about
Sher Lee writes young adult novels with Asian characters. She lives in Singapore and has an abiding love for local street food (including an incredible weakness for xiao long bao). She has two adorable corgis, Clover and Spade.
Her debut YA rom-com, FAKE DATES AND MOONCAKES, is published by Penguin Random House (US) and Macmillan (UK), and has been translated in Spain, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Brazil, and the Czech Republic.
Her YA fantasy, LEGEND OF THE WHITE SNAKE, will be published in October 2024 by HarperCollins (US) and Macmillan (UK), and will be translated in Spain, Italy, Germany, Portugal, and Brazil.
She is represented by Jess Regel at Helm Literary.
books
US
UK & INTERNATIONAL
LEGEND OF THE WHITE SNAKE
October 15, 2024 from HarperCollins (US)
October 17, 2024 from Macmillan (UK)
A snake spirit transforms into a boy and must hide his true identity after falling for a headstrong prince in this lush, romantic retelling of the traditional Chinese folktale.
When Prince Xian was a boy, a white snake bit his mother and condemned her to a slow, painful death. The only known cure is an elusive spirit pearl—or an antidote created from the rare white snake itself. Desperate and determined, Xian travels to the city of Changle, where an oracle predicted he would find and capture a white snake.
Seven years ago, Zhen, a white snake in the West Lake, consumed a coveted spirit pearl, which gave him special powers—including the ability to change into human form.
In Changle, Xian encounters an enigmatic but beautiful stable boy named Zhen. The two are immediately drawn to each other, but Zhen soon realizes that he is the white snake Xian is hunting. As their feelings grow deeper, will the truth about Zhen’s identity tear them apart?
EDITORIAL REVIEWS
"Lee offers up a queer rendition of a Chinese folktale . . . Lush worldbuilding and flowing prose culminate in a story of love, loss, and destiny that pays homage to Chinese xianxia fantasy dramas."
—Publisher's Weekly
TRANSLATED EDITIONS
SPANISH from Ediciones Urano
PORTUGUESE (Portugal) from Penguin Random House Portugal
PORTUGUESE (Brazil) from VR Editora
ITALIAN from Mondadori Libri
GERMAN from Karibu/Edel
US
UK & INTERNATIONAL
ALSO AVAILABLE FROM
Books of Wonder - New York City, NY
Porter Square Books - Boston/Cambridge, MA
Mysterious Galaxy - San Diego, CA
The Ripped Bodice - Los Angeles, CA
FAKE DATES AND MOONCAKES
Penguin Random House (US) | Macmillan (UK)
Heartstopper meets Crazy Rich Asians in this heartfelt, joyful rom-com that follows an aspiring chef who discovers the recipe for love is more complicated than it seems when he starts fake-dating a handsome new customer.
Dylan Tang wants to win a Mid-Autumn Festival mooncake-making competition for teen chefs—in memory of his mom, and to bring much-needed publicity to his aunt’s struggling Chinese takeout in Brooklyn.
Enter Theo Somers: charming, wealthy, with a smile that makes Dylan’s stomach do backflips. AKA a distraction. Their worlds are sun-and-moon apart, but Theo keeps showing up. He even convinces Dylan to be his fake date at a family wedding in the Hamptons.
In Theo’s glittering world of pomp, privilege, and crazy rich drama, their romance is supposed to be just pretend . . . but Dylan finds himself falling for Theo. For real. Then Theo’s relatives reveal their true colors—but with the mooncake contest looming, Dylan can’t risk being sidetracked by rich-people problems.
Can Dylan save his family’s business and follow his heart—or will he fail to do both?
AWARDS & EDITORIAL REVIEWS
American Library Association’s (ALA) Rainbow Book List 2024
Bank Street Library’s Best Children’s Books of the Year 2024
"Lee's debut skillfully utilizes beloved rom-com tropes . . . Quick and engaging dialogue, coupled with plentiful queer and Chinese cultural representation, makes for a sweet ode to family, food, and love."
—Publisher's Weekly
"Debut novelist Lee presents a rom-com romp full of meddling and hijinks. Foodies will have lots to savor, and cultural heritage and appreciation are at the forefront. Sweet-filled fun."
—Kirkus Reviews
TRANSLATED EDITIONS
POLISH from Wydawnictwo Literackie
SPANISH from Ediciones Urano
PORTUGUESE (Portugal) from Penguin Random House Portugal
PORTUGUESE (Brazil) from Editora Globo Alt
ITALIAN from Mondadori Libri (August 27)
CZECH from Euromedia (not yet released)
COMMISSIONED ARTWORK BY VENESSA KELLEY
get in touch
For any business-related inquiries related to my novels, publicity, or subsidiary rights, please contact my agent Jess Regel at Helm Literary at jess@helmliterary.com
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DESIGN ©2022-24 by Sher Lee