Thirty Days With You

by Ruth Miranda

Tânia Marques, thirty-three, English teacher, born and raised in Portugal, takes a leap of faith and decides to do something for herself - after years of trying to live up to everyone else's expectations. On the last day of November, she boards a plane for Byanbyan-Ma, where she intends to spend the entire month of December working on a novel - her very own writer's retreat. All she wants is to be by herself, but on her very first day in Xhiangzhei, she walks into a café as it's about to close, and strikes up a conversation with the owner... Huang DaeLun, twenty-nine, architect, co-owner of a small café in Xhiangzhei, has never been lucky in love. In fact women regard him as a friend, never a lover, or prospective boyfriend. He's made peace with that - sort of - and isn't looking for romantic attachments, far too scared of getting his heart broken again. But on the first day of December, as he's about to lock up his café, a tourist walks in, looking to buy the hand pies the place is famous for. And she returns the next day...

Genres: Romance

267 pages, Paperback

Published January 28, 2022

About the author

"As soon as I learned my ABC I was writing stories."

Ruth Miranda is a Portugal born and raised author who feels more comfortable around words than people, especially if those words happen to be in English, a language she once taught for a living - amongst other varied jobs. She started making up stories in her head as a child, to put herself to sleep, but the stories kept growing with her, so eventually, they needed to be put to paper. Her published work includes The Preternatural Series and Blood Trilogy, as well as the romance novel Danseur and the Byanamese Romance series. You can find her being social on Instagram under the handle @ruth__miranda, where she shares snippets of upcoming and published work, and on her Patreon, where she posts thoughts on writing, deleted scenes, and an online novel. Find it here https://www.patreon.com/RuthMiranda

Reviews

[Gee Rothvoss · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Promise you'll come back. Or I'll join you in Lisbon - I don't care where we are, as long as we're together. Thirty days with you is not enough. I want thirty weeks, thirty months, thirty years, a lifetime together. I want a lifetime with you."

Known for her dark tales and bone-chilling stories, Ruth Miranda surprises us this time with a 180º turn in the form of a sweet romance. Portuguese teacher Tânia Marques has had more than enough with her friends and family's constant attempts to put her down; so she decides to indulge in a one-month stay at Byanbyan-Ma, where she'll spend the whole of December writing a novel. The second she lands there, though, and enters a cute little café down the street, she meets a handsome barista by the name of Huang DaeLun—and the rest, as they say, is history.

"I don't think I can stop kissing you." "Then don't. Don't stop kissing me."

This small romance was such a lovely read! Tânia and DaeLun were unbearably cute, providing a slow burn that will have you squealing the second they hold hands. I was really happy every time I kept reading, and it made me sigh and swoon so many times. Just as she did when she wrote "Danseur", Ruth managed to build two really complex characters with solid backstories and complicated issues, who still manage to find the good in each other and to start on a journey to heal. I hold DaeLun particularly close to my heart, as he dealt with heavy social anxiety that became crippling at many points. That's not to say I don't love Tânia—although I did have a bit of a harder time reading her chapters because of the way she kept putting herself down for being fat. It was a relief to have this explained further into the book, although I still got a bit jittery around her.

"All my life I was a guest at someone else's place, a minor character in their play. Now, the lead role's mine and this is my script."

One of the most important messages in this book is: Have the bravery to do what your heart wants. In that sense, this novel excels at conveying the importance of staying true to oneself when everyone is begging you to buy lies and a false sense of security. Even though she isn't all too certain at first, Tânia still chooses to do what's best for her, and in that sense I believe that this story will be inspiring to many, many readers stuck in similar situations of dissatisfaction. Watching her take a stand against her family and friends, who all put her down mercilessly, was cathartic! Then there was the doubt and insecurity surrounding the possibility of diving into the unknown as far as to get involved in a long-distance relationship. That bit, I have to admit, made me cry like a baby. I believe Ruth did an excellent job here, depicting the doubt and uncertainty that comes with such a big commitment—as well as the strong want to be with that person, regardless of how physically far they may be. As someone who's in a LDR myself, I can say that she got everything right!

"I'll rescue you, if you fall in the ocean. I'll be your friend, if you let me."

In conclusion, "Thirty Days With You" was an achingly sweet romance that made me smile more than once. Make sure you add it to your TBR at the speed of lightning!

"Friends support you, don't they? Your dreams, your goals, your choices. They rejoice at your victories and stand by you counting your losses, I think."

[Hajar Zaied · Rating 3 out of 5]

A massive Thank you❤ to the Author for providing me with an E-ARC of this book.
I got into this book not knowing what to expect. And for the first couple of chapters I was struggling to find my link to the story, the drive that would have me wanting more.
I loved the aesthetic the book revolved around, the calm cozy café, the simplicity and the fictional Asian country of ByanByan-Ma 😍.
I found the reason why I was genuinely interested in the story. I could see pieces of the author sprinkled in every character, which made them feel REAL. The sheer realness of the characters, that's what I felt was the beauty in the story.
This isn't just some random romance where two people get together. It's so much more! Alongside the sweetness and fluff, it was such a raw, realistic and emotional story.
These characters have problems, issues, they're a complete mayhem but they choose to walk forward. And that had me feeling every bit of pain, every bit of happiness.
The romance pictures the essence of pure innocent love. It's so wholesome, it's not unrealistic, it's new, refreshing and it's normal yet perfect in all it's ways. It's the type of romance you read for the bonding journey. Meant to be read nice and slow (you don't devour it), taking the time to fully process how the characters feel and how they've come to where they now stand. The buildup is achingly sweet and I don't mean sugar sweet, I mean chocolate sweet. That sweetness tinged with a hint of bitterness.
Underneath all the romance though, there lies a mirror to reality. It's far deeper than a cute love story. The problems tackled were severe and left me feeling overwhelmed.
Under normal circumstances I would give this book a 4 because there were elements in the book that usually put a damper on my enjoyment.
Ex: The writing style felt mechanical at times, but the other elements were far too overpowering to lower the rating.
In conclusion is this the best story out there? Probably not.
Did I enjoy it as if it was? Yes, yes I did!
In true honestly this author is criminally underrated.

[Sarah Wibrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Time stops once more, the world halts its spinning motion for the briefest of heartbeats, and we stare into each other’s faces again.”

I have quickly become a fan of Miranda's writing. Her prose is beautifully written which makes it an engaging and effortless read. She has a gift for really bringing her characters emotions alive.

This is a heartwarming story of how two people, who are navigating their own problems in life, can find that deep connection and fall in love despite their fears - to be truly seen by someone 🥰

The book is written from the first person POV, each chapter alternating between the two main characters. The MC's are so relatable. I loved them both but I think my favourite was Tânia who won me over immediately with her sarcastic and self-deprecating humour. And because I fell in love with the characters, I became protective over them, which at times had me p!ssed at certain other characters 😡

I loved the dual POV aspect as it allowed me to view the other through the MC's eyes - which was so at odds with how the MC viewed themselves or rather, how others made them see themselves.

It was a real joy to follow their feelings and thought processes and although tentative and hesitant, their union was inevitable. They were going to fall in love as soon as they set eyes on each other and nothing was going to stop that 💘

This is one of the authors ‘lighter’ reads but the subjects of bullying, demeaning / toxic relationships, and anxiety are still within the story.

And at times the food depictions really had me salivating 🤤

If you want a heartwarming story with love and hope, then this is definitely for you.

I‘ve already bought Alchemy of Chaos and look forward to delving into one of Ruth Miranda's darker reads 😈

I was lucky enough to receive this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

[Julie Embleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the pen of the dark and twisty Ruth Miranda comes a sweet love story, set in the fictional country of Byanbyan-Ma. Tania Marques, thirty-three, an aspiring writer at her wit’s end, escapes her unpleasant family and friends for a month to find space and solace. There, she meets Huang DaeLun, co-owner of a cafe, and the shy, cute couple strike up a friendship.

Don’t come into this story expecting sassy banter, steam, and the glamour often found in contemporary romance. Instead, you’ll find yourself immersed in a gently-paced, detail orientated read. Tania loves to stroll through Xhiangzhei, absorbing the history, views, and atmosphere, and Miranda takes the reader on this tour too, filling this tale with a relaxed, easygoing vibe as the relationship between the two characters slowly develops.

Tania and DaeLun aren’t your typical couple; between DaeLun’s crippling anxiety attacks, and Tania’s crushed self-esteem, they’re both wounded. Typical of how Miranda’s writing leans towards the darker side of life, these characters are flawed, but in a true-to-life way that makes them all the more endearing.

An interesting aspect of this story is how the characters are unhesitatingly supportive and caring of each other, yet how they speak to themselves is often cruel. Tania refers to herself as fat, while DaeLun berates himself for his anxiety. At times, these passages were hard to read—Tania’s especially which I found jarring at points—yet it forms the theme of the story, and how love transcends perceived flaws and disabilities.

Thirty Days With You is a slow-burn, atypical romance. This tale of courage and hope will warm the cockles of your heart, while making you wish Byanbyan-Ma existed for real.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the author for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

[Elen Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is lovely.

It's rare to find such a sweet love story in adult fiction, but the romance between Tânia and DaeLun is achingly beautiful. It's a shy romance, made of tenderness and understanding. Both characters have gone through a lot and face their deepest insecurities while getting to know each other in a cozy, immersive setting that's the dream of every writer!

The mental health rep was also incredibly well done and there is a "coming-of-age" element to the character development that I really appreciated. People don't stop growing and evolving after they turn 30, and the author portrays this exceptionally well.

What I liked the most about this book is the unspoken message that it's never too late to start loving yourself and do what makes you happy, no matter what others may say.

[Kastie Pavlik · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ✨ About a quarter into this book, I realized that my cheeks hurt. From smiling. In a Ruth Miranda book! w(°ｏ°)w I came into this immediately after reading Danseur, which quickly became one of my favorite of all time books, Miranda's dark male/male romance. Thirty Days With You is pure light in contrast and takes place in a beautifully set, fictional Asian-based country. Tânia and DaeLun are adorable in their interactions, and I found them to be personable and relatable. They are not infallible and their differences bring complimentary elements into their lives that (to me) seemingly make them want more for themselves after moving through life just by the motions. I particularly love the way Tânia handles DaeLun's anxiety and the support structure he has in his family and friends. It is refreshing to see both the man and woman struggle with image and self confidence, and for us to see how their past relationships influence how they approach (or avoid) each other. A surprising reveal near the end could easily bring many couplings to an immediate end, but here they talk like adults instead of running away, and I appreciate seeing that more and more - taking that responsibility and that precious element of control in one's life. I also applaud the characters (and Miranda's writing) for owning their faults and realizations, for maturing in their own skin, and embracing who they are and want to be, and making their choices based on that rather than outside influences. It's got an air of positivity and lightness that can easily remind us all that none of us are perfect, we deserve love and respect, and we owe it to ourselves to take the helm to live the lives we want to live rather than to stuff ourselves into molds created by others. Really, a delightful read with beautiful prose and good messaging.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thirty Days with You by Ruth Miranda is the perfect weekend read for people who enjoy stories that weave a rich tapestry of emotion and culture. At its heart is a delicious slow-burn romance, but it's also a beautiful fictional travelogue and a heartwarming but complex tale of self-discovery. The story is set in the fictional country of Byanbyan-Ma, a place brimming with good food, beautiful sights, and vibrant culture. Downtrodden Portuguese teacher Tânia Marques arrives in Byanbyan-Ma to spend the month of December on her own, away from her life's frustrations, sightseeing and working on her novel. When she steps into a local cafe for a bite to eat, however, she meets Huang DaeLun, architect and the guy who's always the friend, never the boyfriend. What follows is a journey of friendship, exploration, self-discovery, and eventual romance for two people who needed to find themselves as much as they needed to find each other.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the author for an honest review. These are my own opinions.

[Shashi21 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC. I absolutely loved this book. Without leaving any spoilers, I just want to say this is a story about 2 people who find each other at a time they needed a new beginning.
I want to thank the author for the opportunity to read this book.
I highly recommend

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

*An ARC of this book was given in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

Content warning: Mental Health portrayals, mentions of death, racism, verbal abuse

If you’re into the “everyone-knows-but-they-are-both-oblivious” trope, this might be a good next read. Vacation meet-cute, love at first sight, forbidden romance, this book is emotional yet cozy.

Set in a fictional place, Byanbyan-Ma in East Asia, this book borrows elements of China, Japan and Korea quite well, in a sense that you can’t exactly pinpoint a specific country but the names and description of food, places and culture in this book are closely represented. Even in a fictional world, the author was very sure to be respectful, which I feel very comforting.

Tânia has been trying to live up to everyone’s expectations, and finally at 33, for once, she wants to do something for herself which ended up with her taking a flight to Byanbyan-Ma to work on her novel. In a café nearby her rented apartment, she meets DaeLun, the shy, romantically unlucky co-owner who quickly developed a crush on her. Well, they both developed crushes on each other, and it was crystal clear for everyone else.

Being a character-driven reader, I find this book a little challenging. I didn’t particularly like anyone, nor was I very invested in their romance. The mutual pining was cute to read and the first part of the book was impossible to put down, but with the clock-ticking down on their very short time together, it gets a bit difficult to read because it’s bound to end in one of two ways. Still, I find that the author’s writing style made this book a delight to read. I’ll admit, Ruth Miranda might’ve written the best line I’ll ever read for the whole of this year.

“The bell jingles and gives away my arrival like a snitch", brought such unexplainable amusement to me.

This book was written in dual POV, but mostly in Tânia’s. I don’t really know how to feel about the last quarter of this book though. I don’t think it was foreshadowed, so the big reveal was unexpected. The following chapters explained a little bit more, and I like how it gave the opportunity for the secondary characters to shine, and takes us through their relationship with DaeLun.

I think the ending was suitable and left me quite satisfied. Nothing was really concrete, but you can easily have an idea of how things will play out for Tânia and DaeLun. Overall, its a good wintery-romance book full of new beginnings and hope.

[Sherry Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading Thirty Days With You in advance. Ruth Miranda has written a poignant and memorable love story; one that is contemporary and cosmopolitan, even traditional in some ways, but with just the right amount of edge and anxiety to make it a modern romance. Tania comes to us filled with heart ache, self-esteem issues and a very difficult and unsupportive family. She is running away from something; running from her homeland, Portugal, to an exotic country in Asia, a beautifully envisioned land the author has created, called Byanbyan-Ma and its city center, Xhiangzhei. Tanya has saved up for this getaway to Byanbyan-Ma to find some peace and write her book. DaeLun is a gentle soul, always a friend to the women he’s attracted to, but never a lover, as he himself complains about. He too has self-doubt, anxieties, insecurities, issues of self-esteem. He has nearly given up on love. DaeLun’s family and friends are endearing, he has their support, but will DaeLun ever find happiness in love? The lovers meet in his charming family owned café. The point of view starts with Tania, then moves to Lun, and continues to alternates between them, sometimes offering their individual views of the same moment in time. This gives us insight into their character and is successfully achieved by the author.

This beautifully imagined Asian city is the perfect setting for romance. There is just enough hustle and bustle to offer a world full of life and possibilities, just enough antiquity, art and mystery to make it exotic and enticing. The scenes of the old city covered in snow are breathtaking. The country of Byanbyan-Ma is made so real by Ms. Miranda, that by the time you are done with this story, you will wish you could book a flight to visit it yourself. You will also want to taste all the new and delicious foods. This story has the most enticing food tasting episodes, shared between Tania and DaeLun. You will want to sing karaoke in its lively bars, shop its stores and tour its ancient sites, even visit the sanctuary where the orphans live. There are scenes of painful self-doubt, heart wrenching at times, scenes of tenderness, and some sexy ones as well. Miranda writes of big emotions with great skill, giving us characters who feel deeply, hurt easily and fear humiliation. But they are also able to grow emotionally, to open up and connect.

ButTania has a secret that she has kept from DaeLun all this time. Will their budding love survive this secret? You so want it too. But will it?

Treat yourself to this engaging love story. Escape with Tania to the beautiful faraway land of Byanbyan-Ma and fall in love yourself.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is really my kind of book! The sweet love story that's not "too" sweet and also deals with some heavy topics such as anxiety, panic, emotional abuse, but doesn't layer it on and make it a downer. This was a lovely story that had me swooning multiple times, and especially at this passage:

Saudade, the word being meaningless to me. “It’s a Portuguese word that can’t be translated. It means missing something or someone with a yearning, a longing that rubs the heart raw, a feeling of loss mixed with nostalgia. It’s hard to explain, but I couldn’t stand being home, I had to come down so I could see you the moment you got here. Because I was feeling saudade.”

Absolutely beautiful!

I also really appreciated how neither the hero nor heroine were "perfect" people. In addition to their mental trauma, neither one were what society nor their peers considered particularly attractive. Tania sees herself as overweight, and the attitudes from her friends and family made her feel disgusted with herself. DaeLun is described as a man with a hooked nose that has made him insecure and even his own friends and family see him as less than attractive. However, the way the two see each other not only emotionally beautiful but physically breathtaking not despite these "flaws" but often because of them. Not sure about you, but I am about sick to death of six-pack abs and perfect breasts in romance. These people felt real and were much easier to connect with.

If you are looking for an emotionally uplifting book that isn't full of fluff, 30 Days With You hits the spot.

[Caesara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good.
It's a love at first sight kind of story. It has so many beautiful, full of caring and love moments but it also has sadness, anger, fury and all the other feelings a real person has. It's a book about overcoming your past and fears and anxieties. About accepting others as they are and help them become better people, better versions of themselves.

30 Days With You is about a woman who for the first time in her life decides to take the reigns of her life in her own hands and to put herself first.
You might not like her very much at first, I admit I didn't, and might think that she could have done better but you have to try and put yourself in her shoes a little. Try to understand her life and her actions and why she didn't act earlier. But what is important is that she did.
She finally said stop and started her new life with a one month trip to Byanbyan-Ma, away from her family and friends. Bravo, Tânia!
Here she meets DaeLung, a very tall, cute and friendly barista.
And from this moment on everything in Tânia's life changes.

I loved that we got to see the important moments, happy and sad, from both points of view. We got to understand them better and their reactions.
Some other things I loved are their daily walks together visiting the beautiful city and surroundings, the local legends and most of all the cuisine 🤤

Thank you, Ruth for the ARC copy and giving me the chance to read the book among the first, in exchange for an honest review ♥️