Black Romance Reads
M/M Romance Reads
MM Romance Recs
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.
Two years ago, a friend and I bonded over our love of MM Romance books. Since then, we’ve built a camaraderie where we swap rec’s and engage in intense discussions about the books that we’ve read and the couples we love. To celebrate pride month, we released a series of recommendations over the course of June over on Instagram featuring books from some of our favorite tropes. To wrap up the month, I’d like to share them with you all here! #LoveIsLove Shoutout to Taima, my partner in crime! (@shadesnpages) Be sure to click the image to check out the book!
Sports Romances
Gay/Bi Awakening
Friends To Lovers
Enemies To Lovers
Book Review: Two Minute Warning by Alexandra Warren
Date Read: June 23, 2022
Published: June 23, 2022
Pages: 271
Book Synopsis:
There’s a lot that can happen in two minutes or less…
Kendall “Snoop” Dogwood has something to prove.
After a devastating ending to his first year with the Houston Skyhawks, getting redemption is the only thing on the veteran quarterback’s mind coming into the new season. But when a picture of him and a woman he barely knows, but wants to get to know, goes viral on social media, it doesn’t take long before Kendall finds himself on a different kind of mission going into year two.
A mission to pursue her.
As a social media influencer and the daughter of a well-known sports bettor, Shakira “Kiki” Knight is used to seeing her face tied to all sorts of internet gossip. What she’s not used to is having an actual crush on whoever she’s rumored to be involved with. But when it comes to Kendall Dogwood, Shakira just can’t seem to contain her attraction, especially once she learns the Skyhawks quarterback is equally interested in her.
Considering the messy way in which her last relationship with an NFL player ended, Kendall is probably the last man Shakira should be checking for. And after Shakira’s sports gambling ties are unveiled, the conflict of interest makes her the woman Kendall should probably be avoiding at all costs. But the instant chemistry between the two of them makes both of those things worth looking past for the sake of being together… until the stakes get higher and there’s more than just a game on the line.
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.
My Review:
Shout-out to my fave for delivering another banger. I absolutely LOVED the chemistry between Shake and Snoopy. “How you gone make a nickname from a nickname” 😂 They were honestly such a vibe, and have taken a top spot in my favorite couples from Alex. This book made me feel like I was experiencing those early stages of a crush again. And then to witness how much they both held each other down, showed support all the way around, it was beautiful. As a sports fan, it continues to amaze me how well Alex pens the actual sport interactions. This book had me feeling like I was rooting for my Eagles at times and I loved it. The secondary characters gave me life so much life. From Shakira’s (because she’s my homie by this point so I’m not calling her Kiki) friends to Kendall’s (listen, I think he stole my top spot so I’m using the government) teammates, some of them stole scenes with their antics. And shout-out to one of my favorite female book bars Selena making an appearance 🙌🏾. I can’t wait to meet up with the next Skyhawk, from what I can already tell, this next one is going to be messy and I’m here for it lol
Book Review: Something Bleu by K.L. Hall
Date Read: June 14, 2022
Published: June 2, 2022
Pages: 74
Book Synopsis:
It was one kiss.
One kiss eight years ago that changed everything.
A kiss so unforgettable that the memory still plays in Imani Lavender’s mind to this day.
And then came the disaster that tore her heart to shreds, causing her to put miles between herself and her hometown of Potomac Falls. When she finds herself traveling home for her sister’s wedding weekend, she never imagined she’d ever lay eyes on Dallas “Bleu” Alexander again.
That is until a spilled caramel latte on a Friday plunges her right into the arms of the one man she thought she’d never see again. Bleu was only ever meant to be a teenage crush, but the way his body engulfs hers reminds her that it could be so much more. Imani finds herself having to deal with years of unresolved feelings in one seventy-two-hour weekend while ensuring her sister makes it down the aisle.
Fresh off an eight-year bid, Bleu’s had one thing on his mind for almost a decade: making Imani Lavender his. As the baby sister of his right hand, she’d always been off-limits.
Untouchable.
Unthinkable.
Until she wasn’t.
The kiss had been on replay in his mind for almost a decade. Now the stars have aligned to put them back in the same place they started. He refuses to let any more time pass between them before telling her how he feels. But how will she react? After all, she’s far from the heart-eyed teenager she was back then. To him, she’s so much more.
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.
My Review:
I really enjoyed this quick read. I’m not sure this could be classified as a second chance romance, but I was invested in the reconnection of the main characters. I would’ve loved to see what became of the focal couple, unfortunately, we didn’t get that. However, with the mess we were introduced to, I’m definitely reading the follow-up. Especially after seeing a review on it from one of my favorite readers. Shout-out to Taima of @shadesnpages on IG for putting me on to this book.
(ARC) Book Review: The Romance Recipe by Ruby Barrett
Date Read: February 25, 2022
Published: July 12, 2022
Pages: 306
Book Synopsis:
A fiery restaurant owner falls for her enigmatic head chef in this charming, emotional romance
Amy Chambers: restaurant owner, micromanager, control freak.
Amy will do anything to revive her ailing restaurant, including hiring a former reality-show finalist with good connections and a lot to prove. But her hopes that Sophie’s skills and celebrity status would bring her restaurant back from the brink of failure are beginning to wane…
Sophie Brunet: grump in the kitchen/sunshine in the streets, took thirty years to figure out she was queer.
Sophie just wants to cook. She doesn’t want to constantly post on social media for her dead-in-the-water reality TV career, she doesn’t want to deal with Amy’s take-charge personality and she doesn’t want to think about what her attraction to her boss might mean…
Then, an opportunity: a new foodie TV show might provide the exposure they need. An uneasy truce is fine for starters, but making their dreams come true means making some personal and painful sacrifices and soon, there’s more than just the restaurant at stake.
My Review:
If you like slow-burn romance stories, then you just may enjoy this one. However, if you’re like me and you aren’t the biggest fan of slow-burn, then the overall gist of the story may interest you, but be prepared for that. I think I liked the idea of this book more than I actually connected with the book itself. I don’t think there was enough emphasis on the actual romance. The individual characters were cool, but to be honest, I was more invested in what would happen with the restaurant than I was in the outcome of their relationship. Overall, there were pieces I liked, but this one wasn’t exactly my cup of tea.
Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced copy.
May 2022 Reads
Black Romance Reads
M/M Romance Reads
Other Romance Reads
Boss Chicks in Black Romance [Part 2]
Black girls. Black women. We are magic. We are strong. We are some of the fiercest bosses out there. Every now and then I come across a boss chick who makes her presence known, like “Blaw Tadow, Watch Out Now” in the words of the Original Queen Bee. And since y’all loved the first list so much, I figured it was time for a new one!
Briyana
Micaiah
Mina
Skylar
Melissa
The Harris Sisters
Neriah
Valarie
Giselle
Book Review: Her Forever Fling by Kimmie Ferrell
Date Read: May 14, 2022
Published: August 24, 2021
Pages: 189
Book Synopsis:
Can Elijah show Melissa he is exactly what the doctor ordered?
Dr. Elijah Grayson isn’t looking forward to presenting at a medical conference. Until a chance meeting provides this cardiothoracic surgeon with the adventure he’s looking for. Spending the week exploring a picturesque French Caribbean island with a beautiful, smart, and intriguing woman reintroduces Elijah to emotions he hasn’t felt in a long time—if ever. Still, navigating a new long-distance relationship and a demanding career is challenging, but he will do anything for the woman who captured his heart.
Melissa Gaines hasn’t stopped thinking about the sexy doctor who helped her check off items on her island bucket list. However, when a job opportunity in a new city brings her face-to-face with Elijah again, Melissa must decide if her deep-rooted fears—thanks to a devastating breakup—outweigh her growing feelings for the handsome surgeon. And maybe he’s the prescription she needs to liven up her life.
My Review:
I love that our lead characters were older. We get a lot of stories about people finding love in their 20s, which are great. However, that doesn’t happen for everyone, so I loved that our characters have lived a little. They’ve gone through some things. It was nice seeing love blossom between people on the 35+ side and their chemistry on point. I enjoyed watching them build something through spending time and just vibing, and that the focus wasn’t completely on the sexual chemistry. This was a first for me by the author, but I’m definitely adding her to my list so I can explore more of her work.
April 2022 Reads
Black Romance Reads
M/M Romance Reads
Other Romance Reads
Series Spotlight – The Harris Sisters by Renee A. Moses
Meet the Harris Sisters ~ Noelle, Nina, & Lyric
Nina and Mekhi Fuller have it all together on paper. Love, family, and successful careers. However, Nina being a business owner requires the type of time and commitment Mekhi isn’t ecstatic about giving up. Success demands sacrifice. Will their love for each other be enough to survive temporarily unmet needs?
Noelle Harris wants to find the type of love her parents had. Man after man, she searches for the one that will give her the love story of her dreams. Devin Simmons blows into her world, making her feel that her dream could finally come true. His prior life will challenge her hopes. But when you know what you want, you fight for it.
Lyric Phillips is an honorary Harris since she’s known Noelle and Nina since elementary. She has everything she wants: a man who loves her and multiple others that please her in any way she deems necessary. What more could she ask for?
The Harris sisters will soon find out that life can throw anything at any time. Whether they bring it on themselves or get caught in a situation beyond their control. Fall in love with these ladies on their road to happiness.
Brown Girl Book Geek 