“Which love narratives are highlighted? Whose joyous conclusions do we witness?”
These thought-provoking inquiries fuel the creative drive of author Lily Chu, who has captivated readers with her acclaimed romance novels featuring vibrant Asian protagonists. This choice stems from the historical trend in mainstream romantic comedies across various media — be it literature, cinema, or television — that often center around white characters in lead roles.
“In a romantic comedy, the narrative fundamentally revolves around the principal characters and their evolving relationship, culminating in a satisfying conclusion — that’s the essence of romance,” Chu articulates. “When we examine representation within this genre, it raises questions about who gets to envision themselves achieving that fulfillment. Who gets portrayed as alluring? It’s vital to showcase diverse representation because relying solely on limited narratives can create misconceptions about an entire community’s identity. No single story epitomizes any group. Therefore, it’s essential to highlight varied stories from diverse perspectives and backgrounds.”
In her most recent work titled Drop Dead, streaming exclusively on Audible, renowned for its high-quality audio storytelling and narrated by professional talents Phillipa Soo and John Cho—this novel chronicles two biracial journalists (mirroring Chu’s own background) who find themselves at odds yet must collaborate to unravel a captivating mystery. Expect clever dialogue! Scandalous plot twists! A slow-burn romance! And most delightfully—a cast of cats!
Drop Dead represents Chu’s fourth featured title on Audible, alongside previous works such as The Stand-In, The Comeback, and The Takedown. Don’t miss our engaging Twitch stream where Lily Chu discusses her creative process with Refinery29 Entertainment Director Melissah Yang and Beauty Director Sara Tan—detailing her inspiration for Drop Dead, insights into adapting her books into audiobooks, experiences as an Audible Originals author, how she navigated her writing journey (hint: Twitter was instrumental), and much more.
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