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
Forbidden Promises by Synithia Williams

Forbidden Promises

Jackson Falls #1

Synithia Williams

352 pages • paperback • 2020

fiction contemporary romance emotional slow-paced
Waiting for Friday Night by Synithia Williams

Waiting for Friday Night

Peachtree Cove #2

Synithia Williams

338 pages • 2024 user-added

fiction romance emotional lighthearted medium-paced
The Secret to a Southern Wedding by Synithia Williams

The Secret to a Southern Wedding

Peachtree Cove #1

Synithia Williams

384 pages • digital • 2023

fiction romance hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
Technically Yours by Denise Williams

Technically Yours

Denise Williams

335 pages • paperback • 2023

fiction contemporary romance emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
The Secret Crush Book Club by Karmen Lee

The Secret Crush Book Club

Peach Blossom #3

Karmen Lee

288 pages • 2025

fiction contemporary lgbtqia+ romance adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced
You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi

You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty

Akwaeke Emezi

279 pages • hardcover • 2022

fiction contemporary romance emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
A Run at Love by Toni Shiloh

A Run at Love

Love in the Spotlight #2

Toni Shiloh

352 pages • paperback • 2024

fiction romance lighthearted medium-paced
Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola

Honey & Spice

Bolu Babalola

358 pages • hardcover • 2022

fiction contemporary romance emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
Kiss and Spell by Celestine Martin

Kiss and Spell

Elemental Love #2

Celestine Martin

371 pages • paperback • 2023

fiction contemporary fantasy romance funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
Deja Brew by Celestine Martin

Deja Brew

Elemental Love #3

Celestine Martin

352 pages • digital • 2024

fiction contemporary fantasy romance lighthearted medium-paced