Best Romance Novels with Black Characters (2026)

Readers looking for the best romance novels with black characters want leads they can recognize and stories centered on Black love, family and ambition. This list compares contemporary romances on premise, edition and series position.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Seven Days in June by Williams	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Business of Lovers by Dickey	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	The Neighbor Favor by Forest	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	When I Think of You by Ariel	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Jealous Type Of Love by Deshai	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Seven Days in June by Williams

Tia Williams·9.7/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Suits readers who want a second-chance romance between two writers.

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Pros

• Reprint dated June 7, 2022, from Grand Central Publishing.
• Second-chance premise with two writers as leads.
• Print length of 352 pages stated.

Cons

• No reading age or grade level stated.
• Description states mature themes; check before buying for a younger reader.
• No series information stated.

2

Business of Lovers by Dickey

Eric Jerome Dickey·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Suits readers who want a family saga built around two brothers.

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Pros

• Print length of 416 pages stated.
• Two brothers at the center of the story.
• Reprint dated March 30, 2021, from Dutton.

Cons

• No reading age or grade level stated.
• Description states mature themes; check before buying for a younger reader.
• Focus shifts between two brothers and several women.

3

The Neighbor Favor by Forest

Kristina Forest·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Suits readers who want a series opener about a shy book lover.

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Pros

• Listed as Book 1 of 3 in The Greene Sisters series.
• Publication date of February 28, 2023, from Berkley.
• Centers a book lover who dreams of editing children's books.

Cons

• No print length stated.
• No reading age or grade level stated.
• Part of a series, so it continues past this volume.

4

When I Think of You by Ariel

Myah Ariel·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Suits readers who want a second-chance romance set around film work.

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Pros

• Publication date of April 16, 2024, from Berkley.
• Second-chance premise built around former college sweethearts.
• Film-setting story for readers who like creative work.

Cons

• No print length stated.
• No reading age or grade level stated.
• Film production setting may not suit every reader.

5

Jealous Type Of Love by Deshai

Bri Deshai·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Suits readers who want a series opener about loyalty and betrayal.

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Pros

• Listed as Book 1 of 3.
• Print length of 181 pages stated.
• Publication date of April 9, 2020, stated.

Cons

• Description states death, loss and violence.
• No reading age or grade level stated.
• Part of a series, so it continues past this volume.

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Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 25 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. None of the picks list a reading age or grade level, so that part does not apply here. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best romance novels with black characters

Check the themes before choosing

No pick here states a reading age or grade level, so read the description before buying for a younger reader. Several descriptions state mature themes plainly, and readers who want lighter fare can browse contemporary romance novels.

Series or standalone

The Neighbor Favor and A Jealous Type Of Love are each listed as Book 1 of 3. Readers who want a longer run can browse romance novel series for series picks.

Check the edition and length

Seven Days in June is a reprint dated June 7, 2022, and The Business of Lovers is a reprint dated March 30, 2021. Print lengths run from 181 pages to 416 pages where stated.

Before you buy

• Check the edition and publication date on the listing.
• For a series, buy Book 1 first.
• Read the description for mature themes first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which book should a reader start with to begin a series?

Start with The Neighbor Favor or A Jealous Type Of Love, each listed as Book 1 of 3.

Do any of these books state a reading age?

No. None of the listings state a reading age or grade level.

Which pick is the longest?

The Business of Lovers, at 416 pages, is the longest of the picks with a stated page count.

Still deciding? Our top pickSeven Days in June by Williams

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Related lists

See every Fiction list and all Book Club Picks lists.

More lists: contemporary romance novels, spicy romance novels, romance novel series and romance novels of all time.