Have you ever noticed how hard it is to find low-violence YA books without swinging wide into romance territory? I discovered this intriguing phenomenon early in my search for clean YA fiction recommendations: You either have kissing or blood.
As I said in Violence in Clean YA Fiction: How Much is Too Much?, I am more lenient on violent content than sexual content or profanity when making recommendations for YA readers. For most people, sexual content is a much greater stumbling block and profanity has a way of lodging itself in your mind until you find it oozing off your tongue. (How’s that for a mental picture?)
But that doesn’t mean everyone is okay with violence. And not everyone craves romance. If you’re looking for that sweet in-between spot, this list of low-violence YA fiction books is exactly what you need. Most (if not all) of the titles on this list contain some romance but the central issue in each is something else—family relationships, mission work, apologetics, etc.
Check them out!
Hey, I’m Lauren, author of YA Christian fiction and
blogger for teens ready to level up in faith.
Subscribe for inspiring content and free YA ebooks!
In This Article
Low-Violence YA Fiction Books: Christian Fiction
Perfectly Dateless
Chick-lit by Kristin Billerbeck
Daisy Crispin has 196 days to find the right date for the prom. She even made a list of possible candidates. The problem? Her parents make her her wear lame clothing and forbid her to date. Oh, and she’s also socially inept and practically invisible to all males. She enlists the help of her best friend, Claire, but Claire’s help could ruin her life…
This is the first book of Kristin Billerbeck’s Universally Misunderstood series, and while the title suggests romance, I found that family relationships and the quest for autonomy were bigger themes. (Romance becomes more prominent as the series progresses.) Underdogs and anyone who’s struggled with strict parents will sympathize with Daisy’s story. Indeed, her parents are a bit ridiculous and Christian morals are taken to an extreme in this story, but it’s fluffy and humorous with plenty of over-the-top drama to make you shake your head.
Because of You
Contemporary YA Christian fiction by Hannah Currie
Sixteen-year-old Chloe has long dreamed of going on an overseas mission trip, so when the opportunity arises, she jumps at the chance. Working at an orphanage, learning new skills, experiencing a different culture, making lifelong friends—what better way could there be to spend her summer vacation? But it’s there, while working with sweet orphans and enduring primitive living conditions, that Chloe begins to wonder if maybe there are just as many people who need her love back home as there are overseas.
If you’ve ever gone on a mission trip (or wish you could go on a mission trip), this book will strike your fancy. I loved the message and the relationships between the different characters. The book offers solid Christian elements and a real eye-opener to a world outside of relative comfort and safety. I felt it was a bit low in action and suspense, which makes it perfect for those who prefer heart-warming, low-stress books.
Real, Not Perfect
Contemporary YA Christian fiction by Stephanie Coleman
Tessa is a well-liked girl with a seemingly perfect life. Straight-As, a competitor on the swim team, active in her church youth group, a loving family… Until she comes home from swim practice one day to find that her parents are divorcing. On top of that, her BFF moves to Florida, filling Instagram with pictures of her fabulous new life while Tessa struggles with anger and hurt.
The first book of the Riverbend Friends series, this is captivating story that doesn’t give up anything in Biblical principles. There are some tough moments dealing with divorce, adultery, and suicide. Romance lovers will appreciate the sweet tension between Tessa and her close guy friend (whom she harbors a secret crush on).
Roadside Assistance
Contemporary fiction by Amy Clipston
After her mother dies, Emily Curtis and her father move in with her wealthy aunt, who intends to make her niece more feminine—just like Whitney, Emily’s perfect cousin. Emily’s car-loving, tomboy identity, however, draws her to Zander, the cute gearhead next door. But even working alongside Zander can’t completely fix the hole in Emily’s life. Ever since her mom died, Emily hasn’t been able to pray, and no one—not even Zander—seems to understand. But sometimes the help you need can come from the person you least expect.
Those who appreciate romance will adore the blossoming relationship between Zander and Emily. But more than anything, this story is about working through grief and addressing the question “Where’s God when bad things happen?” The MC is a realistic, unique character (who will, at times, drive you nuts with her irrationality—part of what makes her so realistic). Also, this book went against many of the cliches you find in Christian fiction, making it a refreshing read.
Other Low-Violence YA Books in Christian Fiction
Check out my reviews for these other low-violence YA Christian fiction books, found elsewhere on my blog:
- Sky of Seven Colors by Rachelle Nelson – Christian YA fantasy
- Anomaly by Krista McGee – Christian YA sci-fi dystopia
- The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis – clean classics for teens
Low-Violence YA Fiction Books: Mainstream Fiction
Though written for the general market, titles in this section of mainstream low-violence YA books do not contradict Christian principles and are suitable for most young adult audiences.
Dearest Josephine
Contemporary + Historical Fiction by Caroline George
Novelist Elias Roch loves a woman he can never be with. Convinced she’s his soulmate, Elias writes letters to Josephine De Clare, hoping to find her again. Two-hundred years later, Josie De Clare has questionable taste in boyfriends. Now, in the wake of her father’s death, Josie finds Elias’s letters and a novel in which it seems like she’s the heroine, and suddenly she’s falling in love with a guy who lived 200 years ago. Star-crossed doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Dearest Josephine is an epistolary YA novel, meaning it’s told entirely through written documents (text messages, email exchanges, and a fictional manuscript—a novel inside a novel). The storyline time travels between historical and contemporary time periods. Readers can expect clean romance plus lessons in friendship and opening your eyes to the ones around you. The final twist was intriguing.
Love & Luck
Contemporary fiction by Jenna Evans Welch
Addie is in Ireland for her aunt’s wedding and hoping to forget the horrible thing that broke her heart and threatens her future. But her brother isn’t about to let her forget, and his needling leads to a fistfight between the once-inseparable siblings (the only violent moment in the book). Then their travel plans change and Addie finds herself on a whirlwind tour of the Emerald Isle with Ian and his cute Irish friend, during which Addie hopes to heal not only her broken heart, but also her shattered relationship with her brother.
Considering Love & Luck is one of my favorite books of all-time and one that nudged me into writing YA novels, it’s amazing it hasn’t made mention on my blog until now. But a list of low-violence YA fiction books is the perfect place for it. The hints of romance take a far backseat to the themes of sibling loyalty and finding personal strength. The writing is captivating, the characters dynamic, and it’s clean all-around. This is book two of the series Love & Gelato.
We Were Beautiful
by Heather Hepler
Struggling with guilt over the crash that killed her older sister and left her terribly scarred, fifteen-year-old Mia is sent to NYC to spend the summer with a grandmother she’s never met. There, she’s taken under-wing by blue-haired, vivacious Fig, who introduces Mia to her friends (including artistic Cooper), and Mia learns she’s not the only one with a painful past. But her inner scars run deep and aren’t simple to heal … especially when she finally pieces together her memories of the night Rachel died.
This is one of the more somber books on the list, dealing with issues like death, grief, guilt, and abuse. But it’s not a drag. The characters are fun, the incorporation of art is unique, and the book makes for a great journey through New York City through the eyes of a teen.
It Started With Goodbye
Contemporary clean YA fiction by Christina June
After being falsely accused of a crime, Tatum is confined to her house under the watchful eye of her step-mother. But when a twist of fate comes in the form of a mysterious client to her secret graphic design business, maybe there’s a bit of fairytale luck after all.
It Started With Goodbye is a contemporary twist on Cinderella but I honestly didn’t realize that until the author Q&A at the end, that’s how subtle is was. It’s enough to tickle your romantic bone but not make the novel ooze with mushiness.
I also love that the drama in this story isn’t because the MC is super naive. Tatum is fairly wise to her situation. Mostly, she’s either a victim of circumstance or acting out of understandable desperation. The evil stepmother comes to life in a very realistic way in this clean YA fiction novel, though the ending is not like your usual Cinderella tale.
More Clean & Christian YA Fiction Reading Recommendations!
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.
I read lots and share what I find with subscribers to my newsletter. You could be one of them! Subscribers also get free access to my library of ebook short stories.
Read a book that would fit this list? Shoot me a message and I’ll check it out!
If you’re looking for low-violence YA books but you’re okay with romance . . . check out my list of Squeaky-Clean YA Romance Novels.
More Recommended Reading for Lovers of Clean and/or Christian YA Fiction
- Books for Christian Teens: Clean YA Sci-Fi, Fantasy, & Dystopia
- Great YA Literature: Clean Classic Books For Teens
- YA Christian Fiction Thrillers, Suspense, & Horror: 8 Books to Keep You on Edge
- Standout Characters in YA Novels: Lauren’s Picks
- Emotionally Charged YA Fiction That Will Alter Your Perspective
- Christian Teen Fiction Review: SOMETHING I AM NOT
- Christian YA Fiction Spotlight: Author Jenny B. Jones
- Seasons of Kane: A Christian YA Short Story Series
Other Resources for Discerning Readers
- The Problem With Clean YA Fiction For Christian Teens
- How to Find Clean Young Adult Fiction in a Dirty Market
- 6 Red Flags to Watch For in YA Christian Fiction
- Pulpit or Stage? A Critical Look at the Criticism of Christian Fiction
- Why is it So Hard to Find Christian Books For Teens?
- Seeking Quality Fiction: Why I’m Not a Fan of Book Banning
){kind=link}