Sometimes you just want a story that hits every romantic spot without the page-count commitment. These Black indie and self-published romances deliver big feelings in a short time — perfect for busy reading seasons, reading slumps, or when you crave love done beautifully in under 300 pages.
Bernardine Evaristo’s Girl Woman Other is a vibrant celebration of Black British womanhood — exploring identity, resilience, and connection through a chorus of voices. Told in Evaristo’s bold, free-flowing style, it captures life’s beauty and struggle with humour and honesty, reminding us of the strength in shared experience.
Noughts and Crosses brings Malorie Blackman’s powerful story of love, race, and resilience to life on screen. With a vibrant Afro-futuristic setting, strong performances, and a compelling narrative, the adaptation celebrates Black British people, offering both long-time fans and new audiences an engaging and visually striking portrayal of this essential story.
October’s theme is all about celebrating Black British voices. From cozy contemporary love stories to witty, character-driven tales, these authors showcase Black women being adored, challenged, and fully seen. Here are a few of my favourites, familiar voices and new discoveries, redefining British romance one story at a time.
Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing is a poignant, ambitious debut that traces centuries of trauma and resilience. Through lyrical storytelling and unforgettable characters, Gyasi captures the enduring legacy of slavery and colonialism, reminding us that history’s echoes shape who we are — and that remembering is an act of strength.
This month’s Author Spotlight shines on the wonderful Christina C Jones, a woman I would consider my favourite author. The author who introduced me to black contemporary romance and has held my loyalty and love for over 5 years! Readers praise her for skillfully blending the realities of modern life into compelling stories that centre Black characters across nearly every corner of the romance genre. Whether it’s thrilling, action fantasy or the paranormal, CCJ weaves romance beautifully into all genres, and this spotlight tells you why she is an author to explore no matter your tastes.
My relationship with Akwaeke Emezi has been nothing if not tumultuous, and nothing represents that more than Little Rot. An engrossing but captivating read which left VERY much to be desired. I give the rundown of why this was a difficult book and what this means for Emezi and me going forward.
I’m back and ready to take you through some of my favourite books in my favourite trope – vows before love.
These 5 books encompass everything that exists within the subgenre where a man and woman come together, whether for the first time or through complicated circumstances and realise they were meant to be all along. This post highlights some of my fave black romance authors and their works in this trope that has my heart.
These thought-provoking book recommendations will challenge your worldview, inspire introspection, and leave a lasting impact. Whether you’re seeking stories that resonate with your own experiences or offer insights into lives very different from your own, these books invite you to dive in and broaden your perspective. Prepare to be moved, enlightened, and encouraged to see the world through fresh eyes.
When I discovered The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives was being revived in the theatre I just knew I had to be there! While it was an entertaining and exciting depiction of Lola Shoneyin’s deeply powerful story, it left a lot to de desired. It fell flat as an adaptation for me and here’s why!
