More Than a Clean Romance: Why I Write Love Stories With All the Feels (And Less of the Other Stuff)

I once made a terrible, terrible mistake.

My lovely Aunt Cathy, a woman whose most scandalous secret is that she occasionally puts a splash of coffee creamer in her afternoon tea, asked me for a romance novel recommendation. Beaming, I handed her a blockbuster bestseller I had just devoured. “You’ll love it,” I promised.

A week later, she called me.

There was a long, deeply unnerving silence on the line before she finally whispered, “Dear… what, exactly, was happening in chapter seventeen?”

I froze.

A cold sweat prickled my neck. Chapter seventeen. Oh, no. I had completely forgotten about the notoriously descriptive, deeply anatomical, and wildly acrobatic Chapter Seventeen.

In my excitement over the witty banter and the emotional slow burn, I’d erased the… rest of it. My aunt, bless her heart, had bravely sailed right into the heart of a literary hurricane without a raincoat.

That mortifying phone call is the perfect entry point into a conversation I have all the time.

In a world full of chapter seventeens, where do you find the stories that focus on the heart-fluttering, soul-baring journey of falling in love?

Where are all the clean romance novels?

First Things First: What is Clean Romance, Anyway?

If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “What is clean and wholesome romance?” you’re not alone. It’s a corner of the bookstore that can feel a little mysterious. So let’s clear it up.

Think of it this way: clean and wholesome romance isn’t about being naive or prudish. It’s about focus. It’s a deliberate artistic choice to shine a spotlight on the emotional intimacy of a relationship. These are stories where the core conflict, the rising tension, and the final, breathtaking resolution happen in conversations, in shared glances, in the terrifying, beautiful act of two people letting their guards down.

You might also hear the term “Closed Door Romance.” They’re similar, but with a subtle difference. In a closed-door story, physical intimacy might be happening, but the narrative politely closes the bedroom door, leaving the details to your imagination. “Clean Romance” is a bit broader, typically meaning no explicit scenes and no heavy swearing.

Either way, the destination is the same: a powerful, satisfying love story that makes your heart ache in the best possible way.

Why I Choose the Clean Romance

For me, writing this way is about getting to the good stuff.

My novels are, at their core, about the messy, complicated, and often hilarious journey of unbecoming: of shedding the person you thought you were supposed to be to make room for who you really are.

If that sounds like a journey you’re on, you might enjoy my guide to The Art of Unbecoming.

In my stories, a romance is often the catalyst for that messy transformation.

It’s the spark that lights the fire of change. And the real drama isn’t physical; it’s the internal earthquake that happens when a character finally allows themselves to be truly seen by someone else.

I close the bedroom door so I can throw open the door to my characters’ terrified, hopeful, and wonderfully complicated hearts.

That, to me, is where the real story is.

I want to write about the adrenaline rush of a perfectly timed witty comeback, the gut-wrenching fear of being vulnerable, and the soul-deep relief of finding someone who loves your particular brand of weird.

These are stories for adults, full of adult problems: burnout, baggage, and the monumental task of starting over.

The truth is, some of the sexiest scenes I’ve ever read involve no touching at all.

A Quick Note for the Spice-Lovers

Now, is this to say that a story with an open bedroom door is any less valid?

Absolutely not. Let’s be clear: a well-written, steamy love scene can be a powerful, character-driven part of a narrative.

There is an incredible amount of artistry in writing spicy romance, and a huge, wonderful audience for it.

Reading preferences are like ice cream flavors: some of us want vanilla bean, some of us want ghost pepper rocky road, and both are delicious choices.

My decision to write “clean romance” is simply about my personal storytelling sweet spot. It’s the flavor I love to make. So whether you love fade-to-black or chapter seventeen in all its glory, the best part of being a reader is that there’s a book out there just for you.

Finding Your Next Favorite Love Story

Ultimately, reading clean romance isn’t about avoiding something.

It’s about actively seeking something more: more banter, more slow-burn tension, more emotional depth. It’s for readers who believe the greatest adventure is learning to trust another human with your heart.

If that sounds like the kind of journey you’re looking for, I think you’ll feel right at home with the stories I write.

They are some of the best clean romance novels for anyone who loves watching two guarded people cautiously, beautifully, fall for each other’s souls.

You can explore them all on my bookshelf.

Now I’d love to know, what makes a love story truly unforgettable for you? Is it the witty banter, the slow-burn tension, or that one perfect moment of emotional honesty?

Tell me in the comments!