Kennedy Ryan, New York Times bestselling author of 20 books and counting, has made it her mission to create romantic worlds where Black women take center stage. At a recent intimate Q&A hosted by Amazon Books at the Maxwell social club in TriBeCa, Ryan shared her commitment to making the “unseen, visible” through stories that place Black women as the main characters in their own happily-ever-afters.
Bestselling Author Celebrates Black Women as Romance Protagonists
Ryan’s work stands apart in the romance genre by intentionally centering Black women as desired heroines. “Whether you are black or fat or disabled you get to be pursued; you get to be the focus,” Ryan explained during the Amazon Books event.
Her dedication to authentic representation has earned her critical acclaim, with her recent novel “This Could Be Us” selected as Amazon’s best romance novel of 2024. The book follows Soledad, an Afro-Latina woman who rebuilds her life as a single mother after experiencing betrayal.
From Page to Screen: Black Love Stories Gaining Wider Audience
Ryan’s influence is expanding beyond books as her novel “Before I Let Go” moves into production with Peacock as a TV series adaptation. The story, part of the “Skyland” series following three friends in an Atlanta enclave, will bring her vision of Black romance to an even broader audience.
This transition from page to screen represents another opportunity to spotlight Black women in romance narratives. Ryan sees this expansion as crucial for increasing visibility and changing perceptions about who deserves to be pursued and loved in popular culture.
Romance as Reality Not Escapism for Black Women
Ryan challenges the notion that romance for Black women is mere fantasy or escapism. “It’s the genre that guarantees joy,” she explained about her work, adding, “When you call it an escape, it makes it like it’s dissociated from reality; but romance is a part of reality.”
This perspective transforms how readers might view romance novels featuring Black women. Rather than offering temporary diversion, Ryan’s stories affirm that Black women deserve to see themselves experiencing love and joy as a normal part of life.
Historical Context Enriches Modern Black Romance Narratives
Ryan’s latest protagonist, Soledad, embodies the “vocational validity” of Black stay-at-home mothers – a choice historically denied to many Black women. The author revealed how her research uncovered that during World War II, Black women briefly gained financial freedom to focus on their own households while men served overseas.
Unfortunately, legislation quickly reversed this freedom. “Black women, even if they could stay home were forced to work as domestics and as nannies,” Ryan explained. “Literally it was a crime in that part of South Carolina, for a Black woman to stay home.”
Creating Complex Characters Beyond Racial Identity
Ryan’s first widely circulated works, the “Bennett” series, featured a surprising protagonist – Sophie, a blonde, green-eyed heiress described as “a certified b*tch.” Despite physical and cultural differences from many of her readers, Ryan created a character whose complexity resonated across racial lines.
The author revealed that Sophie’s story almost didn’t happen because the character wasn’t initially likable. However, Ryan’s skill in developing layered characters allowed readers to connect with Sophie’s deeper struggles as “a woman with a deeply layered past, a survivor, and an alchemist.”
Inviting All Black Women into Romantic Happy Endings
Ryan’s work occupies a special place at the intersection of history, reality, and fantasy. She intentionally creates worlds where Black women are “esteemed guests” in stories of happily-ever-after, regardless of their appearance, background, or life circumstances.
This dedication to inclusivity ensures that all readers can find reflections of themselves in her work. By consistently centering Black women in romance, Ryan is helping to redefine who gets to be pursued and celebrated in both fiction and real life.
