This is by far the best PSICOM book I’ve read. It’s unique in many ways. Firstly, it uses a man’s POV – first person. Yes, absolutely. Secondly, it takes in Palawan – completely. Thirdly, the guy’s a native of Palawan – it’s not about two vacationers having a summer fling or something. Thirdly, the way it’s written…it’s like a cross between pang-masa and middle-class. That’s actually the biggest problem I have with it, but I think that has more to do with my upbringing than anything else.

But anyway…

Chris is the son of a resort owner. One day, a Manila guest asks if he wants to play the role of her boyfriend…for five days, no strings attached. That girl is Mia: she’s fun and loopy all at the same time. Chris finds himself agreeing. After all, surely nothing much could happen in five days, right?

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SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
The one thing I didn’t like about the book was its ending. I love happily-ever-after so obviously this one didn’t have that. Is all.

Rating: 7/10 but for others, I’m sure this could rate an 8 or 9.

Welcome to the Tanya Miguel variety show! Here you will find a group of talented (bordering on freaky) players and lots of singing and (figurative) dancing. First of all, she is a manager who cannot manage men. Top of the list is her boyfriend-who-is-acting-like-not-a-boyfriend Ken, and her talent Andrew—a matinée idol with Coming Out of the Closet issues. Also part of the cast are Monique with a Q—her English-speaking housemaid, Rachel the psychiatrist who psychoanalyzes everyone around her, Raisa the foul-mouthed swimmer, and Nicole who is, well, simply Nicole. While she’s trying to juggle Andrew’s career and Ken’s constant infidelity, Derek—a pilot who hates flying and has quite an interesting past—dashes in and shows her the possibilities of defying gravity. Will Tanya take Derek’s offer of going up in the air, or will she choose to keep her feet on the ground?

Mm, can’t help but compare this with her first book Gal on the Go. I like Tanya and Derek better than her first pair and there are more romantic – some, admittedly naff – scenes here. Monique with a Q reminds me about Chona the blogger. Ken is very easy to hate, reminds me a lot of another fictional ex – oh yeah, Ramon from The Hagette, that’s who.

Overall, it’s another lighthearted read offering temporary pleasure.

Meet Dina, a bored and perpetually broke 25-year-old with the fashion sense of a blind librarian. Shane’s a tall and gorgeous punk rock princess who masquerades as a bank teller by day. Emily has it all: closets full of green clothes, a semi-glamorous job in an advertising agency, and an unfortunate penchant for sticking to the wrong type of man. When the girls find the Holy Grail of bargain-shopping—universally flattering pink ballet flats that somehow match each of their personalities—the boost of fashion confidence proves to be just the right kick to start a chain reaction of change in their lives. Dina discovers “The Church of Miniskirt.” Shane tries to reclaim past fame and a hunky new guy. Emily tries to give sane relationships a shot. Through it all, the girls discover that the right dose of change just might lead to more than they bargained for.

As I’m not that fond of books with various heroines, Pink Shoes immediately lost some of its appeal for me since it has not two but three heroines. Granted, everything is in Dina’s POV but I just prefer to focus on one love story per book. But that’s just my two centavos, of course.

Anyway, my sister tells me the plot sorta resembles that of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants but I’m afraid I can’t agree or disagree since I haven’t read or watched it yet.

All in all, the thing I love most about this book is the girl-power theme! I can’t help but cheer when the girls finally got rid of the useless guys they’re in love with. There wasn’t much chemistry between Dina and her guy BFF but this is chicklit and categorized under Romance, really, so that shouldn’t be considered as a flaw.

Another light-hearted read from Psicom so if you’re looking for a way to kill time pleasurably, grab a copy now!

Self-confessed “Hagette” Cynthia de la Rama seems like the perfect girl: she’s tall, thin, pretty, charming, and fashionable. So why hasn’t she found the right man? Her gay friends think it’s a defective gaydar to blame. Most of her exes were in the closet. She’s right about ready to give it all up for a well-dressed, celibate existence. That is until two men enter her life at the same time: the bad boy who disappeared without a trace many years ago (and whom she hasn’t gotten over yet) and an aloof, handsome model with a knack for doing the laundry. The only problem is, will her gaydar let her down yet again?

I admit it. I don’t know what the word “hagette” means. I remember her allusion to the girl with blond pigtails in Hey Arnold but—I don’t get it. Blame me for my denseness.

The malfunctioning gaydar is a cute thing. That’s what I liked the most about the story, actually. I like this one so much better than her first book – not to say that the latter’s unsuccessful but just that I prefer this more. The chemistry between the hero and heroine’s also better. If I have anything to complain about then maybe more scenes between the hero and heroine coz it’s the love story angle that I’m mainly interested in.

She used to be known as Laney Luck but not anymore. In a sudden and continuous onslaught of misfortune, Laney faces eviction from her fabulous used-to-be-rent-free condo unit, is kicked out from the primetime shift to play radio muse for insomniacs and on-air-hoggers, and gets more-or-less dumped by her a** of a boyfriend, who just happens to be her ex-partner in the station as well. As Laney does her best to move on with her life, she finds herself helplessly falling in love with her gorgeous and sweet as hell roommate Eddie…who also happens to be leaving for down under in two times. Will Laney’s luck ever change?

Of course, we all know the answer to that. This is the fourth PSICOM novel that I’ve read and I’ve to say that this is the one I like best. I love all their “sweet and cuddly” scenes where they go to bed together without having sex. No really. It can happen.

So yeah, I do recommend this book.