One of the most glorious concepts in romance is that Happily Ever Afters (aka HEAs) are for EVERYONE. Sadly, for years romance novels with black love interests or authors were relegated to “special collections” or the backlist. It was even worse when it came to historical romance. Certain individuals still contend that including people of African descent in romances set in the past requires some sort of reconstruction of history. In reality, there is ample historical evidence showing that black people were present in the Renaissance, Regency England, the Old West and much more.
Fortunately, more and more romance authors are ignoring this nonsense and today we have glorious profusion of romance by and about black individuals. Here are just a few to get you started. Happily Ever Afters guaranteed.
Rebel by Beverly Jenkins. No list of recommended romance novels is complete without the great Ms. Bev. Rebel, her 2019 installment in her Women Who Dare series, was called “perfection” by one of Romancelandia’s premiere editors and wordsmiths, KJ Charles. Valinda and Drake meet in New Orleans during the Reconstruction. She’s a determined schoolteacher educating the newly emancipated. He’s an architect and veteran who wants to rebuild the city. It’s a sweet romance set in a daring and dangerous time.
American Love Story by Adriana Herrera. Professor and black rights activist Patrice Denis and Assistant District Attorney Easton Archer have nothing in common except their intense attraction. When Patrice moves into a building Easton owns, keeping their distance becomes a thing of the past. But can they overcome the tension between the African-American community and the local sheriff’s office—especially after Patrice is pulled over one night? Herrera’s gifts as a social worker shine as she sketches what it takes to build a loving and healthy relationship across different cultural backgrounds.
Wanted, A Gentleman by KJ Charles. Martin St. Vincent, a wealthy merchant, must stop two foolish youngsters’ lovelorn correspondence in the pages of the Matrimonial Advertiser, a publication owned by one Theodore Swann—proprietor, writer and all-around weasel. When the lovers bolt for Gretna Green and a quickie wedding, Martin drags Theo along on a breakneck chase. Naturally, the romantic intervention turns out to be anything but.
Pursuit of Happiness by Courtney Milan. You have to admire the skill of an author who can take a British deserter and an African-American Patriot who first meet because they’re trying to kill one another during a Revolutionary War battle, and send them on a 500-mile journey by foot with nothing to eat but some stinky cheese—and have them fall in love. This novella in Milan’s Worth saga is hilarious and deeply moving.
Rafe by Rebekah Weatherspoon. You can trust Weatherspoon to script a cinnamon roll hero to perfection. In Rafe, up-and-coming cardiologist Dr. Sloan Copeland has her hands full with her medical practice and twin daughters—and her nanny just quit with no warning. Enter the big, bearded biker with the tattoos and the gentle manner, who’s great with kids and knows his way around the kitchen. Swoon city.
Layover by Katrina Jackson. It’s not unusual for authors to post playlists that inspire them online, but Layover IS a playlist—it’s travel writer Lena Ward’s interior monologue as she returns for 24 hours to the city of Oakland where she was raised. Lena agrees to an interview while she’s there with Tony Dembélé, a podcaster with whom she’s been flirting with online. What she learns about herself and her connection with Tony makes this novella a delight.
An Unconditional Freedom by Alyssa Cole. I’ve been a huge fan of Cole’s Civil War Loyal League series and she wraps up the trilogy with another excellent novel, this time revealing the fate of a character mentioned in previous books. Daniel Cumberland, a gently raised and well-educated freeman from Massachusetts just escaped the hell of being kidnapped and sold into slavery. Seeking revenge, he joins the Loyal League, a covert operation of black spies fighting for the Union. There, he’s teamed with the Cuban-born Janeta Sanchez, a headstrong and observant partner who seems to have a troubling agenda all her own. Their mission could end the Civil War, if their attraction and personal vendettas don’t stop them first.
Work for It by Talia Hibbert. Farm manager Griffin Everett is a grumpy, forbidding giant who is better with plants than with people. Olumide Olusegun-Keynes (Olu to his friends) is a beautiful, glittering man of privilege given to depression and running from his problems. They’re like oil and water, but as they begin to let down their barriers, they learn that self-care is an essential part of being in a loving relationship. A deeply moving portrayal of finding love while living with mental illness.
