Warm Your Heart This Winter Season: 5 Holiday Romance Books Written by Asian Authors
Get ready to cozy up with a cup of cocoa and dive into the holiday season with a twist! In this blog post, we're spotlighting five enchanting holiday romances penned by talented Asian authors. From heartwarming tales set against the festive backdrop to modern love stories that capture the universal magic of the season, these books offer a diverse and delightful addition to your holiday reading list. Let's unwrap the magic together!
The Christmas Clash by Suzanne Park
Who's naughty and nice at Riverwood Mall? In this hilarious holiday rom-com, two rivals get together to save their families' livelihoods, and Christmas, too!
Chloe Kwon can't stand Peter Li. It's always been that way. Their families don't get along either: their parents operate rival restaurants in the Riverwood Mall food court―Korean food for the Kwons and Chinese food for the Lis. Now it's the holiday season and Chloe's the photographer at the mall's Santa Land, and Peter works at the virtual reality North Pole experience right across the atrium. It's all Chloe can do to avoid Peter's smug, incredibly photogenic face.
But it turns out the mall is about to be sold to a developer and demolished for condos. Eviction notices are being handed out right before Christmas. Their parents don't know what to do, and soon Chloe and Peter realize that the two of them need to join efforts to try to save the mall. Just when it seems like they can put aside their differences and work closely (very closely) together, they discover that the Kwon and Li feud goes far deeper than either of them realize...
Pages: 368
Publication date: October 4, 2022
Why should you read it? In "The Christmas Clash," a delightful holiday rom-com, Chloe Kwon and Peter Li, heirs to rival Korean and Chinese restaurants in Riverwood Mall, begrudgingly unite to save their families' businesses from being demolished for condos just before Christmas. Chloe, the mall's Santa Land photographer, and Peter, immersed in the virtual reality North Pole experience, must overcome their mutual dislike and unravel the deeper layers of their families' feud. As they work closely to prevent eviction notices, the story blends humor, romance, and festive charm, offering a heartwarming read for all fans.
Wrapped with a Beau by Lillie Vale
In its heyday, Piney Peaks and its beloved Christmas House were made famous by Sleighbells, a romantic holiday movie. 50 years later, the small town is ready for a new love story.
As a successful film liaison, Elisha Rowe has her heart set on one thing and one thing only: putting her hometown back on the map. So, when she gets the chance to secure a sequel to Sleighbells, she's willing to do whatever it takes to make sure everything goes smoothly. Unfortunately, that includes claiming to have already secured permission to film at the historic Christmas house—permission she was very much denied by the gorgeous new owner.
Ves Hollins is only back in Piney Peaks long enough to sell the house he inherited from his great-aunt. The holidays have always been tough for Ves, and it's not any easier when he's distracted by memories of a Christmas long, long ago, and the undeniable charm of neighbor Elisha. Ready to return home to New York as quickly as possible, he has no plans to put down roots or fall in love...even if Elisha unravels his hesitations like a bad Christmas sweater.
There's no question the two are oppposites in every way. Ves is unquestionably frosty. Elisha is brimming with warmth. He doesn't do commitment. She never runs from a challenge. But as the two grow closer, they quickly realize that the growing spark between them may be just what the season calls for.
Pages: 368
Publication date: September 26, 2023
Why should you read it? Step into the enchanting world of Piney Peaks, where the iconic Christmas House sets the stage for a heartwarming holiday tale. In this charming romance, film liaison Elisha Rowe is determined to bring her hometown back into the spotlight by securing a sequel to the beloved movie Sleighbells. However, complications arise when she clashes with the attractive new owner, Ves Hollins, who is only in town temporarily. As Ves grapples with holiday memories and Elisha's undeniable charm, the two find themselves navigating an unexpected connection. With contrasting personalities and hesitations, they discover that sometimes, the most unexpected sparks lead to the perfect seasonal magic.
A Holly Jolly Diwali by Sonya Lalli
One type-A data analyst discovers her free-spirited side on an impulsive journey from bustling Mumbai to the gorgeous beaches of Goa and finds love waiting for her on Christmas morning.
Twenty-nine-year-old Niki Randhawa has always made practical decisions. Despite her love for music and art, she became an analyst for the stability. She's always stuck close to home, in case her family needed her. And she's always dated guys that seem good on paper, rather than the ones who give her butterflies. When she's laid off, Niki realizes that practical hasn't exactly paid off for her. So for the first time ever, she throws caution to the wind and books a last-minute flight for her friend Diya's wedding.
Niki arrives in India just in time to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, where she meets London musician Sameer Mukherji. Maybe it's the splendor of Mumbai or the magic of the holiday season, but Niki is immediately drawn to Sam. At the wedding, the champagne flows and their flirtatious banter makes it clear that the attraction is mutual.
When Niki and Sam join Diya, her husband and their friends on a group honeymoon, their connection grows deeper. Free-spirited Sam helps Niki get in touch with her passionate and creative side, and with her Indian roots. When she gets a new job offer back home, Niki must decide what she wants out of the next chapter of her life--to cling to the straight and narrow like always, or to take a leap of faith and live the kind of bold life the old Niki never would have dreamed of.
Pages: 336
Publication date: October 5, 2021
Why you should read it? Join Niki Randhawa, a pragmatic data analyst, on a spontaneous journey from Mumbai to Goa, where she discovers love and embraces her free-spirited side during Diwali festivities. Meeting London musician Sameer at a friend's wedding sparks a mutual attraction, leading to a transformative group honeymoon. As Sameer encourages Niki to explore her passions and Indian roots, she faces a career crossroads and must decide between her familiar path and a bold, adventurous life. This concise holiday romance promises a tale of self-discovery, cultural celebration, and love blossoming on Christmas morning.
A Second Chance Road Trip for Christmas by Jackie Lau
Greg Wong hates when things don’t go according to plan, so he definitely doesn’t appreciate it when his mother insists he drive Tasha Edwards back to Mosquito Bay for the Christmas holidays. He likes peace and quiet when he’s in the car, and that’s the opposite of what he’ll get with Tasha, his high school sweetheart. The first woman he ever loved.
Not that he has feelings for her now. Of course not. Though while he’s trying not to smile at her laughter and terrible singing, he can’t help noticing how beautiful she is.
And then his plans veer further off course when a snowstorm forces them to spend the night in an unheated motel room with only one bed…
Pages: 95
Publication date: November 12, 2019
Why should you read it? Join Greg Wong on an unexpected and humorous holiday road trip with his high school sweetheart, Tasha Edwards. Despite Greg's aversion to disruptions in his carefully planned life, he finds himself reluctantly driving Tasha back to Mosquito Bay for Christmas at his mother's insistence. As they navigate the journey, Greg tries to deny any lingering feelings for Tasha, his first love. However, a snowstorm forces them to share an unheated motel room with only one bed, leading to a charming and heartwarming tale of rediscovering connections and the unpredictable nature of love during the festive season.
Blackmail and Bibingka by Mia P. Manansala
When her long lost cousin comes back to town just in time for the holidays, Lila Macapagal knows that big trouble can't be far behind in this new mystery by Mia P. Manansala, author of Arsenic and Adobo.
It's Christmastime in Shady Palms, but things are far from jolly for Lila Macapagal. Sure, her new business, The Brew-ha Cafe, is looking to turn a profit in its first year. And yes, she's taken the first step in a new romance with her good friend, Jae Park. But her cousin Ronnie is back in town after ghosting the family fifteen years ago, claiming that his recent purchase of a local winery shows that he's back on his feet and ready to give back to the Shady Palms community. Tita Rosie is thrilled with the return of her prodigal son, but Lila knows that wherever Ronnie goes, trouble follows.
She's soon proven right when Ronnie is accused of murder, and secrets and rumors surrounding her shady cousin and those involved with the winery start piling up. Now Lila has to put away years of resentment and distrust to prove her cousin's innocence. He may be a jerk, but he's still family. And there's no way her flesh and blood could actually be a murderer...right?
Pages: 270
Publication date: October 4, 2022
Why should you read it? Join Lila Macapagal in Mia P. Manansala's holiday mystery as her long-lost cousin Ronnie returns to Shady Palms just in time for Christmas. When Ronnie is accused of murder, Lila must set aside years of resentment to prove his innocence. With a profitable cafe, a budding romance, and family secrets at stake, this gripping tale combines festive cheer with a compelling mystery, making it a must-read for mystery enthusiasts.
