POPSUGAR

From The Kiss Quotient to The Ex Talk, Here Are 11 Asian-American Love Stories to Read

Mar 3 2021 - 11:13am

Despite how many books I devoured growing up, it was rare to read stories centered on main characters like myself: an Asian-American girl raised by immigrant parents. All the books I did read about Asian experiences tended to revolve around the narrative that the characters' struggles were somehow different or extraordinary, told from the perspective that they were "other." And while those stories are important, I remember thinking that I just wanted to read a book with an Asian character whose struggles were entirely ordinary — just an average person going through completely average things that anybody can experience regardless of race. I wanted confirmation that Asian people could be worthy of relatable experiences, too, and I wanted that normalized in the stories I read.

When I started reading contemporary romance [1] as an adult, Asian-American main characters became even more rare. In fact, I don't think I read a single book with an AA lead until a few years ago — and I've been reading romance for at least 10 years now. The good news is that the romance landscape has been changing, with more representation in authors, books, and characters. Ahead are just some of these books, the ones I've read myself, that feature either one or both Asian-American main characters. There's still a lot of work to be done in portraying Asian love stories as worthy, but this is a start, and I'm excited to see this list grow.

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang [3] ($16) follows Stella Lane, a mathematician with Asperger's who's on a mission to learn everything she can about dating and intimacy, and Michael Phan, the escort she hires to teach her.

I think this was the first book I ever read featuring a lead with a Vietnamese background, which I really loved as a Vietnamese-American myself. Michael's family on his mom's side is Vietnamese, and I loved the use of Vietnamese dishes and familial titles throughout the story. It's a fast and steamy read!

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang [4] ($15) is a follow-up to The Kiss Quotient and revolves around Khai Diep, the cousin of Michael Phan. In the story, relationship-averse Khai meets Esme Tran, a woman his mom met in Ho Chi Minh City and is determined to set him up with. As Khai and Esme spend more time together, his understanding of love and relationships transforms.

Similar to The Kiss Quotient, I loved how Vietnamese cultural references are sprinkled throughout. It was also interesting to read Esme's perspective as a Vietnamese woman who didn't grow up in the US.

Hoang's third book in the series focusing on Khai's brother will be released later this year, and I'm excited to read it!

The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon

The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon [5] ($16) tells the story of Shay Goldstein, who is a producer at a struggling public radio station. When Shay pitches a show idea in which two exes dish out relationship advice on air, she never expects her boss to recruit her colleague and work nemesis, Dominic Yun, to be her cohost — a tricky situation considering they never actually dated each other.

In general, this was one of the most diverse and inclusive stories I've ever read. Dominic is Korean-American. Shay is Jewish with a Nigerian-American stepfather and stepsiblings, an Indian-American best friend, and a bisexual Chinese-American work friend. Plus, Shay is older than Dominic, which I think lends a unique dynamic to the story. Overall, it's a well-rounded read: funny and emotional with smart dialogue (the podcast transcripts were my favorite) and sizzling scenes.

The Trouble With Hating You by Sajni Patel

The Trouble With Hating You by Sajni Patel [6] ($15) centers on Liya Thakkar, a successful biochemical engineer who's avoiding love at all costs — especially when it involves Jayesh Shah, the man her parents are trying to arrange her marriage with. But that's going to be a challenge when Jay turns out to be the lawyer hired to save her struggling company.

Liya and Jay are both Indian-American, as are most of the characters in this book, and there are a lot of cultural references throughout, with many scenes taking place at the mandir. What I love most about this story is how relatable Liya and Jay's struggles are, from work problems to family woes.

Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren

In Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren [7] ($17), Hazel Bradford and Josh Im are college friends who reconnect 10 years later and are determined to keep things strictly platonic no matter how much they like each other.

I love anything the duo behind Christina Lauren write, and this book stands out to me because of the AA protagonist. Josh is Korean-American, and the story includes tidbits about his family heritage as well as Korean traditions. This book strikes the perfect balance with both the dynamic between the characters (Hazel is quirky, while Josh is serious) and their sweet and steamy relationship. I'm also partial to stories that build a friendship between the characters first over time, so it feels more impactful when they finally get together.

The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai

Rhiannon Hunter may be the creator of a successful dating app in The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai [8] ($15), but love isn't something she's looking for IRL. So when her past fling, former pro-football player Samson Lima, pops up as the new ambassador for the dating company she's looking to acquire, why can't she keep things strictly business?

I really loved that all the characters in this book are people of color, including Samson, who is Samoan, and Rhiannon, who is Black. It's a truly modern, second-chance love story that combines heart and heat.

Girl Gone Viral by Alisha Rai

Rhiannon's best friend and business partner, Katrina King, gets her own story in Girl Gone Viral by Alisha Rai [9] ($16), the second book in the Modern Love series. Katrina prefers life as a recluse, so when she finds herself at the center of a viral tweet, she escapes to the country with the help of her bodyguard (and unrequited crush), Jasvinder Singh.

Just like in The Right Swipe, Girl Gone Viral features a delightfully diverse cast of characters. Katrina's family on her mother's side is Thai, while Jas is Punjabi-American. It's a slow-burn love story that's soft and sweet.

The third book in the series, First Comes Like, featuring Jia Ahmed, a Pakistani-American, was just released in February, and it's on my to-read list!

One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London

Bea Schumacher is a plus-size fashion blogger who lands an opportunity to be the star of a hit dating reality show in One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London [10] ($17). She's convinced she won't find love on TV, but things take a turn when she meets, and actually starts falling for, her suitors.

I don't want to give away too many spoilers, but one of Bea's frontrunners on the show is Asian-American, which I loved, considering the lack of diversity on shows like The Bachelorette [11]. It's a delightful read, with a fun and fresh premise and lovable characters.

It Takes Two by Jenny Holiday

In It Takes Two by Jenny Holiday [12] ($8), Wendy Liu is a defense lawyer who's always prepared for anything — including her best friend's upcoming wedding. But one thing she's not prepared for? Spending time with Noah Denning, her best friend's older brother and the boy who broke her heart almost 20 years ago.

I LOVE how this book makes it clear up front that Wendy is Asian by including an Asian model on the cover, rather than going the illustrated route, which can be more racially ambiguous. Technically, Wendy is Chinese-Canadian, but a good portion of the story takes place in the US. It's a cute and fast read, and I love the legal banter between Wendy and Noah since they are both lawyers.

A Sweet Mess by Jayci Lee

In A Sweet Mess by Jayci Lee [13] ($17), Aubrey Choi is a successful pastry chef and bakery owner whose world gets turned upside down when a scathing review from a famous food critic hits stands. Even worse? She discovers that the food critic is none other than Landon Kim, a fling from her recent past. To help her save her business, Landon offers her a spot on a celebrity cooking show he's producing, and Aubrey accepts.

Both Aubrey and Landon are Korean-American, and I love how elements of their culture come through on the page. The foodie aspect lends a fun lens to the story, and there is an unexpected twist toward the end that I didn't see coming!

The Marriage Game by Sara Desai

The Marriage Game by Sara Desai [14] ($16) starts when Layla Patel returns home after a nasty breakup. Her father, intent on helping Layla find love again, sets up a string of blind dates. What he didn't intend was for things to start heating up between Layla and Sam Mehta, the man who's subleasing the office space above their family restaurant.

Both Layla and Sam are part of the Desi community, and Indian culture plays a big part in the story, from the mentions of dishes to apparel. Between these cultural glimpses and the sparks between Layla and Sam, everything about this book feels vibrant.

Desai's second book in the series, The Dating Plan, comes out this month!


Source URL
https://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/romance-books-with-asian-american-characters-48186046