Five on Friday: Asian Heritage Month

Five romance authors to check out

I’ve been so focused on sharing books by Asian authors at work that I just realized this past weekend that I hadn’t put together a round up of titles by Asian authors for my own blog! May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the US. I don’t think I need to tell you that you should be reading diversely all year round but I know I appreciate learning about new-to-me authors or titles during months like this.

I didn’t set out to only list romance authors but the first authors I thought of all write in the romance genre and all five of these women are also Canadian.

What book or author would you recommend?

Jackie Lau

Lau was top of mind because I was just about to start her latest novel (which was a delight!). She has a huge backlist and I can’t wait to work my way through them. Of the ones I’ve read or heard about, I really appreciate that many are set in Canada.
Most recent novel: Time Loop & Meet Cutes

Lily Chu

Chu had been on my TBR for a long while and I was happy to finally read one (The Stand In) for the romance book club I run at work. It was such a smart rom com and so enjoyable to read. Her others all sound equally enjoyable and I wish I could freeze time so I could catch up on them all!
Most recent novel: Drop Dead

Farah Heron

It’s always a happy day when Heron releases a new novel! I love how she focuses on relationships - and food! She’s published a number of adult and YA novels so there’s something for every romance reader.
Most recent novel: Meet Me on Love Street (YA - out June 10), Just Playing House (adult)

Uzma Jalaluddin

I fell in love with Jalaluddin’s books after her debut, Ayesha at Last, and I look forward to reading every single one of her novels. They’re all set in the same area of Scarborough (apart from the holiday book she wrote with Marissa Stapley) and the setting adds so much to the stories. And, once again, there’s a delicious emphasis on food in her stories. (Honestly, that’s a trend with almost every one of the authors on this list!)
Most recent novel: Detective Aunty (it’s a cozy mystery!). Recent romance: Much Ado About Nada

Amy Lea

Lea’s a bookstagrammer turned novelist but, I have to admit, I hadn’t heard of her account until she had published her first book, Set on You. Her novels are fun rom coms with a lot of heart.
Most recent novel: Something Like Fate