Your Favorite Black Bookstagrammers’ Favorite Romances by Black Authors

Written By Sera Wright

Black Folks Belong In Romance

By: Leah Thakur

Reading romances with Black folks being loved on changed my life. Growing up, that profound, butterflies in your stomach, all-consuming love wasn’t something I was lucky enough to witness in real life, and though I was a voracious reader, I certainly struggled to find it in the YA romance novels of the 2010s. Discovering Black romance authors as an adult not only gave me the representation I craved so badly, but in reading about other Black women being loved, I learned how to allow myself to be loved as well. 

I know many Black folks have had similar experiences, so I ran to my Instagram DM’s to talk with some of my favorite Black Bookstagrammers! We got to discussing why romances by Black authors are important to them, like Sydney (@sydneysagethomas), who said, “Reading romance by Black authors is so important not only because representation matters, but because our stories matter and they deserve the same love and admiration that I see other authors get.” Romance gives authors an opportunity to showcase Black experiences through the lens of love, connection, and emotional growth, and this visibility is very much deserved not only for authors, but for readers as well.

I also got to speak with Kimmy (@kimmybookss), who shared, “It’s important to read stories for us, by us! Seeing romances through the lens of Black authors is something that is so authentic it needs to be appreciated and shared! What did Issa say? I’m rooting for everybody Black!” Kimmy and Issa were right: we’re rooting for everybody Black, especially when it comes to romance! The authenticity that Black readers feel when reading words written by other Black folks simply cannot be found elsewhere, and Kimmy’s call to appreciate our stories is so important.

Before I get to the recommendation list, I think it’s important to emphasize the differences between Black romances and multicultural/interracial romances. In a Black romance, the characters in the main relationship are Black, and the book is written by a Black author. In a multicultural or interracial romance, you’ll find characters in the main relationship who are of different races and ethnicities, with an author who may be of any race and/or ethnicity. I spoke with Kendra (@kendrareadswithlove) about the importance of this distinction, and she was able to provide valuable insight:

Kendra (@kendrareadswithlove)

“[The difference between Black romances and Interracial/Multicultural romances is] important and very distinct. Now, a Black author can write a multicultural or interracial romance, and one great example is Kennedy Ryan. She’s written multiple multicultural and interracial romances and she’s not categorizing them as Black romances… So, it’s important for us as Black readers to have the safety of that distinction. Of knowing that this Black romance is going to be by a Black author… It’s super important to me knowing our voices are heard in some way shape or form, our voices are out there changing people in some way shape or form. And it’s important for me to see Black stories in general, for even people to remember we exist and we’re not going anywhere!”

This distinction offers Black readers peace in knowing they can find romance novels between two Black folks, in addition to a sense of safety in knowing that there will be a deeper level of authenticity in the Black experience being portrayed in a novel that is categorized as Black romance. Kendra calling the idea of safety to our attention is vital because, though unfortunate, quite often there is so much harm and violence done to Black readers in the ways we are portrayed in books when our stories are told by people outside of our community. The categorization of Black romance and the distinction of romances written by Black authors both work to highlight our stories that are already deeply underrepresented in publishing.

So now, let’s grow your TBR lists and celebrate these romances written by Black authors! 

MOST RECOMMENDED

Black authors writing romances about Black folks is healing and liberating to those of us in the community who lacked authentic representation of our stories for so long. These stories are beautiful, and their visibility and accessibility is important to all readers. So, take this list as a starting point if that’s what you need, or a moment to rejoice in sharing a favorite with someone else if that’s what you need. Sharing these recommendations from Black Bookstagrammers is an act of love that I hope brings nothing but joy and appreciation to your lives, your shelves, and your e-readers!

Sera Wright
Previous

Why Romance?