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
Witchful Thinking by Celestine Martin

Witchful Thinking

Elemental Love #1

Celestine Martin

333 pages • paperback • 2022

fiction contemporary fantasy romance funny lighthearted medium-paced
Take a Hike by Mimi Grace

Take a Hike

Lovestruck #3

Mimi Grace

230 pages • digital • 2023

fiction contemporary romance funny lighthearted medium-paced
Make a Scene by Mimi Grace

Make a Scene

Lovestruck #1

Mimi Grace

228 pages • paperback • 2020

fiction contemporary romance funny lighthearted fast-paced
What a Match by Mimi Grace

What a Match

Lovestruck #2

Mimi Grace

230 pages • digital • 2022

fiction contemporary romance funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
You've Been Served by Kristen Alicia

You've Been Served

Kristen Alicia

327 pages • paperback • 2023

fiction romance funny lighthearted medium-paced
The Good Ones are Taken by Taj McCoy

The Good Ones are Taken

Taj McCoy

304 pages • paperback • 2024

fiction contemporary romance emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
Even If The Sky is Falling by Charish Reid, Sarah Smith, Farah Heron, Lane Clarke, Denise Williams, Taj McCoy

Even If The Sky is Falling

Charish Reid, Sarah Smith, Farah Heron, Lane Clarke, Denise Williams, Taj McCoy

326 pages • paperback • 2023

fiction romance short stories funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
Sweet Heat by Bolu Babalola

Sweet Heat

Bolu Babalola

missing page info • 2025

fiction medium-paced
Until I Met You by Amber Rose Gill

Until I Met You

Amber Rose Gill

352 pages • digital • 2022

fiction romance funny lighthearted medium-paced
One Summer in Miami by Amber Rose Gill

One Summer in Miami

Amber Rose Gill

336 pages • digital • 2024

fiction contemporary lgbtqia+ romance adventurous inspiring lighthearted medium-paced