47 Black and POC Romance Novels Releasing in 2025

Reading diversely is always important and here’s your 2025 cheat code to all the (for now 😉) upcoming releases.

Hi Librarygoers!

Happy Friday. I hope there are many, many books in your future. Peace, quiet, and romcoms are on the top of my Christmas list.

I currently have way too many ARCs sitting on my desk and in my Kindle to not be happy, as long as I only think of books. So let’s talk about 2025 releases!

They look SO good. I’ve actually compiled a list of 46 (+ a few non romance books) on a list that I shared last week. Let’s dig into them and get our pre-order fingers ready because pre-orders are the best way to support your favorite authors (and get them to write again and again!)!

-Aleia

Note: If you purchase books linked below via Bookshop, a) I may receive a small commission and b) you’ll be able to support an indie bookstore of your choosing.

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Debut

Find your new favorite on their first-time as published authors in Romancelandia.

• Playing Flirty by Shameez Patel (1/14) AAPI

• One in a Million by Beverley Kendall (3/18) Black

• Up Close & Personal by Ana Holguin (4/29) Latine

• Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice by Cynthia Timoti (5/6) AAPI

Black Romances

Romances written by Black authors featuring at least one Black main character.

• Brewed with Love by Shelly Page (1/14) Romantasy, Queer, YA

• The Relationship Mechanic by Karmen Lee (1/21) Queer

• I Think They Love You by Julian Winters (1/28) Queer

• Frenemies with Benefits by Synithia Williams (2/11)

• The Love Lyric by Kristina Forest (2/4)

• A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke by Adriana Herrera (2/4) Historical

• I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I'm Trapped in a Rom-Com by Kimberly Lemming (2/18) Paranormal, Queer

• A Wedding in the Lowcountry by Preslaysa Williams (2/18)

• Break Point by Yahrah St. John (2/25)

• Losing Sight by Tati Richardson (2/11)

• The Love Simulation by Etta Easton (3/4)

• Just Our Luck by Denise Williams (3/25)

• One in a Million by Beverley Kendall (3/18) Debut

• Flirting Lessons by Jasmine Guillory (4/8) Queer

• No Ordinary Love by Myah Ariel (4/1)

• Unlikely Neighbors by Renee Daniel Flagler (4/1)

• Ms. V's Hot Girl Summer by A.H. Cunningham (4/29)

• Audre & Bash Are Just Friends by Tia Williams (5/6) YA

• Can't Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan (5/13)

• A Gardin Wedding by Rosey Lee (5/13)

• Out of Step, Into You by Ciera Burch (5/20) Queer

• Ride with Me by Simone Soltani (5/20)

• I'll Pretend You're Mine by Tashie Bhuiyan (6/3)

• Ready to Score by Jodie Slaughter (6/3) AAPI, Queer

• Plus Size Player by Danielle Allen (6/10)

• Pugs and Kisses by Farrah Rochon (7/15)

• How to Sell a Romance by Alexa Martin (7/15)

• August Lane by Regina Black (7/29)

• The Re-Write by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn (8/12)

• The Secret Crush Book Club by Karmen Lee (8/26) Queer

• I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm by Mariama J. Lockington (10/14) Queer, YA

Latine Romances

Romances written by Latine authors featuring at least one Latine main character.

• Temple of Swoon by Jo Segura (1/7)

• The Broposal by Sonora Reyes (1/21) Queer

• Up Close & Personal by Ana Holguin (4/29) Debut

• Kiss Me, Maybe by Gabriella Gamez (5/6) Queer

• Along Came Amor by Alexis Daria (5/27)

• Gabriela and His Grace by Liana de la Rosa (8/26) Historical

AAPI Romances

Romances written by AAPI authors featuring at least one AAPI main character.

• Flirting with Disaster by Naina Kumar (1/14)

• Playing Flirty by Shameez Patel (1/14) Debut

• Yin Yang Love Song by Lauren Kung Jessen (1/28)

• Can't Help Faking in Love by Swati Hedge (2/11)

• A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna (4/29) Paranormal

• Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice by Cynthia Timoti (5/6)

• Illusions of Fire by Nisha Sharma (10/7) Romantasy

Queer Romances

Romances featuring queer couples(+).

• Brewed with Love by Shelly Page (1/14) Black, Paranormal, YA

• The Relationship Mechanic by Karmen Lee (1/21) Black

• I Think They Love You by Julian Winters (1/28) Black

• The Broposal by Sonora Reyes (1/21) Latine

• I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I'm Trapped in a Rom-Com by Kimberly Lemming (2/18) Black, Paranormal

• Flirting Lessons by Jasmine Guillory (4/8) Black

• Nav's Foolproof Guide to Falling in Love by Jessica Lewis (4/29) YA

• Kiss Me, Maybe by Gabriella Gamez (5/6) Latine

• Out of Step, Into You by Ciera Burch (5/20) Black

• Ready to Score by Jodie Slaughter (6/3) Black, AAPI

• Call Your Boyfriend by Olivia A. Cole & Ashley Woodfolk (7/1) YA

• The Secret Crush Book Club by Karmen Lee (8/26) Black

• I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm by Mariama J. Lockington (10/14) Black, YA

YA Romances

Romances low on spice, big on the drama and angst of the teenage years.

• Brewed with Love by Shelly Page (1/14) Black, Paranormal, Queer

• Illusions of Fire by Nisha Sharma (2/11) Romantasy, AAPI

  • Note: This book is being moved to a fall release date.

• Nav's Foolproof Guide to Falling in Love by Jessica Lewis (4/29) Queer

• Audre & Bash Are Just Friends by Tia Williams (5/6) Black

• Call Your Boyfriend by Olivia A. Cole & Ashley Woodfolk (7/1) Queer

• I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm Mariama J. Lockington (10/14) Black, Queer

Historical Romances

I need to do better here but will promise to update this list throughout the year. In the meantime, Harlequin Historicals always promise a good time, not a long time. They are never out of style.

• A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke by Adriana Herrera (2/4) Black, Latine

• Gabriela and His Grace by Liana de la Rosa (8/26) Latine

Indigenous Romances

One of my 2025 wishes is for this category to be larger in 2026.

• Love is a War by Danica Nava (7/22)

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What are you most looking forward to reading on this list? The answer ‘all of them’ is absolutely an option (it’s mine!)!