“I went in expecting a fun, Filipino-flavored rom-com and it delivered that in spades, but what surprised me was the tenderness beneath the humor. Jomar is such a lovable mix of confidence and cluelessness. His passion for tennis is undeniable, but it’s the moments when he struggles off the court: longing for familiar food, stumbling through cultural shocks, or being completely undone by Mitchelle, that made me root for him the most. Mitchelle, on the other hand, is the kind of heroine who lingers with you: quiet yet strong, carrying unspoken hurts while still reaching for joy. Their chemistry sparkles from the very first (disastrous but hilarious) karaoke night. What I really enjoyed was how the story blended London’s gray skies with the warmth of Filipino culture. From halo-halo cravings to the karaoke scenes, it felt like a love letter to community and home. At its core, though, this is a story about the courage to love, to let someone in despite past heartbreak, and to believe that being 18 doesn’t make your feelings any less real. It’s witty, heartfelt, and just the right amount of swoony.” --Akiam08, Goodreads Reader

“Wow, I absolutely loved your book! That's all I did all afternoon! I’m amazed by how perfectly you describe Filipino food (have you tried it all?), how you write tennis like a pro, and how you bring London’s sights to life (I know them all!). This will completely click with readers everywhere” --R.A., An Advance Reader

“This narrative is a blithe, saccharine, gushy, and tender love story featuring Jomar Montalbano, a tennis athletic scholar from the Philippines, and Mitchelle Tanner, a Filipino-American from California, against the backdrop of one of the UK's premier universities, UCL (University College London). As a Filipino-American, I am impressed that the author showcased Filipino culture and cuisine unabashedly and with ardent pride in this uniquely conceptualized novel. The book's formatted dialogue was also interspersed with the local dialects inherent in the Philippines, such as Tagalog and Visayan, which is rare for a publication, as the mainstream literary world is not flooded with Filipino-inspired characters and therefore not exposed to the languages used in the archipelago. This is a chance for the world to get a glimpse of a heart-fluttering romance from a Pinoy's point of view. This fictional work also caters to those readers who have a gustatory inquisitiveness about the nature of Filipino food.” --Felina Pittman, Goodreads Reader

“This is a lovely, lively read I didn't want to put down. The world of the novel is delicious to wander around in, and the characters are a pleasure to spend time with. I really wanted the characters all to find happiness. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, even though I have a very limited knowledge of tennis.” --SibPutty, An Advance Reader

“A fabulous romance that captures all the delicious tension of young love! From the heart-fluttering uncertainty of first texts to those vulnerable first touches, this story perfectly evokes the magic and mishaps of new relationships. The richly drawn tennis backdrop and mouthwatering Filipino food descriptions add irresistible flavor, while the international setting brings authentic travel challenges to life. With its will-they-won’t-they spark and gorgeous prose (‘She whispers as if letting a secret slip out in the dark’), this is a love story that will resonate with anyone who remembers—or is experiencing—their first breathtaking romance. Brava!” --Bob Hilty, An Advance Reader

The marketing strategy for Gihigugma, Ace of Hearts focuses on targeted, organic growth within its niche:

Community-Centric Outreach: Engaging with reader communities passionate about sweet romance, Filipino culture, and #OwnVoices stories on platforms like BookTok, Instagram, and dedicated book clubs.

Early Reviews: Securing authentic early reviews from trusted sources to build word-of-mouth credibility.

Promotional Pricing: A launch period promotional price to encourage initial readership and reviews.

Audio Development: Actively exploring audiobook production to bring the story to life for a wider audience.