The Love (De)Bug

by Swati Hegde

In this hilarious and swoonworthy YA sapphic romance, two New York City teens find that sometimes love—like every app—needs a little debugging.

All 17-year-old New Yorker Khushi Singh wants is a predictable, conflict-free relationship. After her parents’ “opposites attract” marriage ends in divorce, the only guy she can see herself with is Abhay Indian American, reasonably attractive, and on his way to MIT to study coding—just like her. The problem? He has no idea she exists, and she has no idea how to charm him.

Lavanya Shivakumar needs to get out, and fast. Out of her family’s restaurant. Out of high school, because her safe space—the Queer Students’ club she founded—is no longer hers to claim, since her ex-girlfriend now runs it. At least Lavanya is already out of the closet, armed with a million-dollar app idea that’ll help other teens come to terms with their identities, too. If only she knew how to code.

When Khushi finds out Lavanya is Abhay’s neighbor, it’s the start of what seems like a mastermind plan to each get what they want. In exchange for tips to woo Abhay, Khushi will help out-and-proud Lavanya code her social matching app. But the more time they spend together, the more confusing things become. Because Khushi is supposed to be finding her way into Abhay’s heart—not letting Lavanya into hers.

Genres: Lesbian

336 pages, Paperback

Expected publication May 11, 2027

About the author

Swati Hegde is the author of Can’t Help Faking in Love and Match Me If You Can. She is also a freelance editor, mindset coach, and self-proclaimed coffee shop enthusiast who lives in Bangalore, India, and can often be found at the nearest café with a hot mug of tea or singing her favorite songs off-key at karaoke night. She looks forward to a long career bringing Indian stories and voices to light.

Swati is represented by Rachel Beck at Liza Dawson Associates. Her romance novels Match Me If You Can and Can't Help Faking in Love are out now from Penguin Random House, with forthcoming books As Long As You Loathe Me releasing on March 31 and Love Beyond Reasonable Doubt slated for May 12.

Find her on Instagram @SwatiHegdeAuthor.

Reviews

[Anahita Karthik · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sharp, sparkling, and swoony sapphic rom-com I so dearly wish I’d read as a teen. Bubbling with queer joy and teeming with a diverse, lovable cast of characters, The Love De(Bug) has unlocked the algorithm to keep the pages turning by combining witty prose and quick pacing.

With two distinct, strong heroines at the forefront, Swati Hegde deftly toggles the complex, layered stories of a whip-smart, bisexual elder daughter and a spunky, out-and-proud lesbian, and makes you fall head-over-heels in love with both of them . . . all while they fall in love with each other. Their love story will make you feel every emotion on the spectrum with an intensity that lingers long after you’ve finished reading.

What I especially adored was how the book celebrated divorce, never once villainised its characters’ coming out journeys, and prioritised individual character arcs as much as the romance.

This book isn’t just written for brown, queer teens, but for every single reader looking for their next favourite read. It’s definitely my favourite Swati Hegde novel 🩵