Even if your summer doesn’t include sandcastles or waves, you should still pick up a beach read to keep you company. Romance novels—with their fast-moving plots, vibrant characters, and sex scenes that leap off of the page—can transport you into a world that’s a bit more exciting and pleasant than our own. And TBH, now feels like a good time for momentary distractions and escapades.
As the new coronavirus pandemic rages on and many of us are still processing the most recent instances of police brutality, more people than ever seem to be reaching for books to help them process their emotions and think through race in America. To that, I say: Keep it up. But remember that there is more to Black life than trauma and pain. While anti-racist books are an instrumental part of doing “the work,” reading fiction by and about Black people is also an effective way of remembering that Black lives—full of joy, love, pleasure, and vulnerability—matter, even when they aren’t being harmed by state-sanctioned violence.
So whether you’ve always been a huge romance novel fan or you’re looking for a new way to escape the real world for a moment, we’ve got 20 Black romance novels you can curl up with this summer. There are plenty of others out there, but we hope this list kicks off the beginning of a beautiful summer romance. Enjoy!
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Bookshop1 Party of Two, by Jasmine Guillory
Olivia Munroe is a hardworking attorney who doesn’t really have time for love—until she meets junior senator Max Powell. The delicious food descriptions, lovable characters, and gripping sex scenes make Guillory’s book a perfect summer read. There’s also a political subplot that’s almost made for this particular moment in American history.
$15 at Bookshop
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Amazon2 The Worst Best Man, by Mia Sosa
Who doesn’t love an enemies-to-lovers plot? In The Worst Best Man, wedding planner Carolina Santos is on the precipice of a career milestone, and the only thing standing in her way is that she has to collaborate with her former fiancé’s brother, Max Hartley. It might sound like the plot is too shady to enjoy, but reviewers on Goodreads say that you fall in love with Max, and the mere fact that this is Carolina’s almost-brother-in-law adds a fun little twist.
$16$15 at Bookshop
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Bookshop3 Meet Cute Club, by Jack Harbon
Jordan Collins is a bookstore owner who’s dealing with a lot. For starters, his book club—the Meet Cute Club—is in danger of running out of steam. His grandmother used to run the club, so he teams up with his seemingly insufferable employee Rex Bailey to save it. What do you think happens? Yep, while they work together to save the club, Jordan begins to wonder if he’s misjudged Rex. You’ll have to read to find out how it all pans out.
$13 at Bookshop
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Amazon4 A Beverly Jenkins Romance Collection, by Beverly Jenkins
A Beverly Jenkins Romance Collection features five short stories, including two holiday-themed ones. Reviewers say these books “get right to it” in the sex department, so if that’s what you’re looking for, the length of the stories won’t leave you feeling like you’ve missed out.
$7 at Amazon
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Bookshop5 Real Men Knit, by Kwana Jackson
In Real Men Knit, readers meet the Strong brothers as they figure out what to do with their adoptive mother’s yarn shop when she dies. Jesse Strong (admittedly a bit of a momma’s boy) is adamant that the brothers take over the shop, so he enlists Kerry Fuller, a part-time shop employee who has had a crush on him since childhood, to help him save it. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more charming premise.
$16$15 at Bookshop
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Amazon6 A Cowboy to Remember, by Rebekah Washington
This is the first installment of Rebekah Washington’s Cowboys of California series, and A Cowboy to Remember has all the makings of an old-school epic romance novel. An accident has left Evie Buchanan unable to remember exactly what happened between her and Zach, a former rodeo champion whom she loved almost 10 years ago. Zach, who pushed Evie away, is resolved to rekindle the spark—even as Evie struggles to remember the history they share. Lovers reuniting and amnesia? Is there a better quarantine read?
$8$7 at Bookshop -
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Amazon7 Once Ghosted, Twice Shy, by Alyssa Cole
Once Ghosted, Twice Shy is a novella that pops up in the middle of Alyssa Cole’s Reluctant Royals series. In this book, Likotsi—advisor to a prince—is reeling from a broken heart. She heads back to NYC with resolve to recover. It might all have gone according to plan except that Likotsi runs into Fabiola, the very woman who broke her heart, on a stalled subway train. Reunited in New York City, the two women grapple with their past, rekindle their connection, and aim for “happily ever after” this time around.
$5 at Bookshop
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Amazon8 Pink Slip, by Katrina Jackson
In Pink Slip, Kierra is a personal assistant for a married couple—who happen to be spies. This is the first installment in Jackson’s The Spies Who Loved Her series, and we’re introduced to Kierra as she tries to finally leave her employers only to be completely engulfed in a sexy, suspenseful mission that she’s been fantasizing about for years.
$10 at Bookshop
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Bookshop9 Get a Life, Chloe Brown, by Talia Hibbert
Chloe Brown is an immediately loveable heroine. After a brush with death, the “chronically ill computer geek” decides that she needs to get a life (as the title implies). She moves out of her family home, makes a list of things she’s going to do, and enlists the help of her extremely attractive neighbor, Red. The build-up and sexual tension make it a page-turner, but readers say that Get a Life, Chloe Brown has a great mix of heart and romance too.
$16$15 at Bookshop -
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Amazon10 A Taste of Her Own Medicine, by Tasha L. Harrison
In A Taste of Her Own Medicine, readers watch as Sonia Watts, recovering from her divorce, takes a step toward independence by enrolling in an entrepreneurship course. While she was ready for the intellectual challenge, she didn’t expect to feel so drawn to her instructor, Atlas James, a successful entrepreneur who is significantly younger. The book has a great balance of steamy sex scenes and emotionally resonant characters to root for—it’s also fun to watch Sonia make strides in her business.
$1 at Amazon
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Bookshop11 The Boyfriend Project, by Farrah Rochon
After Samiah Brooks goes viral for live-tweeting her breakup, Samiah (and her ex’s three other “girlfriends”) pledge to swear off dating and focus on themselves. This, of course, leaves room for Daniel Collins, Samiah’s charming and sexy coworker, to enter. He’s equal parts funny, smart, and charming—you’ll be rooting for Samiah as she tries to decide whether or not Daniel is boyfriend material.
$15$14 at Bookshop
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Amazon12 Intercepted, by Alexa Martin
If you love a good sports-themed romance, Intercepted is a great choice. Marlee Harper is a devoted NFL girlfriend until she discovers that her longtime boyfriend has been cheating. Luckily (or unluckily) for her, Gavin Pope has just been traded to her ex’s football team, and the two have a history that makes it hard to stay away from each other. Come for lovable Marlee as she navigates uncomfortable situations between the two men, and stay to watch Gavin and Marlee give in to their desires.
$15$14 at Bookshop -
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Amazon13 An Extraordinary Union, by Alyssa Cole
This historical novel doesn’t shy away from the more challenging aspects of American history and instead looks that history directly in the face. Set during the Civil War, the novel follows Elle Burns, a former slave who goes back to the South to spy for the Union Army, and Malcolm McCall, a detective is tasked with infiltrating rebel forces in Virginia. Elle and Malcolm team up for a common purpose, but the question remains: Will their love jeopardize their mission? (Fun fact: Cole’s Elle Burns is based on an actual Union spy Mary Bowser, according to a Book Page interview with the author.)
$16$15 at Bookshop -
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Bookshop14 Finding Joy, by Adrianna Herera
In Finding Joy, Desta Joy Walker returns to Ethiopia (a place he’s been actively avoiding because it’s where his father died), where he meets Elias Fikru, who has lived in Ethiopia his entire life. These two meet and learn to see the world through each other’s eyes, and they grapple with being able to accept the deepest parts of themselves and each other. Almost every reviewer on Goodreads says Finding Joy treats readers to as much pleasure as the title implies.
$14 at Bookshop
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Amazon15 Every New Year, by Katrina Jackson
Ezra Posner and Candace Garret are two childhood friends who’ve never quite been able to get their timing right. Even though they hook up almost every New Year (hence the title), they can’t seem to make it work longterm. In an effort to run away from each other, they inevitably collide—and finally face the long-held feelings they have for each other.
$4 at Amazon
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Amazon16 Hidden Sins, by Selena Montgomery
If you need any further evidence that smart people read (and write) romance, Selena Montgomery is the nom de plume of Stacey Abrams, a former congresswoman and prominent American politician. In Hidden Sins, Ethan and Mara are two former lovers who are thrown together to solve a 50-year-old murder mystery. While they work together, will they be able to salvage their relationship from the betrayals that haunt them?
$9 at Amazon
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Bookshop17 Anything Once, by Meeka James
In a refreshing twist, Anything Once features Quinn and Ian, an older married couple who have to push past their relationship rut (and a pretty interesting reveal) to deepen their connection. The sex scenes don’t disappoint, and readers have remarked that the couple’s problems are super relatable, which makes their journey back to each other all the more satisfying.
$13 at Bookshop
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Amazon18 Being Hospitable, by Meka James
When Kiki Jenkins opens up her house to her best friend’s little sister (who has just scored an internship), she thinks she’s simply being a hospitable person. What she doesn’t realize is that Charley Graham wants more than just a place to crash. As the two give in to their desires, they begin to wonder if their connection has what it takes to go the distance.
Buy Now at Bookshop
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Amazon19 I Think I Might Love You, by Christina C. Jones
In I Think I Might Love You, readers meet bad girl Jaclyn Love along with Kadan Davenport, who seems to be unable to resist her charms. Reviewers say this book is a quintessential rom-com complete with an adorable meet-cute, lots of laughter, and “red hot” sex scenes. It’s a novella—the first in the series—so you can expect it to go by quickly, maybe too quickly for some readers.
$8 at Amazon
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Amazon20 Whiskey Kisses, by Lena Hampton
Serenity Breedlove is described as a “straight-laced accountant” who catches the eye of country music star (and infamous bad boy) Wilder Mann. As the two connect, Serenity lets go of her reservations, but she also has to contend with her newfound life in the spotlight. The chemistry between the two main characters will draw you in—consider the drama and chaos that ensue whenever you read a tale involving love between a regular person and a megastar as the cherry on top.
$3 at Amazon
