Are you looking for a romantic read that’s more than a superficial attraction between two characters? Maybe you want your love story to include a biblical theme. I got you. Here are some of the best Christian romance novels to get you started on this genre.
What is Christian Romance?
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Christian fiction romance is a story that has a romantic theme but contains Christian elements. The romance typically happens between one or more Christian characters and expounds on a biblical theme such as God’s redeeming love.
A Christian romance book usually does not have on-page sex between the characters unless they are married and when it does, it’s behind the scene. In a romantic Christian book, you can expect that there will be no swearing, and the steamy scenes so prevalent in secular fiction are excluded.
Should A Christian Read Romance Novels?
Honestly, this is something you’re going to have to determine for yourself. Just as with reading secular romance novels, there are multiple arguments on both sides of the story. Some people will argue that Christians should not read romance novels because it incites lust. Whereas others will say that Christian romance books are a great way of exploring the length and depth of God’s love for you through fiction.
This decision is one best made through prayer and meditation. Ask God to reveal to your heart if Christian romantic fiction is right for you. If the answer is yes, here are some great Christian romance novels to get started in the genre.
Christian Contemporary Novels
Christian contemporary novels are set in modern times and are sometimes called “modern romance”. This is typically anytime after the Second World War. Contemporary Christian novels will contain elements that will allow you to date the novel. I find it interesting that in another couple of decades what we consider contemporary will become historical novels 😉.
My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade
Kate Donovan is burned out on work and tired of praying and waiting for the man she’s supposed to marry. When her grandmother
asks Kate to accompany her to Redbud, Pennsylvania, to restore the grand old house she grew up in, Kate jumps at the chance.
When she arrives in Redbud, Kate meets Matt Jarreau, the man her grandmother has hired to renovate the house. Kate is instantly attracted to him–but Matt’s in love with his dead wife. Kate has made it her mission to befriend Matt and help him over his grief.
But when the stilted, uncomfortable interactions between Kate and Matt slowly shift into something more, Kate wonders if God has finally answered the longing of her heart? Or will Kate she have to give up the man of her dreams?
It Had to Be You (Christiansen Family) by Susan May Warren
Eden Christiansen had been her younger brother Owen’s cheerleader all her life. But looking after the NHL rookie who tended towards recklessness left little time for her to focus on her own career. She wanted to make a name for herself as a reporter but is stuck writing obituaries. She’s beginning to fear that she doesn’t have what it takes to land a major story. She wishes someone would step up to mentor Owen . . . but she knows better than to expect help from team veteran and bad-boy enforcer Jace Jacobsen.
Jace has built his career on the infamous reputation of his aggressive behavior―on and off the ice. Now that reputation has him trapped as he struggles to make decisions about his future. And the guilt-trip he’s getting from Eden Christiansen isn’t making things any easier. When Owen’s carelessness leads to a career-threatening injury and Eden stumbles upon a story that could be her big break, she and Jace are forced to work together . . . and begin to wonder if they could play on the same team after all.
Historical Christian Romance Novels
Historical romance is a category of fiction where the story takes place in the past. Historical novels showcase the lifestyle of people at various times in history.
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Based on the story of Gomer and Hosea, Redeeming Love is a tale of God’s unconditional love for us. Angel was sold into prostitution as a child and expects nothing from men but betrayal.
When she meets Michael Hosea, a man who seeks God’s heart in everything, she meets a different kind of man. Michael obeys God’s call to marry Angel and to love her unconditionally. Slowly, day by day, he defies Angel’s every bitter expectation, loving her as God does.
But Angel can’t handle all the emotions stirred up by Michael’s love so she runs back to the life she had escaped, away from Michael’s pursuing love. If she’s going to truly heal, she must learn to turn to the One who will never let her go.
Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer
The Archers are honor-bound to protect their land. So much so that legends have arisen around the people who live there and what they will do to anyone found on their land. But Meredith Hayes had seen a different side of at least one of the Archers. When she overhears a lethal plot to burn the Archer brothers off their ranch, she takes a risk to save them.
When Travis Archer confronts a female trespasser with the same vivid blue eyes as the courageous young girl he once aided, he can’t bring himself to send her away. But Meredith’s act of sacrifice may cost her more than she intends. It may cost her reputation. Meredith is determined to stand by Travis’s side against the enemy that threatens them both. But will Travis always see her merely as a short-straw bride? Or will he love her like she wants to be loved?
A Noble Masquerade by Kristi Ann Hunter
Lady Miranda Hawthorne has been taught to act like a lady in every situation, but secretly she longs to be bold and carefree. After her fourth Season with no husband in sight, she starts writing her innermost feelings out in letters to her brother’s old school friend. Letters she never plans to send because though she has heard much about the duke they had never met.
Meanwhile, she also finds herself intrigued by Marlow, her brother’s new valet, and although she may wish to break free of the strictures that bind her, falling in love with a servant is more of a rebellion than she planned.
When Marlow accidentally discovers and mails one of her letters to the duke, Miranda is mortified. Until the duke writes back and she finds herself intrigued by the man who has initiated a courtship-by-mail. Miranda is confused by her growing feelings for two different men. When she learns that state secrets are at risk and Marlow is in the middle of the conflict, Miranda must risk all for love.
Christian Western Novels
Books in the Western genre usually set in the American Old West. The time period extends from the late eighteenth century to the late nineteenth century.
But not all Western-styled novels are historical. Modern Westerns are set in the West and include characters who are cowboys or somehow connected to a ranch, rodeo, or other thing considered to be typically Western. These books are sometimes called cowboy novels.
The Lady and the Mountain Man (The Mountain Series Book 1) by Misty Beller
Leah Townsend, a recently orphaned heiress, flees Richmond after discovering her fiancé’s plot to kill her after their wedding. She needs a safe place to hide and finds herself accepting a newspaper marriage proposal from a God-fearing young rancher in the Montana Territory. But when Leah arrives at the mountain ranch, she learns her intended husband was killed by a grizzly, leaving behind a bitter older brother and a spunky younger sister.
When Gideon Bryant finds an eastern lady standing in his log cabin, his first thought is to send her back where she came from. He’s lost too many people to the wild elements of these mountains––his parents, his wife, and now his brother. His love for this untamed land lives on, but he’s determined not to open his heart to another person.
But when an accident forces Leah to stay at the ranch for seven more months, can Gideon protect his heart from a love he doesn’t want? Has Leah really escaped the men who seek her life?
Free Christian Romance Novels
I don’t know about you, but the only thing I love more than books is free books. These novels in this section were free on Amazon.com at the time this post was published. However, prices vary based on the marketplace where you purchase your books. Please check the price before you buy any of the books listed below.
Take A Chance On Me by Becky Wade
When baker Penelope Quinn steps in to help her brother’s family through a medical crisis, she’s forced into close proximity with charming Air Force fighter pilot Eli Price.
Penelope has one iron-clad dating rule—she does not date airmen. Months ago, she relaxed her rule with Eli and immediately lived to regret it. After a long deployment, he’s now back in Misty River, and to her dismay, she finds him just as tempting as always.
Eli’s spent months thinking about funny, feisty, creative Penelope. He once leveraged his focus and drive to become a pilot, his childhood dream. Now he’s set on leveraging that same focus and drive in order to convince Penelope to give him one more chance.
A Lady of Refuge by Kristi Ann Hunter
Miss Amelia Stalwood lives in London at her absent guardian’s townhouse, but she has never met any nobility; instead of aristocrats, her closest friends are servants. Quite by happenstance, she’s introduced to the Hawthorne family and their close family friend, Anthony, the reformed Marquis of Raebourne.
She is welcomed into their world, but just as she’s beginning to gain some confidence and even suspect that she may have caught Anthony’s eye, she’s blindsided by an unexpected twist in her situation accompanied by nasty rumors. Will she lose her reputation when the world that has only just accepted her turns its back on her, or will she rest in the support of the friends who’ve become like family and the man who’s shared his faith and captured her heart?
A Search for Refuge by Kristi Ann Hunter
Margaretta Fortescue desperately needs to disappear from London society, and her only hope is to follow the rumors of another young woman who recently made a life for herself away from the glare of society. Her search leads her to the market town of Marlborough where, in spite of her efforts to avoid attention, she can’t seem to elude local solicitor Nash Banfield.
Nash wants a quiet, sedate life with no risks or surprises. When Margaretta, clearly on the run and unwilling to answer questions, interrupts his solitude, his curiosity and his principles won’t let him leave this determined woman without assistance. But will discovering the truth about Margaretta make him think twice about finally taking a risk on love?
A Search for Refuge is an e-only novella that gives an exciting introduction to Kristi Ann Hunter’s new Regency historical romance series, Haven Manor, and includes an extended excerpt of the first full-length novel in the series, A Defense of Honor. Download A Search for Refuge.
Callie by Sharon Shrock
Callie Stillman has done everything she can to bury the memories of a tiny, baby-sized coffin. She lives life one day at a time, basking in the love of a good man and doting on her grandchildren. Until she crosses paths with a little girl who is obviously in trouble—but tries to hide it.
Iris and Samantha Evans are living on borrowed time. Deserted, orphaned, betrayed, and deceived, they need rescuing in the worst way.
Steve Evans had his life changed by God. A reformed drug addict, he’s searching for the family he abandoned ten years ago…When Callie can no longer ignore the signs that Iris needs help, her interference sends four people on a collision course that will force her to face the past she’d rather forget. Download Callie.
Have you read any of the books on this list? If you had to nominate one book to add to this list of best Christian romance novels, what would you choose? I hope this list of Christian romance books gets you excited to start a new reading list.
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