When you just need a happy ending
On days when I’m feeling stressed or the world just feels to heavy, I need a happy read. And, nothing fits the bill like a happily-ever-after romance novel. Do you feel the same way?
This particular collection of books came about as I was trying to diversify my bookshelf. I’ve been reading antiracism books, but I also wanted to read fiction that featured diverse people just living life. I truly hit the jackpot. There are so many amazing contemporary romances featuring women of color being published lately.
Here are my favorites of the ones I’ve read lately. When you want to curl up with a happy ending, check one of these out.
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Contemporary Romances Featuring Women of Color
This list is made up of some of the best romances with women of color that I’ve read so far this year. It’s certainly not an exhaustive list as there are many more options out there. I plan on updating this list as I read so I can give you more and more good book recommendations.
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
Get a Life, Chloe Brown doesn’t just belong on this book list. It’s quite frankly one of my favorite books that I’ve read so far this year. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a fun romance or just a good book with relatable characters that will make you laugh.
Chloe Brown lives with fibromyalgia, works from home, and just doesn’t get out much. One day, she has enough, and decides it’s time to “get a life.” She creates a life list (because she’s a list girl!) and enlists her handyman by day, artist at night neighbor Red to help her.
I love this book because the characters were so relatable and relationship was very relatable, but it still provided a great escape. READ MORE HERE.
Purchase Get a Life, Chloe Brown here.
A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole
Alyssa Cole is a prolific romance write, so it was hard to choose a book to start with. That is , until I saw her Reluctant Royals series. I love a good royal romance and I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into the first book in the series, A Princess in Theory.
Naledi Smith is busy. She’s juggling grad school, internships, and work and she does not have time for anything else, including the annoying emails she keeps receiving that insist she’s betrothed to an African prince. Who would believe that? Little does she know, it’s true and Prince Thabiso is on his way to New York City to find her and he tries to hide his identity in order to woo her.
This book is fun, it’s flirty, and it’s royal. Can it get any better? It’s perfect for anyone who loves romances with a royal twist. READ MORE HERE.
Purchase A Princess in Theory here.
The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai
Toss in a strong (but cynical) woman who started her own tech company, add a retired pro-football play who’s been out of the dating game for a long time, mix in a bit of business rivalry and you’ve got The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai.
Rhiannon Hunter keeps tight control over her life and her dating app company, at least until she walks into a conference and sees the guy who ghosted her, former pro-football player Samson. Soon, she finds herself in a business partnership with the guy she hoped to never see again. Rhiannon has to learn to let go of her control and start to trust again. It’s not an easy task!
Rhiannon’s not a warm and fuzzy heroine. She’s smart, very independent, sometime stand-offish, and slow to trust (for a very good reason), in short she’s real and that’s what I loved about her and why I loved the book. READ MORE HERE.
Purchase The Right Swipe here.
The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa
After being left at the alter, Carolina (Lina) Santos works hard to build her business and become one of the top wedding coordinators in DC. She’s smart, hard-working, and a great friend.
After impressing a guest at a wedding she planned, Lina is offered the opportunity of a lifetime. But, there’s one problem. She has to work with her ex-fiance’s brother, Max. Nailing the job of her dreams just got so much harder.
The Worst Best Man is such a fun read and you find yourself rooting for both Lina and Max as they fight their attraction and try not to kill each other throughout the book. Can they find their happy ending? READ MORE HERE.
Purchase The Worst Best Man here.
The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
One thing I love about reading is that is lets me experience life through a different lens. The Bride Test let me see life though a character living with Asbergers. Khai has always felt like he doesn’t know how to love so he’s spent his life avoiding relationships. He’s done well avoiding them until his mom travels to Vietnam to find him a bride.
She convinces Esme to travel to the US and give Khai a chance. As a single mom who was living in poverty, Esme has her own obstacles to overcome. Can love conquer all?
This is a funny and sweet romance. You’ll fall in love with both main characters as they find themselves and learn about each other. I couldn’t put it down! READ MORE HERE.
Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal
I can never resist a good Jane Austen retelling, so when I saw that Unmarriageable was dubbed “Pride and Prejudice in Pakistan,” I just had to read it. And, I wasn’t disappointed! It was one of my 5-star books for the year.
In this book, you’ll meet Alys, the second oldest of the five Binat sisters and the most practical (the books counterpart to Elizabeth Bennett). And, you’ll recognize all the other Austen characters in this contemporary setting.
The story was familiar, but also completely unexpected at times. And despite it being a fun rom-com, there were definitely deeper parts that dug into some issues from modern-day Pakistan.
This book is perfect for readers who love Jane Austen retellings as well as anyone looking for a fun contemporary romance. READ MORE HERE.
Did I miss any of your favorite romances featuring women of color? Let me know what other books I should add to my TBR list!
Find More Great Books to Read Here
Contemporary Romances You Can’t Put Down
10 Contemporary Romance Novels with Relatable Characters at Brightly
Eight Romance Novels to Lift Your Mood at The Nerd Daily
12 Feel-Good Fiction Books You Can Read in an Afternoon at Modern Mrs. Darcy
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