10 Romance Books With Black Female Protagonists

Let’s talk a little about the Black Lives Matter movement. The importance of it and how we can be ‘anti-racist’ instead of only being ‘not racist’.

Even though they sound pretty similar, there’s a big difference.

It’s not enough to be ‘not racist’, and I’ll give you an example why (which is the main topic of this post).

Being ‘not racist’ is me telling you that I don’t judge people by their color of their skin and that everyone should do the same, but if I’m not actively calling out racist comments or fighting the system that tends to benefit those with light skin, then I’m not being anti-racist.

So here I am, trying to practice what I’m preaching. Because is not enough to share on your social media about the Black Lives Matter movement, we need to take action as well.

It’s a daily task. Something that we need to remember on a daily basis.

*SOME OF THE LINKS IN THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS AND I WILL RECEIVE A SMALL COMMISSION IF YOU MAKE A PURCHASE AFTER CLICKING ON MY LINK*

The reason behind this post, is that I realized that there aren’t many romance books with Black female protagonists.

I could talk about books in general, but in this case, my favorite book genre is romance. So this is a special post for my fellow romance book lovers.

Even though I feel like this is not much; I decided to start being anti-racist by supporting not only Black female authors, but also by bringing awareness about this issue.

The truth is, that there isn’t enough representation of Black females in the romance genre. Writers or lead characters.

So let’s start reading more about them as well. Make it a goal!

The following list contains romance books with Black female protagonists written by Black female authors.

1. Take a Hint, Dani Brown (The Brown Sisters #2) 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 brooding security guard Zafir Ansari rescues Dani from a workplace fire drill gone wrong, it’s an obvious sign: PhD student Dani and ex-rugby player Zaf are destined to sleep together.

But before she can explain that fact, a video of the heroic rescue goes viral. Now 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? 

Dani’s plan is simple: fake a relationship in public, seduce Zaf behind the scenes. The trouble is, grumpy Zaf’s secretly a hopeless romantic—and he’s determined to corrupt Dani’s stone-cold realism.

Before long, he’s tackling her fears into the dirt. But the former sports star has issues of his own, and the walls around his heart are as thick as his… um, thighs. 

Suddenly, the easy lay Dani dreamed of is more complex than her thesis. Has her wish backfired? Is her focus being tested? Or is the universe just waiting for her to take a hint?

If you prefer audiobooks, it is free with the Audible free trial!

For the Goodreads link and more reviews of the book, click here.

2. A Prince on Paper (Reluctant Royals #3) by Alyssa Cole

The Reluctant Royals series returns with a good girl searching for the life that’s not too big, and not too small, and the bad boy prince who might be just right for her…

Nya Jerami fled Thesolo for the glitz and glamour of NYC but discovered that her Prince Charming only exists in her virtual dating games. When Nya returns home for a royal wedding, she accidentally finds herself up close and personal—in bed—with the real-life celebrity prince who she loves to hate.

For Johan von Braustein, the red-headed step-prince of Liechtienbourg, acting as paparazzi bait is a ruse that protects his brother—the heir to the throne—and his own heart. When a royal referendum threatens his brother’s future, a fake engagement is the perfect way to keep the cameras on him.

Nya and Johan both have good reasons to avoid love, but as desires are laid bare behind palace doors, they must decide if their fake romance will lead to a happily-ever-after.

For the Goodreads link and more reviews of the book, click here.

3. Love’s Recipe by Mila Nicks

Can two strangers down on their luck discover the flavor of love?

Rosalie Underwood is a broke, recently divorced single mother. After she’s forced to return to her hometown St. Aster, Louisiana, she lands a waitressing job at Ady’s Creole Café.

Life’s not done giving her lemons just yet, though. Ady’s Creole Café is on the brink of going out of business. If Rosalie hopes to recover from her disastrous marriage and keep her job, she must figure out a way to save the restaurant. But the only question is how?

When Nicholas Fontaine hires Rosalie Underwood, he doesn’t expect his newest waitress to stir the pot. He was hoping to keep up the charade he’s created since his mother’s passing. Soon he realizes that Rosalie refuses to let Ady’s fail. She cooks up a plan to salvage the business—including the part where she enters the restaurant in a food competition to generate town-wide buzz. 

There’s no time for butting heads. The clock is ticking and the business is tanking. Nick’s stuck teaching Rosalie how to cook the one-of-a-kind menu. Rosalie’s trying her best to learn the delicious recipes. In order to succeed, they must come together and work as a team, but brewing feelings between them only complicates matters. Is this a recipe for disaster or a recipe for love?

For the Goodreads link and more reviews of the book, click here.

Also, it’s available on Kindle Unlimited!

4. An Angel for Daddy by Lucy Eden

Ruby Hayes is intelligent, beautiful, great at her job and loves her students. She’s not too fond of me because despite moving to this small coastal California town only a month ago, I’ve managed to get on her bad side by consistently arriving late to pick up my daughter, Nina. It’s probably for the best. Between my job and adjusting to raising a little girl by myself, adding romance to the equation isn’t something I have time for. 

Spencer Jones is successful, handsome, a doting father and terrible at reading a clock. His daughter, Nina also happens to my favorite student. Getting involved with the parent of a student is bad idea, no matter how witty and charming they might be. It’s probably for the best. Between my job, taking care of my dad and climbing out debt, a new relationship is the last thing I need. 

Spencer and Ruby have plenty of reasons to stay apart, but can a little divine intervention and an assist from a pint-sized cupid teach them a lesson that will last a lifetime?

For the Goodreads link and more reviews of the book, click here.

Also, it’s available on Kindle Unlimited!

5. The Wedding Party (The Wedding Date #3) by Jasmine Guillory

Maddie and Theo have two things in common:

1. Alexa is their best friend

2. They hate each other

After an “Oops, we made a mistake” kiss, neither one can stop thinking about the other. With Alexa’s wedding rapidly approaching, Maddie and Theo both share bridal party responsibilities that require more interaction with each other than they’re comfortable with. Underneath the sharp barbs they toss at each other is a simmering attraction that won’t fade. It builds until they find themselves sneaking off together to release some tension when Alexa isn’t looking.

But as with any engagement with a nemesis, there are unspoken rules that must be abided by. First and foremost, don’t fall in love.

The whole series has a total of five books so far. All of them have Black female protagonists, so that’s a bonus!

You can read this as stand-alone, but it’s better if you read them in order since the characters in all the books know each other.

I personally don’t care about the order when the focus in every book has a different couple, but if you care about the order, I thought you might wanted to know this.

If you prefer audiobooks, it is free with the Audible free trial!

For the Goodreads link and more reviews of the book, click here.

6. Through the Storm (The Le Veq Family #1) by Beverly Jenkins

Sable, a slave on the run to escape the cruel man she’s been sold to is forced to betray the charming Union officer Raimond LeVeq, who had romanced her and championed her.

Brought together again by fate and an arranged marriage, she must try and win the trust of LeVeq–the man she truly loves.

If you are into historical romance, then this is the author for you.

Beverly Jenkins has a long list of books with that sub-genre, so go ahead and check her out if that’s something you love.

Also, this book is free with Audible trial

For the Goodreads link and more reviews of the book, click here.

7. Queen Move by Kennedy Ryan

The boy who always felt like mine is now the man I can’t have… 

Dig a little and you’ll find photos of me in the bathtub with Ezra Stern.

Get your mind out of the gutter. We were six months old.

Pry and one of us might confess we saved our first kiss for each other. 

The most clumsy, wet, sloppy . . . spectacular thirty seconds of my adolescence.

Get into our business and you’ll see two families, closer than blood, torn apart in an instant.

Twenty years later, my “awkward duckling” best friend from childhood, the boy no one noticed, is a man no one can ignore.

Finer. Fiercer. Smarter. Taken.

Tell me it’s wrong. 

Tell me the boy who always felt like mine is now the man I can’t have. 
When we find each other again, everything stands in our way–secrets, lies, promises.

But we didn’t come this far to give up now. 
And I know just the move to make if I want to make him mine.

For the Goodreads link and more reviews of the book, click here.

8. Anything Once by Meka James

Quinn has been happily married for ten years. Her relationship with Ian is built on love, trust, and honesty. At least that’s what she thought…until a four-letter word changed everything.

P.O.R.N.

After finding her husband alone in a rather awkward situation, Quinn starts to question her beliefs about their marriage. 

While they’ve always had a healthy sex life, it was far from adventurous. She loves her husband, and he loves her, but the revelation allows worries to mount, and insecurities to grow. 

After having a candid conversation with Ian, Quinn realizes that it all boils down to one very important question.

Is she willing to try anything once?

The answer is…yes.

**this book contains discussions of infertility** 

This book is also available on Kindle Unlimited!

For the Goodreads link and more reviews of the book, click here.

9. Love Unsolicited by Alexandra Warren

“Everything in this world is for sale to the people who can afford it…” 

Joella Mason knows the difference between what she needs and what she wants. But when the line between the two becomes especially thin, she finds herself on a quest for something missing, not expecting that to come in the package of a sexy stranger with an even sexier proposition. 

They share a night. Desires are fulfilled. But at what price? 

Find out in, Love Unsolicited. 

This book is also available on Kindle Unlimited! So if you have, you can enjoy this one and many other romance books with a Black female protagonist.

At this point I’m thinking about subscribing. Many of my favorites books are on it and for only $9.99 seems like it’s worth it.

For the Goodreads link and more reviews of the book, click here.

10. A Cowboy to Remember (Cowboys of California #1) by Rebekah Weatherspoon

With a headline spot on a hit morning show and truly mouth-watering culinary skills, chef Evie Buchanan is perched on the edge of stardom. But at an industry party, a fall lands Evie in the hospital—with no memory of who she is.

Scrambling to help, Evie’s assistant contacts the only “family” Evie has left, close friends who run the luxury dude ranch in California where Evie grew up.

Evie has no recollection of them—until former rodeo champion Zach Pleasant walks into her hospital room, and she realizes his handsome face has been haunting her dreams…

Zach hasn’t seen Evie in years—not since their families conducted a campaign to make sure their childhood friendship never turned into anything more.

When the young cowboy refused to admit the feelings between them were real, Evie left California, making it clear she never wanted to see Zach again.

Now he refuses to make the same mistake twice. Starting fresh is a risk when they have a history she can’t recall, but Zach can’t bear to let go of her now. Can he awaken the sleeping beauty inside her who might still love him? 

I don’t now about you, but for some reason I’m very into stories where amnesia is involved. It’s just bring the extra drama I always look for. So if you are like me, this romance book is perfect for you!

If you are into audiobooks, this book is free with your Audible trial!

This book also has an amazing deal going on. You can get the paperback edition for only $1.01!

For the Goodreads link and more reviews of the book, click here.

BONUS: Grip Series By Kennedy Ryan

Even though this isn’t a romance book with a Black female protagonist, it is written by a Black author.

This series tells the story of Grip and Bristol, an interracial couple fighting racism in a world dominated by white men.

He is a famous and talented rapper while she grew up in a very sheltered home and living a very privileged life (although that doesn’t equal having the perfect life).

Bristol comes from money while Marlon (Grip to his fans) is the opposite. They are such a powerful couple but life makes it hard for them to be together (seriously, you won’t believe everything they have to go through).

This love story that talks about many topics. Not only about racism, but also about family, friendships, and other more complex topics.

This series taught me about some of the struggles the Black community goes trough, and even though I will never completely understand, it did help me to realize a few things.

I really recommend it if you are still struggling to understand why the Black Lives Matter movement is so important.

It gives you a small insight of the problems Black men and women go through on a daily basis (you will even see a debate between a white suprematist and Grip on book #2. Very intense).

The Black Lives Matter movement is giving us the opportunity to learn more and change some of the things we didn’t realize we were doing. For example, not reading enough romance books with Black female protagonists.

Now tell me, did I mention your favorite book in this list? Are there other romance books with a Black female lead character that I should add to the list? Let me know in the comments! I would definitely be doing a part II.

For more romance book recommendations, click here.

Sincerely,