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Blog posts with books that feature a Black author and Black characters.

  • Banner for This Kind of Trouble by Tochi Eze review with the cover of the book
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    This Kind of Trouble by Tochi Eze: Review

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  • Banner for Great Black Hope by Rob Franklin review with the cover of the book and a graphic of the skyline of New York
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  • Banner for If I Could Go Back by Briana Johnson review with the cover of the book and a graphic of a woman running
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  • Banner for the Blood Trials by N.E. Davenport review with a cover of the book
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  • Banner for I Think They Love by Julian Winters review with the cover of the book, a graphic of a grilled cheese, and a graphic of the UK flag
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  • Banner for A Legend in the Baking by Jamie Wesley review with a cover of the book, a graphic of a cupcake, and a graphic of a camera on a tripod
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  • Banner for review of Can't Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan with the cover of the book, a graphic of a TV, and a graphic of a basketball
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  • Banner for Beloved by Toni Morrison with the cover of the book
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  • Banner with cover of Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle with a graphic of music notes and a graphic of a quill pen writing loops
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  • Banner with cover of This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan, a graphic of a white butterfly, and a graphic of a white camera on a tripod
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  • Banner featuring the cover of Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places, the graphic of a black cat, and a cluster of purple flowers
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    Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places by Claire Kann: Review

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  • Banner with cover of Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan, a graphic of leaves, and a graphic of a chef holding a steaming tray
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  • Cover Image with the cover of Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes, text that reads 'Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes: Review' and has two, gold graphics of woman dancing carefree
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  • Black Romance Book Fest 25 TBR
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  • Banner image with the text "interview with Michele Tracy Berger, author of Doll Seed: Stories" and the cover image of Doll Seed: Stories and a headshot of Michele
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  • Banner for Prince of the Palisades by Julian Winters featuring the cover of the book, a white crown, and a white palm tree
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    Prince of the Palisades by Julian Winters: Review

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  • Banner featuring the cover of This Close to Okay by Leesa Cross-Smith and an image of a light blue bridge behind the book
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  • Banner featuring a picture that says "Flamboyants An Empowering Celebration of Black and Queer Icons From the Harlem Renaissance to Inspire a New Generation" and a picture that has a quote from George M. Johnson that reads "Black Queer Kids Deserve to Know They Have Heroes"
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    Flamboyants by George M. Johnson: Review

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  • A Love Song for Ricki Wilde: Review cover photo with an image that says "One florist. One pianist. One love story... One hundred years in the making." and a graphic of flowers and a piano
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    A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams: Review

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  • Banner for Promise Boys Blog Tour
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    Promise Boys by Nick Brooks: Blog Tour

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  • We Deserve Monuments by Jas Hammonds Banner
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    We Deserve Monuments by Jas Hammonds: Review

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  • For All Time Tour Banner
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    For All Time by Shanna Miles: Blog Tour

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  • Book Tour banner for Things We Couldn't Say by Jay Coles
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    Things We Couldn’t Say by Jay Coles: Book Tour

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  • Writing Through The Black Girl Lens by Jordannah Elizabeth: Guest Post Banner
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    Writing Through The Black Girl Lens by Jordannah Elizabeth: Guest Post

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  • Banner for Hurricane Summer by Asha Bromfield
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    Hurricane Summer by Asha Bromfield: Blog Tour

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  • Squad Goals Book Tour Banner
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    Squad Goals by Erika J. Kendrick: Book Tour

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  • HOV tour banner for The Gilded Ones
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    The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna: Book Tour

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  • Roman and Jewel Blog Tour Banner
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    Roman and Jewel by Dana L. Lewis: Book Tour

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  • Long Way Down Tour Banner
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    Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds, Danica Novgorodoff: Book Tour

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  • Banner for Legendborn tour
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    Legendborn by Tracy Deonn: Book Tour

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  • Rainbow by Verde Azru: Book Tour
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    Rainbow by Verde Azru: Book Tour

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  • Now That I’ve Found You by Kristina Forest: Book Tour
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    Now That I’ve Found You by Kristina Forest: Book Tour

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  • Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko: Book Tour and Playlist
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    Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko: Book Tour and Playlist

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  • The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed: Book Tour
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    The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed: Book Tour

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  • Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender: Review
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🔥This Kind of Trouble by Tochi Eze — 8/5/25🔥

#TinyRepBooksPartner @tinyrepbooks

I love literary fiction and alternating timelines and perspectives, so this book quickly pulled me in. I think it’s best read in a short amount of time because my memory could not hold onto who in the present timeline was related to who in the past timeline, but I thoroughly enjoyed how those connections further deepened the storyline and characterization. The past timeline might have been my favorite because there was so much going on between the mysterious virgin pregnancies, colonization, and the limits of community.

Benjamin had an air of cynicism to him, and he definitely was never winning husband or father of the year, but his flaws really enhanced the story and are partially what got him and Margaret into the position they were in in the first place. A lot of Margaret’s actions and thoughts were clouded by her paranoia, but she was also dismissed by family a lot even when she was speaking lucidly, so I had way more empathy for her than Benjamin. Seeing their relationship in the past also helped explain how they got to where they were.

This book really highlighted the way generational secrets and curses can have an impact, whether you believe in them or not. There was also great conversation around belief itself, through religion and spirituality and culture and customs, especially depending on what you believe the origins of Margaret’s mental illness were. Overall, this debut really worked for me and lends itself to some really interesting conversations.

*Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.*

#BookishEnds #Bookstagram #ThisKindOfTrouble
🌻August TBR🌻 My July reading went really we 🌻August TBR🌻

My July reading went really well, so I’m back to be ambitious in my August TBR. There’s a lot I’m trying to knock out from books publishers sent me to past TBR picks to old Netgalley ARCs. Aiming for the stars this month, but I’ll be happy wherever I land.  

•Pugs and Kisses by Farrah Rochon
•Roommating by Meredith Schorr
•Being Ace Anthology ed. Madeline Dyer
•The Underwood Tapes by Amanda DeWitt
•Climate of Chaos by Cassandra Newbould
•The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas
•Skipshock by Caroline O’Donoghue
•The Dry Season by Melissa Febos
•Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross
•Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley
•10 Things That Never Happened by Alexis Hall
•Kill Me Quick by Josie Jaffrey

#BookishEnds #Bookstagram #TBR
📚July Reading Wrap-up📚 It’s August (how d 📚July Reading Wrap-up📚

It’s August (how did that happen?), which means it’s time for my July Reading Wrap-up. This month went surprisingly well, so I’m hoping I can keep the same energy in August.

In total, I read seventeen books in July. Five of the books I read were books on previous TBRs this year, and after the next month or two, I should have read every book that was on my TBR this year.

I had nine books on my July TBR, and I read five of them. Two of them (Guardian and This Kind of Trouble) I’m currently reading but didn’t finish before the month was up.

I read three nonfiction books this month, which I’m proud of. Principles of E(motion) and The Wedding Party I read as potential comps for my book, and I really liked them. The latter was also my first Jasmine Guillory book. Out There was a Netgalley ARC I’d had since 2021, so I’m so glad to have that out the way. Slowly going to be chipping away at my old ARCs for the rest of the year.

Reviews for everything are on my blog and/or StoryGraph. Did you read anything good in July?

#BookishEnds #ReadingWrapup
🌸This Could Be Forever by Ebony LaDelle —05/2 🌸This Could Be Forever by Ebony LaDelle —05/20/25🌸

The way Ebony LaDelle writes young love needs to be studied. This Could Be Forever had me cheesing so hard and feeling all the feels. I feel like a lot of interracial romances involve a white person, and since whiteness is so prevalent in the US, there’s usually not the same clashing of cultures that was portrayed in this book with a Black FMC and a Nepali MMC. 

I loved how much the story highlighted how sometimes there are forces stronger than love that can keep people apart, but there’s also freedom and strength in loving who you want to love without bending to others’ wills. Deja and Raja were different, and yet they fit together so well, and I loved their instant connection. I also loved how they fought for each other, even when it was hard and even when it required going against their family’s wishes. 

The story worked really well with it being right before the characters started college because it’s a time when you’re getting to make so many choices for yourself, and it allowed the characters to really dig deep into what they wanted, not just what would make their families happy. And that applied to more than just a relationship.

While this book didn’t shy away from the struggles of interracial and intercultural dating, it also shone a light on how to stand up for yourself and the people you love, have hard conversations, and share your culture with others. I need another romance book from Ebony expeditiously. 

Thank you to @coloringbooks and @simonteen for the finished copy. All opinions are my own.

#BookishEnds #SimonTeenInfluencer #ThisCouldBeForeverBook #YARomance
Have you read any debut authors this year? I alwa Have you read any debut authors this year?

I always enjoy finding out about new authors, so I was excited when Leilani reached out to me about her debut, After the Burn, that was published last year. Sounds like my type of carrying on, so I’m looking forward to diving in.

Description:

Leilani Garrett’s debut novel about a successful Black woman finding the courage to trust herself above all else is a rallying cry for modern women. 

Devoted single mom and corporate badass Elle Grace Rollins is crushing it. Despite growing up “hood poor,” Elle has built a rewarding life. With a teenage son, a vibrant circle of “sistah” friends, and a man she adores, Elle has it all. Or so she thought. After more than a decade with the love of her life, Darien, another woman threatens to upend their relationship. As a rift grows between them, she unexpectedly finds herself in the arms of a younger man. And as if a love triangle wasn’t enough, Elle discovers a rival colleague is trying to cheat her out of a big payday. With her career at stake, Elle isn’t willing to take it lying down. In a final showdown, she has one last move to make. But will she come out on top?

In After the Burn, Garrett pushes the boundaries of cultural norms, redefining what it means to be a successful woman. Drawing from her experiences as an African American woman in technology sales in corporate America, as well as her adventures as a mother, friend and lover, she contemplates what happens when we allow ourselves to consider what we want first. Written from the perspective of a Black woman, the book speaks specifically to Black women. Yet its message will resonate with women of all ages and races, teaching them that it’s okay to create your own view of success in life and in love.

#BookishEnds #AfterTheBurn #DebutAuthor
I’ve loved every F.T. Lukens book I’ve read, s I’ve loved every F.T. Lukens book I’ve read, so I was excited to read Love at Second Sight, especially because of the premise of a normal teen gaining powers and trying to navigate faction politics while also having to contend with school, new friends, and a potential murder. 

This one didn’t pull me in as much as their other books, but I still enjoyed it. I loved the effect Cam’s new group of friends had on his understanding of his abilities and what it looks like to not depend on one person for all his friendship needs. There was some good tension between Cam’s old life and new life, especially since his parents were not fans of the paranormal. Cam had to toe the line with how much to be honest and express his true self while also not trying to fan his parents’ disdain. By the end of the book, it became even more clear that Cam’s abilities were also an allegory, and I loved how the author used that to draw attention to problems in real life. 

Overall, I always enjoy the way Lukens writes about the paranormal and fantastical, and this book is a good read for those who enjoy high-stakes drama and budding romance.

*Thank you to the publisher for sending an ARC. All opinions are my own.*

#BookishEnds #SimonTeenInfluencer #LoveAtSecondSightFTLukens
The Metamorphosis of Bunny Baxter was an encouragi The Metamorphosis of Bunny Baxter was an encouraging read. Although I hate insects with a passion, I liked that Bunny was so passionate about them and making sure they were able to thrive. Her appreciation of bugs combined with her anxiety made for a bumpy road of adjusting to a new school and making friends though. 

Bunny goes about things the wrong way for a lot of the book, which causes strain between her and her classmates and teachers, but when her mindset shifts, beautiful things are able to happen and her relationships are able to deepen. I loved the conversations around adoption and how Bunny processed her place in her family, especially when others didn’t understand it. 

This book does a great job at showing a realistic way to make amends and is a great read for kids experiencing bullying, for kids with unpopular interests, and kids who are adoptees. 

*Thank you to the publisher for the finished copy. All opinions are my own.*

#BookishEnds
I love a Becky Albertalli book, but I haven’t re I love a Becky Albertalli book, but I haven’t read one of her releases in a hot minute, so I was excited to pick up Amelia, If Only. It had some of the hallmarks of her writing with Jewish rep and discourse around pressure to come out or being outed. What I loved most about the book was the conversation around fan culture and parasocial behavior and the effect they can have on the celebrity.

This story was really fascinating from the perspective of someone who doesn’t stan anything or anyone anymore. Humans are fallible, and that’s way too time consuming. I like to casually enjoy things. But as a teenager, I was all about a parasocial relationship. Justin Bieber. 1D. 5SOS. Cody Simpson. Mindless Behavior. Small indie bands. So, I could understand the draw Amelia had to Walter because of how she related to him.

The latter half of the book was my favorite because there was some serious tea spilling that had me fully invested. Being famous can sound like a horror story at times, and I truly can’t imagine what it feels like to have people think they know every facet of your being.

Amelia herself was a lot, and I think where the book lost me was with the humor. There was a lot of banter in the book that didn’t land without knowing all the lore and inside jokes of the friend group, especially since Amelia was constantly joking throughout the book. I also didn’t care much for the romance part of the story. It felt a little tacked on rather than integrated throughout the story, and I just didn’t believe in the relationship. 

Overall, I think this is a read for those interested in fandom and who love good side characters. I do wish I had realized this was connected to Imogen, Obviously because I would have read that first, so I could have had more background on Imogen and Tessa.

*Thank you to the publisher for the finished copy. All opinions are my own.*

#BookishEnds #AmeliaIfOnly #BeckyAlbertalli

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