Counting Down My Top 6 Black Romance Novels

What drives a large Black man to exclusively read books that get him stared at on public transport?

Late last year I decided to do two things, with one of these decisions being maybe the best I’ve made in a while, and the other... well I’m still unsure about that other one. The first decision was to start reading romance novels written almost exclusively by and about Black characters, and the second decision was to re-watch all of Gilmore Girls (I was re-writing a short film and GG happens to be the perfect background show, you only need to pay attention to 20% of the dialogue to understand what’s happening).

While there was a temptation to make this piece about why Jess Mariano might be the only example I’ve seen of a white boy who’s somehow the victim of racial profiling (“They treat that boy like he’s Black” ~ A passing comment from my eldest sister), I thought it’d be better to literally choose love over hate and talk about my favourite Black romance novels so far.

My re-introduction to reading came when I decided to buy Desmond’s star Norman Beaton’s hard-to-find autobiography, Beaton But Unbowed. Although a great read, I largely struggled to stick to it until one day a friend gave me some great advice: start by reading just 5 pages a day, and then let your addictive personality take over (might have added that last part lowkey). After finishing it, I decided that I’d embrace my newly-regained love of books by bingeing a genre that I knew I’d enjoy based on my taste in films: romantic comedies. The only problem was that having very recently spent ample time watching Rory Gilmore complain her way through multiple love interests, the idea of reading 400 pages of white romance just didn’t appeal to me.

While most of my favourite romantic comedy films star white actors (with the exceptions of Brown Sugar and Rye Lane, which you should watch), there’s just something about watching two Black people grow to love each other that hits different for me, so it wasn’t too difficult to surmise that this would enhance my reading experience. With this in mind, I resolved that if I was going to do this without losing interest, any novel I read would have to feature pure, unambiguous Black love (although I did try reading Stardust while in-between book deliveries. Movie was better, the book needed more Take That).

So now, over 35 books later, it’s time to talk about 6 of my favourite Black romance novels (so far).

6. Mr. Loverman — Bernardine Evaristo

While some might disagree with the idea of calling my first entry a romance novel, I would argue that love and romance runs right through the heart of this one. Bernadine Evaristo’s novel follows Barrington Walker, an immaculately-dressed 74-year-old Antiguan grandfather living in London and hiding a big secret from his wife and family: Barry has been in a secret love affair with his best friend Morris for 60 years. The story focuses on how Barry will break the news to his long-suffering wife Carmel, come out to his family, and finally live an open, happy life with his true love.

The funny thing about this book is that initially, I found it almost impossible to read. There was something about the entire story that I just found so desperately sad. Maybe it was having protagonists who so frequently contemplated the fact that their best years might be behind them; maybe it was the way in which the story fleshes out Carmel’s character, revealing that behind her fiery and occasionally violent demeanour, was a bright-eyed young woman who had been failed and lied to by the man she’d been deeply in love with for decades; or maybe it was the fact that I, at first, found Barry’s character to be hard to stomach with his vilification of Carmel proving particularly unattractive. It’s weird then that these three factors, along with the pure and genuine love expressed between Morris and Barry became the things I loved most about the book.

Mr. Loverman is full of complex characters and takes the time to flesh them out and make us understand their perspectives, all of them have layered and nuanced reasons for feeling the way they feel and behaving the way they behave. Barry himself is a great protagonist whose journey to self-acceptance and love is a pleasure, and Evritisto dodges every lazy “wife-zilla whom our protagonist must escape” trope to make Carmel arguably the most complex and sympathetic character in the novel.

Evaristo also manages to do something that I’ve slowly notice a few British novelists struggling with: writing a Black British romance novel that actually feels British as opposed to an Americanised love story where the author simply trades Brooklyn for Barking. Add this to the fact that it’s a refreshing story of two old, gay Black men who are openly affectionate with each other (which you’ll struggle to find much of in mainstream fiction) and you have a brilliant read.

5. By The Book — Jasmine Guillory

Confession time: I can occasionally be a bit slow at times. To put this into an anime perspective (which I’m sure all of you will understand), I’m one of the few Naruto fans who was completely blindsided by the revelation that Minato Namikaze, one of two spiky-blond-haired, blue-eyed characters in the fictional land of Konoha was the biological father of the titular Naruto Uzumaki, the other spiky-blond-haired, blue eyed character in Konoha (My excuse was to point out that they had different surnames to which my boy responded “You and your mum have different surnames, Jake.”)

I say this because I completely missed the fact that Jasmine Guillory’s novel about a publishing editorial assistant who shacks up with a reclusive former child actor to try and get an autobiography out of him was heavily based on Beauty and the Beast. Again. I tried to argue that the parallels were very subtly done to which a friend to whom I lent the book responded “Jake, the main character’s name is Isabelle.”

I really love this book, it’s a must-read for enemies-to-lovers fans as Izzy initially struggles to tolerate Beau (yeah, yeah, his name is Beau, it sounds like beast let’s move on) and his abrasive, mistrusting nature. What really makes the novel work is that Izzy comes to live and interact with Beau largely through her own choice because she too has something to gain from the scenario (her career would take off if she got this book done). This key choice helps the novel avoid the lazy cliche of the long-suffering female lead forced to stick with some d*ckhead before she realises that there’s a sweet side under all of the abuse and comes to believe she can fix him (am I sending shots at Beauty and the Beast? Maybe. It’s no Hercules). Throughout the majority of the book, Izzy is afforded her own agency and her own expertise that allows her to feel like an equal to Beau, both professionally and romantically, which is key to what makes their love story healthy and believable.

Beau himself is a great example of the romantic grump done right. Guillory is careful to give Beau a backstory that explains his behaviour and garners sympathy and depth but stops short of doing what many authors (and men) do: let his complicated past excuse his less-than-charming behaviour. Instead the book constantly sees Beau take accountability for the occasions where he’s less-than-polite and gives him more than enough wit and insight to outweigh his abrasiveness. The story never allows his tendency to lash out to fall into the category of abuse or toxicity, and it’s this balancing act that makes it all the more satisfying to see his guard drop as he spends more time with Izzy.

4. Real Men Knit — Kwana Jackson

I am genuinely shocked that this one hasn’t been made into a film or TV show yet.

When chronic f*ck-up Jesse’s adoptive mother, Mama Joy, suddenly passes away, he decides to fight for her legacy and dedicates himself to keeping her beloved knitting shop open against the advice of his brothers who (rightly) have little faith in his ability to follow through. Jesse enlists the help of his childhood friend and Mama Joy’s protege, Kerry as she tries to help him save the place that meant so much to her as a child while also grappling with the feelings she’s always had for such an unserious guy.

What I enjoy most about this one is that there are so many different types of love that are so effectively conveyed here. Whether it’s the growing romantic love between Kerry and Jesse, the familial love shared between Mama Joy, her sons, and Kerry, or the love that this found family has for their Harlem community, this book really shows the many faces that love has. While Jesse and Kerry are our main POV characters, you could easily argue that the real star is the deceased Mama Joy, as the love she shows to her family and community drives the plot forward, motivates the characters, and allows her presence to be felt throughout the story in the most touching way imaginable.

While the romantic story itself isn’t the most original I’ve read, it’s still great to watch Jesse finally discover a purpose in his previously aimless life and to see Kerry grow more and more in confidence as she establishes herself as an equal partner to Jesse and a vital part of preserving Mama Joy’s legacy.

Also, there’s just something so endearing about a f*ckboi who can knit a nice pair a mittens.

3. Strictly Friends — Frances Mensah Williams

How doe a story set on Sorrell Island, a heart-shaped land with the magical ability to make visitors find their true love, manage to feel so incredibly grounded and relatable?

Ghanaian-British author Frances Mensah Williams’ romantic adventure follows Ruby Lamont, a woman still coming to terms with the departure of her partner Kenny from the lives of her and her young son, Jake. When Jake gets in trouble at school for telling tall tales about the father he doesn’t know, Ruby is forced to fly them to Sorrell Island to track down Kenny, and finally get some closure from the man who walked out on them. They’re later joined by Ruby’s best friend since childhood and Jake’s surrogate father figure, the rich, affable, but still unsettled Griffin, and you can imagine where that leads.

What really makes this one great for me is how the author depicts layered characters who are all scarred by abandonment & rejection in different ways. Whether it’s the feeling of being walked out on, losing someone, or fearing that they’re not enough for the one they love, Williams gives us a cast of charming yet flawed characters at different stages of healing, aided by the magic of Sorrell Island and the wonderful innkeeper Miss Ida (this book’s MVP). It’s honestly hard not to get swept up in the sheer romance of it all.

Probably the only thing stopping Strictly Friends from being higher on this list is that Ruby and Griffin are slightly more interesting as friends than they are as romantic leads, but even so, the book earns its spot in my top 3 by being a wholesome, heartfelt, mature story about forgiveness, openness, and self-love.

2. The Dating Playbook — Farrah Rochon

Honestly, it was kinda hard to pick which of Farrah Rochon’s Boyfriend Project trilogy would go on this list, but ultimately I had to pick this one. The trilogy itself focuses on three women who go viral after they discover that they’re all dating the same guy and publicly confront him about it. Each of the women then gets her own novel charting their journey from that incident to finding their soul mate. In terms of quality, if I had to put it in movie terms (also bearing in mind that I’m one the few straight men who has never seen the Godfather movies), I’d say that this is like the How to Train Your Dragon of romance novel trilogies (in that they’re great and I love every entry).

The Dating Playbook sets itself apart mainly through its two leads, Taylor, a personal trainer desperate to turn her fitness passion into a respectable career that can pay her rent, and Jamar, a promising football player determined to get back into the game after suffering a career-ending injury. Taylor and Jamar have so much depth and vulnerability to them, their separate motivations are clear, and it’s a testament to just how complex and interesting they are that the two characters are just as compelling together as they are apart. The two share a mutual respect and desire to help each other reach their goals that makes it impossible not to become incredibly invested in their relationship.

This book is so good that I’m completely unbothered by the fact that it features my least favourite romantic trope: fake dating, as Taylor and Jamar use a fake relationship to hide the latter’s intention to get back into the sport he loves. Rochon’s story covers themes of guilt, insecurity, self-improvement, loss, fear, and pride while never being afraid to ask the toughest questions of its characters and refusing to provide them with easy resolutions.

The Dating Playbook is engaging from its beginning to its surprising and immensely satisfying end and it’s definitely the How to Train Your Dragon 2 of Rochon’s trilogy (minus the part where Big Hero 6 robs it of an Oscar).

Honourable mentions

Opposite of Always (Webtoon) — Justin A. Reynolds (With art and character designs by SharpTeething and the very talented Webtoons team)

Literally, the only reason this one doesn’t make it onto the list is because I’ve only read the webtoon adaptation of the book and haven’t yet gotten around to reading the novel. Justin A. Reynold’s story about a guy caught in a time loop where he has to experience the death of the woman he loves is a beautiful, heartbreaking emotional rollercoaster, and the Doctor Who fan in me (Tennant’s Doctor is trash btw) was instantly hooked. If the book (which I’ve just started) is even half as good as the webtoon then expect to see it high up on the next list I make.

Fake It Till You Bake It — Jamie Wesley

This entry initially held the number 2 spot on this list, but I then realized that my view on it might be heavily biased due to it being the first Black rom-com I read, also it really heavily features baking which is an unfair advantage. We get to follow Jade, a disgraced influencer forced to work at a struggling cupcake shop run by uptight baker and NFL player Donovan (yes really), and the fact that it’s an enemies-to-lovers story (like Bridgerton season 2) is only slightly dampened by the fact that it‘s also a fake dating story (like Bridgerton season 1 but not nearly as horrifying. Black men really should’ve been angrier about Bridgerton season 1 man). It was a engaging read, with a great supporting cast and the chemistry between the two leads is perfect from the first chapter. It’ll probably make it back into my favourites list once I’ve re-read it.

The Neighbour Favour — Kristina Forest

Following up my first Black rom-com novel with my most recent one, Kristina Forest’s story focuses on Lily, an aspiring children’s book editor who emotionally connects with her favourite fantasy author over email only for him to suddenly disappear on her; little does she know that he’s actually her neighbour, the perpetually anxious Nick, who’s desperate to keep the fact that he’s a successful author a secret, even if it ends up costing him the woman he’s grown to love. This is a really great twist on the Parfumerie/She Loves Me/You’ve Got Mail-esque love story and I have a huge soft spot for romantic leads who connect and fall for each other without even knowing what the other looks like beforehand. Plus there’s just something about the publishing industry that makes it the perfect backdrop for a love story.

Catch Me If You Can — Christina C. Jones

An action-packed romance spy thriller that was so good, I kept forgetting many of the characters in it are feds. The first and best of Jones’ …If You Can trilogy sees maverick FBI agent Marcus pit his wits against part-time ballerina and full-time thief Naomi before some insane plot twists force the two to work together. It’s almost refreshing to see a Black FBI agent fall in love and just generally do anything that doesn’t involve infiltrating the Black Panther Party (happy Black History Month btw).

And finally, we move onto the final entry on this list…

1. I Think I Might Love You — Christina C. Jones

The first of the Love Sisters trilogy takes the top spot on this list purely by being an insanely funny story about two complete idiots falling in love. The short novel tells the story of Jaclyn Love, an ice cream entrepreneur and student whose brush with the law forces her to work with Kaden Davenport, a vet who just really does not want to fall in love with this woman. In most respects, this book is probably equal to the other entries on this list if not a tiny bit weaker in certain places (another fake dating one)…

But man this book is funny as hell.

Jaclyn Love is by far my favourite rom-com protagonist both onscreen and on paper. She’s hilariously blunt, crude, prone to acts of violence/vandalism, impulsive and literally begins the story by punching her male lead in the face after accidentally breaking into his home. Honestly it’s like Jones wrote a shonen manga protagonist into my Black rom-com and I had no idea that this was a combination I needed until I read it. Jaclyn never once feels over the top as she’s also shown to be incredibly intelligent and has a much softer side that we see come out more as her relationship with Kaden progresses. The two of them are just really stupid and funny together as they go from despising each other to falling in love with plenty of chaos and slapstick on the way.

There’s just something so fun and refreshing about having a Black female lead who gets to exhibit so many bombastic characteristics that we usually see reserved for male characters or female characters who are inevitably played by Tiffany Haddish. Jaclyn gets to be a work in progress while Kaden largely plays the straight-man, but at no point does he or the book express any desire to “fix” her, and Jones strikes the perfect balance between allowing Jaclyn to believably grow while also maintaining the eccentricities that make her and her relationship with Kaden so enjoyable.

It’s an unapologetically silly romantic romp and that is — perhaps controversially enough — more than worthy of being my favourite Black romantic comedy.