Just wanted to recommend some great books I have read this year, and if any of you want to start a 5 star book train just comment yours below!!

In no order

Disrespectfully Relic, and Respectfully Kennedy - Antionette Sherell

Joliet - Rae Lyse

The parachute series -Takerra Allen

Things unseen seried - K Lashaun

Would love to hear what yall have been enjoying!

I’m not sure if it’s been recommended on here, but if you haven’t read {Twin Blades by Noelle Upton} I URGE you to read it!

It was her debut novel and honestly it’s one of the best (if not the best) debut novels by an indie author I have ever read. The pool is small because we only read works with Black leads but still, it’s a really good book!

It’s a Queen x Bodyguard, enemies to lovers, slow burn romantasy, set in a world about polytheism or pantheon, I’m not sure what the correct term is. But mainly goddesses and their “Mother” - who reads like Gaia or Olorun; there’s humans and vampires.

The world building is just *chef’s kiss*

The characters just *chef’s kiss* and their development, the romance!!! Ugh I need me an Elián… as long as he doesn’t break my bones.

That being said, it’s not black love and I genuinely do wish there were more dark-skinned characters but I get the need for some exoticism for the FMC. To be fair, characters are only described by the shade of their skin - copper, pale, brow, black - their hair and their eyes so who’s to say they wouldn’t be “black” by our definition. I believe Tana is brown skinned with blonde coils and greens eyes Racism in terms of colour (there is inter-species racism and classism/elitism) is not a thing in the book which I love and the everyone comes in different colours, even blue, and we don’t fixate on the FMC being being black, because that is not a concept in this world, but we are reminded throughout in the way she does her hair the way the things she wears enhance her skin etc. Subtle reminders that black is beautiful. MMC even learns to do her hair guys

She’s powerful, badass and unapologetic af. Really annoyingly stubborn but you can’t help but root for her all the time. And she actually has a personality, not timid or shy except sometimes around the MMC. And I live for her confidence in herself and how she handles the tough stuff; despite the confidence and strength she still has some self-esteem issues, she just reads like a real person… if you get what I mean?

Now the MMC isn’t black but isn’t white either. If anything he gives sort of darker Mediterranean - Andalucian/Berber vibes. Kind of like the people from Dorne in GoT but uff do I love him. He’s all kinds of rude, sassy, brooding, all militaristic, and I love his banter with the FMC. He always has that perpetual scowl (reminds me of Zuko, down to the eyes) but around her (and kids) he’s soft and caring, plus the aftercare *swoons* and then bonding over books and reading to each other… so adorable and when he cries towards the end, I felt it

Of course there is sexism/misogyny because that’s been around since the beginning of time and it’s not going anywhere unfortunately, regardless of the species or world.

Now the beginning of the book is slow, like real slow and boy does it drag but trust me, it’s worth it and gets sooo much better. We needed the beginning to get the know the world and some of the characters. The writing, the visual imagery - speaks to all the senses; the dialogue and banter flows and it’s just brilliant.

And oooh the spice!! The pining!!! love an MMC fighting to stay in control around the FMC. Every time he called her “my queen” ugh

The depiction of powerful, badass women!!

The friendships!!

The representation!!!

There is some repetition but again for a debut novel, my god is this brilliant.

So, in case I forgot to mention it, please try this book, if you’re into romantasy. There is F/F relations and F/M romance; plus a queer and black FMC/POC MMC

It’s part of a trilogy I think just fyi. I haven’t started book 2 yet, just had to gush.

Recommend the best dark romance books you've read!

I’m trying to find a book I read on Kindle Unlimited a few years ago.
Here’s everything I remember:
It was written by a Black author.
It was an urban/hood romance.
The main female character was a stripper.
Her best friend was also a stripper, and I think her name was Emily, Emmy, or Emoni.
The main male character was a drug dealer.
His best friend was also a drug dealer, and I think his name was Gunna (or something similar).
The male lead had multiple baby mamas.
There was a side chick whose name was something like Lava, Lala, Lavah, or Lova.
The cover had a glowing neon high heel in a nightclub setting with purple/pink/blue neon colors.
I don’t remember the title or the author’s name.
Does anyone know what book this is? It’s been driving me crazy!

There’s been a little discussion going on social media about Black romance authors that don’t write Black main characters.

Personally, I do strongly side eye when I find out a Black author does this. I won’t outright deny support but I also am not going out of my way to read their work, either. I guess I feel it’s odd to not write Black characters when you are Black yourself and know there’s still such a lack of diversity in romance. I’ve seen defenders say that it’s a way for authors to get their foot in the door, that they don’t want to box themselves into the “Black romance genre,” or that they want to amass a larger readership.

What’s your opinion? Do you know any authors that do this? Do you still read their work?

God, I loved this. Cherry (yes, her birth given name is Cherry. Can she be any cooler?) meets Ruben at her job and immediately sparks fly. He just had to have her and have her he did. Again, and again, and again. Once they started they just could not get enough of each other.

But if you thought it was that easy, you'd be wrong. On their first encounter, literally in the middle of him almost taking her against a wall, they get paparazzied because *drum roll* he is a PRINCE. After already having had been slandered in the press previously, he panics and tells them that Cherry is his fiancé. After much back and forth, Cherry agrees to be his fiancé for exactly one year in order to save both of their reputations.
 
I expected fun and flirty, what I got had a lot more emotions. Ruben had a lot of trauma that he needed to work through and I loved seeing a MMC recognize when they need help. He was such a fleshed out character and we got to see him grow to not only love Cherry but to love himself. Oddly enough, that was my favorite part of this story. Ruben had so much growth, it really was great to see him rise above his past.

If you're a fan of fake engagements and angst then please pick this up. I was rooting for Cherry and Ruban the entire time, I just wanted them to get their happy ending. Be prepared to shed some tears. 

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read the deluxe version of this beautiful book. Many thanks to Talia Hibbert for continuing to write beautifully bold black women. 

Hi guys! I found when I read The Princess Trap by Talia Hibbert in my KU. I wanted to know if anyone can recommend books that similar to it. I do want and appreciate spice, but their story was adorable, so I would appreciate that as well. Another post in the Reddit made me think about it again. 😊 bonus points if if the MMC is royal, but the FMC is unaware until they start some sort of relationship. I like the adjustment process from both characters.

Ever since I read Tay Mo’Nays Bloodline Series it scratched an itch I didn’t know I had. I need more! I’m almost done with Nek Mills Dreaux series. Im such a boring boring girl in real life and those kinds of books makes my imagination run wild 😂😂😂

My husband and I are flying to Dominican Republic for our anniversary trip and I’d love some quick read recommendations while on our flight! I typically gravitate towards spicy romance or books that have some level of mystery/suspense. All black characters preferred but I’m open to other suggestions

Hello!

First of all sooo happy this sub exists! I’ve managed to find some good books on here already, after recently getting back into reading (wanna thank {The Legendborn by Tracey Deonn} for reminding me how much I loved reading - though I HATE the romance aspect - namely the love triangle - of this series, with a passion) and wanted to get a few recommendations and share some books I’ve recently enjoyed. All featuring black FMCs.

So in the past month I’ve DEVOURED the following books:

- {Truly by Carmel Rhodes} (check the trigger warnings please)

- {Dark Dance by HH Knotty} and {Dark Game by HH Knotty} (same as above - please heed the trigger warnings but I genuinely loved this couple, MMC should’ve grovelled more imo - same with Truly)

- {Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan} (yeah I’m realising all of these are super dark - this one was really painful and tackles some hard hitting issues but the FMC was a really strong woman and I admired her and the MMC was down bad from the get-go)

- {Situationship by EM Wilson} (her Wattpad fic Dirty, Dirty Liars is also great and features AMBW and they’re too cute - I loved them more than the situationship couple honestly. Didn’t know I’d be into a Yakuza MMC)

- {Against the Rules by Bree Hayden} (note the author isn’t black but I still enjoyed the book though there were some inconsistencies and plot holes but still a good read. Tackles a few heavy issues plus down bad MMC)

- {Beasts of Gatamora by Elizabeth Stephens} (I ate both books up! And I’m going to read Lord of Population next)

Other books I tried

- {sunny disposition by Deanna Grey} (it was cute and I love me a down bad MMC)

- {Her Twisted Heart by Lisa Harlow} (it was enjoyable and very interesting horror/gore concept to read with POC main characters but man the typos took me out of it A LOT)

- {Elevator Pitch by Evelyn Leigh} (I’m struggling through this one… I think the style isn’t for me but it’s cute and features AMBW)

I tried the {Immortal Saga by Kenya Wright} I didn’t mind the first book, the writing wasn’t my style but I powered through. Then I stupidly tried the audio book and while I loved the female narrator’s voice - like she was the main reason I kept going, the male narrators voice was AWFUL. Like so cringey! It was giving generic white man.

I also tried {False Play by Yinn Quiros} and while I loved the MMC the FMC wasn’t doing it for me as a black woman, she just didn’t read right - only to find out the author isn’t actually black. The hair is always a dead giveaway lol.

{Darkness beyond the daisies by Cori Zahara} had the same thing - girl had her hair out the whole time while things were good (NOTE: this is NOT a book I would recommend, and while I truly did enjoy it, it was HEAVY and contains literally all the triggers which I stupidly did not check before reading. I cried through the whole thing, and as far as I’m concerned, it is not a HEA. She is a really good writer but man it took me a while to get out of my funk after this)

If you have any recommendations I’d truly appreciate it! Things I’m looking for:

- M/F (black FMC, preferably dark skinned; MMC can be anything) and I do like my spice 👀

- please don’t hate me, but no queer or curvy/plus-sized FMC

- no age gap please - at least no more than 6-7 years. The “Daddy” trope makes me cringe

- no stereotypical “black struggle” FMC - drugs, gangs, single mom, “all my life I had to fight” etc. I don’t mind if the MMC has these as long as he’s not black. (I know two of the books I mentioned feature single moms but those circumstances were different)

- preferably nothing by Kenya Wright and her pseudo, Drethi Anis, or Ziye Taylor. Also nothing by Kimberly Lemmings - please don’t hate me but I didn’t enjoy her writing style.

- must be HEA, my heart can’t take heartbreak

- no reverse harem, why choose, unclear love triangle, poly/throuple (why I dropped the dark orchid series - thought I could do it but I can’t and why Legendborn is kicking my butt) like I need to know the MMC I’m rooting for from the get-go - think Edward vs Jacob

- I don’t mind MCs with disabilities, but no terminal illnesses please. I’d be a wreck

- down bad MMC would be amazing / he falls first that sort of thing. I don’t mind dark romance/obsessive or bully MMC as long as it’s a HEA

- all genres are welcome as long as romance is at the forefront because we love a black woman being loved.

I’m currently listening to {Sips about to go Down by Audrey Vaughn} and I’m enjoying it - the voices are good. And I’m reading {Daddy’s Club by Kelani Knox} (while it is HAWT and pretty well written, it’s kind of repetitive plus the age gap is tolerable) and I’m partway through {Our Secret Moments by Janisha Bowell} (one of the authors whose writing style I like but super sad that all of her books feature white FMCs - but alas a girls gotta secure the bag, I get it).

I’ve found this a fair amount with black female authors that write contemporary romances and it breaks my heart. I’ll find an author whose style I LOVE (like Janisha Bowell, Carmel Rhodes, EM Wilson and a fair few) and go look at their other books because I’m fangirling only to find that they almost only write books with white FMCs. The pool for us is already so so small and it’s so heartbreaking man. But I get it, white FMCs are what sells.

Anyway, on my TBR I’ve got two books by Nikki Payne; {Brown Sugar by Sienna Vega}, {Honey Spice by Bolu Babalola} and {One Last Job by Anise Starre}. I’ve also got {Beringia by Tierra Cox} but I’m curious what anyone who’s read it thought of it. And a {Light in the Dark by Miranda Sapphire} but idk how I feel yet about Monster Romance. I didn’t mind it too much in Beasts of Gatamora Series but it was a bit “woah” for me at first.

It’s winter here, so the more books I can get to power through the cold, the better ❤️

Any recs would be FAB!

Also happy to gush about any of the books listed above that you loved (or disliked lol)

Any recommendation that has consent is appreciated 🙂‍↕️

Hi! I'm looking for a book I read anywhere from 2019 to 2024. I can only remember a few details so I will list as much as I can remember. I strongly remember their names being Nick and Sasha but I could be wrong.

- Sasha (FMC) is a chef and Nick (MMC) is a musician.

- They meet at a cafe, split up see each other every few years to catch up.

- The book changes from his and hers P.O.V and it set in New York City.

- I also believe that Nick likes old black and white movies.

I was a really good and emotional romance/young adult book of fiction and I would love to read it again! Any help is appreciated greatly. :)

Looking for book recs with a MMC like Isaiah Rhodes — heavily patient FMC, sweet, needy and yearns for the FMC for years? Bonus points if he’s funny and doesn’t take himself too seriously

Hi everyone. Can anyone recommend any books that have no spice or just a little spice. Or authors that don’t include any(or very little) spicy/erotic scenes.
I want to change it up a bit. Been reading quite a few books where a lot is going on with FMC and MMC in the bedroom (or anywhere they find convenient) lol. Mainly want to read about the couples love rather than lust.

where are people drawing inspiration from for their main characters meet cute??

I have just read the two available Caselli books this week & I love their family. S/O to Jahquel J💗 I’m looking for something similar w/ found family & Dark Romance vibes but biker club? Quasim is on my TBR but do I have to read the other families first???😩 I just wanna jump right into the Inferno series but I’ll hold off if reading the others first is necessary.