Embracing Diversity: AAPI Characters and Authors in Romance

Before AAPI Heritage Month ends, I want to give a shout out to AAPI characters and authors. AAPI stands for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI), and in May we celebrate their contributions and influence in the United States. Since I write romance, I’ll talk specifically about their role in romance.

It’s important for AAPI people to see themselves reflected in the stories they consume, shining a spotlight on their heritage, experiences, and struggles, which are not unlike other people of color and so-called “mainstream” characters. These stories are also important because they challenge our preconceived notions, help to break stereotypes, and just make storytelling interesting and more inclusive.

As I was thinking about my romance catalogue, I realized that I’ve written Asians as secondary characters, but not as main characters. In Do Over, Tyrone’s best friend on the police force was Martin Chu, and he was the godfather to Martin’s daughter. In More Than a Mistress, Sonia’s best friend and confidante was Jackie Wen, who helped her during a very difficult medical emergency in the book. If you read it, you know what I mean. (I don’t want to give any spoilers!)

My Black heroines have found love with Black men, white men, Hispanic men, and an Arab man, but never with an Asian man. I’ve made a note to rectify that. Until then, I have a list of books written by Asian authors and a list of books that includes Asian characters that you’re sure to enjoy.

Let’s get into it!

Asian authors

First, I have to mention Filipino-American Mia Hopkins. Several years ago, I picked up Thirsty because—full disclosure—the man on the cover is foine. I gobbled up the book and then purchased the next book in the Eastside Brewery series, Trashed. The heroes and heroines are Hispanic, and she does a great job of touching on their culture and the gang culture the male characters are trying to get away from. You really feel for them because they were young when they got caught up and are now trying to go legit—with all the problems that go along with making such a major change in one’s life. In addition to the great storytelling, the books are steamyyyyy! The last book, Tanked, is available now, and I’m looking forward to reading it at some point. I highly recommend this series.

My next recommendation is for Chinese author Sherry Thomas. I’m a big fan of her historical romance novels, and whenever I’m in the mood for historical romance, she’s one of my go-to’s. Her novels are so emotional and every time she rips my heart out, I can’t help but go back for more. If you like yearning and angst in a romance, you’ll enjoy her books. Any of them are good, but you can start with the Luckiest Lady in London, in The London Trilogy Series.

Asian characters

Jackie Lau is a Canadian author of Chinese descent, and I became familiar with her books because we follow each other on Twitter. Grumpy Fake Boyfriend is an interracial romance between an Asian heroine and Caucasian hero. Will pretends to be Naomi’s boyfriend on a getaway because her ex-boyfriend will be there. What could possibly go wrong, right? It’s cute and funny and I enjoyed the characters. It’s been a while since I read this book, and Jackie has released plenty more over the past few years, so you’ll have a whole catalogue of novels with Asian main characters to choose from.

Last is Open to Love, written by Black author Lyndell Williams. The story is about two Muslim characters—an Indian hero and a Black heroine—who find love with each other. The story is very sexy, and Faheem was exactly what Hafsah needed after she left her trifling first husband. When I tell you that man and the co-wife were unnecessarily mean…! Hafsah was hesitant to get with Faheem because he was younger, but thank goodness she let go of her reservations so she could have happiness with someone who loved and cared for her.

Honorable Mentions

I haven’t read these stories, so I’m putting them under Honorable Mention.

Kenya Goree-Bell is a Black author whose Lotus Flower Bomb includes a Japanese billionaire hero and a Black heroine. I believe the hero is a bit of an a-hole, too, so if that’s your catnip, definitely check it out.

Thien-Kim Lam is Vietnamese, and her novel Full Exposure is a romance between a Vietnamese hero and a Black heroine. This is a rom-com set during Mardi Gras where a fling might just become the real thing.

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That’s my list for now. I haven’t read any books with Pacific Islanders, so if you know of any or have more book recommendations with Asian rep, drop them in the comments!