What’s your favorite Halloween-themed game? If you’re starting to plan a spooky Halloween party, follow us on Pinterest for more decor ideas!
Additional reporting by Ariel Garnea
Even if you love Halloween as much as the next gal, do you really want to keep shelling out $60 for a store-bought costume every year? Heck no! Whether you're a busy girl who doesn't have time to turn out a next-level costume or a lazy girl who just… can't even, we know that come October 30 you prob won't have anything in the pipeline. Don't panic, just get creative with what's already in your closet! Your squad will still be looking strong wherever you decide to spend fright night.
Olivia Rodrigo
Evoking by Olivia Rodrigo on her Sour album, this costume only requires you have a short plaid skirt, crop top, fall boots, and stickers for your face. (via Brit+Co)
Cassie from Euphoria
This costume is really all about the makeup. Cassie wears a lot of light blue, but you could probably make it work with your favorite form-fitting outfit along with glittery eye makeup. (via Brit+Co)
Marty McFly from Back to the Future
Go back to the future (and the '80s) with this Marty McFly costume that requires little more than jeans, a flannel shirt, a denim jacket, a vest, and — skateboard is optional, really. (via Brit+Co)
Harley Quinn from Suicide Squad
Yes, you can look good while being bad!Pull off this mod super villain look with stuff you can find in your closet. Wear a bomber jacket, ripped tee, and fishnet tights (don't act like you don't have them). Then put your hair in pigtails and pick up some pink and blue hair dye. (via Brit + Co)
Audrey Hepburn
Channel your inner Holly Golightly and have Breakfast at Tiffany's this Halloween. All you'll need is a black dress, pearls, a tiara, and a long cigarette. Extra credit if you bring along your cat.
Frida Kahlo
Kahlo might be best known for her signature unibrow, but her outfits and next-level color combos were also pretty fabulous. Pull off this look with a flower crown, floral fashion and funky earrings. Don't forget to pencil in the 'brow!
Morton's Salt Girl
How cute is the famous girl on the salt shaker? You know, the one that's hiding in the back of your spice cabinet? To pull off her look, you'll need a yellow dress, white tights, salt and umbrella.
Flight Attendant
Head out on the town or navigate the friendly skies? Whatever your plans are, you'll be ready in no time with this super easy costume! All you have to wear is a navy or red skirt, white blouse and printed scarf. Throw in a suitcase and wing pin if you're feeling fancy.
Troll
How much did you love your Troll doll as a kid? Now you can dress up as a life-size one with stuff you probably already have around the house. How great is that? You'll just need any nude-colored clothing, a felt diamond you can cut, and any colorful wig.
Lorelai Gilmore
Is it laundry day again? No worries, you'll be looking amazing as Lorelai Gilmore with this last-minute look. Just wear a pink tie dye tee, jean shorts, and a coat — they don't even need to match. Bring a coffee mug with you in case you need to make a late-night stop at Luke's.
Netflix + Chill
Get your mind out of the gutter! You're just getting ready for an epic horror movie marathon, right? There are many interpretations of this costume, from lounging around with some popcorn to a bag of ice along with your Netflix shirt.
Party Animal
Ready to paint the town red? Get out there and party this Halloween, you crazy animal. Chances are you have a glitzy gown and any animal mask hanging around. So easy! (Photo via Brit + Co)
White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland
Head through the looking glass with this elevated Alice look. You'll need a red blazer, pocket watch or clock and a white dress. Throw on white shoes, a bowtie and bunny ears, if you have some.
Carmen Sandiego
Where in the world are you going to be this Halloween? Whether it's going on a crime spree in London or Lisbon, you'll be looking stylish. Dress up in a red trench coat, fedora, black boots, leather pants and leather gloves. (via Brit + Co)
Amelie
Watching Amelie makes us have major French women #goals. For this easy costume, rock a cardigan, tank, and skirt or a red sweater with a black dress. Bring along a garden gnome or spoon for creme brûlée!
Darla from Finding Nemo
Just imagining Darla around a fish tank gives us the heebie-jeebies. Her look is easy to pull off, though. Wear your hair in pigtails, wear a sweater or sweatshirt, use tube or wire for “headgear." Bring along a plastic bag with a plastic fish and water inside.
Rosie the Riveter
Who run the world? Girls! Show everyone you mean business by dressing as Rosie the Riveter this year. Get to work in denim jeans, a denim shirt, boots and a bandana.
Minnie Mouse
So what if you're a grown-up? You'll never stop loving Disney, like, ever. Show your love for Minnie Mouse with this adorable costume. You'll just need to scrounge up a red skirt, black top, white gloves, red bow and black shoes.
Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz
We get it — a tornado came and blew away your Halloween costume and crushed a witch, too, right? Get back on the yellow brick road to Halloween fun as Dorothy. Wear any blue dress, white shirt, red shoes, braids and a picnic basket.
Bank Robber
Freeze! And hand over all the candy. Steal hearts on Halloween with this bank robber costume. You'll just need black pants, a black and white striped shirt, water gun, mask and a black hat.
Tweedle Dee/Tweedle Dum
Grab your best pal and go out together as Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. Bonus points if you speak in rhyme the whole night. Wear red pants, suspenders, yellow shirts, blue bow ties and red hats.
Wilson from Castaway
Tom Hanks was amazing in Castaway. But let's be real, Wilson was the real star of the show. Show up in a white T-shirt with a red handprint.
Mario
It's you, Mario! And in five minutes, you're ready to power up! All you'll need is a rat hat, red shirt, overalls, and red Converse. Bonus points if you make a cardboard go-kart for some irl Mario Kart.
Where's Waldo
Everyone will be able to find you in a crowd. This Waldo outfit really stands out! You'll need jeans, a red and white striped shirt, glasses and red or striped beanie. (via Brit + Co)
Aunt Flo
Wait, who invited Aunt Flo to the party? This might be the easiest costume of all time. And possibly the grossest or funniest, depending on your POV. Wear a red hat, red glasses, red dress, red gloves and bring your suitcase.
Mary Poppins
Everyone's favorite nanny made even medicine taste better with a spoonful of sugar. This look is great for a last-minute get together. A white dress with a red belt and some red bows is one option, or you can wear a dark skirt, white top, red bowtie and hat. Either way, don't forget your umbrella! (via Brit + Co)
Taylor Swift
Keep on celebrating the Fearless (Taylor's Version) era with one of her most iconic and easiest music video looks. All you need is a white tee and some sharpies!
Sadness
Feeling a little blue about not having a Halloween costume? Just go as Sadness from Inside Out. You'll only need blue pants, a gray turtleneck, glasses, blue hair spray and blue makeup.
Eleven from Stranger Things
Everyone and their mother is anticipating the new season of Stranger Things. Dress up as Eleven and show off your psychic skills while you wait. You'll need a pink dress, knee-high socks, blue coat, Eggo waffles and a fake bloody nose. (via Brit + Co)
Flo from Progressive Insurance
You probably know Flo from all the Progressive commercials. Offer everyone the best rates on candy or booze. You'll need an all-white outfit, Progressive logo, apron and “Flo" name tag.
Dancing Emoji Dolls
Grab a pal for this last-minute look that couldn't be any easier. You'll both need black leotards, black dance shoes, nude tights and black headbands with ears. Get ready to pose for lots of snaps. (via Brit + Co)
Sushi
Your Halloween night will be on a roll if you show up as sushi. If you're not feeling a DIY, just add a colored pillow, belt, and chopsticks to an all-white outfit. Pro tip: Try not to spill any soy sauce on yourself. (via Brit + Co)
Grapes
Don't wine about not having a costume. You'll be the opposite of sour grapes with this fun, fruity look. To pull it off, you'll need purple balloons safety pinned onto an all purple outfit.
Birthday Cake
Your friends will love this look as much as any kid loves cake. It does require a bit of DIY: You'll need birthday candles glued onto a headband. Then go for an all white or pink outfit.
Little Red Riding Hood
Forget the fairy tale. Red Riding Hood can be a downright sexy costume choice. To pull it off, you'll need a black dress, red cape and a picnic basket.
Looking for more easy Halloween costume ideas? Follow us on Pinterest and subscribe to our email newsletter!
This post has been updated.
If you've been missing Chad Michael Murray as much as we have, then you're going to want to tune into Mother of the Bride. Chad stars opposite Brooke Shields and Miranda Cosgrove in the new rom-com, and the Sullivan's Crossing actor is trading the cozy forest for a tropical beach! The flick has plenty of romance (that is, after all, the "rom" in question), but instead of ending with a big proposal like a lot of other romantic movies, Mother of the Bride begins with a wedding announcement. And, naturally, relationship chaos unfolds from there. There's dancing, there's yoga, there's pickleball. This is one movie you won't want to miss! Here's everything we know.
What is the movie Mother of the Bride about?
Image via Netflix
Lana (Brooke Shields) is thrilled when her daughter Emma (Miranda Cosgrove) returns to the states from her time abroad. She's less thrilled, however, to learn that Emma is getting married on the other side of the world...in 30 days. Lana is ready to support Emma however she needs, but things take a turn for the worse when she realizes Emma's future father-in-law is the man who broke her heart in college. Watch the Mother of the Bride trailer here!
When can I watch Mother of the Bride?
Image via Netflix
Mother of the Bride begins streaming on Netflix Thursday May 9, 2024, which makes this the best movie to watch this weekend. You can check out the rest of our Most-Anticipated May Movies For 2024 to update your monthly watchlist!
Who's in the Mother of the Bride cast?
Image via Netflix
Alongside Brooke Shields and Miranda Cosgrove as Lana and Emma, we'll see Chad Michael Murray, Benjamin Bratt, Rachael Harris, and Sean Teale. Michael McDonald, Wilson Cruz, Tasneem Roc, and Dalip Sondhi also star.
Where was Mother of the Bride filmed?
Image via Netflix
Mother of the Bride was filmed on location in Thailand. That sounds like a dream! According to Miranda Cosgrove, the movie filmed for six weeks, and the cast and crew spent almost every minute together.
Why is the mother of the bride so important?
Image via Netflix
The mother of the bride can be an important part of any wedding ceremony (should the couple choose to include her). While she provides some serious emotional support for the bride, the MOB also helps with wedding planning. Plus, in the past, she's also had a role in making sure any religious, cultural, or traditional elements are incorporated into the ceremony. Basically, she's the bride's right hand woman! (In addition to the Maid of Honor, of course).
Are you excited to see Brooke Shields, Chad Michael Murray, and Miranda Cosgrove? Add the rest of our 54 Most-Anticipated Spring Movies For 2024 to your watchlist for your next weekend binge watch session.
Lead image via Netflix
When it comes to the fall and winter holidays, Halloween is the official kickoff, and for good reason. Between the spooky cocktails and the awesome group costumes, there are countless ways to enjoy partying with your friends and family. But any truly amazing shindig needs food first: appetizers, meals, treats, and desserts. Whether you're making sweets or are into the savory kind of scary snack, here are 25 Halloween treats that will delight the real kids and the inner children in all of us.
Healthy Pumpkin Smoothies
Start your day with a pumpkin smoothie that has just the right amount of sweetness to give you a boost in the morning. (via Brit + Co)
Deviled Egg Brains
No matter what other fancy treats you serve at your party, people go wild for the deviled eggs every time. They're somehow even *more* irresistible when dressed up as brains. (via Brit + Co)
Pumpkin Spice Churro Milkshakes
You won't even think about Halloween candy when you have a decadent pumpkin spice milkshake to sip on instead. (via Brit + Co)
Mini Vegan Pumpkin Pie
There's nothing spookier than not having something yummy to serve your vegan guests. Avoid that horror show by making a batch of mini pumpkin pies. (via Brit + Co)
No-Bake Pumpkin Ice Cream Tart With Speculoos Crust
You'll only need one grocery store trip for this no-bake pumpkin treat. Shhhh… We promise not to tell if you simply can't share. (via Brit + Co)
Monster Sushi
If your kids are freaked out at the thought of eating raw fish... all the better. It's Halloween, after all! (via Brit + Co)
Pumpkin Samoas
The only thing scary about these pumpkin, caramel, and coconut cookies is how fast you'll be able to inhale the whole batch. (via Brit + Co)
Monster Avocado Toasts
Savory avocado toast, jazzed up with nori and other garnishes, is a tasty counterpoint to all that sugar. (via Brit + Co)
One Pot Cheesy Pumpkin Pecan Pasta
Keep away that October chill by serving up a hearty dish of creamy pumpkin pasta before heading out to beg for candy. (via Brit + Co)
Pumpkin Seed Puppy Chow
A party isn't a party without puppy chow. Make yours seasonal with pumpkin pie spice. (via Brit + Co)
Mummy Pizzas
Fresh ciabatta bread is the base for these easily customizable pizzas. The zucchini bandages are healthy *and* terrifying. (via Brit + Co)
Creamy Pumpkin Apple Quesadillas
Both sweet and savory, crispy quesadillas stuffed with cheese, apples, and pumpkin work well as a snack, appetizer, light lunch, or post-trick-or-treating revival meal. (via Love and Zest)
Fish Stick Mummies
Fish sticks and cheddar cheese are a convincingly spooky, mummified snack. (via Cutefetti)
Monster Candy Bark
If you find yourself with extra candy, melt it all down for this no-rules candy bark. Chill in the refrigerator until hard and break into bite-sized pieces. (via Fork and Beans)
Freaky Healthy Halloween Salad
No one will mind if you're that person who brings a salad to the party. The little heads of cauliflower kind of look like brains, and the syringe dressing is a clever themed accessory. (via Boulder Locavore)
Halloween Eyeball Sub
Radishes and olive slices make eerily convincing edible eyeballs. Serve on jumbo hoagie rolls for dinner, or swap those for slider buns and serve them up at your next party. (via Kitchen Sanctuary)
Halloween Snack Platter
Make the items on this platter ahead of time, then set it out for everyone to nosh on. You'll be able to spend time with the fam instead of in the kitchen getting food ready. (via Foxes Love Lemons)
Little Potato Monster Eyeballs
Who knew something that looks like bulging monster eyeballs could also taste so good? (via Noshing With the Nolands)
Pumpkin Pie Dip
Cheesecake filling and canned pumpkin are the main ingredients for this seasonal snack. Serve it up with graham crackers or some cinnamon sugar pita chips. (via Cooking Classy)
Monster Bell Pepper Salad Cups
Turning your salad into a bona fide spook-fest is the only way you'll get your kids (or yourself) to eat veggies at Halloween when there's a bunch of candy lying around. (via Fork and Beans)
Mummy Calzones
If you're a Leslie Knope, you might be satisfied with a mummy pizza on Halloween. But if you're more of a Ben Wyatt type, you know that nothing but a calzone will do. (via Frugal MomEh!)
Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Blondies
The best thing about blondies, aside from them being blondies? You can cut them into any size. Make adorable bite-sized versions to feed a crowd at your Halloween party. (via The Healthy Maven)
Wow your guests with more of our Halloween hacks on our Pinterest page.
Additional reporting by Irina Gonzalez
May is here, and we're celebrating it by sharing which Sephora birthday gift you can get this month. That's right — I'm talking about all the freebies you can find! Well, not all of them — just enough to help you find new makeup, skincare, or haircare products to add to your vanity. After looking at the options Sephora has to offer this month, we're sure you'll have a hard time choosing from all the great options.
Let's jump into the 6 glamorous Sephora birthday gifts you can get this month!
How do I redeem my free birthday gift?
In order to redeem your birthday gift, you have to become a beauty insider. Signing up is completely free.
Are birthday gifts only available online?
Some of them are, but some can be picked up in-stores. You'll want to look online to see if the birthday gift you want has the "Available online only" or "Available in Store only" label.
Can I redeem more than one gift?
Wouldn't it be nice if we could have all the things? Unfortunately, you can only choose one birthday gift set.
Am I able to redeem a VIB or Rogue birthday gift if I haven't reached those tiers?
If you recently became a beauty insider, you'll be in the 'insider' tier. Here's the requirements to reach the next tiers:
- VIB: Spend $350 in one year
- Rogue: Spend $1000 in one year
You'll have to continue spending those amounts to maintain your VIB or Rogue status. At that point, you'll be able to redeem a VIB or Rogue birthday gift.
Other than that, you have free reign to choose from 7 other great options! Here's everything you can choose during your birthday month!
Kosas Lip & Brow Birthday Set
What's included:
- Wet Lip Oil Plumping Treatment Gloss in Shade 'Unbuttoned' (Soft Warm Blush)
- Air Brow Clear + Clean Lifting Eyebrow Gel with Lamination Effect
Kosas is known for their skincare-friendly makeup which makes this birthday gift so exciting. You'll get one of the best lip oils that'll gives your lips a boost of hydration thanks to hyaluronic acid and it'll make them look kissable. Additionally, you can give your eyebrows a little boost with Kosas' air brow gel!
Youth To The People Cleanse & Hydrate Skincare Birthday Set
What's included:
- Superfood Gentle Antioxidant Refillable Cleanser
- Superfood Air-Whip Lightweight Face Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid
- Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Night Cream + Mask with Vitamin C
We stan a good skincare set that features different options for us to try. If you choose this birthday option, you'll get to sample Youth To The People's goodies that can easily be incorporate into your morning or nighttime regiment. From a pH-balancing cleanser to a Vitamin C-infused mask, your skin will appreciate this moisturizing birthday gift.
Moroccanoil Ultimate Hydration Birthday Set
What's included:
- Moroccanoil Treatment Hair Oil
- Hydrating Shampoo
- Hydrating Conditioner
- Hand Cream
Give your hair some TLC with Moroccanoil's ultimate hydrating set. Each product is infused with argan oil so you can trust that your strands will receive hydration that results in sleek hair.
Sephora Birthday Gift 250 Bonus Points
Then again, you can decide to have an extra 250 bonus points added to your account. I reached the VIB rogue tier by choosing this option one year and my total accumulated points allowed me to save $10 off my next purchase. It's a win even if it's not a gift set.
VIB
Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Look Birthday Set
What's included:
- Matte Revolution Lipstick in shade Pillow Talk
- Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
- Magic Cream Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid
If you've reached the VIB or Rogue tiers — congratulations! You'll get to take home this Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Look birthday set! If the pretty packaging doesn't catch your eye, then the gorgeous packaging and award-winning products will!
VIB
Summer Fridays On-the-Go Hydration Birthday Set
What's included:
- Jet Lag Mask
- Lip Butter Balm for Hydration & Shine in Shade 'Vanilla'
While Sephora's other birthday gifts won't change in April, there's a new Rogue VIB option to look forward to! Sephora loves surprising their amazing customers with hydrating birthday gifts and this set is right on time for all your vacation needs. The air on airplanes can be drying so you'll need Summer Friday's jet lag mask for your face and their lip butter balm for your lips!
Which of the Sephora birthday gifts will you be taking home this month?
Brit + Co. may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
This post is updated each month to reflect new Sephora birthday gift deals.
Within the expansive world of books, Asian American and Pacific Islander voices offer distinctive viewpoints and unique, thought-provoking perspectives to readers. These viewpoints help teach people about the rich culture and history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans. Plus, AAPI authors just tell really, really great stories! From heart-stopping thrillers, to swoon-worthy romances, to compelling memoirs— here are 16 books you should check out in celebration of AAPI Month!
Memory Pieceby Lisa Ko
In the 1980s, Giselle, Jackie, and Ellen were all outcasts who banded together to have friends and work towards their dreams. Now in the 2040s, the three of them are forced to confront the facts that the world around them has changed and their dreams must too. Giselle, a performer, must learn how to succeed in the elite social world. Jackie, a successful coder, must figure out how to still love his craft even as the coding industry shifts towards surveillance and monetization. And Ellen, a community activist, must come to terms with the increased policing and building that are going on in her neighborhood. This is a story of the changing world and how three lifelong friends must learn to navigate that change and build happy lives despite how different everything is.
The Fetishistby Katherine Min
Written by the late Katherine Min, The Fetishist is a tale of three individuals that explores race, femininity, and how complicated the feelings of family and grief can be. Twenty-three-year-old Japanese American Kyoko is full of anger and despair at the death of her mother, who was recently dumped by Daniel. She is determined to kill Daniel and make him pay for what he did, but her plans go wrong. Daniel is a violinist who is struggling to confront his past mistakes and move forward. Alma, Daniel’s lover, is a Korean American who is spending her final days wondering if she was truly loved in her life.
The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo
Yangsze Choo weaves a tale of old love, second chance, and ancient folklore. It is 1908 in Manchuria, the last years of the Qing Empire, when a woman is found mysteriously dead in a doorway. Suspicions are cast onto the foxes, spirits who are said to transform into beautiful people to lure victims. Detective Bao has been investigating the foxes but has never come close, until now. Meanwhile, Snow is a creature devoted to hunting her child's killer. Both are on a path from China to Japan, but what will happen as more deaths and tragedies follow in their wake?
The Nature of Disappearing by Kimi Cunningham Grant
All Emlyn wants to do is forget about her past. Forget about her best friend Janessa who doesn’t speak to her and forget about the love of her life and her ex, Tyler, who left her for dead on the roadside. Now, three years later, she is living a whole new life in her own trailer with a healthy community around her. But one day Tyler reappears with news that Janessa is missing, shoving Emlyn back into that world that she tried so hard to leave behind. Reluctantly, Emlyn joins Tyler on a mission to try to find her ex-best friend. As they explore deeper into the wilderness Emlyn begins to suspect that not all is as it seems and that she might be in just as much danger as Janessa.
The Catchby Amy Lea
Melanie Karlsen’s brand is about to collapse and she is doing everything possible to stop that from happening. That is why she currently finds herself in an east-coast Canadian fishing village. There she is learning that the stereotypical “all Canadians are nice” statement is not true, especially Evan Whaler. But when an accident lands Evan in the hospital and Melanie is mistaken as his fiancée, the two team up to appease his nagging family and save Melanie’s brand. As their relationship grows from something fake to something more, Melanie must decide whether to embrace this wild love or continue her perfect city life.
Kindlingby Traci Chee
Kindlings were once considered the elite, the fighters who used their magic to wage war at the cost of their own lives. Now that the war is over, the kindlings have been cast aside and forgotten, their magic outlawed. But when violence sparks in the countryside and a village comes under siege, seven kindlings must step up and fight one last time. But can they break through their past and find that peace that they have been searching for through this final battle? This standalone fantasy by Traci Chee explores the deepest parts of humanity and what it means to be lost and led back to find a future worth fighting for.
The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean
Ever since Detective Chelsey Calhoun’s sister disappeared twenty years ago, she has been searching for any clues as to what happened. As other girls go missing and are not found, Chelsey begins to give up hope. But when teenager Ellie Black, who disappeared two years ago, is found alive in the Washington State woods, Chelsey finally has hope again. There’s only one problem, Ellie will not say anything and it is now up to Chelsey to find out what happened and where Ellie was. For the sake of herself, her missing sister, and the girls who will continue to go missing if she does not solve this mystery.
The Djinn Waits a Hundred Yearsby Shubnum Khan
Akhbar Manzil has always drawn Sana close. With the abandoned estates’ dark halls, empty rooms, and mysterious East Wing, Sana wants to know more. When she ventures into the East Wing she finds a door that has been closed for centuries, a room that was suspended in time, and a young woman's diary. As Sana explores the diary and learns of young Meena, who tragically passed in the estate, something stirs. Watching and hunting Sana from the shadows, a grieving djinn from the time of Meena’s death has awoken. In this heartbreaking and mysterious love story, Shubnum Khan weaves a tale of searching for belonging.
Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan
With the Gresham Trust depleted and the family in severe debt, Rufus Leung Gresham is told by his mother to attend his sister's wedding at a luxury eco-resort and find a wealthy wife. Seducing a woman with money would save the family fortune and spare them from many scandals. But despite all of the wealthy and attractive women at the wedding, Rufus Gresham only has eyes for the humble girl next door. As a volcano erupts and the wedding goes up in flames, secrets are exposed, and his mother’s plans are revealed, can Rufus recover or will tragedy strike even further?
True Love and Other Impossible Odds by Christina Li
Grace Tang is a freshman in college, determined to move on from her heartbreaking senior year of high school and start her life new. But when her statistics class forces her to write an equation, she chooses to write an algorithm that will pair people with their perfect match. But some people are skeptical, including Grace’s coworker Julia. To prove her point, Grace starts dating her match, but as she grows closer and closer to Julia even she is finding herself starting to question the algorithm. Can Grace choose between the neat and predictable equations or will she risk a love that does not follow the formula?
Asking For A Friend by Kara H.L. Chen
This upcoming Young Adult novel by Kara H.L. Chen is the perfect summer rom-com to look forward to! There are only two things that Juliana Zhao is certain of; that she is a love expert and that she is going to win the Asian Americans in Business Competition. But when Juliana is dropped by her project partner and forced to pair up with frenemy Garrett Tsai, everything starts to fall apart. Arguments ensue and Juliana is forced to realize that maybe winning isn't everything and that her sheltered worldview won’t make her the perfect daughter or successful woman she strives to be.
Manila Takes Manhattan by Carla de Guzman
When Filipino musician and producer Mon Mendoza finds himself struggling to fit in while in New York City, he finds comfort in making some pancit canton, and unintentionally finds himself on a date with his neighbor. Actress Olivia Angeles has taken on so many characters, but the one she struggles most to embody is her true self. She finds that in a one-night stand with her insanely attractive and excellent cook neighbor. But now, one month later, Olivia and Mon find themselves working on the same movie. Can the two of them remain professional or will their steaming chemistry become too much?
You Know What You Did by K.T. Nguyen
Annie “Anh Le” Shaw had grown up poor but is now wealthy, with everything that she could ever want in her life. But when her Vietnam War refugee mother suddenly and unexpectedly dies, Annie’s perfect world begins to fall apart. Her OCD comes storming back, but her disturbing thoughts and fixations are actually coming true. As more people start to disappear and die, suspicions turn to Annie. To save her husband and daughter, she distances herself only to be found naked and next to a dead body in a hotel room. But all that matters is protecting her family, even if she loses herself in the process.
Their Divine Fires by Wendy Chen
Covering three generations of Chinese women and their love and affairs, this debut novel by Wendy Chen explores the ideas of ancestors, secrets, and folklore. In 1917, Yunhong falls deeply in love with a wealthy landlord's son, but when her brother ruins their wedding he ensures that her daughter will never know her father. As time passes her daughter, Yuexin, passes on stories to her daughters who try to unravel the family’s secrets. This novel dives deep into family history: what the ancestors get to decide to pass down to their future family, and what gets lost to time forever.
One Last Word by Suzanne Park
Sara Chae is the creator of the One Last Word app, an app that allows you to send a message to anyone after you pass away. With obvious and secure safeguards in place, these messages are only sent out after people are 100% confirmed to be dead. Or at least that’s what they are supposed to do. But when Sara wakes up to find that her messages were released, everything goes wrong. Drunk messages to her emotionally abusive mother, her ex-best friend, and a love confession to her high school crush, Harry Shim, all get spilled, leaving Sara (who is very much alive) to deal with the fallout. But when she is offered a mentorship program from none other than Harry, she realizes that this could be a path forward and could lead to everything she’s dreamed of.
In a Not So Perfect World by Neely Tubati-Alexander
When Sloane Cooper is offered an interview for her dream job as a video game designer at a top company she is jumping for joy. But somehow during the interview process, in front of an all-male panel, she finds herself promising to not get involved in any romance to stay focused on her work. Unfortunately for her, her extremely hot neighbor Charlie offers to take her on an all-inclusive trip to a tropical resort to make his ex jealous and return to him. Sloane agrees, thinking that the trip will be good for her to focus on her work. But can she resist falling in love with this man in such a romantic setting? His love life and her career depend on it.
Need more book recs? Be sure to checkout our storefront for all our favorite reads right now!
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
Header image via Amazon