Essays
Black Women Being Loved Out Loud
Hear from book influencer Rocky on the importance of romance novels that center and celebrate Black love, joy, and stories.
Racquel Smith
Rocky is a book influencer you can find on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Since the beginning of her online career, Rocky has been passionate about elevating Black authors and creating a space for stories that deserve the spotlight but always get tucked away in the shadows. As an Afro-Latina woman, she has always felt strongly about representation in the book community. Her main slogan (and her book club name on Fable) is “Diversify Your Shelves,” and she helps readers do just that!
Nothing brings me more joy than seeing Black women find their own. Romance has been my go-to genre since I first picked up a book — the cornier and sweeter, the better. But growing up, I never saw Black women in the rom coms that I loved. It felt like there was this invisible wall between us and those fluffy, swoon-worthy love stories, like they weren’t made for us.
I held out hope for years, thinking that one day I’d find a rom com starring a Black woman like me, but it never came. Slowly, without even realizing it, I stopped reading. Life moved on, and I forgot how much joy and comfort reading brought me. Then lockdown happened, and I found myself on BookTok. That’s when it hit me: I didn’t stop reading because I outgrew it. I stopped because the stories weren’t representing me, and that disconnect made me lose my passion.
Fast forward to now, and things are finally changing. Black women are stepping into the spotlight in all genres, especially in rom coms. We’re seeing Black women being adored, cherished, and romanced out loud, and it’s everything I dreamed of as a kid. It’s not just about the romance; it’s about seeing ourselves in these stories, in the love and joy we deserve.
That’s why I’m obsessed with sharing these books with my audience. I want others to feel that same spark, to see themselves in these beautiful stories. After spending hours hunting for the best Black rom coms, I’ve put together the perfect starter list of what I call “Black Fluffy Romances.” These are the books where Black women are loved out loud, and they’ll make you smile, swoon, and feel all the feels.
If you’ve ever felt unseen in love stories, I hope this list changes that. It’s time for us to be front and center in all the romantic, joyful, and soft stories out there. Let’s uplift these books and keep the love for Black rom coms growing.
Here are some of my all time favorites you need to check out:
With her sister’s wedding just around the corner, Laila finds herself in a fake-dating situation with her ex-crush to score the perfect date. It’s a hilarious and heartwarming journey of romance and self-discovery that you won’t want to put down!
A sweet, friend-to-enemies-to-friends-to-lovers story packed with humor, as ex-best friends Celine and Bradley reconnect on a wilderness trip. The witty banter and undeniable chemistry are *chef’s kiss*.
This heartfelt Hollywood romance follows Ava, a poet whose past comes rushing back when she reunites with her college love. It’s a story of second chances, healing, and undeniable chemistry that’ll stay with you long after you finish.
Lily, a shy bookworm, discovers her secret email buddy-who ghosted her — is now her neighbor. With slow-burn chemistry, secret identity drama, and mutual pining, this one’s a rom com gem.
Ray, a stargazing poet, and Orion, a basketball star, connect under the stars. This heartfelt love story will take you on a rollercoaster of first love, fate, and healing.
This friends-to-lovers tale is full of emotional depth as two characters navigate grief, trust, and unconditional love. If you crave slow-burn romance with all the feels, this one’s for you.
I hope you support these amazing authors so we can keep seeing more Black love stories in the world. We deserve to see ourselves in all the beautiful, fluffy, and swoonworthy ways, and these books are proof of that.
Stay reading and stay full of love,
Rocky
YouTube: @rockyreads
