10 Great Novels with South Asian Love Interests

With the rise of TikTok, romance novels have had a resurgence.

In contemporary literature, South Asian characters and narratives also find their way into the spotlight, and readers are offered more diverse experiences.

A new place they have started to emerge is as love interests in books by both Western and South Asian authors.

From novels based across the globe and covering a wide range of experiences, these books offer a unique perspective on South Asian heritage.

Whether you’re looking for a light-hearted read, a murder mystery, or a thriller, there is something for everyone in these books.

Join DESIblitz as we delve into 10 great novels that feature South Asian love interests.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder – Holly Jackson

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is a popular young adult trilogy.

It follows Pip, a girl in her last year of school, undergoing an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).

Pip decides to reopen the murder case of a popular girl from her school, Andie Bell, who was said to have been murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh, who then killed himself.

She can’t shake the feeling that there is more to this case.  She knew Sal as a child and he had always been kind to her. So, she can’t understand how he could have become a killer.

While trying to uncover what happened, Pip teams up with Sal’s younger brother, Ravi and finds romance in an unexpected place.

However, this case uncovers dark secrets, and someone does not want Pip to dig for answers, which puts her life in danger.

As the trilogy progresses, Pip starts a viral podcast, where her investigations continue, and she finds herself in more hot water.

The first book was adapted into a BBC TV series, which has given the trilogy even more popularity.

Ravi and Pip’s relationship is often quoted on TikTok, and Ravi is seen as the ultimate ‘book boyfriend.’

The involvement of a South Asian boy as a love interest in a novel written by a non-Asian author is also very positive. It shows the diversity that is being created in the book community.

The first book has a rating of 4.32 on Goodreads, where comments are highly complementary.

One reviewer said: “Everyone needs to read this book!! Ravi, I love you so much, and Pip, you are AMAZING.”

Another reader said: “Applause! Applause! Applause!

“This book offered one of the quickest and most exhilarating rollercoaster experiences when I read it.”

The Trouble with Hating You – Sajni Patel

The Trouble with Hating You is the perfect romance novel for independent South Asian girls.

It follows the hate-to-love romance of Liya, a successful and outspoken biochemical engineer, and Jay, the love interest, a charming, family-oriented lawyer.

Liya’s parents want her to stop being independent and settle down with a nice Indian boy.

She does not listen to them, so they ambush her into having dinner with Jay and his mother.

Things don’t go as planned, and Liya is angry at her parents and uninterested in Jay.

A week later, Liya is surprised that Jay has been hired as a lawyer to save her struggling company.

Once office banter turns into deep late-night chats at the office, Liya starts to see Jay as someone who truly accepts her.

However, it is not that simple and falling for each other brings up painful scars.

Liya is stuck between running from love or genuinely accepting it.

The author, Sajni Patel, is an award-winning author of women’s fiction.

Her work has appeared on numerous Best of the Year and Must-Read lists in Cosmo, Teen Vogue, Apple Books, and NBC.

Many readers say they were deterred by the opening chapters, with one saying: “Reading the first ten chapters, I was ready to DITCH.”

However, they encourage the reader to keep going, saying they were “glad (they) didn’t give up on it.”

“It accelerated into something so entertaining and realistic.”

There are some trigger warnings for the death of a loved one, abuse and sexual assault, which the reader should be aware of before picking this book up.

Take a Hint, Dani Brown – Talia Hibbert

Take a Hint: Dani Brown is written by the bestselling author Talia Hibbert.

She writes diverse romance because she believes that people of marginalised identities need honest and positive representation.

This book follows Danika Brown, a woman who knows what she wants. She has professional success and is academically renowned but has not had a good experience with romance.

When brooding ex-rugby player and now security guard Zafir ‘Zaf’ Ansari rescues Dani from a problematic fire drill, the internet starts shipping them.

Zaf begs Dani to play along and pretend they are dating as his sports charity for kids could use the publicity.

Dani’s plan is simple: she wants to fake a relationship in public and seduce Zaf privately.

The issue with her plan is that Zaf is a secret romantic, and he is determined to change Dani’s perspective.

However, the South Asian sports star has issues, and the walls around his heart are thick.

Suddenly, this plan becomes much more complicated for Dani than expected.

Leaving her to wonder if her plan has backfired or if the universe is telling her to take a hint.

A satisfied reader said: “If you ever want to feel unbearably sunny about the world, read this fake-dating-to-lovers love story.

“It is between a Black, bisexual PhD student who is unstoppably allergic to commitment and a Muslim Pakistani-British ex-rugby player who reads romance novels and dreams of his own happily ever after.

“It’ll make you feel like your whole body is smiling.”

We Were Liars – E. Lockhart

We Were Liars is a suspense novel by New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award Finalist E. Lockhart.

It focuses on the privileged Sinclair family when they go to their private island during their summer holidays.

It is told from Cadence Sinclair Easton’s point of view and features three other characters: Johnny, Gat, and Mirren.

These four characters form the liars. They appear to be one thing, but as the story progresses, the reader discovers another side to them that they have never seen before.

The story centres around a mysterious tragedy two years before Cadence was 17.

This summer, she falls in love with Gat Patil – her uncle’s stepson.

Towards the end of the summer, Cadence has an accident, and the trauma leaves her with possible amnesia.

She can’t remember what happened. With migraines and pills clouding her judgement, she goes to the island aged 17, determined to discover the truth of what happened two years prior.

The twists and turns keep the reader engaged, leaving them in suspense, waiting to learn more.

One netizen reviewed the book and said: “I don’t cry often, but this boy had me sobbing.

“I don’t even know how to describe the feelings this story left me with.

“Just read it, and you’ll understand.”

Never Meant to Stay – Trisha Das

Never Meant to Stay is a big-hearted romantic comedy by Trisha Das set in contemporary Delhi.

It follows Samara Mansingh, a wedding photographer and daughter of a diplomat.

When her father must move again, Samara needs a place to stay in Delhi.

She goes to the Khanna family, whose home she does not remember being a war zone.

The last thing their eldest son Sharav wants is a guest eavesdropping in on the drama.

Sharav has a melodramatic sister pushing back on an arranged marriage.

His brother is a withdrawn lead singer of a band who won’t sing, while his widowed mother is hiding her grief in the garden.

Samara becomes the perfect distraction. She can help a girl find true love, push a young man to find his voice and bring a widow out of mourning.

She might even get on Sharav’s good side. The Khanna family will never be the same.

This feel-good romance is perfect for those looking for a book about family, tradition, culture, and love.

One reader said: “[The book is] a lively, East Indian, forced-proximity romcom, which is a fun homage to The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer.”

Accidentally Engaged – Farah Heron

Accidentally Engaged is one of Farah Heron’s most acclaimed books. It was listed as the best book of 2021 in Entertainment Weekly, USA Today, Kobo, and other platforms.

The novel follows Reena Manji, a cook who doesn’t love her career, single status, or the family around her.

However, all this changes when her father moves in a new employee across the hallway, hoping Reena will marry him.

This potential love interest, Nadim, is different from other bachelors. He is handsome, has a British accent, and loves eating Reena’s cooking creations.

When Reena’s career worsens, Nadim willingly agrees to a fake engagement so they can enter a couple’s cooking contest and win the artisan bread course of her dreams.

Cooking at home brings them closer, and their relationship becomes physical.

She is not concerned because Nadeem will keep her secrets, and she is not marrying him. So, her heart is protected.

Or it could be more complex than she thinks.

The vivid characters, secrets, gossip, and mouth-watering food make it a must-read for those looking for a South Asian romance.

Many reviews spoke about not reading the book on an empty stomach:

They specified: “Especially if carbs are your inspiration and you love Indian food!”

Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating – Adiba Jaigirdar

Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating is Adiba Jaigirdar’s most successful book.

It centres around Humaira ‘Hani’ Khan, an easy-going girl who is very popular at her school.

However, this all changes when she comes out to her friends as bisexual, and they invalidate her identity.

Her friends make her feel that she cannot be bisexual because she has only dated guys.

In a panic, Hani says she is in a relationship with Ishita “Ishu” Dey, a girl her friends hate.

Ishu is the opposite of Hani. She is an academic overachiever who wants to be the head girl.

Despite this, Ishu agrees to help Hani. In return, she wants Hani’s help to become more popular and increase her chances of becoming a head girl.

Their mutually beneficial pact takes a turn when they develop real feelings for one another.

These two love interests show that relationships are complicated, and some people will do anything to stop the Bengali girls from having a happy ending.

The book explores hard-hitting topics such as racism, biphobia and familial relationships.

It is a perfect read for those struggling with any of these issues.

Ayesha at Last – Uzma Jalaluddin

Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin is a modern-day Muslim Pride and Prejudice story.

It follows Ayesha Shamsi, a woman whose dreams of being a poet are stopped for a teaching job to pay off her debts to her wealthy uncle.

She lives in a colourful Muslim family and is constantly being compared to her younger cousin Hafsa, who has to fight off marriage proposals.

Ayesha is lonely but is not looking for love in an arranged marriage.

Then, she meets Khalid, an intelligent, handsome, equally conservative, and judgemental man.

She is attracted to him despite him looking down on her choices and his old-fashioned dress sense.

When a surprise engagement is announced between Khalid and Hafsa, Ayesha is torn about how she feels.

From the rumours around her, she discovers something about Khalid and herself.

A reviewer said: “I think this book did a wonderful job depicting the micro-aggressions and blatantly racist comments toward Muslims.”

If you want to read a Pride and Prejudice retelling with a diverse cast, this book is for you.

The Twentieth Wife – Indu Sundaresan

The Twentieth Wife by Indu Sundaresan is an enchanting work of historical fiction.

It is set in the 17th Century and tells the story of a remarkable woman who fled violent persecution in Persia.

She later plays a crucial part in the empire of one of India’s most extraordinary emperors, Jahangir.

The novel sweeps readers into the emotional turmoil of Salim and Mehrunnisa’s embattled love.

It charts the heroine’s enthralling journey across the year.

This includes an ill-fated first marriage to motherhood and a dangerous maze of power struggles and political plots.

Through all the turmoil, Mehrunnisa and Salim long for a true redemptive love they have never known.

The quest of the love interests takes them and the vast empire to places they had never imagined.

This is Sundaresan’s debut novel and is part of the Taj Mahal trilogy.

It is an excellent read for those interested in historical epics of grand passion and adventure.

One reviewer says: “This is Sundaresan’s first novel, and I have to say, damn good for a first!”

Six of Crows – Leah Bardugo

Six of Crows by Leah Bardugo is a wildly successful fantasy novel which has grown a considerable fanbase.

The novel takes place in Ketterdam, a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price.

No one knows this better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker.

Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that would make him rich beyond his imagination.

However, he cannot pull it off alone. Six dangerous outcasts come together for one impossible heist.

Kaz’s crew stands between the world and destruction. He and his love interest, Inej, are fan favourites.

She is a gang member and a murderer and desperately wants to do the right thing and liberate enslaved people like herself.

He is a manipulative and morally black protagonist but is loved by the fanbase.

This book series has been adapted into a Netflix series called Shadow and Bone, which has been tremendously successful.

Novels with South Asian love interests offer something more profound than their romantic plot line.

They provide a window into the multi-faceted lives of South Asians and the struggles they may face in their experiences.

These books provide a perspective that is not frontline in mainstream media. They highlight that one’s personal experience uniquely shapes love.

They also allow readers to experience many love stories in the context of cultures and heritages that they may never experience otherwise.

These novels show the importance of showing a range of love stories and including South Asian love interests.