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Throwing Rules to the Wind (Of Heads & Hearts #2)

Thessa Lim (Goodreads Author)

4.17 · Rating details · 24 ratings · 15 reviews

Travel writer Zara Castillo has a lot going for her. Her career’s taking off, and her boyfriend, Matthew Villanueva, is everything she wants in a man. So what if talking to her parents is like getting her teeth pulled out without anaesthesia? No one’s life is perfect.

But when her relationship with Matt is tested by distance and jealousy, issues she thought she’d dealt with ...more

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ebook, 250 pages

Published November 17th 2017 by Thessa Lim

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Nov 04, 2017 aNneMarLi - Chatterbooks Book Blog rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2017_arc, arc-s, series, standalone, women-s-fiction, coming-of-age

Who would have thought a cover hoe, a starved reader on all things filthy and gritty, a lover of alpha males and taboo stories like me will stumble upon women's fiction and coming of age genre? It has never really occurred to me until I opened our email from Thessa Lim. And I am so glad I did. It was one beautiful journey I get to ride in our beautiful country - Philippines, following a journey of a woman's transition in her personal growth, her relationship with her family and of course that romantic relationship that made me all swoony and giddy. Ack! The teenager in me buried deep within came to life!

Throwing Rules To The Wind by Thessa Lim is the second book of her series Of Heads and Heart in the Metro. It was a wonderful journey that generated a bucket load of feels for me. First few pages and I was sucked right into the story. I was drawn with Matt and Zara and got immediate liking to them because they are easy to connect with. They were portrayed perfectly imperfect and realistic which is the reason why I love this book. For a light hearted and quick read, the book was packed full of angst and swoony feels. I sooo love Matt! He's so dreamy I want him to be real. For a married woman now, if I am single, I will definitely do Matt. He is the guy for me. However, in as much as I want to gush Matt all over this review, that would be unfair for Zara. This book is her show and no matter how I want to strangle her and slap some sense into her, this is her journey. A flawed journey yet real and felt close to home to me.

Reading Zara's journey and her growth is one roller coaster ride. There's not just once or twice I wanted to shove sense into her. Her insecurities and how she handled it irked me. Those who knew me knows how I love my women sassy and feisty and Zara is the opposite of that. But you know what? There's a reason why I like her despite of it. Her character was genuinely portrayed that I feel her. I felt her insecurities and I understood her wholeheartedly. I admire Thessa for not holding back her issues because through it, her realness was just showcased. With flashbacks of her past, I get her. I totally get her and I pained for her. In her own ways, I adore how Zara slowly managed to overcome her fears. I adore how she learned how to handle her past that slowly influences and almost ruined her growing relationship. I cared for her, because what stemmed from her insecurities, I am sure each one of us experienced it. We've all been there. On a personal level, at some point I did and I know someone who's so much like her too. And it wasn't easy, Good thing I have my own Matt now. And to Zara? Cheers for a woman who fought for her love sans grovelling and too much drama. For a woman that slowly transitioned to be someone courageous enough in seeking forgiveness, closure and love.

Overall, I love this book and I will recommend it. I may have wanted so much more about Matt and his POV but this is all Zara and I understand how it's written this way. Thessa's writing is good and she's a wonderful story teller. I enjoyed my reading moment and my journey with them. With Zara's friends in the picture, it was a lot of fun. There were emotional highs and lows and let me tell you, I cried buckets of tears with this book nearing the end. It's just so heartfelt and emotional to see Zara finally spread her wings and be a strong woman that she is. It struck me so good that I couldn't help but cry. I want her to not just grow into a woman but I wanted her to have a man in her life too and have her HEA. And that's also kudos to the author's writing skills. She managed to awaken an emotion in me I thought was deep buried. Throwing Rules To The Wind is one beautiful story and journey. It made me laugh, it made me smile, it made me feel and it made me cry. It was pure delight!

To Thessa, great story you shared here. I admire how at some point you promoted Philippines in your book and how you incorporated a lot of Philippines culture and traditions . It was so great reading something as if I have traveled with them across the different islands of the Philippines. I am proud of you! Keep writing!

...more

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Mar 20, 2018 Susan Hampson rated it it was amazing

This is a wonderful story that blossoms the further your read. With stunning background settings. Zara Castillo a very career centred woman and confident travel writer. She puts out to the world a strong independent persona but really nothing is as it first seems.
Matt, her boyfriend is just about the opposite of her as he could get. He is happy with his lot and loves their relationship. Happy to work from the confines of the office and has such a chilled outlook on life in general. But the dista ...more

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Nov 13, 2017 Lili Marcus rated it really liked it

Shelves: contemporary, family

*This review would go live in my blog on November 17th of the current year.

Zara have learned a lesson about love long ago making her doubtful with love. But her colleague, Matthew, doesn't know that. Persistent and determined, Matthew wants no one but Zara, he's even willing to break one of their office's rules just for her.

But can Sarah really entrust herself to Matthew and trust love again? When her past wounds and past experiences with love resurfaced, Zara found herself being tested once aga ...more

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Oct 28, 2017 Claire - The Coffeeholic Bookworm rated it really liked it

They're trying hard to hide their relationship, but something forbidden like an office romance couldn't get unnoticed, not with all the prying eyes of everyone they're working with. Zara Castillo found it difficult to balance a lovelife and a career that's just about to take off to greater heights, but she couldn't resist Matt's irresistible charm just the same. A secret weekend getaway in the North, lunches and coffee being taken to the next city outside their office, another field work in the ...more

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Dec 17, 2017 Brandi rated it it was amazing

I really enjoyed Thessa Lim's "Throwing Rules to the Wind (Of Heads & Hearts #2)" even though it's a genre I don't read all the time. I really enjoyed the locale of the book (Manila) and thought it was a great change of pace over cities such as New York or London, and I also liked the two primary characters, Zara Castillo and Matthew Villanueva; they were very believable and realistic. I am going to have to get a copy of "in the Metro" to read as I really enjoy Ms. Lim's writing style. I would r ...more

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Nov 08, 2017 patricia sarmiento rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2017-reads, arc

Initially, I thought that this would just be a plain and simple office romance. And boy I was wrong. And sometimes, it's nice being wrong.

The thing is, this book goes beyond romance. It's about family, friendship, maturity, facing insecurities and growth.

At first, I was not liking Zara at all. I was becoming agitated with all her internal conflicts and issues. I know where she was coming from but there were moments when she was just too much for me. Eventually, as the story progressed, her act ...more

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Oct 20, 2017 Kim at Divergent Gryffindor rated it really liked it

Shelves: rating-4-stars

When I first started reading Throwing Rules to the Wind, I thought that this would be solely centered on romance, but boy am I glad that it isn't just about romance! This book encompasses a lot of things, which made me like it even more.

My favorite thing about this book has got to be how Zara turned back to her past not to give excuses nor to wallow herself in self-pity, but to discover herself, learn and grow from all her past mistakes. She did this in order to understand herself, ask for forgi ...more

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Nov 16, 2017 Maria Isabel Samonte rated it really liked it

Title: Throwing Rules To The Wind
Author: Thessa Lim
Release Date: November 17, 2017

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Title: Throwing Rules To The Wind
Author: Thessa Lim
Release Date: November 17, 2017

ABOUT THE BOOK:

A complicated office romance is not what scrupulous travel writer Zara Castillo has planned for, especially not when her career is finally taking off, but her easygoing colleague Matthew Villanueva is everything she wants in a man. When their relationship is tested by distance, issues she thought she had long buried emerge once again. Zara delves into her past in a quest for answers. Now she must face her demons or lose the love of her life.

With trips to tropical islands boasting beaches, rolling hills, and windmills, Throwing Rules to the Wind explores the lights and shades of seeking closure, forgiveness, and love.

Read an excerpt from the book here

MY REVIEW:

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an HONEST review.

Despite being using an overused theme with office/forbidden romance, the author's take on it is very unique with her descriptive writing and strong characterizations. Her writing is also good in terms of how the story is flowing, there is no boring or draggy parts.

This story is so amazing not only is it a love story but it is a story of friendship, family, and self-development. Zara throughout the story faces challenges that made her relatable and humane/realistic. I like how strong and independent she is but at the same time shows that she is not perfect and like any other human being she has her insecurities and she also makes mistakes. Furthermore, the lesson that I learned from Zara is to learn from past experiences and mistakes in order to grow into a better person. I like the part where Zara confronted her past in order to move on and continue living her life without worrying about the past anymore.

In addition, kudos to the author for incorporating a lot of Filipino culture and places in this book. I cannot wait to try the different kinds of food and visit the places featured in the story. The author did a fantastic job in executing the themes in a way that you can really feel the friendship between Zara, Anne, and Laine. While reading their part you cannot help but think that you are part of the group. I hope the next book is about Axel and Laine because I need more of their story I love how they interact with each other in this book and I wish there were more of it. I also like the relationship between Matt and Zara. They compliment each other very well in a way that Matt tried to help Zara with her insecurities. My only problem was the book ended in a rush I would like to learn more about Zara's family, especially with her relationship with her step-brother but nevertheless this book is a very fast and easy read. Good if you need a little pick me up. I highly recommend this book, especially if you are looking for a quick read romance novel.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Thessa Lim is a Filipina writer of new adult fiction for women. After growing up in the bustling city of Iloilo, she studied information technology at the Ateneo de Manila University and then worked in Metro Manila before relocating to Singapore. Her linguistic repertoire includes Hiligaynon, Bisaya, Tagalog, and English, but she only writes in English. The Singaporean slang she uses consists of lah, leh, and ayo. She moved to Sydney, Australia, recently, where she has yet to go café-hopping while working on her next book.

With the Of Heads and Hearts series, Thessa wants the world to know about the modern-day Filipina even if it is through light, witty reads.

In her spare time, she reads, takes a dip in the sea, or travels with her family.

To get the latest updates on Thessa and her writing,

or her Facebook page www.facebook.com/ThessaLimOfficial.

Check her out as @thessalim on Instagram or Twitter

Twitter: twitter.com/thessalim

Instagram: www.instagram.com/thessalim

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36445213-throwing-rules-to-the-wind

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Throwing-Rules-Wind-Heads-Hearts/dp/0995434417/

...more

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Nov 15, 2017 Kris Mauna rated it really liked it

Shelves: adult-fiction, arc-reading, romantic, strong-friendships, strong-main-characters, swoon-worthy-romances

Throwing Rules to the Wind is a hidden gem that you should definitely add to your TBR list A S A P! An intriguing story that captures the beauty of forgiveness, not only for yourself but others as well.

”I’ve just seen enough tragedies to not really believe in happily ever after anymore.”

This book was so much more than what I thought it’d be, and I LOVED that.
From the outside, Zara seems like she’s living her best life. A sweet, handsome boyfriend, the perfect job, and great friendships to he Throwing Rules to the Wind is a hidden gem that you should definitely add to your TBR list A S A P! An intriguing story that captures the beauty of forgiveness, not only for yourself but others as well.

”I’ve just seen enough tragedies to not really believe in happily ever after anymore.”

This book was so much more than what I thought it’d be, and I LOVED that.
From the outside, Zara seems like she’s living her best life. A sweet, handsome boyfriend, the perfect job, and great friendships to help her through life.. But when we enter her inner thoughts, we find out that’s really not the case at all.

I adored Zara BECAUSE of how flawed she is. We learn early on in the book how insecure she is and how that impacts her life in every way. It hurts her relationship, how far she pushes herself at work, and the way she interacts with her family and friends. And the best part of this book was the way we learn about how she became this way.
Thessa Lim is a fantastic writer and I look forward to all her future work after reading this! The way she blended Zara’s past to help readers understand her better was amazing, and yes, my favorite aspect of Throwing Rules to the Wind. I’m usually not a fan of this, but Lim did so well with this method that I was instantly rooting for Zara instead of grinding my teeth at her actions! Like when I was saying, GIRL STOP PUSHING MATT AWAY!! We’d get to read a piece of her past that would reveal so much of who Zara is, and it was always perfectly placed. I really loved this.

”We also have our heads to guide us, but we should also know the strength of a woman’s heart. It can endure every sort of pain in this world.”

All the characters were fantastic! Zara’s friends were amazing, I need to go back to read the first book in this series that features all of them! And then there’s Matt, Zara’s boyfriend, who is absolutely perfect and I adored the romance in this book SOOO much. It completely swept me off my feet and serious *heart eyes* - OKAY.

Everything readers enjoy about contemporaries is present in this book. From romance, friendships, and family drama. The plus side to Throwing Rules to the Wind is that it’s set in the beautiful Philippines, and it was the cherry on top to all the already great ingredients!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. A true story about seeking the closure you need to trust again, and the tough road forgiveness leads you on, only to set you back on track. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys women’s fiction - pick this up! <3 ...more

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Nov 12, 2017 AC rated it really liked it

I RECEIVED AN E-ARC FROM THE AUTHOR IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.

Throwing Rules to the Wind is the second book in Thessa Lim’s Of Heads and Hearts series which is set here in the Philippines. Although this is a sequel, it can also be read as a stand-alone.

I find office romance stories really enjoyable to read. And even though the intimate relationship between the main characters should be kept a secret, this book did not disappoint.

I think that a lot of woman will find Zara’s character rela I RECEIVED AN E-ARC FROM THE AUTHOR IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.

Throwing Rules to the Wind is the second book in Thessa Lim’s Of Heads and Hearts series which is set here in the Philippines. Although this is a sequel, it can also be read as a stand-alone.

I find office romance stories really enjoyable to read. And even though the intimate relationship between the main characters should be kept a secret, this book did not disappoint.

I think that a lot of woman will find Zara’s character relatable. Yes, she can be very annoying at times especially when she puts up a wall between her and Matt. But it’s understandable since she’s been through a lot and obviously, she’s not totally over it. But when she eventually learned to trust again, to forgive those who have hurt her, to accept that she had made mistakes too, and to let go of the past, she earned my full admiration and respect. Zara’s character development is one of the highlights in this book. She deserves a huge hug and a pat on the back for facing and overcoming her issues and insecurities. I was really proud!

And let’s not forget Matt. Oh the dearest, Matt! I love everything about him. I swear, you can’t not love the hell out of this guy. Handsome? Check. Supportive? Check. Has a stable job? Check. Gentleman? Check. Talented? Check. Loves his family? Check. Approved by your friends? Check! Seriously? He’s flawless! I need a Matt in my life! Haha.

There are so many things to like about this book. Zara’s friends (Laine is my favorite), Matt’s friends and bandmates, they are so much fun and they made this book more interesting! Plus the foods and the places that were mentioned in here are to die for. It will make you want to travel around the Philippines instantly and will make you crave for Filipino dishes big time!

I would have liked it more if it was written in a first-person POV and not third-person POV. I think it will be more engaging to readers. Also, this may be a stand-alone sequel, but it lacks in history of Matt and Zara’s relationship. So I would suggest for you to read the first book, Of Heads and Hearts in the Metro, first before digging into this amazing book. Overall, I love how this book tackles family, friendship, career, coming-of-age and doesn’t completely focus on the romance side. ...more

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Nov 25, 2017 Mish rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2017, 2015, review-copies

“You push my boundaries all the time, but there’s a sureness–a constancy about you that draws me in. I’m treading carefully, but you make me want to go full speed ahead.”

When I read on the blurb that this is an ‘office romance’ I thought it would revolve around the whole office flirting and hiding their relationship, but I was wrong. 😳 Family issues, friendship, past relationships, and conquering insecurities were also given a spotlight on this one and I like that. It’s actually a quick read but ...more

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Nov 07, 2017 Connie rated it it was amazing

Throwing Rules to the Wind is a delightful sequel to Of Heads and Hearts in the Metro. It is the love story of Zara, one of the four women in the first book. Gripped by a distrust for men as a result of her past, she struggles through a new-found relationship with a co-worker. She undergoes an emotional roller-coaster, experiencing both the joy and the turmoil of being in love. The reader finds herself involved with Zara: empathizing with her when she is tormented by her insecurity; chastising h ...more

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Mar 31, 2018 Kris Mayer rated it really liked it

Well, I did enjoy this book. Zara was a Little annoying in places due to her neediness in her relationship. She seemed insecure about whether her boyfriend really likes her and projected issues from previous relationships.
As the book unfolds, it becomes clear that although she thinks that her previous relationships have caused her angst that the difficulties actually lie with her dysfunctional family.
Set in Manila, it is a lovely exotic backdrop and I appreciated something of the culture.
On the ...more

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Feb 28, 2018 Angel Graham rated it did not like it

Shelves: hell-no

Apparently, the copy I received was a preview, as it had only 3 chapters and says I must pay to download actual book. Nope, not gonna happen.

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Jul 16, 2018 Christina Caramel rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Thank you Thessa for this lovely story, well written and worth the time. Thessa gives us a glimpse in to the natural beauty of the Philippines whilst she tells of the struggles of Zara, her friends and her love.

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About Thessa Lim

Thessa Lim

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Thessa Lim is a Filipina writer of new adult fiction. After growing up in the bustling city of Iloilo and working as an IT consultant in Metro Manila, she relocated to Singapore. While her linguistic repertoire includes Hiligaynon, Bisaya, and Tagalog, she only writes in English. Her paltry Singlish vocabulary consists of lah, leh, and ayo. She moved to Sydney, Australia, recently, where she looks ...more