10 Superb Romance Novels Written By & About Black Women

Romance novels aren't just for white women. Love is a universal experience, and everyone deserves to see themselves reflected in stories about overcoming obstacles, having passionate affairs, and finding a happily ever after. So check out these ten fantastic novels that put black, female protagonists front and center. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.

Romances About Women of Color: Our 10 Picks

Title Author
1. Still Loving You Sheryl Lister
2. Nappily Ever After Trisha R. Thomas
3. Redemption Adrienne D'nelle Ruvalcaba
4. A Passionate Love Delaney Diamond
5. Baby, You’re the Best Mary B. Morrison
6. Her Silver Fox Koko Brown
7. Filthy Lucre Sharon Cullars
8. Love and Loopholes Railyn Stone
9. Rebel Beverly Jenkins
10. The Takedown Nia Forrester

8 Great Romance Films About Black Women

  1. The Watermelon Woman (1996)
  2. Love & Basketball (2000)
  3. How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998)
  4. Poetic Justice (1993)
  5. An Oversimplification of Her Beauty (2012)
  6. Something New (2006)
  7. Love Jones (1997)
  8. Just Wright (2010)

Date Ideas For Your Real-Life Romance

Why Representation Matters

In Depth

In the past, women of color had a tough time seeing themselves represented on the covers of novels in the romance section. Thankfully, there are many modern writers working to expand the genre with wit and personality. If you're seeking some wonderfully-written novels that place powerful, intelligent black women at the center, here, in no particular order, are a few reads you'll love getting lost in.

In the #1 spot is Sheryl Lister's "Still Loving You." Eight years ago, the ambitious Lauren Emerson said adieu to Malcolm, her long-term lover, to pursue her dreams abroad. Now she's back, and the two exes have a lot to catch up on. Los Angeles Cobras running back Malcolm wants to forgive Lauren, and she wants to be forgiven. Unfortunately, the two haven't stopped playing games. Will they give up their traditional courtship for constant one-upmanship, or will the two career-focused exes find a way to incorporate love into their lives, for real this time?

At #2 is "Nappily Ever After" by Trisha R. Thomas. Venus has always been defined by her hair. Ever since she was little, everyone seemed to have an opinion about it. Today, she's a successful executive on the verge of being engaged to her dream man. But when her boyfriend totally botches his chance to propose, Venus decides she's had enough of letting other people make decisions about her life, and her hair. As she shaves off her luscious locks, Venus embarks on a journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and maybe even a second chance at her happily ever after.

Ever since she was little, everyone seemed to have an opinion about it.

At #3 is Adrienne D'nelle Ruvalcaba's "Redemption." When Lilah has to return to her hometown for a ten-year reunion, she's not looking forward to facing her old classmates. High school wasn't exactly a great time for the introverted Lilah, especially with the popular kids doing their best to make her life miserable. But when she reconnects with Diego, her old rival, something changes. Diego is still cocky and brash, but he has a softer side as well. If there was ever a time for a relationship between the two to take off, it would be now.

At #4 is "A Passionate Love" by Delaney Diamond. Socialite Simone knows exactly what she wants out of a partner. He should be able to match her in every way, providing the perfect, poised counterpart to her pedigreed person. Cameron Bennett may be a charmer, but the owner of Atlanta's hottest night spot isn't the most reliable choice. Still, the chemistry between Simone and Cameron is undeniable, and even if the two don't look right for each other on paper, there's something to be said for raw attraction.

If they can make it work, they could become the power couple of Simone's dreams. But no one said the road to true love would be smooth.

But no one said the road to true love would be smooth.

Coming in at #5 is Mary B. Morrison's "Baby, You're the Best." The Crystal women are a vibrant, complicated bunch. Blake, the mother of four daughters, has never felt more secure in who she is and what she wants. Her complicated, bisexual daughter Alexis, however, has been asking a few uncomfortable questions about her father's identity. On the eve of a giant party for Blake, the Crystals are determined to come together to make it an unforgettable night of revelry. But thanks to Alexis, a few unpleasant truths are about to come to light.

For #6, we have "Her Silver Fox" by Koko Brown. Master tailor Shoshana doesn't have time for romance. With her ailing father depending on her more and more in his old age and a booming business to run, she simply can't get caught up in romantic overtures, even if they are coming from her newest client, handsome investment banker Patrick Kelly. But as soon as Shoshana gets a look at Patrick in his bespoke three-piece suit, she's fantasizing about tearing it off of him.

At #7 is "Filthy Lucre" by Sharon Cullars. In the 1930s, broke, desperate boarding house owner Teddy is at her wit's end. She just got mugged and she needs cash, fast. Fortunately for her, opportunity knocks in the form of Louis Daniels, a new tenant who just happens to be a highly skilled bank robber. Daniels may be a charmer, but he's in with some bad people, including the infamous Bonnie and Clyde gang. Before long, the whole crew is holed up in Teddy's boarding house and holding her hostage.

Daniels may be a charmer, but he's in with some bad people, including the infamous Bonnie and Clyde gang.

It's not the ideal place for romance to bloom, but Teddy can't help but feel attracted to the debonair miscreant holding her captive. With a life-changing natural disaster on the way, there's no telling whether the two will even survive the night, much less find each other in the eye of the storm.

At #8 is Railyn Stone's "Love and Loopholes." Channing has always wanted to take over the family business. Too bad his mother is stipulating that he marry before getting the keys to the castle. He needs to find the perfect woman, and quickly, if he's ever going to get a chance to fill his father's shoes. Enter Kirby Allen, a broke, confused woman looking for a way out. When the two cross paths in Vegas, they realize that they can help each other out.

But not every marriage of convenience is destined to remain passionless. If these partners in crime can keep things casual, maybe they can fool everyone into thinking they're for real. Or maybe they'll find themselves falling into a romantic trap of their own making.

Or maybe they'll find themselves falling into a romantic trap of their own making.

For #9 we have "Rebel" by Beverly Jenkins. The Civil War may be over, but that doesn't mean the South isn't still full of danger, especially for a woman like Valinda Lacey, who's determined to rebuild her beloved New Orleans home. When Valinda finds herself the victim of a terrible attack, Captain Drake steps in just in the nick of time. The handsome architect is instantly drawn to the driven, ambitious woman. But Valinda's plans don't involve him, and her family has other ideas for her future.

Finally, at #10, is Nia Forrester's "The Takedown." Makayla and Jamal have worked hard to build their relationship, and their careers, from the ground up. With Jamal in his new hard-earned spot as CEO of Scaife music, he's at the top of his game, and his beloved Makayla is happy to be along for the ride. That is, until her hubby's new job starts sabotaging their wedding plans. As the couple struggles to keep it together, they realize that someone is trying to destroy their relationship from the outside, and they need to find out who it is.