You may have to Search all our reviewed books and magazines, click the sign up button below to create a free account.
Calinda met Ramirez when she was 20 and he was 22. She was the rising star of women's skating, and he was the superstar forward of men's hockey. Her parents and coach were against their relationship, and because Calinda wanted to prove that no hot guy would ever distract her from her dream, she chose skating over him — and also avoided him all together. Ten years later, they meet again as gold medalists and prominent sports advocates, still single and undeniably attracted to each other. It's still not a good time for them, because Ramirez is retiring from hockey and moving back to the United States. Calinda doesn't do relationships, really, and proposes they use his final three weeks in Manila to explore what might have been, and do all the things they wish they'd done (there's a list!). Then he can leave for good, and they can both move on with their lives without this one regret.
Zack and Jasmine never dated, but no one else knows that. That story started in college, because she was being a good friend, and he needed help with something. The friendship and affection that followed were very real, but the lie kept causing trouble. Years later, after a falling out and real relationships with other people, the lie resurfaces to bother Jasmine one more time—when Zack's exes ask her to stop him from marrying someone they think is totally wrong for him. She's the only one who can help him, they say, because she's his best friend. They also believe that Zack loved Jasmine the most—and maybe still does. (This is a revised and expanded edition of My Imaginary Ex, the first book in the Chic Manila series. All books in the series can be read as standalones.)
It's a bad day for Ben. After years of earnest work, he's been fired from his job as a speechwriter for a Philippine senator. Name tarnished and bridges burned, he steps into what he thinks is a shuttle ride home, and accidentally joins a tour of his own city. It was supposed to be a good day for Naya. Her passion is traveling, her hobby is discovering cool things to see and do, and taking people on tours of Metro Manila is her only job right now. An extra person at the last minute isn't ideal, especially if the person is a former colleague and the subject of the day's hottest political trash fire. But work is work, and she decides to let him stay in the tour. She's hoping she won't regret it. He's hoping his day turns around. What kind of day could it be? Maybe the best kind.
Alia Monterojo may be the country director of one of the largest consulting firms in Manila, but she absolutely doesn't want to be at this important breakfast meeting right now. In another time she would have been in La Union, spending her only free week a year at the beach, with a certain someone who doesn't even know her full name. She's missed the trip for several years now, for good reason, but she still wishes things were different, that she was with him instead. This year, she gets her chance, when he shows up at the breakfast meeting as an invited guest—because he's the CEO of the small company they might acquire. Content notes: As of 2021, this is set in a somewhat near (and safer) future, and the covid lockdown/various quarantines in the Philippines happened as is, are mentioned, and have an effect on the plot and characters.
Contemporary romance novellas are fun, light, quick reads. Usually less than 50,000 words, about the many ways that men and women meet, fall in love, and live happily ever after.Maybe predictable, if you've read enough of them, but for a writer that just means this is a great format to start a career with. This book will help you:1. Learn a simple plot structure for a romance novella2. Set a reasonable and practical writing schedule3. Finish the manuscript and prepare it for publicationLessons in this book were used in a free mentorship program that has helped writers (and people who never thought they'd be writers!) finish their very first fiction manuscript.(Note: Some of the publishing and writing advice is specific to the Philippines and Asia, where the class was first held.)
Colin Valerio has been performing practically all his life. From national team figure skating, to underwear modeling, and now posting (shirtless) selfies daily for his adoring audience. Many don’t know though that at 29, he’s quietly earning his MBA degree—that is, if he can fix his final paper. It’s got too much heart, not enough business. National hockey team medalist, outstanding young professional, MBA prof on leave...Lexa Lorenzo is determined and driven, and did all that by age 32. She should be her family corp’s next CEO. But she’s all business, not enough heart, and her mentor/boss/aunt wants her to be more accessible, approachable, “charming.” As luck would have it, Lexa’s alma mater calls her in to help a graduating MBA student—and it’s Colin Valerio, fellow winter sports athlete, walking/talking ball of charm. She has the sports and business background he needs. He is a natural at all the things she’s told to improve on, and may be able to teach her a thing or two. Let the lessons begin. [Part of the Six 32 Central series, but can be read as a standalone.]
The romance publishing landscape in the Philippines is vast and complex, characterised by entangled industrial players, diverse kinds of texts, and siloed audiences. This Element maps the large, multilayered, and highly productive sector of the Filipino publishing industry. It explores the distinct genre histories of romance fiction in this territory and the social, political and technological contexts that have shaped its development. It also examines the close connections between romance publishing and other media sectors alongside unique reception practices. It takes as a central case study the Filipino romance self-publishing collective #RomanceClass, analysing how they navigate this complex local landscape as well as the broader international marketplace. The majority of scholarship on romance fiction exclusively focuses on the Anglo-American industry. By focusing here on the Philippines, the authors hope to disrupt this phenomenon, and to contribute to a more decentred, rhizomatic approach to understanding this genre world.
Soccer goalkeeper, Jaden Sloup, has his eye on Ella Kennedy, a woman who won’t date jocks or frat boys. He dons a pair of nerd glasses and hugs a laptop to convince her he’s a techno geek, and she agrees to go to Las Vegas with him for a cosplay convention where his team’s playoff game happens to be. Jaden must juggle sizzling in the sheets with Ella against a soccer match and hanging with his frat brother teammates. When a bully harasses Ella and challenges Jaden to a fight, he proves that even a goalie can score.
After years of drifting between jobs and residences, Minnie decided it was time to settle down. Scoring an affordable condoshare in the heart of Ortigas, Minnie was ready to start this new life. But it turned out it wasn't as new as she thought. Strapped for cash and wanting to keep her apartment, Yong was desperate for a roommate. She would take anyone at this point. The eleventh one turned out to be the charm. But when she found out who it was going to be, she asked herself, “Is it really a stroke of luck or a cursed disaster waiting to happen?" Minnie. Yong. Exes. Roommates? This was fine. They're adults. They could live together in peace and harmony, no feelings and history attached. Right? Right.
Can your heart also forget what your mind could not remember? Rianne has lost her memory of the past two years due to an accident, but letters from a mysterious "Sparks" -- found in a pile of unread mail at home -- have been helping her cope. The letters tell her of a couple's love story, making her hope to find the same unconditional love someday. Rebuilding her life has been a mess though: her guy best friend is claiming to have been her boyfriend that time, but she seems more at ease with a mysterious stranger. Does she trust the past she can't remember, or take a chance with a more uncertain future?