She’s Dating The Gangster [2013]

Author: Bianca B. Bernardino
Year: 2013
Publisher: Summit Books

About (Summit Books):

He’s mean, he’s rude, he gets on her nerves and he’s the love of her life.

It all starts when 17-year-old Athena Dizon unwittingly plays a trick on resident heartthrob and bad boy, Kenji de los Reyes. All of a sudden, she finds herself pretending-unwillingly at that-to be his girlfriend to make his ex jealous.

Now, not only does she have to deal with dirty looks from girls in school who want Kenji for themselves, but her supposed boyfriend is getting on her nerves. He’s hotheaded, never seems to agree with her on anything-and everything about him screams “gangster.” Has Athena gotten herself into more trouble than she can handle? Or has she actually found herself a boy she can call hers-“gangster” be damned?

I Say…

I love the way the story gradually unfolds… and how the drama started blending in with the cheerful flow of events. I’ll be giving SDTG a thumbs up sign because it’s very well written and so emotionally charged. I didn’t want to put it down even when it started turning into a Fly High and A Millionaire’s First Love (which got mentioned in the book btw) kind of thing. The book was off with a good start and I don’t see why I shouldn’t go on reading. True enough, I’m not surprised it really swept the Pinoy K Generation by storm.

SDTG was given a 16+ rating by the way, but it’s not associated it with the “S” word. No obscenities infused, maybe just a bit of precaution for the younger readers, whose parents wouldn’t want to make their kids think it’s ok to cut classes or party during weekdays just because they feel like it. I appreciate the effort of the publisher for promoting that.

Soon, I’ll read the unabridged version of SDTG. I’ll come up with a lot of comparisons I know… but for the moment I want to keep this spoiler proof for you guys!

Review: One Crazy Summer [2011]

Author: Ines Bautista Yao

Publisher: Summit Books

About:

A Recipe for Disaster?

Ingredients:
1 college junior, fired from summer internship
1 secret crush, the cute and flirty type
1 crush’s best bud, with a secret of his own

1. In large bowl, mix together college junior and secret crush.
2. Gradually add in crush’s best bud.
3. Stir until best bud’s secret is revealed.
4. Let mixture rest in a sleepy provincial town.
5. Bake under the blazing summer sun until golden brown (be careful, batter might burn).

Tania’s summer is more than she can handle! Her cooking career comes to a screeching halt before it can even take off. Then, best friends Rob and Mateo enter the picture. Can she figure out her feelings for them, AND get the internship credits she needs to make it to senior year?

I Say…

Plain much. Kilig ok. I was expecting a little more conflict from the story because reading the back flap, Tania’s confused because of two guys. But if you’d ask me it was quite predictable who she will be choosing before the book is done. It was more of Tania’s self conflict, not just her boy craziness. We all get to the point of wanting something so bad yet you do not even have enough courage [even if we do have the means] to obtain it.

It was good read though, complexities eat my heart out anyway. The lighter it is, the better. There were a lot of delicacies and restaurants mentioned throughout the book. The words used to described them makes you want to see Negros Occidental, the friendly people and their good food most especially.

I’m not a huge fan of summer romances. But food? Hmmm… I won’t think twice.

Review: Five Days In Palawan

Author: Zara Inigo

From Psicom: 

How long is five days? Sometimes longer… 

Especially when you’ve been conned into being someone’s boyfriend like Chris. He has never really been one for spontaneity. Managing his father’s resort in the remote outskirts of Puerto Princesa is not exactly the most eventful job in the world.

Until Mia Garcia checks in. Mia is from Manila – impulsive, unstable, mildly neurotic-hardly Chris’ type. But when she asks him to pretend to be her boyfriend for exactly five days – no more, no less, no strings attached – Chris rationalizes… Five days. What is the worst thing that can happen, right?

I Say…

The story takes place in Palawan, where romance can be as intimate like beach waves & sand.

Chris meets Mia in the most spontaneous moment and their story begins.

If stories that last decades or even generations are bound to be a hit, why is a week-long love story any different? Sad to say, I am not a believer of one night stands, summer romances and much less of love at first sight… but this particular story caught my attention. To think that this was taken from a boy’s point of view… and boys do fall in love. Hard. Most especially if it comes during the most unexpected time.

While reading, I was hoping for an expected ending… but I wasn’t disappointed either. A second part is most likely welcome, but I don’t mind also if there isn’t any. Clueless? Just read the book and create your own mental picture of Palawan with Chris and Mia in it.   

Review: The Hagette

Author: Katrina Ramos Atienza

From Psicom:

Self-confessed “Hagette” Cynthia de la Rama seems like the perfect girl: she’s tall, thin, pretty, charming, and fashionable. So why hasn’t she found the right man? Her gay friends think it’s a defective gaydar to blame. Most of her exes were in the closet. She’s right about ready to give it all up for a well-dressed, celibate existence. That is until two men enter her life at the same time: the bad boy who disappeared without a trace many years ago (and whom she hasn’t gotten over yet) and an aloof, handsome model with a knack for doing the laundry. The only problem is, will her gaydar let her down yet again?

I Say…

The author of this book has so much love for the third sex. No way can the English language accept Hagette as an adjective that is made for the parts of speech. But who cares? The Hagette put me in a laugh trip state, and it helped me make it through the sleepy 1 hour break. A breath of fresh air for chick lits!

I just can’t imagine myself being like Cynthia, who survives with all the gay friends… and the language! A lot of curses from 1st page to back flap… but you won’t mind at all, really. It’s just so realistic.

Review: Glamour Games

Author: Anna Ishikawa

From Psicom:

The Glamour Games is the competition of the year — and right at the helm is Carlie Gonzales, Lady Glamour chic critic extraordinaire. Smart, sexy, fiercely competitive, and tragically single, Carlie is in control of every aspect of her life– until she learns the hard way that things rarely go according to plan. She loses the man of her dreams, neglects her best friend, enters a contest for a promotion she doesn’t know if she’d win, and finds herself pitted against Lucas Pineda, a talented but geeky writer who spends most of the office hours watching old movies on his PC.

At first, Carlie and Lucas share a love-hate relationship. Soon, however, Carlie is spending more time with Lucas than she ever thought possible. Is romance a game she’s ready to play — or will she sacrifice love in order to win the Glamour Games?

I Say…

Love-hate relationship stories will never, ever run out of material. Ever. Glamour Games is one of them.

101% kilig! I can’t help but create my own mental image of Lucas Pineda. It makes me shiver. Geek guys will forever be a mystery to me.

Review: Pink Shoes

Author: Katrina Ramos Atienza

From: Psicom Publishing

Meet Dina, a bored and perpetually broke 25-year-old with the fashion sense of a blind librarian. Shane’s a tall and gorgeous punk rock princess who masquerades as a bank teller by day. Emily has it all: closets full of green clothes, a semi-glamorous job in an advertising agency, and an unfortunate penchant for sticking to the wrong type of man. When the girls find the Holy Grail of bargain-shopping—universally flattering pink ballet flats that somehow match each of their personalities—the boost of fashion confidence proves to be just the right kick to start a chain reaction of change in their lives. Dina discovers “The Church of Miniskirt.” Shane tries to reclaim past fame and a hunky new guy. Emily tries to give sane relationships a shot. Through it all, the girls discover that the right dose of change just might lead to more than they bargained for.

I Say…

I felt like “reading” a movie instead of watching on big screen. I loved the exchange of dialogue between the three friends.

I wouldn’t mind too if Bobby agonized with Dina a bit more. I guess after that the story will be more fun. 🙂

Nevertheless, it’s a well-written piece of[chic]lit. Amusing enough. Not even No Boyfriend Since Birth can be this amusing. And if you’re looking for girl bonding read, this book is a hit. Thumbs up for Philippine Publications! I am looking forward to reading more…