You've Got a Place Here, Too: An Anthology of Black Love Stories Set at HBCUs

by Ebony LaDelle (Editor)

A heartwarming and unforgettable collection of love stories at Historically Black Colleges and Universities that explore hope, endurance, and what it means to leave a legacy, from some of today's most prominent Black writers and edited by the acclaimed author of Love Radio.


Featuring stories by Elizabeth Acevedo, Kiese Laymon, Dawnie Walton, Farrah Rochon, Kennedy Ryan, Christine Platt, Nicola Yoon, Kai Harris, Carla Bruce and more.

Love can be messy, painful, and heartbreaking, but it can also be revolutionary, profound, and hopeful. With twelve stories ranging from love that’s found on one of the oldest HBCU campuses in the country, to modern-day romance budding against the rhythm and spirit of homecoming, You’ve Got a Place Here, Too is a celebration of Black love as well as everything HBCUs have given the community.

In Kennedy Ryan’s “Brave the Skies,” tensions brew between a once forbidden love. In Dawnie Walton’s “The Highest of Seven Hills,” Nia might land a second chance with the one that got away while visiting her alma mater. In Kai Harris’ “Whatever Gods May Be,” a coveted audition for the Fisk University Jubilee Singers brings harmony in more ways than one. And in Kiese Laymon’s “The Musty” a darker romance ensues across Jackson State University.

Engrossing and heart-searing, tender and transporting, You’ve Got a Place Here, Too explores the beauty of finding love in transformative places.

Genres: Romance, Short Stories, Fiction, Anthologies, African American, Contemporary, Audiobook

339 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 12, 2025

About the author

Ebony is the author of Love Radio—which was People magazine’s best book of the summer, a 2023 Audie Award Finalist, a 2023 Michigan Notable Book, Apple Books’ best book of 2022, an Amazon's Editor Pick and was featured on the Today Show. A Baldwin Fellow, she’s also the author of the forthcoming YA romance This Could Be Forever and editor for the anthology You’ve Got a Place Here, Too. Prior to being an author, Ebony was a brand marketing director in book publishing and worked at Penguin Random House and HarperCollins, among others. You can visit her online at www.ebonyladelle.com and follow her on social at @ebonyladelle.

Reviews

[Lina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 / 5 Stars
This was a really great anthology of Black love stories set at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). There are twelve stories that all vary in topic, scope, tropes, lengths, and writing styles and here is a small glimpse at all of them to get you excited:

⭐ Whatever Gods May Be by Kai Harris: set at Fisk University about the historic Fisk Jubilee Singers and a transfer student connecting with the organ player.
⭐ Brave the Skies by Kennedy Ryan: set at Finley College about a student and her professor.
⭐ Who Teaches Black Boys How to Love? by Aaron Foley: set at Lewis College of Business about a secret queer love story.
⭐ A Flying Lesson by Elizabeth Acevedo: set at Tuskegee University about a pilot student who falls for his TA but must make a hard choice at the end of the semester.
⭐ Second Line, First Dance by Farrah Rochon: set at Xavier University of Louisiana about nemeses to lovers planning a Mardi Gras alumni event.
⭐ I Have Come Home by Carla Bruce: set at Howard University about a queer love story developing while the LGBTQ student group is starting to organize.
⭐ Romantic Studies by Nicola Yoon: set at the University of the Virgin Islands about two students who fall in love while one is dealing with the declining health of her mother.
⭐ Sunset Sips by Jasmine Bell: set at North Carolina A&T State University about two Honors students who don’t want to break the cardinal rule – don’t date another Honors student.
⭐ One Little Lie… by Christine Platt: set at Langston University about two freshmen who fall in love but he isn’t exactly who he says he is.
⭐ The Musty by Kiese Laymon: set at Jackson State University about a fictionalized conversation between two friends that takes an unexpected turn.
⭐ The Black Mecca by Ebony LaDelle: set at Howard University in the early 1980s about two students who keep reconnecting over the years.
⭐The Highest of Seven Hills by Dawnie Walton: set at Florida A&M University about two alumni reconnecting.

I loved reading an anthology and the variety it provided. I loved reading stories written in first person and then switching to a story in third person. I loved that we got single POV stories and dual POV stories. I loved reading stories that were the beginning of a love story and then ones that gave you glimpses of different years in their love story. The book truly has everything: nemeses to lovers, Black cowboys, forbidden love, older MMC love stories, miscommunication, third act break up (which are so much more tolerable because they get resolved immediately in a short story). The variety was just so satisfying to my brain. And all of them were really well done and felt fully developed. I especially wanted to highlight my two favorites: A Flying Lesson by Elizabeth Acevedo which is written in verses and Romantic Studies by Nicola Yoon which is written as course descriptions (both are super innovative in their writing style). I also found new authors that I want to continue to follow. My only complaint was that sometimes it was easier to tell the time period of some stories than others.

I also loved learning more about HBCUs. I lived near Howard University so I knew a little about it and the DC locations that were mentioned but my history nerd brain loved reading about the other ten locations. There was a lot of rich information packed into the stories in a way that didn’t feel tacked on or separate from the romance. It was wonderful to read characters falling in love to see them fall in love with campuses and places that can feel like home.

You will probably like this book if you like:
♥️ Variety (stories, characters, tropes, settings, time, writing style – all of it)!
♥️ Black love
♥️ Queer representation
♥️ Learning about HBCUs and the history of different time periods
♥️ Falling in love with people and places
♥️ Low spice, closed door romances (nothing beyond kissing on the page) but still a ton of chemistry

Thank you Ballantine and NetGalley for providing the eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: August 12, 2025

[chasc.taylor_reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with most short story anthologies featuring multiple authors, this one was a bit of a mixed bag. Overall, the majority of the stories were light, fun, and cute, though a few didn’t quite work for me.

What I especially loved was the HBCU setting that tied all the stories together. I also enjoy picking up anthologies like this because they’re a great way to discover new-to-me authors without having to commit to a full novel.

The standout stories for me were:
• A Flying Lesson by Elizabeth Acevedo
• Second Line, First Dance by Farrah Rochon
• Romantic Studies by Nicola Yoon

[Darriona · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ✨ this was cute! It’s hard for me to rate anthologies because they are different stories by different authors and all of them are going to make me feel different. Some stories I enjoyed more than others, I think most of the stories were truly short and very sweet.

[Tracy]

Loved this anthology series so much!!! All Romance short stories set at HBCUs written by some of my fave authors I knew this would eat and no it did not disappoint. It was a diverse set of characters and stories bout straight love, queer love, gay love etc. characters varied from college aged POV, older alumni pov and everything in between. I don’t rate anthologies as enjoyment of each story tend to vary but my fave include the ones written by: Elizabeth Acevedo, Kennedy Ryan, Ebony ladelle and Aaron foley.

[Dev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Ebony LaDelle for the ARC copy of You've Got a Place Here, Too.

From the very first page, I knew this book was something special. It immediately felt like a powerful expression of Black joy and love. Ebony LaDelle’s moving introduction had me reflecting on my own experiences as a Black woman, and I couldn’t wait to dive in. I’m happy to say I was not disappointed.

Throughout the collection, there are so many incredible stories, each one unique yet equally engaging. I especially appreciated the length of the stories. Each one was satisfying without feeling rushed or incomplete, which made the overall experience feel well-balanced.

I also loved that every story took place on an HBCU campus. Seeing HBCUs highlighted in such a positive and affirming light brought me joy. Additionally, the book introduced me to a powerhouse lineup of writers. Some were familiar favorites, while others were new voices I’m now excited to explore further.

You've Got a Place Here, Too is a beautiful showcase of Black love in all its forms, and I’m so grateful I got the chance to read it.

[Kelli]

Reading this made me wish I could turn back the hands of time and relive my college experience at an HBCU.

You’ve Got A Place Here, Too is an anthology of love stories set at HBCU’s. The stories are endearing, heartwarming and tender, made better by the fact that many are written by my favorite authors. Ebony LaDelle pieced together a beautiful ode to Black love while paying homage to historically Black colleges and universities. Prepare to have your heartstrings pulled!

With 12 stories ranging from forbidden love, second chance romance, queer love, and more, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy and see themselves in. Although the stories are short, none of them feel incomplete. However, some are so good that I would like to see them made into a longer story!

Some of my favorites are:
•Whatever Gods May Be by Kai Harris
•Brave the Skies by Kennedy Ryan
•Who Teaches Black Boys How to Love? by Aaron Foley
•A Flying Lesson by Elizabeth Acevedo
•Romantic Studies by Nicola Yoon
•Sunset Sips by Jasmine Bell
•The Black Mecca by Ebony LaDelle
•The Highest of Seven Hills by Dawnie Walton

Highly recommend! Thank you to Netgalley for the arc!

[NikkiBReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful, cohesive anthology. Most of the stories were sweet, angst-y, and captured the endless possibilities of young, black adulthood and uncertainty that comes along with it.

Reading through was an exercise in reminiscing on my own HBCU experience; the feeling of coming “home”, the advice from faculty being delivered in sermons - inspirational and uplifting, and being introduced to the sub-cultures within the diaspora. Also, the connection to our parents and grandparents and the fact that for many of us first generation college students, our attendance alone is a dream fulfilled and prayer answered was a thread that ran through the anthology.

Several of the stories left me wanting more. Standouts were:
*Whatever Gods May Be - Touching, gave me chills at a few points. Great opener that set the tone.
*Brave The Skies - Kennedy Ryan doesn’t miss, in my opinion. It was nice to see she can write short stories too.
*Romantic Studies - Creative format that was done well. The plot was interesting and I loved the ending.
*One Little Lie - Any black person who ever felt like they just didn’t fit in, even their own people, will resonate with this one.

Favorite quote - “How can she reorganize emotional priorities when fear has been a guiding factor for most of her life?”

Huge thanks to Ballantine/Delacorte Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Cassidy Sinclair · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful tribute to HBCUs and Black romance!! I love how diverse this was with stories set in the past, LGBTQ+ representation, a story written in-verse, etc. Each story brought a new perspective and bloomed so well both individually & with the rest.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so sweet. My favorite stories were those by Ryan (!!!), Foley, Acevedo, and Yoon. Although, I'm looking at the table of contents now and truly they ALL brought me joy (and in the case of Laymon's - puzzled delight?). I was honestly shocked Yoon submitted to this anthology when she would have to write two Black characters falling in love LOL but hers was one of my top top reads - so clever and cute!! I loooove a Caribbean setting *tears*).

Highly recommend this book!

P.S. I did NOT understand how Laymon's "The Musty" fit into this anthology. If anyone who sees this knows, PLEASE HELP.

[Lyna • lynasbookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the publisher reached out to offer this early copy, I jumped on the opportunity! I also paired the physical copy with audio from PRH Audio and switched between the two formats. The audio had fabulous narrators! I loved that each story had a unique plot line paired with amazing main characters. Every author kept me enthralled in their stories and unable to put down the book. I recognized some of the authors and knew that I would enjoy their stories, but I certainly have many more authors to look forward to their new releases and dig into their backlogs now, too! One of my favorite aspects about this anthology is that the setting of these stories was HBCUs. It provided an insight to the culture and support system that HBCUs provide that other universities cannot. I saw someone say that this was like a love letter to HBCUs and I think that is the perfect description. Thank you to the publisher, and authors for the gifted eARC and ALC.

[Gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️s, I absolutely loved this one. There’s something so beautiful about reading stories of Black love - void of trauma, grief, and struggle. This anthology of love stories based at HBCUs felt like a cozy chai on a rainy day; soothing. While one could easily breeze through the variety of stories if they wanted to, I recommend reading 1-2 a day so you can truly savor each short tale.

It’s so hard to name just a few - they were all so good in their own way, but my favorite stories of the collection (in order) were:
🖤 One Little Lie by Christine Platt
🖤 Romantic Studies by Nicola Yoon
🖤 The Highest of Seven Hills by Dawnie Walton

I luckily snagged this copy on release day from my local library, however I loved it so much that I think I may purchase a copy for my own personal collection. More literature like this, please! 🫶🏽

[Lovee Lonii · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's everything I hoped it would be and more. From the opening story, with its nod to my beloved Delta Sigma Theta, I was hooked. The collection felt like home, pulling me right back into my own HBCU experiences and reminding me how the smallest campus moments added to the big life I live today.

What struck me most was how the anthology captured love in its many forms: romantic, platonic, communal. That sense of community is the heartbeat of HBCUs, and it’s beautifully mirrored here. I enjoy anthologies because they showcase authors' different voices and cadences on a shared theme, and this one does it brilliantly. I also love when a short story can cut right to the point while still carrying so much weight.

I wanted badly to pick a favorite story, but I couldn’t. Each one offered something distinct. I especially appreciated the inclusion of lesser-known histories and cultural touchstones, like the Latinx Tuskegee airman and the threads of Indigenous practices in New Orleanian culture. These moments remind me that Blackness isn't a monolith. We're cowboys, queer, blonde-haired, writers, professors, parents, lifelong learners, and so much more, and every shade of that brilliance has always lived within HBCU halls.

This anthology is both important and beautiful. It’s a vibrant, layered celebration of Black love, history, and possibility. I can’t rave about it enough.

[jas | 1girl1library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal stories from such wonderful writers expressing love at and for their HBCUs❤️ Perfect love narratives for prospect students showing what an HBCU can offer, and an even perfect reminder for current students and alumni of why they choose their HBCU in the first place. And it’s all tied up in delicious love stories!

Sunset Sips is my favorite, but I might be a little biased🤭!

[Morgan Rohbock · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐ on 🎧

I loved how this anthology featured so many HBCUs and their unique cultures throughout this novel from some of my favorite authors. I wish there had been a connection across them because there was time jumping between stories that was confusing at times, but this is truly a perfect audiobook if you want some good bite size stories.

[Nancy A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved all the stories. The stories are not written in the same format so you get something different from each story. It’s a beautiful book that depicts black love in an amazing way!! I definitely recommend this book it’s a cute read.

[Tya C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved reading an anthology that spotlights Black American culture & HBCUs! The stories in this were hit or miss for me, but there were several that I enjoyed! (Especially I Have Come Home by Carla Bruce.)

[Faina Lacroix Rucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ✨Loved the concept and premise! Beautiful written stories.

[hima · Rating 3 out of 5]

elizabeth acevedo's and carla bruce's were my favorite

[Brittany Kitchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this collection of stories!

Black love is something so beautiful to read about and get lost in the pure, unadulterated essence of it. And then to add the twist of having these love stories start or take place on HBCU campuses was a great way to spice things up. All Black folks know about HBCUs, but not all of us had the chance to experience them firsthand. So, this was a great way to honor all things HBCU for those of us who missed out and for those who are just missing their heyday.

Adding in romance authors like Kennedy Ryan, Ebony LaDelle, Nicola Yoon, and many others bring a fresh dynamic to the stories, each of which plays into their experiences, whether they’re at their alma matars or the fictional ones they imagined in their heads.

This anthology is all about inclusion and showcases a wide range of the diaspora, showing that we’re more similar than different through love stories. I’ll definitely be recommending “You’ve Got a Place Here, Too” to anyone who’ll listen!

[Vern · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed all of these!

[michelle]

3.5 ⭐️ —— it was aiiiight! nicola yoon’s story was my fave but unfortunately i did not grasp kiese laymon’s story 😵‍💫

[Ayjah Marcus · Rating 4 out of 5]

First thank you to NetGalley and Ebony Ladelle for an ARC copy of this book. I really enjoyed my time reading this book. There were so many stories that I didn't want to end. You can tell each author put a lot of love into their work. While not every story was my cup of tea sometimes because of the lack of clarity of timeline, how much time has passed between scenes, or the locations the characters are in or going to, I still enjoyed most of these stories. As an hbcu student I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking to support fellow hbu goers or get a sense of the love and pride hbcu's provide.

[Nayeli · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐
🎧
This romance short story collection featured such a wide range set of stories that there is truly something for everyone. Set in Historically Black Colleges and Universities these stories are full of passion, hope and joy. Both incredibly heartfelt and sexy this book is perfect for when you need a quick romance fix. The audiobook narrators all did an amazing job at bringing these stories to life, it was truly an amazing listen. Not to be biased but I do think my favorite ones were "Brave the skies" and "A flying lesson".

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @dellromance @dellacortepress for my free arc and @prhaudio #prhaudiopartner for the free alc 💖.

✨What it is about:
This is a collection of love stories set at historically black colleges and universities, exploring hope, endurance and what it means to leave a legacy.✨

💭My thoughts:
This was such a great collection of heartwarming love stories by so many favorites: Elizabeth Acevedo, Jasmine Bell, Carla Bruce, Aaron Foley, Kai Harris, Ebony LaDelle, Kiese Laymon, Christine Platt, Farrah Rochon, Kennedy Ryan, Dannie Walton, and Nicola Yoon.
Each story is different, but they all show that love isn’t always easy, it can hurt and break your heart. But it also has the power to change everything, inspire deep meaning, and bring hope. These stories reveal how love can show up where you least expect it, find you when you’re not looking, and catch you completely off guard. You never really know where love might take root…it can blossom in the place you’d least expect.
There are twelve stories in total, and I really enjoyed the variety of writing styles, tropes, points of view, representation, and characters. Some stories stood out to me more than others, and here are a few of my favorites:
-Whatever Gods May Be by Kai Harris
-Brave The Skies by Kennedy Ryan
-A Flying Lesson by Elizabeth Acevedo
-Second Line, First Dance by Farrah Rochon
-One Little Lie by Christine Platt
-The Black Mecca by Ebony LaDelle

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧 The audiobook for this one is 9 hours and 10 minutes long, narrated by Jelani Aladdin, Preston Butler, Nicole Cash, Kevin R. Free, iiKane, Ozzie Jacobs, Ebony LaDelle, Angel Pean, Malik Rashad, Andre Santana, Jaime Lincoln Smith, Zenzi Williams, and Bahni Turpin. Each narrator gave a wonderful performance, bringing their own style and energy to the stories. I loved the audiobook and definitely recommend it.

Read if you like:
📚Short stories
📚Different unique writing styles
📚Black love stories
📚Historically Black College and University settings

[Kimberly]

Nicola's story gave more sci-fi than anything, but at least her story was still on topic (for the most part). I'm still trying to figure out how Kiese's horror story was a love story 🤔🫤.


Edit: I stand corrected. Apparently Nicola's story was written as a syllabus which, as a non-college graduate and audiobook listener, that part completely went over my head. After listening a second time, the story makes MUCH more sense lol.

[nyas.library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book!

You’ve Got a Place Here Too feels like a love letter to Black America and all of its traditions, its history, and its ever-evolving definitions of love. This anthology captures so many layers of what it means to grow up Black in different regions, time periods, and social contexts. From HBCU Greek life to Mardi Gras traditions I didn’t even know existed, this collection schooled me in the best way. It was like sitting at the feet of my aunties, cousins, and classmates each with their own stories to tell, each one offering a glimpse into their perspective of Black life.

My personal favorites were:
⭐️“Brave the Skies” by Kennedy Ryan: The chemistry between the main characters was undeniable (though borderline scandalous) in that slow-burn academic setting. Their dynamic left me wanting so much more which I’d happily read a full novel of if I had the chance.
⭐️��Romantic Studies” by Nicola Yoon: This one had me laughing out loud. Her formatting style is always so creative: mixing syllabi, on-page texts, and stage drama scripts in a way that felt immersive and true to Gen Z/Alpha experiences. Despite the playfulness, the character development was solid and age-appropriate, which made the serious side of the plot land even harder.
⭐️“One Little Lie…” by Christine Platt: While the suspense angle felt a bit extra at times, I was genuinely touched by the mmc’s fumbling anxiety as he navigated his first real relationship. It was sweet, awkward, and very real.
⭐️“The Black Mecca” by Ebony LaDelle: Absolute chef’s kiss. I loved everything about this one.

This book is a perfect starting point if you’ve never picked up an anthology before (like me!). It offers bite-sized stories that are easy to get into but meaningful enough to leave a mark. The pacing across the collection was well-balanced, and now I have a list of new authors to get into, all from just a few pages of their work.
Also, shoutout to the nostalgic cover art style, it gave me subtle Little Bill vibes, and I loved that!
If you’re into HBCU romances, young adult dramas, or you’ve been binging A Different World and Living Single like I have lately, this one will feel like home. It pays homage to those cultural touchstones while still carving out something fresh and relevant.
While I definitely had my favorites, every story had a purpose and a perspective. There’s truly something for everyone in this collection, especially if you love Black love in all its forms.

[Lyndsay Durbin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Overall - loved this!! There was one story that really didn't work for me at all and one other that stood out as not being a favorite.

Some quick/short reviews for each contribution:

Whatever Gods May Be by Kai Harris: I loved the sentiments here about being Big and not shrinking yourself down. I also enjoyed the reminder not to over-commit yourself in places
Brave the Skies by Kennedy Ryan: This was super cute!! I liked how Kennedy used the long time jumping to showcase how the relationship developed with such a short number of pages. Each character getting their own POV also meant the reader understood the reasons behind it all. One of my favorites!
Who Teaches Black Boys How to Love? by Aaron Foley: I didn't love this one. I don't think the writing style worked for me personally
A Flying Lesson by Elizabeth Acevedo: Heartbreakingly gorgeous! I love Acevedo's writing so I knew this would likely hit all the right buttons for me. One of my favorites!!
Second Line, First Dance by Farrah Rochon: Cute and I definitely learned some new things about Black Americans and their specific past in Louisianna & Mardi Gras
I Have Come Home by Carla Bruce: This one made me cry! Based partially around a real person and the struggles they faced in Queer representation and groups at an HBCU really hit me hard.
Romantic Studies by Nicola Yoon: Loved the way Yoon formatted this! Different but I think it worked super well in this short story format. One of my favorites!
Sunset Sips by Jasmine Bell: This was cute and I really loved it!
One Little Lie... by Christine Platt: This was also so cute! Black Cowboy!! I was definitely worried what the lie/secret was going to be but was definitely glad that this story kept up the Black Joy!
The Musty by Kiese Laymon: This was the short story that I disliked. I really didn't understand what was happening nor did I think this really fit with the others in this anthology. I didn't get the connection to Love at an HBCU
The Black Mecca by Ebony LaDelle: This was super sweet and I want more of their love story!!
The Highest of Seven Hils by Dawnie Walton: Also super cute, I'm totally rooting for these two!

[Tanesha Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, thank you to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for this e-ARC! When I saw that some of my favorite authors were writing short stories about HBCUs and romance - immediately sign me up!

This will probably move to be my favorite anthology of all time! I’m not usually a big fan, but this one has changed my mind! My only complaint is, truly, I want them all to be novel-length! As I started writing my review and picking favorites, I realized I picked all of them but one, so basically I will a mini review of each of the stories because I loved them all. 🥰 I’ll name my top three at the end.

Some mini reviews of some of the stories:

* Whatever Gods May Be - I really loved this story. As someone who felt a little bit of both right at home and misplaced at the beginning of my HBCU experience, this story. I love how Jrue was a safe place for Myra - they were just so adorable together.

* Brave the skies - this was a perfect student-professor short story. I usually don’t like student-professor stories, but this one was appropriate and good! Their story felt so realistic and left me feening for more!

* Who teaches Black bogs to love? - omg what a heartbreaking story. Everything about this love story was tender, beautiful, and raw. I wanted a different ending, and that’s how the best stories are.

* The Musty - this one sticks with you! I’ve gone back and re-read it twice already. I’m still not sure I completely understand it, but it’s hauntingly beautiful. I feel like almost instantly I was sucked in and could not let go!

* One Little Lie - this one was SO GOOD! Like the suspense, the drama, the struggle to figure out how to be You in a new environment. As someone who stumbled a bit trying to get my footing when I first got to my HBCU (and honestly, once I got into adulthood), I know this feeling too well, and it’s beautifully captured here!

* Romantic Studies - the step up of this story was literally so so cute! I absolutely loved this form of storytelling and such a fun way to fall in love! As a self-proclaimed nerd?

* A Flying Lesson - this one is number one for me! The vulnerability, the compassion, the passion! Phew, this one had me swooning.

Top three: a Flying Lesson, One Little Lie, and Romantic Studies. I would recommend this book to all HBCU graduates, folks who want their babies to go to HBCUs, and teens who are deciding on where to go to college.

Overall, this is such a beautiful work, highlighting all the different types of experiences one could have at an HBCU. I’m grateful that our stories are being told this way. Next one has to include a Hampton Love story, please 😝💙⚓️

[Symone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Ballantine for the ARC!

You’ve Got A Place Here, Too is such a beautiful collection of short love stories set on HBCU campuses 🥹 it quite literally embodies Black joy, love, and imagination + I loved seeing HBCUs written with such care and pride. Each story was special and felt like transporting into a different world with characters who shared a desire to be seen/loved, despite being afraid or flawed. I also loved the range of love stories represented, especially Black queer love 🏳️‍🌈

I was giggling and kicking my feet the whole time, but some of my favorite stories are:

🤎 Brave the Skies by Kennedy Ryan: the chemistry and longing between these characters over time >>> I’d def follow their love story after this!
🤎I Have Come Home: I loveddd the exploration of Black lesbian love & the conversations around what it means to show up fully and feel embraced/celebrated for all of who you are, even on Black campuses where some parts of identity aren’t always valued
🤎 Romantic Studies: I loveddddd the formatting style that made it read like a syllabus! I was hella invested in these characters and loved their development and vulnerability
🤎 One Little Lie by - the suspense!!! I enjoyed being reminded of the vulnerability that comes with letting someone see you for who you are and choosing to love you anyway!
🤎The Musty by Kiese Laymon: I’m not shocked that this story is one that sat with me long after reading. It’s unique, a little haunting, and lingers long after you end the chapter. His brain >>>
🤎 The Mecca by Ebony LaDelle: I loved the multiple POVs + watching this sweet sweet love unfold over time 🥹 this might be my favorite one

[Dreasbooknook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Netgalley for this ARC!!
I DONT HAVE WORDS!🥺

I always love me a good anthology and this one did NOT disappoint!!!! First off are you guys seeing the line up for this book 😩 Ebony LaDelle, Kennedy Ryan, Elizabeth Acevedo, Nicola Yoon, ACA-xcuse me???!!!?!? I loved even more that this novel exposed me to some new favorites and some authors I have been hearing about for such a long time😍

What I loved the most about this book was the different types of love it showcased, queer love in the 70s, forbidden love, ANGST PRO MAX, enemies to lovers, friends to lovers GOSH the friendship to romance in this book is so God tier cause as a college student myself, all these stories showcased just how quick friendship can blossom into something stronger...🥺

Each story was so unique in the love they were telling, I remember so clearly there was a particular story that was formatted asa COURSE SCHEDULE 😩 like huhhhhh and like each requirement for the course was a mini short story about the same couple URGH I CAN'T EVEN THIS IS GOLDDD

There is even a sort of thriller in here too that high key got me so spooked out in the end, I loved it so much!!!😍

Reading about people like me, working hard to reach their goals, and falling in love in the middle of it was so so inspirational. These relationships showcased black love like none other and i am so happy to have read this book as I am about to face probably the most stressful but most rewarding final year of college 🫶🏾

Thank you so much to everyone that had a hand into making this masterpiece, your stories have touched and will touch all that read it!💕