If you’re looking for a clean romance with many elements that can surprise or intrigue a reader, delving into a genre like this can conform to your religious faith. Still, it can also be a departure from traditional norms.
However, like many genres, there can be an overabundance of titles, and you may look for romance novels with mystery, historical, or even young adult elements.
Read on to find the best ten novels that can be added to your to-read list and cure the itch for explorative aspects of this genre.
1. Stay With Me- Becky Wade
A contemporary novel that follows the clean and wholesome aspects of the genre, here you have five adults bound by tragedy that they have miraculously survived, and even deals with some complex topics such as the cycle of drug addiction.
Even with this, you can find an intriguing and heartfelt story with enough suspense in the form of a mysterious note that alludes to past actions. This means you have a page-turner with two other books in the series to keep your curiosity going.
2. The Princess- Lori Wick
This novel, published in 1999, is considered a contemporary classic within the series as the story has the classic love paradigm of an arranged marriage. These characters, in turn, find Christ and search for guidance and meaning in their lives.
Even though the couple isn’t close before the arranged marriage, they must learn to find room in their hearts to love one another, even if the prince deals with the loss of his wife, who died at a young age and is a recurring plot element in the novel.
3. A Hope Undaunted- Julie Lessman
A novel set in the 1920s, it is focused on telling the story of a sassy and intelligent woman who looks to make it in life by finding the right husband while balancing a challenging career in law.
This then turns to the classic dilemma: does Katie choose the well-connected and wealthy boyfriend Jack or an acquaintance from her past who is described as the bane of her childhood existence?
4. Now And Then And Always- Melissa Tagg
For those who are looking for a tender and thoughtful story about two people who are left feeling lost and confused, find some solace in the form of a bed and breakfast in Maple valley, where they renovate and search for its missing owner.
You also have humor and supporting characters that feel fleshed out enough to have stories of their own, and once you’ve done with this, you can find the second book in the trilogy, which has all the signature flair that can only come from a writer like Melissa Tagg.
5. Daughter Of Rome- Tessa Afshar
This Christian historical fiction is set in the first century in Rome. It focuses on a meeting of two people that throws them into the center of history, with a courtship surrounded by betrayal and murder, so it has plenty of elements to draw you in.
Not only is the scene laid out in great detail, but it goes on an immersive journey to the center of finding spiritual goodness and trust in God’s work that is likely to strengthen anyone’s relationship with the faith as powerful and inspiring as it can be.
6. Love So Heavenly- Shannon Gardener
For those who want more racial diversity in their novels, this one, part of a series, focuses on Kayla, who is the daughter of a strict pastor and wants to pursue her passion for singing, which brings our attention to Tyrese, who is very wealthy.
A story with a love of God as one of the core messages also looks at forgiveness and trust, especially in the wake of revelations about other characters that look to shake and put into question the beliefs that the characters have to learn to value.
7. Island Refuge- Kimberly Rose Johnson
This is another contemporary novel with a lot of readability as it only has 188 pages, so it is ideal for dipping into. You have a 5-star chef who walks away from her dream job and ends up on tiny Wildflower island, which is full of opportunities.
As Zoe becomes more accustomed to her new life, a potential match is near, and as they try to heal the past and look to the future, they look to God in order to forgive and forget past events and people that have caused hurt.
8. The Mistress Of Tall Acre- Laura Frantz
Set in the aftermath of the American revolution, Sophie Menzies is hoping for some good news when her nearest neighbor comes with a young daughter and is searching for a replacement mother. This begins a seemingly ideal arrangement.
However, when a woman returns from the general’s past, the arrangement seems to have the potential for conflict and strained relations. This brings a mystery element and an ending that will catch you by surprise for fans of historical events told in spectacular detail.
9. The Secret Journal Of Brett Colton- Kay Lynn Mangum
Considered a young adult type in the genre, this book looks at Kathy Colton, who discovers a hidden journal from her deceased brother, Brett. Through this, she learns more about the brother she never knew, which is open to a lot of reflection.
With faith, Kathy navigates her way through high school, and while issues of faith arise, there is an interweaving of the past in ways that are bound to enlighten and inspire readers with the importance of loving our friends and family.
10. The Captive Heart- Michelle Griep
This story goes beyond tradition by showing us a character called Eleanor, who escapes a mean employer and goes to America in hopes of serving a better employer. This is when she is forced to settle for marriage to a man she has never met.
Through this, both Eleanor and Samuel have to come to terms with their colorful pasts and face the challenges that come with love. The reader can learn how long and arduous this process is and learn to accept willing partners and individuals who come into our lives.
11. Port Royal- Linda Chaikin
If you’re looking for a Christian romance with a distinct theme, this novel is set in Jamaica during the 1700s, which looks at a pirate who meets Emerald, a young and clever young woman, but this is not the only exciting element of the story.
You also get a historical look at geography, slavery, and the Spanish Inquisition. It has a lot of threads going through it and adds complexity to the overarching storyline. Once you’ve finished with this one, there are another two stories in the series.
12. Dreamspell- Tamara Leigh
For those looking for an intricate story that goes down an exciting path, this time travel romance that transports Kennedy to 14th-century England has the problem of having to stay alive long enough to return to her own time.
As time goes on, Kennedy becomes more invested in her dream world and looks to right wrongs, as you have her modern sensibilities with the medieval chivalric code. The true beauty lies in the well-constructed characters for an unforgettable tale.
13. Veil Of Pearls- MaryLu Tyndall
A novel that looks at what lengths the human spirit will go to find freedom and love looks at Adalia Winston, who is thankful for her freedom and tries to settle down into life until she meets Morgan Rutledge, who is born into a very prominent family.
After Morgan’s insistence, Adalia is brought into high society and brings an inner conflict over her identity and God. This also means you have characters with a lot of emotional depth and goes down paths that you may not expect certain characters to go down.
How We Have Picked These Novels
Part of the criteria was to find stories that look at personal development and how this can conflict with the other themes within the novels. As diverse as a selection this is, some may prefer certain aspects over others.
Whichever you prefer, you can find one-off stories or ones as part of a series, so you can continue on the thread and struggle less to find that next great read, as your choices aren’t limited to historic or contemporary fiction.
Conclusion
Any Christian romance complies with the fundamental teachings and ideals of the Christian tradition. Watching characters go through this process and find an inner peace is a very enlightening journey to see, as readers can be taken down this path as well.
As well as this, you can find many subgenres that can go in many different directions but have a clear message throughout, which is to put trust in God and allow the teachings to show you the way.