When the Essence Festival of Culture celebrated its 30th anniversary in New Orleans earlier this month, it brought together a truly outstanding lineup of Black romance novelists. From the legendary Brenda Jackson and Beverly Jenkins to rising stars like Rufaro Faith Mazarura, Danielle Allen, and Vanessa Riley, it’s great to see these authors dominate the contemporary romance scene right now.
The demand for optimistic and swoony love stories by African American authors is growing, even in the face of persistent barriers. Black romance novelists often face marginalization in mainstream publishing due to a predominantly white industry undervaluing their work and bias against their chosen genre in the Black art world. However, these stories are finding new audiences beyond the usual channels, and it’s exciting to see more recognition and appreciation for these writers and their work.
We couldn’t help but be inspired by this celebration of romantic Black literature and wanted to share five of the most sizzling new releases that we know you’re going to love. Our list kicks things off with a timely debut that takes place during a summer Olympics in Athens, Greece – the perfect read to get you in the spirit of this year’s games in Paris. You’ll then embark on an enchanted, thrilling journey through different places and times, from the lively streets of 1816 London to the NASA Space Center in Houston.
If you’re on the hunt for gripping dramas or lighthearted fun to fill your summer, look no further. These hot new reads by Black authors will have you turning pages non-stop. Just remember to slap on extra sunscreen in case you get lost in the stories and lose track of time.
Happy summer reading!
Let the Games Begin by Rufaro Faith Mazarura
The Paris games are just around the corner, and this debut novel by Rufaro Faith Mazarura is the perfect comedy to get you in the Olympic spirit. The story revolves around two twenty-somethings living in Athens, Greece – Olivia, a determined college graduate who has scored her dream internship with the Olympics and Zeke, a popular track star, representing Team Britain. As they navigate their intense attraction for one another, they realize they can’t afford any distractions, but they’re focused on finding a way to balance their budding romance with their Olympic dreams.
Curvy Girl Summer by Danielle Allen
Indie publishing’s Black romance queen, Danielle Allen, is a force to be reckoned with. She’s one of the best and most beloved authors in the game, and her latest novel, hot off the press, raises the bar even higher.
Filled with spice, sass, and a whole lot of heart, Curvy Girl Summer is not your average romance. It’s fat-positive and complicated just like real life. Aaliyah, an IT professional on a mission to find love, finds herself on a series of hilariously disastrous dates, but it isn’t just about the meetups for her. What she really looks forward to is spending time with her favorite bartender and dear friend, Ahmad, afterward because their connection and chemistry are off the charts.
Curvy Girl unabashedly sexy and grown. It’s a refreshing take on romance that celebrates all body types and embraces the messiness of real relationships.
A Little Kissing Between Friends by Chencia Higgins
Chencia Higgins, the talented writer behind The Vow and Wolves of West Texas, has built a loyal following with her contemporary and paranormal romance novels. In her debut novel, D’Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding, Higgins explores the story of two women who fake an engagement on a reality TV show, only to find themselves falling in love. It’s a tale filled with excitement and unexpected twists.
A Little Kissing Between Friends takes a different approach. It centers the complex dynamics of longtime friends who are hesitant to risk their growing attraction to each other for a chance at love. Set in Houston, the story follows Cyn, a successful music producer, and Juleesa, a single mom who happens to be Cyn’s best friend. Although their journey is filled with ups and downs, as they navigate through health crises and heartbreaks, it is a heartwarming, uplifting read.
The Kiss Countdown by Etta Easton
In this super cute and sizzling romance by first-time author Etta Easton, sparks fly when a nerdy yet sexy astronaut and an event planner in need of a fresh start enter into a mutually beneficial romantic arrangement.
Amerie Price, a Houstonite, finds herself in a tough spot after losing both her boyfriend and her job in a short amount of time, only to bump into him and his shiny, new girlfriend when she’s feeling at her worst. To save face, she pretends to be dating the nearest handsome stranger she sees, but he happens to be a real-life hero in disguise.
As fate would have it, Vincent, the cooperative bystander, is actually an astronaut living in a town that’s home to the billion-dollar Johnson Center and NASA’s Mission Control headquarters. Every guy in Houston seems to claim some sort of association with the space industry, but he is the real deal. As they strike up a friendship, they come up with a plan – Amerie will pretend to be Vincent’s girlfriend to ward off his meddling, matchmaking mother, while Vincent provides her with a rent-free refuge to kickstart her event planning business.
Sounds like a win-win situation, right? Well, things get a little complicated when their pretend relationship starts to feel a little too real.
A Gamble at Sunset by Vanessa Riley
Blending history and a fairy-tale-like romance, award-winning, Vanessa Riley’s latest novel takes us into the world of a wealthy Black family on the brink of ruin, entangled with England’s most unorthodox duke.
In this 19th-century tale, the Black daughters of a self-made “King of Coal” devise a plan to fake an engagement and marry titled aristocrats to ensure their station in respectable London society and, hopefully, avoid disgrace. Little do they know their carefully planned scheme might have done more to yield even more falsehoods and scandal.
A Gamble at Sunset, like most of Riley’s work, explores the hidden Black figures of Europe’s past. These real people, as Riley explains, that defy expectations but are often forgotten.
