red string theory and other things about love: 7 chinese romance books

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

Summary: Rachel Chu travels to Singapore with her boyfriend Nick, only to discover he’s from one of Asia’s wealthiest and most scandalous families. Thrown into a world of excess, tradition, and scheming relatives, she must navigate love, class, and culture shock.

Themes: Wealth and class, identity, family expectations, cultural clashes, and love across social divides.

I Hope This Doesn't Find You by Ann Liang

Summary: When high-achieving Sadie’s secret draft emails—venting about everyone around her—accidentally get sent out, she’s forced to confront the masks she wears and form unexpected connections, especially with her academic rival.

Themes: Perfectionism, identity, vulnerability, academic pressure, and unexpected romance.

If You Could See The Sun by Ann Liang

Summary: In a Beijing boarding school, Alice develops the ability to turn invisible and begins selling secrets for cash, only to discover the true cost of visibility, power, and ambition.

Themes: Class, invisibility (literal and metaphorical), pressure, morality, and agency.

Loveboat, Taipei by Abigail Hing Wen

Summary: Sent to a cultural immersion program in Taipei, Ever Wong rebels against her strict parents' expectations and dives headfirst into romance, partying, and finding herself.

Themes: Identity, cultural expectation vs. individuality, rebellion, and coming-of-age.

Lunar Love by Laurent Kung Jessen

Summary: Olivia, who runs her family’s Chinese zodiac matchmaking business, clashes with Bennett, the founder of a dating app that uses a modern algorithm—but as sparks fly, they must reconcile tradition with modern love.

Themes: Cultural tradition vs. modernity, romance, entrepreneurship, and self-growth.

Red String Theory by Lauren Kung Jessen

Summary: A successful meteorologist believes in science—not fate—until a chance encounter with a man who challenges her worldview causes her to question everything she thought she knew about love and destiny.

Themes: Fate vs. logic, love, cultural folklore, and opening up to the unexpected.

This Time It's Real by Anna Liang

Summary: Eliza fabricates a fake relationship with a classmate to salvage her viral essay about love—but as their pretend romance starts to feel very real, she has to face her fears about intimacy and authenticity.

Themes: Fake dating, self-discovery, family, and finding genuine love in a performative world.