10 African romance books for the festive season

No matter what else is going on this festive season, stay calm and read these delightful African holiday romance books.

In title order:

A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE BY AMAKA AZIE

With a divorce court date fast approaching, Augusta’s anxiety is through the roof. After being separated for over a year, she would see her husband again. Just seven months after serving him divorce papers. She’s been keeping a secret, which is now impossible to hide. Would he ignore the obvious and let the court case proceed smoothly?Obinna Ilonze can’t believe his eyes when he walks into the courtroom and sees his soon to be ex-wife. She is heavily pregnant. Surely, she must be deluded to believe that she can pin this on him. Or is she? But as the impossible becomes more likely, will he finally accept that miracles exist?A second chance romance around Christmas time.

Available at Smashwords | Amazon | Apple Books

A KELEWELE CHRISTMAS BY KWATEMAA TWENEBOAH

As newlyweds, the connection Afriyie and Nana Yaw forged through kelewele is growing stronger as they start a new life together. Christmas is just around the corner and they are excited to spend it with friends and family as they create Christmas traditions of their own. Just when all seems perfect in their world, Afriyie receives news that threatens to upend all the plans they made.

Will this Christmas bring them closer together or tear them apart?

Available at Amazon

BAD SANTA BY KIRU TAYE

Although Gina Badu is a good girl all-year-round, she knows her Christmas wish will never come true. Not with a recent divorce, late parents and a sister who courts trouble. Then Santa abducts her in the middle of the night. Except this Santa is terrible—a silver fox of a tattooed fallen angel. Osagie Peters is a ruthless, cartel boss whose dark soul threatens to consume her. He scares her as much as he fascinates her. It seems he’s got her on the naughty list. Still, there’s a chance she might have a Merry Christmas after all. Celebrate the festive season Yadili style. 

Available at Smashwords | Amazon | Apple | LAP | All other stores

DETTY DECEMBER BY CAMAA PEARL

An air hostess returns home after discovering her happy relationship has been a façade. A game developer attached to his manipulative ex-wife reunites with his childhood friend who went MIA years ago. It’s Detty December; a time to get loose, a time to forget about the unfairness of the years.

Available at Amazon | Smashwords | Apple

GOOD THINGS BY TLALANE MANCIYA

I dreaded this time of the year, the holiday season, it had a way of reminding me how lonely I was, nothing to be cheery and merry about. Little did I know that this year, my life would drastically change, thanks to unexpected events that made me believe in the magic of the holiday season. You know what they say, good things always come in threes…

Available at Amazon |

HOLIDAY HIDEAWAY BY UNOMA NWANKWOR

Afro Gospel R&B sensation Abieyuwa 'Yuwa' Osagie, in dire need of a break this Christmas, seizes the opportunity for a quiet hideaway at her brother's newly purchased American home before working on her new album. Star center back, Xander 'D Shield' Mitchell, dealing with unwanted negative publicity, longs for a respite before joining his new football club in the coming year.Unbeknownst to them, both Yuwa and Xander find themselves in the small tranquil, coastal town of Luxe Noir, seeking solace and rejuvenation. Through chance encounters, shared laughter, and the enchantment of the Christmas season, a deep connection blooms between them on their unexpected hideaway.Yet, as the holiday season draws to a close, they must confront a pivotal decision. Will they kindle a genuine romance, conquering the challenges of fame and distance, or will they walk their separate paths while cherishing the memories of their unforgettable Holiday Hideaway?

Available at Apple | Amazon |

MERRY KISS-MAS BY SOPHIA BERNARD

This Christmas all Sosa Ogbebor wants is to save Happy Home, the guest house her father built and loved. She also wants to kiss her new guest - tough, broad and wickedly male, Taso Pius Itan. It's all a merry Kiss-Mas until she finds out he is the one buying Happy Home. And he is hiding that all-important information from her.Merry Kiss-Mas is a Christmas Romance novella with a lot of sweetness, humour and warm spice.

Available at Amazon

MY NEIGHBOUR’S MAID BY EMEM BASSEY

Jude is back to his hometown for a do-over at life. Having survived a ghastly motor accident, two surgeries, physiotherapies too numerous to mention, he’s had a rethink and simply desires a quiet life, especially devoid of women. With his new house, he needs a maid to manage the daily chores. His innocent enquiry leads to him being saddled with his neighbour’s maid, a woman who turns his life upside down in a manner that he finds himself enjoying.

Merry is in a rot. Having lost all her funds to a bad crypto investment, she just needs help getting to her feet again. However, her wealthy boyfriend isn’t having it. Apart from his daily tongue lashing, he broke the camel’s back by calling her his maid to the new neighbour. A quarrel ensues and she’s thrown out of the house. With nowhere else to go, she marched to the new neighbour’s house and forced herself on him as his maid. Merry appreciated the accommodation and job, yet, she found herself acting weirdly towards her handsome employer.

Available at Amazon

OWNED BY THE TYCOON BY IMANI JAY

Ava's ready to spend another lonely Christmas Eve, when fate sends a tall, dark and handsome Secret Santa her way...

This is a sweet and steamy, one-night-stand, Holiday romance short read, with a full-figured heroine, a dirty minded hero, and tons of scorching hot times! Just a little holiday miracle for two people who were not expecting much from Santa this year...

Available at Amazon

UNWRAPPING HANIE BY EMPI BARYEH

Hanie Morrison has either completely lost her mind, or she’s finally taken charge of her love life when she starts a liaison with a man she meets online. Their friendship fast becomes more, and she’s having the best (cyber) sex of her life.When her internet lover decides to travel halfway across the world to see her, she must make a decision of her own—book a one-way ticket back to reality or risk her heart and find love one orgasm at a time.

Available at Amazon | Apple

What are some of your favourite festive romance books with African characters by Africans?

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