Love Unapologetically: A Black Romance Challenge

bookishlyariel's profile picture bookishlyariel Host

13 participants (125 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
Keep You To Myself by BriAnn Danae

Keep You To Myself

BriAnn Danae

385 pages • digital

emotional medium-paced
This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan

This Could Be Us

Skyland #2

Kennedy Ryan

12 hours, 20 minutes • audio • 2024

fiction contemporary romance emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced
Love in Colour: Mythical Tales from Around the World, Retold by Bolu Babalola

Love in Colour: Mythical Tales from Around the World, Retold

Bolu Babalola

288 pages • hardcover • 2020

fiction fantasy romance short stories emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
The Art of Scandal by Regina Black

The Art of Scandal

Regina Black

10 hours, 25 minutes • audio • 2023

fiction contemporary romance emotional medium-paced
Pursuit of the Truth by K.D. Richards

Pursuit of the Truth

West Investigations #1

K.D. Richards

256 pages • digital • 2021

fiction mystery romance emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole

An Extraordinary Union

The Loyal League #1

Alyssa Cole

258 pages • paperback • 2017

fiction historical romance adventurous emotional tense medium-paced
A Ghost in Shining Armor by Therese Beharrie

A Ghost in Shining Armor

Therese Beharrie

320 pages • digital • 2022

fiction contemporary romance emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry by Joya Goffney

Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry

Joya Goffney

368 pages • digital • 2021

fiction contemporary romance young adult emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
Between Friends & Lovers by Shirlene Obuobi

Between Friends & Lovers

Shirlene Obuobi

384 pages • paperback • 2024

fiction contemporary romance emotional funny hopeful medium-paced
Only For The Week by Natasha Bishop

Only For The Week

Forever Falling #1

Natasha Bishop

238 pages • paperback • 2023

fiction romance emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced