BRBF 2025 aka Bookchella

We’re still on a high from the Inaugural Black Romance Book Festival—and honestly? We’re not coming down anytime soon.

Being the official podcast partner for this year’s festival was an unforgettable honor. As an indie podcast still growing, learning, and figuring it out in real time, we’ve had more than a few moments of imposter syndrome. But this weekend? We felt held. We felt seen. And we felt home.

From the moment we walked through the doors, the love was real. The energy was loud and warm. And everywhere you looked, you saw readers, writers, and creatives showing up for Black love stories with pride, passion, and purpose. We got to connect with so many of you—attendees, authors, vendors, content creators—and we left inspired by every single moment. 

Let’s be clear—publishers need to be paying attention! Black readers aren’t waiting to be invited in. We are the culture. We show up, we show out, and we do it loudly in support of authors who pour love and nuance into our stories—especially indie authors who are building their own tables and laying the foundation.

Throughout the weekend, we got to sit down with some of the most thoughtful, funny, and brilliant authors in the game. We talked about what inspires them, how they build love on the page, and which books we all need to add to our TBRs. Make sure you tune in to our bonus episode featuring some Q&A and rapid fire questions we asked but in the meantime, here are just a few of the book recs that they gave us- 

Question: What’s the last book you read and loved?

• Shameka Erby

  • Sinful King by Asia Monqiue 

• D.L. White

  • Plus Size Player by Danielle Allen

• Celestine Martin

  • Frequent Flyer by Noue Kirwan

• Kristina Forest

  • I Think They Love You by Julien Winters

• Meka James

  • Losing Sight by Tati Richardson

• Ayla Cox

  • Island of Us by Rielle Knight

• Danielle Allen

  • The Problem with Players by Brittainy Cherry

• Kennedy Ryan

  • Gold Coast Dilemma by Nana Malone

• Jacinta Howard

  • Happily Ever by Nia Forrester

Find these suggestions and more in our latest Bookshop.org book list linked here.

We’re deeply grateful to the festival organizers for not only putting on such a powerful, intentional event—but for giving us the opportunity to be part of it. This space matters. Black romance matters. And Black readers matter. We show up. We support indie authors. We move culture. And again if publishers weren’t paying attention before? Now’s the time.

Thank you for the memories. Thank you for the magic. And thank you for making room for us.

XOXO,

Lana and Sam