Sher Lee writes young adult novels with Asian characters. She
grew up 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 is published 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.
about
LEGEND OF THE WHITE SNAKE
HarperCollins (US) | 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?
AWARDS & EDITORIAL REVIEWS
Indigo’s Best Teen Books of 2024
“Set in a captivating xianxia world inspired by the titular Chinese
folktale, this work is packed with earnest romance and drama. Lee
skillfully packs her story with angst and action, creating stakes that
will have readers rooting for Xian and Zhen’s love to succeed.
A queer reimagining of a classic Chinese folktale that feels timeless.”
—Kirkus 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
PORTUGUESE (Portugal) from Penguin Random House Portugal
PORTUGUESE (Brazil) from VR Editora (OUT NOW!)
SPANISH from Ediciones Urano (Coming September 2025)
ITALIAN from Mondadori Libri (not yet released)
GERMAN from Karibu/Edel (Coming April 2026)
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
New York Public Library Vibrant Voices: New Books from Authors of
Color 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
TRANSLATIONS
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
LEGEND OF THE WHITE SNAKE
HarperCollins (US) | Macmillan (UK)
A snake spirit transforms into a boy and must hide his true identity
after falling for a headstrong prince in this queer 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?
AWARDS & EDITORIAL REVIEWS
Indigo’s Best Teen Books of 2024
“Set in a captivating xianxia world inspired by the titular Chinese
folktale, this work is packed with earnest romance and drama. Lee
skillfully packs her story with angst and action, creating stakes that
will have readers rooting for Xian and Zhen’s love to succeed.
A queer reimagining of a classic Chinese folktale that feels timeless.”
—Kirkus 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
TRANSLATIONS
books
US
UK & INTERNATIONAL
PORTUGUESE EDITION from Penguin Livros (Secret Society)
SPANISH EDITION from Ediciones Urano (Coming September 2025)
GERMAN EDITION from Karibu/Edel (Coming April 2026)
ITALIAN EDITION from Mondadori Libri (Coming soon)
COMMISSIONED ARTWORK BY VENESSA KELLEY
CZECH EDITION from Euromedia (Coming soon)