Mina V. Esguerra

College sophomore Hannah Maquiling doesn't know why everyone tells her their love problems. She's never even had a boyfriend, but that doesn't stop people from spilling their guts to her, and asking for advice. So maybe it shouldn't be a surprise when the cutest guy in school tells her that she's going to have to take on this responsibility -- but for all humanity. The Goddess of Love has gone AWOL. It's a problem, because her job is to keep in check this world's obsession with love (and lack of it). The God of the Sun, for now an impossibly handsome senior at an exclusive college just outside of Metro Manila, thinks Hannah has what it takes to (temporarily) do the job. While she's learning to do this goddess thing, she practices on the love troubles of shy Kathy, who's got a secret admirer on campus. Hannah's mission, should she choose to accept it, is to make sure that he's not a creepy stalker and they find their happily ever after -- or at least something that'll last until next semester. (As if she could refuse! The Sun God asked so nicely. And he's so, well, hot.) Special edition containing the complete Interim Goddess of Love trilogy, a YA fantasy romance featuring gods of Philippine mythology.

Interim Goddess of Love

It's a bad day for Ben. After years of earnest work, he's been fired from his job as a speechwriter for a Philippine senator. Name tarnished and bridges burned, he steps into what he thinks is a shuttle ride home, and accidentally joins a tour of his own city. It was supposed to be a good day for Naya. Her passion is traveling, her hobby is discovering cool things to see and do, and taking people on tours of Metro Manila is her only job right now. An extra person at the last minute isn't ideal, especially if the person is a former colleague and the subject of the day's hottest political trash fire. But work is work, and she decides to let him stay in the tour. She's hoping she won't regret it. He's hoping his day turns around. What kind of day could it be? Maybe the best kind.

What Kind of Day

Twenty-something Ellie Manuel's Prince Charming may have broken up with her, but she won't give up... because fairy tale heroines don "t live Shappily ever after right away, silly.So she spends the next year restoring herself to the girl he had fallen in love with. Until she discovers that life without him might not be so bad after all.So when is it okay to quit on a fairy tale?

Fairy Tale Fail

Yes, Universe, Kimmy Domingo knows that you hate her. But she's a nice person, she really is -- as long as you ignore the stories of people she's bullied, manipulated, and annoyed in the past. She totally gets that you've gotten back at her by having her fiance' dump her a week before their wedding. Soon after, she quit her job, hopped on a plane, and just hid from everyone who knew her. A year later and she's back in Manila to be maid of honor at a wedding she can't miss. She's home because she's ready to start over, but she also knows that some people at that wedding were responsible for the mess her life turned out to be. The first step to recovery? Cutting off the ones who caused her troubles to begin with: her best friend and her first love. Part of the Chic Manila series, but can be read as a standalone.

Love Your Frenemies

Colin Valerio has been performing practically all his life. From national team figure skating, to underwear modeling, and now posting (shirtless) selfies daily for his adoring audience. Many don’t know though that at 29, he’s quietly earning his MBA degree—that is, if he can fix his final paper. It’s got too much heart, not enough business. National hockey team medalist, outstanding young professional, MBA prof on leave...Lexa Lorenzo is determined and driven, and did all that by age 32. She should be her family corp’s next CEO. But she’s all business, not enough heart, and her mentor/boss/aunt wants her to be more accessible, approachable, “charming.” As luck would have it, Lexa’s alma mater calls her in to help a graduating MBA student—and it’s Colin Valerio, fellow winter sports athlete, walking/talking ball of charm. She has the sports and business background he needs. He is a natural at all the things she’s told to improve on, and may be able to teach her a thing or two. Let the lessons begin. [Part of the Six 32 Central series, but can be read as a standalone.]

So Forward

Zack and Jasmine never dated, but no one else knows that. That story started in college, because she was being a good friend, and he needed help with something. The friendship and affection that followed were very real, but the lie kept causing trouble. Years later, after a falling out and real relationships with other people, the lie resurfaces to bother Jasmine one more time--when Zack's exes ask her to stop him from marrying someone they think is totally wrong for him. She's the only one who can help him, they say, because she's his best friend. They also believe that Zack loved Jasmine the most--and maybe still does. (This is a revised and expanded edition of My Imaginary Ex, the first book in the Chic Manila series. All books in the series can be read as standalones.)

My Imaginary Ex

Yes, it’s true: "Good girl” Julie Crisostomo dated that guy Anton Santos for almost a year. Julie is everyone’s loyal and concerned friend, but she has no experience being someone’s girlfriend. Then Anton, a “player” she never thought would be interested in her, swoops into her life and doesn’t seem to want to leave it. Anton has dated a lot of women and is everyone's "delicious distraction." But he seems to have fallen hard for Julie—if only she believed him. (Part of CHIC MANILA series, but can be read as a standalone.)

That Kind of Guy

Calinda met Ramirez when she was 20 and he was 22. She was the rising star of women's skating, and he was the superstar forward of men's hockey. Her parents and coach were against their relationship, and because Calinda wanted to prove that no hot guy would ever distract her from her dream, she chose skating over him — and also avoided him all together. Ten years later, they meet again as gold medalists and prominent sports advocates, still single and undeniably attracted to each other. It's still not a good time for them, because Ramirez is retiring from hockey and moving back to the United States. Calinda doesn't do relationships, really, and proposes they use his final three weeks in Manila to explore what might have been, and do all the things they wish they'd done (there's a list!). Then he can leave for good, and they can both move on with their lives without this one regret.

Kiss and Cry

Carla's 29 and a whiz at her job: she's efficient, reliable, and a total genius when it comes to putting something together at the last minute. Her dating life is practically nonexistent though, and everyone has an opinion about that. Her girl best friend (who's married) keeps trying to set her up with stable banker-types, while her guy best friend (single and proud of it) encourages her to play the field-no strings attached. Then Carla meets hot, smug, sexy Dante, and he's everything she didn't know she liked. He's also five years younger, and she thinks it makes him perfect for the non-relationship she had in mind. What happens to that plan when he thinks he's met the one for him at 24?

No Strings Attached

It's the classic one-night stand: Beach wedding, bridesmaid, groom's friend. When Andrea and Damon meet, sparks fly, and they give in to the attraction. Sounds simple, but Andrea's still getting over someone, and Damon thought he'd be hooking up with another person that night. It could still be simple, really, if they chalk it up to a weekend tryst and move on. But one night becomes lunch the week after, and then dinner the next weekend...and before they know it, Andrea and Damon are still together, dealing with the feelings they know they might still have for other people. How hard can it be to get exactly what you want? How do you even know what it is? ***Andrea and Damon met in prequel short story WEDDING NIGHT STAND, but this book can be read as a standalone.***

What You Wanted

Alia Monterojo may be the country director of one of the largest consulting firms in Manila, but she absolutely doesn't want to be at this important breakfast meeting right now. In another time she would have been in La Union, spending her only free week a year at the beach, with a certain someone who doesn't even know her full name. She's missed the trip for several years now, for good reason, but she still wishes things were different, that she was with him instead. This year, she gets her chance, when he shows up at the breakfast meeting as an invited guest—because he's the CEO of the small company they might acquire. Content notes: As of 2021, this is set in a somewhat near (and safer) future, and the covid lockdown/various quarantines in the Philippines happened as is, are mentioned, and have an effect on the plot and characters.

Your Place Next Year

Daphne Cardenas is the best wedding planner around, and everyone knows it. That's why her friend Greg hired her as an emergency replacement one month before his wedding--because he fears his fiancée Helen is falling for the guy they first hired for the job.Aaron Trinidad is new to the wedding industry but years of conference planning and loads of charm make him good at it. Really good at it. Planning the wedding of his friend Helen should be easy, and it is. To be unceremoniously fired isn't good for his new career, but the chance to learn from the best might be the silver lining.Aaron and Daphne have chemistry, but there's history with Helen that at least one other person considers a threat. Who's the planner who can fix this impending disaster?(Part of the Chic Manila series, but can be read as a standalone.)

Better at Weddings Than You

Carla's 29 and a whiz at her job: she's efficient, reliable, and a total genius when it comes to putting something together at the last minute. Her dating life is practically nonexistent though, and everyone has an opinion about that. Her girl best friend (who's married) keeps trying to set her up with stable banker-types, while her guy best friend (single and proud of it) encourages her to play the field–no strings attached. Then Carla meets hot, smug, sexy Dante, and he's everything she didn't know she liked. He's also five years younger, and she thinks it makes him perfect for the non-relationship she had in mind. What happens to that plan when he thinks he's met the one for him at 24? Part of the Chic Manila series but can be read as a standalone.

Rose Alban, 41, has been happily living alone and single in Manila. When her entire family moved to the US she became responsible for their house and since then she's transformed it into her home, her sanctuary, and base for a new and more fulfilling career. She was even able to convert the garage into a studio apartment, that she's now renting out to her friend's brother Pascal Cortes, 39, former MBA professor who's now heading operations at an exciting education startup at a nearby business district. That's not enough for her mother and well-meaning relatives, who want nothing more than to see her join them in the US by any means necessary. When they surprise her with a visit, Rose knows the only way they'll finally stop plotting to get her a green card is if they see her settled down—so of course she asks the hot prof next door to pretend to be her fiancé. (Part of the Six 32 Central series, but can be read as a standalone.)

Totally Engaged

The nation of Isla has a law: No two politicians from the same family. Two elected officials who marry make their families one; only one can continue to serve. In the future, Maria Lourdes and Andres Miguel could very well be their country's best and most influential leaders. She could be president one day, like her grandmother. He could be a senator one day, like his uncle. Marrying another politician is against the law, but why should it matter? Today they're just young people who want to be together. They'll deal with the rest of it tomorrow.

A Political Romance

The Future Chosen

Daphne Cardenas is the best wedding planner around, and everyone knows it. That's why her friend Greg hired her as an emergency replacement one month before his wedding—because he fears his fiancée Helen is falling for the guy they first hired for the job. Aaron Trinidad is new to the wedding industry but years of conference planning and loads of charm make him good at it. Really good at it. Planning the wedding of his friend Helen should be easy, and it is. To be unceremoniously fired isn't good for his new career, but the chance to learn from the best might be the silver lining. Aaron and Daphne have chemistry, but there’s history with Helen that at least one other person considers a threat. Who's the planner who can fix this impending disaster? (Part of the Chic Manila series, but can be read as a standalone.)

It's the classic one-night stand: Beach wedding, bridesmaid, groom's friend. When Andrea and Damon meet, sparks fly, and they give in to the attraction. Sounds simple, but Andrea's still getting over someone, and Damon thought he'd be hooking up with another person that night. It could still be simple, really, if they chalk it up to a weekend tryst and move on.But one night becomes lunch the week after, and then dinner the next weekend...and before they know it, Andrea and Damon are still together, dealing with the feelings they know they might still have for other people. How hard can it be to get exactly what you want? How do you even know what it is?

Mina V. Esguerra

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