Meet Jackie Lau

A couple of years ago I discovered Canadian author Jackie Lau. She writes books that are very full of family, which you know I adore. Set in Canada (Toronto and area) and with many of them set in the big city, I like that I get a peek into a world that's very different from my own, and yet very much something I can relate to.

Her books are full of emotion, and yet also tons of fun. There are T-Rex costumes, sex toys (not both at the same time!) and a lot of my favourite tropes like pretend relationships, snowed-in, and big brother's best friends.

Bonus, she writes books full of food. Never a bad thing, except when you realize you've had to go get a snack in the middle of the book!

Check out these Jackie Lau romances. If you want to share these recommendations with a friend, remember you can use the FORWARD button at the bottom of the email and they'll be able to read and follow links without having to sign up for their own newsletters.

Holidays with the Wongs

Instead of showing you the four individual books where I think you should start, Jackie has them available in a four book set.

These are holiday romance novellas (lots of holidays, not just Christmas) about the Wong siblings. I really like these, and hope you enjoy them as well.

Book 1: A Match Made for Thanksgiving
Tropes include one night stand, match making family, and tons of food.

Book 2: A Second Chance Road Trip for Christmas
Snowed-in, second chance romance.

Book 3: A Fake Girlfriend for Chinese New Year
Fake relationship, yes! Food, yes! 

Book 4: A Big Surprise for Valentine's Day
Includes one of the funniest versions of “oh, no, will it fit? ever. (Spoiler–it might not!)

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Ice Cream Lover

I love this cover copy, and the rest of the story is equally fun. Yes, I bought myself fancy ice cream to enjoy while reading.

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I hate ice cream. Ever since my fiancée left me at the altar and skewered me in her bestseller “Embrace Your Inner Ice Cream Sandwich: Finding the Positive You in a World of Negativity,” I haven’t been able to stomach the stuff.

Unfortunately, my five-year-old niece is a budding foodie and her favorite place in the world is Ginger Scoops, a cutesy Asian ice cream shop. Since I’ve been looking after my niece a lot lately, I’ve spent too much time there, sipping black coffee, refusing to eat ice cream, and trying not to look at the owner, Chloe Jenkins. Chloe is obnoxiously cheerful, and I can’t stand her.

Naturally, I end up kissing her.

But I’ve sworn off women after the fiasco with my ex-fiancée, and I’m convinced I’m no good at relationships. Still, with Chloe I’m tempted to do the impossible: give love and ice cream another chance…

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Donut Fall in Love

This is a more recent release, and one that deals with the topic of grief. It's an emotional read, but there's the same fun elements of food and family, and I like the positive growth in all the characters

And dad getting into twitter wars with his son is hysterical.

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A baker provides the sweetest escape for an actor in this charming romantic comedy.

Actor Ryan Kwok is back in Toronto after the promotional tour for his latest film, a rom-com that is getting less-than-stellar reviews. After years of constant work and the sudden death of his mother, Ryan is taking some much-needed time off. But as he tries to be supportive to his family, he struggles with his loss and doesn't know how to talk to his dad—who now trolls him on Twitter instead of meeting him for dim sum.
 
Innovative baker Lindsay McLeod meets Ryan when he knocks over two dozen specialty donuts at her bakery. Their relationship is off to a messy start, but there’s no denying their immediate attraction. When Ryan signs up for a celebrity episode of Baking Fail, he asks Lindsay to teach him how to bake and she agrees.

As Lindsay and Ryan spend time together, bonding over grief and bubble tea, it starts to feel like they’re cooking up something sweeter than cupcakes in the kitchen.

Amazon ♥ B&N ♥ Kobo ♥ iBooks ♥ Google Play