The best books for romance-loving Christians

Carolyn Miller Author Of The Breakup Project
By Carolyn Miller

Who am I?

I’m a long-time lover of Christian romance, and now with over a dozen Christian historical romance books published, and a similar amount of Christian contemporary romances published or soon to be, I think I’m someone who has a true appreciation for romance that is soul-stirringly Christian, not just clean or sweet, but which contains truths that will inspire and encourage as well as entertain with swoon-worthy romance.

I wrote...

The Breakup Project

By Carolyn Miller,

Book cover of The Breakup Project

What is my book about?

New Year. New Resolution. New Romance? What happens when the best-laid plans break a friendship? As the twin sister of hockey’s hottest forward, romance-loving Bree Karlsson is used to being ignored, leading to a New Year’s resolution to not date any athlete in her attempt to find Mr. Right. But what happens when the man who might prove to be her personal Mr. Darcy is her brother’s hockey-playing best friend?

This friends-to-more romance has plenty of heart, humor, and swoon-worthy kisses in this first book of the Original Six, a sweet Christian contemporary romance series.

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The books I picked & why

My Stubborn Heart

By Becky Wade,

Book cover of My Stubborn Heart

Why did I love this book?

I love My Stubborn Heart because it’s a contemporary Christian romance that’s real, relatable, and encourages Christians to trust God, even when it feels like doing things God’s way puts our hopes and dreams at risk. I love this book because a) hockey player, and b) redheaded heroine (and we all need to see more of them in fiction and real life!)

I recommend this book for people who enjoy contemporary romance with heart and humor and are wanting to read books with more than a tokenistic faith message.

My Stubborn Heart

By Becky Wade,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked My Stubborn Heart as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Kate Donovan is burned out on work, worn down by her dating relationships, and in need of an adventure. 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.

Upon her arrival, Kate meets Matt Jarreau, the man hired to renovate the house. Kate can't help being drawn by both his good looks and something else she can't quite put her finger on. He's clearly wounded, yet Kate sets her stubborn heart on bringing him out of the dark and back into the light…

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Redeeming Love

By Francine Rivers,

Book cover of Redeeming Love

Why did I love this book?

Redeeming Love surely has to be one of the all-time classics of Christian books, let alone Christian romance. It is a superb mid-nineteenth-century retelling of the book of Hosea from the Bible, which sees a broken woman restored to wholeness and healing through the sacrificial love of Michael Hosea. Containing some truly heart-wrenching moments, this book is filled with hope and heart-satisfaction, and inspirational qualities that are guaranteed to move your heart like this book did mine.

Redeeming Love

By Francine Rivers,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked Redeeming Love as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

NATIONAL BESTSELLER * SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE starring Abigail Cowen, Tom Lewis, Nina Dobrev, with Logan Marshall Green and Eric Dane, special appearance by Famke Janssen. Distributed by Universal Pictures with a screenplay by Francine Rivers and D.J. Caruso

CALIFORNIA'S GOLD COUNTRY, 1850. A TIME WHEN MEN SOLD THEIR SOULS FOR A BAG OF GOLD AND WOMEN SOLD THEIR BODIES FOR A PLACE TO SLEEP.

Angel expects nothing from men but betrayal. A child prostitute, she survives by keeping her hatred alive. And what she hates most are the men who use her, leaving her empty and…

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The Governess of Highland Hall

By Carrie Turansky,

Book cover of The Governess of Highland Hall

Why did I love this book?

If you’re like me and a fan of Downton Abbey, then you’ll appreciate the well-researched Edwardian period details found in this charming story, as well as the sweet romance. Julia Foster is not your usual governess, having a remarkable backstory of her own, but the way she cares for the widowed William and his children is heart-warming and will captivate your heart. 

The Governess of Highland Hall

By Carrie Turansky,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Governess of Highland Hall as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

More Than 200 5-Star Reviews on Amazon.Finalist for the ACFW Carol Award and the Gayle Wilson Award of ExcellenceWhen a crisis strikes Julia's family in India, she returns to England and takes the position at Highland Hall, a magnificent English country estate. Will she be able to find her place when a governess is neither upstairs family nor downstairs help?
 
Family drama, romance, and inspiration for those who love Downton Abbey and Jane Eyre. Missionary Julia Foster loves working alongside her parents, ministering and caring for young girls in India. But when the family must return to England due to…

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It Had to Be You

By Susan May Warren,

Book cover of It Had to Be You

Why did I love this book?

This is the second book in the Christiansen family series, but in my opinion, is one of the best. Why? It’s about a hockey player (hello!), and the over-committed sister of one of his teammates. This book explores things such as family obligations and unspoken expectations, discovering God’s purpose for your life, and learning to accept God’s grace. The use of Scripture is powerful and inspiring yet used so naturally that I’m sure readers will be encouraged as I was, and as for the romance – prepare for some swoon-worthy kisses!

It Had to Be You

By Susan May Warren,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked It Had to Be You as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Eden Christiansen never imagined her role as her younger brother Owen’s cheerleader would keep her on the sidelines of her own life. Sure, it feels good to be needed, but looking after the reckless NHL rookie leaves little time for Eden to focus on her own career. She dreamed of making a name for herself as a reporter, but is stuck writing obits―and starting to fear she doesn’t have the chops to land a major story. If only someone would step up to mentor Owen . . . but she knows better than to expect help from team veteran and…

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Reason and Romance: A Contemporary Retelling of Sense and Sensibility

By Debra White Smith,

Book cover of Reason and Romance: A Contemporary Retelling of Sense and Sensibility

Why did I love this book?

As a longtime fan of Jane Austen, this modern retelling of Sense and Sensibility is the epitome of romance for me, containing all the feels. There is a beautiful sense of longing, as Elaina attempts to be the voice of reason in her highly emotion-driven family while struggling between her natural caution and a yearning attraction for Ted Farris. It’s the sense of emotional constraint that makes this romance so powerful to me, as Elaina’s qualities of reticence seem rare these days. If you want an inspiring, sweet romance with a hint of Jane Austen, then this is a great book to check out.

Reason and Romance: A Contemporary Retelling of Sense and Sensibility

By Debra White Smith,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Reason and Romance as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"Smith shows her expertise with Jane Austen's work. . . . A fun and well-crafted romance through and through."--RT Book Reviews on Reason and Romance

Reason and Romance: A Contemporary Retelling of Sense and Sensibility

Sisters Elaina and Anna Woods find themselves caught up in whirlwind romances. But when both are confronted with heartbreaking revelations, can their bond withstand the strain as they hold out for happily-ever-after?

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You might also like...

The Rosewood Penny

By J.S. Fields,

Book cover of The Rosewood Penny

J.S. Fields

New book alert!

Sponsored by J.S. Fields Author

What is my book about?

The dragons of Yuro have been hunted to extinction. 

On a small, isolated island, in a reclusive forest, lives bandit leader Marani and her brother Jacks. With their outlaw band, they rob the rich to feed themselves, raiding carriages and dodging the occasional vindictive pegasus. Thanks to Marani’s mysterious invulnerability, this mostly works out well…until Marani and her quirky band of outlaws plunder the carriage of the very bossy princess Nuria.

The princess’s carriage contains not just gold, but a dragonscale comb that belonged to Marani’s murdered mother. Worse yet, Princess Nuria seems to know exactly who Marani is, maybe more than Marani herself.

The Rosewood Penny

By J.S. Fields,

What is this book about?

The dragons of Yuro have been hunted to extinction.

On a small, isolated island, in a reclusive forest, lives bandit leader Marani and her brother Jacks. With their outlaw band they rob from the rich to feed themselves, raiding carriages and dodging the occasional vindictive pegasus. Thanks to Marani’s mysterious invulnerability, this mostly works out well…until Marani and her quirky band of outlaws plunder the carriage of the very bossy princess Nuria.

The princess’s carriage contains not just gold, but a dragonscale comb that belonged to Marani’s murdered mother. Worse yet, Princess Nuria seems to know exactly who Marani is,…

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Genres

5 book lists we think you will like!

The best Christian romance with spiritual and romantic passion
The best novels that authentically illustrate a genuine Christian faith
The best Christian fiction novels that show the awesome power of God to heal the most wounded of souls
The best gritty western historical romances for lovers of the show The English (who wanted a HEA)
The best funny and faith-based romances

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