Black love stories that speak volumes
This is Galveston, Texas.
The place where, on June 19, 1865—two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation—enslaved people were finally told they were free. Juneteenth isn’t just history. It’s a living, breathing reminder of delayed justice, radical resistance, and the power of Black liberation.
Juneteenth is a day of liberation. A day of remembrance. A day to honor the resilience, the struggle, and the strength of Black communities—past and present.
But it’s also a day of joy. Of softness. Of love.
Because freedom isn’t just about surviving. It’s about thriving. And in the world of romance, that means centering stories where Black love is front and center—tender, passionate, healing, funny, sexy, and fully human.
So today, I’m highlighting three audiobooks from my TBR by Black authors that celebrate Black joy, Black desire, and Black romance in all its beautiful forms. Whether you’re in the mood for steamy slow burns, historical heart-tuggers, or body-positive summer fun, these stories promise to deliver.
Mr. Alpha Undone (Book One in the Baes of Juneteenth Series) by Kelsey Green, narrated by Winston James & iiKane
Fall in line or get replaced. That's how my businesses operate. Being named the Dallas representative for the Mr. Black Organization was an honor, not a job. However, it’s not easy to change the way someone maneuvers. I was determined to make this year’s Juneteenth celebration unlike anything this city had seen before, starting with a road trip focused on Black culture. I had a plan, my purpose was clear, and my team was set. Until a wild-card photographer got thrown in the mix determined to push against my dictations. I wasn’t the type of man to bend and Solange Raven was quickly proving that she wasn’t the type of woman to give in. Nice guys finish last. Lucky for me, as a venture capitalist, that’s never been a title I carried.
In the Baes of Juneteenth multi-author series, we invite you to journey to different cities to celebrate Juneteenth with the men of Mr. Black, an organization honoring Black love, Black culture, and Black history.
Juneteenth: Two Love Stories by Kianna Alexander, narrated by Shayna Small & Chanté McCormick
Two woman-centered historical romances, set in the very time of Texas’ Juneteenth origins!
Drifting to You:
During the sultry Carolina summer of 1875, baker Rosaline Rhodes boards a Juneteenth cruise down the Cape Fear River. The wealthy free-born Goodman family is sponsoring the cruise, as the maiden voyage of their newly built ship. Rosaline is there to serve her famous cinnamon spice cake to the well-heeled passengers. Her mind is on work, until she runs into the man who captured her attention months ago. Shipbuilder Will Pruett is also boarding the ship, for pleasure. Having built the vessel, he's been invited on board by the Goodman family to enjoy the cruise. Little does he know that the close quarters of the ship will provide the catalyst for a life-changing decision. They've denied their mutual attraction for a long time, but now the river won't be the only thing ebbing and flowing.
A Radiant Soul:
A woman's work is never done...especially when she is fighting for those who will come after her. In 1881, Sarah Webster returns home to Fayetteville, NC, for her mother's milestone birthday. Her suffrage work is unknown to her family. Carpenter Owen Markham is intrigued by Sarah, and her father is playing matchmaker. When Owen discovers Sarah's suffrage work, he's not sure a love match can be made.
Raised in the Carolina pines, beloved romance author Kianna Alexander has always been something of a dreamer. She is a mother of two, a dabbler in crafts, an occasional survival horror-gamer, and an all-around explorer. She lives in her home state of North Carolina with her children, her partner, the world’s most high-maintenance cat, and a precocious pup.
Curvy Girl Summer by Danielle Allen, narrated by Wesleigh Siobhan
“There’s got to be an easier way than dating. I want the shortcut. I just want to find my person and start our lives together.”
After a one-night stand with her clingy ex, Aaliyah James has an epiphany: this ain’t it. She knows what she wants, and she’s ready to move past casual hookups, flings, and situationships.
But for her family, the clock is ticking—after all, she’s almost thirty. And when they imply that her personality (and her body) might be too big to land a man, she lets them know they’ve gone too far—and her (nonexistent) man loves her curves, thank you very much. Now, she has seven weeks to find the perfect boyfriend to rub in their faces at the big, fancy birthday celebration she’s been planning.
After her first blind date goes wrong, charming local bartender Ahmad Williamson consoles her with a drink and some playful banter. Aaliyah takes him up on his suggestion to use a dating app—but the more she sees of his warm, funny, and easygoing nature, the less she wants to check her DMs. Will her next swipe bring her closer to true love—or is her real match closer than she thinks?
Why These Stories Matter
Romance isn’t just escapism. It’s reclamation. It’s rewriting the narrative. For Black readers especially, seeing ourselves in stories of love and joy is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.
On Juneteenth, we honor freedom.
And in romance, we remember:
Black love is radical.
Black joy is sacred.
Black stories are essential.
So today, and every day, let’s celebrate the authors and narrators who give us these stories. Let’s listen, review, share, and uplift. Let’s build bookshelves that reflect the world we want to live in—one where everyone is free to love and be loved, out loud.
