A Guide for Fantasy Romance Fans
If you’ve wandered the bookish corners of the internet lately, you’ve probably seen the word romantasy popping up everywhere. From BookTok recommendations to bestseller lists, this blend of romance + fantasy is taking readers by storm.
But here’s the catch: not all romantasy is created equal. Some stories lean into steamy, adult themes, while others focus on emotional connection, magical adventure, and swoony romance that’s safe for teen and adult readers alike.
That’s where clean romantasy comes in.
🌙 What Exactly Is “Clean Romantasy”?
“Clean romantasy” is a subgenre publishers of fantasy romance use where the focus is on emotional depth, romantic tension, and magical storytelling—without explicit content. I don’t really like the term “Clean”, so I’ve adopted Low-spice Romantasy instead. It’s got heat. It’ll warm your heart and give you all the feels. But it won’t provide the in-depth deets in love scenes most Spicy Romantasy titles have nowdays. It can have fade-to-black or sweet encounters. Still confused?
Think:
- Heart-racing glances across a battlefield.
- Breathless stolen kisses.
- Slow-burn tension where a brush of fingers feels electric.
- Magical quests where love becomes the anchor that keeps the heroine strong.
In slow-burn, low-spice romantasy, you’ll find:
- PG-13 style romance: Kissing, longing, emotional intensity.
- Magical worlds: Fae courts, witches, dragons, or elemental powers.
- Adventure at the core: The romance is vital, but it’s woven into a broader story of destiny, quests, and worldbuilding.
💕 Who Is It For?
Low-spice romantasy is perfect for:
- Young adult readers (or parents shopping for teens who love fantasy with romance!).
- Adults who want swoony romance without graphic detail.
- Readers who crave slow-burn, emotionally-charged love stories set in magical realms.
It’s also a wonderful fit for anyone who has thought: “I loved the romance in ACOTAR or Throne of Glass, but I wish there were PG-13 versions I could recommend to younger readers (or enjoy myself without the spice).”
📚 Examples of Low-Spice or No-Spice PG-13 Romantasy
Some well-loved examples include:
- Juliet Marillier’s Daughter of the Forest (beautiful, romantic, and lyrical).
- Shannon Hale’s Book of a Thousand Days (sweet, fairy-tale inspired romance).
- And, if I may, my own series, Elemental Enmity and Witches of Silver Moon Bay, which weave together witches, fae, elemental magic, and slow-burn romance for readers who love PG-13 romantasy.
Other titles with a little more spice:
- Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross: A story about competing journalists in a fantasy world, focusing on a sweet and romantic enemies-to-lovers dynamic.
- Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber: This book is a popular choice for YA romantasy readers seeking a magical and sweet story without explicit content.
- The Cruel Prince by Holly Black: A darker YA fantasy with a slow-burn romance between enemies, it has some spice, but is generally considered to have less than many adult romantasy novels.
- Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer: A fantasy rom-com that focuses on humor and magic with no spice.
- Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones: A classic with an innocent and funny tone, perfect for those who prefer minimal to no steam in their stories.
- The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley: A historical fantasy with an innocent, behind-closed-doors romance that has a steam level of 2 out of 5.
- Caraval by Stephanie Garber: Another YA fantasy romance with a magical, immersive world and a focus on the romance.
- Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent: While this has a bit more spice than others on this list, it’s significantly less than books like ACOTAR or Fourth Wing, making it a good transitional read.
✨ Why Readers Love It
Low-spice romantasy delivers the best of both worlds:
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The magic and adventure of epic fantasy.
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The heart and hope of a romance.
It’s a genre that says love doesn’t need to be explicit to feel powerful. Sometimes, the most breathtaking moments are the ones that leave you holding your breath, aching for that first kiss, or feeling the weight of unspoken love between two characters.
🌌 Ready to Dive In?
If you’re looking for your next low-spice fantasy romance, I’d love to invite you into my worlds.
Start with my free ebook, Five, the first book in my Elemental Enmity series. You’ll meet a feisty heroine discovering her elemental powers, a mysterious world full of magic, and a fae romance that simmers with slow-burn tension.
👉 Download your free copy here
Because sometimes, the most magical love stories are the ones you can safely share—with your daughter, your best friend, or your book club. 💫
Happy reading!
Until next time…
Christie
