Desi Romance Books & YA Fiction by Swati Hegde
Hi, I'm Swati! I write slow-burn, desi romance and YA novels that feel like a cozy hug—mostly involving chaotic characters, big emotions, and plenty of heart.
It's been a long journey, but I'm so glad I kept going. I now have four desi romance novels for you to enjoy. My books feature slow-burn romance, plenty of heart and humor, and characters that feel like friends.
Hi, I'm Swati. Just your friendly neighborhood chaotic bi disaster, writing desi romance and YA novels from Bangalore, India. I survive on matcha, cats, and cuddles, and I'm a proud member of Team Conrad.
A quick look at my upcoming sapphic YA romance, *As Long as You Loathe Me*. If you're a fan of *Mean Girls* or *Never Have I Ever* and love the rivals-to-lovers trope, this one's for you. It's got everything from a bi x pan romance to a tarot-reading gay Indian dad.
This is my baby, *Can’t Help Faking in Love*. It’s a fake dating romance set at a big fat Indian wedding, perfect for anyone who loves the "he falls first" trope and all the drama that comes with it.
For all my fellow Conrad girlies, this one is for you. My debut novel, *Match Me If You Can*, is a desi friends-to-lovers romance about a guy who has been in love with his best friend his entire life.
My Amma's approval means everything. I'm so happy she loves the cover of my debut YA romance, *As Long as You Loathe Me*. Her support throughout my writing career has been my biggest motivation.
I write romance novels, and I'm lucky enough to be living my own. This is me and my gamer boyfriend, who I've known since we were high school besties. So grateful we found our way back to each other.
My first novel was rejected by my dream publisher when I was 12. Now, at 29, I have a 5-book deal with that same publisher, Penguin Random House. I'm so glad I never gave up on that little girl's dream.
About Featured
If you are looking to dive into my work, start with Match Me If You Can if you crave a friends-to-lovers foodie romance, or check out Can’t Help Faking in Love for fake-dating chaos set at a Bangalore wedding. Every story I write is a little slice of the messy, wonderful, and deeply emotional world I live in.
Writing isn't just about the finished book. It is about the emotional journey to get there. Whether I am penning a sapphic rivals-to-lovers story or helping a fellow writer navigate the publishing world, my focus is always on heart, humor, and authenticity.
I specialize in:
- Slow-burn Romance: I live for the emotional pining, the witty banter, and the tension that builds before the payoff.
- Desi & Queer Narratives: I write the stories I wanted to read at 13. My work is filled with Bollywood energy, Indian-American identity, and unapologetic queer joy.
- Writing Mentorship: I know the rejection struggle well. I have been there. My coaching packages, from submission audits to manuscript critiques, are designed to help you turn rough drafts into polished stories, just like I did.
I am a big believer in community. If you are a writer looking to sharpen your query letter or a reader just wanting to scream about Taylor Swift and books, I am your person. My process is personal, honest, and geared toward getting your story out into the world. Let’s connect and get to work.
Swati Hegde
I'm just a Bangalore girl who turned a childhood hobby of scribbling novels into a 5-book deal. My world is filled with matcha, my cats, and slow-burn stories that celebrate desi and queer joy.
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