This Black History Month, celebrate titles that illuminate the power of Black love and friendship with titles from our recent booklist: Black Love and Friendship!
Curvy Girl Summer by Danielle Allen – Aaliyah James, a 29-year-old plus size Black woman, is ready to find real love and prove her body shaming family wrong by debuting her (currently nonexistent) boyfriend at her upcoming 30th birthday party. Aaliyah’s mission brings her to the dating apps she’s averse to, but this time she has the help of new friend/bartender/restaurateur Ahmad Williamson. Will she find love on one of her dates, or is there something to the growing connection between her and Ahmad?
Boys Come First by Aaron Foley – Dominick Gibson is experiencing lots of life changes; after a breakup and losing his job, he leaves New York for his hometown of Detroit to recoup. There, Dominick rekindles his relationship with his old friend, Troy, and is introduced to Troy’s friend Remy. The novel follows the lives of these three Black gay men as they navigate interpersonal relationships and making space for themselves in their gentrifying city.
Whenever You’re Ready by Rachel Runya Katz – Jade, Nia, and Jonah are childhood friends who go on a southern Jewish road trip as a last wish for their friend Michal who passed from cancer. During the trip, Jade and Nia address their recent falling out and acknowledge their growing romantic feelings for each other as they continue processing their grief for the loss of their friend.
Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan – The Skyland series by Ryan highlight the strongest in both friendship and romantic love, following a tight-knit trio of Black women in their pursuit of happiness. The first in the series is a second-chance romance for Yasmen and Josiah, a picture-perfect couple torn apart after experiencing unimaginable loss. When their fifth-grade son starts seeing a therapist, they realize there’s more healing to be found, as well as a rekindling spark they can’t ignore. Spicy, soul-wrenching, and supportive!
~posted by Okunyi B. and Jane S.
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