Author Spotlight: Diverse Romance Authors

 

The romance genre has always been about celebrating love in all its forms, but it becomes even more magical when we see stories that reflect the diverse world we live in. Diverse romance authors are not just telling love stories; they’re crafting tales that honor different cultures, backgrounds, and identities, bringing fresh, authentic perspectives to the genre. From laugh-out-loud rom-coms to deeply emotional journeys of self-discovery, these authors are redefining what it means to find love, one beautifully written page at a time.

We can’t wait to share five incredible diverse romance authors who are taking the genre by storm. If you’re looking to fall head over heels for stories filled with heart, humor, and characters you’ll love rooting for, these authors should be at the top of your reading list.

 

Jamie Wesley

“It’s all fun and games … until love comes to play.” Jamie Wesley

Jamie describes her writing as “I write contemporary romance that I like to think is sexy, smart, funny, and sweet.” Her love for reading began in third grade when her teacher asked if she had a library card. She didn’t, but that changed quickly after she asked her mom to take her to the library, kicking off a lifelong reading journey. 

A few years later, fate stepped in again when her mom’s friend gifted her a novel. Her mom, not much of a reader, left it on the nightstand, and Jamie, ever the curious reader, picked it up. It was a romance novel—and Jamie was hooked! From that moment on, romance became her go-to genre, and she hasn’t looked back since.

With a master’s degree in sports management from the University of Texas at Austin, Jamie is as passionate about sports as she is about storytelling. She’s a dedicated fan of her hometown Dallas teams, loves Walt Disney World, shopping, and pop culture. Need the scoop on the latest Disney attraction or TV show updates? Jamie’s your go-to expert!

Jamie has written around ten books, including our favorites Fake It Till You Bake It and A Legend in the Baking. We absolutely adored Fake It Till You Bake It, which was included in our "The Cupcake Connection" June Adult 2023 box. This book featured a fake-dating trope mixed with some light-hearted fun and a dash of spice!

 

 

A reality star and a cupcake-baking football player pretend to be a couple in order to save his bakery in this sweet and sexy romance. 

Jada Townsend-Matthews is the most reviled woman in America after turning down a proposal on a reality dating show. When she comes home to lick her wounds, Jada finds herself working at San Diego's newest cupcake bakery, Sugar Blitz, alongside the uptight owner and professional football player Donovan Dell

When a reporter mistakenly believes Jada and Donovan are an item, they realize they can use the misunderstanding to their advantage to help the struggling bakery and rehabilitate Jada's image. Faking a relationship should be simple, but sometimes love is the most unexpected ingredient.

Fake It Till You Bake It is a sweet confection of a novel, the perfect story to curl up with and enjoy with a cupcake on the side.

 

 

Talia Hibbert

“Hibbert joins important voices in contemporary romance who write steamy page-turners where the characters look nothing like they did a generation ago — and that’s a wonderful thing.” - Washington Post

Talia Hibbert is a powerhouse in the romance world, celebrated for her sexy, diverse stories that resonate deeply with readers. She’s an award-winning, internationally bestselling author whose works have topped the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal charts. 

Known for crafting rom-coms and new adult romances that are as hilarious as they are heartfelt, Talia’s complex characters make readers feel truly seen. Since self-publishing her first novella at just 21 in 2017, she’s penned over fifteen books and become a hybrid author, with several of her works, including The Brown Sisters series, optioned for TV and film.

Talia lives in a quaint English town in Nottinghamshire with her childhood sweetheart and their dog, Pebbles—who she claims is an avid reader. When she’s not writing, you can find her lighting scented candles, munching on chocolate chip cookies, and grumbling about the English weather. 

Renowned for her series like The Brown Sisters, Ravenswood, and Midnight Heat, as well as stand-alone gems like Highly Suspicious & Unfairly Cute and Work For It, Talia Hibbert’s books are perfect for anyone looking to fall in love with romance all over again.

Work For It is a must-read for fans of slow-burn, emotional LGBTQIA+ romances, especially those who love stories set in small towns with complex, deeply flawed characters. It’s a tale that dives into vulnerability, grief, and the intense pull of forbidden attraction, while Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute is an absolute treat for readers who love lighthearted, laugh-out-loud stories sprinkled with just the right amount of emotion. 

It’s a charming tale of self-discovery, friendship, and a romance that slowly blooms against all odds. Perfect for anyone who’s ever had to navigate past hurts, embrace their quirks, or deal with the ups and downs of OCD, this book delivers heart, humor, and a healthy dose of feels. If you’re all about rooting for characters who learn to love themselves—and each other—this one’s for you!

 

 

Helen Hoang

Helen Hoang might be shy, but when she speaks, she has a knack for saying the unexpected—and when she writes, she creates magic. Her love affair with romance novels began in eighth grade, and she’s been hooked on love stories ever since. In 2016, Helen was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, a revelation that deeply influenced her writing and inspired her hit novel, The Kiss Quotient.

A Cornell University graduate, Helen traded snowy winters for the sunshine of Southern California, where she lives with her husband, two kids, their pet fish, and a Belgian Malinois. Helen’s stories beautifully blend humor, heart, and personal experience, making her books a must-read for anyone who loves romance with a unique, authentic twist.

 

 

Her novels include The Kiss Quotient, The Bride Test, and The Heart Principle. In The Kiss Quotient, we meet Stella Lane, a brilliant econometrician who believes in algorithms more than romance. It doesn’t help that Stella has Asperger’s, and French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. To gain the dating experience she lacks, Stella hires Michael Phan, a charming escort who turns her world—and her theories—upside down. 

With its unique premise, vibrant characters, and heartfelt exploration of love, Helen Hoang’s novels are perfect for readers looking for romance with a touch of reality and a whole lot of heart.

 

 

Jasmine Guillory

Jasmine Guillory is a New York Times bestselling author known for her swoon-worthy romance novels like The Wedding Date, The Proposal (a Reese's Book Club pick), and Drunk on Love. Her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Cosmopolitan, Bon Appétit, and Time, and she frequently shares her book expertise on The Today Show. A proud Bay Area native, Jasmine lives in Oakland, California, surrounded by towering stacks of books, an impressive collection of lipsticks, and a cake recipe for every occasion.

A graduate of Wellesley College and Stanford Law School, Jasmine’s career journey took her from Washington D.C. to clerking at a Federal District Court in San Francisco, before diving into law, focusing on security and intellectual property. Now, as a celebrated romance novelist, Jasmine is known for her charming stories featuring African-American professionals navigating love and life with style, wit, and a whole lot of heart.

 

 

Jasmine’s upcoming book, Flirting Lessons, due to be released in April 2025, promises more of her signature wit and heart. The story follows Avery Jensen, fresh off a breakup and ready to shake up her life, and Taylor Cameron, Napa Valley's biggest flirt, who offers to help Avery hone her flirting skills. 

As Avery learns to step out of her comfort zone, sparks fly between the two, challenging them to confront what they really want. With her knack for crafting lovable characters and swoon-worthy romance, Jasmine Guillory’s books are a gift to readers who crave love stories with a modern twist.

 

 

Yamile Saied Méndez

Yamile Saied Méndez brings a refreshing and whimsical voice to romance with her heartfelt stories that celebrate culture, self-discovery, and the power of standing up for oneself. Yamile Saied Méndez was born and raised in Rosario, Argentina, but she’s spent most of her life nestled in a beautiful valley surrounded by the mountains of Utah. 

A self-taught English speaker who learned with a Spanish/English dictionary in hand, Yamile has grown into an accomplished writer and educator. She is an inaugural Walter Dean Myers Grant recipient, a graduate of the Voices of Our Nations (VONA) program, and holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts.

As a founding member of Las Musas, the first collective of women and nonbinary Latinx authors, Yamile is committed to uplifting diverse voices in literature. She’s also been a faculty member at TinHouse Workshop and served as a keynote speaker at the Vermont College of Fine Arts, sharing her journey and inspiring others to embrace their unique stories.

 

 

Yamile is one of those rare authors who writes for all ages, from young readers to adults, earning accolades and awards, including the Reese’s YA Book Club selection for Furia. Her adult fiction debut, Twice a Quinceañera, is a delightful exploration of reinvention and second chances. Her other adult fiction novel, Love of My Lives, is perfect for anyone who’s ever dreamed of finding their soulmate!

Love of My Lives was featured in our October 2023 box, “Steer Your Own Dreams.” We loved this enchanting romance about self-discovery, fate, and the courage to pursue the love you truly deserve!

If you enjoyed discovering more about the authors behind the books, check out our other author spotlights, like the one on Emily Henry!