10 Must-Read Black Authors for Black History Month

It’s Black History month, and that means this is the perfect time to recommend some awesome ownvoices Black books. I read Black book all year long because I love reading books that reflect my own lived experience and give perspectives on the African diaspora.

Now, before I get started I’m going to tell you right off the bat that these book recommendations are mostly LGBTQ+ romance (both M/M romance and F/F romance) because I feel that Black History Month is not only a month to celebrate and reflect on Black people as a whole but to uplift Black LGBTQ+ people who are often erased within our community.

I am going to get off my soapbox now, and let’s get straight to the recommendations:

1. Ate by Rilzy Adams

Tempest Clarke has something to celebrate. She has signed the biggest contract of her career and books a private chef for a celebratory dinner with her best friend. She goes through with the dinner after her best friend unexpectedly cancels. The private chef, Russ Bradley, is nothing like Tempest expected and she definitely isn’t prepared for the chemistry that smolders between them like the hottest flame. It doesn’t take long before Tempest decides that the dinner Russ cooks up won’t be the only thing to get ATE

2. Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

It’s 200 years after Cinderella found her prince, but the fairy tale is over. Teen girls are now required to appear at the Annual Ball, where the men of the kingdom select wives based on a girl’s display of finery. If a suitable match is not found, the girls not chosen are never heard from again.

Sixteen-year-old Sophia would much rather marry Erin, her childhood best friend, than parade in front of suitors. At the ball, Sophia makes the desperate decision to flee, and finds herself hiding in Cinderella’s mausoleum. There, she meets Constance, the last known descendant of Cinderella and her step sisters. Together they vow to bring down the king once and for all–and in the process, they learn that there’s more to Cinderella’s story than they ever knew . . .

This fresh take on a classic story will make readers question the tales they’ve been told, and root for girls to break down the constructs of the world around them.

3. American Royalty by Tracey Livesay

Sexy, driven rapper Danielle “Duchess” Nelson is on the verge of signing a deal that’ll make her one of the richest women in hip hop. More importantly, it’ll grant her control over her life, something she’s craved for years. But an incident with a rising pop star has gone viral, unfairly putting her deal in jeopardy. Concerned about her image, she’s instructed to work on generating some positive publicity… or else.

A brilliant professor and reclusive royal, Prince Jameson prefers life out of the spotlight, only leaving his ivory tower to attend weddings or funerals. But with the Queen’s children involved in one scandal after another, and Parliament questioning the viability of the monarchy, the Queen is desperate. In a quest for good press, she puts Jameson in charge of a tribute concert in her late husband’s honor. Out of his depth, and resentful of being called to service, he takes the advice of a student. After all, what’s more appropriate for a royal concert than a performer named “Duchess”?

Too late, Jameson discovers the American rapper is popular, sexy, raunchy and not what the Queen wanted, although he’s having an entirely different reaction. Dani knows this is the good exposure she needs to cement her deal and it doesn’t hurt that the royal running things is fine as hell. Thrown together, they give in to the explosive attraction flaring between them. But as the glare of the limelight intensifies and outside forces try to interfere, will the Prince and Duchess be a fairy tale romance for the ages or a disaster of palatial proportions?

4. D’Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chenica C. Higgins

Instant I Do could be Kris Zavala’s big break. She’s right on the cusp of really making it as an influencer, so a stint on reality TV is the perfect chance to elevate her brand. And $100,000 wouldn’t hurt, either.
D’Vaughn Miller is just trying to break out of her shell. She’s sort of neglected to come out to her mom for years, so a big splashy fake wedding is just the excuse she needs.

All they have to do is convince their friends and family they’re getting married in six weeks. If anyone guesses they’re not for real, they’re out. Selling their chemistry on camera is surprisingly easy, and it’s still there when no one else is watching, which is an unexpected bonus. Winning this competition is going to be a piece of wedding cake.

But each week of the competition brings new challenges, and soon the prize money’s not the only thing at stake. A reality show isn’t the best place to create a solid foundation, and their fake wedding might just derail their relationship before it even starts.

5. Sweet Surrender by Viano Onimoh

Saint needs a contract with a demon to protect him from a stalker. Knight thinks a contract with the very human whose dreams he’s been visiting sounds pretty much perfect.

It’s a match seemingly made in heaven. Except, the longer Knight spends in the mortal realm with Saint, the more he wants to stay, and the longer Saint spends with Knight, the more he finds the courage to reach for all the things he believed he didn’t deserve.

When Saint’s past comes knocking, will their newly found bond be strong enough to keep them together?

6. Clapback by Nalo Hopkinson

7. Something About You by Riley Hart

Lucky Tyler Holloway has never felt particularly lucky. Frankly, he’s as regular as can be. He works construction with his brothers, loves his small-town life, and shares a close bond with his family, especially his grandmother. Okay, so maybe he has a few secrets in his closet, like his bisexuality…and that other thing he doesn’t talk about…

Grayson ‘Saint’ St. Claire has it all: a dream job in LA, money, freedom. Saint doesn’t do attachments, which is just the way he likes it. Still, he’d be lying if he didn’t admit he missed his deceased parents, the only family he had… Until he gets an email from some guy named Tyler, revealing the existence of a grandmother he’s never met, prompting Saint to drop everything and drive across the country.

Saint and Tyler couldn’t be more different. Tyler dislikes Saint on sight, but there’s something about Tyler that gets under Saint’s skin. It’s not until they get to know one another that everything begins to change for the better. But the Holloways and St. Claires have secrets, their pasts tied together in tragic ways. With the odds stacked against them, Saint and Tyler have to face the fact that love alone might not be enough…

8. The Don and His Lieutenant by Jaylee Fields

After Matthias Tyson invites Reece and his sister, Charlotte, to a family dinner to deliver life-altering news, Reece sees this as an opportunity to give himself and his lieutenant/secret husband, Thomas Dobbs, the happily ever after they deserve after sixteen years of waiting.
But, of course, when has life ever been that easy?

As they prepare for Charlotte’s wedding, a storm of chaos brews, filled with action, family drama, and betrayal. Reece and Thomas hold tight to each other and their found family, but will it be enough?

9. Déjà Vu by Lawrence I. Hill

It’s another Christmas alone in Atlanta, and Alvin is starting to reevaluate his life choices. Moving back to Atlanta, his current job, they were meant to be part of a temporary stopping point to deal with some family issues. But now, five years later, he’s still here. In the midst of this inner turmoil, Alvin’s world is shaken when an unexpected visitor comes to stay at the hotel in which he works. His childhood friend Tim, now known as world famous R&B singer Tee Mills, is visiting for the holiday. Is this a fated chance to rekindle the first love of his life? Or have their paths diverged so much that they can never reconnect? Alvin wants to know, but isn’t sure he’s brave enough to find out. Before the night ends, however, he’ll have his answer – if Tee Mills has anything to say about it.

10. Let Me Love You by Alexandra House

Trying to put past hurts behind you is hard when your ex is a fool, but buoyed by child support and alimony, Jo Walker is moving forward with her life, pursuing a career, raising her little girl, and trying to live in peace. She believes she has all the bases covered in her world. But what about her heart?

Rap legend Everett “Big South” McClain is divorced, too, knows all about failed relationships, and has relegated his love life to casual connections rather than pursuing something real. That is, until he lays eyes on Jo.

She’s exactly what he never knew he needed.

He’s what’s been missing from her world.

Will she accept what he has to offer and let him love her?

And these are my ten book recs you should read for Black History Month?  Do you have a suggestion on what Black book I should read next? What books are you reading? Let me know down in the comments!

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