How’s everyone doing? I’ve been really busy juggling everything lately, but I’ve finally come up with a better time management system for my hobbies, studies, and daily routine.
My Japanese class started this October, and it’s already been a week! I’ve learned a lot, I can finally read Hiragana, Katakana, and even a little bit of Kanji. I’ve always been fascinated by the Japanese language, culture, and traditions. I’ve been watching anime for about 24 years now, and it has always been my solace. Anime taught me so much about being human, about the beauty of connection and genuine friendship.
Lately, I’ve been realizing what truly makes me happy, and one of those things is learning Japanese. It’s been really fun, and I’ve been studying a lot!
My goal is to be able to read manga without waiting for the translated version, watch anime without subtitles, and eventually become a translator for anime in the future.
So far, I can read Arabic, read and write Hangul, and speak a bit of Korean (though I can’t hold a full conversation yet). I can speak English and Tagalog fluently, and I also speak two dialects, Cebuano and Maranao.
“What’s something you would attempt if you were guaranteed not to fail?”
I’ve always wanted to become a doctor. But when I became a Registered Medical Technologist, a pre-med course here in my country. I realized how heavy the responsibility is in the medical field. We are the ones who help save lives: identifying bacteria, parasites, and providing laboratory results that help doctors diagnose and treat patients.
But the emotional toll was real. Drawing blood from children and adults, witnessing their fear or pain, it was overwhelming. Some even became aggressive, especially kids who didn’t want their blood drawn (venipuncture). That experience hit me hard like a sledgehammer. I thought, if this is already difficult as a Medical Technologist, how much heavier would it be as a doctor, when people’s lives and hopes rest on your diagnosis?
I’m gentle and not the type to voice out aggressively. Speaking up takes a lot of courage for me, and I still stammer sometimes. But I’m slowly improving through work and regaining my confidence little by little.
If I were guaranteed not to fail, I’d still love to become a doctor, but only if the situation aligned with me. I already finished studying 4 years of pre-med as a Medical Technologist, and pursuing another 4 to 5 years of Medicine, plus an additional 5 to 8 years of specialization if I were to become a surgeon. It would demand so much of my energy, health, money, and time. I’d rather spend those precious moments with my family, friends, and cats instead.
It was once a lifelong dream, but reality taught me that not all dreams are meant to be chased at the cost of your well-being. I’ve learned my lesson the hard way, and that’s okay. Because now, I choose peace and happiness over exhaustion and regret.
Eleonora “Nora” Monreal was born into Cebu’s elite, surrounded by pearls, soirees, and a life wrapped in comfort and security. Yet in her quiet moments, she loses herself in the pages of The Midnight Press, a secret paper passed hand to hand. She’s captivated by its poetry but hardly notices the sharp edges of war and resistance hidden in the words.
That is, until her father promises her to an American soldier.
Suddenly, the verses she once adored reveal a bitter truth. Freedom isn’t just a word anymore. It is slipping right through her fingers.
Then fate brings her to Milagro “Milo” Cortez, a man with a smile like sunrise and a courage that burns brighter than fire. With him and his people, Nora’s world shifts. And as The Midnight Pressgrows bolder, so does she.
In a time when love and liberty come at a steep price, Nora must decide what and who are truly worth fighting for.
“What I feel for you… It is not something I can silence. It is not something I can walk away from. I am bound to you, and I do not wish to be set free.
— Milo Cortez
This is my first book by Joline Lim, and I was so thrilled to be part of the Book Tour organized by Book Chickas. I honestly wasn’t expecting to be this invested so fast. From the very first chapters, I was hooked. Nora pulled me in right away, born into privilege yet restless, curious, and full of heart. She’s the kind of heroine you root for, the one who reminds you that kindness and courage can exist even in a cruel world.
Milo, on the other hand, is rough-edged and steady in a way that makes you trust him instantly. He’s brave, grounded, and quietly gentle. The connection between him and Nora didn’t just feel romantic, it felt EARNED. Every glance, every shared danger, every moment of trust built something honest between them.
“I had forgotten what a family felt like,” he went on, his gaze locked on hers. “But you.. You brought it back to me. Because of you, I remember. From this day forward, I will fight beside you and for you. You are my family, my home, my life. You have filled every corner of my heart until there is nothing left to resist you. I love you, Nora. And I am yours. Always.”
— Milo Cortez
Rafael surprised me with his loyalty and sense of duty. His growth as a leader made me want to cheer out loud. Beneath his carefree exterior is a man forged by loss and love, someone who chooses courage even when it costs him everything. While William’s rigidness made Nora’s defiance burn even brighter. His desperation and obsession turned him into something darker, it was both tragic and terrifying. Meanwhile, Don Fernando, at first, feels like a father consumed by pride and appearances, but the more I read, the more I saw the grief and fear driving him. He’s a man haunted by his choices, trying to do right in all the wrong ways, and that made him painfully real. And then there’s Iska… she’s the soul of this story. Quiet, selfless, strong in the kind of way that doesn’t need to be loud. Her loyalty, courage, and small acts of kindness brought tears to my eyes.
The Midnight Press gave me Bridgerton vibes at first with its elegant settings and hidden social secrets, but then it hit deeper. The truths about the soldiers, the weight of survival, the cost of speaking up. It all broke me a little. This isn’t just a story about love. It’s about sacrifice, justice, and what it means to fight for your people’s freedom.
“There will always be suffering. There will always be mourning. And this war… we do not know when it will end. But that does not mean you do not have the right to be happy. We cannot save everyone, Eleonora. But a moment of joy does not mean we stop fighting.”
— Rafael Monreal
Knowing this was inspired by true historical events made it even more powerful. It’s a reminder that behind every freedom we enjoy, there were people who bled, resisted, and dreamed of a better tomorrow. To everyone who fought for our country’s independence and gave everything for justice, THANK YOU. Your stories live on through works like this.
Thank you, Joline Lim, for writing such a beautiful and important story. For giving voice to pain, courage, and hope all at once.
I highly recommend The Midnight Press to readers who love historical fiction with heart, romance with purpose, and stories that make you feel proud, broken, and healed all at the same time.
⚠️ TRIGGERS: 📌 Political Violence 📌 Sexual & Physical Violence 📌 Grief 📌 Imprisonment 📌 Military Presence
✨ TROPES: 📌 Arranged Marriage 📌 Based on True Historical Events 📌 Strong and Clever FMC and MMC 📌 Sheltered Heiress to Revolutionary 📌 Underground Movement 📌 Found Family 📌 Secret Identity 📌 No Spice
From play dates on the playground to sneaking into movie theatres, Dani and Alec were inseparable as kids. Until Dani moved away. Years later, Dani is back in Minnesota, and exited to reconnect with the nerdy and comforting Alec. But teenage Alec is NOTHING like the boy she remembers. He’s the hockey STAR in a town where hockey players are worshipped as gods – and he loves it.
When one thing leads to another and Dani and Alec find themselves thrown together and playing the role of boyfriend and girlfriend, “complicated” becomes an understatement. In this Minnesota town, hockey may rule, but romance is about to take its place.
🌃 GENRES: ROMANCE, SPORTS, YOUNG ADULT, CONTEMPORARY
“Because when did this ever happen? I’d never found this at the other places l’d lived, as much as I wanted to and as hard as I’d tried. Have I landed in the place I belong?”
— Dani Collins
It all started as a normal high school romance where two childhood friends drifted apart because of distance and miscommunication and reunited once again.
I went into this book with low expectations since I was new to hockey-themed romances, and I was curious to see how I’d feel after finishing it. This ended up being my third Lynn Painter book, and WOW, she never fails to amaze me. Even though it’s a shorter read, it still had me grinning, hurting, and absolutely swooning over the characters. I thought I knew where the story would go, but Lynn gave us genuine conversations, emotional highs and lows, and the kind of chemistry that leaps off the page.
I connected most with Dani because her situation resonated deeply with me. Growing up, she struggled to find a sense of belonging, especially with her family constantly moving from place to place. A reality that truly struck a chord with me, since it shows how strongly frequent moves can affect a child. Dani, beautiful, clever, diligent, and introverted, reunites with her childhood friend Alec, the outgoing, charming, and locally famous hockey player. Together, as they navigate high school pressures, personal struggles, and the challenge of reconnecting, their story becomes a touching reminder of the beauty of friendship, the importance of finding your place, the courage to keep dreaming, and the strength found in family.
It’s so hard to capture in words just how much this book affected me. From the characters to the town, the hockey team, and even the school, I became attached instantly. Yes, a few characters annoyed me along the way, but I also appreciated their perspectives and understood why they acted the way they did.
“We’ve made everything so fucking complicated since you moved back, but the simple truth is that all I’ve ever wanted is you—period.”
— Alec Barczewski
This book was equal parts hilarious, touching, and deeply resonant for me. I truly loved everything about it, and it just made me even more excited to dive into more of Lynn Painter’s work. If you’re a fan of sports romances, high school settings, and emotional yet feel-good stories, this one is a must-read.
A huge thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read Fake Skating in advance in exchange for my honest review. I truly appreciate the chance to experience this fun and heartfelt story before its official release.
✨ TROPES: 📌 Childhood Friends to Lovers 📌 Fake Dating 📌 Star Athlete x Studious Introvert 📌 Found Family 📌 Small Town Hockey Romance 📌 Subtle Hint of Spice
A vampire who can’t remember his past and a witch with secrets of her own hit the road in this zany, cross-country romantic comedy from beloved author Jenna Levine.
Reformed bad witch Grizelda “Zelda” Watson had hoped to never see another vampire again when she slipped away to sunny California for a fresh start. She’d grown tired of them and their nonsense ages ago. But when a vampire with amnesia unexpectedly shows up on her doorstep with a letter from her old friend Reggie, and asks for her help, she can’t say no. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Peter Elliott is tall and gorgeous, looks great in yoga shorts, and has the kind of dark hair and surly expression Zelda’s been a sucker for for hundreds of years.
Peter isn’t completely harmless—he is fanged, after all—but he’s harmless enough, and soon becomes the only person in Zelda’s new life who knows the truth about what she is. If she can help him decipher the cryptic notes in his journal, the only clues to his lost memories, she might as well try before sending him on his way.
But when an alarming message from Peter’s past coincides with a clear sign that Zelda can’t keep running from her own, they embark on a cross-country road trip for answers—only to find what they’re looking for in each other.
“I hadn’t had a real home in so long. Not until I met you. Now that I know what it’s like to be with you, I don’t think I can go back to any sort of existence without you in it.”
— Peter Elliot
It all started really fast. Love at first sight, a handsome amnesiac vampire, a beautiful lowkey fugitive witch, an unforgettable road trip, the thrill of getting to know each other, and falling in love through bizarre supernatural encounters. This book has it all.
This is my third book by Jenna Levine, and I was expecting a lot. Although, for me, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations because the first and second books were amazing, especially My Vampire Plus-One. Reggie and Amelia’s love story was just chef’s kiss and unforgettable. On the bright side, I’d say Road-Trip with a Vampire still hit in a different way.
The amnesia element felt very K-drama, which I love about Jenna’s books. I can definitely feel the influence of K-drama in her writing. But in this book, the execution felt a little flat for me. The characters lacked depth compared to her previous works. I didn’t feel as attached to Zelda and Peter as I did to Reggie, Amelia, and Frederick. Even the reasons behind their actions felt vague and lacked that raw emotional punch. And honestly, even witches aren’t perfect, right?!
I’m also not usually a fan of fast-paced romance, but despite all that, I still found Zelda and Peter cute and likable. Zelda feels like someone rebuilding herself on purpose. She’s witty, careful, and brave about gentleness. Peter is tactile and earnest; he’s good with his hands, good with apologies, and the way he keeps showing up made their quick fall feel grounded. Reggie’s loyalty adds the safety net every whirlwind needs. And that Frederick cameo with the infamous cookie recipe? I cackled soooo hard!!! It was the kind of joke that lands so well you have to put the book down. WOW, that was MIND-BLOWINGLY FUNNY!
“All I care about is who you are now. You don’t get to decide what is and isn’t good for me. And no, I won’t tell you to stop. Because I don’t want you to stop.”
— Peter Elliot
In a nutshell, I’d still recommend this if you want a light, fun, rom-com style story about two people falling head over heels in a very cutesy way, but with a supernatural twist, complete with magic, mystery, and a sprinkle of chaos. It may not have hit me as hard as Jenna’s other books, but it’s charming in its own right and definitely worth a cozy weekend read.
A huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for giving me the chance to read Road Trip With a Vampire early in exchange for my honest thoughts. I had so much fun revisiting Jenna Levine’s world, filled with charm, chaos, and heart. I’m so glad I got to experience it ahead of everyone else!
⚠️ TRIGGERS: 📌 Amnesia 📌 Fugitive on the Run 📌 Coercive Attraction 📌 Threats From a Secret Society 📌 Pranks Gone Wrong
✨ TROPES: 📌 Witch x Vampire 📌 Found Family 📌 Forced Proximity 📌 Redemption Arc 📌 He Falls First 📌 Light to Moderate Amount of Spicy Chapters
There’s a shortage of men in the kingdom of Amarra. After a failed rebellion against the matriarchy, most noblemen in the country are dead. Now the women of Amarra must obtain their husbands (should they want one) by kidnapping them from other kingdoms.
Olerra, a warrior princess vying for the throne, is determined to prove her worth by kidnapping a husband. And not just any husband. To outmaneuver her treacherous cousin, she needs the best. Fortunately, the second-born prince of their greatest enemy is widely known for both his looks and his sweet, docile temperament. He’s the perfect choice to secure her claim to the throne.
Sanos, heir to the Kingdom of Brutus, has nothing but contempt for the idea of a society run by women. Trained from birth to fight, lead, and follow in his father’s overbearing footsteps, his path has always been set. Until he takes his younger brother’s place in a drunken prank and finds himself kidnapped, carted off to the Amarran Palace, and informed that he is to become the husband of Queen Potential Olerra. Sanos needs to escape before anyone learns his real identity, but the more he gets to know his captor, the less sure he is of what he truly wants.
“I know you want to kill him. I know he has been tormenting you for years. I don’t know the extent of your suffering, but i know this: I will end it. If you were to kill him publicly like this, fighting for the Amarrans, you’d have no hope of becoming the next king. You’ve spent your whole life protecting others. Now let me protect you.”
— Princess Olerra Corasene
Wow! This book hit my whole existence like a sledgehammer, in a very good way. I just LOOOOOOVE everything about it. It immediately became one of my favorite books of all time. It is that GOOD!
I never thought political intrigue could be this INTRIGUING and INTERESTING. It made me feel like I was watching an exhilarating survival show where people are fighting for their lives. Tricia has officially become one of my favorite authors! But then again, reading is subjective. This book is for me because of my experiences, how I resonate with the characters, the deep attachment I felt for them, and even the mood I’m currently in.
This is a story of resilience, sacrifice, and the power of women. FINALLY, a book where women are powerful, where they have more freedom, the power to dominate, the power to strike fear in men, and the power to choose their own destiny. I’m not a feminist, but I’ve witnessed the lack of power given to women so many times, especially in my religion, where men often dominate. We rarely have the power to choose our destiny or even who we marry. Women are usually stuck. And not just in my religion, it has been a stereotype across so many eras that women are delicate, weak, and in need of protection. That’s why I loved how this book showed that women can protect themselves and their loved ones too. I honestly can’t describe how happy I am that Tricia wrote this beautiful, beautiful story.
I loved how the book balances grit with heart, and what gripped me most was how human everyone feels. Olerra isn’t just a fearsome general. She’s also a woman carrying a quiet vulnerability, and she still chooses compassion in a world that rewards domination. That’s why I found myself rooting for her, not only to win, but also to be understood.
And then there’s Sanos. He has the kind of resilience you only gain from surviving too much. He’s careful and protective, yet the way he softens without ever losing his edge makes his connection with Olerra feel both earned and electric.
When it comes to their chemistry, I just can’t ask for more. Olerra and Sanos’ connection builds like a long-held breath: restrained, charged, and patient. Every small choice, whether it’s protecting, listening, or yielding ground, adds up. By the time it crests, it feels inevitable and tender, like two people learning the same language from different dictionaries.
On the other hand, Glen is one of the antagonists who makes your stomach knot. She’s brilliant, ruthless, always three steps ahead, and painfully familiar if you’ve ever known someone who turned love into a weapon.
What I also loved was the presence of Sanos’s brothers. They add warmth through their own shades of bravery and banter, and at the same time they’re trying to relearn gentleness in a world that trained them to be hard. I especially loved the Ladicus brothers for that reason.
And then there’s King Atalius, the wound the story keeps pressing because he feels so real. Damn, I could feel the harshness of his presence in my bones. He’s the kind of leader who mistakes cruelty for strength, the shadow many of us spend years trying to step out from.
“You listen to me, and you listen well,” Olerra said. “I don’t give a fuck what your name is. You’re mine. I claim you, and I choose you. And while you’re going to spend forever making this up to me, there is no way I’m giving you back over to that tyrant. I made you a promise. He will never hurt you again. I’m keeping it.”
— Princess Olerra Corasene
Altogether, these characters don’t just tell a story about power. They tell a story about who you choose to be when power is finally within your reach. I highly recommend this to women who struggle with low self-confidence, who feel weak or believe they have no right to choose their own path, you might just find your voice here. And to men who have experienced mental abuse from their loved ones, this story might push you to finally choose what is right. This book speaks volumes, and I can’t wait for more people to experience it.
A huge thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan for giving me the chance to read What Fury Brings in advance in exchange for my honest review. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to fall in love with Olerra and Sanos’ story. It was a powerful, emotional journey that will stay with me for a long time.
✨ TROPES: 📌 Enemies to Lovers 📌 Kidnapped Prince x General Princess 📌 Political Intrigue 📌 Found Family 📌 Royalties 📌 Moderate Amount of Spicy Chapters
I just wanted to share the first ever story I’ve written that I can proudly say I actually finished. It’s a short story I submitted as an assignment for one of my subjects in my Master’s journey (I’m currently taking my Master of Arts in Literature, which is very far from my undergraduate course btw, since I’m a Licensed Medical Laboratory Scientist or locally known as a Medical Technologist).
And the picture above shows my cats, Lucky, Sheldon, and Harry. My furbabies are waving at whoever is reading this right now. The photo was taken when we went outside to let them play, but they ended up staying on the bag because they’re too introverted and scared of hoomans.
Anyway, enough about my story.
What do you think of my first ever finished piece? Do you think I should pursue writing? If so, which genre? Would you be interested in reading another story from me?
THE CLOCK
My eyelids felt like a heavy sack of sand, forcing them shut from exhaustion, as I collapsed onto my vintage queen-size bed late in the evening. The soft spring mattress swallows me whole, a welcome relief after a long day of tedious work. A faint, imperceptible hum came from the clock, with its red numbers speaking the time, eleven o’clock at night. A warm, familiar weight settled beside me. I felt a soft kiss brush my forehead as she murmured a quiet goodnight. The comforting sound of her gentle voice was the last thing I heard before the shuffle of blankets and the irregular rhythm of her breathing signaled her deepening into sleep. That distinct, comforting scent that was uniquely hers lingered in the humid air.
My dream, whatever it was, slipped away like smoke as I snapped awake to the insistent sound of drip-drip-drip of rain hitting our roof. My hand slowly reached out of the bed, searching for my mother’s familiar presence. Instead, I found the faint warmth of her body pressed into the spring mattress, a quiet reminder that she had only just been there before slipping away. When I finally opened my eyes, a dark silhouette was gliding past my bay window, slipping out of my room. I sat up slowly, my voice raspy as I whispered, “Mom?” I rubbed my eyes as the blurry edges of my vision slowly cleared. My large-sized bedroom, which was swallowed in pitch black, slowly softened as the pale glow of the moon spilled through my bay window. I tilted my head to look at the clock perched on the vintage bedside table as it blinked quietly at three in the morning, casting a faint light across the linoleum floor.
And then, suddenly, my heart lurched in my chest as my mother’s scream tore through the air, shattering the silence. My mind went completely blank, and before I knew it, my legs were carrying me toward the foyer. I could taste my fear like a rusty nail pressed against my tongue. Just as I passed the bathroom, I nearly lost my balance when my foot stepped on something sticky. When I looked down at the sole of my foot, I saw it smeared with a droplet of crimson. Blood. I shivered as a cold rush swept over my skin, every hair standing on end. A thin line of sweat crawled down my forehead, stinging my eyes. I grabbed the nearest weapon I could find in case it was a burglar, or worse, a murderer. It was the old baseball bat my childhood friend had given me.
My mother’s panicked voice cut through the house. “Oh, no… no no no!”
Heart pounding, I stepped into the foyer near the kitchen and froze. There was my mother, sitting on the cold marble floor, her face twisted in fear. I followed her gaze upward. And to my shock, it was a swarm of flying cockroaches.
Kim Scarlet 