10 Captivating Fantasy Romance Books for Young Adults: Clean Reads for Young Readers
Embark on a magical journey through fantastical realms, epic adventures, and timeless romances with these enchanting fantasy romance books for young adults. From captivating characters to spellbinding worlds, these clean reads offer the perfect escape for readers seeking love, adventure, and a touch of magic. Whether you're a fan of fairy tales, epic quests, or star-crossed lovers, there's something for everyone in this curated list of fantasy romance gems.
1. Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
Tension scale: 🔥🔥🔥
Spice scale: 🌶️ (Clean, no on-page intimacy)
Tropes: Deal with a fae, enemies to lovers, antihero love interest, magical trials
Goodreads rating: ★★★★☆ (4.02)
Why it’s great: Whimsical and emotionally charged, this romance with the Prince of Hearts is a fan favorite for clean romantasy lovers.
2. Garden of the Cursed by Katy Rose Pool
Tension scale: 🔥🔥🔥
Spice scale: 🌶️ (Clean with some romantic tension)
Tropes: Best friends to enemies to allies, slow burn, cursebreaker heroine, political intrigue
Goodreads rating: ★★★★☆ (4.01)
Why it’s great: A richly layered world with snappy dialogue and a slow-building romance that doesn’t rely on heat.
3. What Monstrous Gods by Rosamund Hodge
Tension scale: 🔥🔥🔥
Spice scale: 🌶️ (Emotionally intense, no explicit scenes)
Tropes: Kill-the-love-interest setup, divine mythology, morally gray characters
Goodreads rating: ★★★★☆ (4.00 est.)
Why it’s great: Twisty and myth-heavy with a strong, introspective heroine, perfect for readers who like darker stories with subtle romance.
4. Crave by Tracy Wolff
Tension scale: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Spice scale: 🌶️🌶️ (Romantic with some heated moments, but mostly fade-to-black in early books)
Tropes: Vampire romance, boarding school, chosen one, forbidden love
Goodreads rating: ★★★★☆ (3.83)
Why it’s great: Fans of Twilight will love this blend of monster mayhem, high school drama, and slow-burn tension.
5. The Princess Trials by Cordelia K. Castel
Tension scale: 🔥🔥🔥
Spice scale: 🌶️ (Clean romance, lots of court intrigue)
Tropes: Fake relationship, dystopian royalty, competition trope, rebellion
Goodreads rating: ★★★★☆ (3.82)
Why it’s great: A dystopian blend of The Bachelor and The Hunger Games, this one is pure fun with clever twists.
6. Caraval by Stephanie Garber
Tension scale: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Spice scale: 🌶️ (Romantic and swoony, no explicit scenes)
Tropes: Sisters first, magical competition, hidden identities, destiny
Goodreads rating: ★★★★☆ (4.03)
Why it’s great: Full of magic, mystery, and secrets—plus a romance that blooms under glittering chaos.
7. The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni
Tension scale: 🔥🔥🔥
Spice scale: 🌶️ (Low spice, character-driven)
Tropes: Healer heroine, found family, political rebellion, secrets and lies
Goodreads rating: ★★★★☆ (4.33)
Why it’s great: A gripping underdog story with life-or-death stakes and a slowly developing romance.
8. The Selection by Kiera Cass
Tension scale: 🔥🔥
Spice scale: 🌶️ (Clean, kissing only)
Tropes: Love triangle, palace intrigue, rags to riches, competition
Goodreads rating: ★★★★☆ (4.15)
Why it’s great: Iconic YA romance that combines fairy-tale feels with political drama and relatable teen dilemmas.
9. Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
Tension scale: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Spice scale: 🌶️🌶️ (Tender moments, no explicit scenes)
Tropes: Rivals to lovers, anonymous letters, war backdrop, emotional angst
Goodreads rating: ★★★★☆ (4.44)
Why it’s great: Emotionally resonant and beautifully written—a tearjerker with soul-deep longing.
10. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Tension scale: 🔥🔥🔥
Spice scale: 🌶️ (Mild romance, more political and action-driven)
Tropes: Chosen one, love triangle, betrayal, power struggles
Goodreads rating: ★★★★☆ (4.00)
Why it’s great: Think dystopia-meets-fantasy with a bold heroine who refuses to be anyone’s pawn.
Final Thoughts
Whether you're new to the genre or just want a magical story without the heat, these clean fantasy romance reads hit that perfect sweet spot: compelling love stories, immersive worlds, and all the feelings, no spice required.