Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Romance Books Written by AAPI Authors

Before May ends, I wanted to write a romance book list with Asian American and Pacific Islander characters in honor of AAPI Heritage Month which takes place the whole month of May. If you didn’t know, AAPI Heritage Month happens in May because of two important events: 1) The arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the US, and 2) The completion of the transcontinental railroad which was completed by mainly Chinese immigrant workers. 

This is the month to remember and recognize all the contributions Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans have made. Let’s celebrate them by supporting their books!

Gouda Friends by Cathy Yardley

Tam and Josh seen each other in years. But when Tam calls Josh in the middle of the night and mentions their emergency code word, he knows he needs to be there for her. She’s his best friend! It doesn’t matter that they have been sort of estranged; he’s always going to support her.

That’s after breaking up with her cheating ex and quitting her job, Josh tells her to fly to Ponto Beach and to stay at his place while she plans what to do next. But living together after so many years has consequences… and their attraction is burning up quickly! 

The Five-Day Reunion by Mona Shroff

Law student Anita hasn’t seen her ex-husband since they signed their divorce papers. Now, they have to pretend to still be married for his sister’s wedding! His grandfather just had recent heart medical issues and they don’t want him to worry.

So, they strike a deal to pretend to be wife and husband while the wedding is going on. But while they start to spend more and more time together, old feelings and unresolved problems start to appear between them.

Circling Back to You by Julie Tieu

Cadence and Matt have been friends for a while now. Basically “work spouses”, they always have had a good relationship but only as friends.

When a work trip lands them back in their hometown, Matt asks Cadence for help; to pretend to be his girlfriend for a family gathering. Forced to act like a couple, they start to wonder if maybe this work friendship can develop into something more outside the office. 

It Takes Heart by Tif Marcelo

Get ready to travel all the way to Heart Resort, a private resort on the Outer Banks, where drama always happens. Especially drama created by the proprietors, the Puso family.

Brandon Puso, the youngest of the siblings, has returned after a hurricane passes through the Outer Banks. He’s there to help with the grand reopening of the resort, but he never expected to reunite with someone from his past. You see, Brandon and Geneva have a secret: no one knows they had a secret relationship years ago!

The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai

App creator Rhiannon’s life is focused on her job. Sometimes an occasional hookup might happen, but usually, her career is her priority. If she attempts to have a hookup tho, she has very specific rules.

So, when she swipes right on Samson and they have an epic night, she never expects him to ghost her the very next day. Months later, they reunite and Samson wants a second chance. The thing is… he’s working with a business rival AND Rhiannon’s still hurt and wary he won’t do the same thing he did before.

I wanted to add The Right Swipe because Samson, the love interest, is Samoan and though Alisha Rai isn’t Pacific Islander, she’s a South Asian author, so I wanted to mention this book. She also has Hawaiian main characters in her Forbidden Hearts series.

Sadly, I couldn’t find any Pacific Islander romance authors. But I might have missed someone! If you are one or if you know any, I would love to know more. 

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