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There has been so much happening that, for once, it feels like February is kind of dragging. From the book banning and history erasure attempts to the many other parts of our news cycle whew, am I tired.
It’s not all, bad, though, of course—Beyoncé (who I have been a fan of for a majority of my life at this point) finally got Album of the Year at the Grammys for what I consider to be her most ambitious work. Also, Kendrick Lamar both protested and showed how to be Hater #1 while being a cutie patootie at the Superbowl.
And then there are all the books! There’ve been a great number of romance books published recently, especially by BIPOC authors, that deserve a shoutout. Below, are a few of them—which have everything from epic romantasy to alien abduction and lightly magical middle-age romance.
A Monsoon Rising (The Hurricane Wars) by Thea Guanzon
Because of spoilers, I don’t usually include sequels in lists, but since we’re talking new romances, and the first in this series (The Hurricane Wars) did beaucoup numbers last year, I’ve added it here. It takes place in a Southeast Asian-inspired world, and the romance at the heart of it is enemies-to-lovers, which is my favorite (your girl likes a lil tension in her romances, a little spice, a little Sazón). I will keep it cute on the spoilers, though. What I will tell you is that the first book follows Talasyn, who grew up an orphan during the Hurricane Wars and who counts freedom fighting soldiers as her found family. One day, Prince Alaric sees Talasyn’s rare magic on the battlefield, and a tense union is formed between them against a greater threat. But their union is one that could save their world or doom it forever.
I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I’m Trapped in a Rom-Com by Kimberly Lemming
I finally, finally started reading Lemming’s Mead and Mishaps series, and it is every bit as ridiculous, fun, and spicy as everyone said it was. I expect the same of her latest, just maybe in an updated timeline. Instead of spice farmers and cheesemakers, we follow Dorothy Valentine, who is close to finishing her PhD in wildlife biology when she gets attacked by a lion (!). She’s saved, but it’s only because she gets abducted by aliens (!!). She ends up teaming up with the aforementioned lion—who is cutely named Toto—to escape in a pod, and they crash land on a planet that has dinosaurs. On top of all that, she gets into a sexy adventure with two (two!) aliens, one of whom may be a war criminal. As they traverse the new-to-them planet, Dorothy wonders if she wants to go back home at all, and…I can’t say I blame the good sis.
The Broposal by Sonora Reyes
National Book Award finalist Sonora Reyes—author of The Lesbiana’s Guide To Catholic School and The Luis Ortega Survival Club—is making their adult debut with this queer marriage-of-convenience romance. The “bro” part of “the broposal” comes from love-shy Alejandro (Han) and his roommate/bestie Kenny, who is in the worst controlling relationship ever. Out of jealousy, Kenny’s girlfriend has him choose between her and his friendship with Han, and he immediately knows what he has to do. But Kenny isn’t the best at being alone, and once Han loses a big chance at having a work visa, the two do something drastic. They get married, and while Kenny does it for Han’s security, he also low-key does it to make his ex jealous. Thing is, there are real feelings buried under all the pettiness and anxiety.
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I Think They Love You by Julian Winters
Denzel Carter’s father suddenly announces his retirement as CEO of 24 Carter Gold, and now he’s scrambling to convince his judgmental family that he can handle commitment and take his father’s place. He thinks getting a (fake) boyfriend will prove his seriousness, so he asks his bestie, Jamie, since his family already knows and likes him. But then Jamie doesn’t show up, and the only other person Denz can think of asking is the one who broke his heart: Braylon. Now Braylon agrees—he has his own promotion that could be aided by Denz’s connections, after all—but then charming texts and confounding kisses jumble up the seemingly all-business situationship he and Denz have going on.
Losing Sight by Tati Richardson
This promises Golden Age of Black Romance realness and features a protagonist who is 40+ (which is, side note, something I’m surprised I don’t see more of). Tanika Ryan has it going on until her bad eyesight makes her lose her Thursday Night football sports reporter job to a younger, less qualified woman. Once she also gets into a nearly fatal accident, she hurries herself on over to an optometrist, who happens to be the handsome and widowed Gideon Miles. It’s through Gideon that she gets a pair of enchanted glasses, and her world gets shifted forever.
Yin Yang Love Song by Lauren Kung Jessen
This rom-com is steeped in Chinese traditions and tea—both herbal and verbal.
Chryssy Hua Williams is an herbalist, and her nearly 10th breakup is maybe kinda sorta starting to make her believe in her family’s curse. Luckily, she runs a special healing retreat center for broken hearts with her aunties, but even that gets a little bit of a shake-up when she runs into celebrity cellist Vin Chao. Vin is a bit of a bad-boy rebel, so the encounter sends some tongues wagging—which may be a good thing. He makes Chryssy an offer: they can fake-date, he’ll break her heart, and they’ll both benefit. He’ll get an increase in ticket sales, and she’ll get promo for her business. Thing is, there’s a whole lot of chemistry between them, curse or not.
Subscribers, continue on for BIPOC releases out this week
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