The Ripped Bodice’s annual racial diversity in romance report came out last week. Unsurprisingly, the results were dismal. Romancelandia is usually super vocal on Twitter, but this year, the commentary was…muted. I have to admit I wasn’t surprised by the results, but I was still disappointed. I came out wondering what I can do as a consumer and a reader. I immediately went and ordered two books by authors of color on my TBR. Now, all I can think to do is share the romance reads and a few women’s fic titles by AOC I’m most looking forward to this spring and summer.
It’s by no means exhaustive, just what I’m keen on so far. You can also follow @WoCinRomance on Twitter, for more romance reads by authors of color.
(LINKS BELOW GO TO GOODREADS)
MARCH
The Ultimate Pi Day Party – Jackie Lau – March 5
Can’t Escape Love – Alyssa Cole – March 19 (Avon)
American Dreamer – Adriana Herrera – March 26 (Carina Press)
Hook Shot – Kennedy Ryan – March 28
APRIL
The Takeover Effect – Nisha Sharma – April 2 (Avon)
Fumbled – Alexa Martin – April 23 (Berkley)
A Prince on Paper – Alyssa Cole – April 30 (Avon)
MAY
The Bride Test – Helen Hoang – May 7 (Berkley)
Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors – Sonali Dev – May 7 (William Morrow)
The Key To Happily Ever After – Tif Marcelo -May 14 (Gallery Books)
Ice Cream Lover – Jackie Lau – May 21
I Love You So Mochi – Sarah Kuhn – May 28 (Scholastic)
JUNE
Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune – June 11 (Berkley)
Ayesha at Last – Uzma Jalaluddin – June 14 (Berkley)
JULY
The Right Swipe – Alisha Rai – July 2 (Avon)
The Wedding Party – Jasmine Guillory – July 16 (Berkley)
UPDATE: A previous version of this post included a book that was not by an author of color. DailyWaffle has corrected it and regrets the error.
