Summary: In today's article, I have handpicked 20 of the best clean romance books I think will provide the perfect escape into heartfelt love stories. Here are my top 3 picks:
- When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin
- The Letter Keeper by Charles Martin
- Ice Mechanic by Lia Bevans
Clean romance books are all about the emotional connection and romantic journey between characters, without explicit content or graphic scenes. They focus on love, respect, and the growth of relationships, making them perfect for readers who want heartwarming, feel-good stories. These books offer a sweet escape, filled with positivity, and are great for anyone who enjoys romance without the heavier, more intense themes. Reading clean romance can be a refreshing way to dive into love stories that highlight personal growth, emotional depth, and, of course, happily-ever-afters.
TOP 20: Best Clean Romance Books
- When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin
- The Letter Keeper by Charles Martin
- Ice Mechanic by Lia Bevans
- The Serendipity by Emma St. Clair
- Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks
- One Last Thing by Susan Henshaw
- Return to Rosewood Beach by Fiona Baker
- A Place for Daydreams by Fiona Baker
- Since the Day We Danced by Kerk Murray
- Sea Glass Serenade by Fiona Baker
- The Water Keeper by Charles Martin
- Playing for Keeps by Deborah Raney
- The Trouble with a Small Town Cowboy by Debra Clopton
- The Sweetheart Fix by Miranda Liasson
- The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates
- Sweet Love'n Cowboy by Debra Clopton
- Cloudy with a Chance of Cowboy by Mandy M. Roth
- The Beachside Inn by Fiona Baker
- Crushing On My Brother's Best Friend by Julia Keanini
- A Sugar Plum Christmas by Kari Trumbo
1. When Crickets Cry
- Author: Charles Martin
- About: A beautiful and emotional story about love, loss, and redemption, following a man who, through an unlikely series of events, begins to heal from past trauma.
- Style of writing: Poetic, heartfelt, and deeply reflective.
- Length: 94,000 words (approximately 350 pages)
- Year written: 2006
- Emotional impact: Yes, it has a deep, lingering emotional impact. The story stays with readers long after they finish it.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate (emotionally heavy, but straightforward writing).
- Why read it: For a moving, inspirational journey that blends love, healing, and the importance of human connections.
2. The Letter Keeper
- Author: Charles Martin
- About: A powerful continuation of “The Water Keeper,” featuring Murphy Shepherd’s mission to save people from human trafficking while dealing with his own emotional baggage.
- Style of writing: Introspective, suspenseful, and reflective.
- Length: 93,000 words (approximately 350 pages)
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Profound emotional depth, dealing with real-world issues while offering hope and healing.
- Difficulty level: Moderate (thought-provoking themes).
- Why read it: For a gripping, emotional story about human resilience and the power of redemption.
3. Ice Mechanic
- Author: Lia Bevans
- About: A small-town romance featuring a mechanic and a woman who wants to leave her past behind. It’s a heartfelt, slow-burn romance.
- Style of writing: Light, charming, and easy to follow.
- Length: 80,000 words (approximately 300 pages)
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Lightly emotional, with a focus on personal growth and a budding romance.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: For a fun, light romance with a focus on character development and emotional healing.
4. The Serendipity
- Author: Emma St. Clair
- About: A romantic, whimsical story that explores the magic of unexpected encounters and love in a small-town setting.
- Style of writing: Cozy, sweet, and romantic.
- Length: 70,000 words (approximately 280 pages)
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Light and uplifting, making you feel warm and happy.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: For a quick, feel-good romantic escape with heartwarming moments.
5. Every Breath
- Author: Nicholas Sparks
- About: A poignant love story set in North Carolina about two people from different worlds who find an undeniable connection, despite their circumstances.
- Style of writing: Emotional, straightforward, and evocative.
- Length: 96,000 words (approximately 380 pages)
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: High emotional impact, with a deep focus on the power of love and fate.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: For a heartwrenching and romantic tale that explores love, fate, and loss.
6. One Last Thing
- Author: Susan Henshaw
- About: A sweet, slow-burn romance where two characters find themselves thrown together and develop a deep connection against the backdrop of their own personal struggles.
- Style of writing: Warm, reflective, and gentle.
- Length: 85,000 words (approximately 340 pages)
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Subtle but emotionally touching.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: For a heartwarming romance with relatable characters and emotional depth.
7. Return to Rosewood Beach
- Author: Fiona Baker
- About: A romance about returning to a hometown to heal and rediscover love.
- Style of writing: Cozy and heartwarming with a small-town vibe.
- Length: 82,000 words (approximately 320 pages)
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Uplifting and soothing, with a focus on second chances and healing.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: For a relaxing and comforting romance set in a charming coastal town.
8. A Place for Daydreams
- Author: Fiona Baker
- About: A love story set in the coastal town of Rosewood Beach, focusing on overcoming personal struggles and finding love in unexpected places.
- Style of writing: Sweet, light, and comforting.
- Length: 75,000 words (approximately 300 pages)
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Light and uplifting, with a hopeful tone.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: For a feel-good, small-town romance that celebrates healing and new beginnings.
9. Since the Day We Danced
- Author: Kerk Murray
- About: A heartwarming romance about two people who fall in love through dance, overcoming obstacles along the way.
- Style of writing: Light, breezy, and romantic.
- Length: 75,000 words (approximately 300 pages)
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Moderate, focusing on love and overcoming insecurities.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: For a charming and uplifting love story that’s perfect for dance enthusiasts.
10. Sea Glass Serenade
- Author: Fiona Baker
- About: A love story set on the coast where two people find each other amid the beauty and challenges of life.
- Style of writing: Cozy, warm, and emotionally engaging.
- Length: 80,000 words (approximately 320 pages)
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Warm and comforting, with an emphasis on emotional healing.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: For a sweet and scenic romance with a calming, beachside atmosphere.
11. The Water Keeper
- Author: Charles Martin
- About: A gripping story about Murphy Shepherd, a man on a mission to rescue a woman from human trafficking while confronting his own inner demons.
- Style of writing: Introspective, suspenseful, and emotional.
- Length: 100,000 words (approximately 400 pages)
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Deep emotional impact, blending suspense and personal transformation.
- Difficulty level: Moderate (with some intense, heavier themes).
- Why read it: For an emotionally charged narrative that explores redemption, human resilience, and the depths of the human spirit.
12. Playing for Keeps
- Author: Deborah Raney
- About: A tender romance between two people who are trying to build new lives after major personal struggles.
- Style of writing: Warm, relatable, and gently paced.
- Length: 85,000 words (approximately 340 pages)
- Year written: 2015
- Emotional impact: Light but deeply emotional, focusing on the growth of love and healing.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: For a sweet, slow-burn romance that explores second chances and personal growth.
13. The Trouble with a Small Town Cowboy
- Author: Debra Clopton
- About: A small-town romance where a woman returns to her roots and finds love with a cowboy who's not looking for anything serious.
- Style of writing: Fun, lighthearted, and full of charm.
- Length: 75,000 words (approximately 300 pages)
- Year written: 2016
- Emotional impact: Light and fun, with moments of emotional depth.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: For a breezy, feel-good romance set in a picturesque small town with lovable characters.
14. The Sweetheart Fix
- Author: Miranda Liasson
- About: A heartwarming story about a woman who returns to her small town and falls for the local handyman while dealing with her own past issues.
- Style of writing: Sweet, heartfelt, and easy to read.
- Length: 85,000 words (approximately 340 pages)
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Lightly emotional, with a focus on love and second chances.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: For a feel-good romance with a charming small-town atmosphere and heartwarming moments.
15. The Water Dancer
- Author: Ta-Nehisi Coates
- About: A historical fiction novel with elements of magical realism, following a young man’s journey through slavery, freedom, and love.
- Style of writing: Poetic, evocative, and rich in historical detail.
- Length: 120,000 words (approximately 450 pages)
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Profound, with a powerful mix of historical tragedy and personal transformation.
- Difficulty level: Moderate to advanced (dense, thought-provoking).
- Why read it: For a compelling story that combines history, magical realism, and a deep exploration of love, loss, and freedom.
16. Sweet Love'n Cowboy
- Author: Debra Clopton
- About: A lighthearted cowboy romance where two people find love while navigating the challenges of life in a small, Texas town.
- Style of writing: Light, fun, and warm-hearted.
- Length: 70,000 words (approximately 280 pages)
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: Light, with moments of sweetness and fun.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: For a quick, feel-good romance with a charming cowboy and a sweet, easygoing love story.
17. Cloudy with a Chance of Cowboy
- Author: Mandy M. Roth
- About: A sweet romance that blends a small-town setting with a lot of charm, featuring a strong-willed heroine and a loveable cowboy.
- Style of writing: Fun, humorous, and sweet.
- Length: 80,000 words (approximately 320 pages)
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Light and fun, with moments of emotional connection.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: For a cozy, feel-good romance that is light on drama and heavy on charm.
18. The Beachside Inn
- Author: Fiona Baker
- About: A story set in a beautiful coastal town where romance blooms between two people trying to overcome their pasts.
- Style of writing: Cozy, romantic, and emotionally engaging.
- Length: 80,000 words (approximately 320 pages)
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Uplifting and soothing, focusing on healing and fresh starts.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: For a romantic escape to a peaceful beachside town that offers both romance and healing.
19. Crushing On My Brother's Best Friend
- Author: Julia Keanini
- About: A sweet, slow-burn romance about falling for your brother’s best friend and navigating the complications that come with it.
- Style of writing: Fun, lighthearted, and relatable.
- Length: 80,000 words (approximately 320 pages)
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Light, but with moments of emotional connection and personal growth.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: For a charming and relatable romance with a friends-to-lovers twist.
20. A Sugar Plum Christmas
- Author: Kari Trumbo
- About: A heartwarming Christmas romance set in a small town, focusing on love, family, and new beginnings during the holiday season.
- Style of writing: Sweet, cozy, and festive.
- Length: 65,000 words (approximately 250 pages)
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Warm and uplifting, leaving readers with a sense of holiday joy.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: For a cozy, heartwarming Christmas romance perfect for the holiday season.
Conclusion
To wrap things up, clean romance books are a great way to dive into stories filled with love, growth, and heartfelt connections. In my opinion, When Crickets Cry, The Letter Keeper, and Ice Mechanic are some of the best choices out there. Each one offers something unique—whether it’s the emotional healing journey in When Crickets Cry, the gripping redemption in The Letter Keeper, or the sweet, small-town romance in Ice Mechanic. Personally, I think these books will leave a lasting impression, no matter what kind of romance you're in the mood for.
