Reading is supposed to be relaxing, like a walk on a soft, sandy beach or a cup of hot cocoa during a snowstorm. When you pick up a book, you should be allowed to sink fully into the world in which your characters live and forget your own for a while.
At least, that’s how I see it.
But relaxing into a fictional story is super difficult if you have to stay on guard for questionable content, and worse if the content gets so bad you have to pull yourself out of the book completely. Unfortunately, this is the reality of YA fiction. Sex and sin sell. They’re exciting and addictive, pulling you in even when you disagree with what the characters are doing.
In many ways, romance novels are porn for women. They do to us what images do for men. (Don’t believe me? Check out this post from Girl Defined.)
Praise Jesus, clean teen fiction hasn’t disappeared completely. You just have to know where to look. That’s why I compiled this list of clean YA romance novels, so you can relax into the books you read rather than worrying over what might be on the next page. Try any of these for a sweet YA love story without all the smut.
Hey, I’m Lauren, author of YA Christian fiction and
blogger for teens ready to level up in faith.
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In This Article
About the Books on This List
What makes a novel clean? For me, “clean” romance isn’t just about closing the door on steamy scenes. I don’t want to get all the way through a book only to have the characters hook up in the end, even if it fades to black at that point. I want a story that is not only engaging and entertaining but encourages seeking pleasure outside of self-gratification and gives you the sense of not being alone in choosing higher standards.
The books on this list go beyond closed-door romances, and each adheres to these standards:
- No sex between unmarried characters, even of the closed-door variety.
- Little or no sexual language and innuendo.
- Lust is limited. (i.e. Instances of characters visually salivating over someone’s ripped biceps or toned abs. This one is hard to avoid completely but can be overdone, even in clean romances.)
- Kissing scenes are brief, not overly graphic, and don’t cross into heavy petting or other sexual contact.
Beyond sexual content, a few other standards apply to every book I recommend:
- Little to no profanity (especially strong language)
- YA-appropriate levels of violence.
- Mainstream fiction books do not contradict Christian beliefs or promote unbiblical lifestyles.
- Christian fiction books accurately represent God and interpret the Bible correctly, when applicable
Clean YA Romance Novels
Picture Perfect Boyfriend
clean YA romantic comedy by Becky Dean
Kenzie Reed is happiest when she’s capturing nature through the lens of her camera. The problem is her straitlaced family of optometrists doesn’t take her art seriously, so she’s taken to setting aside her dreams and conforming to their depressing vision of her future. She even makes up a fake, boring boyfriend—Jacob—to get her parents off her back.Â
But then “Jacob” shows up at the airport to join Kenzie and her family on their Hawaiian vacation.Â
My thoughts:
Two things I loved about this book (besides that it was clean with no swearing or sex):
1) The pairing of the main characters. I loved how Kenzie could tune out everything else when she got into her artistic zone, and while Kenzie’s family found her whims exasperating, Jake found them intriguing.
2) The setting because, hello, Hawaii! Becky Dean did an outstanding job bringing the setting to life in a way that fits the story and makes you feel like you’re riding along.
If you love travel, art/photography, and boys who appreciate eccentric characters, you’ll love this book
Guitar Notes
clean YA romance by Mary Amato
On odd days, Tripp uses a school practice room to let loose on a borrowed guitar and escape to a world where only the music matters. On even days, Lyla Marks uses the same practice room. To Tripp, she’s trying to become even more perfect—she’s already a straight-A student and an award-winning cellist. But when Lyla begins leaving notes in between the strings of the guitar, his life intersects with hers in a way he never expected.
My thoughts:
This is a beautiful story about forbidden love and the power of music to bring souls together. The characters are real and relatable and the plot takes a rather mundane setting (the practice room) and turns it into a place where life-altering discoveries are made. I loved the unique way Mary Amato incorporates music into the story. There are more heavy moments in this book than some of the others on the list.
Match Me If You Can
clean YA romance by Tiana Smith
Mia’s best friend is Athens High’s most trusted matchmaker. But when Robyn refuses to set Mia up with the guy of her dreams, Mia uses Robyn’s service to make sure popular Vince falls hard enough to ask her to homecoming. What Mia doesn’t count on is Logan, the surprisingly suave and persistent school newspaper photographer who’s showing interest in her.
My thoughts:
This is your classic sweet YA love triangle, and the best thing about this book is it stays lighthearted all the way through—perfect for readers who want to avoid deep and dark topics. As far as content, this one is squeaky clean with zero profanity and quick, limited kissing scenes.
I’d Love to Tell You But Then I’d Have to Kill You
Gallagher Girls #1
clean YA romantic adventure by Ally Carter
Cammie Morgan, a student at a clandestine, all-girls, spy school, is fluent in fourteen languages and the finer points of espionage but she has no idea what to do when she meets an ordinary boy who thinks she’s an ordinary girl. Can she maneuver a relationship with someone who can never know the truth about her?
My thoughts:
This is the first book of a series for readers who like a little adventure and espionage with their romance. And despite the whole spy-school-killer implications, the overall tone of the book is very witty and comical. Contains a few brief instances of mild profanity.
Also by Ally Carter: Heist Society
My Favorite Color is Your Something Blue
clean YA romance by Eva Austin
On her way to her favorite childhood babysitter’s wedding, Morgan has a chance encounter with “the rudest boy in the world,” who spills blue slush all over her at a gas station. After an angry exchange, she drives off never to see him again. Until she learns he’s a groom in the wedding. And the bride and groom are trying to set them up.
My thoughts:
Definitely written in the vein of Kasie West, this book is light, witty, and romantic. And while it’s marketed as mainstream fiction, I give it bonus points because the characters mention going to church, youth group, and prayer. One brief passionate kiss but otherwise this is a clean read for teens.
More Clean Mainstream YA Romance Novels For Christian Teen Readers
Check out my reviews for these other clean YA romance novels, found elsewhere on my blog:
- Lunar Chronicles series, by Marissa Meyer (sci-fi fantasy romance)
- We Were Beautiful by Heather Hepler (contemporary romance)
- Matched series, by Allie Condie (sci-fi dystopia)
- Clean YA romance novels by Kasie West (use caution—see my recommendations)
Christian YA Romance Novels
Three years ago, Princess Saraphina’s older sister was stripped of her title and banished for loving a man their abusive father didn’t approve of, thrusting Sara into the role of heir. Now her father is gone and Sara has one month before she’s crowned and forced into an arranged marriage. So she travels to America incognito to find the sister she’s missed all these years. It’s there she meets Prince Alexander of Andelar who’s taking his own little travel break from the pressures of the palace. Attraction flares—until an accident leaves Alexander without his memory and any recollection of who he is.
My thoughts:
A great book for lovers of princess romances. The plot is easy to follow, with smooth switches between the two POV characters, and the story mixes centuries-old traditions of royalty with modern-day life (think cell phones and airplanes). The story does touch on darker topics like abuse. I found the Christian principles to be sound and naturally mixed in with the story. This is appropriate for most teens. It isn’t necessary to read Book 1, though doing so will give you more family history on Alexander’s side.
Salvaged
Christian YA romance by Shanna M. Heath
High school senior Hadley’s world is turned upside down when her grandmother is given a terminal cancer diagnosis and she’s forced to move in with the father she never met and the step-family she didn’t know she had. But with her new life comes the unexpectedly pleasant role of half-sister and a daunting senior project peer mentored by none-too-welcoming-but-totally-hot Colton.
My thoughts:
I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Shanna through my Christian writer’s group. As a middle school teacher, she has a knack for creating authentic, witty characters that keep the story from becoming too heavy. Salvaged is a sweet story that touches on the deeper topics of loss and purpose with enough comic relief to keep the reader from becoming completely depressed at any point. The handling of biblical themes is both accurate and appropriate for this genre.
Four years ago, Charlene Perigard survived a brutal kidnapping. Now at twenty-two, she’s put that trauma behind her for a promising future. But then sinister threats, a midnight attack, and a deathbed promise drive Charlene to the little town of Creekside, where she encounters a man from her past whom she has long struggled to forget: Clay Morrow–ex-convict and brother of her kidnapper.
My thoughts:
The sequel to Frozen Footprints (which I reviewed in my list of YA Christian Fiction Thrillers, Suspense & Horror), After the Thaw is heavier on romance than its prequel. The characters are no longer teens and some readers might be troubled by Char’s conflicting feelings for a man she only knew through a horrific kidnapping experience. There is also a moderate amount of semi-graphic violence. But if you can look past all that, you will find a love story with plenty of suspense. It can be read as a standalone but will make more sense if you read Book 1. Recommended for older YA readers.
Juliana has become skilled at hiding in the woods from her tyrannical uncle Lord Wessex—manager of the land she rightfully owns—and using her stolen goods to provide food and shelter to the peasants her uncle has taxed into poverty. But when she robs a childhood acquaintance, her true identity is discovered. Lord Collin challenges her to stay on his estate for a week in hopes she will leave her thieving ways and become a proper lady once more.
My thoughts:
If you like Robinhood stories with a strong female lead, A Daring Sacrifice will satisfy your reader cravings. This story features engaging writing and isn’t at all cheesy, as Christian YA fiction books are often labeled. Readers will enjoy a balanced mix of romance and action, plus a beautiful example of Christ-like sacrifice later in the book.
More Christian YA Romances
Check out my reviews for these other Christian YA romance novels, found elsewhere on my blog:
- There You’ll Find Me, by Jenny B. Jones (Christian YA romance)
- Charmed Life series, by Jenny B. Jones (Christian YA romance)
- The Unblemished Trilogy, by Sara Ella (Christian YA fantasy)
- Anomaly, by Krista McGee (Christian sci-fi dystopia)
- Protector, by Megan Schaulis (Christian sci-fi dystopia)
More on Holiness & Purity For Christian Teen Readers
Why does it matter what we read or think about? These posts will enlighten and encourage you in holy living.
You don’t have to have all the answers.
But, hey, why not?
Bring me your questions about faith, life, God, the Bible… and I’ll help you find the answers.
Are you aware of just how sexualized our literature and media are? See how to weed out this blind spot in Not a Hint: Living Pure in a Sexual Culture
Wondering how to find good books with high moral values? See How to Find Clean Young Adult Fiction in a Dirty Market and 6 Red Flags to Watch For in YA Christian Fiction.
For a stark look at how fictional romance compares to real romance: Christian Romance: The Lie Behind the First Kiss in Fiction
Why bother with purity and holiness at all? The Right Reason for Purity: It’s Not What You Think
If you’re struggling with lust and temptation: The Battle Against Lust and How to Kill it
