Ana takes Manhattan is a classic story about a single woman tackling the complexities of relationships in a big city, but what makes this story particularly unique, and important, is that it is told through a Latinx lens.

The story’s protagonist, Ana, is Cuban-American, finding her bearings as a TV professional in NYC, while also maneuvering the very murky waters of dating life in the big city, and the complexities that come with being a part of a blended Latin American family.

I enjoyed this story. It made me cringe, in the best way. It made me laugh. The story is told in the first person and Anas voice and personality are funny, honest and relatable. The overarching themes that stood out to me were that of the bonds of family, both those that we were born into and those that we choose, also the idea of overcoming one’s self-imposed fears. It was a fun read. I highly recommend.

~I received an ARC copy of Ana Takes Manhattan from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review~

I'll be honest - I'm generally a person that looks at both Rom Coms and Reality TV with disdain - but I wanted to take a stab at Ana Takes Manhattan to see if it could sway my thoughts. Unfortunately, it didn't. While Ms. Decos creates a world for Ana and her commitment to her job, as a producer for a marriage reality show, it was difficult to root for Ana as a main character, and none of the people around her seemed more than a 2 dimensional character. I think the plotline itself was fine, but by the middle of the story, I didn't really care who Ana chose, or if she was going to learn anything from the experience. The ending showed some promise for her as a person, but felt rushed.

This was a fun book about a love story and reality shows. I like reality shows because some of them you cam relate to. This book was approved by netgalley and the publisher.

The ending wrapped up a little too quickly for me, although I was glad it didn’t fall into the epilogue trap where everyone is married and pregnant a year later.

This was a very sweet book. It is predictable but it is exactly what I wanted at the time that I read it.

I thought the characters of Ana Takes Manhattan were fun to read about. I did not enjoy reading about Ana as much as some of the other characters. Ana films reality to vs shows about love and marriage. This still was a decent book to read.

Thank you Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Netgalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

This was a really fun book. I loved the characters and the premise. It was well written and easy to follow along with. It’s one I would definitely recommend to other friends and readers. It’s a pure delight of a book!

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the ARC.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

This one didn’t click with me as hard as I tried.

This book was the perfect rom-com. I love the plot of the story, and I appreciated all of the scenery that took place in New York City. I also love how the descriptive the author is. The banter between characters also kept me hooked to this story. I would definitely recommend Ana Takes Manhattan. This is one you wont be able to put down! I rate this book 5 stars for sure!

This is the story of Ana who is filming reality-tv shows about love and marriage while she's trying to figure out her own journey with love. She takes a bunch of bad turns but eventually grows and finds her own way.

What made this book trickier is that Ana's not a super-likable character. She's pretty judgmental and even though you know it's because of her fear, it becomes hard to feel compassion for her after a while. Her best friend also seemed like not the best character, to be honest, and it's hard to tell why they are so close. The author tells us this often and has one or two examples of why but I didn't find it believable. I did love Richard but there wasn't enough of his character development in the story for me to get to know him enough.

In the end, it was an enjoyable and quick paced story but likely not one that will stick with me.

with gratitude to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a realistic fiction book that actually contains realistic characters and events. The characters felt like friends you’ve known all your life. I’m a sucker for a realistic ending. This book did not disappoint.

Ana Takes Manhattan by Lissette Decos was a cute and fun contemporary fiction debut novel.

A skillfully written rom com with endearing characters who I enjoyed.
Ana's story was realistic and such a joy to follow along to. She was such a likable person.
Decos drew me in with her characters and setting.
Once I started I couldn't stop.
I really enjoyed this book. It was an easy, light read.
And I hope to read more of her books in the future.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Forever,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

This is a coming-to-terms story of a young woman learning to face her fears by making all the wrong decisions before she finally makes the right one. It was a refreshingly clean read, omitting unnecessary graphic displays while still giving the reader a chance to laugh, cry, and fume alongside our protagonist. I would recommend this as a cozy feel-good book, or a read for anyone thinking it's time to just throw in the towel...

Ana is a reality TV producer on a show that specializes in over-the-top marriage proposals. If only her own love life went as smoothly. Ana's best friend is getting married and she is nursing a crush on Best Man Landon. Sure she's only seen him in a photo but she is convinced he is perfect for her. When Ana's best friend suggests she look elsewhere, Ana decides to live a little and says yes to anyone who asks her out on a date. As these mostly disastrous dates progress, Ana learns more about what she wants out of a relationship.

Ana Takes Manhattan has some cute moments and Ana is a likable lead character. The plot is a good one but the execution did not always work. Overall, I think there were too many sub-plots, too many men in the picture so we don't get to know anyone that well (and there was not enough time spent on the one man who is clearly the right one for Ana). The writing was vague at times so I wasn't sure how actually interested Ana was in any of the men and what went on during her dates. There are a few instances of cheating and implied cheating. Still, I can see how this will appeal to romance readers who also enjoy reality TV and having a main character who isn't sure what she wants and decides to find out by dating four men with very different personalities. 2.5 stars.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

Ana Takes Manhattan by Lissette Decos is a wonderful contemporary fiction that kept me entertained and was enjoyable from beginning to end.

I really enjoyed this contemporary fiction/ romance. Ana Karina is a fun, likable, realistic, and someone I could easily champion. The concept of Ana changing her outlook on life from the imbalances and disappointments to just…saying Yes.

The new lessons, insights, experiences, and decisions she encounters on this new mission brings her hope, promise, sass, romance, and a second chance.

This was fun, entertaining, and thoughtful narrative that I definitely recommend.

5/5 stars


Thank you NG and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 2/28/23.

I recognize so much of myself in Ana, our heroine from “Ana Takes Manhattan”. Ana is a slightly neurotic, list making producer of a show all about wedding proposals. This is a classic plot about a woman focused on her career, but also realizes how much of life she is missing out on. I love the premise of Ana “saying yes”to everything and taking more chances at work and in relationships. The book is an easy read, but I loved that there are some parts that touch a bit deeper involving family relationships. The author does a good job of balancing this with other light hearted moments. The romance was enjoyable, but some scenarios felt a little over the top. Overall, I enjoyed the book and I hope the author writes a follow up book on one of the couples from Ana’s show! I would put that on my “to read” list. :-)

Thank you NetGalley and Forever publisher for sending this book for review considerations. All opinions are my own.

I work for the for the publisher of Ana Takes Manhattan. I loved this book so much!! Laughed out loud. Yay for Ana!