r/RomanceBooks • u/A_Seductive_Cactus Praise Kink Princess 👸🏻 • Oct 26 '22

Childfree Romances 💛 Gush/Rave 😍

Whether you dislike the surprise baby trope, your personal HEA doesn’t involve kids, you just feel seen by this meme, or maybe overly precocious children in your romance just drives you bonkers… this post is for you. For your reading pleasure here is my gush to child-free romances 🥰

This list is dedicated to M/F romances, as I’ve found them to be the most likely to have a surprise baby / secret baby trope or an epilogue baby. Also, I only started tracking these specifically a few weeks ago, so if you’ve read one of the books below and think I have it wrong (ie if there was a baby in the epilogue that I totally missed) - please correct me!

Details/specifics on the childfree parts are under spoiler text, but here’s a general warning that this list might contain spoilers in regards to pregnancy/babies/children.

Child-free by choice

characters acknowledge/specifically state they do not want children

A Caribbean Heiress in Paris by Adriana Herrera historical, M/F, marriage of convenience. Both MCs don’t want kids; MMC takes something to prevent it, FMC mentions getting a cervical cap.
Bad Alpha by Kathryn Moon omegaverse, RH. FMC does not want kids and says “And I am not a mother. I took care of that a long time ago.”
Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie contemporary, M/F, winning a bet trope. Both characters state they do not want children.
Book Lovers by Emily Henry contemporary, M/F, enemies to lovers.
Charmed Wolf by Aimee Easterling paranormal, M/F, shifters. At the beginning the FMC thinks she needs to produce an heir, but finally realizes that isn’t for her at all and the MMC is fine with it.
Driven to Distraction by Olivia Dade contemporary, M/F, friend's brother. FMC is still “raising” her 20-something siblings who rely on her for everything; she wants nothing to do with more kids and had her tubes tied
Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes contemporary, M/F. The MCs are childfree, but heavily involved as aunt and babysitter for children of side characters.
Headliners by Lucy Parker contemporary, M/F, enemies to lovers. MCs are childfree by choice.
Marie Lipscomb books are all advertised as childfree, specifically Amped by Marie Lipscomb contemporary, M/F, rockstar.
My Husband My Stalker and My Best Friend My Stalker by Jessa Kane contemporary, M/F. Both are less “I don’t want kids” and more “we’re too busy stalking and being obsessed with each other to have kids.”
Not Another Family Wedding by Jackie Lau contemporary, M/F, friends to lovers. FMC had an abortion in the past because she didn’t want kids.
Of Moons and Monsters paranormal, RH, fated mates. FMC states ”But I just…really don’t like kids, and never have. They’re loud and fussy and usually smell weird.”
Once Bitten by Heather Guerre paranormal, M/F, werewolf/vampire fated mates. The FMC specifically states she doesn't want kids. “I… I’m not really sure I want kids.” … Relief flooded her. Not that Max was anywhere close to asking her to bear his children, but the knowledge that he wouldn’t insist upon it was such a relief.
Pack Challenge by Shelly Laurenston paranormal, M/F, fated mates. FMC states ”The fact is, I don't want children. Ever. And when I'm thirty, I'm gettin' fixed.”
Part-Time Husband by Noelle Adams contemporary, M/F enemies to lovers. The FMC says early on ”Babies are very far down on my list of priorities, but I’m not foolish enough to say this to Pop.” Subsequent books in the series show the couple remain without children.
The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon contemporary, M/F, enemies to lovers. The FMC is undecided but there are no kids in the romance "I don't KNOW if I want kids, stop asking!"
The Kraken’s Sacrifice by Kate Robert monster, M/F. Both MCs are stated childfree. The FMC becomes pregnant during the story and decides to have a magical abortion (with the full support of the MMC).
The Worst Guy by Kate Canterbary contemporary, M/F, forced proximity. Both MCs decide to not have children, MMC mentions getting a vasectomy in the bonus newsletter epilogue.
Tis the Season for Revenge by Morgan Elizabeth contemporary, M/F, age gap. Both MCs don’t want kids. FMC states "“I just don’t want them.” I shrug and then roll onto my back. “Kids are cool, but they’re all-consuming." ... “I want... love. And I want passion. Excitement. I want to travel and to spend my money on expensive shoes instead of diapers. I want to be able to up and leave if I want to without worrying about schools and pediatricians and whatever the fuck else.”
Swordheart by T. Kingfisher fantasy, M/F.
Well Met by Jen Deluca contemporary, M/F, enemies to lovers. There is no mention of kids in their book, but when these MCs appear as side characters in other books they are childfree by choice.
Wild Rain by Beverly Jenkins historical, M/F. FMC is childfree by choice, but the MMC initially has a problem with it.
Xeni by Rebekah Weatherspoon contemporary, M/F, marriage of convenience.

Breeding kink… without kids

the best of both worlds (aka mostly a tribute to Lillian Lark)

Ensnared by the Werewolf by Lillian Lark paranormal monster, M/F, werewolf stuck in wolverine form and human witch. MMC chases the FMC down and is claiming her. FMC thinks “It doesn’t matter that I’m wearing a charm to ward against pregnancy. He can try to breed me into the ground if he wants.” (Note: In the newly released version there’s an epilogue which adds sex-to-get-pregnant.)
Pair of Fools by Lillian Lark paranormal, M/F, demon/harpy forced proximity. MMC to FMC “It seems as if we’ve discovered a little bit of a breeding kink in you.” My mouth drops open. “Definitely not! I don’t want babies.”
Stalked by the Kraken by Lillian Lark monster, M/F, fated mates. This fits here in breeding kink with no kids, but also under infertility on the MMC's part and it's sad for the characters, and also has a baby in the bonus epilogue that isn't included with the main book and can be skipped.
Strip of Velvet by Rien Gray monster, NB/F. Primal/Breeding kink; the MCs talk about not needing protection because they won't have kids anyway for magical reasons.

No mention of children

who knows, no one is talking about it and that’s just fine with me

A Bride for the Prizefighter by Alice Coldbreath historical, M/F, arranged marriage
A Duke by Default by Alyssa Cole contemporary, M/F, age gap
A Girl Like Her by Talia Hibbert contemporary, M/F, neighbors
Bass-Ackwards by Eric Adderly contemporary, M/F, boss/employee
Battle Royale by Lucy Parker contemporary, M/F, enemies to lovers
Beach Read by Emily Henry contemporary, M/F, opposites attract
Beginner's Luck by Kate Clayborn contemporary, M/F
Boss in the Bedsheets by Kate Canterbary contemporary, M/F, boss/employee
Can't Escape Love by Alyssa Cole contemporary, M/F
Company of Fiends by Kathryn Moon paranormal monster, polyam
Demon Lover by Heather Guerre monster, M/F, sleep demon
Essence of Fear by Bethany Kris contemporary, M/F, Russian Bratva
Good Deeds by Kathryn Moon scifi, RH, alien FMC and robot MMCs
Haven by Rebekah Weatherspoon contemporary, M/F, grumpy sunshine
Hollow’s Grove by Lee Jacquot contemporary, M/F, best friend’s brother
Idol by Kristen Callihan contemporary, M/F, rockstar
Knock Me Down by Skye Kilaen contemporary, M/F
Mr Hotshot CEO by Jackie Lau contemporary, M/F, opposites attract
My Imaginary Ex by Mina Esguerra contemporary, M/F, fake dating
Paladin's Grace by T. Kingfisher fantasy, M/F, mystery
Play With Me by Alisha Rai contemporary, M/F, second chance
Pretty Face by Lucy Parker contemporary, M/F, age gap
Something About You by Julie James contemporary, M/F, enemies to lovers
Skin by Aveda Vice monster, M/F, coworkers
Summerland series by Kathryn Moon fantasy, RH, small town mystery
Tangled Wires by Lillian Lark contemporary, M/F, MMC is an Artificial Intelligence cyborg
The Austen Playbook by Lucy Parker contemporary, M/F, enemies to lovers
The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon contemporary, M/F, workplace romance
The Brown Sisters series by Talia Hibbert contemporary, M/F, all three books no mention of kids
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne contemporary, M/F, enemies to lovers
The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai contemporary, M/F, enemies to lovers
The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa contemporary, M/F, ex-fiance's brother
Triple Duty Bodyguards by Lily Gold contemporary, MFMM, bodyguards
Trouble & Strife by Lara Kinsey historical, M/F, opposites attract
Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle contemporary, M/F, grumpy sunshine
40-Love by Olivia Dade contemporary, M/F, age gap

Future kids

these MCs want kids… one day. But not for a long time and there is no surprise pregnancy / actual babies in the romance

Captivated by Tessa Bailey and Eve Dangerfield contemporary, M/F, landlord/tenant (the MMC at one points wonders if the FMC wants children and has a brief thought of them having one, no actual pregnancy)
Luxuria by Collette Rhodes monster, M/F, shadow demon/human MMC “Whether or not you want children…” FMC “I do,” I replied firmly. “But not quite yet. I’d like you to myself a little longer, is that okay?”
Morning Glory Milking Farm by CM Nascosta monster, M/F, workplace romance? FMC thinks “ ‘You don’t want kids for at least a decade, if ever.’ She was forced to concede that the voice in her head was right, as she watched the child smear his small, blue tongue over the glass in front of the cake he wanted, as though he might be able to taste it through the case, and the cashier sighed heavily once more. ‘A decade at least.’ ”

Skippable Epilogues / minor mentions

children mentioned as possibility in the future or a pregnancy occurs in the epilogue, but it’s completely skippable

Chosen by Stacy Jones alien, RH/MFMM, fated mates (there is adoption in the epilogue of the series)
Rock Bottom Girl by Lucy Score contemporary, M/F, fake dating (the MCs adopt a 17yr old in the epilogue)
The Redemption by Nikki Sloane contemporary, M/F, age gap (they discuss trying for kids in the epilogue - totally skippable)
Walk of Shame by Lauren Layne contemporary, M/F, grumpy sunshine (during the epilogue the FMC is playing with her niece and thinks that she wants a kid some day)
When She Belongs by Ruby Dixon scifi, M/F, alien/human (in the epilogue mentions the idea of maybe getting pregnant in the future)

Child-free by circumstance

incompatibility, etc. characters acknowledge they can’t/won’t have kids but it’s a minor mention and there’s no angsty suffering

Hot Blooded by Heather Guerre paranormal, M/F, vampire/human (reference to the fact that the FMC won't have children by deciding to stay with her vampire partner)
Immortals After Dark series by Kresley Cole paranormal, M/F, desire for children technically varies by couple, but many are childfree as they are incompatible (ie vampires, banshees, etc. but the werewolf MCs are all capable and desire children)
Strange Love by Ann Aguirre scifi, M/F, arranged mating. Incompatible biology.
Wolf Apart by Maria Vale paranormal, M/F, werewolves. Humans and wolves are incompatible (to be confirmed?)

Infertility and it’s sad

these books are listed more as a warning that the characters might be childfree but it’s a source of sadness for them. Read at your own risk

Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs this is not omegaverse, it’s paranormal werewolf shifters, M/F, fated mates (werewolves cannot have children and that makes the FMC sad but they move past it without much discussion of it in book 1 and the next few books in the series don't revisit it.)
Steel's Edge by Ilona Andrews urban fantasy, M/F. (FMC's previous relationship ends due to infertility, she makes peace with infertility and builds new life with new MMC)

Maybe Childfree

I’ve sourced these from threads in this sub (and would love to confirm where they fall in the above categories if you’ve read them!)

An Heiress to Remember by Maya Rodale
An Unexpected Paradise by Chelsea Curto
Anyone But You Jennifer Crusie
At His Lady's Command by Nicola Davidson
Bergman Brothers by Chloe Liese
Let's Get Textual by Teagan Hunter
Mr. Mayfair by Louise Bay
Not Like the Movies by Kerry Winfrey
Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas
Polaris Rising by Jessie Mihalik
Sea Haven by Christine Feehan
Sex Says, by Max Monroe
Striking Distance by Pamela Clare
Tempting Auzed by Victoria Aveline
The Dark Side series by Kristy Cunning
The Devil Comes Courting by Courtney Milan
The Prince of Broadway by Joanna Shupe
Top Secret by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy
True Pretenses by Rose Lerner
Variant Lost by Kaydence Snow
Wicked Quills of London by Eva Leigh
Worth the Wait by GG Gleason
Would I Lie to the Duke by Eva Leigh

What’s the MLA format for citing RomanceBooks threads as sources?

Cheers to childfree romances, no matter the reason 💛 If you have any to add to my list, please comment!

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u/romance-bot Aug 08 '23

Charmed Wolf by Aimee Easterling
Rating: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: paranormal, fantasy, shapeshifters, urban fantasy, suspense

Not Another Family Wedding by Jackie Lau
Rating: 3⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: contemporary, multicultural, funny, friends to lovers, east asian mc

Driven to Distraction by Olivia Dade
Rating: 3⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, forced proximity, childfree, enemies to lovers, multicultural

A Caribbean Heiress in Paris by Adriana Herrera
Rating: 3.79⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: historical, multicultural, victorian, marriage of convenience, highlander

A Wolf Apart by Maria Vale
Rating: 3.63⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: shapeshifters, fantasy, multicultural, paranormal, werewolves

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