Urban Fiction Romance Books: A Guide to the Genre

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Ya girl is still reading, and I’m so proud of myself. Books are a great escape from real life. There is no better feeling than a cold house, a cozy blanket, and a good book; throw in a glass of wine, and ya girl is cooking!!

Today, I’m sharing one of my favorite genres to read – urban fiction romance books, which are a subgenre of romance novels that focus on the lives and loves of characters living in urban settings, aka black books! These books often explore themes of love, relationships, and social issues. They typically feature strong, independent female protagonists and alpha male love interests, but that can change! 

What are the characteristics of urban fiction romance books?

Urban fiction romance books typically have the following characteristics:

  • Setting: Urban fiction romance books are set in urban areas, such as New York City, Los Angeles, or Chicago.

  • Characters: The protagonists of urban fiction romance books are typically strong, independent women who are looking for love on their own terms. The love interests are often alpha males who are successful in their careers and protective of their loved ones.

  • Themes: Urban fiction romance books often explore themes of love, relationships, and social issues. These books may deal with issues such as poverty, violence, and racism.

  • Writing style: Urban fiction romance books are typically written in a fast-paced, action-packed style. The dialogue is often sharp and witty, and the characters are often larger than life.

What are some popular urban fiction romance books?

Some popular urban fiction romance books include:

Why are urban fiction romance books so popular?

Urban fiction romance books are popular because they offer readers a chance to escape into a world of passion, drama, and excitement. I like to think of these books as my “gangster fix” : it's a crime, mafia, and romance all wrapped into one.  These books feature strong, relatable characters who are dealing with real-world issues, and they offer readers a glimpse into a different way of life.

If you're looking for a new genre of romance to read, urban fiction romance books are a great option. If you want to skip out on the drugs, crime, and drama, then I’d suggest looking into some black romance, and here are my top picks:

My Fall 2023 TBR List | Read With Me

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The temperatures are slowly dropping here in South Carolina, and girlies have all grabbed their Pumpkin Spice Lattes, but I’m eager to cozy up with a good book. I’m still in my ‘Well-Read Black Girl Era,’ and I LOVE it here! Even though I do more listening than reading, I can’t wait to pull out the book tags and highlighters to enjoy these.

  • "A Worthy Love" by A.E. Valdez: Publicly humiliated, Marisa Banks is blindsided by the news that the man she’s been dating for months is married. Being called names she wouldn't wish on anyone in front of a room full of people by her boyfriend’s wife is enough to shake her identity to its foundations. In an attempt to rebuild, she makes a few questionable decisions. 

After searching TikTok for hours for romance recs, this book kept coming up. I can’t wait to grab a glass of wine, burn a candle and indulge! 

  • "The Kingmaker" by Kennedy Ryan: In a world of haves and have-nots, Maxim Cade's family and their oil empire have it all…and he wants nothing to do with it. At odds with his mogul father, he's determined to build his own empire, even if it means traveling far from home, painted as the black sheep.

Kennedy is my girl! I fell in love with her work after listening to Before I Let Go. Omg, that book had me torn up! I felt every emotion, I needed those words. They were so powerful and I’ve enjoyed everything else I’ve read from her thus far! 


  • "By The Book" by Jasmine Guillory: Isabelle is completely lost. When she first began her career in publishing after college, she did not expect to be twenty-five, still living at home, and one of the few Black employees at her publishing house. Overworked and underpaid, constantly torn between speaking up or stifling herself, Izzy thinks there must be more to this publishing life. So when she overhears her boss complaining about a beastly high-profile author who has failed to deliver his long-awaited manuscript, Isabelle sees an opportunity to finally get the promotion she deserves.

This was another TikTok recommendation, for a feel good, black girl magic book. I recently read one of Jasmine Guillory’s books ‘While We Were Dating’ and I knew I needed to check out more of her work!


My reading as of late has been so heavy, so I’m looking forward to some fun, love, and make me blush type of books!


What books are you planning on reading this fall?

My Latest Reads

On Rotation by Shirlene Obuobi 

Don’t Cry For Me by Daniel Black 

The Son of Mr. Suleman by Eric Jerome Dickey