Scan barcode
bookedandstarred's review against another edition
DNFed at 40%. I'm reading this on a weekend and I figured it's not right that I waste it on a book I'm not enjoying.
For some reason, I'm not connecting with the characters and the writing. Eric and Bianca's first interaction was just so unendearingly awkward and full of unsolicited pieces of advice. Who talks like that during a first meeting? Their conversations appeared too forced and I felt zero chemistry. Zilch.
By the second third, it seemed like I'm reading a different book and the transition gave me a whiplash. I don't mind heavy themes in my reading but I want the progression to feel natural.
This may appeal to others but sadly not for me.
Still, thank you to She Writes Press, NetGalley and the author for my early copy. All opinions are honest and my own.
For some reason, I'm not connecting with the characters and the writing. Eric and Bianca's first interaction was just so unendearingly awkward and full of unsolicited pieces of advice. Who talks like that during a first meeting? Their conversations appeared too forced and I felt zero chemistry. Zilch.
By the second third, it seemed like I'm reading a different book and the transition gave me a whiplash. I don't mind heavy themes in my reading but I want the progression to feel natural.
This may appeal to others but sadly not for me.
Still, thank you to She Writes Press, NetGalley and the author for my early copy. All opinions are honest and my own.
myreadsjournal's review
3.0
Wow, what a ride this book's been!
This book is not your go-to if you're looking for something fun, entertaining and light to read. I'm actually still trying to recover from everything Twelve Hours In Manhattan made me feel and I'm not sure I'm being 100% successful right now.
The story follows Bianca Curtis who is, literally, at the brink of losing everything: she didn't get the job she was sure she would, and she's about to get evicted from her house. So she decides that the best decision in the middle of all is to get drunk in a bar in Manhattan.
Enters Eric - a mysterious, thoughtful and handsome stranger who starts conversation with Bianca and who, as Bianca finds out a bit later, is the most famous Korean celebrity - Park Hyun Min.
Hyun Min is actually in New York City for one night only to escape the pressure of his own fame.
Conversation after conversation, these two strangers spend 12 magical hours together, pouring their heart and soul out for one another, and falling in love.
I adored getting to know Bianca and Eric. Biana with Eric. Eric with Bianca.
Them meeting, become acquainted, getting to know the struggles and dreams they didn't dare to share with closest friends, and seeing them creating something so especial that only belongs to the two of them.
Their connection is unique and their love is so special, and whilst going through the book you just want to press pause and live in those 12 hours forever, where they're happy and when they're together and where real life doesn't get in the way.
But as Cinderella's fairytale came to an end, Bianca, too, must return to her life and say goodbye to this beautiful stranger who, in just 12 hours, changed her life forever. Little did Bianca know that the scary reality waiting for her wasn't only about losing her house, but about a big tragedy she definitely wasn't expecting.
Even though this book has romance and second chances and the long journey towards true love, it's full of so many sad, tragic moments that just make your heart ache. It really is more about Bianca's personal journey and getting to where she's supposed to rather than a love story.
I genuinely feel for Bianca. She's a strong woman, but it was painful to get to know her life and everything she's been though all the years.
But it also makes me happy the long way she went and that, ultimately, she really got her life to a place she wanted to.
Thank you NetGalley, She Writes Press and Maan Gabriel for the ARC of this book.
This book is not your go-to if you're looking for something fun, entertaining and light to read. I'm actually still trying to recover from everything Twelve Hours In Manhattan made me feel and I'm not sure I'm being 100% successful right now.
The story follows Bianca Curtis who is, literally, at the brink of losing everything: she didn't get the job she was sure she would, and she's about to get evicted from her house. So she decides that the best decision in the middle of all is to get drunk in a bar in Manhattan.
Enters Eric - a mysterious, thoughtful and handsome stranger who starts conversation with Bianca and who, as Bianca finds out a bit later, is the most famous Korean celebrity - Park Hyun Min.
Hyun Min is actually in New York City for one night only to escape the pressure of his own fame.
Conversation after conversation, these two strangers spend 12 magical hours together, pouring their heart and soul out for one another, and falling in love.
I adored getting to know Bianca and Eric. Biana with Eric. Eric with Bianca.
Them meeting, become acquainted, getting to know the struggles and dreams they didn't dare to share with closest friends, and seeing them creating something so especial that only belongs to the two of them.
Their connection is unique and their love is so special, and whilst going through the book you just want to press pause and live in those 12 hours forever, where they're happy and when they're together and where real life doesn't get in the way.
But as Cinderella's fairytale came to an end, Bianca, too, must return to her life and say goodbye to this beautiful stranger who, in just 12 hours, changed her life forever. Little did Bianca know that the scary reality waiting for her wasn't only about losing her house, but about a big tragedy she definitely wasn't expecting.
Even though this book has romance and second chances and the long journey towards true love, it's full of so many sad, tragic moments that just make your heart ache. It really is more about Bianca's personal journey and getting to where she's supposed to rather than a love story.
I genuinely feel for Bianca. She's a strong woman, but it was painful to get to know her life and everything she's been though all the years.
But it also makes me happy the long way she went and that, ultimately, she really got her life to a place she wanted to.
"I've missed you more than you'll ever know. And I've fantasized seeing you somewhere, anywhere. I've practiced what I'd say to you in my head over and over. (...) I spent twelve short hours in Manhattan. (...) And now you're here, and I've found it. In you."
"What? Did you find?"
"Love."
Thank you NetGalley, She Writes Press and Maan Gabriel for the ARC of this book.
elyssam's review against another edition
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
This was a book I read. This review may be harsh so let me sandwich with positive things: I did not DNF this and was able to read it quickly!! I liked Marco!
The negative: It made no sense, especially in the first twelve hours. Conversation jumping was bad, no flow. The author also treated addiction poorly, then would backtrack saying "I know it wasn't something Tommy(?) could help but.." Let me emphasize, TOO MUCH JUMPING AROUND. There is also a moment toward the end that, again, made no sense. No explanation, nothing. It was meant to move the plot along but I felt so confused during those chapters. Also, the grammar/editing got sloppy toward the end.
Other positive thing: I enjoyed the style of the epilogue.
The negative: It made no sense, especially in the first twelve hours. Conversation jumping was bad, no flow. The author also treated addiction poorly, then would backtrack saying "I know it wasn't something Tommy(?) could help but.." Let me emphasize, TOO MUCH JUMPING AROUND. There is also a moment toward the end that, again, made no sense. No explanation, nothing. It was meant to move the plot along but I felt so confused during those chapters. Also, the grammar/editing got sloppy toward the end.
Other positive thing: I enjoyed the style of the epilogue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse
Moderate: Death
findmeinfiction's review
1.0
I received an arc of this from netgalley in exchange for an honest review so thank you!
It pains me to say I did not enjoy this book. I wanted to love this because the premise was so cute and had so much potential. Bianca Curtis is having a terrible night when she meets Eric, a charming stranger who turns out to be a K-drama star. They spend 12 hours getting to know Manhattan, and each other, forging a connection neither is willing to break.
I think secretly everyone fantasizes about their celebrity crush falling madly in love them so I was ready to devour this book, but the writing was just terrible. I didn't feel any chemistry between Bianca or Eric, I almost dnf'd multiple times
I did enjoy that the fmc was half filipino though
It pains me to say I did not enjoy this book. I wanted to love this because the premise was so cute and had so much potential. Bianca Curtis is having a terrible night when she meets Eric, a charming stranger who turns out to be a K-drama star. They spend 12 hours getting to know Manhattan, and each other, forging a connection neither is willing to break.
I think secretly everyone fantasizes about their celebrity crush falling madly in love them so I was ready to devour this book, but the writing was just terrible. I didn't feel any chemistry between Bianca or Eric, I almost dnf'd multiple times
I did enjoy that the fmc was half filipino though
alaris's review against another edition
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Some distracting typos that should have been caught
tracymksmith's review
DNF @ 11%
May come back to this one another time. I’m in a little bit of a weird reading mood lately and can’t focus at all on it. Not sure if it’s me or the book that’s the problem.
May come back to this one another time. I’m in a little bit of a weird reading mood lately and can’t focus at all on it. Not sure if it’s me or the book that’s the problem.
_readwithsha's review
3.0
I just finished reading Twelve Hours in Manhattan, and I gotta say, it was just okay.
The main characters, Bianca and Eric, were pretty dull and I couldn't really get a sense of their connection. They spend 12 hours together at a bar, which sounds like a dream, but even that didn't make their relationship feel any more exciting. The only thing that kept me reading was the hope that they would finally get together, but even that was a bit lackluster.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC.
The main characters, Bianca and Eric, were pretty dull and I couldn't really get a sense of their connection. They spend 12 hours together at a bar, which sounds like a dream, but even that didn't make their relationship feel any more exciting. The only thing that kept me reading was the hope that they would finally get together, but even that was a bit lackluster.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC.
laurapellegrino92's review
3.0
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
As a huge NYC fan I was excited to read a story that explored the city and where I could relate to the areas and places visited, and whilst it delivered on that aspect, the book didn't deliver in the way I thought it would.
A cute rom-com story that explores two strangers meeting in a bar and sharing 12 hours in the city getting to know one another before they go their separate ways, but eventually ends up as a HEA.
I didn't hate it, in fact I enjoyed the premise of it, very hallmark movie-esque but the narrative felt stunted and disjointed at times. I liked what both of the characters had to offer, and the issues that came with both of them over the course of the story, but what lacked I guess was connection.
As a huge NYC fan I was excited to read a story that explored the city and where I could relate to the areas and places visited, and whilst it delivered on that aspect, the book didn't deliver in the way I thought it would.
A cute rom-com story that explores two strangers meeting in a bar and sharing 12 hours in the city getting to know one another before they go their separate ways, but eventually ends up as a HEA.
I didn't hate it, in fact I enjoyed the premise of it, very hallmark movie-esque but the narrative felt stunted and disjointed at times. I liked what both of the characters had to offer, and the issues that came with both of them over the course of the story, but what lacked I guess was connection.
tlhoffe's review
3.0
First of all, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. The love story of Bianca and Eric became more nuanced and interesting than I had originally expected. The title and description led me to expect a light hearted romance, which it was in parts. But then the author introduced some weightier topics and themes, such as grief and forgiving others and yourself. The plot was at times a bit hard to follow - there was a pivotal moment in the main characters’ relationship that I didn’t fully understand. But overall I enjoyed the story. There were interesting references to Korean pop culture and I always enjoy a story that takes place in New York City!
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. The love story of Bianca and Eric became more nuanced and interesting than I had originally expected. The title and description led me to expect a light hearted romance, which it was in parts. But then the author introduced some weightier topics and themes, such as grief and forgiving others and yourself. The plot was at times a bit hard to follow - there was a pivotal moment in the main characters’ relationship that I didn’t fully understand. But overall I enjoyed the story. There were interesting references to Korean pop culture and I always enjoy a story that takes place in New York City!