32 BIPOC Books I’d Read If I Was New to Romance, Pt. II
A human woman and alien pirates, deathbed matchmaking, reality dating romance, and NYT Bestsellers
If you talk to a lot of romance readers, their reading preferences have changed a lot over the years.
Maybe their tastes have expanded to embrace subgenres they haven’t before (I’m looking at you monster romance) or maybe they’ve firmly decided that some content warnings put a book in the “not for me” category. Over time you discover what an “absolutely for you” book looks like. For me that’s women of color following their passions and being loved hard. If there’s a child or elder that provides significant sources of laughter, I’m all the more here for it.
I didn’t discover these things accidentally though. I discovered them by reading widely and feeding my mood reader gene. If I was starting over though, I’d tear through a list that looked like this to find the stories that most spoke to me. And then I’d keep going.
I’d also be okay with not liking something. It doesn’t mean that the book or the author aren’t great. It just means the horned seven-foot green alien subgenre doesn’t hit your on button. That’s okay and it doesn’t mean that the people who do like it are weird.
Also not weird is liking things that are entertaining. You can read and enjoy novels that are not up for Pulitzers’ or heralded by fancy news people who make fancy book lists. Just because others don’t see the beauty of the time-traveling wolf shifter who finds her peace in her Viking wolf shifter husband in the 1700s, doesn’t mean you can’t either.
As always, please check your trigger warnings before diving into these books!
If you missed Part I of this list, you can check it out here.
Note: If you purchase books linked here via Bookshop, I may receive a small commission.
5) Small Town Romances: These are Hallmark stories plus spice.
Noel, newly fired from his job as fast food restaurant assistant manager, jumps at the opportunity to move into the house he inherited in small town Louisiana. Only when he gets there, everyone seems to know something he doesn’t know. And then he meets Ruby, who comes with the house. Well, sort of. (The Tenant, Katrina Jackson)
Dr. Imani Kemp returns to her small Georgia hometown, Peachtree Cove, to stop her mother from making a terrible mistake. Marrying an almost stranger with a maybe shady past. Unluckily for her, the couple-to-be have a chief advocate, Cyril, aka son of the groom-to-be. He wants to protect their parents from Imani’s not-so-well wishes. And also to stop falling for her. (The Secret to a Southern Wedding, Synithia Williams)
Small town, second chance but make it Latine. Nora is a new horticulturist at Rancho Lindo, the family farm of Gabe Ortega. He’s a man who made her a promise a long time ago and she refuses to make the mistake of believing him. And he’s intent on changing her mind. (Second Chance at Rancho Lindo, Sabrina Sol)
A historic-ish, paranormal, deliciously funny, small town romance of a wolf (Felix) fated to a human (Brie) who thinks his love and devotion is a spell gone wrong. Funny how everyone in the small town can tell it’s true love, except for her. (That Time I Got Drunk And Yeeted A Love Potion At A Werewolf, Kimberly Lemming)
6) Queer/Poly/Why Choose Romances: Because Pride isn’t only in June.
Months before her wedding, Brooklyn’s fiancé dies. Only he dies in the bed of Vaughn and Chris’s partner. They are both dealing with the complexities of grief and anger at the infidelity. And then they find each other. What was supposed to be a safe space to process together soon turns into something they never expected. And never needed more. (Harbor, Rebekah Weatherspoon)
Tatum, a college professor, is preparing for the passing of her husband after his lengthy illness. He decides his last act is to play matchmaker and set his wife up with someone close to him. Well, someONES close to him; his three best friends. And surprisingly enough, they all agree to pursue her. (The Oath, T.M. Richardson)
Kian and Jordanne, a sex worker couple in London, have a little secret. They've both been fantasizing over their flatmate and best friend, Luka Prince. They get caught get frisky in the living room by him one day and when he doesn’t jump and run, they choose to incorporate him into a scene. And it was only supposed to be one scene but no one seems to want to let each other go. (Just for the Cameras, Viano Oniomoh)
Manuela has one last summer to enjoy before she gets married to secure her family’s future. Cora, a duchess in her own right, has spent years competing with the old guard in business. When she puts in an offer on a parcel of land Manuela owns, she’s surprised by Manuela’s proposed trade. A summer of fun as Cora’s companion around the sapphic enclaves of Paris. (An Island Princess Starts a Scandal, Adriana Herrera)
7) Indie Romance: Self-published authors work hard and these stories work harder.
Ciara, an alpha and Olympic figure skater, revolves her love life around one-night stands. Except for the weeks she spent with fellow alpha Leith. He almost breaks down her walls before she returns home to her family in Seattle. Two years later, Leith and his new pack, alpha Enzo and omega Artie, find themselves in Seattle. They’re all trying to fight their attraction to Ciara who’s also found an alpha of her own, Wiz. (Heart On Ice, Calliope Stewart)
Three years after a betrayal by her boyfriend and best friend, Mariah fills out a profile for a reality dating show after the umpteenth bad date. And then she gets a call, SHE’S ENGAGED! She jumps head first into the reality show that’s a combination of Married At First Sight, Love Is Blind, and The Amazing Race. She’s partnered with Zion. And he’s more than determined to make this impromptu partnership work. (Instalove, Danielle Allen)
Nalani Stark show’s up for work at her family’s Whole Foods/Target grocery store and cultural centerpiece in the town of Blackwood only to find out her shady father has accidentally sold a controlling interest of the business to the competitor, Orion Sterling. Orion promises to give it back, if she marries him. (Hostile Takeover, Christina C. Jones)
Ely has just taken her dream job at her best friend’s business. At least it was a dream until she got stuck with a grumpy co-manager, Alex. Then he decides to quit. So of course they decide to have a one-night stand to get it out of their system. Only he changes hi mind and doesn’t go away! And then doesn’t seem content to leave her alone. (Done and Done, Leonor Soliz)
8) Black NYT List Bestseller: Enough Said.
BTW, I wish I had 4 books for this category but in the past 10 years THREE Black romance authors have made the New York Times list.
Surprise proposals shouldn’t be a complete surprise. And your name should absolutely be spelled correctly. Somehow, Nikole’s actor boyfriend doesn’t get that when he proposes via the scoreboard of a Dodgers game. Embarrassed on her behalf, Carlos decides to whisk her away from prying cameras. If this is their meet cute, imagine the love story! (The Proposal, Jasmine Guillory)
Eva Mercy is bestselling erotica writer. Shane is a reclusive, award-winning novelist. To the eyes of the public, they have very little in common but once they meet at a New York event, the sparks fly. As does the memories of seven days they spent together in their teen years. (7 Days in June, Tia Williams)
Soledad is a domestic goddess, wife, and mother of three girls in an Atlanta suburb. Her life is blown up when her husband decides he prefers doing things that can land him in orange than being a present participant in the life of his family. So she starts over and begins to make a life for her girls doing the things she loves. All the while fighting the urge to fall for the man who helped put her husband behind bars. (This Could Be Us, Kennedy Ryan)