The Best Closed-Door Romance Books For People Who Prefer A Little Less Spice

While hot and steamy romances have been all the rage the last few years, explicit sex scenes, referred to as spice or smut in online communities like BookTok, aren't every reader's cup of tea. Though we've recommended some deep-thinking litfic in place of spicy social media picks, there's still plenty of romance books available to those who don't enjoy explicit content. There's even wide-spread terminology used to find and recommend these books, with Romance.io, an online tool that can help you find the titles of forgotten romance books, being an example of a resource with a built-in steam-rating guide. 

Words like "closed-door" or "fade-to-black" are used to describe titles with implied sex scenes that aren't described on page, though they might include descriptions of sexual tension and kissing. Young Adult novels that feature romance often fall into this category, so those can be a great pick for readers who don't enjoy steamy scenes. Sometimes these titles are described as "clean" romances, but that descriptor can also refer to novels in which the characters don't engage in any sexual activities, on-or-off the page. Each entry on this list of recommended romance is categorized as closed-door, though they will vary in things like sexual chemistry emphasis and romantic build-up. Either way, readers can rest assured that each title offers a swoon-worthy romance.

Kicking off our list of closed-door romances is "The Bodyguard," a popular 2022 release from Katherine Center that follows unexpected, but adept bodyguard Hannah Brooks. Still recovering from the loss of a parent and an out-of-the-blue break-up, our heroine is assigned to protect Hollywood hottie Jack Stapleton from his stalker during a visit to his family's ranch. Not wanting his family and sick mother to find out about his invasive and dangerous fan, Jack convinces Hannah to pose as his girlfriend during the trip, putting her heart in a vulnerable situation. Along the way, both of our main characters manage to surprise each other, with Hannah defying her client's bodyguard expectations while movie star Jack is goofier and more down-to-earth than imagined.

On top of Katherine Center being known for her closed-door romances, I can personally recommend "The Bodyguard" as a romcom that is equal parts cheesy (positive) and charming. With an average Goodreads rating of 3.96 and over 300,000 ratings, this title is also one of the most well-known on the list. In terms of steam, readers can expect a slow-burn romance that utilizes the fade-to-black mechanic. Though it has its serious moments, with topics like self-confidence, stalking, and familial death being explored, this title also contains a lot of lighthearted humor and hijinks that make it a great weekend read.

Next, "By the Book" is a modern "Beauty and the Beast" retelling from author Jasmine Guillory. Released in 2022, this novel follows Isabelle, an overworked editorial assistant determined to further her career. When she hears about a reclusive author who failed to submit his manuscript on time, Izzy jumps at the opportunity to prove herself, traveling to the well-known client's mansion to resolve the issue. The assignment quickly proves to be more challenging than expected, with celebrity author Beau Towers being far grumpier and beastly than Izzy imagined. Still, as Isabelle ends up staying at the Santa Barbara home while she works with Beau to meet his new deadline, the two end up connecting more than ever anticipated.

With an average rating of 3.71 stars on Goodreads, "By the Book" is praised for bringing readers all the fuzzy, warm feeling desired from a grumpy-sunshine romcom. While Guillory has written steam-filled novels in the past, this title is noted as being a slow burn romance with no explicit scenes. Instead, it's described by BookTubers like Rincey Reads and Shawnaci Schroeder as being a lighthearted and sweet read. If you're a fan of books about books, fairytale retellings, or sweet romances, then this is the one to add to your TBR.

"Ayesha at Last" by Uzma Jalaluddin is another great closed-door romance, with this Canadian-Muslim title being released in 2018. Ayesha Shamsi, a head-strong, modern Muslim woman with a tight-knit family, stands by her rejection of arranged marriage, but still finds herself feeling lonely. When she meets new-to-the-neighborhood Khlaid, the two instantly clash in their contrasting ideals, but Ayesha can't help but feel attracted to the infuriatingly traditional man. Things are shaken up when unforeseen circumstances, including an arranged engagement announcement between Khalid and Hasfa, Ayesha's younger cousin, forces our two protagonists to work together, with lots of tension and hijinks ensuing.

Overall, "Ayesha at Last" is described as a contemporary haters-to-lovers romance packed with lots of laughs, compelling side-characters, and positive Muslim representation, garnering a 3.86 average rating on Goodreads. This Jalaluddin title is noted to be a "halal" romance, meaning that the protagonists adhere to the teachings of Islam, particularly those about not engaging in premarital sex, while pursuing a romantic relationship. While this romance does contain serious topics related to things like cultural and religious differences, it's overall a humorous and heartfelt romance especially fitting for fans of the enemies-to-lovers trope.

For the historical romance lovers, "The Siren Sussex" by Mimi Matthews is a closed-door read that is definitely worth checking out. Released in 2022 as the first installment of a series, this novel follows Evelyn Maltravers, a woman of Victorian society who resolves to establish herself as an accomplished equestrian to improve her chances of making a good match. To do so, she equips the talent of Ahmad Malik, a half-Indian tailor who's designed beautiful looks for the Pretty Horsebreakers, an infamous group of Rotten Row riders. While Evelyn and Ahmad's unlikely allyship has the chance to turn into something more, they'll have to fight societal norms and their personal circumstances if they're determined to make their love match a reality.

Ranking as one of my personal favorite romance books, "The Siren of Sussex" is an endearing and heartfelt romance equipped with a strong heroine and a heart-of-gold love interest. With Matthews being an established closed-door romance author, there aren't any explicit scenes in this title, but there is plenty of swoon-worthy tension and longing. In addition to centering around topics like equestrianism and fashion, issues of racism, colonialism, and wealth inequality do play a role in the storyline. With an average Goodreads rating of 3.89 stars, I definitely recommend "The Siren of Sussex" to readers who prefer romances without spice.

If you're looking for an LGBTQ+ recommendation, then "Boyfriend Material" by Alexis Hall is an MM romance to take note of. This 2020 release, which marks the first in a series, follows Luc O'Donnell, who's thrust into the spotlight after his estranged, rockstar father makes a career comeback. When a compromising pap photo threatens his job, Luc decides to salvage his reputation by entering into a publicity-only relationship with vegetarian barista Oliver Blackwood. Oliver's success and pristine reputation make him the perfect paparazzi boyfriend for Luc, until their fake romance starts to feel uncomfortably real. 

With an average rating of 4.0 stars on Goodreads, "Boyfriend Material" is a queer romcom that is praised for its laugh-out-loud humor and witty writing, with many reviewers drawing comparisons to classic romcom movies. While Luc is not always a likable character, his relationship with the level-headed Oliver makes for an endearing and heartfelt romance. In terms of spice, this title is noted as being a closed-door romance, with intimacy happening off-page. Recommended by BookTubers like Sappho's Library and Chandler Ainsley, this is definitely a queer romance for closed-door readers to consider.

This list of closed-door romances was curated using Goodreads reviews, BookTube recommendations, and my personal experience with some of the titles. We strove to select books that deftly meet the parameters of closed-door romances, with each entry containing a tone, settings, or themes that correspond well with the genre, while also aiming to create a list diverse in tropes, premises, and characters. Additionally, young adult novels and titles with a less than 3.75 average rating on Goodreads were excluded from consideration.