I’m thrilled to announce my third novel WHAT WE LEFT UNSAID will be published on both sides of the Atlantic this summer. This book has been a long time coming for me: I came up with the idea for it in the middle of Covid, did my research by embarking on a 3-week road trip along Route 66 with my partner and 1-year-old in October 2021, and now, in August 2025, the book is finally coming out!
There’s a lot I can say about it. Here’s the blurb:
On an unexpected road trip, three estranged siblings uncover a startling family secret and larger truths about being Asian American in a post-COVID world—from the author of the “dazzling and devastating” (Chris Whitaker, New York Times bestselling author) thriller Complicit.
One one hand, I wanted to explore the Great American Road Trip from the perspective of people of color. But I also want to address the issue of a nation that is divided politically, financially, ideologically, and encapsulate that in a single family – and ask: is it possible to repair that divide?
Anyway, I’ve been getting some wonderful reviews from early readers and other authors, so I can’t wait to share it with the world. You can now pre-order my book from all good booksellers in the US (out on Aug 19) and the UK (out on Aug 7). Please do – pre-orders make a huge difference!
My debut novel Dark Chapter is also being re-issued in a new edition with Datura Books in both the US and UK, out on July 15th. This new UK edition will include two chapters which only appeared in the original US edition, back in 2017. Obviously, Dark Chapter is inspired by what now feels like a dark, even distant chapter in my lifetime – but many people tell me the book continues to resonate with them. And that means a great deal to me.
Perhaps that chapter came to a metaphorical end last summer when I finally completed my PhD at the London School of Economics. After 9.5 years of doctoral research, I submitted my dissertation on the emotional labour of rape survivors who speak out in mainstream media. I drew from my own experiences with the media, but am also indebted to the seven survivors I interviewed. Thank you! And yes, it felt good to finally pass that viva (even though some thief stole my bag in Central London that night when I was out celebrating, and got their own 200-page print-out of my dissertation).
Finally, I am now an Assistant Professor at the University of Birmingham! I’m in their Department of Film and Creative Writing, and it’s been a lovely experience so far. After a few years of feeling uprooted due to Covid, it will be nice to put down roots somewhere.
In the meantime, maybe I’ll see you on the book tour circuit when I’m talking about WHAT WE LEFT UNSAID. Stay tuned for a schedule of events!