Novels like Those of Us Born in the ’80s
Books Chinese readers most often put in the same booklists as Those of Us Born in the ’80s, best match first.
- 1 A Woman at Forty Is in Full Bloom 四十女人一朵花 The story begins with the childhood of its protagonist, Lin Yuling. It follows her struggles with school as a child and how the college entrance exam changed her life, from workplace grudges to the ups and downs of the business world, from the comforts of ordinary life to working as a nanny during the pandemic... Beginning in the 1980s, the story spans rural urbanization, the rise and fall of the real estate industry, and the conflicts triggered by reform of state-owned enterprises. It covers ma 25Reads—Score—14d adds
- 2 I Opened My Eyes Twenty Years Ago, on My Wedding Day with My Husband 睁眼回到二十年前，和老公婚礼上 In their previous lives, she and he both dropped out of school at a young age, and their family was left destitute when their daughter became seriously ill. After a gas explosion shocked the entire city, she found him, still looking young and green, at the modest wedding they had held twenty years earlier. She made a pact with him: no physical contact until they had officially registered their marriage. They overcame every obstacle and fought their way forward, finally seeing a brighter future i —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 3 A Comeback: The Most Thrilling Lives Belong to Those Who Never Give Up! 逆袭，不服输的人生最精彩！ Hua Feng was on the verge of reaching the pinnacle of his life. But overnight, not only did his beautiful wife run off with a pretty boy, the woman also made off with the millions he had scraped together through countless hardships, leaving nothing but a complete mess... Life’s dramatic ups and downs came far too quickly. He could only start over from scratch! Want to laugh at me? Get lost! What, you want me to back down? Who do you think you are? Keep dreaming! Watch as a man who has hit rock b 118Reads—Score—14d adds
- 4 Waiting for You to Fall Into My Arms 等你思思入怀 Sweet, outspoken Chen Sisi & her gentle, devoted Mr. Zhang Test Director & startup CEO of a chip company [Everyday urban life + sweet romance + devoted boyfriend + mutual commitment + slow and steady love] You work hard to build your business, and I’ll be right there by your side. You embrace life, and I’ll cherish and protect you. Chen Sisi and her Mr. Zhang fell in love at first sight in college. After graduation, they supported each other, lived life with optimism, and chased their dreams tog 9Reads—Score—14d adds
- 5 Real Life: A Middle Schooler's Journey as a Writer 真实人生：一个初中生的写作路 A real life, a painful past: I grew up poor and frail, plagued by illness. At fifteen, I dropped out of school and began pursuing my literary dream at home. After having my work rejected time and again, I finally saw my first-ever piece published. It also became the last thing I ever published in print. Then I turned to the internet and began my journey as a web novelist. 26Reads8.0Score214d adds
- 6 The Desperate Wife 绝望的妻子 Housewife Li Wenqing had been living a comfortable, affluent life. She had an adorable son and got along well with her stepdaughter. But on the eve of their seventh wedding anniversary, Li Wenqing discovered that her husband was having an affair. Longing for a whole and happy family, she endured a painful inner struggle and hoped her husband would see the error of his ways and return to the family. Instead, he went down a path of no return. Betrayed by her husband and stabbed in the back by her 160Reads7.2Score—14d adds
- 7 The Story of Fei Xin’s Daughter 飞新的女传 [Marriage + Domestic Abuse + Divorce + Blind Date + Online Romance + Finding True Love + Sweet Romance + Silent Treatment] At twenty, Fei Xin was set up by her parents, went on a blind date, got married, suffered domestic abuse, and divorced. At twenty-three, she met an online boyfriend five years younger than her. They got married and had a child! Married Life + Sweet Romance + Silent Treatment —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 8 Pampered to the Heavens in My Second Marriage 二婚也被宠上天 This is a book about life. . The protagonist has no golden finger and no extraordinary talents. She is simply an ordinary woman who loves life and longs for love. . I'd like to call this book “An Adult's Fairy Tale of Love.” This million-word story includes the real-life experiences of many of my friends. So most of it is realistic, with a little artistic embellishment and invention. . Before you open this book, I want you to know that this isn't the kind of wish-fulfillment story that's popular 15Reads8.8Score—14d adds
- 9 You Are a Good Person 你是好人 No matter what life throws at us, meeting a good person who can give us hope in our darkest moments and support us when we’re at our lowest can change the course of our lives... —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 10 Breaking Free 逃离束缚 Su Yu and Tang Yilan met on a blind date arranged by their university professor. After spending some time together, they both decided they liked each other, so they went to meet each other’s parents. At first, everything seemed to go smoothly, but after they got married, they argued over whether to rent a place of their own. Su Yu also has an older brother, Su Lun, who has been married to Zhao Yanan for years, but still has no children of his own. After finally getting married, Tang Yilan reali 1Reads—Score—14d adds
- 11 First Love, No Goodbyes! 初恋，不说再见！ A lawyer and designer pairing, chronicling the everyday lives of ordinary office workers. There is no angst throughout, and the story progresses at a steady pace. Readers who prefer fast-paced power fantasies should give it a miss. Two people who liked each other missed their chance to confess because of a series of misunderstandings, and years passed before they met again. When they finally did, Gu Jin realized just how badly she had been mistaken. When you like someone, you really do like the 32Reads—Score—14d adds
- 12 Marriage and Mother-in-Law Battles: Endless Fun 婚后与婆斗，其乐无穷 [A revenge story packed with nonstop catfights!] When it comes to pregnancy, even the wisest, most well-read woman cannot truly understand the dangers involved until she has experienced it herself. As an experienced mother-in-law, Zhao Lanzhi has given birth to three sons and cared for two daughters-in-law during their postpartum recovery. Naturally, she understands this... But when a single remark from her can stir up conflict between in-laws, spouses, and sisters, and Su Lin refuses her hint t —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 13 Shuying Carves Out Her Own Place Amid the Mess of Married Life 淑英在婚姻鸡毛中闯出姐的一片天 A child who never felt loved by their parents believes that the small kindnesses shown by Zhou Xiaotian, the man they meet as an adult, are love. Desperate to hold on to happiness, they never expect Zhou Xiaotian to change completely on their wedding day! The heroine, Shuying, keeps yielding, only to face increasingly brutal beatings and insults. When she finally comes to her senses, the true face of Zhou Xiaotian, the man before her, is gradually revealed. Shuying begins a struggle to resist he —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 14 Repayment Countdown 还款倒计时 Countdown to Repayment tells the story of Chen Yizhou, an ordinary man struggling between desire and reality. Chen Yizhou is an average office worker in Jiangcheng, working hard to make ends meet. He and his wife and son squeeze into an old rental apartment, living a simple but warm life. At a class reunion, Zhao Yu, the class heartthrob, paints a startup dream so alluring that Chen Yizhou is drawn in. Trying to raise the investment money, he plunges into the world of online loans. Then Zhao Yu 1Reads—Score—14d adds
- 15 The Pure Wife Awakens 纯妻觉醒 [Romance]+ [Family and everyday life]+ [Self-awakening and ambition]+ [Urban life] Pure-hearted Liu Zi married Yu Feipeng, a classmate she'd had a crush on for years. She thought their marriage was solid, but her masseuse, Xiao Ling, had her eye on her husband. Yu Feipeng fell deep into Xiao Ling's gentle trap and went out of his way to trample on and humiliate Liu Zi… When Liu Zi finally fought back, she discovered that the pure, innocent flower her husband saw in Xiao Ling was actually filthy 40Reads—Score—14d adds
- 16 Housewife: My Husband Wants a Divorce 家庭主妇：老公想离婚 Chen Mofei is the head of the hospital's gynecology department, and Tao Yan is a housewife. They were once a harmonious couple, but Tao Yan has a sharp tongue and a kind heart. Her cutting, hurtful words repeatedly push her husband's patience to the limit... The messy, petty troubles of ordinary people! The story takes its time getting going. I hope you'll enjoy it! 1Reads—Score—14d adds
- 17 The Maid in the Presidential Suite 总统套房的女佣 Born into poverty, a young woman heads south to the city to support her family. She takes a job as a room attendant at a five-star hotel, making beds, cleaning toilets, and vacuuming every day. Along the way, she gets entangled with several male guests and attracts their attention. Naive and inexperienced, she tries to change her fate, but gradually loses her way in the city of desire... 247Reads6.5Score—14d adds
- 18 The Wind Blows Through Green Fields, Sweet as Can Be 风吹青禾有点甜 [Breast Specialist] VS [Divorced Chinese Literature Department Beauty]. [Sweet Romance]+ [Younger Man]+ [Second Marriage]+ [Second Male Lead Wins Her Back]. On the tenth anniversary of her wedding, Shen Qinghe was confronted by her husband's mistress. It turned out that the perfect husband in everyone's eyes had not only cheated on and betrayed her, but had also gotten the other woman pregnant. Furious, she divorced him, but her stress led to the discovery of breast nodules. Introduced by her be 562Reads8.4Score10114d adds
- 19 My Mother-in-Law Forgot She Was Once a Daughter-in-Law Too 婆婆忘了自己曾经也是媳 The moment a woman marries into her husband’s family, she is sincere and wholehearted in the way she treats her in-laws. Yet some mothers-in-law insist their daughters-in-law go through the same hardships they once endured. They suffered as daughters-in-law themselves, so why make life hard for another woman? In the phrase “mother-in-law and daughter-in-law,” the mother-in-law comes first. If she can’t be a good mother-in-law, how can she expect a good daughter-in-law? Relationships go both ways 91Reads—Score—14d adds
- 20 My Flash-Marriage Husband's Love Has Me Spoiled and Proud 闪婚老公的爱让我恃宠而骄 She, Xu Mengyao, a cool, beautiful woman who was once the goddess of first love in everyone's eyes, planned to marry her boyfriend of four years, Chen Hao, after becoming pregnant. But his mother broke them up. He, Li Yuanjun, a warm-hearted man, met Xu Mengyao, a bridesmaid, at a friend's wedding, and fell for her at first sight. Handsome and sunny, Li Yuanjun eventually won Xu Mengyao over with his sincerity. A month later, they had a whirlwind wedding and registered their marriage. After the 23Reads—Score—14d adds
- 21 Who Hasn’t Dated a Jerk or Two? Growing Up 谁不经历几个渣男：长大成人 Who doesn’t have to go through a few jerks on the way to growing up? This book explores women’s emotional growth. Drawing mostly on the author’s own experiences and reflections on love, and shaped with literary embellishment, it presents five stages of women’s emotional growth in the hope of offering a little guidance to women who feel lost. 124Reads—Score—14d adds
- 22 That Boy Was My First Love 那个男孩，是我初恋 ❗️❗️❗️Dating in your teens may be wrong, but first love is never a mistake. Pen pals, QQ, school arts festivals, basketball, little handheld phones, red date rice balls... This is a story about first love. Deng Yang and Zhang Yan: three years of first love, and never a reunion. The streets they walked side by side, the hands they held, and their first kiss tasting of cake became the gentlest echoes in their memories of days gone by. People say first love is a regret born of youthful chaos. But w 14Reads—Score—14d adds
- 23 Far from Home 在他乡 One-on-one romance, both pure-hearted, with ten years of devotion and love A career-driven heroine who seems cool but is warm inside (Qi Yu) A steadfast, warm, and devoted hero (Mu Yunfei) “I’ve already moved in. Do you really think I’m going to move out?” Mu Yunfei looked at her with a sly grin. “It’s not living together, we’re just sharing a place,” Qi Yu muttered, her head lowered. Mu Yunfei’s eyes shone like stars. 8Reads—Score—14d adds
- 24 Her Game 她的局 She left Beijing with her child and began living apart from her husband. She thought her in-laws back in their hometown would lend a hand, but her overbearing father-in-law pressured her to have another baby because he wanted a grandson. Her mother-in-law had spent her whole life obeying him and hardly dared to resist. After living apart for so long, her husband became infatuated with his beautiful boss. What was she supposed to do... Her parents were disabled. Her mother had risked her life to 348Reads—Score—14d adds
- 25 Half a Lifetime of Attachment 情结半生 [Naive First Love] + [Workplace Romance] + [One Woman, Three Men] + [Happy Ending for the First Love] Su Xiaoduo never imagined that the true love she believed in would fall apart before she made it to the altar. The workplace superior and lover who once doted on her turns out to have been hiding so many secrets... Her first workplace romance ends in failure. Just as she loses heart and flees to another city, a ray of warmth appears to comfort her... But fate refuses to show her mercy, taking th 8Reads—Score—14d adds
- 26 The Meaning of Happiness 幸福的标准 Ye Han and He Junshan are, in everyone’s eyes, the perfect love story from campus to the altar. But how can a marriage keep feelings safe from the wear and tear of everyday life? Even their careers are gradually facing new crises… 70Reads—Score—14d adds
- 27 Beyond the Walls, Where Do We Go? 围墙之外，何去何从 [No fixed couples, and readers with strong moral qualms should stay away! This novel loves pairing people in unexpected ways, and the ex-husband eventually becomes the son-in-law!] [All kinds of tangled relationships, mutual scheming, love and hate, but in the end everyone gets a happy ending!] [Everyone’s status gets reshuffled, and each person finds their own path to happiness! Hahaha~~] She watches her husband give her the green hat, then returns the favor in kind. Life is this thrilling, and 31Reads—Score—14d adds
- 28 The Year She Got Married, She Was Thirty-Three 结婚那年，她三十三岁 On the day Luo Chan went to register her marriage with her childhood friend, she was stabbed for no reason. Fresh out of the hospital, she showed up with hair that hadn't been washed in seven days, so greasy it could fry an egg and plastered tightly to her scalp. The staff eyed her suspiciously and repeatedly asked if she was mentally sound, until she showed them her CPA certificate. The legally issued marriage certificate was bright red. The photo of her on it was so ugly it was painful to look 718Reads8.7Score—14d adds
- 29 A Husband’s Punishment 丈夫的惩罚 The heroine was a beautiful, fair-skinned woman from a family of officials, with an outstanding husband. But her husband mistakenly believed she had cheated on him and chose to take revenge. As time passes, they both grow into mature, accomplished people, yet their relationship remains full of twists and turns, with no end in sight. The heroine can never let go of this love. What fate will the two of them ultimately meet… 780Reads5.4Score—14d adds
- 30 Back on My Feet: I Paid Off 500,000 Yuan in Online Loans with My Own Hands 上岸：我靠双手还清五十万网贷 On a farm in Northeast China, Wang Chen, a 33-year-old married farmer, falls deeper and deeper into online-loan debt as he struggles to pay for his daughter's medical treatment and keep his agricultural business running. This is the story of how he eventually turns his desperate situation around. —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 31 Peeping: The Butterfly Effect 偷窥之蝴蝶效应 The male lead is a complete loser. By chance, he discovers a female colleague's secret, turning his work and personal life upside down. Two mature adults with sharp minds and social skills engage in an intense game of push and pull. Love begins for reasons unknown and grows deeper with every passing day: they love and are loved, hurt and are hurt, grow through their pain, then fade from one another's memories. This is also the story of an ordinary worker's growth. 578Reads6.7Score—14d adds
- 32 More Than Physical Attraction 不止生理性喜欢 Inspired by real events. Ensemble cast. A realistic story of love and marriage. Fine, nuanced writing, not a typical web novel. I hope this will prompt girls to give some thought to ambiguous relationships between men and women. If you like it, please give me a higher rating, add it to your favorites, and leave a comment 😘😘😘 Before turning twenty-five, Xu Yu'an wanted to find someone to do “that thing” with. She found a man online and got it done. Afterward, though, she ended up in the hospital. 41Reads8.1Score314d adds
- 33 A Little Story About Buying a House 买房的小故事 Among almost everyone I know, apart from only daughters whose parents help them buy a home, daughters in families with both sons and daughters have to work toward buying a home on their own. Many parents even stand in their way. And when a daughter gets married after buying a home, they may throw all kinds of obstacles in her path, hoping she will transfer the property to her brother. They believe a daughter’s home should belong to her parents’ family. This book tells four short stories about wo 90Reads—Score—14d adds
- 34 Fate Doesn’t Decide Everything 命运不能决定一切 This book tells the story of a woman who refuses to bow to fate and struggles desperately to find happiness. After two failed marriages, a suicide attempt, and running away from her wedding, she finally finds, through her own efforts, a man who makes her happy. 221Reads—Score—14d adds
- 35 Marriage Before Love: Mr. Fu’s Beloved 先婚后爱：付先生的掌心宠 Because of her family background, Xiang Zhaozhao had always been determined never to marry. That same family background left her with no choice but to compromise and go on a blind date with Fu Shiyu. Xiang Zhaozhao thought their marriage would be nothing more than two people sharing a life. She never imagined it would turn out so blissful and sweet! A love story about a first-generation entrepreneur and a woman marrying later in life! 935Reads8.7Score11914d adds
- 36 It's Only Fifty 不过是五十而已 An inspirational, unyielding story of midlife crisis, workplace struggles, bank managers and tellers, married life, and everyday urban life. This book tells the story of Huang Wenxue, a bank manager facing a midlife crisis. She is at that awkward age when she is considered too old to find a new job, yet still too young to retire. How will she answer the unavoidable questions surrounding her career, marriage, family, children, and caring for her aging parents? Even in middle age, even when confro 429Reads8.9Score—14d adds
- 37 A Marriage of Money 钱婚 To become the dutiful daughter, good wife, and loving mother everyone expected, Liu Xiaoqing buried her youthful dreams and deepest desires before the age of thirty-three, living a life of constant compromise. After graduating, she painfully gave up her dream of becoming a writer and took the civil service exam, becoming a government employee. At home, she endured her in-laws' repeated provocations, again and again, just to preserve her marriage. At work, she likewise chose to put up with her 57Reads—Score—14d adds
- 38 The Candied Hawthorn Skewer Pierces Through 冰糖葫芦竹签儿穿 My new book is out! Everyone is welcome to read it on Tomato Novel. The story is based on real experiences. I'm writing it carefully, and the process has been smooth, without writer's block or made-up details. These experiences are like candied hawthorn skewers: the bamboo sticks pierced my body, yet became the backbone of my life. I hope this honest, heartfelt story brings you joy. Reading brings insight, and I hope you find your own independent perspective along the way. 3Reads—Score—14d adds
- 39 Fallen into the Mortal World 坠落红尘间 His father is critically ill, and she can’t scrape together the money to save him. A poor college girl grits her teeth and steps into the late-night world of KTV! She masks her youth with cigarettes and alcohol, trading her dignity for medical bills. Can she make it to the end of this road? Will she succumb to the temptations of the neon lights? 87Reads—Score614d adds
- 40 The In-Laws' Web of Schemes 婆家局中局 Tang Guo, the heroine, and Lu Ziming, the hero, marry just three months after meeting. Not long after the wedding, it comes to light that Lu Ziming owes 500,000 yuan in online loans. When his mother learns what happened, her first response is to demand that Tang Guo divorce Lu Ziming and to take their property deed. Everyone else reacts differently, each with their own agenda. It turns out that behind the facade of a loving family lie nothing but schemes and calculations. Tang Guo stands by Lu Z 873Reads—Score10114d adds
- 41 The Riddle of Time: A Nightclub Girl's Redemption and Rise 岁月如谜：夜场女的救赎与逆袭 As Yu Wei walked along the entrance to an alley behind the school, he suddenly heard someone calling, “Hey, handsome! Handsome!” Yu Wei looked around, bewildered. “Over here! Come here!” Only then did Yu Wei notice a flamboyantly dressed woman waving at him from the roadside alley entrance. She had brashly dyed yellow hair, heavy eye makeup, and a thick layer of powder on her face. A leather miniskirt hugged her hips as she waved energetically at Yu Wei. Could she be...? Yu Wei’s heart skipped a 4Reads6.7Score—14d adds
- 42 A Fairy Tale for Myself 给自己的童话 A car accident unexpectedly sends me transmigrating back eleven years, and I immediately get to work on my money-making plans: e-commerce, wedding planning, real estate speculation, beauty reviews... I also want to make short videos and sell products through livestreams. I'm going to reclaim all the love and career opportunities I lost over the years. This time, can I give myself a fairy-tale ending? 1Reads—Score—14d adds
- 43 Fired for Refusing to Frame Patients, I Became a Lawyer and Took Down My Former Hospital 不会坑病人被开除，转行当律师闪击前医院 He refused to mistreat patients and got fired, so he switched careers to become a lawyer and launched an attack on his former hospital. —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 44 My Years as a Drifter in Zhengzhou 我的郑漂那些年 What is it like for a country boy fresh out of college to fall in love with a local young woman from a family that got rich from demolition in an unfamiliar provincial capital? This book tells a story drawn from real experience... —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 45 Summer and Fate 夏季与天意 An ordinary encounter: one is a talented young woman at a crossroads in her life, and the other is a dedicated high school teacher. A sweet story about down-to-earth life and love. Xu Huanyi met Xu Tian in the summer. Once lost and uncertain, she gave up the job she already had and came to this small town for a fresh start. To her delight, she discovered that Xu Tian was part of that new beginning. Back in high school, Xu Tian had inexplicably taken a liking to a girl, though all he did was wa 118Reads8.9Score—14d adds
- 46 The Bittersweet Trials of Marrying Far from Home 远嫁的那些酸甜苦辣 Marrying far from home is a gamble. You may never feel at home with your in-laws, yet be unable to return to your own family. Amid the chaos of childbirth, raising a child, and life with a second baby, marriage becomes a mirror that reflects the most honest truths about human nature. Marital happiness has nothing to do with whether you marry far from home. It depends on whether the person you marry truly loves you and understands you. The joys and sorrows of marrying far away are part of the exp 2.1kReads8.2Score11514d adds
- 47 Blueberry, the Leftover Woman 剩女蓝莓 Blueberry is an unmarried woman who’s still living at home. She has two unreliable best friends: Mihua is a bit of a flirt who teases men and ended up kicked out by her husband with nothing, while Feifei loves mahjong and dreams only of marrying into a wealthy family… Three women, and plenty of drama. Love, ethics, human nature… They say hotpot is all about the lively world around the table. Our story begins with a hotpot meal… The story is a slow burn. I hope you’ll enjoy it! 42Reads—Score—14d adds
- 48 A Working Girl’s Life Through Wind and Rain 打工女孩的风雨人生路 In the 1990s, a wave of migrant workers swept across the country, and countless young people left their hometowns for the big cities. The dazzling neon lights of the metropolis conjured one fantasy after another, while burying the youth of so many. Longing for a fresh start, the naive young Zhou Jie joined the great wave heading south. From getting a factory job to running away, from falling on hard times to fighting her way forward, she had to tread carefully at every step. She thought that a 271Reads8.2Score—14d adds
- 49 The Language of He Flowers 禾之花语 A love story about Ye Xihe, a talented and beautiful landscape architect who cares for her older brother, Ye Chen'an, who was born with autism, as they both search for true love... Because of her brother's condition, she was hurt and abandoned. Zheng Jiawei does everything he can to win back the pure love he and Ye Xihe have shared since their school days... Zhou Ye, Ye Xihe's second older brother and someone she considers family, remains devoted to protecting the Ye family... Because of her fam —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 50 Nothing Major in Life 人生无大事 I was born in the abyss and raised in the netherworld. Lost, struggling, helpless, despairing. The hardships along the way shaped my body and mind. When everything had finally calmed down, when spring had come and flowers were blooming, when everything was just right, I finally reached the most important moment of my life. 4.2kReads8.1Score46214d adds
