Manila Takes Manhattan

I was perusing NetGalley a few months ago when I came across Manila Takes Manhattan by Carla de Guzman. It combines so many elements that excite me as a reader: a strong theme of music, a romantic plot, and diverse characters, in this case, Filipino celebrities. I was excited to read about two people torn apart by their different worlds yet drawn together in every other way, and I was quite happy with the results.

Special thanks to Afterglow Books by Harlequin and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book!

Summary

Mon, a Filipino musician and producer, has just arrived in New York City for an incredible career opportunity: He’s going to compose the music for an upcoming film. His first night there, he hooks up with his new neighbor… neither of them realizing she’s the lead actress in the film he’s working on. Olivia is the one who recruited him, and he’ll be working on the song her character sings. Over the next month, Olivia and Mon will spend a lot of time together, working on her song, but also getting to know each other. Though he lives in the Philippines and her career is in the US, they fit in every other way. How can they form a lasting relationship and still have their dream jobs, too?

Review

There are two main elements that first drew me to Manila Takes Manhattan: It’s about music, and it centers Filipino characters. I’ve only read one other book with this particular combination (All the Right Notes by Dominic Lim), and I was excited to get to know a Southeast Asian character making it in the music world.

The book gets steamy fast, setting up our two main characters on what’s supposed to be a one-night-stand. It’s not until after the fact that they realize they’ll be working together for the next month. Mon has just arrived in New York to write the music for an upcoming movie that Olivia is starring in, specifically the song that she will sing. On top of that, Olivia is the one who wanted to work with Mon in the first place, having loved an album he put out during the pandemic. Their working situation might be a bit awkward, but they’re willing to act professional around one another… even with their growing romantic interest in each other.

One thing that surprised me about Manila Takes Manhattan is how much of it centers on Mon and Olivia’s conversations and mental connection. They spend a lot of time talking about a variety of topics, no matter how big or small: Their taste in music, friends and family, career goals and woes, politics in the Philippines, how they see the world and think about things. These are the kinds of conversations I have with the people closest to me (my husband, my sister, etc.), and it helps make the connection between Olivia and Mon really strong. They aren’t just interested in each other physically; they have a deeper understanding of each other that would make a strong foundation for a long-term relationship.

I also enjoyed all the parts about music. From writing lyrics and composing the music to coming up with musical comparisons and discussing Filipino artists in particular, there was a great amount of time devoted to Mon’s songwriting and producing career, as well as Olivia’s hands-on role in developing her song.

But of course, there are obstacles in the way, starting with Olivia and Mon’s respective careers. How can they have a relationship with each other when her career is primarily based in the United States and his career is mainly in Asia? How can they navigate the celebrity attention they each get (especially Olivia)? Are their respective careers compatible? And then there is the matter of their respective homes: Olivia must stay in the Los Angeles area, and Mon wants to remain in Manila. How can they overcome such a long distance between them?

Final Thoughts

Manila Takes Manhattan explores a lot of interesting themes, from cultural differences to music to career trajectories. The romance is steamy, and happens from chapter one, and is rounded out by thoughtful conversations between the main characters. The ending comes quickly, but I like how Mon and Olivia choose to navigate their relationship. This is a great romance for anyone looking for Southeast Asian representation, the movie and music industry, and a fair bit of spice.

Get the Book

You can buy Manila Takes Manhattan here – it’s available as a paperback and ebook.

Manila Takes Manhattan by Carla de Guzman
Audience	Adult
Genre	Contemporary Romance
Setting	New York; Manila
Number of Pages	288
Format I Read	Ebook (NetGalley ARC)
Original Publication Date	March 26, 2024
Publisher	Afterglow Books by Harlequin

Official Summary

Fans of Jasmine Guillory and Helen Hoang will adore this irresistibly engaging story of two Filipino celebrities caught between everything they want…and everything they are.

How do you follow your heart when it’s in two places?

Filipino musician and producer Mon Mendoza has been in New York for less than a day. Just long enough to feel like he doesn’t belong despite landing a life-changing opportunity. All he can do is set a date night for just himself and some pancit canton. Which, as it turns out, is the only invitation his gorgeous Pinoy neighbor needs…

Actress Olivia Angeles can wear a character like a well-fitted dress. It’s her real self she’s having a hard time fitting into, craving a niche in Hollywood that doesn’t compromise her identity in the name of success. And right now, all she wants is comfort in the form of tasty noodles and her outrageously hot new neighbor. One night. Just enough to lose herself in his touch and the feel of his lips…

Only their sexy little tryst isn’t quite what they signed up for. Because for the next month, Mon and Olivia are working on the same movie. Together. Now they’re discovering they have a lot more in common than Pinoyness and sizzling chemistry. But how do you find yourself and your person when you’re caught between two different worlds?

From showing up to glowing up, these characters are on the path to leading their best lives and finding sizzling romance along the way.