120+ Black and POC Romance Novels Releasing in 2025

Hi Librarygoers!

Happy Friday. I hope there are many, many books in your future. Peace, quiet, and romcoms are on the top of my Christmas list.

I currently have way too many ARCs sitting on my desk and in my Kindle to not be happy, as long as I only think of books. So let’s talk about 2025 releases!

They look SO good. I’ve actually compiled a list of 120+ (including a few non romance books) on a list that I shared last week. Let’s dig into them and get our pre-order fingers ready because pre-orders are the best way to support your favorite authors (and get them to write again and again)!

-Aleia

Note: If you purchase books linked below via Bookshop, a) I may receive a small commission and b) you’ll be able to support an indie bookstore of your choosing.

[Updated as of October 2025]

Find your new favorite on their first-time as published authors in Romancelandia.

• Single Player by Tara Tai (1/7/2025)

• Runnin’ No More by G.T. Dípè (2/14/2025)

• Up Close & Personal by Ana Holguin (4/29)

• Situationship by E. M. Wilson (4/29/2025)

• Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice by Cynthia Timoti (5/6)

• The Last Tiger by Julie Riew & Brad Riew (7/29/2025)

• Once Upon A Time in Dollywood by Ashley Jordan (8/5) (see full review)

Romances written by Black authors featuring at least one Black main character.

• Brewed with Love by Shelly Page (1/14) Romantasy, Queer, YA

• The Relationship Mechanic by Karmen Lee (1/21) Queer

• French Pressed Love by M.C. Hutson (1/28) Queer (see full review)

• I Think They Love You by Julian Winters (1/28) Queer

• The Problem with Falling by Brittainy C. Cherry (1/31/2025)

• Spring Awakening by J.S. Jasper (2/1/2025)

• Her Beary Spicy Valentine by Theodora Taylor (2/1/2025)

• The Love Lyric by Kristina Forest (2/4) (see full review)

• A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke by Adriana Herrera (2/4) Historical

• The Nature of Love by Toni Shiloh (2/4/2025)

• Hooked on Valentine by Jessica Terry (2/7/2025)

• One Night Crush by Mia Heintzelman (2/11/2025)

• Frenemies with Benefits by Synithia Williams (2/11)

• Runnin’ No More by G.T. Dípè (2/14/2025) Queer

• North King’s Unexpected Inevitability by A.E. Valdez (2/14/2025)

• I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I’m Trapped in a Rom-Com by Kimberly Lemming (2/18) Paranormal, Queer (see full review)

• A Wedding in the Lowcountry by Preslaysa Williams (2/18)

• Break Point by Yahrah St. John (2/25)

• Losing Sight by Tati Richardson (2/11)

• The Love Simulation by Etta Easton (3/4)

• Just Our Luck by Denise Williams (3/25) (see full review)

• One in a Million by Beverley Kendall (3/18) (see full review)

• Royal Bride Demand by Laquette (4/1/2025)

• No Ordinary Love by Myah Ariel (4/1) (see full review)

• Unlikely Neighbors by Renee Daniel Flagler (4/1)

• Flirting Lessons by Jasmine Guillory (4/8) Queer

• Love in 280 Characters or Less by Ravynn K. Stringfield (4/15/2025)

• The Opportunity by T.M. Richardson (4/15/2025) Queer

• Ms. V’s Hot Girl Summer by A.H. Cunningham (4/29)

• Situationship by E. M. Wilson (4/29/2025)

• Gold Coast Dilemma by Nana Malone (4/29/2025)

• Only Because It’s You by Rebecca Fisseha (5/6/2025)

• This Side of Beautiful by Tiye (5/6/2025)

• Audre & Bash Are Just Friends by Tia Williams (5/6) YA

• Can’t Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan (5/13) (see full review)

• A Gardin Wedding by Rosey Lee (5/13)

• Out of Step, Into You by Ciera Burch (5/20) Queer

• Ride with Me by Simone Soltani (5/20)

• Along Came Amor by Alexis Daria (5/27) Latine (see full review)

• All Superheroes Need PR by Elizabeth Stephens (5/27/2025)

• I’ll Pretend You’re Mine by Tashie Bhuiyan (6/3)

• Ready to Score by Jodie Slaughter (6/3) AAPI, Queer

• Lovefool by Cynthia A. Rodriguez (6/5/2025)

• Plus Size Player by Danielle Allen (6/10) (see full review)

• Shadowed Obsession by Evelyn Leigh (6/13/2025)

• Brasi Family 2 by Jatoria C. (6/13/2025)

• The Playboy’s Playbook by Lexi Monroe (6/24/2025)

• The Divorcétante by Mia Heintzelman (6/24/2025)

• When Javi Dumped Mari by Mia Sosa (6/24) Latine (see full review)

• Lore of the Tides by Analeigh Sbrana (7/8/2025)

• Three Months in Accra by L.B. Gaines (7/11/2025)

• Pugs and Kisses by Farrah Rochon (7/15) (see full review)

• How to Sell a Romance by Alexa Martin (7/15) (see full review)

• Taste The Love by Karelia & Fay Stetz-Waters (7/15) Queer

• Only Lovers in the Building by Nadine Gonzalez (7/15) Latine (see full review)

• Tender Offer by Tanvier Peart (7/29)

• August Lane by Regina Black (7/29) (see full review)

• Summer Breakdown by J.S. Jasper (8/4) Queer

• Once Upon A Time in Dollywood by Ashley Jordan (8/5) Debut (see full review)

• The Re-Write by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn (8/12)

• The Secret Crush Book Club by Karmen Lee (8/26) Queer

• Love is an Open Book by Chandra Blumberg (8/26) (see full review)

• A Waltz on the Wild Side by Erica Ridley (8/26) Historical

• The Dating Prohibition by Taj McCoy (9/2)

• Sweet Heat by Bolu Babalola (9/2)

• Always Will by Lanya James (9/4)

• The Princess and the P.I. by Nikki Payne (9/16)

• Huntsman by Naima Simone (10/7) Dark Romance (see full review)

• Heartsick by Kristina Forest (10/7) YA

• I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm by Mariama J. Lockington (10/14) Queer, YA

• Calling All Blessings by Beverly Jenkins (10/28)

• Our Viscous Oaths by N.E. Davenport (10/28/2025)

• An Arcane Inheritance by Kamilah Cole (10/30/2025)

• Son of the Morning by Akwaeke Emezi (11/4/2025)

• A Forever Kind of Love by Farrah Rochon (11/4/2025)

• Not So Merry in the Maldives by Mia Heintzelman (11/4/2025)

• The Marriage Narrative by Claire Kann (11/11/2025)

• Love You A Little Bit by Kasha Thompson (11/18/2025)

• All Superheroes Need Photo Ops by Elizabeth Stephens (11/25) Paranormal

• The Love Audit by Lucy Eden (12/2)

• Sweet Little Hearts by Shanora Williams (12/2)

• Sparks Fly by Zakiya N. Jamal (12/2)

• Champagne Taste on a Bad Boy Budget by Zuri Day (12/30/2025)

Romances written by Latine authors featuring at least one Latine main character.

• Temple of Swoon by Jo Segura (1/7)

• High Sticking the Heart by Marie M. (1/20/2025)

• The Broposal by Sonora Reyes (1/21) Queer

• Takes One to Know One by Lisette Decos (4/21)

• Up Close & Personal by Ana Holguin (4/29) Debut

• Kiss Me, Maybe by Gabriella Gamez (5/6) Queer

• Along Came Amor by Alexis Daria (5/27)

• Lovefool by Cynthia A. Rodriguez (6/5/2025)

• When Javi Dumped Mari by Mia Sosa (6/24) Black (see full review)

• Only Lovers in the Building by Nadine Gonzalez (7/15) Black (see full review)

• Love Arranged by Lauren Asher (8/19)

• Gabriela and His Grace by Liana de la Rosa (8/26) Historical

• Witch You Would by Lia Amador (9/2/2025)

• My Fair Señor by Alana Quintana Albertson (11/25)

Romances written by AAPI authors featuring at least one AAPI main character.

• The Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard (1/7/2025)

• Single Player by Tara Tai (1/7/2025) Debut

• Flirting with Disaster by Naina Kumar (1/14)

• Playing Flirty by Shameez Patel (1/14) Debut

• Yin Yang Love Song by Lauren Kung Jessen (1/28)

• Can’t Help Faking in Love by Swati Hedge (2/11)

• The Girl Most Likely To by Julie Tieu (2/18/2025)

• Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice by Cynthia Timoti (5/6)

• The Romance Rivalry by Susan Lee (5/13/2025)

• Not Safe for Work by Nisha J. Tuli (5/20/2025)

• Love in Focus by Lyla Lee (5/27/2025) Queer

• Ready to Score by Jodie Slaughter (6/3/2025)

• Worth Fighting For by Jesse Q. Sutanto (6/3/2025)

• A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna (7/15) Paranormal

• The Last Tiger by Julie Riew & Brad Riew (7/29/2025)

• It Had to Be Him by Adib Khorram (9/2/2025)

• Love at First Fright by Nadia El-Fassi (9/16/2025)

• Honey and Heat by Aurora Palit (9/16/2025)

• Illusions of Fire by Nisha Sharma (10/7) YA, Romantasy

• Revolve by Bal Khabra (10/14/2025)

• Julia Song is Undateable by Susan Lee (10/28/2025)

• Next Time Will Be Our Turn by Jesse Q. Sutanto (11/11/2025)

Romances featuring queer couples(+).

• Single Player by Tara Tai (1/7/2025) AAPI

• Brewed with Love by Shelly Page (1/14) Black, Paranormal, YA

• French Pressed Love by M.C. Hutson (1/28) Black (see full review)

• The Relationship Mechanic by Karmen Lee (1/21) Black

• I Think They Love You by Julian Winters (1/28) Black

• The Broposal by Sonora Reyes (1/21) Latine

• Runnin’ No More by G.T. Dípè (2/14/2025) Black

• I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I’m Trapped in a Rom-Com by Kimberly Lemming (2/18) Black, Paranormal

• Flirting Lessons by Jasmine Guillory (4/8) Black

• The Opportunity by T.M. Richardson (4/15/2025) Black

• Nav’s Foolproof Guide to Falling in Love by Jessica Lewis (4/29) YA

• Kiss Me, Maybe by Gabriella Gamez (5/6) Latine

• Out of Step, Into You by Ciera Burch (5/20) Black

• Love in Focus by Lyla Lee (5/27/2025) AAPI

• Ready to Score by Jodie Slaughter (6/3) Black, AAPI

• Call Your Boyfriend by Olivia A. Cole & Ashley Woodfolk (7/1) YA

• Taste The Love by Karelia & Fay Stetz-Waters (7/15/2025)

• Summer Breakdown by J.S. Jasper (8/4) Black

• The Build-A-Boyfriend Project by Mason Deaver (8/5/2025)

• The Secret Crush Book Club by Karmen Lee (8/26) Black

• It Had to Be Him by Adib Khorram (9/2/2025) AAPI

• I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm by Mariama J. Lockington (10/14) Black, YA

• Husband of the Year by M.A. Wardell (11/18/2025)

Romances low on spice, big on the drama and angst of the teenage years.

• Brewed with Love by Shelly Page (1/14) Black, Paranormal, Queer

• Love in 280 Characters or Less by Ravynn K. Stringfield (4/15/2025) YA

• Nav’s Foolproof Guide to Falling in Love by Jessica Lewis (4/29) Queer

• Audre & Bash Are Just Friends by Tia Williams (5/6) Black

• Call Your Boyfriend by Olivia A. Cole & Ashley Woodfolk (7/1) Queer

• Love Spells Trouble by Nia Davenport (7/1/2025) Black

• The Last Tiger by Julie Riew & Brad Riew (7/29/2025) AAPI

• Illusions of Fire by Nisha Sharma (10/7/2025) AAPI

• Heartsick by Kristina Forest (10/7/2025) Black

• I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm Mariama J. Lockington (10/14) Black, Queer

I need to do better here but will promise to update this list throughout the year. In the meantime, Harlequin Historicals always promise a good time, not a long time. They are never out of style.

• A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke by Adriana Herrera (2/4) Black, Latine

• Gabriela and His Grace by Liana de la Rosa (8/26) Latine

• A Waltz on the Wild Side by Erica Ridley (8/26) Black

One of my 2025 wishes is for this category to be larger in 2026.

• Love is a War by Danica Nava (7/22)

What are you most looking forward to reading on this list? The answer ‘all of them’ is absolutely an option (it’s mine!)!

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