Diverse Romance + A Look at the History of Black Romance

I was really feeling like comfort food (when am I not) and wanted something sweet. What’s more comforting than a s’more cookie!? The Salty Marshmallow (fitting name) tells us how to get these glorious things here.

Stella is brilliant with numbers — which has resulted in a pretty sizable salary — but clueless when it comes to romance. She thinks that, as someone with little to no life experience and Asperger’s, it just makes sense to hire a professional to teach her the ways of love. That’s where Michael Phan’s fine self comes into the picture. The escort will teach Stella everything from kissing to beyond missionary *wiggles eyebrows*, but their arrangement soon starts to feel comfortable in a new way.

Kris is looking for her big break through a reality show, while D’Vaughn is looking for an exaggerated way to finally come out to her mom. To achieve these goals, the two decide to be on the reality show Instant I Do, which means they’ll have to plan their wedding in six weeks, and convince their loved ones that they’re actually in love with each other. Then they’ll get the $100,000 grand prize and all the other goodies. Of course, the cash prize isn’t the only thing at stake by the time that six week marker comes around.

Michelle is a graphic designer who is doing pretty well for herself…career-wise. Romantically, it’s a little dry. And Gabriel, her ex boo thang from when she still lived in the Bronx, is also doing pretty well as a co-owner of a celebrity gym in L.A. When Michelle gets brought on for a marketing campaign for Gabriel’s gym, those old feelings resurface, but some things have to be worked out before the relationship can really flourish.

Jessica P. Pryde is a contributor at Book Riot! She is one of our resident Romance experts and, here she has edited a collection of essays that both uplift and examine romance through the Black gaze. Contributors include everyone from Jasmine Guillory to Beverly Jenkins, Kosoko Jackson, and more.