing you do or don’t do is ever going to change that.
Undeniably Yours – Becky Wade
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
3 | A Distant Shore by Karen Kingsbury
Christian Contemporary Romance Suspense
Eliza and Jack meet as children when he saves her from drowning. Ten years later, they reunite and must work together on a dangerous mission while pretending to be in love.
♡ Why read this contemporary romance? This clean contemporary romance novel has the fake dating trope which I absolutely love reading! Plus the added suspense and character depth make this such a great book.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
4 | It had to Be You by Susan May Warren
Christian Contemporary Romance, Sports
Eden Christiansen struggles to balance her role as her younger brother’s cheerleader with her own career aspirations. When her brother’s reckless behavior leads to a career-threatening injury, Eden and changed bad-boy enforcer Jace Jacobsen are thrown together and question whether they belong on the same team.
♡ Why read this contemporary romance? I loved the story and the character growth of Eden and Jace. The hockey romance aspect made it just that more fun to read.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
5 | My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade
Christian Contemporary Romance
Kate Donovan is burned out on work and dating. She travels to Redbud, Pennsylvania with her grandmother to restore a house and meets Matt Jarreau, the man hired to renovate it.
Despite his wounded past, Kate is drawn to him and sets her heart on bringing him back into the light. As their interactions shift into something more, Kate wonders if God is finally answering the longing of her heart.
♡ Why read this contemporary romance? This is a mix of grumpy x sunshine trope with the best banter! You will be laughing and rooting for the characters the whole way through. I love how Becky writes stories that include genuine faith struggles.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
6 | The Breakup Project By Carolyn Miller
Christian Contemporary Romance, Sports
Bree Karlsson, the twin sister of a famous hockey player, makes a New Year’s resolution to not date any athletes. However, she begins to develop feelings for her brother’s best friend, Mike Vaughan, a hockey player. The novel follows their journey from friends to potentially something more, with plenty of heart, humor, and swoon-worthy moments.
♡ Why read this contemporary romance? I loved the character growth of Bree and how she learned to look to God in all things. The romance is so sweet and I loved the added twist of her falling for her brother’s best friend!
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
7 | Reason and Romance by Debra White Smith
Christian Contemporary Romance, Retelling
Two sisters, Elaina and Anna, find themselves in whirlwind romances. However, when they are confronted with heartbreaking revelations, they must hold out for happily-ever-after. The story explores the joys and follies of infatuation and how faith in God reveals true love.
♡ Why read this contemporary romance? If you love contemporary retellings of Jane Austen, then this book is for you! This is based on Sense and Sensibility with a modern twist. The story goes into the ups and downs of falling in love and how trusting in God can lead us to true love.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
8 | Isle of Hope: Unfailing Love by Julie Lessman
Christian Contemporary Romance
Lacey Carmichael was a wild girl who ran away from her straight-laced boyfriend and her faith, only to return eight years later as a woman of faith hoping to make amends.
However, the bridges she burned are still smoldering, and she must navigate the damage caused by an adulterous affair by Jack’s pastor’s father that damaged his son’s faith.
♡ Why read this contemporary romance? This story has unforgettable characters and you will be a crying mess throughout the whole book. It is a great book to add to your clean contemporary romance novels list!
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
9 | Sweetbriar Cottage by Denise Hunter
Christian Contemporary Romance
Noah and Josephine discover that their divorce was never finalized and they are still married. After being stranded together during a snowstorm, they confront their shared past and old wounds resurface. Noah must decide whether to pursue Josephine’s heart and she must find the courage to trust him again.
♡ Why read this contemporary romance? This is such a realistic romance story and I loved that it was so enriched with faith. It has a dual timeline which really brings clarity to the characters and you will be so happy by the ending.
It was beautiful up here. Full of pine and mountain views, and the kind of quiet that made your thoughts loud.
Sweetbriar Cottage – Denise Hunter
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
10 | To Bring You Back by Emily Conrad
Christian Contemporary Romance
Adeline Green, a woman hiding a painful past from her small town in Wisconsin, and Gannon Vaughn, her high school crush and lead singer of the rock band Awestruck. When Gannon returns to town, their feelings for each other are reignited, but their past mistakes and Gannon’s fame threaten to tear them apart.
♡ Why read this contemporary romance? This is a beautiful story of redemption, grace, and second chances! I loved the added drama of fame along with the sweet romance.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
11 | A Novel Proposal by Denise Hunter
Christian Contemporary Romance
Sadie Goodwin is tasked with writing a romance novel despite never being in love. She moves to a beach duplex for the summer to immerse herself in the genre but finds many distractions, including a grumpy neighbor and a secret engagement ring. As she tries to find the ring’s owner, she draws closer to her neighbor and wonders if he could be the perfect hero for her novel.
♡ Why read this contemporary romance? Where do I even start? This is a grumpy x sunshine romance all set on a beach in North Carolina. I loved the fun mystery and Sadie is my new favorite book character.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
12 | Hope Harbor by Irene Hannon
Christian Contemporary Romance
Tracy Campbell returns to her hometown in Hope Harbor, Oregon to run her family’s cranberry farm after a tragedy. She meets Michael Hunter, a visitor from Chicago with secrets of his own, and together they work to save a charitable organization and find healing, hope, and love in the process.
♡ Why read this contemporary romance? The theme of hope and healing is prevalent throughout the story with on of my favorite clean romance! Irene writes the perfect balance of including faith but not overwhelming which is great for readers new to Christian fiction.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
13 | Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck
Christian Contemporary Romance
Susanna Truitt tries to rebuild her life after her long-time love breaks up with her instead of proposing. She unexpectedly falls in love with Prince Nathaniel, but their different worlds and his family’s political situation make their relationship complicated.
♡ Why read this contemporary romance? This is a clean romance book for young adults or older adults! It features a fairy tale romance with a central theme of faith. It was so wholesome and sweet, with an insta love trope.
You let him figure the outcome. We make our plans, but God directs our steps.
Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
14 | The Sweet By and By by Sara Evans, Rachel Hauck
Christian Contemporary Romance
Jade Fitzgerald must confront the pain of her past when her hippie mother and wild younger sister arrive for her wedding. As she navigates these difficult emotions, she also discovers a new love and the possibility of a brighter future.
♡ Why read this contemporary romance? This story was so beautifully layered. I loved that the main message is that we can find healing and grace from all past hurts with God. It was the perfect balance of romance and drama.
Ready to try something new? Check out this post of the best Christian regency romance books!
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
15 | Authentically Izzy by Pepper D. Basham
Christian Contemporary Romance
Izzy, a Lord of the Rings nerd and wannabe bookstore owner who struggles to find love. Her cousin creates an online dating profile for her, leading her to connect with Brodie, a man who shares her love of books but lives far away. Izzy must decide whether to pursue a long-distance relationship or give a chance to a local author who has caught her eye.
♡ Why read this contemporary romance? I love reading about bookish characters and when you add in Jesus, I am sold. This book has a love triangle in the beginning, and you will love every minute of Izzy’s banter with her family and Brodie.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
16 | My Phony Valentine by Courtney Walsh
Clean Contemporary Romance
Poppy Hart is a struggling restaurant owner who meets and pretends to date Dallas Burke, a famous hockey player with a bad reputation. As they navigate their fake relationship, they begin to develop real feelings for each other but must overcome obstacles to make it work.
♡ Why read this contemporary romance? This romance was so MUCH fun to read! It had some great laugh-out-loud banter and features the fake dating trope. This is not Christian fiction but it is clean with only kissing.
Did you discover the best clean contemporary romance novels?
I hope you found some contemporary romance novels to add to your TBR cart. These types of books offer a fresh take on the romance genre by prioritizing character growth and wholesome relationships over steamy scenes.
Personally, I think clean contemporary romance novels are a great option for Christians or anyone who enjoys a good love story without all the graphic content. They provide a nice escape from the chaos of everyday life and offer a heartwarming, uplifting read that can leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.
So, if you’re looking to explore the world of clean romance novels for adults, I encourage you to dive right! If you would like even more book recommendations, make sure to check out this awesome list from Fabulessly Frugal!
Happy reading!
