'Ana Takes Manhattan' did not deliver in my honest opinion. My apologies to the author whose hard work went into this novel, likewise to the editor and lastly, the publisher for all their hard-working hours placed into this book.. Having said that, I was just not impressed by the main character and/or the plot, but the setting as always won my heart into the 3 stars I am giving this novel.

I so loved the premise of this. I'm such a sucker for reality tv romances. Unfortunately this did not work for me.

I thought this was a good romance, that I would recommend to those who think it sounds good!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me this Advanced Readers Copy of Ana Takes Manhattan by Lisette Decos. I feel like this book fell apart in the last 50% and was ultimately forgetable.

This story turned out much different to what I thought it would be when I first started reading this book. The main character also seemed to change drastically as the story progressed (and I'm not talking about character development). A main character doesn't have to be likeable for me to enjoy or appreciate a story but my dislike of this main character and her actions truly impeded on my enjoyment of this novel. It's disappointing because I originally like the main character but through her dating 'journey' and how she treated her friendship, I ended up severely disliking this character.

Luckily, I did enjoy the love interest but I don't feel like the ending did their relationship justice and the ending of the book was quite abrupt.

This was an okay read but not one that will leave a positive or lasting impression.

***Thank you to the publisher for supplying me with a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

This is a fun and light read with lots of funny moments. Ana is a reality TV producer who orchestrates extravagant marriage proposals. She is tired of feeling stuck in her life while seeing colleagues get promotions and friends and family getting married. So she decides she will start living with no regrets. Which is great in theory, but will come with lots of messy moments for Ana.

She begins saying yes to dates even when on paper he doesn't check all of her boxes (she has many). As she's navigating this new motto to living life, she realizes sometimes the life and person for you might be the one you never planned for.

I really enjoy second coming of age stories where women get to find themselves and the lives they want to live.

Ana Takes Manhattan reads like a movie— I felt the wonderful early-2000s-rom-com inspiration. I really loved the additional context of reality tv (Ana’s a producer). It felt a bit immature for a 30 year old cast of characters (and women are a bit catty towards each other). Overall, I tore through the book— a great beach read for quick fun.

This was a fun and oddly educational read! It was fun and romantic. and felt like I was watching a movie that I really love. At some points, I felt it fell a little flat and lacked detail, but overall, I really enjoyed this.

Ana is a is a reality tv producer on a show hilariously named, Marry Me, You Fool! She helps in love couples plan over the top romantic proposals and she really enjoys it. But after her bff and her sister are both getting married, she feels a little lonely.

Ana has a “perfect man” list that’s lengthy, but it hasn’t gotten her anywhere. She decides to let it go and go full force with everything, work, dating, taking chances, etc. She has a lot of wacky dates and has a lot of new experiences which she definitely needs. She hits it off with a few and it’s fun to see her explore her options.

I love reality dating shows and I would definitely watch this one. Ana was a little shallow, but I understand that feeling of being left behind when everyone else moves forward.

Thank you so much @readforeverpub for my gifted ebook. It’s out now!

3.5 stars

Ana is a reality TV producer who makes the perfect proposals happen, but her own love life is a disaster. She has a list of 4 things she is looking for in a man, and decides to date four men - one who has each quality - rather than waiting for the unicorn man who has them all.

I love a chaotic, snarky heroine (probably because I myself am snarky and chaotic) and Ana’s dating escapades reminded me a lot of myself in my early 20s. There were cringe-worthy moments as well as laugh out loud moments, both of which really resonated with my and my previous experiences dating. And seeing Ana really confront herself and her fears in the process was very heartwarming. I also loved the reality TV behind the scenes moments, especially after learning the author has some experience in that area. However, the ending was a bit abrupt for me and left me wanting a bit more.

Thank you to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for the advance copy.

This was a fun read! It did require me to put aside some "realistic expectations" about what people in the age group of the protagonist would actually do, but that aside, this was fun and romantic.

Ana Takes Manhattan is Lissette Decos debut novel. The story follows Ana, a young reality television producer, stuck in a rut. Despite her type A personality and ever growing checklists, Ana is unable to find her dream man. In an effort to change her future, Ana attempts to step out of her comfort zone. Will secretly dating four different men be the answers Ana needs, or will it lead to heartbreak?

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It was a solid four stars, which is high for a first time author. Decos managed to take me on a journey I was not expecting. The unpredictable plot had me so hooked, I read it in a single day.

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review!

I thought this book was so cute! It made me nostalgic for NYC.

Ana was a fun character to root for as well. Her dating adventures were hilarious to follow, even if I did lose track of who was who a few times.

I'd definitely recommend this one, and read Lissette Decos's future books.

Entertaining and resonant as a New Yorker in her thirties. I almost thought the outcome would be one of so much growth and epiphany that the MC realized she was happy alone — but a sweet and satisfying ending nonetheless.

Unfortunately, I couldn't get into this one. I made it to around 30% and it just wasn't doing it. I wanted to like it as a born and raised New Yorker, but it was missing the mark. Maybe I'll try it again but for now, I let it go.

This was a fun, lighthearted read. Ana loves her job as a reality TV producer, but hasn't been lucky in love herself. After creating a list of must haves, and starts dating according to that list. I enjoyed her witty inner dialogue, and thought the story moved well.

Thank you Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC!

Ana Takes Manhattan
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Romance
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 2/28/23
Author: Lissette Decos
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Pages: 368
GR: 3.26

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: Ana Karina loves her job—though she isn't quite where she thought she'd be by now. As reality tv producer, she orchestrates extravagant marriage proposals that always (read: mostly) go as planned. If they don't, she’s not afraid to cut and paste scenes to perfection afterward. Even if her arrogant film editor isn't a fan. But what does he know about romance anyway? If only Ana's love life was as simple as fixing botched engagements. She's sick and tired of guys who give her the ick. Ana's got a mile‑long list of all the cringey things to steer clear of. And Ana loves lists. Her to‑dos for her best friend's wedding, show ideas to pitch, and even her list of what she does want in Mr. Right. With only four requirements, why is it taking so long to find him? She’ll just date four men who each embody one quality. Never mind them lacking in other departments. Yet as she finds the Prince Charming in every frog, she also gets closer to facing who she’s avoided for years. Herself.

My Thoughts: I think I might of enjoyed this story more if I had the audio vs the book. The main character, Ana, has growth throughout the story, I would loved to have seen more growth. She was witty and a bit sarcastic. Gia, her best friend, I did not care for as much and I struggled with their relationship. This did have a romance element to it but felt more like women’s literature than a romance. The author did a great job with details of New York and behind the scenes at a reality TV show. There were some laugh out loud moments in the story. The ending of the story was abrupt and left me for wanting more. This was not a terrible read, I did enjoy it, I think I would have enjoyed it more on audio. I would recommend picking up the audiobook on this one.

Thank you to Forever and Netgalley for an advanced e-galley in exchange for my honest review.

I'm a sucker for behind the scene books on reality shows. This one caught my eye because the author used to work on Say Yes to the Dress, which I've caught a ton of marathons of. With a protagonist set in reality TV I thought it was good to have an author who knows the background.

Ana works to make happy ever after proposals come true, but when one goes horribly wrong it makes her question her career choices. To make matters worse, she looses the her friend and best editor in the process and is left with a documentary editor who knows nothing about reality shows in the process. As Ana reassess her career and life in general, it not makes her see that sometimes what you think is wrong for you is completely right.

I partially listed and read this book and I enjoyed it. I thought the audiobook narrator did a good job of bringing about the characters from the novel especially Ana. I didn't care much for her friend Gia. Gia felt very stuck up and self-centered. She didn't feel like much of a friend to Ana although they've been friends for years. I didn't feel like Ana connected much with the three men she was trying to go out with. It was good concept, but I wish she had more of a connection with the men. I would definitely read something from Lissette in the future although this wasn't a complete hit for me.

Ana Takes Manhattan is a women's fiction story about finding true love, list qualities or not.

Ana wants to find love already. A producer for a reality television proposal story, she knows that her suitor is just around the corner. Pushing her list of qualities a man needs away, she decides to just find a man that meets one qualtiy. But what she doesn't expect is meeting several men that are just like what she needs, one characteristic at a time.

I enjoyed listening to Ana Takes Manhattan by debut author Lissette Decos. While coined a romance novel, I saw this more as women's fiction. I wanted Ana to let go of her list and found someone who sees her for her, no matter what. I enjoyed the reality television aspects that were featured however; I thought the pacing of this nove could've been better with more focus on the relationship between Ana and the other show editor. I look forward however; to reading what author Lissette puts out next.

Thank you Forever Publishing and Netgalley for my earc in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I wish I had better or more specific feedback for this one, but it was a little disappointing (or maybe not disappointing, just...neutral?) for me. The story is fine, but I wasn't particularly drawn to any part of it. If you enjoy an easy novel with some romance in it, it's a quick read. Kind of the definition of fine, not great.