The romance genre is one of the most well-loved (and long-lasting) novel types of all time, and for good reason. They offer a window into our most intimate struggles and showcase the most satisfying successes. Why not add these next romance novels, all by Asian authors, to your to-read list?
These Asian authors offer up classics in their own right, as well as riffs on popular and beloved tropes and inspirational texts, such as fake dating and Jane Austen. But whether the plots are part of a long legacy of romance novels, or debut a completely new construction, they’re brilliantly written, compulsively readable, and absolutely swoon-worthy.
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
Helen Hoang’s gender-swapped take on Pretty Woman, featuring a neurodivergent female protagonist and a male escort, takes the reader on a journey that is equal parts steamy and sweet.
Stella and Michael surprise each other as they both learn to navigate fitting into each other’s lives, while also realizing that they have genuine feelings for each other. An iconic classic, this one needs to be on your TBR if it isn’t already.
The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
The follow-up to The Kiss Quotient is no less worthy of your attention. This book chronicles Esme and Kai’s relationship, as Esme travels to America from Vietnam as a potential bride for Khai, who has always thought of himself as someone with difficulty in personal relationships.
Of course, Esme and Khai develop feelings for one another, but their situation has a lot more obstacles to throw their way before a happily ever after.
XOXO by Axie Oh
Set in both Seoul and Los Angeles, this spellbinding romance centers Jenny, whose dreams of being a cellist have eclipsed any thoughts of romance — until she meets Jaewoo, right before he’s headed back to South Korea
But when their paths cross again, Jenny and Jaewoo have to contend with their growing connection and what it might mean for their dreams. Because, as Jenny finds out, Jaewoo is also a member of one of the biggest K-pop bands in the world.
How to End a Love Story By Yulin Kuang
You might recognize Yulin Kuang as the writer and director tapped to direct the adaptation of Emily Henry’s Beach Read. But she’s also a novelist in her own right. How to End a Love Story follows Helen Zhang and Grant Shepard, two writers with a thorny past.
When Helen and Grant end up working on the same project, they must learn how to navigate their past and a potential future, while also grappling with their story — they get to decide how it ends, and if it does at all.
Not Here to Be Liked by Michelle Quach
If you’re a fan of academic rivals to lovers, run, don’t walk! Not Here to Be Liked delivers on the trope with style and grace.
Eliza Quan is a fighter of the patriarchy — at least nominally, and mostly the patriarchy as represented by jock Len DiMartile. When they both run for editor-in-chief of the school paper, sparks fly, in a dangerous way, and then later, in a way that makes Eliza worried about her reputation as a hater of everything Len represents.
Loveboat, Taipei by Abigail Hing Wen
Ever Wong is expecting a strict academic summer program in Taiwan — what she gets instead is entirely different.
Loveboat is a summer of hanging out and hooking up among some of the most high-achieving kids imaginable, and it also means a summer of self-discovery and secrets for more than just Ever.
You’ve Reached Sam by Dustin Thao
This book is devastating in the best way, and it’s guaranteed to make you cry at least once. Part love story and part moving tragedy, You’ve Reached Sam is a masterpiece in emotional writing that feels real and raw.
Julie Clarke is struggling to recover after her boyfriend Sam’s unexpected death. But when she picks up the phone to hear his voicemail one last time, he actually answers. How can she say goodbye again, for the last time?
Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev
What’s more classically romantic than a riff on Jane Austen? The first in a series by Sonali Dev, Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors introduces the Rajes, an immigrant Indian family that always plays by the rules.
Dr. Trisha Raje has tried to follow those rules until she meets DJ Caine, the chef the Rajes hire, and the two clash immediately. Dev’s blend of an old story with new, fresh characters and setting is a must-read.
Say You’ll Be Mine by Naina Kumar
Naina Kumar creates characters who are fundamentally flawed, but who feel like real people you can root for. Plus, there’s not only fake dating, but an entire fake engagement. Who wouldn’t want to read?
Meghna Raman is a theatre teacher whose longtime crush, Seth, just got engaged. Engineer Karthik Murthy is going along with his parents’ matchmaking attempts to make them happy. Can the two of them fake it until they make it, or will circumstances change what they really want?
Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q Sutanto
If you’ve ever wanted a mashup of two of the most iconic beach-read-y genres of all time — romance and murder mystery — then you’ve come to the right place. Dial A for Aunties is an absolute romp, set on a resort on the California coastline
Meddelin Chan and her aunties have to figure out a way to hide the body before anyone finds out — and to deal with Meddy’s ex, who makes a surprise appearance at the swanky wedding they’re working.
Frankly In Love by David Yoon
David Yoon’s novel explores Korean American identity through Frank Li, who is trying to keep his relationship a secret from his parents, while teaming up with family friend Joy Song to throw them off his trail.
Poignant and hilarious, Frankly In Love follows Frank as he discovers who he is, and how that fits in with being Korean American, his community, and his upbringing. You’ll want to be along for the ride.
Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
The book that inspired the blockbuster movie is all of the drama and more. Crazy Rich Asians takes its reader on a tour of the most ridiculously rich in Asia, as Rachel Chu follows her boyfriend Nick Young home — and home turns out to be a mansion and a few private planes.
If you’re a fan of the movie, or simply love a smart, witty rom-com with cultural commentary and eye-popping descriptions of wealth, Crazy Rich Asians should absolutely be your next read.
Set On You by Amy Lea
Set On You stars up-and-coming fitness influencer Crystal Chen, who has gotten great at ignoring the trolls and advocating for diversity in the gymfluencer sphere. Enter Scott Ritchie, her gym nemesis (gymesis?) at the squat rack.
Hilariously, it turns out that Crystal and Scott’s grandparents are getting engaged to each other. Read this if you want a steamy, hilarious rom-com to heat up your summer.
The Donut Trap by Julie Tieu
Jasmine Tran has landed back at her parents’ donut shop, which is boring but fine. At least until a sudden rent hike means that the shop is in danger, and it might be up to her to save it.
When Alex Lai, an old college crush, enters the scene, things get even more complicated. Add a high school flame, disapproving parents, and disasters along the way, and you have a recipe for the perfect romance novel, with a side of chaos.
Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee
Dylan Tang is laser-focused on winning a Mid-Autumn Festival baking competition, so at first, Theo Somers is just a distraction. But when Theo invites Dylan to be his fake date for a wedding in the Hamptons, he becomes a lot more than that.
This sweet, heartfelt romance will have you clutching your heart and rooting for Dylan to somehow have it all — to win the competition and find a way to follow his heart at the same time.
Romance books are a way for us to imagine a world that is more accepting than the one we often see around us — one where our hearts and our feelings are able to triumph over things like prejudice and circumstances. It offers us a way to build that world in the here and now.
So if you get anything from this list, it should be a sense of hope and joy that there are authors out there imagining a universe where everyone gets their shot at a happy ending.
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