If You Read These Books…Try These J-Dramas: Romance Edition Vol. 3

Hello Everyone! As you know, I’m a big fan of Japanese dramas and Romance novels. Today I’ll be recommending even more romance novels that can be paired up with Japanese Dramas and vice versa. To see the first batch of recommendations click here.

Each book or show centers around a romance or has romance included in the storyline. I hope you all enjoy these personal picks and come away with some new books and TV shows to watch!

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Love, Decoded is a story that follows high school student Gigi who wants to take over her great aunt’s matchmaking business. An overachiever, Gigi feels the pressure to do more even though she’s juggling so much already. Determined to reach valedictorian status and prove those around her wrong she decides to bring her app “Matchmaker 3000” to bat and dabble in love herself. It’s wholesome and has an overarching theme of choosing the path you carve out for yourself with a bit of romance.

Hana Kimi follows the story of Ashiya Mizuki is a Japanese girl in the United States who one day sees the young athlete Sano Izumi compete in the high jump on television. Sano gets injured one day in America while trying to help Mizuki escape from some gangsters and as a result stops high jumping. Mizuki blames herself for the incident and decides to go to Japan and help Sano find his love for high jumping. Besides the obvious fact that you can tell Mizuki is a girl (she deosn’t even barely talk/act like a guy) throughout the show, I thought the plot was kind of thin. But as I watched more of the show I realized that this wasn’t a strong plot based drama, but rather a funny, wacky, no-nonsense show (you have to watch it to see what I mean). I ended up falling in love with all of the characters and their hilarious antics in the end. 

Why you Should Read/Watch: Open Secrets, Cute Romance, Friendships

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In It’s Your Move, Word Freak the romance is sparked by Aryan and Alisha who meet through playing online scrabble games. The romance blossoms once they meet in person snd they soon fall deeply in live while also navigating through some reckonings in their personal lives and family. I appreciated that the novel doesn’t go with the “love heals all” trope but rather the presence of each other in their lives helps to shake things up and see perspectives of ways they need to change and how they can tackle different obstacles. The reader gets to travel from Mumbai to London, and the descriptive writing really helps to not only connect with the character but gives an immersive feeling.

In From 5 to 9, the story follows Junko Sakuraba, a 29-year-old English teacher who dreams of moving to New York. After an embarrassing encounter at a funeral with a handsome monk named Takane Hoshikawa, she’s later tricked into a matchmaking session where she discovers he is her intended partner. It was a sweet and funny drama that focusing on family, but also overcoming differences.

Why you Should Read/Watch: Opposites Attract, Cultural, Meet Cute

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If you’re looking for a cute and lighthearted YA romance novella, Prom Queen Perfect is your book. Though it was sometimes formulaic what stood out to me the most was the main cast of characters and themes of tackling high school issues. Alex the main character has always dreamed of being prom queen like the women in her family and will stop at nothing to get what she wants.When reality hits her with a cold hard dose of the truth it forces her to re-evaluate who she is a person. This novella was fun to read and the romance bits were very sweet!

In Mischievous Kiss, At a high school entrance ceremony, high school student Kotoko Aihara (notices pretty boy Naoki Irie and falls in love with him immediately. Kotoko initially doesn’t express her feelings to him, but finally has a chance to tell him how she feels. Unfortunately, Naoki turns Kotoko down. One day, Kotoko Aihara’s house is severely damaged by an earthquake. Until the house is rebuilt, Kotoko Aihara and her father decide to live with her father’s friend. When Kotoko Aihara moves to her new temporary house, she is surprised to learn that Naoki Irie lives there as well. This is actually the fourth (including the anime version) live action adaptation I have seen of the famous manga Itazura Na Kiss (Mischievous Kiss).

Why you Should Read/Watch: Opposites Attract, Forced Proximity, First Love

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Temporary Wife Temptation is following Natalie is a hardworking woman who takes her career very seriously and she wants to make the best life for her niece so she can gain custody of her. Garrett is the heir to the Hansol Company but wants to pave his own way. His grandmother wants him to marry a chaebol heiress. And so the two enter in a marriage of convenience. Another fun aspects of this novel is that the cat and mouse game between the couple. The witty banter, and flirtatious looks had me hooked into the romance. The attraction was always there but seeing the two fall for each other was incredibly sweet.

In House Marriage Honey is about a young couple got married almost immediately after meeting each other through a dating app and did not realize that they were working for the same company. They decided to keep their marriage a secret from their company and friends. At first, both parties thought it’s okay to get married without love but they gradually fall in love with each other. For what the drama was it enjoyable, funny, and sweet. The couple was charming and their awkward moments were cute.

Why you Should Read/Watch: Contract Marriage, Comedy

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Elevator Pitch has many steamy scenes, at its core, the romance is incredibly sweet and the story is so heartfelt. I enjoyed the way this Neighbors-To-Lovers trope played out and how readers also become intertwined with the building residents and leading character’s friends. They added so much entertainment to the story and help Greyson and Selah realize their full potential and support them in overcoming their past relationship traumas

Hey Sensei, Don’t You Know? is a a renowned romance manga writer who is dedicated to her work but has never experienced love herself. Constantly teased by her editor about her lack of romantic experience, Hanai decides to transform her appearance. At a salon, she meets Riichi, a charismatic stylist who catches her eye. Struck by his charm, Hanai unexpectedly falls for him, and the feeling appears to be mutual. As she navigates her first real relationship, Hanai struggles to balance her intense work ethic with her newfound romance. It’s a fast-paced and cute romance drama.

Why you Should Read/Watch: Healing Romance, Budding Love

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Have you watched any of these Japanese Dramas or read any of these books? What pairings would you recommend? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!