While the romance genre can be a wonderfully diverse place, full of authors of all genders, races, cultures and more, we could all do with a little more diversity on our bookshelves. Today, we’re super excited to share seven of our favorite Black authors with you. Check out the list below and keep these titles on your TBR and in hand this month and beyond.
1. Denise Williams
Denise Williams is a contemporary romance author whose debut How to Fail at Flirting took shelves by storm! She also just revealed the cover for her second book, The Fastest Way to Fall, and we cannot wait to get our hands on it. Reach for a Denise Williams book the next time you want something smart and sexy.
2. Kristina Forest
Swoony YA alert! Kristina Forest’s debut I Wanna Be Where You Are is a completely adorable contemporary that follows ballerina Chloe as she tries to make it to her audition and butts heads with her totally cute neighbor Eli. Come for the road trip banter, stay for the irresistible romance.
3. Alyssa Cole
Duh! Alyssa’s Reluctant Royals series is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to swoony writing. Historical romance? Check. SciFi romance? Check. Secret prince who is secretly engaged to a STEM-y heroine? Triple check! Don’t be “reluctant,” order an Alyssa Cole book!
4. Phyllis Bourne
We can’t stop looking at the cover of Between a Rock and a Hot Mess. Books and cake pops!? What more could a girl want? Phyllis’s Bourne’s novels are sexy, swoony and sweet.
5. Reese Ryan
The cover for her novel A Reunion of Rivals lives in my head rent free. Both of those models are so gorgeous! The love story inside the pages is absolutely stunning, too. Reese Ryan is the absolute queen of office romance.
6. Julian Winters
More YA adorable-ness, coming at ya. Julian Winters’s book The Summer of Everything has everything you could ever want: geeky MCs, 90s music, true love and bookstores. And that cover!? Swoon, swoon, swoon. Julian, we’re anxiously awaiting your next book!
7. Beverly Jenkins
She’s called Queen Bev for a reason! Beverly Jenkins’s latest release, Wild Rain, is as compelling and gorgeous as ever. If you’re a lover of historical fiction, Ms. Bev’s entire backlist has to be on your TBR. It’s the law.
There you have it: seven Black authors to add to your TBR. Remember to support Black authors and Black-owned bookstores all year round. Happy reading!
