Ellie embarks on a chaotic, often cringeworthy journey
From London to Lahore, South Asian authors are redefining the romance genre.
In today’s world, the classic fairytale romance has given way to something more real: dating apps, family expectations, cultural clashes and all.
Some novels bring humour and chaotic family drama while others take a more reflective look at identity, racism and belonging.
But what they all share is a fresh and modern take on what it means to fall in love.
So whether readers want something fun, tender or thought-provoking, these 10 titles offer new ways to see love.
Virgin by Radhika Sanghani
Radhika Sanghani’s Virgin is a sharp, hilarious debut about Ellie Kolstakis, a 21-year-old university student who feels out of step with her friends because she’s still a virgin.
Determined to change that, Ellie embarks on a chaotic, often cringeworthy journey through modern dating, navigating waxing disasters, awkward Tinder encounters, and unsolicited advice from friends who claim to “have it all figured out”.
Sanghani uses humour and candour to dismantle the shame surrounding women’s sexuality, especially the idea that sexual experience defines confidence or worth.
Beneath the laugh-out-loud moments, Virgin is a coming-of-age story about reclaiming agency, silencing internalised judgment, and finding self-acceptance in a world obsessed with image and status.
It’s messy, witty, and unapologetically honest. A story that captures the insecurities of young womanhood with humour and heart.
Sofia Khan Is Not Obliged by Ayisha Malik
Ayisha Malik’s Sofia Khan Is Not Obliged is a sharp and witty romantic comedy that has earned comparisons to Bridget Jones’ Diary, but with a refreshingly Muslim twist.
The story follows Sofia, a 30-year-old hijab-wearing publishing professional in London who’s had enough of bad dates and nosy relatives asking about marriage.
When she’s asked to write a tell-all book about Muslim dating, she reluctantly agrees, and soon finds herself juggling interviews, an overbearing family, and unexpected feelings for someone she probably shouldn’t fall for.
Between awkward dinner setups, family gossip, and the pressure to find “a good match”, Sofia’s love life is both chaotic and endearing.
Malik brings to life the vibrant, messy reality of dating as a modern Muslim woman, where tradition and independence collide in hilarious ways.
Full of charm and laugh-out-loud moments, Sofia Khan Is Not Obliged is as much about self-discovery as it is about love, proving that romance can thrive even in the middle of parental expectations and nosy aunties.
Good Intentions by Kasim Ali
Kasim Ali’s debut novel, Good Intentions, is a tender and emotionally charged story about love, secrecy, and the pressures of cultural expectation.
The novel follows Nur, a young Pakistani man living in the UK, who has been in a long-term relationship with Yasmina, a Black Sudanese woman.
Despite their deep connection, Nur hides their relationship from his parents, fearing their disapproval.
As time passes, his silence begins to fracture both his relationship and his sense of self.
Ali writes with honesty and restraint, tracing how love can be burdened by guilt, fear, and inherited ideas about race and family honour.
Through Nur’s struggles, Good Intentions explores what happens when private affection collides with public duty, and what it costs to be honest with the people who raised you.
Quiet, raw, and beautifully observed, this debut captures the emotional conflict faced by many young people caught between personal happiness and familial loyalty.
My Bollywood Wedding by Rekha Waheed
Rekha Waheed’s My Bollywood Wedding is a funny and chaotic romantic comedy that turns the magic of a big Desi wedding into a full-blown family spectacle.
The story follows Maya Malik, a young Bengali woman who is finally about to marry her long-time boyfriend, Janghir Khan.
But what should be her dream wedding quickly spirals into drama as meddling relatives, endless gossip, and cultural expectations start to overshadow the romance.
Between feuding aunties, miscommunications, and the pressure to keep up appearances, Maya begins to question what she really wants and whether love can survive the weight of everyone else’s opinions.
Light-hearted and full of colourful characters, My Bollywood Wedding captures the humour, chaos, and heart of Desi celebrations.
It’s the perfect read for anyone who loves romance with a dash of drama, glitter, and plenty of family interference.
The Marriage Clock by Zara Raheem
Zara Raheem’s The Marriage Clock is a romantic comedy that perfectly captures the chaos of modern matchmaking.
Leila Abid, a 26-year-old Muslim woman living in Orange County, California, has always believed she’ll fall in love naturally.
But when her parents give her an ultimatum, find a husband in three months or let them arrange one, her love life suddenly turns into a race against the clock.
With the help of her two best friends, Leila dives into a series of blind dates, set-ups, and questionable suitors, from overconfident engineers to awkward family friends.
Each date reveals what she doesn’t want in a partner and also what she truly values in herself.
As the deadline looms, Leila begins to realise that her search for the “perfect man” might actually be a journey toward self-acceptance and independence.
Raheem’s novel blends humour, heart, and cultural commentary, turning the high-pressure world of South Asian marriage expectations into a witty, heartfelt story about love on your own terms.
The Love & Lies of Rukhsana Ali by Sabina Khan
Sabina Khan’s The Love & Lies of Rukhsana Ali follows 17-year-old Rukhsana, a Bengali-American teenager who is secretly in a same-sex relationship.
Rukhsana dreams of leaving Seattle for college, building a life where she doesn’t have to hide who she is.
But when her conservative parents catch her kissing girlfriend Ariana, everything unravels.
In a desperate attempt to protect their reputation, they take her to Bangladesh, hoping the change in environment will bring her “back on the right path”.
Between wedding celebrations, family matchmaking plans, and the pressure to marry a man, Rukhsana must find a way to stay true to herself and hold on to the girl she loves.
Khan blends humour, heartbreak, and cultural nuance to show how difficult it can be to navigate queerness, family honour, and first love in South Asian communities.
Ultimately, it is a story about courage: the courage to speak, to trust, and to choose a future on your own terms.
Your Driver Is Waiting by Priya Guns
Priya Guns’ Your Driver Is Waiting flips the romance genre on its head with dark humour and biting social commentary.
The story follows Damani, a young Sri Lankan rideshare driver barely making ends meet in the United States.
Exhausted from long hours and grieving her activist father’s death, she’s cynical about the world, until she meets Jolene, a wealthy social worker whose charm and spontaneity seem to offer escape.
At first, their romance feels electric, a rush of desire and possibility that cuts through Damani’s daily grind.
But as their relationship deepens, cracks begin to show. Jolene’s performative activism and inability to see her own privilege push Damani to confront how love can mirror the very inequalities she’s trying to escape.
Both tender and furious, Your Driver Is Waiting is a love story tangled in class, politics, and power.
Guns transforms a simple connection into a sharp critique of who gets to rest, who gets to feel safe, and who must keep driving just to survive.
The Other Half of Happiness by Ayisha Malik
In The Other Half of Happiness, Ayisha Malik brings Sofia Khan back and this time, she is older, wiser, and far less idealistic.
Sofia’s marriage, once a fairytale, begins to show cracks as she confronts the realities of compromise and communication.
Malik refuses the traditional “happily ever after,” instead asking what comes after love’s initial spark.
With humour and maturity, she explores faith, self-worth, and emotional resilience.
Would I Lie to You? by Aliya Ali-Afzal
Aliya Ali-Afzal’s Would I Lie to You? is an addictive, fast-paced tale of secrets, status, and second chances in London’s British Asian elite.
The story centres on Faiza, a stylish stay-at-home mother who seems to have it all: a beautiful house in Wimbledon, a successful husband, and a carefully curated lifestyle.
But when she uses the family’s savings to cover mounting personal and household expenses, hoping she can replace the money before anyone notices, everything she has built begins to slip out of her control.
When her husband unexpectedly loses his job, the truth becomes impossible to ignore.
Terrified of damaging her marriage and her social reputation, Faiza scrambles to find a solution, navigating judgmental friends, tight-lipped relatives, and communities where appearances often matter more than honesty.
Ali-Afzal blends humour and emotional tension as Faiza confronts the consequences of her choices.
Would I Lie to You? becomes part domestic drama, part romantic reckoning, showing how love can falter under pressure and how telling the truth can sometimes be the most radical act of all.
Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin
Uzma Jalaluddin’s Ayesha at Last reimagines Pride and Prejudice within a Muslim community in Toronto, resonating deeply with Desi readers.
Ayesha, a poet and teacher, clashes with Khalid, a conservative office worker, in a story that blends faith, feminism, and second chances.
Jalaluddin’s wit and warmth transform Austen’s template into a vibrant, contemporary love story.
By celebrating characters who embrace both culture and conviction, Ayesha at Last reminds readers that romance isn’t about assimilation, it’s about authenticity.
From awkward first dates to cultural clashes, these South Asian authors prove that romance can be just as messy, funny and heartfelt in real life.
From Ayisha Malik’s witty take on Muslim dating to Aliya Ali-Afzal’s sharp look at love under pressure, each book shows just how wide the spectrum of romance has become.
Together, they celebrate the many ways South Asian authors are redefining modern love: through laughter, honesty, and unforgettable characters who stay with you long after the last page.
Whether you’re a fan of feel-good romcoms or stories with a little more bite, these titles are proof that love, in all its chaos and charm, never goes out of style.
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