Mina V. Esguerra's Blog

Manila International Book Fair 2025 [post-event]

So many events. I love it. This is possible only with partners who are helping carry our books (literally) and giving us seats at the table (literally seats and a table). I keep talking about community here, everything I document here on this website gets done because of partnerships and community. Everyone in RomanceClass has a day job and other people we take care of–every little thing we do for each other and seek out partnerships for is how we get to do everything we want and need to.

“Busy kasi” is the reason why we only launched one Blush Book at MIBF, but we’re making it count with this gorgeous new edition of Chi Yu Rodriguez’s No Two Ways. It’s an expanded version of Chi’s 2019 book, with new chapters in Jackie’s POV, a bonus short story, and art by Nawmi Kobayashi. Grateful for Komiket’s support of Blush Books and RomanceClass!

Thank you to Komiket and Vibal for having us! Thank you, readers, for choosing a romance book (or ten) at MIBF!

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My Usual and You (Cafe Titas #2)

I have a new book coming out! Pre-order My Usual and You (Cafe Titas #2) on Amazon. More retailers coming soon. Review copies available soon. Cover and everything else, soon.

Book description:

What should Erika San Ignacio be doing at her age of 41? The answer has always been: whatever she wants, actually. No matter what anyone else says. She’s the only non-lawyer in her family’s three generations of lawyers. She has a dating life of flings and non-exclusivity—happy and ready to be single and the favorite tita, for life. And she quit her senior-level corporate job in the middle of a national lockdown to help her best friend fulfill a dream to open a small cafe.

Turns out, the drastic career change might be a good idea after all. The cafe is thriving, she’s enjoying being a cashier and business partner, and the handsome customer who works nearby is a daily highlight, a harmless crush she never speaks to. Life is steady all of a sudden, not demanding and complicated. She’s into it.

What could disturb this peace? Just the favorite customer asking her out on a date, and wanting more. Just the corporate world trying to lure her away from the dream she helped build, with reminders of career goals from the past. When thinking about the life she wants for herself at this age, are these distractions she should say no to—or new challenges to take on?

Pre-order here. Out November 7! Pre-order price is $1.99 until release day: Amazon

There’s a draft preview on Wattpad! You can also start reading here.

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MIBF 2025 x RomanceClass things

Posting what we have on schedule as of September 2. More soon!

Here’s your MIBF ticket! Download and print for free entrance. Komiket/Blush Books ticket features Nawmi Kobayashi’s art for No Two Ways by Chi Yu Rodriguez.

Here’s another ticket featuring art by Arli Pagaduan, who’s part of the KILIG anthology:

Carla de Guzman, Katrina Ramos Atienza, and Celestine Trinidad are signing books at the Vibal booth on Sept 14, Sunday, 11 am to 12 pm!

Justine Camacho Tajonera and Angeli E. Dumatol have stage events for their Penguin SEA books at the NBS booth!

Ines Bautista-Yao will be at the Ateneo Press booth, September 13, Saturday, 2:30 to 3:30 PM!

I will be at the Vibal booth on Sept 14, Sunday, 12 to 1 PM! (I’ll sign any book of mine that you bring btw but the complete Interim Goddess trilogy will be available there)

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Vida New Adult imprint launch [post-event]

Grateful for this stage of RomanceClass (and my career) because we get to have partnerships that take the books further than any of us authors have the time and energy to, and our books are introduced to new readers every time–which is great because the point of all of this is for our books to reach readers, anyone who wants this and maybe didn’t know yet that they wanted this.

As our actors (who do the live readings for us) pointed out at rehearsal…we have had a lot of events lately. Before 2023, we would contact them twice a year and that already felt like a lot of work. This year, it’s only August and it’s already the fourth event with live readings that we’ve done!

Last Saturday was one such event, the launch for the Vida New Adult imprint, which I had curated for Vibal Foundation. We had a quick panel, live readings, and book signing at Mento, the roof deck restaurant at Ramada Manila Central in Binondo.

[My photos + some photos from Vibal Foundation and Tara Frejas]

The imprint has released six books so far (linking to Vibal shop online): my books Interim Goddess of Love, Queen of the Clueless, Icon of the Indecisive, Carla de Guzman’s Blooming Love, Celestine Trinidad’s Ghost of a Feeling, and Katrina Ramos Atienza’s Well Played. These books will be joined soon by Six de los Reyes’s Project Saving Noah.

How were the titles for this imprint chosen? My main consideration was how each book had something that would bring a new reader to romance. Because all these books, previously self-published by the authors, are romance yes, but often the authors bring something to the work that can make someone connect to it not just because it’s a romance. Carla’s book is not just plants and magic, but also takes a very Filipino POV of just acknowledging that magic is all around us, and people know what to do with it. Celestine’s book has a romance that develops as a person believes she is talking to a ghost and…look you just need to go with it. It’ll make sense to you again as a Pinoy (and maybe if you’ve ever needed to be seen). Katrina’s book has the satisfying crackle of Darcy/Lizzy tension and also characters in college–which makes so much sense because it’s exactly when a young person’s world starts to grow (diversify in all the ways) and they do have to unpack that pride and prejudice they’ve been carrying around.

I’m happy these books got a celebration as they go off into the world to be discovered by new readers. Very excited.

Thank you to Jade Albert, Jef Flores, and Migs Almendras who were our live readers that day, bringing our main characters to life. Always the best way to introduce a book to a new reader!

Thank you to our family, friends, fellow authors, RomanceClass, RomanceClass2025 alumni (alumni?!), book community friends, media friends who attended. Thank you for spending time with us celebrating books! Sana kinilig kayo chz! (Except Maggie you’re too young pa.)

Thank you to the different teams at Vibal who worked on the editorial, design, marketing, publishing aspects, who’ve put in the work to get these books out. I appreciate you! I know the work I would have had to do to put all of this together, and it’s a lot, and I wouldn’t have done it haha. For a corporate publisher you might feel this is just what you do, all in a day’s work, but what you do is so needed and appreciated.

The next event for us is the Manila International Book Fair, September 10 to 14, at SMX! I will be at the fair all day on September 14, and I’ll post my signing schedules soon. My books will be at the Komiket and Vibal booths.

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RomanceClassDavao: A romance anthology is coming soon!

A little over two months ago, I went to Davao and did a talk and workshop. The day after, at lunch with KB and Ren before I left for the airport, we came up with a RomanceClass project specifically for Davao writers — and that was the idea behind RomanceClassDavao.

We started on June 16, supported by Bookbed, with 11 writers participating in the online class, and a deadline of August 2 to submit a romance short story that followed RomanceClass guidelines of HEA, agency, and consent.

I’m happy to post here that we have enough submissions for an anthology! It will include:

The Setup by Maria Jose
Boy meets girl? Nah. Boy meets girl because the titas made them do it. No meet-cutes here. Just nosy titas who think Stephanie and Raymond are destined to be together.

Stephanie is a self-proclaimed serial monogamist whose longest relationship lasted only six months. Raymond is a socially-awkward geek who was in a long-term relationship. Not a match they would have chosen for themselves…but were the titas right all along?

Liminal Space by Pen R.
Joe (Johanna) Santos has been working as an intern at the library of the high school she grew up in, and is keen to eventually get a permanent position. She was convinced of her comfortable life plan…until the last day of the school year. Joe’s life turns upside down during a wild goose chase for a missing book from her library, when she meets Claire Robles, a fellow intern with big plans.

This seemingly small incident causes a spark between Joe and Claire, who spend their last overtime day hastily fulfilling their rebellious, teenage dreams. When you’re suddenly shown everything you could ever do and be, what do you do? What happens when you realize all you’ve been missing?

After the Storm by Kim Fabular
Lila and Gabo should have met on a blind date, then a beach date–but both did not happen exactly as intended. Instead, they find themselves trapped in a beach house with a big anxious dog. Through the course of the night, Lila and Gabo got close–and vulnerable. Romance was promised like a calm morning after the storm. 

Finding someone to have this kind of chemistry with already seems like a miracle–but what happens when Lila learns about Gabo’s history with someone close to her? Unlike the blind date and the beach date, will Lila and Gabo’s romance happen in this lifetime?

Feelings by Design by KB Meniado
Sky Dizon and Fox Mapa have three things in common: a love for cute and clever designs, an internship at the city museum shop, and a long-abandoned rivalry that once ruled their high school lives. Now that they’re older (and maybe a little wiser), the pact is simple: no more competing. Ever.

When they’re thrown back together in Abtik Anik’s prestigious Claim to Frame program, an art-world dream neither could resist, the pact is under pressure. Then, suddenly, Sky’s prototypes are going haywire on her, Fox’s drafts keep vanishing into the dreaded design void, leaving him stumped, and their perfectly polite small talk is starting to sound a lot like flirting. Or fighting. Or both?

As the deadline looms and the stakes get more personal, their collaborative creative chaos spirals out of control. And their inconvenient feelings for each other? Might just be their biggest challenge of all.

I happily take the lead as developmental editor for this project, and am excited to start. Can’t wait to go back to Davao to launch this, too!

Congratulations, authors, and thank you!

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RomanceClass2025: Congratulations to everyone

We just finished #RomanceClass2025 this weekend! In case you missed it, we opened a new class three months ago. 31 participants submitted the requirements needed throughout the three-month class to make it to the end, and I am happy to share details of the books they’ve written.

Before you scroll: Some participants were able to finish a first draft! This means they have a complete manuscript, that they can work on publishing sooner or later. Not all books that are finished via a class become RomanceClass Books–they have to involve RomanceClass readers/editors in beta reading and editing to do that. This part is not required naman, and whatever happens a participant already has a draft, or an incomplete one, or an outline for one, whether or not they publish it with RomanceClass. There are other options and ways to publish.

A request to you reading this: If there’s a story/book that looks interesting to you, that you would absolutely one-click, please say so! Leave a comment here, or on whatever social media page you saw me link this from.

If there’s something about the book that you happen to know a lot about because it fits your experience, please mention if you’re willing to beta read or provide advice to the author! Leave a comment and tag me, or email me [mina at minavesguerra dot com] and tell me which book, and the help you’re willing to provide.

Some of these authors, as you’ll see, are not quite finished yet. Your support could help them get to the finish line–and publication day!

Thank you, and congratulations to all the authors who shared their time and stories with us!

JASPEARL TAN finished NOTICE ME, MISS WRITE (M/F)

Lacy Lovelace, a lifestyle writer who recently joined Rouge Magazine, had always believed that popular men were shallow, narcissistic and selfish, and that they only used their good looks to manipulate everyone around them.

After their senior feature writer resigned, Lacy had to step up as an entertainment writer. Her first assignment? To cover Kaito Yoshida, the Prince of Asian Dramas, and her definition of trouble.

Lacy just wanted to do her job and write features about him without a fuss, but Kaito had other plans–to convert the stubborn, closed-off writer into one of his fan girls. The more she gets involved with Kaito, the harder it is for her to keep her professional distance and to stay out of the spotlight.

MILFY finished GIHIGUGMA, ACE OF HEARTS (M/F)

Fight for someone with everything you have and still be willing to let them go…

Eighteen-year-old Jomar is a rising tennis star from Davao, arriving in London with one suitcase, one scholarship, and no idea what’s about to hit him. Culture shock. Cold weather. Instant noodles. And Mitchelle Tanner—the quiet girl with a camera, a halo-halo craving, and heartbreak hidden behind her wry smile.

She’s half-American, half-Filipina, fully unreadable.

He’s used to power and control—but around her, he’s unstrung. They shouldn’t work. But somehow, they do. Until past wounds and family expectations threaten to tear them apart.

In a city that feels both foreign and full of possibility, two souls collide and discover that love at eighteen isn’t always a mistake. Sometimes, it’s a miracle.

Set in London’s rainy alleys and sunlit parks, woven with Filipino warmth and humor, “Gihigugma, Ace of Hearts” is a story about home, heart, and the courage to choose love even when it hurts.

MIKKI EUGENIO finished WE GOT IT ALL FOR US (M/M)

Casper, a BPO employee living in the suburbs of Manila, distracts himself from his quarter-life crisis by visiting shopping malls, and creating content about it on social media. But he had no idea that a chance encounter an old mall in Makati will change the course of his life.

Jigo grew up living in an old mall called Metro Central, left to his own devices after his dad remarried. He has both everything and nothing at the same time – nice cars, money in the bank and a fancy penthouse, but not love and genuine affection. Someone has to teach him the ropes of managing real estate too…and probably how love actually works.

As they form an unlikely partnership, they constantly wonder if it will lead to something more special. But will their relationship–and the mall they consider home–survive amidst the challenges?

TONI ZUNIGA finished IN THE EYE OF YOU AND ME (M/M)

Kidlat Reyes was supposed to be the wonder kid of his small Bicol hometown, destined for greatness, carrying the hopes of his family, his tiger mom, and the BEBES (Mga Banal na Kababaihan ng Barangay Espiritu Santo), the town’s most meddlesome prayer group. But ten years and too many regrets later, Kidlat returns not as a prodigal hero but as a man haunted by failure, heartbreak, and the nagging suspicion that he’s let everyone down—including himself.

As the annual harvest festival whirls around him, Kidlat is swept into a parade of disastrous blind dates, awkward small-town reunions, and the suffocating weight of everyone’s expectations. The only constant is Francis, his older brother’s best friend—now a charismatic, rootless content creator crashing at their house while overseeing his own family’s home renovation. To the BEBES, Francis is family and strictly off-limits for romance. To Kidlat, he’s the one person who makes him feel seen, even as he tries not to notice just how much Francis has changed—or how much his own feelings have shifted.

When a road trip to chase a rare Fujiwhara storm pulls Kidlat, Francis, and Cupid (the barangay’s matchmaking stray dog) out of town and into the wilds of Catanduanes, the two men must confront old wounds, new desires, and the possibility that love sometimes sneaks in through the side door- unexpected, unplanned, and impossible to ignore. Along the way, they’ll face wild boars, a shaman with questionable gayuma, family secrets, and the storm inside Kidlat’s heart.

ISABEL finished TRACKING CHANGES (M/F)

Martina Benavides has mastered the art of staying useful, invisible, and out of trouble. At Larralde Group, where power plays and tita gossip pass for corporate culture, keeping a low profile is more than strategy—it’s self-defense. Martina’s learned the hard way that being noticed often means being misunderstood, and she’s too busy minding her own business to explain herself to people who’ve already made up their minds. Unfortunately, she’s just been sent to Singapore on her biggest assignment yet… alongside the company’s golden boy, Anton Torre.

Anton lives to impress. Keen on navigating Larralde’s power circles, he’s charming, driven, and thrives at being the center of attention. So when Martina shows up and seems to skate by on indifference, he’s irritated—until her mask slips, and something deeper sparks his curiosity.

They’re opposites: he plays the game, she dodges it. He thinks she’s checked out. She thinks he’s full of it. But working side by side on a high-stakes corporate launch abroad means there’s nowhere to hide. And the longer they orbit each other, the harder it becomes to ignore the sparks—or the secrets behind each other’s carefully maintained façades.

AVY C.T. finished THESIS IT! (M/F)

Marlissa Tuazon lives by her planner, with columns and color-coded tabs keeping her world in order—until what might be her worst day yet. She misses breakfast, ruins her blouse, botches a crucial interview, and then the universe throws one final punch: she loses her wallet on the bus ride home. Her quiet seatmate, Colin Alonzo, a nerdy and awkward academic more used to research than real-world mishaps, steps in to pay her fare. Though their encounter is brief, something about Marlissa’s sharp, chaotic charm stays with him.

Every meeting since then has become a sport of snarky remarks and Olympic-level glares. Every accidental silence is filled with the kind of tension neither wants to name. And each and every time Marlissa catches Colin glancing at her like he’s still wondering why he helped her that day, she pretends she’s not secretly pondering the same thing.

They tell themselves they’re just colleagues, but their actions say something else. Somewhere in the middle of all the data and the chaos, they might just be writing a different kind of conclusion.

This time, they might just say it out loud: Thesis it. We’re it.

EK GONZALES will finish A DOSE OF OXYTOCIN (NB/F)

Introvert Charlie Esteban meets cheerful Liana Fajardo while in the registration lines as new first year students of the Pamantasan ng Malaya. They immediately like Liana, but also find out they are in different blocks in the same course. When they keep being paired together in joint subjects, Charlie knows they really like her. But Liana’s grades start to soar, and Charlie’s begin to fall.

Charlie has one last chance to pass a physiology subject, or else they will fall back a year. To do this Charlie has to complete a project with Liana. Will physiology work in their favor?

JEN ZUN will finish RUN INTO YOU (M/F)

Falling in love can feel like sprinting toward the finish line—but the kind that lasts? It finds your rhythm and stays with you, mile after mile.

At 27, accomplished and passionate about life, Lia Dominguez finally has time for romance. She thought she had her meet-cute moment at last. But after years of quiet admiration, her longtime crush ghosted her. No explanation. Just silence.

Heartbroken, Lia is left to pick up the pieces—and question everything she thought she knew about love, timing, and herself. Her best friend convinces her to channel the heartbreak into something productive: running. What begins as an attempt to outrun the pain soon becomes a path toward healing—and an unexpected connection with Albie Reyes, the calm, consistent runner who keeps showing up right when she needs him most.

As Lia builds a new rhythm in her life, someone from her past reappears, hoping for a second chance. Now, Lia must decide: Should she chase the thrill of what almost was? Or embrace the steady, unexpected love that’s been beside her all along?

ANDYLEEN FEJE will finish DAYATAN (F/F)

With the hopes to rest, heal, and reconnect with her family, MJ took a long-overdue vacation in her hometown. What was meant to be a short escape turns into something more when she starts running into some old friends like Adit.

MJ remembers Adit from elementary days: the girl who used to tie MJ’s backpack to the chair and once slipped a bunót inside it for fun. Still a tease, but now so much more. Adit has grown into someone warm, grounded, and quite a charming person.

As MJ eases into the probinsya life, and gets more comfortable around Adit, she finds herself wanting to stay. But is she ready or even willing to give up the life she built in the city to start over again?

CLARA PALMA will finish JUMP THEN FALL (M/F)

“JL Santiago is the definition of TBH — tall, borta, and handsome. You can tell he thinks before he speaks, and I’ve seen how respects everyone, no matter what their status is. Even if we’re classmates in university and have many common friends, I’m happy being his fan from afar.”

Famous last words from Philippine national team figure skater and graduating senior Tin Lee, who was content to admire her sports crush from afar. When JL accidentally likes and shares the interview, she swears to never show her face to him ever again, much to the amusement of their common friends.

After Tin and JL move on from the incident, Tin’s white lies at a family gathering and JL’s involvement in a viral but fake love triangle have their paths crossing once again. This time, they join forces as they come up with a fool-proof plan: fake-date until they graduate.

Tin and JL quickly realize that dating each other is the easy part. In fact, it’s much easier than perfecting a jump shot or landing a fully rotated jumping pass. For something that’s supposed to be temporary and pretend, why are they putting in so much effort as if it was real?

SERENA RIVERA will finish TAKE TWO, WITH FEELINGS (M/F)

Sol is scrambling to save what’s left of her acting career – and dignity. After a publicized break-up and scandal, she’d take any role to shed off any remnants of her former love team (also ex-boyfriend). Then a surprise movie offer from an old college friend comes along with the exact project she’s looking for – a horror movie. It’s everything she could hope for in a screenplay: edgy, fresh, and terrifying. But the catch? She has to work with her sworn enemy and first kiss, Ryle Cruz.

Ryle is looking for ways to break into the big screen for better pay (this economy just gets worse and worse), but every rejection leads him further and further away from his endgame: reconnecting with Soleil Pineda.

Enter stage left: his first indie horror movie. Enter stage right: Soleil as the lead star.

She needs a new role, he needs a film debut. She wants nothing to do with him, he is ready to do anything for her. Their wicked chemistry just might make it all work. It’s not like their decade-long feelings and (sexual) tension would surface offscreen, right?

ANGEL C. AQUINO will finish LOVE AT FIRST DANCE (M/F)

At 32, fitness content creator Amaya Mallari loves all kinds of sports—you name it, she’s tried it. But there’s one activity that’s always haunted her—dance. She was a member of her college hip-hop crew, until a knee injury and a bad breakup made her swear off the sport forever. But when her former coach invites her to join a group that’s set to compete in an upcoming dance reality TV show, she just can’t pass it up. They need her star power and she needs new content for her socials, so it’s a win-win—until she finds out her ex is part of the same crew.

Choreographer, teacher, and backup dancer to the stars, 27-year-old JM Morello is passionate about all things dance. He may be shy in real life, but he’s a beast on the dance floor. He jumps at the chance to join the dance crew, hoping it will finally be his chance to shine in the spotlight, instead of being in the shadows of famous celebrities.

Sparks fly between Amaya and JM. But with the pressure of the competition, scheming exes, and online haters in the background, will the fire burn bright or fizzle out?

MARA CESPON will finish HISSES GET KISSES (M/F)

Between an acting gig as the artist double for a beloved television character and also transitioning to a bigger role at her grandfather’s workshop, Esme Ancheta is in trouble of burning out.

Same goes for Chop De Los Ojos in landing the position of new assistant director for the final season of a popular historical fantasy. As if the pressure from working on a show so highly acclaimed in Philippine television history isn’t astronomical enough for the new AD, it seems like someone is also trying to sabotage the production.

Some years ago, Esme happened to share a night of genuine camaraderie and badassery with Chop in the face of insecure showbiz uncles, obnoxious influencers and programming mishaps, capping it all off with breathtaking sex. They had left things amicably the morning after, agreeing that they just weren’t the types to commit. When their orbits cross again on set, they immediately reform their past alliance.

Though they both swear on keeping things purely professional this time around to stay the course, the attraction is undeniably rekindling and getting more irresistible by the day. Esme and Chop need to find the saboteur before they could do real damage to the show. And it needs to happen before the two powerhouses could fall right into the trap of falling deeply in love.

BRIANNA OCAMPO will finish THE ARRANGEMENT (M/F)

As the sole heir of the Del Fuego family, Sinta’s duty to uphold a declining legacy requires an arrangement that will cost her freedom.

As the eldest son of the Buenaventura family, Milo is focused on forging a future not tethered to obligations of the past.

When a deathbed promise puts their dreams on the line, each has to decide what they’re willing to give up to secure their future.

Sinta has forty days to consent to a marriage of convenience that will protect her birthright. Milo has forty nights to prove he’s worth the risk—to her future, her body, and most of all, her heart.

JOY VILLAR will finish THAT THING CALLED FEELINGS (M/F)

With a handful of movies under his belt, film director Stephen Roman is ready to work on his next masterpiece. Trouble is, the masterpiece isn’t ready yet thanks to terrible writer’s block. But all that could turn around when he reunites with his high school crush, Indy Velasco.

Indy worked hard on her successful accounting career for a decade, but her boss at the auditing firm thinks she can go further up the corporate ladder. She’s been burned badly by love before; getting distracted with a romance (even with her high school crush) will just get in the way of possible promotion.

Between catching up on fifteen years’ worth of history and tracking (possibly?) missing money, maybe–just maybe–a screenplay can be written, a promotion may be secured, and that thing called feelings can become something more.

H. BENTHAM will finish COURTING THE BALLERINO (M/M)

The summer break when you’re sixteen is undeniably the sweetest.

Charlie Galindez’s summer plans only consisted of ballet rehearsals, FaceTiming his best friend every single day (she’s out of the country for most of the break), and crushing it at the End of Summer dance recital—he’s choreographing and performing his first contemporary solo ever! Nowhere did it include developing a full-blown crush on a boy he vaguely recognizes from school.

Harvey Ignacio has decided to actively do nothing. He’s vacationing from academics, from basketball training, and from friendships that are starting to drift away. But on the very first day of his ‘deliberate break’, he gets unwittingly mesmerized by a ballerino who’s already charmed their whole school, but is only capturing his full attention now.

The summer break when you’re sixteen is unpredictable and exciting, and for these boys who are beginning to discover what it feels to be drawn to another person like never before, this summer break could also be the sweetest.

PAULA APOLONIO will finish IT HAD TO BE YOU (M/F)

People make wishes on their birthdays; Ellie makes resolutions. On her 30th, she blew out her candles with one goal in mind. She’s got her career figured out, now it’s time to get her love life sorted. Problem is, she’s tried everything: online dating, blind dates, and retos from her mom’s amigas. Sadly, nobody’s captured her heart, or…anything else, for that matter.

Now, it’s time for a Hail Mary. Inspired by her lola’s favorite dating show, Ellie talks her fellow freelancers-turned-work friends, including her best friend Carlos, into a “competition” to help her get into the dating pool. If they can really do anything, then surely they can help her find The One. If only she can sort out her budding feelings for Carlos first…

TINTIN S. will finish LOVE IN TRANSLATION (M/F)

Liezel Dizon is living her dream life in Japan on a MEXT scholarship when her long-time boyfriend in the Philippines delivers shattering news: he wants to break up. To add insult to injury, she later discovers he’s been unfaithful.

Hurt and reeling, Liezel decides to reclaim her confidence and sexual liberation by heading to a nightclub. There, she meets Yuji Sano, with kind eyes and boyish smile–and they have a one-night stand. Unknown to her, Yuji turns out to be classmate at here International Communications class. Thus begins their friendship that slowly blossoms into love as they both help each other while working on a class project.

However, the relationship turns rocky as cultural differences get in the way. Liezel feels Yuji is too reserved with his affections, and Yuji’s workaholic tendencies make her feel she’s a low priority in his life. Meanwhile, Yuji sees Liezel’s constant need for reassurance as selfish and thinks her unsupportive.

Despite the friction, their love endures. Through honest conversations, they gain a deeper understanding of each other and bridge the gap between their cultures, discovering a deeper, more resilient kind of love.

BETHANY DE LUNA will finish A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO LOVING AN INDEPENDENT WOMAN (M/F)

Even with his inability to instinctively understand implied meaning, it’s clear to Adrian Melosantos that his new neighbor and insta-crush, veterinarian Margot Ortega is fiercely independent and happy being single. She’s given up on dating after her last breakup, and is content being on her own. He knows that if he wants to be with her, he is going to have to be happy being just a friend.

After “finding herself” after her last breakup, Margot Ortega has been happy and content being single. Until she receives a wedding invitation from her ex. It hits her that, while she’s happy being on her own, she is also, maybe, just a tiny bit lonely, and that she might just be a tiny bit ready for something new. Enter the abrupt and grumpy neighbor Adrian who, she would eventually find out, was is not grumpy, only painfully socially awkward.

During a pet emergency in the middle of a storm, they find themselves opening up to each other to start a friendship that neither of them knew they desperately needed, that could lead to the type of love they both deserve. If they let it.

DARYL FIGURA will finish FLY ME TO THE MOON AND BACK (M/F)

Andrea Zaragoza is a Filipina fashion model based in Paris, France. Her career is what she has always dreamed of. At 25, she has already found her niche in the fashion industry. She also loves the Parisian life but doesn’t take her roots for granted. She tries to enjoy being single, mostly traveling the world, but sees to it that she comes home to her family in the Philippines whenever she can. In one of her recent trips back to Manila, she happens to sit beside a handsome Filipino guy.

At 30, Daniel Cruz is a CPA lawyer in Manila. Work is the reason why he is still a bachelor. But he yearns for romance. Will a chance encounter on a plane ride be Daniel’s hope?

ANNE MARIE VELEZ will finish RESTART, REPLAY (M/F)

Music journalist Demymoore “Mimi” Punongbayan has worked for the same entertainment magazine for ten years… until she is laid off due to a merger. Desperate for a new job, Mimi accepts a gig from an old friend to cover their hometown’s centennial music festival, with a highlight on one of the newest local acts – a band made of Mimi’s old friends and someone she thought she would never see again, her high school sweetheart, Dylan Chiu, whose heart she broke in a fit of rebellious teenage angst.

It’s been nineteen years since Dylan last saw the girl who gave him his first kiss and his first heartbreak. But he was over it. He’s moved on…right? The more he spends time with Mimi, the more he realizes that the hurt and the hope are still there.

Amidst the music and memories, they are drawn back into the nostalgia of it all – the songs of their youth, the silent fury of their dormant dreams, and the yearning of a whirlwind romance. Will Mimi try to mend the relationships she left behind? And will Dylan give her a second chance?

MALAYA ELIRA will finish SUNSET MEMORIES (M/F)

Jansen Amadeo, a member of the Philippine national men’s volleyball team and star player of the local volleyball club Alon Warriors, made headlines when he got involved in a bar fight. To say the team management and his brand sponsors are not happy is an understatement. And what better way to get back on their good graces and save his reputation than to volunteer as a coach in one of his brand sponsor’s summer training camps for kids? There’s one problem, though. The location: Isla del Sol.

Located in the easternmost coast of the Philippines, this tiny island holds memories of a beautiful, fleeting summer in his youth that he long buried and there’s no way he is digging them up. But he doesn’t have a choice, does he?

Ash Peralta loves the quiet and slow, peaceful life in Isla del Sol. Away from the buzz and chaos of the concrete jungle Metro Manila, she’s now living a full life as an Assistant Program Manager for the Alon Warriors Foundation. Her current project? “Future Legends”—a training camp for the underprivileged kids in the island during the summer. Isla del Sol is now home to the memories of one unforgettable summer in her youth that gave her the most precious person in her life, her son Deon. Everything is perfect. But that’s the thing about perfect, it does not exist. Certainly when the man she thought belongs in her past walks back into their life, albeit unwillingly.

When they meet again, memories of stolen glances, bonfires, sunsets, and kisses start resurfacing. Life surely has its way to remind them that love is a game—it isn’t finished until the buzzer sounds. And theirs is only on timeout.

AJ VILE will finish MATCH MADE IN ERROR (MMMF)

Caia. A private, invite-only dating platform for the elite.

Twenty-seven year old Yumi would have never thought that she would accidentally gain access to the highly exclusive app by jokingly writing ‘FCKSHT’ as her invite code. It was so unexpected that she just laughed it off, closed the app with the intention to never open it again. After a bad day, however, being provoked by an ex that dumped her because she was “boring”, she filled out her profile and started swiping through man after man… including three of America’s most eligible bachelors.

Haze Haddon, the rockstar bad boy who just finished a world tour—adding a notch on his bedpost for every country.

Santi Esquivel, the Fil-Am actor who can’t hold down a relationship making a name for himself in Hollywood.

Jacques Darling, the beloved quarterback who’s never been photographed with a woman outside of work despite being named the World’s Hottest Athlete.

Swiping right on these three must be something that every woman on Caia does, and Yumi was no different, even ending up with a match to each of them. But dating and juggling all three? Well, that’s a different story.

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A deadline worked (surprise)

First posted on Instagram, August 2: I did it! The End, a complete first draft, by August 2.

I’m going to let this sit for a bit and then it goes through a revision, and then a couple of beta reads for specific (law-related lol) things, and then I’m going to ask my editors to do their thing. Then cover design, set up a tour (?), do a pre-order. Thank you for your patience! The writing is the hardest part naman huhu, the rest will be easier/faster.

*And yes for the past few weeks I’ve been writing this directly on Vellum. It’s been satisfying seeing it instantly previewed on a Kindle haha. Makes it seem ready.

I’m going to celebrate. Done with book 29!

First posted on Instagram, July 30: Sorry to say (to myself) that writing on a deadline does help me.

I’ve written over 6000 words since July 17 (13 days ago). Even when giving myself a schedule and keeping to it, I would have been fine with that pace for 6 weeks.

Every book of mine that I find difficult to write is difficult in different ways; my previous solutions did not work for this one. Until I went to that classic advice to (figuratively) kill a darling, or let go of a thing that I was writing around, with much difficulty.

What was it this time? It was the idea that I had to hide all traces of this particular (real life) inspiration, because I wanted to keep that to myself. After a while it felt like I was writing around a That Thing shaped hole. I tried actually mentioning it.

Then the words showed up. The characters knew exactly what to say.

This thing we do is so fascinating and odd and you can think it becomes easier but then you’re reminded that you have to be vulnerable to understand the people you’ve created.

The post A deadline worked (surprise) first appeared on Mina V. Esguerra.

Currently #20

1. People are reading blogs, maybe: I updated my menu here on my website and included (returned) the Blogroll. And it has clicks?! Bring back blogs lol.

2. A deadline. More specifically, I gave myself a deadline to finish writing my 29th book, and it is August 2, the same deadline as RomanceClass2025 and RomanceClassDavao. I’ve mentioned on this site several times about the struggle to write this book. What happened is I had a breakthrough, and figured out what the block was. I also get thrown off my writing mood when I edit, so to maintain this momentum I really have to finish writing this before my next editing job comes in (which is the Blush Books edition of No Two Ways, which should be released by September’s Manila International Book Fair).

Almost there. Fight!

3. It’s annoying to vague-post about projects that can’t be talked about in social media. But this is my blog so I’m going to do that here. This is what I had for lunch during a very interesting meeting.

The meatballs set at Greek-to-Go Taverna, F. Manalo Quezon City.

4. Book launch: We’re going to have a book launch for the Vida New Adult imprint books! It was supposed to happen this Saturday at Ramada by Wyndham in Binondo, but most of the country is reeling from storms Crising and the upcoming Dante and Emong. We’ve rescheduled it for August 10, and will resume announcements and posting updates once the weather is better.

The post Currently #20 first appeared on Mina V. Esguerra.

Kiss and Cry, So Forward [new covers]

My romances featuring Filipino figure skaters and hockey players, Kiss and Cry and So Forward, have new covers!

This edition features new cover art by Enid Din, and title design and layout by Carla de Guzman. Now available on Amazon, Gumroad, and Ko-fi.

Kiss and Cry: Amazon | Gumroad | Ko-fi

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.

So Forward: Amazon | Gumroad | Ko-fi

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.

If you already have the previous edition, how do you get the new ones?

If you bought the ebooks already on Amazon, you don’t need to do anything. The covers will switch over to the new one, it just takes time or a refresh/redownload sometimes. (If you love the first edition photo cover and don’t want to lose it, email me with your Amazon receipt and I’ll send you a digital copy.)If you bought the ebook through Gumroad or Ko-Fi, you will have access to the new cover as well as the previous one. Just go back to your library/book page and download the new file.

Starting July 2025, only the new edition will be available in print via Amazon or other international retailers.

In the Philippines, both print editions will be available at the same time. Order the new edition here. (Or wait for it to show up at Komiket, Magdamag Market Cafe in QC, Collective Base Complex Greenhills Promenade, and our other retail partners.)

The post Kiss and Cry, So Forward [new covers] first appeared on Mina V. Esguerra.

Team Mango Summer, we have an update

TL;DR We’re producing an audiobook!

In 2019, we started pre-production to adapt Agay Llanera’s Mango Summer as a web series. There was a crowdfunding component, through this site. We didn’t get to raise a full amount for a web series, but we had plans for how to get the rest of it. Some plans included fundraising events/dinners, approaching other prods. We were supposed to start filming in the first quarter of 2020. We had attached lead actors, a director, screenwriters, and a production team.

We did not get to start production in 2020. (Because of covid, in case people forgot.) In 2021, another production company took over development of Mango Summer as a series or film adaptation. I’m confident this will happen, it’s just a bit beyond my control.

What do we do that’s a bit more in our control? That can get some members of the core team back and working on this? This week I sent an email to the fund contributors, and told them the new plan –we are producing a MANGO SUMMER audiobook. (If you contributed to this, please check your email–it includes refund options too.)

Why an audiobook?

– It’s a format that’s accessible, and has always led to more readers and more immersion in the story. (Personally, audiobooks helped me in 2020-2022 when I found myself unable to read a full book–if it was in print or an ebook.)

– It’s a format that can involve our friends in the performing arts community again. We’re absolutely working with human narrators. Who are Filipino. If you know anything about the audiobook industry, our voices (and correct pronunciation) are woefully underrepresented there.

– It’s a format that we can stream.

Agay’s book is gorgeous. I think we should experience it in all the formats.

Buy Mango Summer here (Amazon link, CW grief, recent death of parent).

If you want to help us produce more audio editions, “buy me a coffee” here: ko-fi.com/minavesguerra (put AUDIO in the message field).

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