When you’re a romance reader, love is always in the air. All those fuzzy feelings, and of course, Tiktok’s influence? Yeah, it makes total sense that romance is one of the fastest-growing book genres of the last few years. For some readers, the interest is newer, but for others, the love goes all the way back to hiding your grandma’s bodice rippers under your mattress. I started reading romances in college because my roommate was obsessed. She was absolutely onto something, and it didn’t take long for me to get hooked.
If you’re familiar with the genre, more often than not, the starring couples usually have a certain look. Two incredibly attractive white people who can’t stand each other, or need to fake date, or win some contest (or all three). The formula works, but the lack of representation can make it hard for some readers to see themselves in the story. Luckily, as the genre grows, so do our options of what love looks like in these wonderful worlds. There are a ton of authors out there making diverse stories we love that are real, charming, and overwhelmingly romantic. From rom-coms to rom-drams, these romance books make us feel. They celebrate Black love in a variety of ways that will have you blushing and kicking your feet the entire time.
Dating is the last thing on Olivia Monroe’s mind when she moves to LA to start her own law firm. But when she meets a gorgeous man at a hotel bar, and they spend the entire night flirting, she discovers too late that he is none other than hotshot junior senator Max Powell. Olivia has zero interest in dating a politician, but when they start seeing each other, the intense media scrutiny means people are now digging up her rocky past and criticizing her job, even her suitability as a trophy girlfriend. Olivia knows what she has with Max is something special, but is it strong enough to survive the heat of the spotlight?
Neevah Saint is a Broadway actress who never imagined famous elusive director Canon Holt would cast her in a star-studded Harlem Renaissance biopic. Forbidden attraction, scandal, and circumstances beyond her control jeopardize her dream while Canon processes falling for Neevah while making the movie that could make his career. Could this one shot—the role of a lifetime, the love of a lifetime—cost them everything? A story about love, betrayal, grief, and chronic illness that spans the present and the past.
When Janelle Cross plans to attend the wedding of her sister and ex-boyfriend, the last thing she wants to deal with is the best man, Rome Martin. She’s going through enough with everyone wondering when she’ll break down due to the current tension with the bride and groom. A vacation fling is all she’s looking for when she falls into the arms of the best man. Things with Rome start to feel a little too good, and she wonders if what happens in Tulum can really stay in Tulum.
A former Confederate official is suspected of stealing the Declaration of Independence, and Raven, posing as his housekeeper, is tasked with getting it back. Her partner is the handsome Braxton Steel. Masquerading as a valet/driver, Brax is also supposed to be her “husband.” He has his own reasons for doing this job, but when their pretend marriage ignites into fiery passion, they’ll have to put everything—including their hearts—on the line. The veteran of romance, Beverly Jenkins, brings heat and drama to this thrilling historical romance.
Driven Gwen Gilmore knows what she wants… especially in a man. She is newly single and doesn’t have time for lackluster chemistry or mixed signals. But the dating scene proves to be slow and unserious, and she realizes she may need some help—a professional matchmaker’s help. Anthony Woods has had a crush on his best friend’s sister since the day he met her, and he’s managed it by keeping his distance. However, when apartment problems have him temporarily sleeping on her couch, Gwen is suddenly closer than ever. As they connect and get to know each other, Gwen can’t help but notice when the perfect-on-paper boyfriend she has in mind starts to take an unexpected shape.
In an attempt to save money for college, Naomi Lewis ends up sharing a house with four hockey players. Finn Howard catches her eye, but she can’t figure out why, as she’s pining over an online crush she’s never met in person. Naomi tries her best to befriend Finn as he struggles with his own demons. Her positive outlook, even in the gray, may be exactly what he needs.
Bradley Graeme is pretty much perfect. He’s a star football player, manages his OCD well (enough), and comes out on top in all his classes except for the ones with Celine, his ex-best friend.
Celine Bangura is the uncool conspiracy-theory-obsessed nerd who is still not over her ex-friend abandoning her for the popular table. Forced to work as a team for the chance to win a grand prize in a survival contest, these two teens must trudge through not just the woods but their messy past.
Jada Townsend-Matthews becomes the most reviled woman in America after turning down a proposal on a reality dating show. When she comes home, Jada finds herself working at San Diego’s newest cupcake bakery alongside the uptight owner and professional football player Donovan Dell. After a reporter’s mistake, they realize they can use the misunderstanding to their advantage to help the struggling bakery and rehabilitate Jada’s image. Faking a relationship should be simple, but sometimes love is the most unexpected ingredient.
Xavier Reynolds is doing less than stellar. He just got dumped, was passed over for a prestigious fellowship, and to top it all off, he’s right back home in the small town of Harper’s Cove, Maine. The last thing he wants to do is to work as a prep chef in the kitchen of the hip new restaurant in town with the hot, single-father chef Logan O’Hare. It might be a recipe for disaster, but Logan doesn’t have many options besides Xavier. Stuck between a stove and a hot place, Logan and Xavier discover an unexpected connection. But when the heat between them threatens to top the Scoville scale, they’ll have to decide if they can make their relationship work or if life has seasoned them too differently.
