Part II: In Defense of Christian Women's Fiction & Romance

This is Part 2 in my little detour from the usual blog rhythm. Last time, I shared a reflection on the biblical value of fiction. Today, I’m taking it one step further—and talking about something even more specific: Christian Women’s Fiction and Christian Romance. And why they matter.

Before I dive in, I want to share something personal.

We recently joined a more traditional church than we’ve attended in recent years. One perk of that? Having a church library! The downside? I recently found out they’ve removed most of their women’s fiction section. The stories about motherhood, marriage, friendship, grief, love. . .gone.

While that might sound small to some, it was gutting to me. Because it’s not just about books. It’s about voices. It’s about value. It’s about who the church makes room for—and who it slowly phases out.

We are in a cultural moment where, for the first time in decades, men now outnumber women in church attendance. And while churches are celebrating that, the women are quietly slipping away.

Programming is being cut. Budgets slashed. Bible studies removed. Retreats canceled. And libraries emptied of the stories that spoke specifically to their hearts—to the mothers, the wives, the friends, the widows, the sisters. Their stories have been deemed…less. Less spiritual, less important, less useful.

But I believe with all my heart that God cares about women’s stories.

What Is Christian Women’s Fiction?

Christian Women’s Fiction typically refers to novels written from a faith-based worldview that explore a woman’s emotional, relational, and spiritual journey. These stories often include romance, but they also tackle things like motherhood, identity, grief, friendship, and calling.

They are not “just stories for women.” They are stories about women—half of God’s creation. And He cares deeply about them.

God Loves Women’s Stories, Too

All throughout Scripture, God makes room for women’s voices.

He hears Hagar in the wilderness (Genesis 16:13).

He records Hannah’s raw, tear-soaked prayer (1 Samuel 1).

He entrusts the resurrection announcement to Mary Magdalene (John 20:17–18).

Why do these stories matter so much to women? Because in a book that is largely male dominated, these stories remind us that our worries and cares matter to God too.

Personally, the story of Rebekah in Genesis 25:21-24 radically transformed my motherhood.

When I was struggling with all the little things in motherhood, I read about a woman having a rough pregnancy and asking God about it—and He answered. It inspired me to start praying more about the “little things”—all those little parenting decisions and anxieties. And guess what? God answered me.

That’s a woman’s story transforming my own.

The Quiet Power of Fiction That Speaks to Women

I write Christian Women’s Fiction not because women need fantasy—but because we need examples of what the Christian life looks like in the midst of our daily struggles. We need to know we aren’t alone in our doubts and fears. We need to know that faith can survive doubt, loss, heartbreak, and exhaustion. That love isn’t always easy, but it’s holy. That marriage is worth fighting for, even when it’s hard.

Christian Women’s Fiction isn’t just offering entertainment, it’s offering truth. Companionship. Hope. Grace. And yes, love.

A Word About Romance

My books all include romance. What can I say? I’m a sucker for love. 

Yet romance seems to be the genre most often looked down on. As if there wasn’t an entire book of the Bible dedicated solely to a romantic (and ahem sensual) story. 

But people seem to fear it. They cry:

Romance will give women unrealistic expectations!

It will distract them from their marriages!

It’s negative! It’s useless!

Women should focus on nonfiction or theology!

Oddly enough, in my own life, I find the opposite to be true. Christian romance has helped my marriage more than it has harmed it. 

Not because it gives me perfect ideals to compare against my husband, but because it reminds me to see him again.

In the season of young kids, parenting, and day-to-day grind, it’s easy to get lost in chore charts and carpool shifts. We trade affection for functionality. My wonderful husband becomes more of my teammate and co-parent than my soulmate and love story.

Until a sweet fictional moment reminds me of how wonderful love can be.

When I see a fictional character reconcile, or catch that first spark, or pursue one another, I'm reminded to look up from the dishes and check out that cute guy I fell for so long ago. Romance helps me notice him when the noises of life try to crowd him out.

Of course, not every story is helpful and we have to use wisdom. And if reading romance has a negative affect on you, put it down. But don’t condemn all stories of love. God gave it to us for a reason.

“Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth— for your love is more delightful than wine.” —Song of Songs 1:2

That’s not fluff. That’s Scripture. That’s God’s celebration of romantic love. Let's stop looking down on it.

Let’s Put Women’s Stories Back on the Shelf

This isn’t just a defense of one genre. It’s a plea for the church to make room again. To restore the sections that let women find themselves in fiction. To stop dismissing tender, emotional, honest storytelling as spiritually weak. To realize that women are hungry not just for theology—but for stories that show what it means to walk in truth.

I’ll keep writing these books. I’ll keep reading them. And I’ll keep believing that God cares about our voices, our love stories, our church libraries, and our hearts.

If you agree, please share this post with a friend, a fellow reader, or even your church leadership. Let's start conversations. Let's reopen bookshelves. Let's remind one another that women's stories matter—because women matter. And their stories are worth telling.

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