Manila Takes Manhattan

Cultures attract and conflict in this raunchy rom-com from De Guzman (Blooming Love). Music producer Raymond “Mon” Mendoza is newly arrived in Manhattan from Manila, Philippines, and feeling unsettled and lonely. Enter his gorgeous pinoy neighbor, Olivia, who helps him feel connected to his home during a steamy one-night stand. That should be the end of it—until Mon discovers that Olivia is the famous actor/director who hired him to do the music for her upcoming film. Their carnal connection is undeniable, but can they build a meaningful relationship while working together and butting up against the movie industry’s racism? Mon’s struggle to fit into America and Olivia’s attempts to increase opportunities for Filipina actors (which, she notes, is still a fight, “even in a post-Crazy Rich Asians world”) are just as important to the plot as the romance itself, which is commendable, but occasionally clumsily handled, especially in lengthy bouts of exposition. The plentiful sex scenes are consistently lusty, but lack nuance and feel uninformed by the characters. Still, readers looking for high heat levels and Filipino representation will find plenty to hold their interest. (Mar.)