The Off-Chance of Me and You

The Reyes Siblings #1

by Anj Miranda

He’s an athlete at the top of his game, and she’s the girl he left behind. Now he’s asking for a second chance, but this time, she’s calling the shots.

Tala Reyes lives life dancing to a breathless beat. With two full-time jobs and a family to support, she has no time to dwell on what-ifs: What if her grandmother never got sick? What if she never left Manila? And definitely not what if Jason Meyer hadn’t ghosted her in college?

The world knows Jason as the NBA golden boy, but to Tala, he was her first friend in the US—and her first taste of heartbreak. So when he shows up in town, she reminds herself not to cave to his overdue apology and superstar charm. She has more than enough to worry about, especially when she discovers her work visa is on the line.

Despite her doubts, he’s determined to make up for his absence. Tala wonders: what if she gave this thing between them a chance?

They’re from different worlds, and their futures have never been more uncertain. But it’s just for the summer, right? No big deal.

Famous last words.

The Off-Chance of Me and You is a second chance, old-friends to lovers romance with a slow burn and a dash of spice. This is the first standalone novel in the Reyes Siblings series.

Genres: Romance, Sports, Contemporary, Second Chance, Contemporary Romance, Ebooks, Sports Romance

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 20, 2023

Reviews

[Bana AZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

We rarely get the chance to fix things we regret.

Synopsis:
Tala Reyes is an OFW nurse who's also a dance influencer on social media. Jason Meyer is a professional basketball player for the NBA. They have nothing in common, except for knowing each other back in Sterling University. When Jason decides to visit Sterling during his off-season, he rekindles his friendship with Tala. But is it only friendship?

Thoughts:
I had a really good time reading this! The kilig moments were very kilig, and I loved the sibling dynamic between Tala and her younger sister Luna. I also loved Berna, Tala's patient.

Aside from this being a love story, it's a book about regret. Both main characters have done or endured circumstances that made sense at the time, but as years went by, they regretted not doing something else. This is not just in terms of their relationships, but for their careers too. I was surprised to find myself relating to Jason because of the whole "upholding a legacy" thing. I'm glad the book showed that the characters will feel less regret the more that they are true to themselves.

Some minor things that I disliked: In Jason's POV, there were about three times where the last line was something like "now I just have to convince her", so I found that repetitive. I also didn't like how the two MCs handled their conflict. I thought it was kind of immature, but they are in their twenties so I guess I can give them a pass especially since they talk about it when they reconcile.

All in all, I really liked this and thought it was a good start to a series. Can't wait to read the other two books!

Other quotes I like:
"A yes or no set me squarely between possibilities I'd daydreamed about and an ending that kept me up many nights."

"Sometimes it's hard to think beyond people's expectations. Especially when you're used to trying to live up to them."

"She doesn't know who I really am because I always let myself be what she wanted."

[Althea · Rating 3 out of 5]

”I didn’t know you were into romance novels.”

”I’m not. But I could always give them a try.”

”Or you could just experience it in real life and give me a try.”

•+•

The Off-Chance of Me and You goes beyond a sports romance, and is about two people who find meaning in each other after having so long been defined by other people's expectations of them.

I loved the communication in this book. Like, yes talk it out! Set your boundaries! Other than that, I do wish there could have been more of a lead-up to Jason and Tala developing feelings for each other, especially since we didn’t get to read too much about them in college.

Overall a very sweet romance! So excited for Luna and Gabe’s story too.

[Margaux Kristel de la Paz · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re the type to dig in to cute, giddiness-inducing romance stories with a male main character who’s a total dreamboat and actually has both green and red flags delivering a mix of this-guy-only-exists-in-fiction but his personality traits are quite realistic?

Then the Reyes Sibling romance series by Anj Miranda is for you!

I truly appreciate how Jason Meyers isn’t a complete walking green flag and he was depicted as entirely human simply pining for a life with the woman he loves while also pursuing his life’s ambitions! Both Tala Reyes and Jason Meyers are crafted so unabashedly human that I took all their flaws to stride. The realness in this fictional romance is refreshing!

I cannot wait to finish all the Reyes Siblings’ stories. Kudos, Anj Miranda!

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

it wasn't for me 😔 i have to drag myself to finish this so i can proceed w book 2 (hopefully, the second book will work w me)

from what i have experienced, i hated the MMC so bad. the audacity of him to make our FMC chase after the MMC :// it feels like he's putting her needs off wtf... basta red flag siya for me na unforgivable level 😐 I LIKED TALA MY GIRL THO... I WAS CHEERING FOR HER ALL THE TIME—i hate to say this but girls support girls = women supporting women wrongdoings. the rating is for Tala and the author (not fan of jason obv)

[Joyce AP · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this last December, making it my last book of 2024. This is the first dive into the Reyes Siblings Series. After getting a taste of the second book (story of Luna, the middle child) through an ARC, I just had to know the story of the eldest sibling—and it didn’t disappoint.

The Off Chance of Me and You is a slow-burn romance, right up my alley. Watching Tala and Jason’s relationship evolve from old friends to something deeper, while they confronted a past filled with pain and longing, was such a treat. The conflict felt a bit off for me at first, but as the story goes, the more I realized how realistic it was—especially for couples navigating differences in belief and background. I loved how Tala and Jason worked through their issues with patience and understanding. Tala’s fierce determination and Jason’s vulnerability made for an amazing dynamic.

The book beautifully captures love with a touch of spice, second chances, and the journey of finding your way back to the one who truly matters—all while showing the importance of pursuing love without compromising your dreams. It’s definitely a story worth experiencing!

[Arianne (morenathereader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fine book. The writing was straight to the point, and sometimes simplistic. I rarely felt strong emotions while reading which isn't ideal but the story is completely okay if you like aslow burn romance.

I know a lot of Talas irl. I was a Tala at some point so I'm a fan of how the eldest daughter syndrome was portrayed here, specifically in Filipino culture. Her stubbornness and pride can be frustrating to some readers but it's written quite realistically here that I can't complain.

Jason is just fine. The romance is also just fine.

I noticed several Filipino romance tropes, like poor girl/rich guy, supportive elder, and antagonizing emotionally neglectful parent. It's interesting to see it in book form.

I read this for Buwan ng Wika and this was my first romance book by a Filipino author so yay! I just wished it had more of an impact on me.

[Halle McClain · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Off Chance of Me and You — 5 ⭐️

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 —
🏟️ Sports Romance
💗 Friends to Lovers
✌️Second Chance Romance
👀 Multiple POVs
🔥 Slow Burn Romance
🖤 Diverse Characters
🔓 Open Door Romance
🧲 Opposites Attract
☀️ Debut Author
💼 Work Visa Rep

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐢𝐟 —
💃 Talented TikTok dancers inspire you
💁‍♀️ You’re miss independent
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Family comes first
🌎 You care about taking care of the planet
🙇‍♀️ You put a lot of pressure on yourself

𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 & 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: The Off Chance of Me and You had me hooked from the first chapter! I adore the author’s writing style, and the characters were unlike any other romance MCs I’ve read which made the story extra exciting! The story was fast paced, and I couldn’t wait to find out what Jason would do next to win Tala over. The characters’ relationship and communication felt genuine. I literally finished ¾ of the book in one sitting because I couldn’t get enough of it! Also, I appreciated the bromance and sisterhood relationships as well. I’m beyond excited to read the next book in the series!

𝐓𝐖: sexual content, abandonment, parental manipulation, profanity

Thank you so much for gifting me with a digital review copy of this book, Anj Miranda! I loved it so much! 🫶

[Beatrice Lu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dude. Girl. Cmon. How are you reallll oh myyy GOOOD—!!

This was sent last Sept 13 and I just got to read it now. Haha WOW

This was definitely a #MustRead

I absolutely destroyed this in one sitting! I LITERALLY COULD NOT PUT THIS DOWN. I have been off my game before in reading because I’m easing back to it, except when it came to my fanfiction hoard.

I have not read published books like this—staying up till 1am to FINISH THIS—since forever. I think this took me 5hours I think???

AND NOW LITERALLY, just hours before this book, I was having a hard time finishing. Took me weeks, MONTHS. And now, you swoop in like a knight in armor and absolutely flattened my reading slump. I feel like I’m on top of the world rn and I don’t know how I’m going to sleep.

This was an ultimate read for me, especially after a book like Memoirs of a Geisha. I love you and the portrayal of being an eldest sibling! Also the importance of family and the dyanmics of being in a Filipino family was described extremely well. Yes because I do relate.

My goodness, I was sucked into the story especially the emotional capacity of the two main characters. They try their best to communicate well and compromise, which was so endearing and I wish all men were like that 😭 Old friends to lovers, slowburn and a dash of spice. (The spice was nothing to scoff at tho!!!! 🔥🔥🔥)

I only signed up for the e-ARC of the 2nd book but holy shit, with this 1st book, you just jumped into becoming one of my favorite authors.

I literally CANNOT wait to read more from this author!

[kyra · Rating 3 out of 5]

oh no oh no oh no i fear i am part of the minority that didn’t vibe with the main characters 😭 i wanted to shake the heck out of Tala so she can get herself together while also wanting to knock some sense into Jason to get him to understand that he can’t dictate everything 😭

Miles and Luna were scene stealers though, hopefully i get to enjoy the second book with Luna and Gabe’s story more!

[Sarah Smee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tala and Jason are cute!! As an unlikely pair, the chemistry between the two of them is perfect, I love the way that they fight with AND for each other. Tala has got to be one of the most stubborn FMCs out there and Jason pushes her perfectly. Loved their second-chance romance dynamic and how real the hurt from the past was.

Loved the cultural touches and themes throughout the novel. Really represented the difficult realities for many families that are spread apart from each other through immigration and working away from their home.

I really appreciated the way we touched enough on the secondary characters but didn’t go too deep into their storylines (save that for book 2!).

I received a review copy for free in anticipation for the second book in the sibling series. I’m leaving this review completely voluntarily.

Can’t wait for book TWO!!

[Joline Lim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This heartwarming second-chance romance between a famous NBA star and the girl he once ghosted has all the feels! The Off-Chance of Me and You will sweep you off your feet with its refreshing Filipino representation, witty banter, and beautifully written moments that hit just right.

What makes this story shine? Tala Reyes. As the eldest daughter juggling two jobs and family responsibilities, she’s beyond relatable. Her character speaks to all of us eldest daughters out there who know the struggle of carrying the weight alone. Watching her learn to open up and set boundaries is inspiring, and she’s a fierce, compassionate heroine I was rooting for every step of the way.

And then there’s Jason. Not your typical “perfect” lead, and that’s what makes him so lovable. He’s famous, sure, but beneath all that NBA fame, he’s just a guy who messed up and wants a real shot at making things right. His obsession with Tala, his heartfelt determination—it’s the kind of second-chance romance I adore. Plus, their chemistry is pure fire! 🔥

The side characters—Berna, Luna, Gabe, and especially Miles—add so much depth and fun. They’re so well-rounded, and honestly, I’m already looking forward to seeing more of them in the next book! The Filipino culture and basketball elements are woven in so naturally, creating a rich, vibrant setting that makes this story feel alive.

With smart dialogue, heartfelt emotions, and a strong sense of family and self-discovery, The Off-Chance of Me and You is beautifully written and impossible to put down. This book left me smiling, and I can’t wait to dive into the next one!

[Melissa Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

🏀🇵🇭The Off-Chance of Me and You by Anj Miranda Book 1 from Reyes Siblings Series

I received a copy of this novel from Filipina Author Anj Miranda and a set up for her book #2! Unfortunately, I missed my window for downloading her ARC for book 2 because of my hectic schedule, but regardless, I tore through this one and will definitely jump into book 2 once released!

The Off-Chance of Me and You is a contemporary romance that integrates sports (pro basketball) with dance and Filipino culture! When I first joined this community, I sought out Filipino and Filipino American authors, hoping to find some representation for my culture. I happily found Anj Miranda and I even sent a DM directly to her to say hello and that I was excited to read her books

This novel follows our FMC, Tala, an immigrant from the Philippines, who moved to the U.S. to attend college, and surprise surprise, become a nurse. Nursing is what pays the bills and allows her to send money back home to her family, but her heart belongs to dance. She is also a fairly successful social media influencer in the dance world, so juggling both jobs is quite difficult. Little did she know that her college crush and friend would step back into her life.

Jason, our MMC, is a pro basketball player who just won a championship title. Feeling unfulfilled in life, he decides to take visit her old stomping grounds, a place where he was last his happiest, to hopefully find some answers as to what to do with the rest of his life and to make amends to his once college friend

I absolutely loved this book. I read it in less than 24 hours and I can’t honesty remember when I had read a book that fast! I loved how every chapter began with a Filipino term/word with its description and I loved being surrounded in my culture while reading this love story unfold. I knocked 0.5 a star off only because of the miscommunication trips, which is definitely not a fave of mine and makes me pull my hair out of frustration, especially with our FMC Tala, I can’t rave enough how much I loved this book and I can’t recommend it enough!

Read this if you like:

* Sports romance (pro basketba/dance)
* Contemporary romance
* Filipino representation/culture
* Second chance romance
* Friends to lovers
* He falls first
* 🌶️ 🌶️ out of 5

“But wasn’t that what love was? Opening yourself to the risk of pain because life without it has no reward. No meaning.”

“Mahiwaga, pipiliin ka sa araw-araw./My love, I will choose you every day.”

4.5 out of 5 ⭐️

Let me know your thoughts!

#theoffchanceofmeandyou #anjmiranda #bookstagram #romance #booklover #sportsromance #filipinoauthors #filipinorepresentation

[Carmela Agatha Enriquez (agathafeelingg.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

📖 ARC REVIEW 📖

Thank you @authoranjmiranda for an early copy of The Off-Chance of Me and You. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 🤍

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Release date: October 24th, 2023

Blurb: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

🛑Read on with caution; review may contain spoilers🛑

The Off-Chance of Me and You is a second-chance, friends-to-lovers romance between Tala and Jason, who first met in college at Sterling but drifted apart when Jason was drafted into the NBA. Both were quite the opposites in terms of interests, with Jason majoring in a science/environmental course in college, and Tala, a Filipina majoring in nursing, but they both shared a common place near their college, a garden where they spent most of their friendship, getting to know each other, sharing their deepest, darkest secrets and dreams for the future, Tala’s passion for dancing and Jason’s passion for the environment.

They meet again after several years when Jason feels burnt out with basketball and goes back to Sterling for a visit and some time off, to make amends with Tala and how he left her so suddenly. They reconnected in the sweetest way possible, as Jason was willing to go all in with Tala given all the years they have missed. I swooned almost the entire time I read this book as it seemed like Jason was making “ligaw” (courting) to Tala to win her trust and affection back for the long term.

Apart from Jason winning back Tala, this book also highlights the struggles of being an Overseas Filipino Worker, with Tala being away from the rest of her family, missing all the big occasions with them and earning every penny she can for them, and also highlights the overwhelming causes of fame, with Jason being fed up with paparazzi in the city chasing him for story after story, and the pressures he gets from his mom and basketball. I appreciated the author for emotionally highlighting these hardships that made me feel more connected to the main characters even though I am not a fan of basketball/basketball players like Jason nor an influencer/nurse like Tala.

This is an overall somewhat emotionally charged and heartwarming novel. I felt frustrated with how Jason and Tala seemed to handle their misunderstandings, but 🛑spoiler alert🛑 they made it work in the end.

[zee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.3

My toxic trait is that I eat up books about eldest siblings and for every crappy decision they will make in their book, I would defend them with all my heart. Especially with this one.

The Off-Chance of Me and You follows a Filipina OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) nurse who has a passion for dancing, her family, and a certain geeky basketball-loving, STEM nerd from back in college. Tala is the eldest daughter of the family, and in a Filipino setting, that puts her in multiple responsibilities. The kind of responsibility that was given to her the moment her little sister was born. She has to be the face of the family, and support them, especially when times are tough. Meanwhile, Jason, the aforementioned STEM nerd who’s now in the NBA, is asking her for a second chance, all while there’s a major change in Tala’s life.

When I was reading this book, I couldn’t help but wonder if there was something wrong with the matrix of the universe, I could have been in Tala’s shoes. Even if her decisions don't make sense to most, I actually know why she does things, even without her narrating to me why, I could. Her hyper-independence made me empathize with her. We’re eldest daughters – we already knew that nobody’s coming to save us from ourselves.

Then comes Jason, the man who defeats the odds. He communicates with her, even if sometimes it comes out wrong (as an avid fan of communicating to get things done, he frustrated the shit out of me on the last 10% ngl!), it was the fact that he tries to meet her halfway, and when he finds her middle ground, he goes all out for her. Despite my personal biases, I ended up rooting for Jason. It made sense to me why they were soulmates. And my stone-cold heart yearned for that.

I feel like there’s a recurring theme in my reviews – when it’s too long, I scream “TOO MUCH!!” and when it’s too short, I ask, “Huh??? Done already?” and then I chop off a whole point because of that. 😂 This book was the latter. I feel like we could have explored their college days a little bit more and I personally felt like I needed more. And to be fair, I didn’t slice off a whole point, just 0.7 points, soooo. 🤷

Great debut from Anj Miranda! Looking forward to reading Luna and Lonzo’s books!

[Ranne · Rating 4 out of 5]

"There was an utter sense of rightness in this, in simply talking with her at the end of the day. A quiet comfort in knowing she was there to listen, and I'd be accepted as I was, flaws and all."

The Off-Chance of Me and You is a second chance, friends to lovers romance between Tala and Jason. Our Filipino FMC, Tala, is a nurse/dancer/content creator who is very independent and doesn't accept help from others, thinking that she's being a nuisance, and takes time to ascertain things before making decisions. Our MMC, Jason, is a famous NBA player who's also passionate about science and nature.

Jason decided to have a change of scenery and go back to Sterling, where he and Tala met again after several years. Jason wanted to go back to the way they used to be but ended up realizing that he loved her for a long time.

I liked how Jason and Tala felt authentic here. In love, it's not always rainbows and butterflies. Conflicts will surely arise every now and then that will test the love, trust, and patience that both of you have for one another. It's just a matter of working things out by communicating how you feel or what you're thinking so that both of you can understand each other and meet halfway (which I think is very crucial). And those things were highlighted here by the author.

I also liked how Filipino culture was integrated by having Filipino words at the beginning of each and every chapter and foods that are famous here in the Philippines. Apart from that, the struggles of OFWs (Oversees Filipino Workers) were captured here. In Tala's case, her visa expiration played a huge part in the story's plot. And for her, it's her sign to go back to Manila with her family and make up for the lost opportunities to bond with her family due to working miles away.

I only wished that we got a glimpse of their college days friendship, but nevertheless, this is such a great contemporary romance, and I'm already reading the ARC of the 2nd book of The Reyes Siblings Series!

[Ginyn Noble · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to leave a review now, after I just finished the book (basically half of it from 1am to 3am 😂). It’s been a long time when I last happily gave up precious sleep to lose myself in reading a book.

I really enjoyed reading The Off-Chance of Me and You. I’m at a point in my life when I’m missing young love full of flames and it added fuel to that fire in me—in a good way. The plot isn’t the usual relatable slice of life—which allowed it to have that fun magic anything-can-happen aspect that the romance novels I’ve grown with and loved all had. But it wasn’t cheesy, I didn’t cringe at the lines, nor did they make me think “no real person would ever think/say this.” I didn’t have to overthink what was happening. Again, all great things I love about reading romance novels. But what set The Off-Chance of Me and You apart is how well it wrote what real love felt like, the emotional lengths you’ll go to for your loved one, and the pain of feeling like the other person you’re cherishing isn’t in the same place as you when it comes to their feelings or commitments. It was idealistic, sure, that the two characters would find a way to make it work, but it gives you that hope and inspiration to do the same—to put in time and effort for things or people you know are worth it.

Slight spoiler alert: Best lines for me were:

“… there was only silence. I didn't know that was the sound a heart made when it shattered into a million pieces.”

“… love wasn't just in the big moments, in the overwhelming feelings of attraction and like-ness. It was also in the everyday things-in leaning on the other person when the load got too heavy and willingly taking on that weight when they needed help.”

So glad this book found me when I needed it. 💜

[Booksxphotographs · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭. 𝐖𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐠𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮.”

Reading this book feels like a breath of fresh air. The story of Tala and Jason is not only about love but also about responsibility, second chances, and finding one’s identity amidst pressure and expectations.

Tala, the eldest daughter in a Filipino family, perfectly embodies the weight and responsibility of being an *Ate*. In Filipino culture, being the eldest often means leading by example, making sacrifices, and carrying the family’s dreams—sometimes at the expense of your own. As the family’s breadwinner, Tala’s journey will resonate deeply with many readers, especially those from Asian communities who understand the pressure of always putting family first.

Through Tala’s story, we also get a poignant glimpse into the life of immigrant workers—navigating visa issues, battling homesickness, and dealing with the relentless pressure to succeed abroad. These themes are rarely explored in romance novels, and they add a refreshing layer of depth and realism to the narrative.

Then there’s Jason Meyer—the NBA star who once ghosted Tala, only to reappear in her life years later. But beneath the celebrity persona is someone quietly unraveling, struggling with burnout and a fractured sense of identity. Jason isn’t just an athlete; he’s a nature-loving science nerd at heart, toying with the idea of going back to college. Yet the shadow of his father’s legacy and the weight of public expectations keep pulling him in the opposite direction.

As the story unfolds, you see how much both Tala and Jason grow. Their connection isn't just about rekindled romance—it’s also about learning to choose love, even when it scares you.

[Alexa Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐ 4.5/5

This book felt so close to home. Tala's struggles with homesickness were deeply relatable - living in a completely different country while carrying the weight of family responsibilities. I appreciated how the realities of migrant workers were woven into the story, especially the many uncertainties that come with it, such as visa non-renewal and the struggle to find institutions that would help remedy that particular problem. It's something that usually gives anxiety to some people, so seeing that in the book added so much more authenticity to the story.

I also loved how Tala still followed her dreams of doing dance as a career, especially since she was already working as a nurse. It's definitely not easy to change careers or juggle multiple jobs, but reading how she was being so hardworking and pursuing her dreams despite challenges was really inspiring and uplifting.

What I loved most about the story was Jason. Despite the circumstances of his fame as an NBA player, he really gave me green flag vibes. And he truly yearned for Tala (I swear, every time he said something sweet, I was squealing in kilig). He was constantly showing up for her, and it made my heart ache in the best ways possible. He was ready to help her, ready to love her, and ready to prove himself to her.

That said, it did frustrate me at times when Tala kept things bottled up inside instead of confiding in her sister, her best friend (Gabe), and Jason, which led to conflict. But, even so, Tala's journey felt real and her resilience shone through.

Overall, this was a tender and emotional read with culture, heart, and romance interwoven beautifully.

Can't wait to buy the next book, and continue the series!

[readingwithreenie · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤, 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐟𝐟-𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐲 𝐀𝐧𝐣 𝐌𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚 🫶🏻

Thank you so much, @authoranjmiranda for giving me an ARC of your book. To be trusted by an author to let you read their book is an honor and just humbling, imo. 🫶🏻

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨:
𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘭, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮, 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰— 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘭𝘶𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦.

First off, I love the MC's name. Tala. Second, I love those Filipino words with english translation or meanings every single chapter. And lastly, I love everything about the book. The slow burn of this book is just *mwah*. I got so kilig reading this. And Jason? OMG, Jason is so sweet and cheesy and I'm loving the whole cheesiness. I love how this book talks about the things migrant workers experience especially with the extension of their visa. Love how family-oriented Tala's family are. Love how she talks about her memories with her lola. And Tala resonates so much with our OFWs who are working hard. Sacrificing not coming home for the better of their family. And also the eldest child in the family. The Ates and Kuyas. The one who should always be responsible. I know a lot of people who would read this book would totally relate to Tala. Filipino or not. And Jason, who's having a quarter life crisis. If he wanted to do what he's supposed to do because it's what's expected of him or to go do what he really loves. I definitely relate to both characters in a different way. I have a lot of things I wanted to say but honestly, I love reading this. This made me put an Ana Huang book on pause. That's how hooked I am from the start. It's light, heart-warming, and swoony read. I highly recommend. 🫰🏼

[Rithchellyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

"𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻, 𝗜 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀. 𝗜𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀—𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘃𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽."

@authoranjmiranda truly shines in this book! Her ability to craft such believable characters and weave their emotions into every scene captivated me. Second chance romances always hold a special place in my heart, and this one unfolded beautifully from start to finish.

Tala our Filpina FMC, with her fierce independence and dedication to her family, felt so real. Like many of us, she struggles to balance her dreams with her responsibilities, and her journey resonated deeply with me. Jason (yes, the ghoster) initially made me skeptical, but his willingness to confront his past mistakes and communicate openly with Tala showed real maturity. Who wouldn't love a man who communicates so well? That's definitely a huge plus in my book!

What I loved most about Tala and Jason's story is how it shows us the power of leaning on each other. Tala learns that it's okay to accept help and support, and that allowing herself to be vulnerable can lead to deeper connection and love. Similarly, Jason realizes that true strength comes from acknowledging his weaknesses and allowing others to be there for him.

This book is a beautiful reminder that it's okay to let go of our fears and embrace the good things that come our way, even if we don't think we deserve them. Sometimes, opening ourselves up to love and support is the bravest thing we can do.

I got this copy for winning a giveaway on KBPH, thankyou! ✨

[Clarisse · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

Three things I thought of after finishing this:
1. YES.
2. Why hasn't this book blown up in the book community yet???
3. Why isn't Jason Meyer in everyone's book boyfriend list???

This book features the second-chance romance between Jason and Tala. They were really close friends in college, but Jason cut off communication with Tala when he got drafted in the NBA. Their paths cross again years later when Jason comes back to their town for a vacation.

Jason cutting off communication was inexcusable behavior, but boy did that man make up for it. He was a man on a mission, a man who knew what he wanted, and he wanted Tala no matter what. That man fought tooth and nail for the love of his life, and it showed. He wasn't perfect at all, but even during the times when his emotions got the best of him and he had to step back for a while, his love for Tala still shone through.

As for Tala, she exuded relatable first-born vibes—I just wanted to give her the biggest hug! I really loved seeing her learn to give herself some love after putting her family first. It took a bit of time for her to finally open up to Jason and the idea of a being in a relationship with him, but when she finally did, it was beautiful to watch her embrace the romance she deserves.

I also loved the little peeks into Filipino culture, especially the Filipino words with their meanings at the beginning of each chapter.

Needless to say, I highly recommend this! At some points, I found myself craving the moments I get to continue to reading this again, and I think other readers will feel the same once they read it, too!

[Mae Macalintal Abucay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Anj for a free copy of this book!

I DEVOURED this book! Anj is the 3rd Filipina author I’ve read who writes about Filipina FMCs and this book.. UGH. Absolute chef’s kiss. We follow Tala (Filipina FMC) who reconnects with NBA player Jason (MMC) and follow their journey. They lost touch when Jason moved away and ghosted Tala (as friends) but now he’s back to fix things.. but will Tala give in??

I can relate to both characters in this book and I think that’s why I loved it. When it came to Jason, he needed to find his spark again after pursuing a career he didn’t know he wanted anymore. He has some people-pleasing tendencies but I don’t think it’s as bad as Tala’s. Anj really nailed it on the head with Tala’s character.. a Filipina who doesn’t ask for or accepts help even though sometimes she needs it 😭. She’s always quick to assume what people are thinking especially when it comes to Jason.

I was so giddy when it came to Jason and Tala. I could feeeeeel the chemistry through the book and I loved the slow burn of this friends to acquaintances to friends to lovers 😍. The spice was perfect imo and just enough for this book. I loved how Anj emphasized the struggles of OFWs (Overseas Filipino Worker) and the criticism Tala received with Jason’s mom regarding her expiring visa. I personally can’t relate buuuut it’s still relatable as I have relatives all over the world working as OFWs. I’m glad we saw the struggle between Tala and Jason when it comes to love, family, and work. Sometimes, it’s just not easy balancing everything when the odds are against you.

I can’t wait to continue the series because I think Luna and Gabe are gonna be great too!

[Ellysa · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Off-Chance of Me and You" follows the second-chance love story between Tala and Jason. Tala is a overseas migrant worker from the Philippines and Jason is your stereotypical affluent white boy who becomes a household name for playing basketball professionally. Tala and Jason had a strong friendship in college, and Tala was the only person that saw Jason as a person beyond his basketball abilities. Conversely, Jason saw Tala for who she was, and not as an international student in baggy clothes.

I really enjoyed the characters in this book. I thought both Tala and Jason were well-developed on their own and had deep, authentic characterizations with flaws. I also liked that Jason was written as a down-to-earth person who was struggling with his own passions rather than a typical famous millionaire. I particularly enjoyed Tala's character and really wish there were more Filipino characters written, especially in the romance genre. Tala's love and care for her family is admirable and I thought that her experience as an overseas worker was written especially well.

I do wish that their relationship was developed a bit more. I felt like there was a lack of history to build upon and wish that their relationship was explored in college to a deeper extent. I also felt like there was something lacking throughout the story--I don't know if it was tension I was missing, but some of the conversations and pieces of their relationship just felt anticlimactic.

Overall, I enjoyed the story and appreciated the sweet and fluffy friends-to-lovers romance.

[Ella Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not very often that I get to read a romance book with a Filipina main character written by a Filipina author, talk about girl power!

The Off-Chance of Me and You is a second chance, old-friends to lovers romance with a slow burn, and a dash of spice book.(Goodreads)

It's about Tala, a Filipina migrant caregiver, and Jason, a professional basketball player, and their relationship from old friends to becoming lovers. As a romance girly, I enjoyed this book so much I was looking for more of their story. Specifically, Tala and Jason's college life. I wanted to witness more of their pining, the tension, and how both of them were holding their selves back even though they were both madly in love with each other already.

I have to say this book has*SPOILER ALERT* a third act break up and I don't hate it. It was done so well I didn't mind that they had to have this time apart to realize things. I liked a lot of the character's dialogue; I was already tearing up before I knew it. Whenever the characters were hurt, I felt that too.

As a Filipina reader, I loved that this has featured a lot of my culture especially the struggle of being a migrant worker, and an eldest child on top of that. It made it easier to relate with the characters, and to connect with the story too.

All in all it was a nice easy read and I hope a lot of people get to read this too.
I want to thank the author for giving me a copy of this book in preparation for the release of the second book.

[Judee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a page-turner—I seriously couldn’t put it down. I really saw myself in Tala, especially when she was being super stubborn and refusing help from everyone. I used to be like that too. I thought accepting help made me look weak, and I hated when people would bring up the fact that they helped me, especially if things didn’t work out. It felt like I owed them something, and that bothered me a lot.

The way the story unfolded was so satisfying. Every chapter just pulled me in more. I liked how Tala supported Jason from afar, even when he couldn’t even say goodbye properly after getting drafted to the NBA. That part hit me because sometimes, people just leave without closure, and you’re left hanging. But the way they reconnected later and finally opened up about how they felt? Loved that. It made me think about how timing really plays a big role in relationships—and how some people are worth the wait.

Another thing I appreciated was how they both tried to meet each other halfway. Tala had her moments—she was definitely stubborn and wanted to do things her way—but it was nice to see her trying to change for the sake of the relationship. I know how hard that can be. I’ve been in situations where compromise felt like I was giving up a part of myself, but in a healthy relationship, it’s really about growing together, not losing yourself.

Now I’m super hyped to read the second book—it focuses on Luna and Gabe, and I’m already so curious about their story. I have a feeling it’s going to hit just as hard.

[Highnyzbibliofiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a story of a second-chance romance between friends. Tala and Jason met when they were in college. When Jason had the opportunity to play professional basketball, he suddenly disappeared without saying goodbye to Tala. Years later, Jason decided to search for his life’s purpose and returned to his hometown, only to accidentally meet Tala at her workplace. As he helps her with her part-time career, they both rediscover themselves and their true purpose in life.

This book is the first in the Reyes Siblings series, and it tackles a lot of issues—such as the struggles of an OFW, the expectations placed on the eldest child, the longing for a faraway family, and more. The story brings plenty of emotional moments where you can feel the anxiety and fear of not meeting people’s expectations. Both Tala and Jason’s characters show readers their vulnerabilities in their careers and personal lives.

Luna and Jason are in a multicultural relationship, and as a Filipino, it will always be tagged as “isa na namang Pilipino ang nakaahon sa kahirapan.” However, the story shows the real power of a Filipino—working hard for oneself and one’s family.

I love how Anj wrote the story—the flow, and how the side characters add flavor to the developing relationship between Luna and Jason.

Anj shows the authenticity of the characters; it reflects the strong individuality of the eldest child, yet also their inner fragility. Among the series, this is the book that made me cry the most.
And I guess Tala lived up to her name, loving a star and living her life as a star of her own.

[B R E E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶🌶.5

First of all, congratulations to Anj! This is her debut novel and I enjoyed the book from beginning till the end! This book already got me hooked on page 2. The Off-Chance of Me and You is a second chance sports romance which reminded me of the feelings I felt reading one of my all time favorite book, Mile High.

I adore Tala as much as I get irritated by her but at the same time not help but love her all over again. Like Tala, I am also the eldest child, making me relate to all her life decisions, qualities and character. I love her independence, bravery, and how strong she is.

As for Jason, oh, big boy Jason Meyer. He is such a walking green flag! I admire his deep understanding, care, and love for Tala. I love how he complements her really well, and how humble and down to earth he is, literally!

I love their relationship even though Tala always has her way of arguing with Jason. I also love Gabe and Luna so much! Their chemistry from this book is so great that it made me excited to read their book. I also love how they can actually call out Tala with her life choices.

I also love Miles and Stassy and curious if they will have their own book cause I am sure their stories will be as much interesting as the Reyes Siblings.

If there is a character I hate, that would be Vivian. She hit my nerves from the start till the end. I think nothing can redeem her from me 😂 LOL!

[greenapplemojito · Rating 2 out of 5]

I saw all the amazing comments on GoodReads about this book and dove into it, and I am genuinely shocked that I didn't feel the same way as most.

Apart from the fact that the FMC was hardworking, I didn't like anything about her or the way she hid things from the MMC. Though I didn't connect with the MMC much (and couldn't tolerate his mother), he did put a lot of effort. One thing I felt that I did not see many feeling the same way about was the fact that the whole "fallout" in the past felt so overexaggerated. I honestly felt that in other romance, second-chance books, where there is genuine fallout and pining, they had less guilt for a fallout compared to this. The thing is, I couldn't really understand the fallout or understand what broke their heart sooo much. Also, importantly, while it has been tagged as second-chance and I do not mind agreeing to it being a second-chance romance, it is more of a missed opportunity kind of second-chance than a typical second-chance romance you would read.

I couldn't connect with the characters, didn't feel the chemistry (but felt a bit of grovelling from the MMC), and didn't really understand their fallout or why they made a big deal out of it, and definitely didn't like the miscommunication. The side characters like Miles and Luna were nice. I didn't also like the whole Gabe and Tala past storyline. I honestly wanted to see only Gabe and Luna (the part with Tala was so unnecessary). So yeah, decent book but not it for me.

[Sharley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a hard book to classify as college romance or sports romance because whilst these characters meet at college, they’re just friends and whilst our MMC plays basketball most of the book is during the off season… so don’t start reading expecting these classic romance settings.

Tala, our FMC is a Filipino nurse /dancer/online content creator and all of these elements for Tala are key to her character and her characters storyline. The difficulties for Tala and her visa sponsorship are a big part of her predicament and the requisite drama of a romance book but they don’t ever become a political standpoint for the author, which is refreshing in some ways but also a let down. The online hate received and the backlash from Jason’s fans and mother are skirted around, when actually I think this should have been addressed, even if it is a romance book and it is deemed to be light reading

Tala and Jason reacquaint themselves after 6years of not seeing or talking to each other and the slow burn romance ratchets up but their drama is a realistic and not easily solved even for the romance world! I like a problem that isn’t solved by one love interest giving up everything for the other so I was pleased when it was communication, compromise and commitment that provided the HEA for these two

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Nitsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Off-Chance of Me and You

Tala, a 28-year-old nurse, has a passion for dancing and content creation. When she first arrived in the U.S. for college, she often found solace in a secluded garden where she could dance freely, unjudged. This private haven, however, turned out to be someone else’s retreat as well—Jason, a fellow student and science geek, stumbled upon her one day. Despite the awkward start, they quickly became close friends, sharing many college days together. Tala would dance, and Jason would read and spout random facts. But just as unexpectedly, he disappeared without a word.

Years later, Tala is still in the U.S., now living with her younger sister Luna, who attends the same college Tala once did. After being alone for so long, Tala is thrilled to have family close by. Yet, she still thinks about Jason—the basketball player and science nerd who was once her confidant—until he left her behind for the NBA without a goodbye. When they cross paths again, Tala is flooded with all the emotions from his sudden departure. Can she forgive him and rekindle the friendship they once had?

I love how this book captures the immigrant experience, with all its challenges and hopes. It’s a heartwarming, relatable story that balances realism and charm.

Spice 🌶️ 4/5 Rating ⚖️ 4/5