Love Unapologetically: A Black Romance Challenge

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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
A Legend in the Baking by Jamie Wesley

A Legend in the Baking

Sugar Blitz #2

Jamie Wesley

9 hours, 33 minutes • audio • 2024

fiction contemporary romance funny lighthearted medium-paced
Love and Sportsball by Meka James

Love and Sportsball

Atlanta Cannons #1

Meka James

273 pages • digital • 2024

fiction contemporary lgbtqia+ romance funny lighthearted fast-paced
The Opportunity by T.M. Richardson

The Opportunity

The Secrets Series #3

T.M. Richardson

280 pages • digital • 2025

fiction erotica lgbtqia+ romance emotional reflective medium-paced
Ginger's Grizzlies: A Curvy Girl Paranormal Romance by September Knight, September Knight

Ginger's Grizzlies: A Curvy Girl Paranormal Romance

September Knight, September Knight

287 pages • digital

fiction adventurous emotional mysterious slow-paced
This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan

This Could Be Us

Skyland #2

Kennedy Ryan

400 pages • digital • 2024

fiction contemporary romance emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced
Frenemies with Benefits by Synithia Williams

Frenemies with Benefits

Peachtree Cove #3

Synithia Williams

9 hours, 38 minutes • audio • 2025 user-added

fiction contemporary romance emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
The Offer by T.M. Richardson

The Offer

The Secrets Series #2

T.M. Richardson

274 pages • digital • 2024

fiction erotica lgbtqia+ romance adventurous emotional funny medium-paced
American Royalty by Tracey Livesay

American Royalty

American Royalty #1

Tracey Livesay

384 pages • paperback • 2022

fiction contemporary romance funny lighthearted medium-paced
The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory

The Wedding Party

The Wedding Date #3

Jasmine Guillory

337 pages • paperback • 2019

fiction contemporary romance lighthearted medium-paced
Let Me Love You by Alexandria House

Let Me Love You

McClain Brothers #1

Alexandria House

276 pages • digital • 2018 user-added

fiction contemporary romance emotional fast-paced