AAPI Joy Book Recs: Romance, Mysteries & Fantasy by Asian American Pacific Islander Authors

AAPI Joy Book Recs: Romance, Mysteries & Fantasy by Asian American Pacific Islander Authors

Author: Under the Covers Book Blog May 2, 2025 Duration: 40:56

Welcome to the Novel Hour Live Replay! In this special episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, we’re celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month with a lineup of joyful reads across romance, fantasy, YA, and mystery—all by AAPI authors.

Plus, we’re chatting about what we’re currently reading, what we’re watching (Real Housewives fans, we see you), and big updates to the Novel Hour format. Spoiler: it’s getting a glow-up with new releases, pop culture gossip, and more fun every Thursday on YouTube.

🎥 Watch the full replay on YouTube:

https://youtube.com/live/gomRxZCclLY?feature=share

📚 Books Mentioned in This Episode

Romance

The Donut Trap by Julie Tieu

The Girl Most Likely To by Julie Tieu

Love at First Set by Suzanne Park

Happy Endings by Thien-Kim Lam

How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang

The Stand-In by Lily Chu

Drop Dead by Lily Chu (May 2025)

Once Upon a Sunset by Tif Marcelo

Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean

Fantasy & YA

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim

The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker

Jade City by Fonda Lee

Mystery & Thriller

The Verifiers by Jane Pek

The Society of Lies by Lauren Ling Brown

Counterfeit by Kirstin Chen

Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu

Currently Reading / Watching

All the Signs by Jessie Rosen

The Sea Witch by Eva Leigh (August 2025)

Medusa (Netflix)

Real Housewives of Atlanta & Miami

Legend of Ochi (movie)

In Which Margot Halifax Earns Her Shocking Reputation by Alexandra Vasti

Loved the episode?

Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕

💌 Talk to Me:

Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.

Support the Show:

Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.

📚 Stay Connected:

  1. Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.
  2. YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.
  3. Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.

💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!


If you've ever stayed up far too late, utterly lost in the world of a romance novel, you're in the right place. Reading Under the Covers: A Romance Novel Podcast is that feeling, turned into a conversation. Hosted by the two friends behind the Under the Covers Book Blog, this podcast feels like pulling up a chair in your favorite bookstore café. Each episode is a deep, often hilarious, and always heartfelt dive into the books they can't stop thinking about. You'll hear genuine, spoiler-filled discussions that dissect everything from beloved tropes and character chemistry to the sheer craft of storytelling. It's a celebration of the genre in all its forms-historical, contemporary, fantasy, and everything in between. More than just reviews, it's about the shared experience of reading: the anticipation of a new release, the comfort of a re-read, and the joy of finding a perfect book boyfriend. This is a space for fellow enthusiasts who understand that a great romance novel isn't just a story; it's an escape, a comfort, and a source of genuine delight. Tune in for passionate recommendations, thoughtful analysis, and the kind of enthusiastic fangirling that only true friends and book lovers can share.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Reading Under the Covers: A Romance Novel Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Did Elyse Myers Cross the Line? Author vs Reader Drama Explained [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:02
Did Elyse Myers actually break the #1 rule of author etiquette… or is BookTok being dramatic? 👀 This week on Reading Under the Covers, Novel Hour chat, we’re talking about the Elyse Myers book drama, what really went dow…
I Broke Up With Goodreads After 13 Years (Here's What I Use Now) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:08
After 13 years on Goodreads, I finally quit 3 years ago. Here's what happened when I tested every major alternative and found the one that actually works for tracking my reading life.In this episode of the Reading Under…
The Goodreads Choice Awards 2025 Nominees Are WILD This Year [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:25
In this episode of the Reading Under the Covers Podcast, we are diving into the Goodreads Choice Awards 2025, aka the Super Bowl of book drama. We’re breaking down the nominees, sharing our knee-jerk reactions, casting o…
5 Paranormal Romance Recs on Kindle Unlimited (Old School Vibes) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:13
If you miss the paranormal romance era of vampires, witches, and fae that actually felt dangerous and romantic, these 5 new releases I read have that old school PNR energy we've been craving, and they're ALL on Kindle Un…
30 Years Reading Paranormal Romance Taught Me This Pattern [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:30
In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, I share my 30 year reading experience with the paranormal alpha and my thesis on a connection I noticed about their popularity and decline. They explo…