Readers argue on the internet about whether or not clean romances actually have sexual tension, and I have to say that the good ones do! In fact, I’d argue that sexual tension and chemistry are even MORE important in a clean romance than in a really edgy, 🔥 open-door romance novel. 

Clean Romances do sexual tension better because every character interaction needs to be drawn out, and they deeply want more but they can’t act on their sexual tension. Phew, that tension!

Clean Romances Do Sexual Tension Better!

By definition, a clean romance does not have any sex scenes, and some even may not include any kissing until the final chapter. (Fun Fact: In my first draft of Take A Right at the Mistletoe*, I didn’t even have the characters kiss!)

The Ingredients of Sexual Tension

As a reader, my favorite types of growing sexual tension come from the physical attraction between the characters, emotional intimacy, and the character’s internal world! I relate strongly to the longing and confusion that female characters often suffer as they navigate their attraction. Does anyone else struggle to say anything remotely smart around your crush? Anyway.

“Clean romances do sexual tension better – when it’s not explicitly there in black and white, the reader can imagine as much, or as little, as they like.” – Carolyn Miller, The Breakup Project*; carolynmillerauthor.com

Physical Attraction

Sexual tension starts with physical attraction. I love reading how the characters view one another with descriptions of what they like most about the other characters. It’s like seeing a character through the glitter and hearts filter from social media. Their feelings cloud their view, and it’s so great!

The love interest is not just tall. The female character can picture herself tucked right under his chin where she can hear the beat of his heart under her ear. Am I the only one swooning?

Emotional Intimacy

Personally, I become very attracted to people when I can share a moment of emotional connection with them whether it comes from sharing a fear or interest. This is the moment where one character reveals a hidden part of themselves to their crush. It’s an intoxicating moment of romantic tension and vulnerability.

Suddenly, someone you already admired is even more admirable for their bravery. And that just increases the desire to get that crush into the circle of your arms! 

“Don’t sacrifice passion, rather use emotional connection. Don’t commit to description or detail if you can evoke the semblance of a scene with a few stopped sentences … a shared breath … a lingering moment or well-turned phrase. Convince readers they have experienced an open-door scene by leaving them all the clues to allow their imaginations to color inside the lines.” – Rachel McMillan, The Mozart Code, in the Writers Digest article The Rise of Closed-Door Romance

The Character’s Internal World

As a reader, we enjoy access to the character’s internal world and viewpoint. We know when their heart races, and we know about their secret imaginings….and I don’t know about you, but that’s some romantic intensity! When a crush says something, the reader experiences the character’s internal reaction and the mad scramble to respond with something halfway decent. 

What I love about the character’s internal world is that it often mirrors my own experience with crushes, romantic interests, and new loves. It’s delightful and overwhelming all at once.

Clean Romances Do Sexual Tension Better because they cannot rely on a love scene to entertain readers. Clean romances revel in the push and pull of attraction, building tension and release in more strategic ways to keep readers interested throughout the story. 

What else do you love about the sexual tension in Clean Romances?

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