Love Unapologetically: A Black Romance Challenge

bookishlyariel's profile picture bookishlyariel Host

18 participants (151 books)

01 Jan 2025—31 Dec 2025

Overview

The Love Unapologetically: A Black Romance Challenge is a celebration of Black love in all its forms. This challenge is designed to highlight and honor the richness, diversity, and beauty of romance stories featuring Black characters and written by Black authors. It’s a chance to unapologetically embrace stories of passion, resilience, vulnerability, and joy that center Black love.

What the Challenge is About:
This challenge invites readers to explore and uplift Black romance across genres and styles. From swoon-worthy contemporary tales to heart-pounding romantic suspense, and from historical settings to fantastical worlds, these stories showcase the power of love through unique and authentic lenses.

How to Participate:
  1. Set Your Goal: Decide how many Black romance books you want to read during the challenge.
  2. Diversify Your List: Include a mix of subgenres (e.g., contemporary, historical, fantasy, or dark romance) to explore the vast world of Black love stories.
  3. Reflect and Share: Keep track of your favorite books, characters, and moments, and share your progress with others.

Optional Monthly Themes:
  • January: Fresh Love – New relationships and beginnings.
  • February: Iconic Couples – Stories with unforgettable pairings.
  • March: Love Over Time – Second chances or long-term romances.
  • April: Powerful Women – Romances with strong Black female leads.
  • May: Unexpected Love – Stories where love takes surprising turns.
  • June: Hot and Steamy – Passionate and bold romances.
  • July: Love in Danger – Romantic suspense and thrillers.
  • August: Fantasy and Magic – Black romance in fantastical worlds.
  • September: Black Historical Romance – Love stories set in the past.
  • October: Forbidden Romance – Love that defies expectations.
  • November: Family Ties – Stories blending romance with family themes.
  • December: Holiday Bliss – Cozy, seasonal Black romance reads.

Why Join?
  • Celebrate the diversity and depth of Black romance.
  • Discover new authors and hidden gems.
  • Support Black authors and amplify their voices.
  • Fall in love with stories that reflect joy, authenticity, and passion.

Join the Love Unapologetically: A Black Romance Challenge and let yourself be swept away by tales of love that are unapologetically powerful, authentic, and unforgettable. 

Challenge Books

All books added
Reel by Kennedy Ryan

Reel

Hollywood Renaissance #1

Kennedy Ryan

432 pages • paperback • 2021

fiction contemporary romance emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced
Fake It Till You Bake It by Jamie Wesley

Fake It Till You Bake It

Sugar Blitz #1

Jamie Wesley

324 pages • paperback • 2022

fiction contemporary romance funny lighthearted medium-paced
Church Girl by Naima Simone

Church Girl

Naima Simone

264 pages • digital • 2024

fiction romance emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
In It to Win It by Sharon C. Cooper

In It to Win It

Sharon C. Cooper

336 pages • paperback • 2022

fiction romance emotional lighthearted medium-paced
I'm So (Not) Over You by Kosoko Jackson

I'm So (Not) Over You

Kosoko Jackson

358 pages • paperback • 2022

fiction contemporary lgbtqia+ romance emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
The Partner Plot by Kristina Forest

The Partner Plot

Greene Sisters #2

Kristina Forest

401 pages • paperback • 2024

fiction contemporary romance funny lighthearted medium-paced
The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest

The Neighbor Favor

Greene Sisters #1

Kristina Forest

403 pages • paperback • 2023

fiction contemporary romance emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
Where We End & Begin by Jane Igharo

Where We End & Begin

Jane Igharo

356 pages • paperback • 2022

fiction contemporary romance emotional medium-paced
Ties That Tether by Jane Igharo

Ties That Tether

Jane Igharo

320 pages • paperback • 2020

fiction contemporary romance emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
The Sweetest Remedy by Jane Igharo

The Sweetest Remedy

Jane Igharo

336 pages • paperback • 2021

fiction contemporary romance mysterious reflective medium-paced