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tlhoffe's review against another edition
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!
susanthebookbag's review against another edition
4.0
Maan Gabriel is a new-to-me author but when a chance to read her novel, Twelve Hours in Manhattan dropped in my inbox, I was intrigued. It sounded like a fun, light read—just what I needed after some of the heavier stories I've read lately. Well, it was fun and light as well as so, so good. Such a great story and such amazing characters.
Bianca and Eric meet just by chance and end up spending twelve hours together, getting to know each other and supporting each other in ways no one else had before. Sometimes it's easier to open up to strangers than to someone you are supposed to know very well. And then they go on their merry, or not-so-merry, way. No regrets, well maybe just a little regret, and no looking back.
But can they forget about those twelve hours? When and if they are thrown back together, will the chemistry they had be the same?
I totally loved the twelve hours that I spent with Bianca and Eric and was heartbroken when they went their separate ways. And then Bianca's life spins out of control. The author did a fantastic job of making me feel all of the feels and I was on an emotional roller-coaster ride right along with Bianca. I thoroughly enjoyed Twelve Hours in Manhattan and look forward to more stories by this author.
Bianca and Eric meet just by chance and end up spending twelve hours together, getting to know each other and supporting each other in ways no one else had before. Sometimes it's easier to open up to strangers than to someone you are supposed to know very well. And then they go on their merry, or not-so-merry, way. No regrets, well maybe just a little regret, and no looking back.
But can they forget about those twelve hours? When and if they are thrown back together, will the chemistry they had be the same?
I totally loved the twelve hours that I spent with Bianca and Eric and was heartbroken when they went their separate ways. And then Bianca's life spins out of control. The author did a fantastic job of making me feel all of the feels and I was on an emotional roller-coaster ride right along with Bianca. I thoroughly enjoyed Twelve Hours in Manhattan and look forward to more stories by this author.
reads2love's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a fun and emotional story to read. Bianca and Eric had such good chemistry. Bianca's story was at times heartbreaking and had me in tears. There were some bombshells dropped through the story that had you going WTF! Eric was a pretty ok dude for a celebrity. He seemed down to earth. His "I don't like fame" bit was a little cliché, but it didn't ruin the story. I don't want to give away any more of the story. But I highly recommend this tale. It's a great motivator for someone who got out of a bad relationship and started over to see that it can be done.
mamas_gotta_read's review against another edition
2.0
Overall, this story was a bit “meh”. While it was generally an interesting concept, but the writing left something to be desired. The characters were a bit flat, and there seemed to be SO much crammed into the plot that the MCs relationship seemed like a bit of an afterthought. It did seem to get a bit better as it moved into “part 2”, but then started to decline a bit the closer it got the the ending. It was all a bit of a jumble and I wanted to like it because K saw the potential, but it left me feeling rather unsatisfied at the end.
I was given an ARC by NetGalley and SheWritesPress. All opinions are my own.
I was given an ARC by NetGalley and SheWritesPress. All opinions are my own.
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
Wow, I was not expecting such a wild ride when I sat down to read this! This has hints of Serendipity, Red String Theory by Lauren Kung Jessen, and Seoulmates by Susan Lee. Bianca meets K-drama star Park and spends 12 hours in Manhattan with him *platonically*. They have a wonderfully magical night but as she returns home, something tragic happens and throws her world off her axis.
This was a tenderly written story, and I think it fits more into general fiction rather than a capital-R romance (and that is okay!). It is about Bianca’s path forward as she navigates tragedy and hard truths, and how she evaluates the life she would have by the side of a massive K-drama star when their romance unfolds. I felt for Bianca, I rooted for her, and I appreciated how messy her journey sometimes felt.
This is the author’s second novel I believe and I’m so glad to have found a Filipino author to support!
cw: abandonment, addiction, abortion, cursing, medical content
Wow, I was not expecting such a wild ride when I sat down to read this! This has hints of Serendipity, Red String Theory by Lauren Kung Jessen, and Seoulmates by Susan Lee. Bianca meets K-drama star Park and spends 12 hours in Manhattan with him *platonically*. They have a wonderfully magical night but as she returns home, something tragic happens and throws her world off her axis.
This was a tenderly written story, and I think it fits more into general fiction rather than a capital-R romance (and that is okay!). It is about Bianca’s path forward as she navigates tragedy and hard truths, and how she evaluates the life she would have by the side of a massive K-drama star when their romance unfolds. I felt for Bianca, I rooted for her, and I appreciated how messy her journey sometimes felt.
This is the author’s second novel I believe and I’m so glad to have found a Filipino author to support!
cw: abandonment, addiction, abortion, cursing, medical content
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Addiction, Abandonment, and Drug use
Moderate: Abortion
bookrecs_bysara's review against another edition
3.0
I think this book had good bones (and a fun plot) but it did not blow me away. I was a little apprehensive of the use of K drama since that is not something that I am invested in, but I think it worked without being an overwhelming storyline.
lorireads2much's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
life_full_ofbooks's review against another edition
4.0
3.75-
This is such a cute and quick read! On a Friday evening in a bar when Bianca is at her worst she meets Eric, who she soon realizes is her favorite K-Drama actor. They spend a whirlwind 12 hours together but then reality intervenes and they each go their separate ways, neither forgetting that magical night.
I honestly was expecting the entire book to take place during the 12 hours so I was pleasantly surprised to find the story is expanded from there. While I loved the chemistry between Bianca and Eric from the beginning, I found the overall story to be predictable. That is to be expected though since pretty much every romcom follows the same formula.
As much as I liked the characters they didn’t feel very believable to me. Bianca is 36, but I felt like I was reading about a 26 year old. It wasn’t just her, though, it was all of the characters. I felt like while the character development was there it took a little more time to see any real change.
On a whole I really enjoyed this. I love stories where a celebrity falls for a regular person, probably because of all the daydreaming of such instances when I was in high school and this book captured that story line beautifully. Thank you NetGalley and She Writes Press for an advanced copy of this book. This hits the shelves on April 18th.
This is such a cute and quick read! On a Friday evening in a bar when Bianca is at her worst she meets Eric, who she soon realizes is her favorite K-Drama actor. They spend a whirlwind 12 hours together but then reality intervenes and they each go their separate ways, neither forgetting that magical night.
I honestly was expecting the entire book to take place during the 12 hours so I was pleasantly surprised to find the story is expanded from there. While I loved the chemistry between Bianca and Eric from the beginning, I found the overall story to be predictable. That is to be expected though since pretty much every romcom follows the same formula.
As much as I liked the characters they didn’t feel very believable to me. Bianca is 36, but I felt like I was reading about a 26 year old. It wasn’t just her, though, it was all of the characters. I felt like while the character development was there it took a little more time to see any real change.
On a whole I really enjoyed this. I love stories where a celebrity falls for a regular person, probably because of all the daydreaming of such instances when I was in high school and this book captured that story line beautifully. Thank you NetGalley and She Writes Press for an advanced copy of this book. This hits the shelves on April 18th.
myprettypages's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
I had tried many times with this book but every time I picked it up, I just couldn’t get into the story. This is more of a slow paced novel focusing on the characters, a woman struggling with her love life and on the brink of losing it all and a famous k-pop star who is wanting to escape the pressures of fame. After meeting by chance, they open up about their struggles and through this they are able to help each other grow. I liked the inclusion of K-pop touch which gave it a unique element which was interesting, however I did find that the plot dragged out at points which made it hard for me to get into the flow of the book. I had gone into this book imagining that it’ll be something lighthearted and joyous, instead this had more serious topics and a somber tone which I wasn’t expecting. This novel has a thoughtful concept however this book just wasn’t for me.
Many thanks to She Writes Press and Netgalley for sending me this ARC in exchange for a review.
annie_21's review against another edition
3.0
I think this book really toed the line between asian appreciation and asian fetishisation. because there wasa lot of refrence to the love interest's "sexy accent" that made me feel quite uncomfortable. I
the main female charcter was also very polarising because one minute, i absolutely hated her (as i thiught she ws very preetntious as she was always like "[moving to new york] is killing the last few ounces of humanity i have left].and the next it was like, "omg relatable".
they felt immature and not like near 40-year-olds. there was little to no communication between the main charcters.
it was also very insta-lovey.
the mom was pushy
the main female charcter was also very polarising because one minute, i absolutely hated her (as i thiught she ws very preetntious as she was always like "[moving to new york] is killing the last few ounces of humanity i have left].and the next it was like, "omg relatable".
they felt immature and not like near 40-year-olds. there was little to no communication between the main charcters.
it was also very insta-lovey.
the mom was pushy