Love Unapologetically: A Black Romance Challenge

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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
A Duke, the Lady, and a Baby by Vanessa Riley

A Duke, the Lady, and a Baby

Rogues and Remarkable Women #1

Vanessa Riley

320 pages • paperback • 2020

fiction historical romance lighthearted slow-paced
The Fastest Way To Fall by Denise Williams

The Fastest Way To Fall

Denise Williams

368 pages • paperback • 2021

fiction contemporary romance emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
Frenemies with Benefits by Synithia Williams

Frenemies with Benefits

Peachtree Cove #3

Synithia Williams

384 pages • digital

fiction contemporary romance
A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole

A Princess in Theory

Reluctant Royals #1

Alyssa Cole

384 pages • paperback • 2018

fiction contemporary romance lighthearted slow-paced
The Relationship Mechanic by Karmen Lee

The Relationship Mechanic

Peach Blossom #2

Karmen Lee

283 pages • paperback • 2025

fiction contemporary lgbtqia+ romance funny lighthearted medium-paced
Snapped by Alexa Martin

Snapped

Playbook #4

Alexa Martin

352 pages • paperback • 2020

fiction contemporary romance emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
Just Our Luck by Denise Williams

Just Our Luck

Denise Williams

10 hours, 10 minutes • audio • 2025

fiction contemporary romance
The Gardins of Edin by Rosey Lee

The Gardins of Edin

Gardins of Edin #1

Rosey Lee

320 pages • paperback • 2024

fiction contemporary literary emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
Fumbled by Alexa Martin

Fumbled

Playbook #2

Alexa Martin

321 pages • paperback • 2019

fiction contemporary romance emotional fast-paced
Intercepted by Alexa Martin

Intercepted

Playbook #1

Alexa Martin

308 pages • paperback • 2018

fiction contemporary romance lighthearted medium-paced