Meant to be in Manila

“It’s hard to say what I fell for more: Sophia and Rafal’s journey to choosing love and each other, the insightful history lessons about my motherland, or all the fascinating ways fate intertwined in the characters’ lives. A love letter to identity, the complicated and joyous history of the Philippines, as well as the serendipitous nature of love.”—Mia P. Manansala

“The iconic landmarks of Manila become the third wheel to the gush-worthy, blooming romance between leads Sophia and Rafal. Mica de Leon beautifully weaves montages of Filipino history into this family hijinks-filled romcom, bringing together a heart-sweeping tribute to the cherished yesteryears, and a dreamy vista of a burgeoning love story.”—Caris Avendano Cruz

“A good romcom makes you laugh, a great one like Meant to Be in Manila, will make you weep over griefs old and new, then enfold you in a hug, and still make you kick your feet and giggle. De Leon masterfully weaves a moving story of two lonely people finding love, joy, and sizzling romance, after heartbreak and crushing disappointment all around the intensity and beloved insanity of Filipino familial expectations. Endlessly real and relatable, after all, who among us hasn’t pretended to have a boyfriend in the face of nosey titas?”—Gabriella Buba

“Meant to Be in Manila is the Filipino fake-dating romcom the world has been waiting for! With perfectly overlapping themes of love, family, and finding home in a person, not a place, Mica De Leon’s writing will leave you with tears of joy all the way to the happily-ever-after ending. A must-read for fans of steamy slow burn romance!”—Swati Hegde

“Meant to Be in Manila is a propulsive genre-bending novel. Anchored in the contemporary romance of Sophia and Rafal, both vulnerable and courageous characters, it is a heartwarming story of how Filipinos love—loving a Pinoy/Pinay is loving an entire clan, too, along with their multitude of quirks. And here there is so much to love about the imperfect yet endearing Hermosa clan, at once annoying and redemptive, especially Sophia’s Lola who has a compelling story herself and Sophia’s Nanay who shows how to love generously. Meant to Be in Manila is also a striking story of friendship between Sophia and Hannah, two competent Filipinas who confidently embrace their independence while equally upholding the best of tradition, portrayed here as expressions of love and caring. The novel is also a love letter to Manila, whose paradoxical charms can reel people in, even those who try to escape it. After all who could resist the stunning sunset of Manila Bay, the miracles of Quiapo, the world-class heritage in Spoliarium? Written with a great balance of entertainment, humour, and gravitas, the book is as rich and multi-layered as the city it pays homage to.”—Mignon Bravo Dutt

“Filled with humour, charm, and enemies-to-lovers swoon, Love On The Second Read is an absolute winner! A must-read for rom-com fans!”—Samantha Young

“Set in the world of publishing and chock-full of literary references, Love on the Second Read is the perfect romance novel for book lovers. Emma and Kip will steal your heart!”—Lynn Painter

“Love On The Second Read is a delightful enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy perfect for book lovers! Emma and Kip sparkle and shine in this wonderfully witty, banter-filled novel about finding your one and only. Mica De Leon pens a swoony romance sure to charm all readers!”—Jenn McKinlay

“Charming and sweet with enough bite to keep things interesting, in Love on the Second Read author Mica De Leon delivers the rom-com feels readers crave. In a word, delightful.”—Melonie Johnson

“Love on the Second Read is a super-sweet workplace romance. With a constant flow of literary references, adorable chemistry between its leads, and a fun peek behind the curtain of the publishing industry, Mica De Leon’s debut is a reader’s delight.”—Nicolas Didomizio

Mica De Leon is a Filipino writer of swoony romance comedy novels and SFF novels. She has won the Don Carlos Palanca Awards For Literature in 2019 and 2022 for her essays on romance, feminism, history, fantasy, and the Filipino identity in the aftermath of Martial Law and the 2022 presidential elections in the Philippines. She likes walking on the beach, dogs, cats, swoony and spicy romance novels, lengthy epic SFF novels, and Taylor Swift.

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