Top 10 Clean RomCom Reads for the Sweet Without the Sex
By Movieguide® Staff
With Emily Henry and Colleen Hoover trending, women are devouring romance novels at a new pace. While these stories may have fascinating plots and characters, women like myself may not want to read about what goes on behind closed doors. I’m not alone, and roughly around Covid, several authors began to embrace the sweet clean read. These are books that don’t have explicit sex, violence (but they may have some suspense), foul language or drug use. They make for quick easy reads that will lift your spirit with sweet love stories without the sordid details. Here are some of my favorites.
- Run Away Bride and Prejudice by Emma St. Clair
Amazon synopsis: There’s one rule smart hockey players know not to break: never, and I mean, NEVER date the coach’s daughter. But no one ever accused Van of being smart. When the mouthy bad boy of the Appies catches the groom cheating on the coach’s daughter, he can’t just walk away. Not on her wedding day. Maybe his own relationships are casual, but he would never cheat and never treat wedding vows so carelessly. Not after he and his sisters watched their divorced parents cycle through marriage after marriage. But forcing the groom to come clean sets off a chain reaction Van couldn’t have expected. Ending with a black eye, an unexpected trip to Florida with one runaway bride, and a secret bargain struck with Coach. A bargain that may just jeopardize the very real and very inconvenient feelings he’s developing for the very last person he ever should. Runaway Bride and Prejudice is a closed-door hockey romance featuring the team bad boy and a very good girl who also happens to be the coach’s daughter. It’s a sports romance with all the sizzle and swoon, but no spice. This is part of the Appies hockey romance series, featuring Just Don’t Fall, Absolutely Not in Love, a Groom of One’s Own, and Romancing the Grump. These books are standalones but may be best read in order. - Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade
Amazon Synopsis: When Meg Cole’s father dies unexpectedly, she’s forced to return home to Texas and to Whispering Creek Ranch to take up the reins of his empire. The last thing she has the patience or the sanity to deal with? Her father’s Thoroughbred racehorse farm. She gives its manager, Bo Porter, six months to close the place down. Bo knows he ought to resent the woman who’s determined to take from him the only job he ever wanted. But instead of anger, Meg evokes within him a profound desire to protect. The more time he spends with her, the more he longs to overcome every obstacle that separates them and earn her love. Just when Meg realizes she can no longer deny the depth of her feelings for Bo, their fragile bond is broken by a force from Meg’s past. Can their relationship–and their belief that God can work through every circumstance–survive? -
- The One With the Kiss Cam by Cindy Steel
Amazon Synopsis: It was just one date. My friend told me I needed more fun in my life, so I reluctantly said yes. Fun wasn’t exactly in my wheelhouse. After watching my own mother’s love life implode time and time again it’s only natural that I have a few rules to protect myself. Actually, it’s just one rule… Avoid relationships with men so I don’t get attached. I wasn’t worried. Getting attached has never been a problem for me. This guy was just a warm body in a chair. I was here for the basketball game. I was absolutely NOT here for my date. Or the kiss cam. Or the kiss. Or the impromptu evening with the one man who seems bent on throwing my tidy world off of its axis. But when my life takes a nose dive, he’s also the man who seems bent on proving to me that good men do exist, dreams can come true, and sometimes throwing out the rule book is when the magic really starts to happen. - To Forge Her Fate by Kasey Stockton
Amazon Synopsis: Two worlds. Two hearts. Can they ever meld together as one? Eliza Rose is the perfect lady—accomplished in pianoforte, riding, and multiple languages—until a scandal disrupts her privileged world. The fallen Rose family has struggled to regain their standing until a fortuitous connection helps Eliza re-secure her family’s place in Society, giving her everything she believed she wanted. Eliza’s return comes at a bittersweet price, however, as she unexpectedly loses her heart to the town blacksmith. She yearns to follow her heart, but fears condemnation. Her mother would give anything to remain among her friends—and Eliza cannot be the reason her family falls from grace once again. Jacob Ridley is a humble blacksmith, haunted by a past betrayal from a lady he thought he loved. He has come to Harewood to begin anew, with a rule to guide and protect himself—he will avoid women of quality. But Eliza is impossible to ignore, forever needing his help. He might not be a gentleman by Society’s standards, but he cannot refuse her when she is in need. - But He’s My One Regret by Annah Conwell
Amazon Synopsis: I like to live my life with no regrets. The only exception? Levi Carter. Five years ago we met on vacation and fell into an innocent flirtationship. And like all the women in cliche romance novels–I’d know since I read them obsessively–I fell in love. Then I promptly chickened out of admitting my way-too-soon-red-flag-feelings and left Levi behind, with nothing but his first name to remember him by. I thought I’d never see him again, but then I walk into my new job as a police department therapist and … there he is. He’s tall, handsome, and totally off-limits. Dating detectives is definitely against the rules, but Levi seems determined to break them. -
Amazon Synopsis: A duke’s governess, a gentleman entomologist, and a castle full of flowers is the perfect setting for a summer romance. As the new governess to the duke’s family, Alice Sharpe must learn to control her impulsiveness. Employment in the duke’s household is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and could mean living in comfort the rest of her days. Unfortunately, her first encounter with the duke’s houseguest, a handsome gentleman obsessed with insects, proves she may not be ready for the austere role of governess. Rupert Gardiner has one goal: to have his work in entomology and botany published by the Royal Society. He is fortunate that the Duke of Montfort, believes in him and enlists Rupert to make a record of all the flora on the castle grounds. But Miss Sharpe’s spontaneity and continual appearance during his work is an annoying distraction. At least, that’s what he tells himself. While Alice struggles to adapt to her new role, constantly striving to go unnoticed while still being herself, she cannot help but admire Rupert’s intelligence and focus. The more often they fall in together, the more her admiration deepens. But could a gentleman such as he ever fall in love with the governess? -
He’s a hot high school chemistry teacher living in a small town. She’s a globetrotting journalist running from her past. They used to be best friends. Then one kiss changes everything. Kate Fletcher is my kryptonite. She’s also my best friend. Former best friend? I’m not sure what you call it when we grew up attached at the hip and then she left Silver Creek (and me) to travel the world. The important thing is: Kate is back. (Temporarily.) And I’m still in love with her. (Permanently.) But something is different now. The attraction doesn’t seem one-sided. I don’t think I’m imagining the heat in Kate’s eyes or the chemistry crackling between us. But will that be enough to keep Kate here, when, for as long as I can remember, all she’s wanted to do is leave. I’m determined to give her a reason to stay. Family. Connection. Roots. And me. I’ll have to start with sparks and fire, but if I take this step, there’s no turning back to simple friendship. And if she doesn’t feel the same way, I might lose her again—this time for good.
- The Mostly Real McCoy by Julie Christanson
Amazon Synopsis: Not everyone is destined to live happily ever after, right? I’d be fine with averagely ever after. Lower expectations mean less heartbreak. But then I meet Mac and Daisy. Single dad Mac needs a temporary nanny for his daughter, Daisy. I need a second job until my promotion kicks in. It’s the perfect arrangement…until it isn’t. Because who can resist a dad buying ballerina tights after a day spent in a hard hat? Not me, that’s for sure. Now Mac’s green eyes and Daisy’s crooked pigtails have me dreaming about a future I can’t give them. I need to mend my own heart before I can focus on anyone else’s. At least our arrangement is only for one month, so I won’t have time to get attached to this man and his little girl—I’m absolutely positive. - World’s Worst Boyfriend by Carina Taylor
Amazon Synopsis: Fletcher is the “World’s Worst Boyfriend” and I have the trophy to prove it—along with the consolation gift card I’ve already spent. Entering him into the anonymous contest was cathartic and eye opening. It’s obvious I need to end this farce of a relationship… so, I do. Too bad I’m still comparing every man I meet to Fletcher. Too bad I can’t get him out of my mind—or my house, for that matter, with the way he’s always stopping by to ‘fix’ something. And it’s especially too bad that I’m learning not everything is as it seems, and that maybe, just maybe, Fletcher had a good reason for his actions. (Although, there is no justification for the moldy laundry.)
What’s a girl to do? He says he’ll explain everything soon. But am I ready to face that explanation? What if he’s really not the worst—what if I am?
- Content: +3Share:
- Content: +4