Black voices in romance

Michael Elliot knows a thing or two about crafting hilarious and heartwarming rom-coms, as the screenwriter of Brown Sugar and Just Wright, two of the biggest Black romantic-comedy movies in recent years. So it's no surprise that while listening to his Audible Original scripted comedy, Technically Speaking, I could picture this story unfolding in my mind. Coco Jones gives voice to LaVeesha “Vee” Gilliam, a determined single mom with an autistic son who flexes her coding skills to win a lucrative app development contest and a coveted job at a Silicon Valley tech company. The thing is, Vee actually works in the company's cafeteria, and her burgeoning relationship with CEO Troy Wilson (Keith Powers) threatens to reveal her true identity, and put everything she's worked so hard for at risk. I listened to this entertaining story in one sitting, and I only wish it were much, much longer. I want more Vee and Troy, and I hope that Elliot brings their adorable love story to the big screen.

I couldn't imagine a better pairing than the sultry voices of Wesleigh Siobhan and Jakobi Diem to narrate Kennedy Ryan’s Coming Home. Twenty years after sharing a fateful kiss, college crushes Niomi Spencer and Touré Wallace are reunited during homecoming weekend at their fictional HBCU. A special musical performance from the Southern University marching band adds an authentic touch to the celebratory atmosphere, which sets the stage for a second chance at love.

In A Love Song for Ricki Wilde, bestselling author Tia Williams unspools an enchanting, time-bending romance where a recent transplant to modern-day Harlem meets a mysterious stranger who changes her world in ways she could have never imagined. Featuring dual narration from Mela Lee and Preston Butler, I fell under the spell of this magical listen that beautifully ties together Black love, Harlem Renaissance history, and the found family who make us whole.

As a midsize woman, it’s always a special treat to discover a romance featuring a full-figured female lead. In Curvy Girl Summer, Aaliyah James is fueled by her opinionated uncle’s fatphobic remarks about why she’s single and turns to online dating to find a boyfriend in time for her 30th birthday. Danielle Allen makes this body-positive romance shine with laugh-out-loud banter and some seriously sexy spice, flawlessly performed by Wesleigh Siobhan. Check out our body positivity collection to find even more stories that encourage self-love in all forms.

Not every author is lucky enough to have a celebrity narrate their debut, and DeWanda Wise's pitch-perfect performance of When I Think of You is proof that manifestation works. Author Myah Ariel says that when she first dreamed of her main character, Kaliya Wilson, an aspiring filmmaker stuck in a dead-end job who reunites with her ex to work on his new movie, DeWanda Wise is who she pictured. And as fate would have it, the She's Gotta Have It star connected with this incredible character and lent her beautiful voice to bring Kaliya's Hollywood love story to our listening ears.

It’s hard to believe that The Art of Scandal was Regina Black’s debut. The former civil litigator gave us a masterclass in creating combustible chemistry as a wronged political wife seeks comfort in the arms of a handsome, and much younger, artist. Mela Lee has narrated several of my favorite romances over the years, and here she delivers nothing less than her best, showcasing incredible range in her signature dulcet tones. Revenge on a cheating husband has never been as sweet—or as hot—as what unfolds between Rachel and Nathan, and it's a testament to Black's storytelling that I found myself rooting for them the entire time.

You can't have a conversation about historical romance without talking about Beverly Jenkins. In the 30 years since her debut, Night Song, was published, Jenkins's genre-defining romance novels have shed light on the rich history of Black Americans. In Indigo, one of her earliest and most popular titles, Jenkins solidified her icon status with this sweeping saga set at the dawn of the Civil War. Showcasing her astute ability to weave true historical events into unpausable love stories, the romance between Underground Railroad conductor Hester Wyatt and the mysterious Black Daniel, a freedom fighter who appears at her hideaway seeking help and safety, celebrates Black love and liberation while simultaneously wrestling with racism and classism.

Reel was one of the first audiobooks I listened to when I started working at Audible, and it’s a major reason I’m the romance fan I am today. Winner of the 2022 Romance Audie Award—the first Black author and narrator to win an Audie—Reel was recently re-released with a new 7,000-word epilogue. This story of forbidden love, hidden histories, and chronic illness follows Broadway actor Neevah Saint and director Canon Holt as they film a biopic of fictional Harlem Renaissance entertainer Dessi Blue. Their epic love story takes listeners on an emotional journey, bolstered by outstanding performances from Eboni Flowers, Jakobi Diem, and Nicole Small.

Alexandria House first captured my attention with her 2018 breakout hit, Let Me Love You, which introduced the romance world to Big South and the sexy McClain brothers. "Housemates," the author's term of affection for her longtime fans, will be delighted to find a few Easter eggs from the McClain Brothers series in Temper Me. The third installment in the Romey University trilogy follows a divorced single mom struggling to make ends meet when she reconnects with the man who broke her heart in college. Adenrele Ojo and Jakobi Diem lean in to deliver this soul-searching story of redemption, forgiveness, and second-chance love.

Kennedy Ryan's Skyland trilogy follows the romantic trials and tribulations of three best friends who reside in a fictional Atlanta suburb. The first book in the series, Before I Let Go, introduces us to Yasmen and Josiah Wade, who've been divorced for two years, but have lives that are still very much entangled between their kids and the restaurant business they share. Wesleigh Siobhan and Jakobi Diem bring this beautifully layered story to life, navigating the emotion-riddled terrain as old feelings between Yas and Josiah resurface and they discover new love, respect, and appreciation for each other.

Feyi Adekola, the complicated protagonist at the center of You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty, is trying to build a new life for herself five years after the death of her husband. Her move to New York City to pursue her art career launches a journey of self-discovery that finds Feyi falling in love with the person she least expects. Akwaeke Emezi impresses with their first romance novel, while Bahni Turpin’s flawless narration charts the mixed feelings of moving on after you’ve lost the love of your life.

Jack Harbon’s Crimes of Passion is an audio lover’s dream. Told through podcast episodes and segments of audio outtakes meant to mirror a podcast’s recording process, this is a love story that almost feels like a behind-the-scenes documentary. As rival podcasters Emery Thompson and Calvin Chamberlain are forced to play nice and work together, we get a front-seat view of their enemies-to-lovers dynamic. Narrators Kevin Free and Ron Butler do a fantastic job, their chemistry as performers perfectly mirroring the chemistry of their characters. With all of the snark, playful bickering, and audio magic so seamlessly rolled together, it’s the perfect morsel of feel-good listening.

A romance set in Napa’s wine country? Say yes! Jasmine Guillory’s Drunk on Love follows Margot Noble, owner of a small winery, who has a one-night stand—oops!—with her winery’s newest employee, Luke Williams. In a first for Guillory, Drunk on Love features duet narration from Heidi Franklin and Ryan Vincent Anderson, who adorably capture Margot and Luke’s undeniable chemistry. Coupled with the lush background of a Napa Valley vineyard, I savored this immersive listen like a rich, full-bodied pinot noir. A workplace romance featuring a strong lead who values her career just as much as her love life is absolutely refreshing.

There are some romances that stick with you long after the happily-ever-after, and Shirlene Obuobi's Between Friends & Lovers is that love story for me. After years of crushing on her best friend, Dr. Josephine "Jojo" Boateng decides it's time to move on, and the perfect guy seemingly lands in her lap. Malcolm Waters is a rising literary star who's been harboring his own crush on Dr. Jojo, the dazzling social media influencer he's been following for years. But Jojo and Malcolm's journey is not easy, as they must first work through their individual insecurities, overcome deep trauma, and face their relationship fears. The pairing of two of my favorite romance narrators, JD Jackson (a.k.a. Jakobi Diem) and Mela Lee, had me hooked from the moment I pressed play.