My Favourite ‘Vows Before Love’ Black Romance Books.
I’ve often shared just how much I adore the vows before the love romance trope. It’s my all-time favourite, and easily the subgenre of romance I gravitate toward the most. Honestly, the moment I find out a book features this trope, I’m already invested. Whether it’s arranged marriage, marriage of convenience, or even a married-at-first-sight setup, I’m always a fan.
The five stories I’m highlighting here are just a small selection from the long, long list of vows before love books I’ve read. These particular ones came to mind immediately, all written by some of my favourite Black romance authors. Christina C. Jones, whom I’ve often mentioned as my number one favourite author, naturally had to make the list. Asia Monique and K.C. Mills are two other authors who rarely steer me wrong – both incredibly consistent voices in Black romance, and writers I know I can always trust.
These stories progress in order, starting with the easy, sweet romances and gradually raising the stakes with each book. By the end, the focus shifts to the urban criminal underworld and mafia stories, where choices are far more limited. Essentially, the series moves from mutual marriages of convenience to traditional arranged marriages.
Surrender by Kimberly Brown
Kachelle Lewis is tired of waiting for love. She has everything else going for her, but the one thing she desires most remains just out of reach. Deciding to take a chance, she puts her future in the hands of Arranged Hearts, a professional matchmaking service, but she won’t know anything about him until the moment she meets him at the altar.
Jacob Mitchell lives a comfortable life, but all the money in the world can’t buy the one thing he craves most: love. Enlisting the help of Arranged Hearts, he has no idea what to expect.
Armed with hope, Kachelle and Jacob meet at the altar. Their attraction is immediate, but is it enough to build a future with someone who was a stranger only moments before?
This story is just so cute. I found it while hunting for Black arranged marriage books and came across a site that listed a bunch. The Arranged Hearts series is an anthology with the same premise but written by different authors, each giving their take on the idea of a matchmaker-married-at-first-sight relationship. This particular story is sweet, low-stakes, and genuinely heartfelt. Both the MMC and FMC are well-adjusted, so there’s little to no toxicity or unnecessary drama in their relationship. The conflict that does arise comes from outside the couple, and it adds an extra layer to the story without overshadowing the romance.
Sight Unseen by Kasha Thompson
Evelyn Townsend is reckless. So when a reality show offers the chance to meet her perfect match, she doesn’t hesitate. Quincy Parrish, however, has lived his life playing it safe. When he steps out of his comfort zone and auditions for the same show, he never expects to be chosen.
The catch? Their match will be made by a panel of experts, and they won’t meet until they’re standing face to face at the end of the aisle. After the “I dos,” the real challenge begins- living together, meeting families, and revealing secrets, all while cameras capture their every move. Evelyn and Quincy can’t deny their chemistry, but can they look past the spectacle of the cameras to find something real?
I loved this book from the minute I read it. It was the first Kasha Thompson book I ever picked up, and it solidified her for me. I love the TV show Married at First Sight, and this book almost feels like a behind-the-scenes look at what that might be like. Add in layered and complicated characters (especially Evelyn), a man who wears his heart on his sleeve, and a relationship you can’t help but root for, and it’s a winner. I think it handled the whole reality TV storyline so well. I was genuinely impressed and always recommend it when I can.
Hostile Takeover by Christina C Jones
For Nalani Stark, legacy matters. It’s inextricably tied to her mother’s memory, and when that legacy is threatened, she’s forced to consider the unthinkable: a match made in hell with Orion Sterling, heir to the competitor she was raised to despise.
Orion is a man used to getting exactly what he wants. Other than opportunities to grow his family’s empire, few things move him – except Nalani Stark. They each hold something the other needs, and the only way forward is through a contract that spells out every term of their arrangement. Simple enough, unless feelings complicate the exchange.
You all know how I feel about Christina C. Jones; she’s my girl through and through. Hostile Takeover is probably book forty I’ve read by CCJ, and it’s another one I loved. The stakes here are slightly higher than in the first two books; they stay largely within the ‘legal realm’ – but then again, we know billionaires are nothing if not morally ambiguous. There are some wild moments, and the MMC is very much the alpha-male, take-charge, rude-as-hell type that can only exist in books. Insufferable, yes, but in an enjoyable, sexy kind of way. I also really enjoyed the central plot outside the romance, which CCJ is always excellent at developing. A solid read overall.
Shadows and Whispers by K.C. Mills
Elias Omari exists in the darkness that clouds his mind. Cress Devereaux lives in the light that inspires her soul. Together, they create beautiful shades of grey. An arranged marriage forces two families to smooth the jagged edges of their past in hopes of a new beginning. But can a union tainted by secrets and uncertainty truly promise an unbreakable alliance? The one thing Elias and Cress have in common is loyalty to family, but should they keep fighting for families that have never truly fought for them?
KC Mills is a solid writer. I’ve read and enjoyed so many of her books. She moves seamlessly between urban and contemporary Black romance, often blending the two. I’m pretty sure this isn’t the only arranged-marriage style story I’ve read from her, but it’s definitely my favourite. I love a man who doesn’t play about his woman from the very start, even without intense romantic feelings, and that was Elias. He was layered, complex, and compelling, and the story beyond the romance was just as captivating.
Sinful Vow by Asia Monique
Lucia Moretti always knew her marriage would never be to a man of her choosing. Even as a girl, she understood the power she carried in a world where men were meant to rule.
Enzo Bianchi knew the life he once dreamed of was no longer an option. Betrayal from those closest to him had turned his world upside down. Determined to rebuild, his goal was to forge alliances with organisations that shared his vision. The plan was simple, cut and dry, until Lucia Moretti appeared with a plan of her own, one he couldn’t refuse. Now, everything is at stake, including his heart.
I really enjoy Asia Monique; she is definitely solidifying her place as one of my Black romance writer holy grails. I’ve read a number of her series and spin-offs. I even devoured the entire Mafia Misfits series in just a few days, so she’s definitely an author I would recommend. I loved this book and the take on the Black mafia. The story tackles strong themes around racism and family while exploring a powerful romantic connection in a world that is extremely dangerous and volatile. Also, while Sinful Vow is technically an arranged marriage romance, there’s a twist in the book that turns the trope on its head. I didn’t see it coming, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I hope you give these books a go, they’re some of my favourites! I have other worthy mentions, so there might be a part two sometime in the future. I also have a non-Black version of this list, which is far more extensive, so deciding on my top picks will take a bit of work.
If you have any requests for the types of books you’d like me to recommend, please do let me know. I have a whole arsenal waiting to be explored!
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Thank you so much for being here!
Signed,
