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
The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon

The Boyfriend Project

The Boyfriend Project #1

Farrah Rochon

358 pages • digital • 2020

fiction contemporary romance emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced
The Perfect Find by Tia Williams

The Perfect Find

Tia Williams

368 pages • paperback • 2016

fiction contemporary romance emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde

Tia Williams

342 pages • hardcover • 2024

fiction contemporary romance emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

Seven Days in June

Tia Williams

328 pages • hardcover • 2021

fiction romance emotional hopeful medium-paced
Sunny Disposition by Deanna Grey

Sunny Disposition

Mendell Hawks #1

Deanna Grey

272 pages • digital • 2022

fiction contemporary romance sports emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
How to Fail at Flirting by Denise Williams

How to Fail at Flirting

Denise Williams

343 pages • paperback • 2020

fiction contemporary romance emotional funny medium-paced
Outdrawn by Deanna Grey

Outdrawn

Deanna Grey

328 pages • digital • 2023

fiction contemporary lgbtqia+ romance emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
Team Players by Deanna Grey

Team Players

Mendell Hawks #2

Deanna Grey

376 pages • digital • 2022

fiction contemporary lgbtqia+ romance sports emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
Rebel by Beverly Jenkins

Rebel

Women Who Dare #1

Beverly Jenkins

373 pages • paperback • 2019

fiction historical romance emotional lighthearted slow-paced
By Beverly Jenkins Captured (Original) Mass Market Paperback by Beverly Jenkins, Beverly Jenkins

By Beverly Jenkins Captured (Original) Mass Market Paperback

Beverly Jenkins, Beverly Jenkins

missing page info • 2009

adventurous emotional fast-paced