Reading Recommendations: Black Love

Hello readers! In light of Black History Month I thought I would share my own recommendations of books to read throughout this month (and all year long). In the past I’ve focused on historical books, but this year I’m changing things up. The following books spotlighted this time are Romance novels by Black authors. I hope you enjoy these picks!

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Andrea “Andie” Williams and Dexter Robinson have known each other since they were in diapers. While their parents are the best of friends, the two are barely even acquaintances. While Dexter is the most popular guy at Williamson High School and only cares about which girl he will sleep with next, Andrea is focused on getting into her dream college, Yale. When they are placed together for an unlikely project, the two have to come together not only to pass their class, but also graduate. With a series of events surrounding them, they both realize that their first experience at love could be with the person who was right in front of them all along.

I’ve always heard about Binkley’s romance books and this is the first novel I read by her. It was a cute and satisfying friends-to-lovers story about childhood friends that have always had some mutual attraction to each other, but they grew apart over time. This read more like a YA novel for me personally since the main characters are in high school. I liked that it was not only a romance novel, but also a coming of age story where the characters try to figure out the next chapter of their lives.

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Bryan James’s job is on thin ice unless he can secure a contract with a popular design house. He knows his best friend’s sister can help—but her terms are more than he bargained for.

Alexis Devers’s debut fashion line is a hit. But when Alexis’s publicist tells buyers that it landed her a wealthy, gorgeous fiancé, Alexis needs to come up with one—fast. Bryan’s offer to strike a deal is perfectly timed. She’s more than willing—on one condition…

It’s the perfect plan…until feelings start getting in the way. Suddenly, the dangers of mixing business and pleasure become much more real than either of them expected.

The novel moves pretty fast and since the two main characters hit it off in the beginning, the romance gets heated pretty fast. I found the characters to be likable and I admired how tight-knit their families are especially when difficult situations arise in the book. When I read this book I had that homey feeling that I get reading any Romance, the story might have been predictable in some parts, but it was just the kind of book I needed after a tiring day of work.

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The last three years of Kenya Davis’s love life were rife with false starts and heartaches in her pursuit to get back her ex-boyfriend, Dave. The one bright spot she clung to was her job as a health scientist with the CDC. When she received a promotion that placed her in the field, working with the homeless under the interstate bridge, Kenya saw it as the distraction she desperately needed.

Simon Washington lived a charmed life before his world came crashing down around him. One fateful night full of confusion and heartache sends the once-affluent businessman on the run from the law, leaving behind his wife, a thriving business, and his social status. 

Finding Simon, dressed like a homeless man sends Kenya life into a tailspin.  Kenya wanted to comfort him, despite the warning bells going off in her head. Was he the dangerous criminal described by the news or the same guy she knew from college? Should she trust the man who fell into her world and crowded everything else out?

The novel is fast paced, and there are some even some steamy hot scenes. I really enjoyed the character development of Kenya. It was nice to see her evolve from her insecurities and became more confident of what she wanted in life. She stopped looking towards the past. The romance is slow-moving despite the books fast-paced and has a nice progression which gives the characters the time to sort out their feelings.

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Sports journalist Melanie Foster has achieved most of her goals: Bomb.com job—check. Tomboy-to-smoking-hottie makeover—check. Convince her best friend, Damien Richards, to slide a ring on her finger and father her two-point-five kids—not so much. When she activates Operation: I’m Gonna Make You Love Me, she never imagines her BFF already has plans to stroll down the wedding aisle with another woman.

Damien’s in the middle of crisis mode. The non-profit for young athletes at which he volunteers is in financial trouble. He’ll pull out all the stops to rescue the organization that saved his life after his career-ending injury—even if it means sacrificing his personal happiness.

But when he finally wakes up to love and the very non-brotherly feelings he’s long held for Mel, it just might be too late. Damien must convince her that he’s worth the risk and turn the tables to show her he’s the one ready to be a fool for love. 

Fool For You has a friends to lovers theme in the story. Both characters are forced to take a long look at the past, present, and future in order to confront their real feelings. I appreciated that this story has sports, as both leads work in the PR part of the field. While I’m not the biggest fan of baseball like the main characters are it was nice to see a romance that tackles love and sports.

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Kate Love is an ambitious young newspaper reporter on the trail of a railroad stock swindler who has been preying on elderly Blacks. Her investigation points to Rupert Samuels,one of the wealthiest and most eligible black men in the East, but her covert efforts to get close enough to uncover the goods on him bring her to the brink of becoming his wife.

A Promise of Pleasure Snatched from the altar by Dix Wildhorse, a Black Seminole Marshal from Oklahoma’s Indian country, Kate has no choice but to flee with the daring knight her father sent to rescue and wed her. Marriage had never been part of Kate’s plans, and she isn’t about to abandon her career to become the dutiful wife of a Wild West lawman bent on wrapping her in his own protective cocoon. Determined to hold on to her independence despite the dark simmering fire Dix’s bronzed, muscled embrace ignites, she challenges him at every turn. Yet even as their battle of wills intensifies, the heat of their passion blazes with unmatched fury…a wildfire of love that can only be answered in the sweet ecstasy of surrender.

Normally I don’t read Westerns, but I was drawn to this one as it was more of a Romance novel with Black cowboys. It has a lead couple that constantly bickers and denies their true feelings, a wild chase to catch a swindler, and a happily ever after story with a little sweet and spice. I enjoyed the ambitious nature of the heroine Kate and the rich history infused within the novel.

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Between grad school and multiple jobs, Naledi Smith doesn’t have time for fairy tales…or patience for the constant e-mails claiming she’s betrothed to an African prince. Sure. Right. Delete! As a former foster kid, she’s learned that the only things she can depend on are herself and the scientific method, and a silly e-mail won’t convince her otherwise.

Prince Thabiso is the sole heir to the throne of Thesolo, shouldering the hopes of his parents and his people. At the top of their list? His marriage. Ever dutiful, he tracks down his missing betrothed. When Naledi mistakes the prince for a pauper, Thabiso can’t resist the chance to experience life—and love—without the burden of his crown.

The chemistry between them is instant and irresistible, and flirty friendship quickly evolves into passionate nights. But when the truth is revealed, can a princess in theory become a princess ever after?

I enjoyed the concept of a spam email from an actual real prince and how the plot plays on the irony of the situation. It was such a cute HEA story and I liked that was a more modern day version of the Cinderella story. The book is fast paced and the reader can tell the chemistry between Naledi and Thabiso. It was cool to experience the busy streets of New York and the lush landscape of Africa while reading this novel.

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That concludes my Black Love reading recommendations! What books do you recommend or enjoy? Comment below!