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!

---

Love Radio

Prince Jones is the guy with all the answers—or so it seems. After all, at seventeen, he has his own segment on Detroit’s popular hip-hop show, Love Radio, where he dishes out advice to the brokenhearted. Prince has always dreamed of becoming a DJ and falling in love. But being the main caretaker for his mother, who has multiple sclerosis, and his little brother means his dreams will stay just that and the only romances in his life are the ones he hears about from his listeners.

Dani isn’t checking for anybody. She’s focused on her plan: ace senior year, score a scholarship, and move to New York City to become a famous author. But her college essay keeps tripping her up and acknowledging what’s blocking her means dealing with what happened at that party a few months ago.

When the romantic DJ meets the ambitious writer, sparks fly. Prince is smitten, but Dani’s not looking to get derailed. She gives Prince just three dates to convince her that he’s worth falling for. Three dates for the love expert to take his own advice, and just maybe change two lives forever.

Love Radio follows the narrative of two teens, Prince and Danielle, through alternating povs. Set in the Motor City, I was eager to delve into this book as I recognized all the sights and sounds detailed throughout the book. It showcases the beauty and culture of Detroit and the surrounding areas that I love and frequently visit.I loved the romance and development of Prince and Danielle’s relationship. With college looming around the corner things are more serious besides the many swoon-worthy dates they go on in the story. The combination of their love for music and books is what connects them to the core and they benefit from each other. On top of the romance, they have to navigate through some tough feelings and decisions about their future. 

---

The Rival Bid

Camilla Anthony painstakingly restores older Chicagoland homes to their former glory. So when the opportunity arises to acquire an abandoned block of homes and a school in her neighborhood of Southlake Park, she’s ready to take on the challenge. But she’ll need the help of her former crush and frequent real estate rival.

Mekkai Arrington builds luxury homes in urban communities. Increasingly, he and preservationist Camilla Anthony clash over gentrification. But when Kai reluctantly agrees to participate in a charity bachelor auction, Camilla vies for him and wins. She proposes an alliance that will benefit both of their companies while salvaging a historic neighborhood in their childhood community. But will the fiery passion that erupts between them during their beach getaway blow up their deal?

 A cute friends/enemies to lovers mashup about two rival home builders who reunite from their childhood years. When Camilla and Mekkai meet again old feelings and crushes are brought back to light. They try to reconcile for the greater good of their neighborhood as the changes have led to people leaving the community. I appreciated how the balance of discussing series topics such as gentrification (and bringing awareness to it) while also is a romance about reconnecting. The romance was steamy and the banter between Camilla and Mekkai was a lot of fun. They have a natural chemistry that feels very realistic.

---

The Valentine’s Do-Over

Sworn off love, they’ll soon discover…

As valentines, they’re into each other!

When radio personalities Selena Cartwright and Trent Moon share their Valentine’s Day trauma stories and why they’ve sworn off love, the gala celebrating singlehood is born! Planning the event has Trent and Selena seeing—and wanting—each other more than just professionally. But if they’re found out, it could ruin their reputations and careers. As the gala approaches, can they overcome past heartache and possibly discover that Trent + Selena = True Love 4-Ever?

A sweet, heartwarming, and sultry romance themed around Valentine’s Day. I loved how the co-hosts, Selena & Trent, are opposites but both have more in common than they think. They are trying to overcome multiple obstacles in life especially when it comes to love (past romantic relationships) and family. The theme of the main characters being anti-Valentine’s Day and then having to host a Valentine’s Day gala for singles (for their radio show) was really fun. The romance aspects were fun, flirty, and entertaining. The two have a great rapport and natural chemistry that makes their romance feel very real.

---

Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry

Quinn keeps lists of everything—from the days she’s ugly cried, to “Things That I Would Never Admit Out Loud” and all the boys she’d like to kiss. Her lists keep her sane. By writing her fears on paper, she never has to face them in real life. That is, until her journal goes missing . . .

Then an anonymous account posts one of her lists on Instagram for the whole school to see and blackmails her into facing seven of her greatest fears, or else her entire journal will go public. Quinn doesn’t know who to trust. Desperate, she teams up with Carter Bennett—the last known person to have her journal—in a race against time to track down the blackmailer.

I loved this book to pieces and what I appreciated most about it is the raw honesty and emotions that not only Quinn, but other characters go through over the course of the novel. Seeing them open up and confront their past was rewarding even though it was hard to do. The romance that develops between Carter and Quinn is so sweet to watch especially as they bring out the good in each other. Most of all outside of the romance, coming-of-age narrative, and friendships I like how Goffney has an open discussion about race as well as grief/acceptance. It’s a novel about coming into your own and finding all the things that make you happy. 

---

Backstage Benefits 

Lyric Smith didn’t become the nation’s most successful lifestyle guru by losing focus. Yet Josiah Manning, daytime television’s hottest—and sexiest—young Black producer makes her do just that. Publicly, Josiah wants Lyric to star in a new talk show. Privately, he’s headlining her sexiest fantasies. But when their explosive chemistry leads to complications instead of contracts, will Lyric find the ultimate partner to help her crush her rivals…or exit stage left alone?

I liked how the main character, Lyric, has such great ambition and wants to propel herself in her life and career (after being limited to do so in the past). It’s one of the key features of why she and Josiah connect so much. The attraction is there from the beginning and quickly turns into a deeper relationship. I admired that both were communicative with each other and wanted each other as a partner that could support and propel each other in their careers. It’s fast-paced since it’s a short Harlequin novel, but I really enjoyed it. I thought the story was enjoyable and the romance was quite spicy! 

---

Reggie and Delilah’s Year of Falling

Delilah always keeps her messy, gooey insides hidden behind a wall of shrugs and yeah, whatevers. She goes with the flow—which is how she ends up singing in her friends’ punk band as a favor, even though she’d prefer to hide at the merch table. Reggie is a D&D Dungeon Master and self-declared Blerd. He spends his free time leading quests and writing essays critiquing the game under a pseudonym, keeping it all under wraps from his disapproving family.

These two, who have practically nothing in common, meet for the first time on New Year’s Eve. And then again on Valentine’s Day. And then again on St. Patrick’s Day. It’s almost like the universe is pushing them together for a reason. As their holiday meetings continue, the two begin to fall for each other. But what happens once they realize they’ve each fallen for a version of the other that doesn’t really exist?

Watching Reggie and Delilah grow in their journey together and individually had me hooked on the novel’s overall narrative. I thought the concept of various holidays framing the plot was very fun and made it entertaining. Besides hitting all the major holidays, the novel also focuses on smaller kitschy holidays such as “National Catfish Day” which I loved. The romance aspect was sweet and the initial meet-cute moment that evolves into many heartwarming moments between the two put a smile on my face. Bryant’s novels manage to tackle important topics while also feeling like a warm cozy hug.

---

That concludes my Black Love reading recommendations! What books do you recommend or enjoy? Comment your recommendations below. To see more recs, click here.