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Reviews
Black Love Matters: Real Talk on Romance, Being Seen, and Happy Ever Afters by Jessica P. Pryde
katemc's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
I really enjoyed this! It took me a while as I would read the essays one at a time. I think like most essay collections, a few are stronger than others, but the collection as a whole is full of good information and really tangible passion for the genre and for the championing of Black romance (obviously). It’s also such a great way to hear directly from authors who usually only speak through fiction!
I particularly liked “Black Cultural Studies and Black Love,” “(Black) Love Is… (Black) Love Ain’t,” and “Black Indie Romance” which (shocker) were some of the more academically bent ones. I really enjoy a clear thesis and when a really smart person does a deep dive into a topic I’m interested in learning more about from a perspective different from my own. This collection had a lot of value for me as a romance reader overall and those above were particular highlights :)
I particularly liked “Black Cultural Studies and Black Love,” “(Black) Love Is… (Black) Love Ain’t,” and “Black Indie Romance” which (shocker) were some of the more academically bent ones. I really enjoy a clear thesis and when a really smart person does a deep dive into a topic I’m interested in learning more about from a perspective different from my own. This collection had a lot of value for me as a romance reader overall and those above were particular highlights :)
jb4nay's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
I enjoyed the variety of perspectives and writers who got to write essays for the book. It did feel like a lot of them arrived at the same conclusion; seeing yourself represented in media is good and necessary (I think it’s right but it did get a bit repetitive). It felt like these could’ve been individual articles published.
That said, there were a few essays that really stood out to me: the Afrolatinx, dichotomous key, and Black indie books.
Overall, I’m glad this collection exists. I think it’s good to give people’s influences their flowers but also point hope much more room there is for improvement within the Black romance genre.
That said, there were a few essays that really stood out to me: the Afrolatinx, dichotomous key, and Black indie books.
Overall, I’m glad this collection exists. I think it’s good to give people’s influences their flowers but also point hope much more room there is for improvement within the Black romance genre.
bookishmillennial's review
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Absolute perfection. This should be required reading for every reader, not just romance readers (but especially romance readers my goddd!). I may write more later but for now, just trust me and read this collection of essays on Black (including biracial and AfroLatine) representation in romance.
Graphic: Fatphobia, Misogyny, Racism, Ableism, Classism, and Sexism
Moderate: Slavery
onlyonebookshelf's review
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.5
Minor: Racism and Slavery
mollybyrne's review
medium-paced
5.0
This is one of the best essay collections I’ve ever read and is a must-read for any romance reader!
thebookdivareads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25