Top African-American Romance Novels

Our favorite books about the complexities of love and sex.

Top African-American Romance Novels - February is both Black History Month and the month of love as Valentine's Day sits right around the corner. With that in mind, BET takes a look at some of the most amorous and breathtaking romance novels within the African-American literary canon.

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Top African-American Romance Novels - February is both Black History Month and the month of love as Valentine's Day sits right around the corner. With that in mind, BET takes a look at some of the most amorous and breathtaking romance novels within the African-American literary canon.

The Cheating Curve (2010) - By Paula T. Renfroe When Aminah learns that her best friend is cheating on her husband, her whole world begins to unravel. She soon learns that her own husband is having an affair and the ramifications of these infidelities may be too much for Aminah to handle. (Photo: Courtesy Dafina Publishing)

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The Cheating Curve (2010) - By Paula T. Renfroe When Aminah learns that her best friend is cheating on her husband, her whole world begins to unravel. She soon learns that her own husband is having an affair and the ramifications of these infidelities may be too much for Aminah to handle. (Photo: Courtesy Dafina Publishing)

Platinum (2010) - By Aliya S. King The lives of several women married to successful musicians are documented by Alex Maxwell, a journalist who is also engaged to be married to an up-and-coming music artist. Each woman has a sordid story that proves that in love and music, things that glitter aren’t always gold — sometimes they are platinum. (Photo: Courtesy Touchstone Publishing)

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Platinum (2010) - By Aliya S. King The lives of several women married to successful musicians are documented by Alex Maxwell, a journalist who is also engaged to be married to an up-and-coming music artist. Each woman has a sordid story that proves that in love and music, things that glitter aren’t always gold — sometimes they are platinum. (Photo: Courtesy Touchstone Publishing)

So Fly (2005) - By Giselle Zado Wasfie For one aspiring music journalist, the prospect of pursuing her dream comes in direct conflict with finding true love. Music fans and industry executives alike will enjoy this nostalgic look at the late ‘90s NY hip hop scene juxtaposed against an old-fashioned love story. (Photo: Courtesy St Martin's Griffin Publishing)

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So Fly (2005) - By Giselle Zado Wasfie For one aspiring music journalist, the prospect of pursuing her dream comes in direct conflict with finding true love. Music fans and industry executives alike will enjoy this nostalgic look at the late ‘90s NY hip hop scene juxtaposed against an old-fashioned love story. (Photo: Courtesy St Martin's Griffin Publishing)

A Belle in Brooklyn (2011) - By Demetria LucasA guide to dating written by the relationships editor at Essence magazine, A Belle in Brooklyn gives practical advice for women looking to lock down that perfect someone. (Photo: Courtesy Atria Publishing)

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A Belle in Brooklyn (2011) - By Demetria LucasA guide to dating written by the relationships editor at Essence magazine, A Belle in Brooklyn gives practical advice for women looking to lock down that perfect someone. (Photo: Courtesy Atria Publishing)

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Addicted: A Novel (2001) - By ZaneZoe Reynard is a hugely successful businesswoman with one flaw: her addiction to sex. Despite a loving husband and family, she can’t seem to shake the thrill nor completely whet her appetite. Ultimately her urges put her in danger and she must determine what it is that makes her addicted. (Photo: Courtesy Atria Publishing)

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Addicted: A Novel (2001) - By ZaneZoe Reynard is a hugely successful businesswoman with one flaw: her addiction to sex. Despite a loving husband and family, she can’t seem to shake the thrill nor completely whet her appetite. Ultimately her urges put her in danger and she must determine what it is that makes her addicted. (Photo: Courtesy Atria Publishing)

Nervous (2003) - By ZaneBased on a short story from The Sex Chronicles, Nervous explores the intricate life of Jonquinette, a woman with a sexual alter-ego that manifests on the weekends and puts her in some unnerving situations. (Photo: Courtesy Atria Publishing)

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Nervous (2003) - By ZaneBased on a short story from The Sex Chronicles, Nervous explores the intricate life of Jonquinette, a woman with a sexual alter-ego that manifests on the weekends and puts her in some unnerving situations. (Photo: Courtesy Atria Publishing)

Zane's Sex Chronicles (2008) - By ZaneAn anthology of short stories that explores the complexities of lovemaking — many consider this to be Zane’s masterpiece and her most provocative work to date. (Photo: Atria Books)

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Zane's Sex Chronicles (2008) - By ZaneAn anthology of short stories that explores the complexities of lovemaking — many consider this to be Zane’s masterpiece and her most provocative work to date. (Photo: Atria Books)

Photo By Photo: Atria Books

The Other Woman (2004) - By Eric Jerome DickeyLove, lust and betrayal are the themes of this critically acclaimed novel by Eric Jerome Dickey. Stuck in a slowly deteriorating marriage, a middle-school teacher begins having an affair that ultimately catches up to him. Floored by the revelation, his wife struggles to figure out where it all went wrong. (Photo: Courtesy Harper Collins Publishing)

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The Other Woman (2004) - By Eric Jerome DickeyLove, lust and betrayal are the themes of this critically acclaimed novel by Eric Jerome Dickey. Stuck in a slowly deteriorating marriage, a middle-school teacher begins having an affair that ultimately catches up to him. Floored by the revelation, his wife struggles to figure out where it all went wrong. (Photo: Courtesy Harper Collins Publishing)

Casting the First Stone (2002) - By Kimberla Lawson RobyCasting the First Stone is Kimberla Lawson Roby’s  controversial take on one woman locked into an unhappy marriage with a preacher. Once a firm believer in her husband’s word, Tanya Black now doubts her faith and must overcome the many temptations that come her way. (Photo: Courtesy Kensington Publishing)

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Casting the First Stone (2002) - By Kimberla Lawson RobyCasting the First Stone is Kimberla Lawson Roby’s  controversial take on one woman locked into an unhappy marriage with a preacher. Once a firm believer in her husband’s word, Tanya Black now doubts her faith and must overcome the many temptations that come her way. (Photo: Courtesy Kensington Publishing)

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Their Eyes Were Watching God (1937/Reprint: 2006) - By Zora Neale HurstonConsidered one of the greatest love novels of the 20th century, Their Eyes Were Watching God tells the tale of Janie Crawford, whose quest for love takes her down a sordid path of money, matrimony and murder. Zora Neale Hurston’s depiction of Southern dialects during the period in which the novel takes place has also garnered critical praise for its realism and authenticity. (Photo: Courtesy Harper Perrenial Modern Classic Publishing)

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Their Eyes Were Watching God (1937/Reprint: 2006) - By Zora Neale HurstonConsidered one of the greatest love novels of the 20th century, Their Eyes Were Watching God tells the tale of Janie Crawford, whose quest for love takes her down a sordid path of money, matrimony and murder. Zora Neale Hurston’s depiction of Southern dialects during the period in which the novel takes place has also garnered critical praise for its realism and authenticity. (Photo: Courtesy Harper Perrenial Modern Classic Publishing)

How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1996) - By Terry McMillan Upon going on a trip to Jamaica, Stella Payne meets a charming chef’s assistant who makes her re-evaluate the meaning of life and love. (Photo: Courtesy NAL Trade Publishing)

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How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1996) - By Terry McMillan Upon going on a trip to Jamaica, Stella Payne meets a charming chef’s assistant who makes her re-evaluate the meaning of life and love. (Photo: Courtesy NAL Trade Publishing)

Waiting to Exhale (1992) - By Terry McMillan Terry McMillan’s critically acclaimed novel follows four successful friends who are unhappy with their love lives, and what they do to ultimately ascertain happiness so that they can exhale with a sigh of relief. (Photo: Courtesy NAL Trade Publishing)

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Waiting to Exhale (1992) - By Terry McMillan Terry McMillan’s critically acclaimed novel follows four successful friends who are unhappy with their love lives, and what they do to ultimately ascertain happiness so that they can exhale with a sigh of relief. (Photo: Courtesy NAL Trade Publishing)