6 Swoon-Worthy Romances to Celebrate Black Authors
Words by Loviisa Pasternak
Buckle up for some captivating love stories that range from cute and fluffy to emotional and hard-hitting with this list of six romances by Black authors to celebrate Black History Month —just don’t forget to read diversely over the rest of the year, too!
The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann
First up, an all-time favorite of mine as an ace-spec reader, The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann. This romance is so cute that it almost makes me want to break something—do with that what you will. Our main cast consists of Joy, Malcolm, Summer, and Fox. Joy and Malcolm have been best friends ever since they met in their university’s LGBT club as the unacknowledged “A”s. She’s in love with him. He’s…in love with Summer. Meanwhile, Fox is Summer’s friend and he doesn’t like Malcolm, so he agrees to help Joy make Malcolm jealous. Only, instead of catching Malcolm’s attention, Joy catches feelings…for Fox. (Is a love quadrangle a thing? I think Claire Kann made a love quadrangle a thing!)
As fraught and dramatic as the whole situation sounds, I beseech you to not to back away. At the core of this story are four perfectly imperfect humans who are trying their best despite messing up, as we all do, time and time again. Plus, a whole lot of humor!
It can be difficult to evaluate the representation of any identity in any book, especially when characters’ identities are inevitably intersectional and when no single identity is a monolith. I know that Joy’s asexuality may not be relatable to a lot of folks, even to a lot of other ace-spec folks. However, for me, this was the first book I read that truly made me feel seen, that made me feel like I wouldn’t have to sacrifice having a partner—a platonic or romantic one—for the sake of my boundaries. So, I strongly encourage anyone who’s interested to pick it up! It’s endearing, a little silly, and a whole lot of fun. Five stars.
2. This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan
This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan immediately enthralled me. It is written in an incredibly close first-person POV, so the reader intimately experiences Soledad’s vulnerability following the betrayal that kicks off this narrative. Also, there was just enough foreshadowing for the reveals to make sense in hindsight, but not so much that I saw them coming. Beyond that, the character dynamics are very nuanced—and not just the main couple’s. All of the relationships—platonic, romantic, and familial—have the richness and depth that is usually established by the end of a book, but Kennedy Ryan achieves that complexity and authenticity right from the jump.
Beyond the romance, there is great insight into the heroine’s familial and platonic relationship development, as well as her personal and career growth. I felt genuinely invested in Soledad’s journeys to thrive as a single parent and as a content creator. Still, I stand with the readers who feel frustrated when women’s fiction is miscategorized romance, so allow me to reassure you: Though these other storylines are really strong, they never eclipse the main romantic plot. Instead, they give the heroine and hero many opportunities to support each other as individuals, which I think almost naturally promotes growth in their relationship as well. Besides, it’s Kennedy Ryan, of course the chemistry is sizzling!
Overall, I relished following the main couple as they strove to respect their own and each other’s boundaries, but came to realize that some of those boundaries no longer served either of them. I appreciated the strong communication, the support from friends, and the truly thoughtful acts of service. Above all, I was so incredibly thrilled to see Soledad step into her power. My only critique is that I might have liked to see the relationship progress a little earlier, but maybe that’s just me wanting to know even more of Soledad’s story, to sneak a glimpse past the ending as the heroine and hero unite their families. I’m eagerly awaiting Can't Get Enough (whose title seems to be mocking me), and am anticipating yet another five star read from Kennedy Ryan.
3. Take A Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
Another book that more than earned a five star rating is Take A Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert. I have a hard time choosing between The Brown Sisters novels—I highly recommend picking up them all—but Dani’s story might just be my favorite. It is exceptionally funny, with a romance that is at once absolutely adorable and steaming hot. Zafir is an ex-rugby player and a security guard at the university where Dani studies as a PhD candidate. He is not at all who she had in mind when she asked the universe for her ideal friend-with-benefits.
However, after a video clip of him rescuing her during a fire (drill) goes viral, social media starts shipping them, hard, and it feels like a sign. The internet isn’t imagining the chemistry between them, but their relationship expectations don’t exactly align. Still, it can’t hurt to pretend to date—especially when the buzz is benefiting Zafir’s sports charity!
I laughed out loud several times while listening to this audiobook, which transported me entirely and immersively into the story. The main couple is the definition of swoony, while the supporting cast adds much-needed emotional support and comedic relief. Plus, the anxiety representation is stellar and I really appreciated how it was never even a possibility that Dani being in a relationship with a man would somehow diminish her bisexuality.
4. Between Friends & Lovers by Shirlene Obuobi
Next, Between Friends & Lovers by Shirlene Obuobi blew me away. Our main character Josephine has been friends with Ezra for years. She might have fallen for him along the way, but she refuses to risk their friendship. Besides, let’s be honest, Ezra has a hard enough time just being a good friend, he hardly needs a greater challenge. Soon enough, a chance encounter brings someone new into Jo’s life, star debut author Malcolm Waters. He already knows her from her social media (Jo uses her medical degree to create content featuring public health information) and he’s a name himself, with a novel in the process of being adapted for the big screen. They share a craving for authenticity in careers—and a society—that demand curated picture-perfection.
Forget about rapid heartbeats and being swept off your feet—this romance was calm and vulnerable and raw, and all the better for it. Jo is a stunning main character. She is confident, funny, and diligent, all while maintaining a level of realness that is hard to achieve. (In fact, this book generally does a great job at showcasing grounded characters and their authentic thoughts, feelings, and actions, but if I included all of that, this review would be way too long.) From the beginning, Jo is someone that I imagine we’d all aspire to be a bit more like, but somehow she blossoms into an even more self-actualized version of herself throughout the story. Her individual growth and the growth of her relationships are both relatable and inspiring. On top of that, the prose itself is gorgeous, deep, and concise—a rare combination indeed. This was a solid four star read.
5. How to Fail at Flirting by Denise Williams
How to Fail at Flirting by Denise Williams is so immersive, it almost feels like a TV show, so dive in and don’t expect to come up for air until the end! Dr. Naya Turner is the quintessential math professor: a type A overachiever. Unfortunately, her department is on the chopping block. Fortunately, her friends talk her into a no-strings-attached night of fun...guided by a to-do list of “spontaneous” activities. This is how she meets Jake. He’s in town on business and their initial conversations are characterized by an abundance of nerdy, awkward humor—but that might be the extent of the lightheartedness in this story.
Despite appearing like a romcom at first glance, the plot of this novel hinges on some very heavy topics. Naya is recovering from an abusive relationship and is repeatedly forced to see her abuser in professional contexts. There are on-page interactions between them and an overwhelming, looming sense of dread in some parts of the story. If such content may be triggering to you, I strongly encourage you to pick up one of Denise Williams’ other works. However, if you are in a headspace that would allow you to consume such material in a healthy way, watching Naya regain her confidence, use her voice, and embrace support from others is truly magnificent. Four stars.
6. By the Book by Jasmine Guillory
The final entry on this list is By the Book by Jasmine Guillory. I’m a simple girl, books about books do it for me—especially when they seriously examine the harmful norms of the publishing industry, from lack of diversity to exploitative wages. In this loose Beauty and the Beast retelling, Izzy is an editorial assistant at a publishing house (where she is the only Black employee) and, in a bid to finally get that elusive promotion, she offers to help a grumpy celebrity complete his memoir.
Sometimes, in books about books, the scenes in which the characters are writing can be a bit dry. Not so here! Izzy and Beau’s collaborations were absolutely captivating. Plus, their relationship development was nicely complimented by strong individual character arcs. Not to mention, the Beauty and the Beast easter eggs sprinkled throughout the tale were a joyful touch. Perhaps this book wasn’t revolutionary, but I don’t think it was intended to be. It’s a sweet, charming read with effective commentary on the publishing industry that easily earns four stars.