海角大神

Reading a good romance novel need not be a guilty pleasure. The longings for connection, for happy endings, for overcoming loneliness and isolation are universal desires. So there鈥檚 no reason to hide that novel under a more 鈥渟erious鈥� piece of literature. And fans of this genre are legion: Romance was the second-bestselling genre of fiction after general adult fiction in 2021, and sales rose significantly during the first year of the pandemic, according to Fortune magazine. Hundreds of blogs are devoted to romantic stories, in which the genre is further subdivided into specialty audiences.聽

This year as we mark Valentine鈥檚 Day 鈥� which florists, chocolatiers, and greeting card companies would try to convince us is only about romantic love 鈥� we look to widen the scope to include not only couples, but also friends, families, and even whole communities.聽

These novels, set in a variety of cultures, offer realistic portrayals of individuals who are sometimes in conflict, but who are always journeying toward acceptance and love. It鈥檚 also noteworthy to find many male characters in these books who are represented as genuine, intelligent, and thoughtful.聽

And for the foodies out there, you鈥檝e hit the jackpot 鈥� these stories revolve around everything from tantalizing donuts and spicy Indian dishes to Nigerian specialties and international delicacies. Whether this is clever cross-marketing or not, having a little something to nosh on while reading them certainly adds to the enjoyment.聽

Charming confection

Julie Tieu鈥檚 debut novel, 鈥淭he Donut Trap,鈥� is a sweet confection with real substance. The story, whose universality will appeal to readers nostalgic for their own youth, also takes on specificity as Tieu explores the dynamics of a Chinese Cambodian American family. The Tran family owns Sunshine Donuts, near Los Angeles. College grad Jasmine, known as Jas, feels like a failure, 鈥渂ack at square one, living with my parents and helping out at the shop, as if college never happened.鈥� Her spirits are buoyed by Alex, an old college crush; the return of her brother, Pat; and putting her work dreams into action.聽

Tieu鈥檚 story sparkles with flirty banter (between Jas and Alex) and exasperated parent-child exchanges, until finally healing avenues of communication open up. Readers will witness what it means to be a first-generation American coping with immigrant parents. The novel, in which forgiveness is a beautifully resonant theme, evokes empathy and understanding. 聽

Ambitious podcaster

In Uzma Jalaluddin鈥檚 鈥淗ana Khan Carries On鈥� 鈥� which will be adapted into film by Mindy Kaling and Amazon Studios 鈥� Hana is a smart and ambitious 20-something South Asian woman living in Toronto. Her dreams of becoming a broadcast journalist are just beginning to take flight with her anonymous podcast, 鈥淎na鈥檚 Brown Girl Rambles.鈥� Too busy for a boyfriend, Hana interns at a radio station and serves customers at her family鈥檚 failing halal restaurant. She is shocked when a new, hip Indian restaurant moves in nearby.聽

Jalaluddin successfully re-imagines the 1995 rom-com 鈥淵ou鈥檝e Got Mail,鈥� setting it within a loving Muslim community that is facing racism. Hana鈥檚 texting friendship with her loyal podcast fan, StanleyP, competes for her heart鈥檚 attention with her intriguing rival Aydin, son of the new restaurateur. Hana reaches our hearts with her desire 鈥渢o tell diverse stories that made a difference, that framed personal narratives in a way that allowed people to think about the world in a whole new light.鈥澛�

Love letter to two cultures

鈥淟ove, Chai, and Other Four-Letter Words,鈥� Annika Sharma鈥檚 captivating debut in 鈥淭he Chai Masala Club鈥� series, is a stunning love letter to New York City and Indian culture told through a heartwarming, interracial love story.聽

Indian American biomedical engineer Kiran Mathur falls for her charming new neighbor, Nash Hawthorne, a white Tennessean and child psychologist. The two enjoy getting to know each other on adventures around the city, checking off items on their bucket lists, a tradition started by Kiran鈥檚 three best friends 鈥� who are her family in America. Kiran is mindful that her parents, who were told by village elders to disown her older sister in India for marrying outside their caste, will be vehemently opposed to her new relationship. She and Nash ultimately face ancient Indian cultural beliefs that would keep them apart. Still, she summons resourcefulness and patience to restore broken family ties. This enchanting novel feels like one beautiful soul-searching conversation. 聽

Finding self-acceptance

In Lizzie Damilola Blackburn鈥檚 鈥淵inka, Where Is Your Huzband?鈥� British Nigerian Oxford graduate Yinka Oladeji is up for promotion at the investment bank where she works. But when her mum and aunties publicly humiliate her at her sister鈥檚 baby shower and during a church service by sending up 鈥渢he prayer of the century,鈥� for God to grant Yinka a 鈥渉uzband,鈥� Yinka unravels. Losing her job next, and not interested in entering the dating market, she bumps into her old boyfriend, now engaged to a woman with lighter skin than Yinka鈥檚. Cut to Yinka throwing herself into a secret plan to find a date to an upcoming wedding by updating herself (with nods to 鈥淏ridget Jones鈥檚 Diary鈥�). The story is packed with humor, drama, and good-hearted characters. Yinka鈥檚 genuine faith and wish to remain a virgin until marriage are refreshing. She finds success when she faces her fears and rejoices in her authentic self, truly accepting her father鈥檚 words, 鈥淵inka, you鈥檙e beautiful. ... Remember, the midnight sky is just as beautiful as the sunrise.鈥澛�

Friendship by post

Kim Fay travels back to the 1960s in 鈥淟ove & Saffron: A Novel of Friendship, Food, and Love,鈥� in which two women correspond through letters, reminiscent of 鈥�84, Charing Cross Road.鈥� Immie lives on Camano Island, near Seattle, with her husband and writes a column for Northwest Home & Life. A younger writer and travel enthusiast named Joan sends a gift of exotic saffron to Immie, and a friendship for the ages is born. Through sisterly, often hilarious letters, they share recipes, hopes, and dreams, and lean on each other during difficult times, such as the Cuban missile crisis and John F. Kennedy鈥檚 assassination. In Immie, Joan finds a confidant when she falls in love with a widower. Delicious food, wonderful characters, and adventures abound in this delightful story that simmers with affection.