Why “Clean” Paranormal Romance is on the Rise

In recent years, the demand for clean paranormal romance—romantic, paranormal stories without explicit content—has soared. Adults and teens alike are gravitating toward emotionally rich tales that deliver supernatural thrills and heartfelt connections without the graphic scenes, and here’s why:

1. The Romance Genre Is Booming

Romance fiction as a whole has become the fastest-growing segment in adult fiction. It accounted for 66% of growth in adult fiction sales in 2022, with print romance book sales rising 52%. As industry analyst Marie Hernandes notes, “Romance is no longer a niche—it’s a powerhouse, and readers are hungry for variety within it.” This surge benefits clean paranormal romance because it caters to readers who want the swoon-worthy elements of romance without crossing their personal boundaries.

2. Wholesome Narratives Offer Comfort

Many readers are turning toward comforting, emotionally intimate stories—ones that focus on connection, personal growth, and satisfying happy endings rather than sensationalism. A Time article described wholesome romance as “stories that wrap readers in warmth, offering love without shock value.”

For example, A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon by Sarah Hawley and Magic Forged

by K.M. Shea combine fantasy and romance while keeping content clean, proving that magic and mystery don’t require explicit scenes to captivate.

3. Clean Romance Has Found Its Market

The “Clean & Wholesome” romance category on Amazon Kindle has seen over 30% e-book sales growth since 2023. K-Lytics, a publishing analytics firm, points out that “readers are actively seeking ratings and filters for romance content—it’s about matching mood and values to the story.”

Clean Paranormal's bookstore’s rating system—extra mild, mild, and medium—taps directly into that growing demand.

4. Paranormal Romance Remains a Perennial Favorite

Paranormal romance has long had a devoted fan base. Series like Stephenie Meyer's Twilight and Cassandra Clare's City of Bones show that supernatural love stories can hook millions, even when the content is relatively clean. Today, authors like Shari L. Tapscott (The Vampire Hunter and the Heiress) and Melanie Cellier (Legacy of Roses) are delivering fantasy/paranormal blends that win over readers who want magic without graphic scenes.

5. Social Media & Community Are Fueling Growth

The rise of BookTok has boosted interest in “romantasy” (romance + fantasy). Sales of science fiction and fantasy jumped 41% between 2023 and 2024 thanks to TikTok recommendations. Influencer @TheCleanReader, who focuses on clean YA and NA fantasy, said in a recent post, “There’s a huge audience for clean paranormal books—they just need to know where to find them.”

Here at CleanParanormal.com we offer just that—Clean paranormal books rated for content with an in-depth analysis of that content so that you can make an informed choice when selecting which book to read next.