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Asian Authors

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Book recommendations by Asian authors in the romance, romantasy, fantasy, and YA genres. Kindly Note: View this as my own personal wishlist. Some of these books I have read while others are on my TBR. Please check the notes. There, you will see wheth...
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Romance

Romance books written with Asian characters. Some books are Asian romance, in which both of the main characters are Asian, while others will consist of interracial relationships.

 
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Grumpy Sunshine, Billionaire romance, interracial couple, touch her and die, over protective and possessive MMC, brother's best friend.
Twisted Love a book by Ana Huang - Bookshop.org US
 
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Asian love, neurospicy FMC, fake dating, steamy read, he's a male escort, self-discovery, FMC works in a male dominated field, Vietnamese representation
The Kiss Quotient a book by Helen Hoang
 
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Slow burn, a little bit of rivals to lovers, FMC is Korean American, She works as a Wall Street investment banker, unintended pining
So We Meet Again a book by Suzanne Park
 
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Slow burn, forbidden romance, Billionaire romance, angst, Boss/ employee, workplace romance, possessive MMC
When Hearts Ignite
 
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Cheesy Rom Com, she's afraid of commitment, playful banter, best friends brother-in-law, insta love, some spicy scenes, fast paced
The Dating Dare a book by Jayci Lee
 
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Chinese representation, grief, stranger to friends to lovers, opposites attract, some spice, twist at the end
How to End a Love Story a book by Yulin Kuang
 
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Filipino representation, steamy read, Musician falls in love with his actress neighbor, a bit of insta love, third act breakup
Manila Takes Manhattan a book by Carla De Guzman
 
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Plus size representation, demi sexual representation, Vietnamese rep, he's been in love with her, friends to lovers, pining, miscommunication
Something Cheeky a book by Thien-Kim Lam - Bookshop
 
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Mulan retelling, workplace romance, slow burn, mistaken identity, FMC working in a male dominated field
Worth Fighting For a book by Jesse Q. Sutanto - Bookshop
 
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Billionaire romance, it's giving 50 shades, some BDSM, steamy read
Bared to You a book by Sylvia Day - Bookshop.org US
 
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Second chance, the one that got away, a little spice, she's a successful lawyer, banter, mental health
The Year of Cecily by Lisa Lin
 
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Chinese representation, college crush, low angst, reads a little bit like a YA, self discovery, a little bit of a love triangle, toxic family relations

cute, light romance
The Donut Trap a book by Julie Tieu - Bookshop.org US
 
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Rom Com, enemies to lovers, slow burn, somewhat of a bodyguard romance, close proximity, mental health rep, closed door romance
Stand-In by Lily Chu
 
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Small town romance, love after loss, neighbor, over 40 romance, cinnamon roll MMC, found family, interracial couple

Dual POV with Dual narration if you want to check out the audiobook. Which might be worth a listen because Teddy Hamilton plays the male character.
Do Me a Favor by Cathy Yardley

Fantasy

Fantasy books written by Asian authors with Asian characters.

 
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This book is ideal for readers who crave dark, emotionally charged tales of defying fate and seizing power through morally complex choices, wrapped in a queer historical fantasy lens.
She Who Became the Sun a book by Shelley Parker-Chan
 
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For readers drawn to sweeping, emotionally charged tales of forbidden love and high stakes espionage, where personal sacrifice and political intrigue collide against a richly woven historical backdrop
A Song to Drown Rivers a book by Ann Liang
 
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For readers who crave intellectually charged narratives that wrestle with moral complexities, blending the allure of academia and magic with the visceral tensions of colonial resistance.
Babel a book by R. F Kuang
 
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For readers who crave morally complex, gritty fantasies where underdog protagonists grapple with harrowing power and the devastating costs of war in a richly woven, myth-inspired world.
The Poppy War by R F Kuang
 
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For readers who crave enemies-to-lovers tension wrapped in high-stakes political intrigue and magical battles, where love and loyalty clash amidst a storm of war and secrets.
A Monsoon Rising a book by Thea Guanzon - Bookshop.org US
 
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For readers who crave emotionally resonant, magical journeys blending whimsical fantasy with heartfelt explorations of regret and redemption.
Water Moon a book by Samantha Sotto Yambao - Bookshop

YA

Young adult books by Asian authors that are in various genres. Make sure to read the notes to determine which genre the book is in. 

 
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For readers who crave lush, emotionally charged fantasies steeped in mythology, where complex relationships and high-stakes quests collide with themes of love, loyalty, and self-discovery.
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
 
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For readers seeking a heartfelt, historically-rooted story about forbidden love and self-discovery amidst societal tensions, blending cultural identity with queer coming-of-age challenges.
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
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for readers who enjoy stories of self-discovery and tangled romances set against vibrant cultural backdrops, where characters navigate hidden passions and unexpected adventures.
Loveboat, Taipei by Abigail Hing Wen
 
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Enemies to lovers, forbidden romance, bodyguard, Japanese representation, Princess Diaries meets Crazy Rich Asians
Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean
 
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Best Friends to Lovers, Rom Com, Meddling moms force proximity, Korean representation, K Drama vibes
Seoulmates by Susan Lee

Literary Fiction

 
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LGBTQ+ Representation.

For readers who crave lush, reimagined classics with a magical twist, exploring themes of identity and belonging amidst the glittering yet oppressive excess of a bygone era.
The Chosen and the Beautiful a book by Nghi Vo
 
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For readers who appreciate lyrical, emotionally raw explorations of identity, family bonds, and personal history through the lens of cultural displacement and queer self-discovery.
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
 
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For readers who enjoy emotionally charged, thought-provoking explorations of societal norms, family dynamics, and moral complexities will find Little Fires Everywhere compelling.

Screen adaptation on Hulu
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
 
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For readers who crave darkly enchanting tales of ambition and self-reinvention, blending the allure of Old Hollywood with fantastical stakes and queer resilience.
Siren Queen a book by Nghi Vo - Bookshop.org US

Romantasy

 
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For readers who enjoy emotionally charged, slow-burn fantasy romances where complex characters navigate arranged marriages and personal growth amidst magical intrigue.
Under the Oak Tree: Volume 1 (The Novel) - Bookshop