Romances by AAPI Authors
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Romances by AAPI Authors
Nosy aunties, invested matchmakers, beautiful traditions, and delicious recipes. These books are full of culture, spice and heat.
May is AAPI Heritage month and we’re celebrating by reading some of my favorite AAPI authors and characters. We’re diving into a wealth of heritage, culture, and LOVE!
Victoria Loves Romances by AAPI Authors
AAPI authors, AAPI characters, AAPI cultures. All things I love. It’s fun to read about characters who look like you, isn’t it? And even better to know that Asian-identifying authors are also living their dreams and publishing books!!
I also enjoy reading about Asian traditions that differ across cultures, like matchmaking.
Another thing I love? The food! I unabashedly find dinner inspiration in the books I’m reading… And I think we eat our best when I’m reading books written by AAPI authors (think: sushi, bulgogi, dimsum, chicken adobo, curry). If I read it, I crave it.
Favorite Scene
“You want her to be with someone driven and career-focused, someone who can take care of her. You don’t seem to realize she’s driven enough on her own, and she doesn’t need someone to take care of her.”
- THE KISS QUOTIENT by Helen Hoang
Romances by AAPI Authors Recommendations
CELEBRITY DOPPELGANGER: The Stand-In by Lily Chu (Amazon)
I stumbled upon this book on Audible as a free book with my membership and I gave it a listen because I was in-between library borrows. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised — think: fish-out-of-water plus Hannah Montana plus quick banter / slow-burn.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
ONE-NIGHT TURNED WORK RIVALS: The Right Swipe (Modern Love #1) by Alisha Rai (Amazon)
Love and life aren’t easy, and that’s okay. Rhiannon and Samson’s love story sheds light on how difficult situations and past trauma can make it difficult to trust, but with the right support system and the right partner, love can find its way.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
A PEEK AT THE 1%: Crazy Rich Asians (Crazy Rich Asians #1) by Kevin Kwan (Amazon)
You’ve probably seen the movie and you’ve probably been in awe of the extravagance. But I actually think the movie doesn’t completely live up to the grandeur described in this book. Plus, if you’re a fan of the first installation, there’s the rest of the series!
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
HOT FIREFIGHTER ALERT: Set on You (The Influencer #1) by Amy Lea (Amazon)
Beware: Crystal and Scott’s story stars a hot firefighter, features a multigenerational love stories, and may inspire a fitness craze. But I think what lifted this romance to 4 stars is the realistic depiction of personal insecurity and one’s journey of self-love. It felt simultaneously light and heavy (pun unintended) to learn how to and celebrate love in so many facets.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
BROODY BODYGUARD: Twisted Games (Twisted #2) by Ana Huang (Amazon)
Ana Huang delivers yet another dark romance and I very much enjoyed this age gap, opposites attract, forbidden bodyguard romance! Yes, I’m aware that was a mouthful, but all the details are deliciously worth every word. I will say this is a slow read, so just buckle up for tension and brooding because Rhys lives up to every idea of a protective alpha male you could dream up.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
TRADITIONAL VS. CONTEMPORARY: Lunar Love by Lauren Kung Jessen (Amazon)
An enemies-to-lovers, traditional vs. contemporary approach to finding love. Can one have a list of recommended books celebrating Asian heritage and not have a match-making romance?! If that’s your jam, this should be on your list!
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
COLLEGE LOVE: Rent a Boyfriend by Gloria Chao (Amazon)
How far would you go to appease your parents or simply get them off your back? This fake-relationship romcom takes readers through the holiday season — prime-time for hiring a fake companion to bring home and alleviate pressure from family to find a partner in some Asian cultures.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
A DELICIOUS RE-TELLING: Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev (Amazon)
I love a Jane Austen re-telling. And I love a re-telling that spins the original story on its head and sets something fresh on the table. Literally. This book serves up delicious Indian flavors, spunky gender-swapped storylines, and heat heat heat.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
MATCHMAKING WITH A TWIST: Partners in Crime by Alisha Rai (Amazon)
This was such a fun read. It was quick. It was twisty. It was everything I didn’t expect it to be. The mystery / adventure hooks you in and the romance reels you in. Who would’ve thought that love would find a second-chance in a kidnapping adventure?
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
The Best of the Best: Victoria’s Top Pick
INSTANT FAVORITE: How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang (Amazon)
An HoH Book Club pick! Yulin highlights the societal nuances of life in L.A. and a NJ suburb, while delicately presenting the intimate and wildly complex dynamics and cultural practices of a Chinese-American family (or more broadly, the experience of an American child raised by immigrant parents).
But what struck me the most is how brilliantly this novel is written. Yulin marries the plot and character development with her stylistic choices. I found myself revisiting pages at a time, pondering sections that read like scenes from a script and others that read like a well-worn novel. I was drawn into a staccato rhythm of quick observations, matter-of-fact settings, simple notations of characters’ marks and movements, formulaic ruminations into potential arcs, and rapid fire dialogue. And then the scene switches, focusing on the “perspective” of another character. And I was drowning in a river of prose with a careful perusal of the character’s surroundings and heightened consideration for others’ thoughts and feelings, and then being guided along winding introspections and internal monologues. And I won’t even get started on the flashbacks… chills.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 5/5
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: The Kiss Quotient (The Kiss Quotient #1) by Helen Hoang (Amazon)
Yes, neurodiversity representation. Yes, sweetness. YES, steam. Helen Hoang knows how to write beautifully complex characters, draw readers in, and deliver on the sexiest scenes.
One of my favorite themes in The Kiss Quotient has to be the exploration and emphasis placed on the importance of consent. While the spontaneity of sex is often the pinnacle or draw of so many sex scenes, the careful consideration of Michael and Stella’s respect, comfort, and trust was refreshing and just wonderful.
Stella is written with such depth and humanity. In her, Helen normalizes and celebrates behaviors many may deem uncomfortable or odd. And I deeply hope that by the end of this book, like me, you’ll see the people you know and meet a little differently and with an open heart and mind.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4.5/5
Side Note: The Kiss Quotient series exemplifies the importance of representation. Add these to your list!
Until the next chapter!
xo, Victoria
P.S. Craving more books featuring these sub-genres, tropes, and themes? Tap the links below.
