November is Native American History Month
This November, as we honor Native American History Month, let’s celebrate the diverse and vibrant stories of Native American authors and characters. Romance novels written by or about Native voices offer a unique blend of love, culture, and resilience—perfect for expanding your reading horizons. Read My Lips Boston, an inclusive romance bookshop after my own heart, posted a great list of romance recs.
Here are three from my TBR to immerse yourself in this month.
📕Up for Air (Lost in Austin Book 1) by Christina Berry
Am I happy? How would I know? What is the measure of happiness?
Deep thoughts to indulge on my birthday, while at a funeral. As I stare down into my grandfather-in-law’s grave, it’s all I can think about. When was the last time I felt truly happy with my life?
Those questions linger long after the funeral, eating away at my tranquility like a necrotic wound, until one night I finally ask my husband if we can open our marriage to "live a little." Surprisingly, he says yes.
I throw myself headlong into an adventure through the bars and bedrooms of Austin, Texas. For the first time in my life I’m living in the moment - sex and kink, karaoke and drink - new friends, new lovers, new boundaries to cross. It's all just innocent, no-strings fun...until I meet Alex. Alex changes everything.
During hedonistic self-discovery, have I stumbled across love?
🎧 Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith, narrated by Kyla Garcia
When Louise Wolfe’s first real boyfriend mocks and disrespects Native people in front of her, she breaks things off immediately and dumps him.
It’s her senior year, anyway, and she’d rather spend her time on her family and friends and working on the school newspaper.
The editors pair her up with Joey Kairouz, the ambitious new photojournalist, and in no time the paper’s staff find themselves with a major story to cover: the school musical director’s inclusive approach to casting “The Wizard of Oz” has been provoking backlash in their mostly white, middle-class Kansas town.
From the newly formed “Parents Against Revisionist Theater” to anonymous threats, long-held prejudices are being laid bare and hostilities are spreading against teachers, parents, and students—especially the cast members at the center of the controversy, including Lou’s little brother, who’s playing the Tin Man.
As tensions heighten at school, so does a romance between Lou and Joey—but as she’s learned, “dating while Native” can be difficult. In trying to protect her own heart, will Lou break Joey’s?
🎧 The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava, narrated by Siena East
A Chickasaw woman who can’t catch a break serves up a little white lie that snowballs into much more in this instant bestselling rom-com by critically acclaimed author Danica Nava.
Ember Lee Cardinal has not always been a liar—well, not for anything that counted at least. But her job search is not going well and when her resumé is rejected for the thirty-seventh time, she takes matters into her own hands. She gets “creative” listing her qualifications and answers the ethnicity question on applications with a lie—a half-lie, technically. No one wanted Native American Ember, but white Ember has just landed her dream accounting job on Park Avenue (Oklahoma City, that is).
Accountant Ember thrives in corporate life—and her love life seems to be looking up as well: Danuwoa Colson, the IT guy and fellow Native who caught her eye on her first day, seems to actually be interested in her too. Despite her unease over the no-dating policy at work, they start to see each other secretly, which somehow makes it even hotter? But when they're caught in a compromising position on a work trip, a scheming colleague blackmails Ember, threatening to expose their relationship. As the manipulation continues to grow, so do Ember’s lies. She must make the hard decision to either stay silent or finally tell the truth, which could cost her everything.
Reading romance novels that celebrate Native voices is a meaningful way to support Indigenous authors and engage with their rich storytelling traditions. This month, dive into these remarkable stories that showcase love, resilience, and cultural pride.
Let me know your favorite Native American romance novels, and join the conversation as we celebrate Native American History Month through the power of books!
