The Woman. The Myth. The Legend.

Everyone knows that Elle Kayson wrote one of the greatest dark romance/urban romances of our time, Demon’s Dream: An unexpected love story, that has earned its place as a standout in the streets of BookTok.

But, did you know she has soooooo much more in her catalog?

I mean, we’re talking urban romance, a touch of mafia romance, and, of course, some good old Black romance. Across her books, Kayson creates characters who are full-figured, complicated, deeply connected to their families or sometimes desperately in need of a found family.

Her stories showcase the complexity and diversity of the Black experience in ways that make her catalog worth taking a closer look at. I’ve been studying her work because my book club, SugaHoney Black Romance Book Club, will be reading and discussing Demon’s Dream this month. So, naturally, I took the liberty of creating an unofficial Elle Kayson Catalog Guide.

This guide includes:

• All 18 titles currently in her catalog

• Original publication year

• Genre

• Tropes

• Page count

• Available reading formats

So whether you’re a longtime reader or you’re just discovering her work, I hope this guide makes exploring her catalog just a little bit easier.

Keep up with Elle Kayson through her Instagram and Website

LINK to Elle Kayson Unofficial Catalog Guide

A common misconception is that romance is just romance, but I love the contradiction that Nadine Gonzalez presents us with her new release Old Flames.

Old Flames is a diverse romance that follows a horror author and a fantasy author as they reunite at a writer’s retreat, hence the old flames. But they aren’t the only ones staying at this B&B. Their beautiful Key West getaway comes with a little something extra: the B&B is haunted.

As these two fated lovers reconnect, we also get pulled into a mystery about the tragic love story that still lingers within the walls from the 19th century.

Oh, yes, there’s romance. But there’s also mystery, fantasy, horror, and a little spooky-season energy woven throughout.

And honestly? That’s my kinda party.

Rarely do I read romance-only books. I typically take my romance with a heavy helping of urban fiction, maybe a few drops of suspense, and always with Black and Brown characters. So the addition of light horror and mystery was a welcomed change of pace.

Old Flames by Nadine Gonzalez is available now.

The Vibes: Visual | Mood Board

Themes | Tropes

The Conversation

I have the honor of speaking with Nadine Gonzalez this Saturday, August 22nd, at Steamy Lit Fort Lauderdale, where we’ll be discussing all things Old Flames and her take on romance.

If you’re interested and available, join us as we dive deeper into the story, her approach to romance, and the unexpected elements that make Old Flames such a unique read.

The Catalogue

Interested in learning more about Nadine, or reading some of her earlier work check out her website, www.nadine-gonzalez.com/

There’s something special about seeing familiar fairy tales reimagined through Black stories, culture, and characters. Whether they’re romantic, dystopian, YA, or fantasy, these books take the classics we know and give them a fresh perspective.

Here are a few Black fairy tale reimaginings that deserve a spot on your TBR.

1. Huntsman: A Mafia Romance (The Hunted Kingdom Book 1)

SNOW WHITE REIMAGINING | GENRE: DARK ROMANCE

Forget the damsel in distress. Huntsman features a fearless, bada** FMC who is more than capable of saving herself.

Learn More

2. Ember: A Mafia Romance (The Hunted Kingdom Book 2)

CINDERELLA REIMAGINING | GENRE: DARK ROMANCE

No subserviency here. This modern-day Cinderella flips the script, our FMC (female-main-character) goes toe-to-toe with her stepbrother to reclaim the legacy that was stolen from her. To her surprise he wants more than the family business, he wants her.

Learn More

3. Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

CINDERELLA REIMAGINING | GENRE: YOUNG ADULT

This YA fantasy asks what happens after Cinderella’s “happily ever after.” Featuring queer representation, the novel challenges the fairy tale’s legacy.

Learn More

4. Sleep Like Death by Kalynn Bayron

SNOW WHITE REIMAGINING | GENRE: YOUNG ADULT

Princess Eve was gifted with magical abilities and raised with one purpose: to destroy the evil knight. But when she finally comes face-to-face with him, she realizes she’s not prepared for the fight of her life.

Learn More

5. Belair’s Tale by Kelsey Green

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST REIMAGINING | GENRE: BLACK ROMANCE

A modern retelling that reimagines the classic love story through the lens of Black characters, offering a fresh perspective on beauty, love, and transformation. But this time, the FMC is the beast.

This title is part of Bae Reimagined, a 10-book contemporary romance collection featuring standalone fairy tale retellings that put a fresh spin on beloved stories.

Learn More

6. Franklin’s Tale by TIYE

THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG REIMAGINING | GENRE: BLACK ROMANCE

One of my favorite twists on a classic. Instead of following Princess Tiana’s traditional role, the male main character embodies many of her defining traits: hardworking, ambitious, and relentlessly pursuing his dream in hospitality.

This title is part of Bae Reimagined, a 10-book contemporary romance collection featuring standalone fairy tale retellings that put a fresh spin on beloved stories.

Learn More.

7. Wonder by Christina C. Jones

ALICE IN WONDERLAND REIMAGINING | GENRE: BLACK ROMANCE

Quite possibly my favorite reimagining of Alice in Wonderland yet. Set in a post-apocalyptic world with Black characters at the center, this story is adventurous, emotional, and completely unlike anything I expected. This is a bold twist on a classic that delivers!

Learn More

8. A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney

ALICE IN WONDERLAND REIMAGINING | GENRE: YOUNG ADULT

This one is about that action! L.L. McKinney transforms Wonderland into a dangerous battleground, creating an exhilarating story with a Black FMC at its center.

Learn More

There’s more where that came from…

This episode is part of, on a deeper level, a space where we explore the stories we love beyond the surface, digging into the layers that linger long after the last page. Through interviews and conversations, I spotlight BIPOC, indie, and women authors whose voices deserve more light.

If you love Black romance, author interviews, and behind-the-scenes writing conversations, let's chat in the comments!

I know we all love the Delgatos, Infernos, Casellis, Wraithes, and the rest, BUT please hear me. Jahquel J. has written 100+ books over her 12-year author career.

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Jah and walk through her entire catalog, and I cannot wait to share that conversation with you next week, (7/5 -7/11).

In the meantime, I’d love to share Jahquel J.’s Unofficial Catalog Guide in its entirety.

Here’s the thing: In the past, I’ve created catalog graphics for visual convenience and easy reference. But as I mentioned, Jah’s catalog is massive, spanning urban fiction, urban romance, Black romance, and contemporary romance. Because of that, I thought a spreadsheet would be the most helpful format for us as a community. It’s easier to navigate, update, and reference as we continue exploring her incredible body of work together.

For simplicity, the spreadsheet recognizes two primary genres: Urban Fiction and Black Romance. Many of Jahquel J.'s books also cross into multiple secondary genres, such as urban romance, suspense, and more. I chose to organize the guide around these two primary categories to keep it easy to navigate, however, Jahquel J.’s most recent release Rich & Rotten is a great example of a multi-genre project including Urban Fiction, Urban Romance, Suspense and Black Romance; this is recognized as Black Romance for simplicity.

Keep up with Jahquel J. through her Instagram and TikTok

LINK to Jahquel J. Unofficial Catalog Guide

Quick disclaimer: This catalog guide is completely unofficial. It has not been reviewed, edited, or created in collaboration with the author, so there may be mistakes. Please note that there may be some inconsistencies in the order of books released within a given year, particularly for titles published in 2022 and earlier. However, to the best of my knowledge, every work has been attributed to the correct publication year. If you should find anything that seems incorrect, please kindly leave a comment and I’d be happy to address, We NEED all On a Deeper Level resources to be as accurate as possible! This guide is intended to be a conclusive record of the author's body of work. I've done my best to flag where I've taken liberties or drawn my own conclusions, but ultimately, this is a working document.

TIYE writes stories centered on Black Women discovering themselves, pursuing their passions, and redefining what fulfillment looks like. Somewhere along the way, love often finds them, but romance is rarely the story itself. Instead, it serves as the vehicle through which her characters confront long-held beliefs, heal old wounds, and ultimately become more fully themselves. Her novels remind us that the greatest love story is often the one we cultivate with ourselves.

LET’S EXPLORE:

• Catalog Highlights

• The importance of mental health representation in literature

• Storytelling as a tool for cultural healing

• Hybrid authorship

• Themes of love, trust, and seizing the moment
  

This episode is part of, on a deeper level, a space where we explore the stories we love beyond the surface, digging into the layers that linger long after the last page. Through interviews and conversations, I spotlight BIPOC, indie, and women authors whose voices deserve more light.
If you love Black romance, author interviews, and behind-the-scenes writing conversations, let's chat in the comments!

Unfortunately, I discovered Tiye’s work late. My first book by her was Rifts and Refrains, and it completely shook me. I was surprised and swept away by her ability to capture love, both platonic and romantic, alongside personal growth, ambition, history, conviction, the creative spirit, and even reparations, all in fewer than 400 pages. To my surprise, Rifts and Refrains wasn’t just another Black country romance. It deserves every bit of the hype, every discussion, and every adaptation pitch.

From there, I devoured her catalog, finishing the Resonance series before moving on to This Side of Beautiful. I’ve since dived into her Blues series and recently read Madly Driven, releasing June 30. It tells the story of two incredibly unlikely people navigating an enemies-to-lovers, forbidden romance that is as compelling as it is unexpected.

If you’re looking for romance that pushes the genre forward, stories that take creative risks, and explore love in fresh, thoughtful ways, you may be looking for Tiye. As we await the release of Madly Driven, explore Tiye’s catalog with me.

Madly Driven is available for Pre-Order, releasing June 30th.

Keep up with TIYE via her website and Instagram.

TIYE UNOFFICIAL CATALOG GUIDE

Quick disclaimer: This catalog guide is completely unofficial. It has not been reviewed, edited, or created in collaboration with the author, so there may be mistakes. This guide may also not be fully conclusive of the author’s lifetime body of work. I’ve done my best to flag where I’ve taken liberties or drawn my own conclusions, but ultimately, this is a working document.

This episode is part of, on a deeper level, a space where we explore the stories we love beyond the surface, digging into the layers that linger long after the last page. Through interviews and conversations, I spotlight BIPOC, indie, and women authors whose voices deserve more light.

If you love Black romance, author interviews, and behind-the-scenes writing conversations, let's chat in the comments!

Since stepping on the scene, Netra Antionette has supplied her readers with consistent stories of love threaded in truth and healing. I first encountered Netra’s words through her Sunday Crown Sessions series when I was honestly in a very low place. After being faced with the loss of family members, I hadn’t realized I wasn’t okay until life forced me to sit down and take a moment.

During that time, I returned to Netra’s Sunday Crown Sessions series, which I had started months earlier, and I fell heart-first into these short stories that highlighted the healing found in women’s friendships and community. The series lifted me while also giving me permission to slow down and grieve.

From that point on, I became really serious about exploring Netra Antionette’s catalog. I’ve found that whether you’re reading about the complexities of the early stages of a relationship in the Hideaway Haven series, reveling in the unapologetic freedom of Heaux Phase or exploring erotic suspense in her Mind, Body & Soul series, Netra consistently delivers Black love, complex characters, and women on emotional journeys.

I recently got the opportunity to read her upcoming traditional release, Silent Surrender, releasing June 30, 2026. Along with being the author’s first traditional release, this will also mark her first deep dive into the psychological thriller and dark romance space. The emotionally charged thriller explores three sisters’ journeys as they confront a violent past.

Silent Surrender is available for preorder now.

In the meantime, I created an unofficial catalog guide to Netra Antionette’s work to help uncover all the incredible stories she has to offer. Feel free to join me in exploring a catalog the author describes as: “If therapy had plot twists and cliffhangers…”

Keep-up with Netra Antionette via her website, Instagram, TikTok, and Patreon.

Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts centered on Black Storytellers.

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NETRA ANTIONETTE’S UNOFFICIAL CATALOG GUIDE

Quick disclaimer: This catalog guide is completely unofficial. It has not been reviewed, edited, or created in collaboration with the author, so there may be mistakes. This guide may also not be fully conclusive of the author’s lifetime body of work. I’ve done my best to flag where I’ve taken liberties or drawn my own conclusions, but ultimately, this is a working document.

Score is part of the Hollywood Renaissance series, where Kennedy Ryan weaves dual timelines to explore the lives of modern-day Black creatives and innovators in the time of the Hollywood Renaissance and how they stand on the shoulders of Harlem Renaissance pioneers to tell stories that are larger than life. This latest installment, Score, is a second-chance romance between musician Wright "Monk" Bellamy and screenwriter Verity Hill. I’ve been so honored to slowly explore this story, and on May 27, 2026, I’ll be sitting alongside one of my good friends, Jourdan, to discuss Score with Kennedy Ryan during her Miami tour stop.

If you’re interested in joining us in Miami, feel free to grab tickets, HERE

In the meantime, I created an unofficial catalog guide to Kennedy Ryan’s work to help us better rediscover all the incredible stories she has to offer. Feel free to join me in exploring this catalog for love that doesn’t quit and emotional depth.

Quick Disclaimer: This catalog guide is completely unofficial. It has not been reviewed, edited, or created in collaboration with the author, so there may be mistakes. I’ve done my best to flag where I’ve taken liberties or drawn my own conclusions, but ultimately, this is a working document.

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KENNEDY RYAN’S UNOFFICIAL CATALOG GUIDE

If you’re interested in chatting further, join us for book club on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 7 PM EST; rumor has it, Nina High, herself will be there.

RSVP HERE

Nina High is a teacher, mom, and independent author who unapologetically gives readers soft love, centering Black characters in swoon-worthy romances.

Here’s what you can expect from here catalog:

• Quick Reads with Steady Pacing

• Everyday Workplace Love and Billionaire Romances

• Age - Gaps and Later-in-Life Romance

• A few well-placed Beyoncé references

Nina High’s books are available electronically via Kindle Unlimited and as audiobooks on platforms like Audible and Libro.fm. She also sells physical copies directly to readers on ninahigh.com and at events.

Feel free to join me in exploring this catalog for Black love, funny moments, and heartfelt romance.

A quick disclaimer: this catalog guide is COMPLETELY UNOFFICIAL. They have not been reviewed, edited, or created in collaboration with the author, so there may be mistakes. I’ve done my best to flag where I’ve taken liberties or drawn my own conclusions, but ultimately, this is a working document.

NINA HIGH’S UNOFFICIAL CATALOG GUIDE

With hundreds of thousands of us out there, we still can’t solve a Jahquel J. mystery to save our lives. LOL. Now, I’ll be the first to admit: whatever question you have… I probably don’t know the answer. But what I do know how to do is take a solid set of notes.

So, below you’ll find my notes on Jahquel J’s recent release, Rich and Rotten.

I absolutely love this story, but like most books by this author, I knew from the start it would demand a very specific kind of attention. So, here are the basics of the story:

In Greenwich Pointe’s world of Black wealth and power, Tatiana Rich has everything money can buy—except freedom. When her kingpin father forces her into a strategic marriage with the Sterling dynasty’s heir, she begs Nazir Kane—the man she fell for during her college years—to run away with her.

By morning, he’s vanished without a word.

A decade later, Tatiana is rebuilding her life after her husband Karim’s tragic death. While raising their daughter and growing her luxury spa empire, an assassination attempt on her father brings an unexpected guardian: Nazir Kane—now a powerful security specialist assigned to protect her family.

Living under the same roof as the man who shattered her heart is torture enough. But as old flames reignite, darker truths emerge about the father who controlled her and the husband she mourned.

With enemies closing in and whispers that her husband’s death wasn’t an accident, Tatiana must decide if the man who once betrayed her is the only one who can save her now . . .

Synopsis provide be Penguin Random House

A quick disclaimer: these notes are COMPLETELY UNOFFICIAL. They have not been reviewed, edited, or created in collaboration with the author, so there may be mistakes. I’ve done my best to flag where I’ve taken liberties or drawn my own conclusions, but ultimately, this is a working document.

Please feel free to read through, compare, and share your own notes, because clearly… we need all hands on deck to get to the bottom of this

Some books are made with community in mind. Some books are meant to be enjoyed in community. And some, like Reel by Kennedy Ryan, are both.

I recently had the opportunity to take a deeper look at Reel by Kennedy Ryan through two different bookclubs: Steamy Lit’s SugaHoney Black Romance Book Club in January 2026, and this past week in March 2026, a pop-up book club by Forever Publishing and Kennedy Ryan.

Each experience offered something unique, but both reinforced just how layered this story is, and how digesting it in community is essential. The conversations, the perspectives, and the emotional unpacking brought new depth to moments I might have otherwise read and moved past.

Below is a brief recap from reading Reel in community.

But it’s not over yet, I’ll be in discussion with Kennedy Ryan this Thursday, April 2, diving into her Hollywood Renaissance Series; we’re talking about all things Reel, exclusive tea on Score (Releasing: May 19th, 2026) , and rumor has it there may even be Score ARCs up for grabs.

Save Your Spot HERE!

… and don’t forget to pre-order Score at a local bookstore.

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STEAMY LIT’S SUGAHONEY BLACK ROMANCE BOOKCLUB

SugaHoney is Steamy Lit’s first Black Romance bookclub, and I’ve had the honor of curating and hosting it. While the bi-monthly club is primarily virtual and typically focused on Black romance series, we broke a few rules in January, reading a single title, Reel, and gathering in person to discuss. It was completely worth it! Nearly forty members came together to discuss the novel using guided discussion questions, but as often happens in community, the conversation took on a life of its own. We found ourselves returning again and again to themes of family dynamics, found family, and the power of the Black creatives during the Harlem Renaissance.

Discussion Guide:

Video Review / Recap:

FOREVER PUBLISHING & KENNEDY RYAN’S REEL BOOKCLUB

As readers anticipate the release of Score, the latest installment in the Hollywood Renaissance series, Forever Publishing and Kennedy Ryan launched a pop-up bookclub. I had the honor of leading my community on Instagram through a guided discussion covering the prologue through Chapter 39.

Additional Supporting Resources:

While rereading and studying Reel, I’ve found additional resources to deepened my experience and understanding; including, Audie Award Winning Audiobook, Voices by INAudio interview, Reel’s Playlist, Hollywood Renaissance Limited Series Podcast and @jourdanbts Media Recap, all of which are highlight in the video below.

Reel Recap: Prologue - Chapter 20

Reel Recap: Chapter 21- Chapter 39

Live discussion with Kennedy Ryan:

We’re capping off my most recent deep dive into Reel with a live discussion featuring Kennedy Ryan this Thursday, April 2.

Save Your Spot HERE!

Full Discussion:

Discussion Recap:

@4jordanaeI was so honored to discuss Big Girl Blitz with @Danielle Allen ! Get the full scoop on YT. 🔗 in bio. Big Girl Blitz is available now for Pre-Order 💚 Releases 4/14/26 #booktok #blackromance #booktoker #DanielleAllen #romancereads

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Tune in to hear L.B. share her journey from reader to author, discussing the importance of representation, complex female main characters, and writing stories grounded in love, honesty, and empowerment.

Full Discussion:

Discussion Recap:

@4jordanae🫶🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾L.B. Gaines got next! Catalog to date: 1. Three Months in ACCRA Stamped: A Love Story Collection - Book 1 2. Room 214, San Juan Stamped: A Love Story Collection - Book 2 3. Christmas With The Mensahs Stamped: A Love Story Collection - Book 1.5 4.Beneath the Harvest Moon: A Small Town Romance 5. All that we’re Thankful for 6. 1:09 A.M. Author: @lbgainestheauthor Sign up for Steamy Lit Newsletter link in my bio #blackromance #booktok #urbanfiction #bookish #booktoker

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Check out the conversation below!
Please forgive the quality, as this was not professionally recorded.

— Jordanaé

Meet the Panelists

Nadine Gonzalez

From Manhattan to Miami, Nadine Gonzalez writes modern love stories for today’s romance readers. She is the author of nine contemporary romances, including Scandal in the VIP Suite and What Happens in Miami…. Her latest release, Only Lovers in the Building (Canary Street Press), is a USA Today bestseller. Of Haitian descent, Nadine prizes stories rich with cultural diversity.

Learn more: www.nadine-gonzalez.com

Ebony LaDelle

Ebony LaDelle is the author of Love Radio, featured on the Today show and named a People Best Book of the Summer. The novel was also a 2023 Audie Award Finalist, a 2023 Michigan Notable Book, Apple Books’ Best Book of 2022, and an Amazon Editors’ Pick. A Baldwin Fellow, she is also the author of This Could Be Forever and editor of You’ve Got a Place Here, Too: An Anthology of Black Love Stories Set at HBCUs. Prior to becoming an author, LaDelle worked in brand marketing at Penguin Random House and HarperCollins.

Learn more: www.ebonyladelle.com

Britney S. Lewis

Britney S. Lewis is the No. 1 New York Times, Indie, and USA Today bestselling author of Blood Moon. She is also the award-winning author of The Dark Place and The Undead Truth of Us. Britney holds a B.A. in corporate communications with an emphasis in business and art. When she’s not dreaming up new stories, she enjoys urban hiking, iced coffee, West Coast Swing, and cozy nights with her husband and pup. She lives in Kansas City, Missouri.

Learn more: www.britneyslewis.com

J. Elle

J. Elle is a New York Times and internationally bestselling author, best known for the House of Marionne series. Her other works include Wings of Ebony and The Little Mermaid: Against the Tide. Raised in the South on comfort food and fairy tales, Elle now writes from Texas, where she lives with more children and animals than she can count. When she’s not writing, she’s hunting for chocolate-free desserts, indulging in Regency romances, or finding any excuse to wear a tiara.

Learn more: www.authorjelle.com

Here’s your latest installment of my favorite Delgato Deep Dive Character Map! Unfortunately, we can’t experience our favorite books for the first time again, but I live for playing detective with these character maps, connecting every major and minor player across the DelFerno Universe.

In Capone 2, Jahquel J. continues to expand and expound on the world she’s building. This installment introduces fresh faces while reviving familiar ones from previous series, and you know I love some interconnectivity!

Keep reading for all the details!

— Jordanaé

Touching Back Down in the DelFerno Universe

…and here’s what’s going down. 👇🏾

Synopsis:
Erin (our FMC) is reeling after a close relative is shot, forcing her to relive the horrific murder-suicide of her parents while navigating her current tragedy. She’s also struggling to trust Capone (our MMC) to be both a man of his word and the protector he promises to be.

Meanwhile, Capone is painting every borough of NYC red in search of the man responsible for her pain. Somewhere between being a lover and a leader, he finds time to move Erin and her family into his home, further blending their worlds and deepening their bond.

Per usual, Jahquel J. leaves us hanging on a cliff, this time with Capone’s little sister Capri and his acting second-in-command Nahiem, whose marriage takes an impossible turn for the worst.

Let’s look into the characters we met in Capone.

Old and New Faces

Messiah Garibaldi – First introduced in Crack Money with Cocaine Dreams, Messiah is the daughter of a mob boss, groomed to be a leader from the age of seven. She later appears in A Staten Island Love Letter and gets a shout-out in Capone 2 as the woman who taught Tasha’s mother how to “cook”—who, in turn, passed that skill to Tasha.

Alaia – While visiting his brother Cappadonna in prison, Capone notices his brother’s eyes on a woman in the visitation room. Later, Erin meets her—and we learn her name is Alaia. Keep an eye out for her; she’ll be our FMC in Cappadonna’s season.

Location Highlight

Willshire Hotel Bar – A favorite private meetup spot for Capri and Kincaid. This hotel chain was first mentioned in I’m Fine...Thanks from The Lennox Hills series, owned by the Willshire family. Jahquel J. loves to keep her worlds connected, and I love catching every breadcrumb she drops.

Explore Capone 2 Character Map

@4jordanaeCheck out the latest graphics: 💙Character Map: Capone 2 & ❣️What to read after: Demon’s Dream #blackromance #booktok #Capone #JahquelJ #DemonsDream #ElleKayson #romancebooks

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📌 Download the Capone 2 Character Map (PDF)

📌 Watch the Character Map on TikTok | Instagram

📌 Watch the Character Map Recap TikTok | Instagram

PLEASE NOTE:

• Most primary characters with POV in the book are shown with images.

• Relationship statuses reflect the current book, and will adjust as the series progresses.

• For official renderings and character art, please check Jahquel J.’s Instagram.

• Most location images are sourced from Jahquel J.’s Capone Pinterest board.

Keeping it cozy, keeping it fun, with just the right touch of thrill — these are the five books that should be at the top of your October TBR.

Grab your blanket and your matcha (yes, matcha is for every season — and don’t you dare add any pumpkin to it), and let’s read our way through.🍁

— Jordanaé

1. Beneath the Harvest Moon: A Small Town Romance — L.B. Gaines

Publication: October 3, 2025

Vibes: 🍂 Fall vibes galore. Single mom. Slow burn. Healing. Empowering. Love that perseveres. SA Survivor.

Synopsis:
Sade Morgan, the owner of a cute pumpkin farm in Statesville, North Carolina — and a devoted single mom — reunites with her high school sweetheart just in time to face old secrets and clear up a few long-standing rumors in their small town.

⚠️ Check trigger warnings before reading.

Link to Purchase

@4jordanaeBeneath the Harvest Moon by L.B. Gaines is the PERFECT fall read🤎🍂🤎 • Cozy Vibes • Small Town Love • Fully Realized Characters Available Now! Thank you @lbgainestheauthor for sharing the audio of this masterpiece 🫶🏾 #booktokfypage #blackromancebooks #booktok #urbanromance #bookish

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2. The Scammer — Tiffany D. Jackson

Publication: October 7, 2025

Vibes: Psychological thriller. College life. Manipulation. Cult vibes.

Synopsis:
Pre-law freshman Jordyn just wants the full college experience — new friends, new memories, a fresh start. But when her roommate’s friendly ex-con brother moves into their apartment, things start to feel… off. His influence grows, his suggestions get bolder, and before long, Jordyn realizes she may be witnessing the rise of a cult — right in her home.

Link to Purchase

@4jordanaeThe Scammer - Tiffany D.Jackson •YA Thriller •HBCU Freshman •Mystery Thank you @HarperCollins @writeinbk @NetGalley advance readers copy🤎 #tiffanydjackson #booktok #bookish #blackromance #womensfiction

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3. Heartsick — Kristina Forest

Publication: October 7, 2025

Vibes: 💔 Young love. Coming of age. Fast-paced. Forced-Proximity.

Synopsis:
Margot is interning at a company that’s developed a pill to erase heartbreak overnight. Still nursing her own, she puts on a brave face — until she spots her ex coming in to forget her. But when they uncover the company’s dark secrets, the two must team up to expose the truth before it’s too late.

Link to Purchase

4. I Accidentally Hired a Shadow Walker (Accidents Happen #3) — Jessica Cage

Publication: October 14, 2025

Vibes: 🪄 Romantasy. Romantic comedy.

Synopsis:
The third installment in Jessica Cage’s Accidents Happen series follows Jericha Brown, a no-nonsense security firm owner whose latest contract takes a wild turn when she accidentally hires a Shadow Walker — a really hot Shadow Walker, by the way.

Link to Purchase

5. Huntsman: A Mafia Romance— Naima Simone

Publication: October 21, 2025

Vibes: Unhinged FMC. Fairytale reimagining. Dark romance. Mafia romance.

Synopsis:
Naima Simone reimagines a classic fairytale — only this time, the damsel in distress is no victim. When Eshe’s wicked aunt sends the Huntsman to “handle” her, Malachi expects another helpless heir to the throne. Instead, he finds a fierce woman who might just become the greatest love — and challenge — of his life.

Link to Purchase

@4jordanaeSo excited for Huntsman by Naima Simone coming this 10.21.25❤️❤️❤️ Unhinged FMC🔪 Anti - Hero MMC Dark / Mafia Romance #booktok #darkromace #naimasimone #booktoker #bookish

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Have you read any of these? If not, check out my top five fall reads and let me know what you think!

Jahquel J. has been releasing books for over a decade, but one series stands just a little taller than the rest for me: the DelFerno Series (Delgato / Inferno Gods). I love it so much that I decided to create character maps for each book in the series.

I originally shared these maps on TikTok and Instagram, but I’ve resized them and made them available in PDF format here for easier viewing.

— Jordanaé

This interconnected saga follows the Delgato and Inferno families across generations of friendships, loyalties, and their simultaneous reign in the NYC streets.

So far, we’ve had four seasons (with more expected to come):

• Capone

• Cappadonna

• Capri

• Quasim / Inferno Gods

The DelFerno world also expands into other Jahquel J. universes, linking with the Caselli, Davis, and Vanducci-Cromwell families.

Jahquel’s command of character growth, arcs, and development is remarkable. Each character—whether central or minor—feels alive, as if you’ve known them personally or crossed paths with them at some point in your life. Through my character map journey, I’ve found it fascinating to track relationships and uncover the many Easter eggs Jahquel drops for her tribe of readers.

Explore Capone I Character Map

@4jordanaeCHARACTER MAP:📍 Delgato Family: Season 1 Capone 1 By Jahquel J. Stay tuned for Capone 2 Map🫶🏾 #jahquelj #Capone #BookTok #urbanromance #delgatofamily #BookTok #BlackRomanceBooks

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📌 Download the Capone Character Map (PDF)
📌 Watch the Character Map on TikTok | Instagram
📌 Watch the Character Map Recap TikTok | Instagram

PLEASE NOTE:

• Most primary characters with POV in the book are shown with images.

• Relationship statuses are reflective of the current book, and will adjust as the series progresses.

• For official renderings and character art, please check Jahquel J.’s Instagram.

• Most location images are sourced from Jahquel J.’s Capone Pinterest board.

The journey has been transformative, though not without its challenges. Here’s the thing, I don’t love smut for smut’s sake. I appreciate spice, but what I truly value is intimacy as communication—an expression of what words cannot.

Join me as I uncover my own particular strain of romance—one that goes beyond the bump and grind.

— Jordanaé

Queen & Slim will forever be memorialized for me as a moving work of art. In case you missed it, it’s a Black love story where a first date takes an unexpected turn, resulting in the unlikely pair running from the law. Somewhere between experiencing both the hardship and the beauty of being Black in America, the couple finds love and safety in one another before their tragic end.

Among its many breathtaking frames, Melina Matsoukas directed one of the most artful and captivating sex scenes I’ve ever seen. I watched it in the theater with my mom and—probably for the first time—I didn’t look away in embarrassment. Yes, I was fully grown, in my mid-twenties at the time, but let’s be real: there’s something about watching sex scenes in public that makes us all squirm, even as adults.

This one was different, though. There was a deliberate intentionality behind it, a raw honesty that felt unflinching rather than scandalous. In the words of Daniel Kaluuya, the film’s lead: “It wasn’t indulgent or crass—it was about them as characters” (EXTRA interview). “We had to treat it like any other scene. Sex is the language and dialogue of that scene,” he told Marie Claire UK. Curiosity, frantic desire, passion, and fear felt telepathically transmitted between the actors and their audience, as we waded through the waters of this momentary reprieve from the film’s ever-building tension. This intimacy felt sacred, healing, and free of shame.

While I haven’t quite experienced this level of resonance in a film since, here are a few of my favorite reads that use physical intimacy as a profound tool for communication:

DEMON’S DREAM: An Unexpected Love by Elle Kayson

[Link to purchase]
Classic Urban Love Story | Mafia Romance | Dark Romance

Damien Montana—better known as Demon—is one of the MMCs who unexpectedly falls in love with the FMC “given to him” as part of an agreement between crime families. Demon’s past trauma makes him reluctant to love or express his feelings, shaped in part by his complicated relationship with his mother. Whether he’s upset, happy, or sad, he channels everything physically.

Although Kayson goes to great lengths to showcase Demon’s erotic artistry, conflict arises when he falls in love for the first time and realizes he can only communicate through physical means.

What’s Being Communicated:
The FMC is saying: You’re safe.
The MMC is saying: I love you, and I want you here.

Restore Me: The New Haven Series (Book 1) by J.L. Seegars

[Link to purchase]
Forbidden Romance | Grumpy x Sunshine | Second Chance at Love

If you’ve heard that this book is about a widow falling in love with her late husband’s best friend—yes, it’s about that. LOL. But on a deeper level, it’s about two grieving souls finding healing and love again in each other.

The MMC, Dominic, makes sure Sloan feels safe, celebrated, and cared for. He communicates love and reassurance through physical affection, creating a tender bond between them as they navigate forbidden territory.

What’s Being Communicated:
The FMC is saying: I need you.
The MMC is saying: I want to serve you.

Room 214, San Juan by L.B. Gaines — Recent Release

[Link to purchase]
Forced Proximity | He Falls First | Novella

In just 90 pages, L.B. Gaines crafts complex, layered characters. The FMC, who lives with OCD and the weight of internal and external expectations, finds unexpected liberation after a steamy forced-proximity encounter with a stranger in hotel room 214.

Though their time together is short, their physical connection empowers her to rediscover herself and dream without judgment.

What’s Being Communicated:
The FMC is saying: I trust you enough to show you the real me.
The MMC is saying: You’re beautiful and capable.

Ethic (Book 1) by Ashley Antoinette

[Link to purchase]
Forbidden Love | Anti-Hero | Turbulent Romance

Ashley Antoinette’s Ethic introduces us to Ethic and Alani—two characters burdened by heavy trauma. But the tragedy that binds them is unimaginable. At this stage in the series, only Ethic, the MMC, knows the full extent of the harm he’s caused Alani.

What Alani experiences as lustful, animalistic ecstasy during their first encounter, the reader recognizes as something more: a drawn-out apology, fueled by adrenaline, remorse, and conflicted passion from the MMC. Still, the moment isn’t one-sided—it’s charged, intimate, and surprisingly reciprocal.

What’s Being Communicated:
The FMC is saying: I want you, and I haven’t wanted anyone in a long time.
The MMC is saying: I’m not worthy of you, but while I have you, I’ll give you the best of me.

These stories are just a few examples of how physical intimacy can be a powerful and nuanced form of communication—where words fall short, action always speaks louder. Whether it’s about love, loss, or self-discovery, the art of connecting physically in literature (and film) has a profound way of telling stories that words alone cannot fully express.

I’m looking for my next read—help me out: do you have any recs that fit the vibe?

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