Your Black Romance Summer Reading List

Now I know you guys are getting back on your new year’s resolution this year to read more and don’t know where to start. I also know a lot of y’all are on Gen Pop. Booktok and are getting the generic recs for romance so, why don’t you step into my library and pick a series for your summer reading agenda this summer.

Your TBR doesn’t have to be a mountain tall which is why I’m recommending series sets. You read at your own pace and have a reading commitment that won’t feel like a lot of pressure to read an endless list. Here are some series to make your personal summer reading goal this year.

Emotional Healing and Love: The Skyland Series by Kennedy Ryan

Kennedy’s Skyland series follows three women in a friend group who go through their individual journeys of grief, loss, self-discovery, and love. Some second chance, others forbidden, and a little in the most unexpected. Set in a fictional neighborhood in Atlanta, Georgia, the Skyland series will have you grinning and kicking your feet at by the pool. Perfect read for a day of relaxing on the porch of the beach house on your girls trip. There’s an idea for a trip with your book club and a read for the trip.

Sisters Finding Their Happily Ever After: The Greene Sisters Trilogy by Kristina Forest

For my creative girlies that love a rom com trilogy, Kristina gives you a series of sisters who find love while trying to get through life. The series always just wrapped this past winter and can be your inflight reading agenda. Young Black people falling in love through pages, lyrics, and fashion. You can read as standalones or in order, any preference is sufficed. Reading a swoony Black rom com on the beach sounds pretty perfect for summer to me.

Grown Women Getting The Love They Deserve: A Chance At Love Series by Tanvier Peart

Whether you’re in your forties or twenties, you are bound to fall in love with this series from Tanvier Peart. Grown women unpacking the past, healing their present, and having their happily ever after future. All while they fall madly in love with their cinnamon roll hero men. I’d have a snack on hand when reading these on the lawn chair because you will not be able to put these books down. The third book, Tender Offer, releases July 29th so you can start these at the top of July, depending on your reading pace, and end of the trilogy at the end of the month.

Curvy Girls Getting Loved On Out Loud: The Curve Series by Danielle Allen

*Big Girl Blitz won’t be released until April 2026*

Now I know the girls stay looking a romance where not only the FMC is unapologetically confident in herself, but she also has a man who loves every part of her. Daneille’s Curve series puts plus Black women in center spotlight and has them not only pinned but courted by Black men who see them as the goddesses that they are. You get the banter, the dram, and the Cajun level spice!!!! (Big Girl Blitz isn’t out to until next year but I would be on the look out when the e-arc becomes available on Net Galley in the fall/winter)

Heart Wrenching Love Stories To Make You Cry: The Rise & Fall Series by A.E Valdez

Now this is for my girls that don’t mind a good cry. The Rise and Fall series that love to read layered and complex characters. If you love Kennedy Ryan and JL Seegars, you need to tap into this A.E Valdez’s series. There are four books in the series, with book 1 and 3 focused on couple Harlow and Acyn. Recommend reading on audio or tandem read to really be pulled into the story when experiencing the reading journey. Reading these on a long road trip to the beach will make that weekend traffic to and back pass by quick. Probably have you skip your turn to drive with the way these books will have you hooked.

Magical Black Romance: The Elemental Love Series by Celestine Martin

If you love romantasy or are somebody that loves putting your fall decorations out after Fourth of July, Celestine has the series for you to cope your until Fall rolls around. Her books are for the Black girls that saw us in fantasy and magical TV shows as the supporting roles. These stories have us as the main characters and the romantic chemistry with their MMCs is on fire. They all can be read as standalones, and the physical spines would look gorgeous on your starter bookshelf.

Black Girls With Their Wine and Their Men: The Fortemani Family Series by Mia Heintzelman

Black people on a vineyard finding love while drinking wine? Sounds like the perfect getaway to plan and the perfect read. Mia made her own literary universe in the setting of this Black owned vineyard with successful Black women through the property. Pair one these titles with a glass of your favorite wine on the balcony of a nice bed and breakfast or hotel in the city on a staycation. The Fortemani family will have you hooked the whole summer.

A Sweet Tooth For A Fluffy Romcom: The Sugar Blitz Duet Series by Jamie Wesley

For my girls who have a sweet tooth and love looking at a Jalen Hurts and Stefon Diggs, you need to have the Sugar Blitz series duet. Black football players working at their bakery and falling in love in the spotlight of social media. Picture yourself eating a strawberry cheesecake cupcake and lemonade while reading these books in a hammock in the backyard or in the hot tub during your luxury hotel stay. Sweet treats with a sweet treat to match.

---