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Promdi Heart (Hometown Love Stories)

Title: Promdi Heart: Hometown Love Stories

Author: C.P. Santi, Ines Bautista-Yao, Chris Mariano, Jay E. Tria, Georgette S. Gonzales & Agay Llanera

Genre: Romance

Summary (cr: goodreads)

Take a quick tour of the Philippines with six hometown love stories. Visit Jimenez, Misamis Occidental where a priest might just set you up with a man whose dimples are to die for. Visit Silay, Negros Occidental and get on a horse alongside hunky, hazel-eyed Negrense royalty. Visit Kalibo, Aklan and find yourself in the arms of a cute drummer boy who just happens to be your kuya’s BFF. Visit Hagonoy, Bulacan and spend All Saint’s Day next to a distracting boy who promises to write you a song. Visit Vigan, Ilocos Sur and meet the hot man you used to bully when he was a shy, chubby boy. Visit Pundaquit, Zambales and find love in a bronzed fisherman whose eyes hold depths you’ll want to explore

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I am a neophyte blogger but I just had to read this one first because of a tweet that showcased the release of this book so I signed up. I was really so keen and excited to read this one because I thought the idea of writing stories based on different locations in the Philippines was unique and I enjoy travelling. I just knew that I’ll definitely be entertained by this and the people who haven’t been on the locations featured here would surely be interested in visiting them. It felt as if I was on a tour to these provinces, getting familiar with the food and culture but in reality I was just at home in my jammies and in the comfort of my bed.

What I enjoyed the most was in some stories they actually inserted the dialects spoken in the dialogue among the characters. If I were to be honest though, I found it difficult to understand some as there were no direct translations provided I sure hope there could be a glossary at the end that could help non-native speakers understand them. I also love how some of the stories featured the province’s famous tourist attractions, delish local delicacies and one even featured a festival!

So here’s some of my thoughts on each of the stories. Please read at your own caution as these may contain some spoilers >.<

Story #1: Only the Beginning by C.P. Santi - This was a very cute love story. Even though it was short, I didn’t feel the romance between Andi and Martin were rushed. I adore their bantering and the traditional way Martin handled his feelings with Andi. It’s one cultural practice here in the Philippines that I hope can still be practiced by the younger generation. One of the things I took pleasure while reading this story though were the food featured in this story, it made me crave for them! They were so appetizing when I googled them. I also added Jimenez to my travek bucket list too

Favorite Lines from the story: Things happen for a reason. I’d needed to find myself again.. to heal… to ground myself in what was really important… to fill myself again before I was ready to give. – Andi

This line spoke to me because when one is going through something in life it’s not easy to acknowledge we’re hurting after a break-up. Most of the time we just pretend everything is okay when it’s not. Like they say, it’s okay to not be okay but we have to realize what’s best for us because once we recognize that, the moving on process starts, we finally heal and be prepared to give a piece of us again.

Story #2: Letters to a Boy by Ines Bautista-Yao - Such a distinctive read amongst the other stories because Ms Ines relayed her story to the readers through the hand written letters that Tin-Tin (the lead character) sent to her cousin Annette. We all know these aren’t that popular anymore as a form of communication but this was a nice touch as it rekindled memories of receiving international snail mails from my friends and loved ones before. There’s this special feeling that emits once you get a hold of an envelope knowing it came from a faraway place. Nostalgia at its finest J Another plus of this story is that it featured some beloved books that I enjoyed in my younger years. Tin-Tin was a kindred spirit. Regarding the romance, I actually thought this was ending in a heartbreak because years has passed and it was still a one sided love. I felt Tin-Tin was better off alone or find someone else as it was really on the last pages where we get to see Nicholas’ sincerity or feelings for her. I also applaud Tin-Tin on actually saying what’s on her mind (despite her already getting what she has been yearning for years) after Nicholas spoke of his feelings to her. I never felt it was true at first but Nicholas persevered and alas it was a happy ending for the couple! Also I have to note that Negros is love :D (It’s actually where my roots are :P so yeah!)

Story #3: Drummer Boy by Chris Mariano - I found this story really fun. I have always wanted to experience the Ati-Atihan festival but I never really have the chance to do so yet. Ms Chris did a wonderful job of describing some of what you’ll see or experience if you get to attend this festival. Like Wired Differently I finished this one the quickest but it was pleasant read. I have always wanted an older brother so seeing how Dex was being all protective of Reina was adorable. The lead MCs were also really level headed and showcased character growth despite this being a short story. Their ending was really sweet and epic!

Favorite Lines from the story: She understood it now, wanting to be there. Wanting to be counted on, wanting to commit to something that was bigger than her. Wanting to be responsible for someone, wanting to be responsible with someone. It didn’t need to start with a five-year plan. In the end it was just a matter of choosing.

Story #4: One Certain Day by Jay E. Tria - The lead MC Alice has a quirky favourite holiday but I couldn’t blame her reasons though. I appreciate that Ms Jay was really detailed in explaining the tradition of All Saints’ Day here in the Philippines and shared to readers how tightly knitted our family bonds are and how these elements were intertwined with interactions of the leads. This featured a trope which is one of my favourites

“Childhood Friends” but this was already some form of a caution that it may not end the way I wanted it to and yep it didn’t. I didn’t feel it was a letdown though because distance can really change things especially because Son and Alice were never really together. There was no commitment so if stuff happened, no one can really be blamed as they were simply friends. It’s a shame but some things are just not meant to be. I still very much enjoyed reading this because of the way Alice handled everything. At the very least she didn’t have that classic “what if” moment because she was braved enough to be honest with her feelings.

Favorite Lines from the story: “Blank space”, he repeated patiently. “When someone dies, they leave a space. A spot. A vacancy, if you will. The ones that remain hurry to fill it.”

Like what Son’s dad said this does apply to other things not just with dying and Alice unfortunately felt this with her heartbreak from Son. TT_TT **sighs** I can still console with the fact at the very least they kept the friendship as this was such a huge obstacle that could have broken them. I am looking forward in reading Son’s own story now xD

Story #5: Once Upon A Bully by Georgette S. Gonzales – from enemies to lovers XD Vigan is pure love. I visited this place a few years ago and it was a great experience that when I was reading about the famous spots featured in this story was like a trip back to memory lane. It was kinda difficult for me to read the chapter where Bridgette bullied Miguel but it got better when she has shown remorse and realized the errors of her ways then. She is such a lucky girl that Miguel was gracious to accept her apology, that gorgeous Iggy or Miguel xD Their romance quickly escalated but I guess it was just meant to be and I’m satisfied how it was wrapped up. The pacing towards their HEA imo was nice.

Story #6: Back to the Stars by Agay Llanera – this has got to be my favourite story out of all 6. The way Ms Agay wrote this was just so engaging and Wency and Leah are my favourite MCs. I like that Wency does not called out Leah for the bad behaviour she displayed and didn’t mince his words in saying what he thinks about this change. I understand Leah as moving to Manila will toughen you especially when you find yourself in an unfamiliar place all by yourself, but it doesn’t hurt to still remember our roots. I am glad she realized this and owned up to it. I also deeply love the way Ms Agay described Pundaquit because I found it so fascinating and felt it would be a shame if I never visited this place before I die.

Favorite Lines from the story: Because it hurt to hold on to things. It hurt more to hold on to people.. “Because you can’t move forward if you don’t let go. Don’t think about the past. Don’t hold on to things that are no longer around. It’s pathetic, pining for the things you can no longer have.”

As a whole I enjoyed this book. It’s actually the first anthology I’ve read and I kinda wished some were longer stories though as I craved for more. I definitely would recommend this to anyone who wants a light but fluffy read with gorgeous settings and great Female MCs.

I received an ARC of this book in form of an ebook. This is actually my first time doing this type of review so a huge thanks to them for giving me the chance to read this in advance and do a review for it.

#PromdiHeart #ARCReview #C.P.Santi #InesBautistaYao #ChrisMariano #JayETria #GeorgetteSGonzales #AgayLlanera #romanceclass

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