9 Wonderful Clean Romance Books
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I love clean romance novels because they focus on the emotional journey between characters rather than explicit content. The sexual tension and chemistry can be just as compelling without graphic scenes. I appreciate how these books build genuine connections through meaningful conversations, shared interests, and slow-burn development. The emphasis on character growth and authentic relationships draws me in every time. I find that the anticipation and unspoken desires create more excitement than explicit scenes ever could. Clean romance reminds me that love stories can be powerful through respect, trust, and emotional depth. The wholesome nature of these relationships feels both refreshing and timeless. I also love how clean romance novels often feature strong individual characters who are interesting on their own. The focus on building real emotional bonds makes the romantic payoff feel more rewarding. These stories prove that sometimes less is definitely more.
$15.99
$10.98
4.58 out of 5 stars
Edenbrooke (Proper Romance)
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Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson
Tagged As:
Regency romance, historical romance, clean romance, twin-sister drama, highwayman encounter, country-estate setting, slow burn, witty banter, standalone, HEA
Plot Summary:
Marianne Daventry escapes the boredom of Bath to join her twin sister at the country estate of Edenbrooke. She expects a relaxing summer while her sister pursues the handsome heir. Instead, Marianne finds herself caught up in unexpected adventures, from encounters with highwaymen to mysterious flirtations. As she befriends Philip and their relationship deepens beyond friendship, complications arise that make her question everything about love and her future.
Why I Love This Book:
I love how this book captures the essence of Jane Austen with a modern pace that keeps you turning pages. The chemistry between Marianne and Philip feels authentic and develops naturally through witty banter and shared moments. I appreciate how predictable the romance feels comforting rather than boring, and the unexpected plot twists still manage to surprise. The Regency setting is perfectly crafted, making you feel transported to another time and place. The focus on character growth and self-discovery alongside the romance makes this story feel complete and satisfying.
Who Will Like This Book:
If you crave Jane-Austen-style courtship, sparkling banter, and a countryside adventure where every stolen glance counts, you’ll twirl through these pages in delight.
Spice Level: 🌶️| Clean
$19.00
$8.45
4.12 out of 5 stars
The Bodyguard
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The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
Tagged As:
contemporary rom-com, fake dating, bodyguard hero(ine), celebrity romance, found family, grief & healing, opposites attract, ranch setting, mild heat, standalone, HEA
Plot Summary:
Hannah Brooks is an Executive Protection Agent assigned to guard movie star Jack Stapleton. To avoid worrying his sick mother, Jack suggests Hannah pretend to be his girlfriend during a month-long stay at the family ranch. As tensions rise between Jack and his estranged brother over a past tragedy, Hannah finds herself growing closer to the family she never had. When real danger threatens and their fake relationship begins to feel real, both Hannah and Jack must confront their fears about love and trust.
Why I Love This Book:
I love the fake relationship trope executed with emotional depth and genuine character development. Hannah’s journey from feeling unlovable to learning she deserves love resonates deeply. The family dynamics add layers to the story that go beyond just romance. I appreciate how both characters have real emotional wounds that heal through their connection. The balance of humor, heart, and suspense keeps the story engaging throughout. The ranch setting creates the perfect backdrop for both characters to grow and heal.
Who Will Like This Book:
If you adore celebrity-next-door vibes, sassy fake-dating antics, and a heroine who can kick butt while guarding her own heart, this sweet rom-com will leave you grinning.
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️| Mild
$10.95
4.76 out of 5 stars
Making Faces
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Making Faces by Amy Harmon
Tagged As:
small-town romance, friends to lovers, war trauma, beauty-and-the-beast twist, bakery setting, grief & healing, inspirational fiction, tearjerker, standalone, HEA
Plot Summary:
Fern has loved Ambrose from afar since childhood, but he only notices her when she helps him with love letters to other girls. After high school, Ambrose enlists in the military and deploys to Afghanistan. He returns as the sole survivor of his unit, severely wounded and struggling to rebuild his life. Working at his father's bakery next to Fern's grocery store, they reconnect through messages on a shared whiteboard. Their second chance at love becomes a journey of healing and acceptance.
Why I Love This Book:
I love how this book handles serious themes like war trauma and survivor's guilt with sensitivity and hope. The childhood friends-to-lovers trope feels genuine because of their shared history and deep understanding. Fern's quiet strength and loyalty make her an incredibly compelling heroine. I appreciate how both characters grow and heal throughout the story, making their love feel earned and meaningful. The emotional depth and beautiful writing create a tear-jerker that stays with you long after reading. The small-town setting adds warmth and community support to their love story.
Who Will Like This Book:
If you’re ready to ugly-cry over a tender friends-to-lovers tale that proves scars can become love stories, keep tissues handy and dive in.
Spice Level: 🌶️| Clean
$14.95
$8.99
4.86 out of 5 stars
What the Wind Knows
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What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon
Tagged As:
time-travel romance, historical fiction, Irish civil-war era, family saga, doppelgänger twist, slow burn, bittersweet, inspirational, standalone, HEA
Plot Summary:
After her grandfather's death, Anne Gallagher travels to Ireland to spread his ashes. Overcome with grief and memories, she finds herself transported back to 1921 Ireland during the civil war. Mistaken for a missing mother, she's cared for by Dr. Thomas Smith, who is guardian to a young boy who looks familiar. As Anne adapts to this dangerous time and grows closer to Thomas, she must decide whether to return to her own time or stay for a love she never expected to find.
Why I Love This Book:
I love the unique blend of time travel and historical romance that feels both magical and grounded. The Irish setting during such a turbulent period adds depth and stakes to the love story. Anne's connection to her family history and the mystery of how she fits into the past creates compelling tension. I appreciate how the romance develops slowly as Anne and Thomas learn to trust each other in impossible circumstances. The emotional weight of choosing between two different lives makes every moment between them feel precious. The historical details bring 1921 Ireland to vivid life without overwhelming the personal story.
Who Will Like This Book:
If you swoon over Outlander-style time slips, haunting Irish landscapes, and a love that must bridge two centuries, this sweeping tale will steal your heart.
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️| Mild
$16.99
4.43 out of 5 stars
The Matrimonial Advertisement (Parish Orphans of Devon)
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The Matrimonial Advertisement by Mimi Matthews
Tagged As:
Victorian gothic, marriage of convenience, scarred war hero, damsel in disguise, coastal moor setting, slow burn, PTSD & healing, class difference, series opener, closed-door romance
Plot Summary:
Helena Reynolds places a matrimonial advertisement to escape her dangerous life in London. She travels to a remote estate on the North Devon coast to marry Captain Justin Thornhill, a man scarred by his past military service and time in an Indian prison. Justin needs a wife to help him integrate with the local villagers and manage his household. Their marriage of convenience begins as a business arrangement, but when Helena's past threatens their future, both must decide if their growing feelings are worth fighting for.
Why I Love This Book:
I love the gothic atmosphere and the marriage-of-convenience trope that slowly develops into real love. Helena's desperation and strength make her a compelling heroine who doesn't need saving but deserves love. Justin's emotional walls and dark past create the perfect brooding hero whose vulnerability emerges gradually. I appreciate how both characters have secrets that add layers to their relationship. The remote coastal setting adds mystery and isolation that heightens the romantic tension. The focus on two damaged people healing each other through patience and understanding feels deeply satisfying.
Who Will Like This Book:
If you yearn for windswept cliffs, brooding heroes, and a slow-simmering marriage that blossoms against all odds, light a lantern and dive in.
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️| Mild
$16.99
$9.86
4.97 out of 5 stars
The Printed Letter Bookshop
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The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay
Tagged As:
bookshop romance, women’s fiction, second chances, found family, grief & healing, small-town charm, gentle faith, sweet romance, standalone, HEA
Plot Summary:
When beloved bookshop owner Maddie dies, she leaves her store to her lawyer niece Madeline, along with significant debt and two employees, Claire and Janet. All three women are struggling with their own losses and uncertain futures. As they work together to save the bookshop, they discover letters Maddie left with personalized reading lists designed to help each woman find her way. Through books, friendship, and the healing power of community, they learn to rebuild their lives and embrace new possibilities.
Why I Love This Book:
I love how books themselves become characters in this story, connecting people and healing hearts. The focus on female friendship and support feels genuine and uplifting. Each woman's journey of self-discovery resonates with different life stages and challenges. I appreciate how the bookshop serves as more than just a setting—it's a sanctuary where transformation happens. The way reading recommendations guide personal growth feels both realistic and magical. The community aspect and the power of shared stories create a warm, hopeful atmosphere that celebrates both literature and human connection.
Who Will Like This Book:
If you melt for stories about bookstores, sister-style friendships, and gentle romance blooming amid paper-scented shelves, this novel will feel like home.
Spice Level: 🌶️| Clean
$7.99
$6.79
4.18 out of 5 stars
Beach Haven (The Carolina Coast Series)
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Beach Haven by T.I. Lowe
Tagged As:
small-town beach romance, faith elements, opposites attract, ex-military hero, quirky heroine, PTSD & healing, hurricane rebuild, found family, series opener, sweet heat
Plot Summary:
After a devastating hurricane, ex-Marine Lincoln Cole feels compelled to help free-spirited Opal Gilbert repair her damaged store in the coastal town of Beach Haven. Lincoln tries to keep his distance, haunted by his military past and convinced he doesn't deserve happiness. But Opal's optimistic nature and gentle persistence begin to break down his walls. As they work together to rebuild not just her store but the community, Lincoln must learn to forgive himself and embrace the possibility of love and redemption.
Why I Love This Book:
I love how this book handles themes of PTSD and survivor's guilt with sensitivity and hope. Opal's quirky, accepting nature perfectly complements Lincoln's brooding intensity. The post-hurricane setting creates both literal and metaphorical rebuilding that mirrors their emotional journeys. I appreciate how their romance develops through shared work and gradual trust rather than instant attraction. The faith elements feel natural and integrated rather than preachy. The coastal small-town atmosphere adds warmth and community support that helps both characters heal and grow.
Who Will Like This Book:
If sunshine-and-saltwater vibes, gentle faith notes, and a wounded Marine falling for a free-spirited shop owner sound like bliss, grab your flip-flops and settle in.
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️| Mild
$17.99
$9.79
4.11 out of 5 stars
The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley: A Novel
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The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh
Tagged As:
contemporary rom-com, happiness experiment, socially awkward heroine, friends to lovers, academia setting, found family, light faith, slow burn, sweet romance, standalone
Plot Summary:
On her thirtieth birthday, solitary researcher Isadora Bentley discovers an article about thirty-one ways to be happy. Convinced it's nonsense, she decides to conduct her own experiment to prove the author wrong. As Isadora works through each step, she unexpectedly begins connecting with people and building friendships. Her romance with Cal develops slowly from friendship as she learns to open her heart. Through her happiness research, Isadora discovers that joy often comes from the connections we make with others.
Why I Love This Book:
I love Isadora's socially awkward personality and her journey from isolation to connection. The premise of testing happiness theories provides a unique structure that drives both character growth and plot. Cal's patient friendship that evolves into love feels authentic and unforced. I appreciate how the story explores what happiness really means beyond superficial measures. The found-family theme resonates as Isadora discovers her people who accept and appreciate her quirks. The light faith elements and focus on personal growth make this an uplifting read that leaves you feeling hopeful about human connection.
Who Will Like This Book:
If you adored Eleanor Oliphant-style heroines, delightfully awkward banter, and feel-good vibes that prove science can spark love, you’ll highlight every page.
Spice Level: 🌶️| Clean
$18.99
$12.29
4.22 out of 5 stars
Spinning Silver
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Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
Tagged As:
fantasy romance, fairy-tale retelling, Rumpelstiltskin twist, Jewish folklore, winter kingdom, slow burn, enemies to lovers, multiple POV, minimal heat, standalone, HEA
Plot Summary:
Miryem, daughter of a moneylender, discovers she has a talent for turning silver into gold—literally. Her boast attracts the attention of the cold Staryk king, who demands she perform an impossible task. Meanwhile, Wanda, a peasant girl, and Irina, a duke's daughter, find their fates intertwined with Miryem's as they all struggle against forces beyond their control. This fantasy retelling of Rumpelstiltskin weaves together three women's stories of strength, sacrifice, and unexpected love.
Why I Love This Book:
I love how this fairy-tale retelling subverts expectations by focusing on female strength and intelligence. Each woman's journey feels distinct yet interconnected in meaningful ways. The fantasy elements enhance rather than overshadow the character development and relationships. I appreciate how the romantic elements develop naturally within the larger story of survival and growth. The rich world-building creates an immersive experience without overwhelming the personal stories. The themes of transformation and finding power in unexpected places resonate throughout all three storylines, making this both a compelling fantasy and a satisfying romance.
Who Will Like This Book:
If you long for snow-kissed kingdoms, clever heroines who barter with fae kings, and slow-burn magic-tinged romance, this glittering tale will enchant you.
Spice Level: 🌶️| Clean
