Black British Women in The Romance Genre
I love the theme months! They make blogging ten times easier than usual because the content is almost pre-determined; I just have to write within those boundaries.
This month’s theme is, of course, Black History Month, so today I’ll be spotlighting Black British authors, specifically in the romance genre. That means we’re primarily discussing Black British women writers. Many of these names will be familiar if you’ve followed my blog for a while. There aren’t a huge number to choose from, especially authors I’ve personally read, but I’ll be highlighting a mix: some I know and love, some I don’t personally connect with but many others adore, and some I’m still exploring.
I’ve mentioned before that discovering Black contemporary stories came relatively late for me — and finding Black British stories came even later. I’ve seen it much easier to come across and enjoy Black American stories than British ones, but that doesn’t stop me from seeking them out.
While I love seeing my world reflected on the page and being able to relate so closely, sometimes it can feel a bit too familiar. I’ve read stories that, for example, refer to Black British influencers or Twitter topics, and they’ve instantly pulled me out of the narrative. So, a story that feels authentically Black British without being overtly so — that subtle familiarity — is exactly my kind of read.
Anise Starr
Anise Starr is a born-and-bred Londoner known for her light, sweet, and fluffy romances featuring Black women being loved and adored.
I first came across Anise about two years ago when I read One Last Job. She writes everyday romances, simple, modern love stories that feel real and grounded, like the lives many of my friends live today. I’ve read quite a few of her books, and I’ve enjoyed them all; they scratch a very specific kind of itch. Her stories aren’t overly complicated; they’re just fun, easy, and comforting reads.
Last I checked, she has five books out, and I’ve read three of them. All her stories are set in the same universe and are interlinked, which, as you know, I absolutely love. Recently, she’s branched out into the supernatural with On the Run with a Vampire (released last year). I haven’t read it yet, but I probably will soon.
Overall, Anise Starr is a steady, enjoyable romance author whose books you can always count on to deliver a cosy, feel-good experience.
✨ Perfect for readers who: love soft, low-drama romances, cosy vibes, and seeing Black women simply being cherished.
Francis Mensah Williams
Born in Ghana, Frances Mensah Williams spent her early years between the USA, Austria, and Ghana before settling in the UK. Her novel Imperfect Arrangements (2020) received critical acclaim and was listed among The Top 20 African Books of 2020.
I’ve only read one of her books, Strictly Friends, which I finished over about ten days in 2023. I didn’t rate it particularly highly, though I also didn’t dislike it; if I had hated it, I’d definitely remember! Frances gives me very Emily Henry vibes, but with more mature themes.
Frances gives me very Emily Henry vibes, but with more mature themes. She leans less into the sexy and smutty side of romance, preferring to allude to it instead. From reading her blurbs, that seems to be consistent across her work. I do plan to explore more of her books because I think there’s potential for her style to really grow on me.
✨ Perfect for readers who: enjoy slow-burn love stories, mature characters, and emotionally grounded, character-driven romance.
Bolu Babalola
Born and raised in London, Bolu Babalola is a full-fledged Black British gem. Her debut anthology, Love in Colour (2020), became a Sunday Times bestseller.
I adore Bolu Babalola — I’ve followed her career for years and still follow her on Twitter to this day. She’s such a learned, intelligent, and well-rounded individual. So when I discovered Love in Colour, which I recommended in my Black Women list, I was thrilled to learn she was a romance author.
I enjoyed it overall, it had a distinctly Black British feel while still existing in this subtle, universal “Black space,” which I actually liked. I do think the story took a while to find its rhythm, and I understand some of the critiques, but for a debut novel, she did incredibly well.
I’m looking forward to reading Sweet Heat because I love a second-chance romance, that special “spinning the block” energy always gets me. Bolu really embodies what it means to be Black British, she feels real, relatable, and so representative of our experiences.
✨ Perfect for readers who: love witty, modern love stories, university settings, and that authentic Black British energy.
Talia Hibbert
Talia Hibbert is a British romance New York Times Bestselling novelist known for her contemporary and paranormal romances.
Critics praise her for writing diverse narratives featuring characters of varying race, ethnicity, body type, sexuality, and life experience. She’s best known for her 2019 novel Get a Life, Chloe Brown. Hibbert herself is queer and autistic.
Talia was the first mainstream Black British romance author I ever discovered — and honestly, she’s the Shonda Rhimes of the literary world. This woman loves an interracial romance (in fact, I’m not sure she has any that are fully Black romances).
I’ve read several of her books, most notably Get a Life, Chloe Brown from The Brown Sisters trilogy. I enjoyed it, though not enough to dive into the rest of the series. I have also read I have read the first and second books in the Midnight Heat Collection The Princess Trap and The Roommate Risk both of which I ranked 4/5.
Talia is a wonderful writer who captures so many different life paths, identities, and experiences. She’s the kind of author anyone can pick up and find something that resonates.
Overall, Anise Starr is a steady, enjoyable romance author whose books you can always count on to deliver a cosy, feel-good experience.
✨ Perfect for readers who: love diverse casts, witty banter, mental health rep, and a balance of heart, humour, and heat.
I hope you enjoy this post and explore some Black British Authors this month! Black voices are multifaceted and tell a wide range of stories, and I plan to showcase that this month! Make sure to subscribe to my newsletter to stay in the loop on all new posts! Happy Black History Month.
Signed,
