February is African-American History Month, and it is also Valentine’s Day. I thought it would be great to give you a two-for-one and to that end, I present African-American Romances. These all feature BIPOC characters looking for their HEA, so start reading these ASAP*. 

Here we go again. Charleston’s popping up in my world. I’ve mentioned several times that I love books about Charleston (see also: Sarah Adams, Eliza Pinckney, Alexandria Ripley). In this case, Maya Jackson is working in New York for the top wedding designer, but she feels stifled because she’s not allowed to use any of her more authentic designs that she learned from her Filipino mother. When her dad gets sick, she takes a leave of absence (without pay!) from her job and heads back to Charleston to take care of him. She also starts working at a local bridal boutique to make a little extra money. It would be awesome if this became a series because I thought it was highly enjoyable, but the jury is still out. Check it out for yourself and see what you think.

Friends, I did something I never do with this one: I read the second one first! AHHHHH! To be fair I did not know that was what I was doing at the time. I didn’t realize it until I was about halfway through. The good news is that it didn’t really matter, and I have since rectified my error. I am delighted to tell you that I enjoyed the first book, The Boyfriend Project, as much, if not a little more than the second. In the initial installment, Samiah meets new friends Taylor and London when they find out they are all dating the same guy, and the video of their confrontation goes viral. We then follow Samiah to see how she weathers the storm. In the second book, we find Taylor starting to set up her fitness company. She lands a big name football client to rehab, but does this mean her business is good to go? Right now it looks like the third book, The HookUp Plan, featuring Dr. London, will be out August 2022, so you’ve got plenty of time to get caught up and get ready.

I’m doing it again. What is wrong with me?!? This is actually book six in Guillory’s The Wedding Date series. You don’t have to read them all, but they are good, and I highly recommend them. Accountant Ben Stephens somehow finds himself working with mega movie star Anna Gardiner. The last thing either of them wants is to start a relationship, but somehow neither can stop thinking about the other. When Ben helps Anna with a family emergency, all bets are off. I love this series and really enjoyed this book. NPL has them in print or digital form, and I recommend the audio books for these. Excellent entertainment to help pass the time when you are driving in traffic.

I hope you fall in love with these characters as much as I did. Even if you’re like me and don’t love Valentine’s Day, getting to see folks get their happily ever afters will still warm your heart.

Happy historical hearting…

:) Amanda

*People of color looking for love, so read them quick!