Like many fictional genres, romance is one that is very white washed. Nearly every book has a cast full of white cowboys, vampires, royals, etc. and time has gone on this way forever. However, publishers are finally starting to note that readers want diversity in books, and that most minority groups are severely under-represented in fiction. There are so many books cropping up with a diverse cast of characters, many of which are written by people who fit the profile that they are writing: known as "Own Voices" novels. Let's dive into a few that I've read lately, and would highly recommend.
1) The Kiss Quotient by Helen Huang
Why It's Diverse: A neurodiverse main character, a half Vietnamese main character, a family of Vietnamese (and half-Vietnamese) side characters.
Own Voices? Yes, Helen Huang is also neurodiverse!
Quick (& Dirty) Plot Run Down: Gender Swapped Pretty Woman
My Rating: 5 Stars - OH MY GOD READ THIS!
Steam Rating: 5 Flames - Proceed with caution, R+ rated.
The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
Why It's Diverse: An African American main character, a Latinx supporting character.
Own Voices: Guillory is an author of color.
Quick (& Dirty) Plot Run Down: Strangers meet in an elevator and decide to be pretend dates for a wedding.
My Rating: 4 Stars - I recommend if you enjoy a more realistic take on a romance novel.
Steam Rating: 4 Flames - A little more than PG-13.
Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren*
Why It's Diverse: A Korean main character, a Korean supporting character.
Own Voices: No.
Quick (& Dirty) Plot Run Down: College acquaintances meet years later and try to be friends. Many disastrous double dates ensue.
My Rating: 5 Stars - I highly recommend if you enjoy contemporary romance, quirky characters, and lot of heart.
Steam Rating: 5 Flames - Proceed with caution, R+ rated.
Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
Why It's Diverse: A Biracial main character (African American/Japanese)
Own Voices: Not quite. She wrote Maddie's character based on her biracial daughter.
Quick (& Dirty) Plot Run Down: Girl with "bubble disease" falls in love with the boy next door. But she can't leave her house, and she shouldn't let him come inside.
My Rating: 4 Stars - I highly recommend if you like YA, and light hearted, cute-as-can-be romance.
Steam Rating: 3 Flames - PG-13, teenage love.
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simison
Why It's Diverse: A neurodiverse main character
Own Voices: No.
Quick (& Dirty) Plot Run Down: Man creates science based "The Wife Project" to find the perfect wife. Along the way her runs into a woman who does not meet his specifications, at all.
My Rating: 4 Stars - I recommend if you are looking for a feel-good book. Especially if you enjoy Sheldon Cooper or Harold Crick (from Stranger than Fiction).
Steam Rating: 3 Flames - PG-13.
When Dimple Met Rishi by Sendaya Menden
Why It's Diverse: Indian main characters, Religiously diverse.
Own Voices: Yes.
Quick (& Dirty) Plot Run Down: Independent and modern young woman goes off to summer coding camp before she starts college, is excited that she is allowed to pursue her career rather than marry. Traditional young man also goes to coding camp. Starts pursuing young woman as if she knows that they are "arranged" to date toward marriage. Awkwardness ensues.
My Rating: 4 Stars - I recommend if you are looking for a contemporary read with diverse voices and endearing characters. I particularly loved the commentary on the "American Dream" and how the characters found their places within that.
Steam Rating: 3 Flames - PG-13, teenage love.
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertali
Why It's Diverse: Gay main character, gay supporting character.
Own Voices: No.
Quick (& Dirty) Plot Run Down: Gay teen that is not "out" meets another gay teen from his school. They really click... but the catch is... their entire relationship is online.
My Rating: 4 Stars - I recommend if you enjoy contemporary YA, and are looking for diversity within the genre.
Steam Rating: 3 Flames - PG-13, teenage love.
The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory - *Reese Witherspoon's book club pick this month!*
Why It's Diverse: An African American main character, a Latinx main character, a Korean supporting character, an LGBTQ+ supporting character.
Own Voices: Guillory is an author of color.
Quick (& Dirty) Plot Run Down: Woman turns down proposal on jumbo tron, man witnesses it and helps her get out of there. Many foodie dates ensue.
My Rating: 4 Stars - I recommend if you enjoy contemporary romance, and especially if you are looking for more diversity within the romance genre.
Steam Rating: 4 Flames - A little more than PG-13.
The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
Own Voices: Yes, Yoon is Jamaican as well.
Quick (& Dirty) Plot Run Down: Natasha and Daniel randomly cross paths in NYC and have an instant connection. Their families both have expectations for them, the other person does not meet that expectation. The biggest issue? Natasha is being deported tomorrow.
My Rating: 4 Stars - I highly recommend if you enjoy YA and are looking for diverse representation in your reading.
Steam Rating: 4 Flames - A bit more than PG-13, teenage love.
To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han - entire series!
Why It's Diverse: Koren-American main character, and her family.
Own Voices? Yes, Jenny Han is a Korean-American author.
Quick (& Dirty) Plot Run Down: Girl writes letters to a crush when she moves on, one day they all get sent. The letters were never meant to be sent.
My Rating: 4 Stars - I recommend if you are looking for a cute YA read. The characters in this are complex and well written. I enjoyed the family relationship between the sisters (so Little Women!) and their dad. I also really enjoyed the perspective of a bi-racial main character, I wish there was more diversity floating around in popular literature.
Steam Rating: 3 Flames - PG-13, teenage love.
Own Voices: Guillory is an author of color.
Quick (& Dirty) Plot Run Down: Woman turns down proposal on jumbo tron, man witnesses it and helps her get out of there. Many foodie dates ensue.
My Rating: 4 Stars - I recommend if you enjoy contemporary romance, and especially if you are looking for more diversity within the romance genre.
Steam Rating: 4 Flames - A little more than PG-13.
The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
Why It's Diverse: Korean and Jamaican main characters, and their families.
Own Voices: Yes, Yoon is Jamaican as well.
Quick (& Dirty) Plot Run Down: Natasha and Daniel randomly cross paths in NYC and have an instant connection. Their families both have expectations for them, the other person does not meet that expectation. The biggest issue? Natasha is being deported tomorrow.
My Rating: 4 Stars - I highly recommend if you enjoy YA and are looking for diverse representation in your reading.
Steam Rating: 4 Flames - A bit more than PG-13, teenage love.
To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han - entire series!
Why It's Diverse: Koren-American main character, and her family.
Own Voices? Yes, Jenny Han is a Korean-American author.
Quick (& Dirty) Plot Run Down: Girl writes letters to a crush when she moves on, one day they all get sent. The letters were never meant to be sent.
My Rating: 4 Stars - I recommend if you are looking for a cute YA read. The characters in this are complex and well written. I enjoyed the family relationship between the sisters (so Little Women!) and their dad. I also really enjoyed the perspective of a bi-racial main character, I wish there was more diversity floating around in popular literature.
Steam Rating: 3 Flames - PG-13, teenage love.
On Deck:
A Princess Theory by Alyssa Cole
Forbidden by Beverly Jenkins
Let's Talk About Love by Claire Kann
Hate to Want You by Alisha Rai
Butterface by Avery Flynn
Leah and the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli
Muffin Top by Avery Flynn
Autoboyography by Christina Lauren
An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole
Intercepted by Alexa Martin
The Matchmaker's List by Sonya Lalli
What If It's Us by becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
Waiting for Publish:
The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory
Ayesha At Last by Uzma Jalauddin
Pride and Prejudice and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev
Whew, there are SO many on my TBR!! I hope to get to so many of these soon.
What are some of your favorites?! I would love to add more to my list!
I particularly want to read more romance with LGBTQ+ characters. Most of what I've read is YA and therefore a bit more "coming of age" than romance, anyhow.
XO,
Alexandra
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