Mandel Library: 5 Must-Read Romances By Black Authors

From the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach:

February 4, 2021

By Faith

It’s Black History Month, and to celebrate, Sweetheart’s Book Club will be focusing on Black authors and Black love stories! Check out some excellent romances written by Black authors about Black protagonists, and don't forget to join us on Zoom to talk romance on Thursday, February 11 at 6:30 PM!

Once Ghosted, Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole

"While her boss the prince was busy wooing his betrothed, Likotsi had her own love affair after swiping right on a dating app. But her romance had ended in heartbreak, and now, back in NYC again, she's determined to rediscover her joy--so of course she runs into the woman who broke her heart. When Likotsi and Fabiola meet again on a stalled subway train months later, Fab asks for just one cup of tea. Likotsi, hoping to know why she was unceremoniously dumped, agrees. Tea and food soon leads to them exploring the city together, and their past, with Fab slowly revealing why she let Likotsi go, and both of them wondering if they can turn this second chance into a happily ever after." - from the publisher

Xeni: A Marriage of Inconvenience by Rebekah Weatherspoon

"She just wanted to claim her inheritance. What she got was a husband... Xeni Everly-Wilkins has ten days to clean out her recently departed aunt's massive colonial in Upstate New York. With the feud between her mom and her sisters still raging even in death, she knows this will be no easy task, but when the will is read Xeni quickly discovers the decades old drama between the former R&B singers is just the tip of the iceberg. The secrets, lies, and a crap ton of cash spilled on her lawyer's conference room table all come with terms and conditions. Xeni must marry before she can claim the estate that will set her up for life and her aunt has just the groom in mind. The ruggedly handsome and deliciously thick Scotsman who showed up at her aunt's memorial, bagpipes at the ready. When his dear friend and mentor Sable Everly passed away, Mason McInroy knew she would leave a sizable hole in his heart. He never imagined she'd leave him more than enough money to settle the debt that's keeping him from returning home to Scotland. With no choice but to say I do, the unlikely pair try to make the best of a messy situation. They had no plans to actually fall in love." - from the publisher

Destiny’s Embrace by Beverly Jenkins

"Gentleman Seeks Housekeeper. Must be willing to travel. Desperate for another life away from Philadelphia, headstrong and beautiful Mariah Cooper answers an advertisement for a housekeeper at the other end of the continent. Waiting in California is the most breathtaking-- and arrogant-- man she has ever met-- and he'd like nothing better than for Mariah to go back home! Logan Yates has run Destiny, the family ranch, since he was a boy. He doesn't need this Eastern miss his stepmother hired, though his home's chaotic state suggests otherwise. Still, he's secretly pleased that Mariah gives as good as she gets-- and he must fight the urge to take her in his arms and kiss her whenever she proudly stands her ground. But when he's in danger of losing her, Logan will have to choose between pride-- and his heart's true desire." - from the publisher

Take a Hint, Dani Brown! by Talia Hibbert

"Danika Brown knows what she wants: professional success, academic renown, and an occasional roll in the hay to relieve all that career-driven tension. But romance? Been there, done that, burned the T-shirt. Romantic partners, whatever their gender, are a distraction at best and a drain at worst. So Dani asks the universe for the perfect friend-with-benefits - someone who knows the score and knows their way around the bedroom. When big, brooding security guard Zafir Ansari rescues Dani from a workplace fire drill gone wrong, it's an obvious sign: PhD student Dani and former rugby player Zaf are destined to sleep together. But before she can explain that fact to him, a video of the heroic rescue goes viral. Suddenly, half the internet is shipping #DrRugbae - and Zaf is begging Dani to play along. Turns out his sports charity for kids could really use the publicity. Lying to help children? Who on earth would refuse?” - from the publisher

Let’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann

"Alice had her whole summer planned. Nonstop all-you-can-eat buffets while marathoning her favorite TV shows (best friends totally included) with the smallest dash of adulting—working at the library to pay her share of the rent. The only thing missing from her perfect plan? Her girlfriend (who ended things when Alice confessed she's asexual). Alice is done with dating—no thank you, do not pass go, stick a fork in her, done. But then Alice meets Takumi and she can’t stop thinking about him or the rom com-grade romance feels she did not ask for (uncertainty, butterflies, and swoons, oh my!). When her blissful summer takes an unexpected turn and Takumi becomes her knight with a shiny library-employee badge (close enough), Alice has to decide if she’s willing to risk their friendship for a love that might not be reciprocated—or understood." - from the publisher

This press release was produced by the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach. The views expressed are the author's own.