The romance genre can sometimes get a bad rap for being a bit too steamy or explicit for some readers who are just looking for a clean, wholesome story to enjoy. However, there are numerous authors who specialize in writing sweet romance novels that rival those of classic Disney fairytales. If you’re searching for that perfect feel-good love story that’s clean, check out these top 10 wholesome romance authors!
10. Debbie Macomber
Author Debbie Macomber has carved a permanent niche for herself in the wholesome romance genre. Her delightful novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and have inspired several Hallmark Channel movies. There are over 200 million copies of her books in circulation today, among which include her famous Cedar Cove series. If you’re in the mood for that warm and fuzzy feeling of an uplifting love story, look no further than Macomber’s titles!
9. Susan Mallery
#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery has been hailed as “the new queen of romantic fiction,” having published more than 75 heart-warming and humorous romance novels. Mallery has written a number of sweet romantic series, including the Blackberry Island series, the Mischief Bay series, Fool’s Gold, and Happily Inc. Whichever book you choose, you can expect to fall in love with Mallery’s compelling stories of love, friendship, and compassion.
8. Pamela M. Kelley
Pamela M. Kelley is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author whose works have been described as “feel-good reads with people you’d want as friends.” One of her most outstanding series is the Nantucket Beach Plum Cove anthology, which features plenty of memorable characters and sweet romantic moments that take place in a lovely coastal town.
7. Laura K. Denton
Laura Denton’s very first novel, Hideaway, was immediately a major hit for romance lovers. The book quickly became a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Amazon Charts bestseller, enchanting readers with its beautifully-written tale of a single woman struggling to identify what’s most important to her in life. Follow heroine Sara Jenkins as she discovers more about her family’s past and herself when she returns home to the idyllic, laid-back town of Sweet Bay.
6. Karen Kingsbury
#1 New York Times bestselling novelist Karen Kingsbury has been described as “America’s favorite inspirational storyteller,” selling over 25 million copies of her wholesome tales. About a dozen of her books are undergoing development to become movies through Hallmark and other major studios, and her Baxter Family series is going to become a TV series in the near future. Be sure to check out the books before you watch the show!
6. Nicholas Sparks
Iconic romance author Nicholas Sparks has earned a spot on the New York Times bestseller list every time he publishes a new novel. 11 of his books have been adapted into films (so far), and he has sold over 105 million copies of his stories worldwide. Some of his best-known works include The Notebook, A Walk to Remember, and The Last Song, but there are over a dozen other wholesome, swoon-worthy novels to enjoy.
5. Francine Rivers
New York Times bestselling author Francine Rivers has earned a spot in the prestigious Romance Writers of America (RWA) Hall of Fame, and she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Her most famous book, Redeeming Love, breathes fresh air into the wholesome romance genre as a historical Christian romance novel. If you’re seeking a truly uplifting, inspiring, and lovely story, give Rivers’ tales a try!
4. Charles Martin
His most popular book, The Mountain Between Us, was adapted into a major motion picture, but Charles Martin has 13 other New York Times bestselling romance novels to devour. One popular suggestion is his 2009 piece, Water from My Heart, which has been described as: “A moving story of lost dreams, unending love, truth seeking, and in the end, inspiring redemption.”
3. Carolyn Brown
It’s nearly impossible to talk about wholesome romance novels without bringing up the undeniably sweet books written by Carolyn Brown. She has been featured as a bestselling author in the New York Times, USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly, and the Wall Street Journal. Brown became a #1 bestselling author according to Amazon and the Washington Post, and she’s scheduled to publish her 100th book later this year. You don’t want to miss anything from this extraordinary writer!
2. Nancy Naigle
USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle has composed over 25 small-town love stories, which have been translated into numerous languages and earned her a spot on the AFCW Honor Roll. Two of her novels were selected to be adapted into movies by Crown Media, and she has novelized two Hallmark Original movies. Keep an eye out for her sweet stories on the big screen and on the shelves of your local library.
1. Robyn Carr
Robyn Carr is an award-winning author of nearly 60 novels, becoming a #1 New York Times bestseller 11 times so far in her career. Netflix has selected her Virgin River series to become a special 10-episode series on the streaming platform, and Carr has received praise for her writing from the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and the Wall Street Journal. Her famous book, Virgin River, was even named as one of HarperCollins 200 Iconic Books of the past 200 years. You won’t regret settling in with Carr’s idyllic books and getting lost in her enchanting stories.
If you’d like more recommendations, be sure to see our featured books page and you can also find free sweet/wholesome Romance books on Kindle.