8 Fantastic Romance Novels By Black Authors

By Laura Eckert, Digital Specialist

Enjoy romance novels from the sweet to the swoony to the steamy by Black authors.

Whether you're seeking a swoon-worthy meet-cute, a second-chance love story, or a slow-burn romance that keeps you turning pages late into the night, these love stories will make your heart sing with happiness.

Romance Novels by Black Authors

To Catch a Raven by Beverly Jenkins

Jenkins is the grande dame of Black romance, so no list would be complete without one of her novels.

Book description: Lying and cheating may be sins to some people, but for Raven Moreaux, it is a way of life. She comes from a long line of grifters and couldn't be prouder...Until she's forced to help the government.

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 too-handsome Braxton Steel. Their fake marriage starts to feel not-so-fake.

Check out To Catch a Raven.

Pardon My Frenchie by Farrah Rochon

Romance plus adorable dogs - what's not to love?

Book description: Ashanti Wright is thrilled over the success of her doggie daycare. And now that the antics of her adorable French bulldog and poodle bestie are blowing up on social media, things are even more chaotic than usual.

And they only get worse when the world's worst dog hater shows up. Thad Sims is not a dog person. But after his grandmother is transferred to a senior living facility, the former army officer agrees to care for her poodle, and his first move is taking Puddin' out of daycare.

Now Ashanti's beloved Duchess is bereft of her companion, social media is outraged, and Ashanti's business is hanging in the balance. Plus, the dog hater is making her feel a certain way.

Check out Pardon My Frenchie.

Sex, Lies, and Sensibility by Nikki Payne

Book description: Sisters roll up their sleeves to run a dilapidated inn but must learn to work with the locals in this deliciously spicy novel inspired by Sense and Sensibility.

There's never a good time to learn you are your father's secret child--especially not at the reading of his will. With their father's affairs laid bare and Nora's sensible reputation in tatters due to a viral video scandal, she and her free-spirited sister have nothing left but a rustic inn in the middle of nowhere and each other. What's more, they need to revamp the inn before Labor Day, or they lose it all.

Check out Sex, Lies, and Sensibility.

Flirting Lessons by Jasmine Guillory

Book description: Avery Jensen is almost thirty, fresh off a breakup, and she's tired of always being so uptight and well-behaved. She wants to get a hobby, date around (especially other women), flirt with everyone she sees, wear something not from the business casual section of her closet-all the fun stuff normal people do in their twenties.

One problem: Avery doesn't know where to start. She doesn't have a lot of dating experience, with men or women, and despite being self-assured at work, she doesn't have a lot of confidence when it comes to romance. Enter Taylor Cameron, Napa Valley's biggest flirt and champion heartbreaker.

Check out Flirting Lessons.

Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert

Book description: 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 the ones he shares with his ex-best friend, Celine.

Celine Bangura is conspiracy theory-obsessed. Social media followers eat up her takes on everything from UFOs to holiday overconsumption--yet, she's still not cool enough for the popular kids' table.

Which is why Brad abandoned her for the in-crowd years ago. (At least, that's how Celine sees it.)These days, there's nothing between them other than petty insults and academic rivalry. So when Celine signs up for a survival course in the woods, she's surprised to find Brad right beside her.

Check out Unfairly Cute.

The Nature of Love by Toni Shiloh

Book description: Orthopedic surgeon Erykah Kennedy and wildlife conservationist Christian Gamble form a tentative friendship, and when Erykah becomes guardian to her two nieces, Chris helps her pick up the pieces. But as life keeps throwing punches, finding their way to a lasting love may be the biggest challenge they've ever faced

Check out The Nature of Love.

Audre & Bash Are Just Friends by Tia Williams

Book description:  Audre: Junior class president. Debate team captain. Unofficial student therapist. Desperately in need of a good time.

Bash: Mysterious new senior. Everybody's crush. Tall, floppy, great taste in jewelry. King of having a good time.

It's the last day of school at Cheshire Prep, Brooklyn's elite academy--and Audre Mercy-Moore's life is a mess. Under these conditions, she'll never finish writing her self-help book--ie, the key to winning over Stanford's admissions board. Cut to Bash Henry! Audre hires him to be her "fun consultant." His job? To help her complete the Experience Challenge--her list of five wild dares designed to give her juicy book material. She'll get inspo; he'll get paid. Everybody wins.

Check out Audre & Bash Are Just Friends.

The Partner Plot by Kristina Forest

Book description: To Violet Greene, fashion is everything. As a successful celebrity stylist, she travels all over the world, living out her dreams. Professionally, she's thriving, but her personal life is in shambles. But life hands her something--or rather, someone--that might derail everything.

Xavier Wright did not expect to run into his high school girlfriend, Violet--the girl he once thought he'd marry--on a birthday trip to Vegas. As a high school teacher and basketball coach, he rarely leaves his New Jersey hometown, so what were the chances?

They feel young and reckless as they party the night away--and reckless they clearly were when the following morning, they wake up beside each other with rings on their fingers.

Check out The Partner Plot.

More Recommendations

Whether you're a devoted romance reader or just dipping your toes into the genre, these recommendations are sure to warm your heart.

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