7 Must Read Black Holiday Romance Books
Plus bevvy pairings for your sipping enjoyment!
Welcome to BIPOC Reads from Give Them Romance, where we share our must-read and can’t-wait-to-read romances by BIPOC romance authors. Some are spicy, some are sweet, whatever you prefer, they are quite the treat! Enjoy 7 Must Read Black Holiday Romance Books.
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Don’t forget to subscribe to get two free romance reads from us!
Sis. We are almost at the end of the year! And if you’re like me, you can’t wait to put up the out-of-office message, slam that laptop shut, and not have a thing to do until the New Year — but catch up on your reading!
I read a range of books, but when there’s a chill in the air, the halls are decked, and it is peak Hallmark holiday movie season, I want to curl up with some hot cocoa (preferably spiked) and dive into the carefree world of holiday romance reads, especially ones centering Black characters at Christmas.
Black Holiday Romance Books (and bevvy pairings!) for the Season!
Here’s my collection of seven Black holiday romance reads for the season! Not only will these help you escape from any family shenanigans, but they also are great gifts for your book-loving girlfriends or make a memorable gift for any gift exchanges! Why not throw in this cute journal for all of your reads, too!
Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory
Royal Holiday (paid link) is the fourth in its series. What I especially love about this story is that the main character is of a certain age, okay! Vivian Forest finds herself on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to England. While her daughter works for a member of the royal family, Vivian is thrilled for the opportunity to explore and experience the magic of the season in Britain. What she doesn’t plan on is finding herself attracted to a senior member of the royal family’s staff! Will a short, steamy fling turn into more? You’ll have to read to find out.
Pair with a mug of hot, steamy earl grey tea! And, if you are feeling extra spicy, turn up the heat and make it a hot toddy. Cheerio!
Olive & Pear’s Christmas Detour by Mia Heintzelman and Eve Kasey
We are big fans of Mia Heintzelman’s work over here and are excited to add Olive & Pear (paid link) to our TBR list! Mia partnered with Eve Kasey to create this two-for-one holiday love story about two best friends, Olive and Pear. Adventure is in store for one friend when a missed flight leads to a run-in with a childhood crush and for the other when she’s stuck on a tropical island with the man who just fired her! Will there be a second chance at love? Will an enemy turn into a lover? Juicy! (Oh and don’t forget to also pick up Mia’s newest Christmas read, Clued in Christmas! (paid link))
MUST READ: I Left a Thanksgiving Fiesta for a Booty Call
Curl up with a Cabernet for the Seattle scenes or enjoy a Coconut Kiss for the magic happening in the Maldives.
White Out by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon
I haven’t been able to resist seeing White Out (paid link) all over Instagram and I am intrigued! First of all, I love young love. Give me a teen drama and I’m hooked! So naturally, I can’t wait to dive into this delightful read brought to us by a set of incredible writers. Set in Atlanta during a Christmas storm, twelve teens have intertwined stories, including helping a friend pull off an epic apology. About what? I’m curious. But I anticipate plenty of sweet, innocent, magical moments of first love.
Grab your favorite hot cocoa. The sweeter the better!
Merry Kiss Me: A Kiawah Island Christmas Romance by Louise Lennox
Merry Kiss Me: A Kiawah Island Christmas Romance (paid link) caught my eye because of the setting. Having lived a few years in North Carolina, Kiawah Island, South Carolina is a popular destination. While I typically end up reading stories about city life, there is something appealing about a small-town romance. In this book, we have a family restaurant for sale and ex-lovers crossing paths.
I’d pair this with an old fashioned, which balances the heat, the sweet, and the bitter.
Brown Sugar This Christmas (Sag Harbor Black Romances) by Lula White
The Hamptons! If you are from the Northeast, you know the Hamptons are known for being exclusive, upper-echelon communities where the wealthy go to escape. And Sag Harbor is the haven for the Black Community. So imagine that as the backdrop for Brown Sugar This Christmas (paid link), an enemies-to-lovers holiday romance complete with money and mystique.
ALSO READ: 6 Ways to Stay Sane During the Holidays While Single
Pick your poison. Pour yourself a Manhattan or a martini and get to reading!
Wrapped Up in You by Talia Hibbert
If you love a friends-to-lovers read, Wrapped Up in You might be the one for you. A blizzard backdrop is the perfect setting for a blockbuster actor to make a move on his lifelong best friend. Word on the street is this is big on the feelings and deep on the emotions, so have your tissues ready.
Why not also have a frosty cranberry cocktail (like this white Christmas margarita) to keep you company while you dab your eyes!
The Holly Dates by Brittainy Cherry
Who doesn’t love a hopeless romantic? In The Holly Dates (paid link), even after some struggles, Holly still has hope for love. She ends up becoming a regular at a restaurant where she brings her various first dates. This bothers the owner, who then channels that annoyance into helping Holly find someone new. Well, imagine what happens when his helping leads to him catching feelings.
Enjoy with your favorite sparkling wine - this is one of my personal faves!
Let me know which of these you decide to read and what you love most. Next year I’ll add my own to the list!
Buy Our Books
Like romance? We got you! From spicy to sweet to naughty, there is something for everyone.
Candi is a spicy and comical romance novelette featuring Dominican characters and a messy love triangle. You’ll laugh, ooh and ah, and wonder: can Candi get any messier? Read to find out.
Brandy is a fun and flirty short summer romance. You’ll root for Brandy as she navigates the ramifications of catching real feelings for her fake boo. Will she go from breaking down to breaking through? Read and see!
Danielle is a sweet, yet saucy romance novelette. Follow Danielle as she figures out life after cutting off her FWB. Will she find love in an unexpected place? Read to find out.
Gabby is steamy summer read that has you feeling all the feels by fall. Will a surprise second chance at romance lead to lasting love at 40? Grab your copy to see what happens!