Real Love - Contemporary African American Romance Novel
Real Love tells the story of Denise Buhari, a loan officer who has spent years rebuilding her life after a devastating marriage and divorce. Outspoken and confident, Denise has finally regained her footing and is ready to embrace a brighter future. But life has other plans when unexpected challenges threaten to derail her progress once again.
Enter Hasaan Peterson, a tattoo artist whose initial encounters with Denise are anything but smooth. Their relationship begins on contentious ground, with neither expecting what comes next. As circumstances bring them together, their antagonistic dynamic gradually transforms into genuine friendship. What starts as mutual respect evolves into something neither of them anticipated—passionate feelings that cannot be ignored or denied.
A Story of Second Chances and Authentic Connection
This contemporary romance explores themes of resilience, personal growth, and the courage to love again after heartbreak. Denise's journey from divorce recovery to opening her heart represents the strength required to trust again. Her character embodies empowerment—a woman who knows her worth and refuses to settle, yet remains open to the possibility of real love.
Hasaan brings his own complexity to the story as a tattoo artist with depth beyond his profession. The evolution from enemies to lovers to something deeper forms the emotional core of this narrative. Their connection raises the question: are Denise and Hasaan destined to share an unavoidable, undeniable love—a real love?
Contemporary African American Fiction
Published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform in July 2017, Real Love is part of Alexandria House's contemporary romance collection. The paperback format makes it an accessible addition to any romance reader's library, particularly those seeking stories featuring African American characters navigating modern relationships and life challenges.
The novel combines elements that romance readers appreciate: the tension of enemies-to-lovers dynamics, the warmth of friendship-to-love progression, and the hope inherent in second-chance romance. Denise's profession as a loan officer and Hasaan's work as a tattoo artist ground the story in realistic, relatable settings where two people from different worlds find common ground.
For readers who enjoy character-driven contemporary romance with authentic emotional depth, Real Love delivers a narrative about rebuilding, trusting, and discovering that sometimes the most unexpected connections become the most meaningful ones.
