Manila Takes Manhattan

January 8, 2024
Cultures attract and conflict in this raunchy rom-com from De Guzman (Blooming Love). Music producer Raymond “Mon” Mendoza is newly arrived in Manhattan from Manila, Philippines, and feeling unsettled and lonely. Enter his gorgeous pinoy neighbor, Olivia, who helps him feel connected to his home during a steamy one-night stand. That should be the end of it—until Mon discovers that Olivia is the famous actor/director who hired him to do the music for her upcoming film. Their carnal connection is undeniable, but can they build a meaningful relationship while working together and butting up against the movie industry’s racism? Mon’s struggle to fit into America and Olivia’s attempts to increase opportunities for Filipina actors (which, she notes, is still a fight, “even in a post-Crazy Rich Asians world”) are just as important to the plot as the romance itself, which is commendable, but occasionally clumsily handled, especially in lengthy bouts of exposition. The plentiful sex scenes are consistently lusty, but lack nuance and feel uninformed by the characters. Still, readers looking for high heat levels and Filipino representation will find plenty to hold their interest.

February 15, 2024
When Mon Mendoza arrives in New York City for a job opportunity that he's been dreaming of, he doesn't expect his gorgeous new neighbor to proposition him. When Olivia Angeles sees Mon in her hallway, stranded outside his apartment, she can't help but notice how attractive he is. Surely she deserves one fun night with her handsome neighbor? The problem is that Mon is actually a music producer, here to help write and produce music for the very movie that Olivia is starring in. The two are now working together on a high-profile project that they both need to go very, very well. Fans of Notting Hill will enjoy the dynamic between a movie star and her favorite up-and-coming music producer, while also enjoying the introspective instances of the characters writing music together and the thoughtfulness behind navigating a fling that's slowly turning into something more.

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February 5, 2024

A one-night stand between musician/producer Mon Mendoza and actress Olivia Angeles becomes more than either expected when the two discover that not only are they neighbors, they're both in New York to work on the same movie. While they share a similar cultural background--Mon lives and works in Manila, Olivia's family spent summers visiting their Filipino grandmother--their lives couldn't be more different. Mon is hoping to use this opportunity to finally gain recognition for his record label; Olivia's name already frequently pops up on gossip sites and in fan fiction forums. If her series is renewed for another season and she manages to get the movie part she's angling for, Olivia will barely be in the same country for a month at a time, while a month away leaves Mon homesick. Their chemistry and connection is off the charts, but will it be enough? Fans will appreciate seeing some favorite characters here, but there is something for everyone to enjoy as Mon and Olivia fight for their love and a place in an often unfriendly world. VERDICT De Guzman (A Match Made in Lipa) gives readers a fun, frothy, and sexy story.--Rebecca Moe

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