had absolutely no expectations going into this book and I was so happily surprised by the end of it. Loved the build up, the fact that who she was going to end up wasn't completely obvious, and the behind the scenes of the show are fabulous. I enjoyed the character of Ana, how determined she was and how nothing in her happily ever after in this book meant compromising her standards or her path.

Ana Takes Manhattan is the very best kind of reality tv chaos. Ana's own life is a bit all over the place, and her love life is admittedly a train wreck, despite being responsible for filming a television show about proposal and marriage. Throughout the book, Ana learns more and more about herself, lets go of her list (a la Mr. Malcolm's List), and finally appreciates her true value and worth. The scene with her dad and the chandelier made me cry big ugly tears in the best way. 💛 Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free advance copy.

I really enjoyed the overall premise of this novel. The reality tv aspect was fun and something I feel like you don't see too often in a book. At the beginning of the novel, I thought I knew where this was headed. The girl meets several guys, goes out with them, finds the right guy is actually standing right in front her. For the most part, my gut was spot on. I do think the execution of the book could have been done a little differently. The book felt choppy to me. Timelines went rogue and entire chunks of time just went missing. I also felt like there were multiple themes of the book that fought to take priority. On the one hand you had the "lists", on the other you had Gia. Then you had Ana's tv show and her dating escapades. While they all worked together in the story, it seemed that they all tried to take over as the major theme of the book. It's like while I was reading, I would have to constantly ask myself is the point of this book her dating, her lists, or her dates? All this to say, I just felt like the book didn't flow well together. It has the potential to be wonderful. I found myself laughing so hard and times and I most definitely was cheering for Richard to grab her attention. I would just maybe like to see one or two themes removed. Maybe not focus on the lists or even Gias big wedding. It was all just too much clumped together.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this novel!

Thank you Read Forever for providing me with an ARC.

Ana is single and her best friend Gia is getting married to the perfect man who covers off Gia's wish list. Ana hasn't dated much since she and Sam broke up. Ana is a producer for a reality tv show that covers marriage proposals. She helps people set up the perfect proposal as they are featured on the TV show. The show Ana works on is very popular and has been a great success. It's probably the perfect time for Ana to start going out dating and having fun.

This was a cute romcom that focuses on Ana's dating life and work life. Ana is quite independent and has been living on her own for a while and she's still getting over the trauma of having lost her mother. Her father has remarried and she's happy for him but she's not particularly fond of his new wife. Her relationship with her step mom is pleasant but not close.

I enjoyed the book and it was a great light read before bedtime. It kept my attention as I read it and would certainly read another book by her again. There would be certain friends I know who would enjoy reading this book. I would rate this book a 3.5.

So, I really enjoyed the first scene where we see Ana at work. When everything goes down I was intrigued and wanted to see how the situation was resolved. Then we meet her BF and I was not a fan. Things went downhill after that. Their friendship felt one sided and made me question Ana’s judgment. The plot moved along slowly and I had a hard time remaining interested. I would still suggest others read it because the story is well written and they might like it. I just wasn’t into it. 2.5 rounded up to 3 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.

Ana produces a reality tv show featuring perfect proposals but her own love life is far from perfect and she can't find Mr. Right. But she has a plan, and a list, and maybe Mr. Right isn't just one man. Meanwhile, she has to help plan her best friends wedding and figure out a way to save her career.

Ana is a woman that likes to make lists for everything in her life, trying to keep things organized. But can her list of expectations in a man be what is keeping her from finding true happiness? While she is a reality tv producer helping others with their happily ever after, she can't seem to find the man of her dreams.

I enjoyed the work aspects and the sense of humor that the narration brought, but there were a few things that bugged me mainly the best friend whose personality rubbed me the wrong way. Ana going from no men in her life to suddenly having multiple that she is interested was also a bit of a turn, but at times worked for me.

The book was a little slow to pick up into the romance, but once it got there it was worth it and saved the book for me, even if it was a little predictable. This was definitely worth the read.

I'm not quite sure how to rate this book. I think a 3 1/2 will do but rounded up because I did finish it!

I agree with several other reviewers that the characters seemed to be very immature (I believe that they were almost all supposed to be in their 30's, but I am not sure if it was ever pointed out),

Ana is a reality Tv producer who has been on the slow track to fame and has also been screwed by love. Ana has this habit of making lists for everything and be prepared for them every few pages. This one list is supposed to help her find a man - "Open‑toed sandals? Gross. Mr. Casual. No, thanks. Barcode tattoo? Cut!"

Of course, the men (yes, that's correct), she has four men on the string now that she is seriously looking, and none of them flip her switch except for the ex that messed her up. I'm not going to tell you whcihch ne she ended up with, but you'll figure it out because it is a well-used trope.
So many of the characters were immature, selfish, and very annoying-at least, that is how I saw them.

I did enjoy this book enough to finish it. It is a fast read that would be perfect for the beach.

*ARC supplied by the publisher Forever, NetGalley, and the author.

Ana Takes Manhattan by Lissette Decos

Pub Date: 28 Feb 2023



When I first started to read this it took a while to grab my attention. But once I was hooked I didn’t want to stop reading.🪝

I liked the FMC Ana and loved how funny the writing was when it came to describing the men that Ana was dealing with in her dating life. I found my self trying not to laughing at 3 am while my husband was fast asleep. 🤣

I didn’t like how Ana’s best friend seemed more like a frenemy than a bestie. Her and her boyfriend seemed keened on pushing Ana to date a certain guy for them to get something in return. That was a red flag 🚩and turn off for me.

I expected some spice but there was none at all so if you’re the type of person that likes to read romance with no spice this is a great choice. You get a bit of romance but I feel like it was somewhat PG . 🚫🌶

Overall I give this ⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars and would recommend it to someone that’s looking for a quick romance read with no spice but hilarious moments.

Ana is a reality show producer who really doesn't click with the guy who she has to work with to wrap up an episode. Hijinks ensue! I enjoyed this cute story. The reality show aspect was especially fun. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC.

Discovering and being true oneself, and finding the love you deserve where you least expect it

Ana is a producer on a Reality TV show where couples propose to their love ones in extravagant and unexpected ways. Although she is surrounded by love at work she can't seem to find it for herself. She has lists with who her perfect man is and everything he isn't and is holding out for Mr. Right. When her best friend who is soon to be married convinces her to just put herself out there and maybe be surprised, she ends up dating a few guys who are all wrong for her. She learns a lot, makes a few changes and maybe figures out that her guy has been there all along she just didn't realize it.

There are very few things about this book that worked for me, and while it was mildly entertaining, it felt more like a train wreck you cannot look away from, or in this case put down. The characters were all very immature and awful for the most part, there is also way too much infidelity for my liking. It was cliche and cringy in many places, and overall there was not enough humour, chemistry, and overall fun. I really wanted to enjoy myself, I love reality tv, and latinx women being unapologetically themselves and finding love, but this one was a huge miss for me.

This book was pretty good. Ana was an OK FMC. I found her to be a little judgemental but I was also rooting for her. I would recommend it.

4.5 stars

I don't know that I have ever laughed this much reading a book. Back in college, Ana made a list of 4 must-have qualities that she needed in a man. Now, 10+ years later, she can't seem to find a man who has all of them. So, she dates 4 guys, each of which has one of the desired traits. Much hilarity for the reader ensues. For Ana, not so much. Maybe that list is holding her back instead of helping her find her path.

The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is that I had a little trouble getting into the story at first. Also, the Jimmy Buffett-themed wedding of her stepsister seemed incongruous. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this women's fiction.

Thank you Forever/Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the digital ARC in return for an honest review.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

I must admit, I was not a super fan of the man juggling or the best friend, but there were many parts of this story I enjoyed.

Once I realized who the REAL love interest would be, I was excited. I liked him so much, and the banter between Ana and the LI was fantastic. I would have loved more of them, or to spend more time with them as a couple.

The reality TV portion of the story was fun. It's always interesting to get a peek behind the curtain, and Decos took me there. I wasn't sure where that part of the story was going, but I rather enjoyed where it ended up.

I also appreciated Ana's personal journey. She was a master of list, but all her requirements had been holding her back. She went to extremes in trying to combat that, but she did learn a lot about herself along the way.

Overall: A fun and entertaining read.

this was an entertaining story. The main character, Ana, is trying to take control of her life and starts dating three people at once, while also trying to date her best friend's fiance's best man. There's a work subplot and an eventual office romance. It could have been a little more developed.

*Spoilers ahead*
I have to be honest, I did not finish this book. I made it a little over 50% through and had to put it down. I will say that there were plenty of witty exchanges that made me laugh, but the plot was just too slow for me. I also feel that none of the characters are likeable. The main character Ana barely has a personality. I'm not invested in her finding her happily ever after. Especially after she asked her cheating ex-boyfriend out on a date. After listening to the things he did to her in the run up, as soon as it was revealed that he was the 4th date, I noped out. She says she wants a love story and a true love, yet she wastes time on an ex and pining after a man she A) has met only once and he didn't pay her any attention and B) her best friend tells her he's not a man she wants. That is another thing. Her best friend is the absolute worst. I don't think that she is Ana's true friend. And why the hell is Ana basically planning the best friend's wedding for her? All while the best friend is sexting other guys? No, absolutely not. I don't care what happens to her. Combine that and a slow plot, the book was dead in the water for me.

Okkkkk new author who is now on my top list! I recently came across this title but I'm so glad I did because it was right up my alley. This book is too cute and it will be one of those that I will recommend to most people in 2023! It was such a fun read and I think most people who read it will enjoy it as well. I enjoyed the characters and enjoyed the writing by this author. I'm excited to see what the author comes out with next as I'll definitely be reading it! Thank you for the chance to read this one early!

This book was too cute!!! Ana Karina makes the TV I love the most. Behind the scenes marriage proposals, done in the most extravagant way! Anything reality is something I'm into!

The story highlights her job as a reality TV producer, her dating life, and the life of her crazy best friend. Ana is stuck with a chandelier that she can't hang, a crazy best friend, a crotchety boss, and a strained relationship with her family, Ana just wants to catch a break.

Throwing everything into the wind, including her list of what makes a perfect man, Ana sets out on a life she's never imagined. Date after date, man after man, her life starts to devolve. What Ana needs to learn most of all is that to follow her heart, she can't always follow the script...

The premise for this story is very cute. Ana, a reality tv producer who works on shows about over the top romantic proposals, is struggling to find love herself. After a proposal gone wrong occurs on her show, Ana is forced to take stock of her life and decides she needs to make some changes. There is an interesting cast of side characters in this story, some more likable than others. I did take one star off because I found it hard to relate to Ana for a large part of the story, and because a lot of time was spent on her dating mishaps, and very little on developing the relationship with the right one. Overall, still a very cute story and I would read a book by this author again. I received an ARC, and this is my honest review.

Witty and fresh! I enjoyed the characters and the NY setting. I literally laughed out loud many, many times. The writing is fun and authentic. I had a hard time with the female friendship and that particular character but overall, this was fun. 3.5 stars.