17 Books by BIPOC Romance Authors You Need to Read

Find your favorite trope and curl up with one of these diverse romance reads!

Feb 15, 2024

Welcome to BIPOC Reads from Give Them Romance, where we share our must-read and can’t-wait-to-read romances by BIPOC romance authors. Some are spicy, some are sweet, whatever you prefer, they are quite the treat! Enjoy 17 Books by BIPOC Romance Authors You Need to Read.

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Hey Romance Readers! Just because Valentine’s Day is over doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy passion in the pages of juicy reads written by BIPOC romance authors. Whether you like something super sweet or with a little more heat, treat yourself to one of these delectable reads! Take all your notes in this cute journal, too!

17 Books by BIPOC Romance Authors

What I love about this round up of books is not just that the authors are diverse, but the characters and styles are too! We’ve got representation from Black, Latinx, and Asian authors, including stories about Caribbean, Indian, and Hmong cultures. We’ve got a range of ages, identities, experiences, and locations. We’ve got traditional contemporary romance and even some romantasy! Grab a few and get to reading!

The Love Bet by G.L.Tomas

The Love Bet (paid link) is giving all the Valentine’s Day vibes! Magazine journalist, and main character, Luz takes on the challenge of seeing if a few intense nights of passion will lead to love. She’s betting against it, but when an old flame is involved, will that change the odds? Expect lots of heat in this one!

Sucker by Natalie Ashee

There are lots of workplace romances, but Sucker (paid link) is the first I’ve seen in a military setting! This compelling colleagues-to-lovers read also has an age gap trope and includes some spicy office shenanigans! Oooh-ra! Sounds like a potential land mine. What I also love is the ADHD representation in the book. Check it out, soldier!

She’s a Keeper by Tember Sapphire

Want to score a great read? Kick it with She’s a Keeper (paid link), a friends-to-lovers sports romance that includes elements of Caribbean culture and language. This dual point of view, second chance romance is all feels and no fouls.

Some Things Never Change by Cee Yang

I love a teen drama, so this story of a teenage crush turning into an adult love interest is right up my adolescent-era loving alley! Some Things Never Change (paid link) is the sweet story of Julie and Andy, childhood besties who end up in very close proximity as roommates. The journey to happily ever after even includes lots of flirty banter and even Valentine’s Day as a part of the plot! I also love that the story weaves in elements of Hmong culture and customs. Note: There are some themes around grief and death that may not be for all readers.

Candi by Sujeiry Gonzalez

Candi (paid link) sounds sweet, but is actually a spicy and comical romance novelette, set in New York City, featuring Dominican characters and a messy love triangle. Give Them Romance writer, Sujeiry, will have you laughing - and laugh crying - as you follow Candi’s messy adventures!

Me Too by Eli B

Me Too (paid link) is a unique romance read with subtle hints of a famous Greek myth, Hades and Persephone. Add jealous exes, BDSM, secret societies, and suspense, and you have a captivating and deeply emotional read - and ride! Note: There are some deeper and darker themes around trauma that may not be for all readers.

Waking Up in Vegas by Brittany Arreguin

If you love a messy premise, get into Waking Up in Vegas (paid link)! What are the odds that you show up to a work meeting and realize the new director is a man you recently kissed at a club?! Things get even more interesting when he’s nearly kidnapped and you are invited to investigate the situation. What will happen when the tension builds in Sin City? I bet something steamy!

MUST READ: 7 Ways to Hit on a Guy

Take a Hike by Mimi Grace

The third in the Lovestruck Series, I was initially compelled by the backdrop of outdoor recreation in Take a Hike (paid link) - because Black folks love the outdoors, too, y’all! Will the path be bumpy on the road to love for the free spirited, Raven, and the focused on business, Silas, or will they blaze a new trail together?

Brandy by Kayla Love

Brandy (paid link) is a fun and flirty short summer romance by Give the Romance writer, Kayla Love. You’ll root for Brandy as she navigates the ramifications of catching real feelings for her fake boo. When summer fades to fall, will she find the real love she’s been searching for, or endure autumn alone?

Almost Maybes by Anna P.

They weren’t looking for love, but 36-year-old Oleander and 26-year-old Jackson, opened up to find something special with each other. That is until a painful incident brings their relationship crashing down. Will it be too much to overcome? Find out in Almost Maybes (paid link) by Anna P., a love story, which also weaves in powerful themes of racism, homophobia, and more. Note: There are some deeper and darker themes around trauma that may not be for all readers.

Fake it Till You Bake It by Jamie Wesley

Fake it Till You Bake It (paid link) has two of my favorite things in a romance read - a cute bakery backdrop and a fake relationship trope! What adventures will be in the mix when a reality TV star and former football player turned cupcake baker pretend to be a couple? You knead to read to find out! (See what I did there!)

Luv Shuv In New York by N.M. Patel

Having spent many years in New York City, I love a story set there! Especially one including diverse characters reflecting the rich cultures represented there. In Luv Shuv (paid link), Akira, an Indian immigrant who has promised her family she’ll only get involved with a desi guy, meets her white, American classmate who catches her eye. She doesn’t want to fall for him, but when he really sees her, it is hard to resist. Will their forbidden love flourish or will family drama keep them from staying together?

Between the Vines by Grace Elena

Get entangled Between the Vines (paid link) in this small-town romance where two unlikely singles cross paths. When happy and hardworking city girl Camilla moves to small town Tennessee to tend to a vineyard, she meets Bennett, a brooding guy who is happy living on his farm without the distractions or disruptions of neighbors. How will these two find their way to each other? Get ready for a slow burn!

Love Bites by Katrina N. Lewis

If you love vampire vibes paired with passion and politics, Love Bites (paid link) might be your jam! In this steamy, supernatural world, the headstrong, half-vampire, Dawn, must join forces with the antagonizing, but attractive, Jett, to save the city. Nibble on this juicy opposites attract tale in this imaginative romantasy.

A Saga of Shields and Shadows (The Aegis Saga) by A.J. Shirley

If you love to follow characters in fictional fantasy worlds, get lost in A Saga of Shields and Shadows (paid link). In the kingdom of Kōsaten, main character, Marcella, meets Aithan of Auburndale, an Aegis, a group who is known for being “emotionless brutes.” As she spends more time with him, something switches within her, and it is not just stories in her mind. How will the love story unfold as Marcella faces an uncertain and perilous world? Read to find out.

At Your Service by Ricci Moore

Who doesn’t love the tension of an opposites attract trope? At Your Service (paid link) is the story of a conservative, repressed woman who finds herself intrigued by a cold, passionate, wealthy man after her relationship is shattered by a cheating ex. Now that her beliefs have been turned upside down, will she find her dalliance leads to love or more loss?

Falling for the Mark by Dominique Davis

The backstory of Falling for the Mark (paid link) is unique for a romance read. Maya, the daughter of a mother-daughter con artist duo, meets her match when she catches feelings for Kennedy, the daughter of the pair’s latest target. How can she be part of the scheme when her role in the plot would be compromised by her feelings for Kennedy? Find out when you read this tale of forbidden love.

I hope you enjoy these steamy romance reads. Let me know in the comments which you are placing in your cart! And while you’re there, why not pick up this reading log! (paid link)

From falling in love with a billionaire to a night with an ex-con, these too-hot-to-handle romance novels will keep you on your toes! Check out these books by a variety of authors, including Candi, from Give Them Romance co-founder and BIPOC author, Sujeiry Gonzalez.

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