What do you think?
Rate this book
If I'm Without You
She has no time for distractions, so why is her best friend becoming one?
18-year-old Ria Garcia knows what she wants for her future, and right now, love plays no part in it. Having graduated high school without the prestigious Creative and Performing Arts award she’d worked hard for, she vows to sharpen herself for the future, to become better. When her group of friends all enter the dating app scene in pursuit of love, she entertains no part of it and sets her eyes on one goal: to get accepted into the esteemed Australian Academy of Music.
Yet, she begins to find herself distracted by her best-friend Xavier Kim when he begins going on dates. What perplexes her the most, is that her best lyrics are written about him.
And so, as Ria navigates through the summer break with many scrapped lyrics, confounding emotions toward her best friend and uncertainty about her future, she begins to question whether one’s dream needs to be set on one course, or if it could change from a something to someone
Or better yet, if two are allowed to exist at once.
18-year-old Ria Garcia knows what she wants for her future, and right now, love plays no part in it. Having graduated high school without the prestigious Creative and Performing Arts award she’d worked hard for, she vows to sharpen herself for the future, to become better. When her group of friends all enter the dating app scene in pursuit of love, she entertains no part of it and sets her eyes on one goal: to get accepted into the esteemed Australian Academy of Music.
Yet, she begins to find herself distracted by her best-friend Xavier Kim when he begins going on dates. What perplexes her the most, is that her best lyrics are written about him.
And so, as Ria navigates through the summer break with many scrapped lyrics, confounding emotions toward her best friend and uncertainty about her future, she begins to question whether one’s dream needs to be set on one course, or if it could change from a something to someone
Or better yet, if two are allowed to exist at once.
- GenresRomance
Paperback
About the author
Shaina Veronica
3 books88 followersShaina Veronica is a Filipino-Australian author and certified hopeless romantic who loves to immerse herself in narratives that will make her laugh, cry. With her degree in film production, she strives to translate her knack for visuals into words.
Through her works, she aims to elevate her voice as a Filipino storyteller and bring light to her cultural experience. She hopes that you can find a new comfort character, a new comfort place, a fictional boyfriend to raise your standards or even just a new favourite you can cosy up to.
When she's not writing, you can find her watching edits of her kpop celebrity crushes, rewatching her favourite fluffy cdrama or rereading Pride and Prejudice for the 10(0)th time.
Through her works, she aims to elevate her voice as a Filipino storyteller and bring light to her cultural experience. She hopes that you can find a new comfort character, a new comfort place, a fictional boyfriend to raise your standards or even just a new favourite you can cosy up to.
When she's not writing, you can find her watching edits of her kpop celebrity crushes, rewatching her favourite fluffy cdrama or rereading Pride and Prejudice for the 10(0)th time.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
August 31, 2026
First of all, thank you so much to the author for providing me with the arc of “If I’m Without You” in exchange for an honest review! I’m so grateful to have been able to read this book before its official release.
Onto the review~
This was such a cute friends to lovers book. The pining and yearning was layered in the little things, like Xavier’s lingering gazes or his fleeting words of encouragement. You can really feel how much Xavier likes Ria who is oblivious to his feelings.
Xavier gives off golden retriever vibes, and he is green flags personified. He’s supportive and patient, but he was just too perfect, that it made me wish he had flaws lol. I also felt like Xavier’s only purpose was to give Ria reassurance and comfort whenever she doubted herself (which was a lot). I really wish the author gave Xavier more of a story so that Ria had reason to comfort Xavier too. Like we get to know Ria as a person (an overachiever, overthinker, not big on vulnerability, passionate about music) but we don’t really know Xavier. What is he like besides being hopelessly in love with Ria?
Also, there was too much pop culture references in this book. Even though I am a fan of K-pop, western music, and certain animes mentioned in this book, it’s just in my personal opinion that pop culture references dates a book. There was a lot of pop culture I knew off, but then there were the pop culture references I didn’t know anything of, which took me away from the story as I felt the need to search it up.
Despite this, I still enjoyed learning about Filipino culture and watching Xavier and Ria fall in love. Once again, thank you so much to the author for providing me with the arc of “If I’m Without You.”
Date read: August 31, 2026
Onto the review~
This was such a cute friends to lovers book. The pining and yearning was layered in the little things, like Xavier’s lingering gazes or his fleeting words of encouragement. You can really feel how much Xavier likes Ria who is oblivious to his feelings.
Xavier gives off golden retriever vibes, and he is green flags personified. He’s supportive and patient, but he was just too perfect, that it made me wish he had flaws lol. I also felt like Xavier’s only purpose was to give Ria reassurance and comfort whenever she doubted herself (which was a lot). I really wish the author gave Xavier more of a story so that Ria had reason to comfort Xavier too. Like we get to know Ria as a person (an overachiever, overthinker, not big on vulnerability, passionate about music) but we don’t really know Xavier. What is he like besides being hopelessly in love with Ria?
Also, there was too much pop culture references in this book. Even though I am a fan of K-pop, western music, and certain animes mentioned in this book, it’s just in my personal opinion that pop culture references dates a book. There was a lot of pop culture I knew off, but then there were the pop culture references I didn’t know anything of, which took me away from the story as I felt the need to search it up.
Despite this, I still enjoyed learning about Filipino culture and watching Xavier and Ria fall in love. Once again, thank you so much to the author for providing me with the arc of “If I’m Without You.”
Date read: August 31, 2026
October 1, 2026
from her childhood, everybody knew ria was going to become a superstar. behind her piano, she feels most at peace with the world and herself. however, on the way towards college, she slowly loses her magic and becomes anxious to succeed. she seeks validation that she indeed can make music as a living, that this is her true path. although her family and friends completely supportive, she still needs to find that certainty in academy and, above all, herself--the harshest judge of all.
post-graduation, ria's best friends decide they will all create accounts on a dating app, so that they may find romance. however, when her bestest friend xavier starts talking to a girl, ria doesn't take it very well... but she is definitely not jealous. not at all. because, you see, in the midst of that decisive period of her life, she has no time for love.
it will still come for her, though, because 'if i'm without you' is a romance through and through. everyone knows xavier and ria are into one another and have been for ages, so that was kind of frustrating. i'm talking adrien agreste 'she's just a friend' level of frustrating. but i truly fell in love with ria and xavier's friendship, which allowed me to love them as a couple next, when they finally realise there has always been something more to their relationship. they make each other complete and their dynamic is absolutely adorable. i'm rarely convinced by the bff to lovers trope, but shaina veronica managed to make it just right.
what i loved most was ria's character arc. she starts off as insecure and using confidence to hide her insecurity. she knows what she wants and what she needs to do to get it. most of all, she refuses to let anyone or anything get in the way of her future and her happiness. she then gradually learns to understand her own worth, without it being proven by 'higher powers'; and also that her happiness doesn't only depend on her being successful, that she needs love, too, all kinds of it. i guess i just really enjoy it when girls are allowed to be imperfect, to act selfish and to make mistakes!
xavier, on the other hand... well, i would argue that he is basically a cardboard cut-out of the perfect boy—no flaw, no depth. he does have a 'backstory' and his own struggles, mostly in regard to his mother's expectations for his future, but it's barely mentioned and hardly resolved. other than that, xavier is perfect: perfect grades, perfect empathy, perfect shoulder to cry on. he's always the first to offer help and comfort. he forgives literally everything wrong that ria does, even though he should be mad at her. in that way, i found their relationship to be a little off balance at times, unfortunately. in his perfection, xavier became quite dull and lacked presence, if that makes sense. which sucks, tbh, because there was soooo much to be done with his character.
still, overall, i really enjoyed reading 'if i'm without you'. it's lighthearted, funny and sweet, filled with (maybe too many) pop culture references and love in all its glory. there is more than just romance, in this book: there is also friendship and family, which are just as important, if not more. i will definitely be reading the author's other novels, especially the one on ria's sister jaslene and her boyfriend marlon.
[exact rating: 3.5, rounded up for goodreads.]
[reviewed in exchange for a free e-arc from the author; thank you for your trust!]
post-graduation, ria's best friends decide they will all create accounts on a dating app, so that they may find romance. however, when her bestest friend xavier starts talking to a girl, ria doesn't take it very well... but she is definitely not jealous. not at all. because, you see, in the midst of that decisive period of her life, she has no time for love.
it will still come for her, though, because 'if i'm without you' is a romance through and through. everyone knows xavier and ria are into one another and have been for ages, so that was kind of frustrating. i'm talking adrien agreste 'she's just a friend' level of frustrating. but i truly fell in love with ria and xavier's friendship, which allowed me to love them as a couple next, when they finally realise there has always been something more to their relationship. they make each other complete and their dynamic is absolutely adorable. i'm rarely convinced by the bff to lovers trope, but shaina veronica managed to make it just right.
what i loved most was ria's character arc. she starts off as insecure and using confidence to hide her insecurity. she knows what she wants and what she needs to do to get it. most of all, she refuses to let anyone or anything get in the way of her future and her happiness. she then gradually learns to understand her own worth, without it being proven by 'higher powers'; and also that her happiness doesn't only depend on her being successful, that she needs love, too, all kinds of it. i guess i just really enjoy it when girls are allowed to be imperfect, to act selfish and to make mistakes!
xavier, on the other hand... well, i would argue that he is basically a cardboard cut-out of the perfect boy—no flaw, no depth. he does have a 'backstory' and his own struggles, mostly in regard to his mother's expectations for his future, but it's barely mentioned and hardly resolved. other than that, xavier is perfect: perfect grades, perfect empathy, perfect shoulder to cry on. he's always the first to offer help and comfort. he forgives literally everything wrong that ria does, even though he should be mad at her. in that way, i found their relationship to be a little off balance at times, unfortunately. in his perfection, xavier became quite dull and lacked presence, if that makes sense. which sucks, tbh, because there was soooo much to be done with his character.
still, overall, i really enjoyed reading 'if i'm without you'. it's lighthearted, funny and sweet, filled with (maybe too many) pop culture references and love in all its glory. there is more than just romance, in this book: there is also friendship and family, which are just as important, if not more. i will definitely be reading the author's other novels, especially the one on ria's sister jaslene and her boyfriend marlon.
[exact rating: 3.5, rounded up for goodreads.]
[reviewed in exchange for a free e-arc from the author; thank you for your trust!]
September 12, 2026
First things first, this was a quick and cute read. I, however, unfortunately, am too old for these types of stories.
I think YA readers would be more suited for this. We do follow Ria as she graduates high school—experiencing the growing pains of realizing that she’s in love with her best friend all this time, navigating college plans after a series of rejections, finding herself and her music, and learning how to deal with emotions. I am a huge fan of friends to lovers and the yearning here was adorable, for sure. Xavier knows Ria like the back of his hand, meanwhile Ria remains all too nonchalant and innocent of his feelings for her.
The side characters lowkey felt like they were there to simply reassure Ria and comfort her. I would have wished to see a bit more of their characters and personalities aside from their relation with Ria. I did enjoy reading Jaslene and Marlon again! Love that they’re still going strong after two years. There were also lots of pop culture references too that you could probably carbon date this book. I think it was fun, though, trying to spot all the different fandoms mentioned and seeing if I’m in the same fandom as well.
Easily could become a comfort read. It’s just not for me at this point in my life.
Thank you to Shai for the early copy!
I think YA readers would be more suited for this. We do follow Ria as she graduates high school—experiencing the growing pains of realizing that she’s in love with her best friend all this time, navigating college plans after a series of rejections, finding herself and her music, and learning how to deal with emotions. I am a huge fan of friends to lovers and the yearning here was adorable, for sure. Xavier knows Ria like the back of his hand, meanwhile Ria remains all too nonchalant and innocent of his feelings for her.
The side characters lowkey felt like they were there to simply reassure Ria and comfort her. I would have wished to see a bit more of their characters and personalities aside from their relation with Ria. I did enjoy reading Jaslene and Marlon again! Love that they’re still going strong after two years. There were also lots of pop culture references too that you could probably carbon date this book. I think it was fun, though, trying to spot all the different fandoms mentioned and seeing if I’m in the same fandom as well.
Easily could become a comfort read. It’s just not for me at this point in my life.
Thank you to Shai for the early copy!
September 8, 2026
I just finished reading the ARC of If I’m Without You and I loved this story! Ria Garcia was an amazing protagonist who I was rooting for from being to end. I really loved how Shaina wrote this story to be one for all of us perfectionists who need reminders that happiness and being yourself will get you where you need to be. As a Friends to Lovers trope lover, Ria and Xavier had an amazing love story and Xavier was the sweetest love interest. For anyone who wants a romcom with Jenny Han vibes and a story that will tug at your heartstrings, pick up If I’m Without You by Shaina Veronica when it’s released!
September 26, 2026
5🌟
loved it soo much!! they are soo cute 😍
~quotes~
"If this is honestly what it’s like to have a crush, then I don’t understand why humans have emotions at all. What’s the point of feeling something toward someone when it can’t even be fulfilled?"
"On our second date, Xavier and I drove to the coast to watch the sunset. As we’d walked along the pathway, he reached out to grab my hand, and I instinctively slapped it away, before realising that it was Xavier."
loved it soo much!! they are soo cute 😍
~quotes~
"If this is honestly what it’s like to have a crush, then I don’t understand why humans have emotions at all. What’s the point of feeling something toward someone when it can’t even be fulfilled?"
"On our second date, Xavier and I drove to the coast to watch the sunset. As we’d walked along the pathway, he reached out to grab my hand, and I instinctively slapped it away, before realising that it was Xavier."
October 2, 2026
𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙤𝙛 𝘼𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧
by the time i have finished reading “if i’m without you”, i immediately thought of ann liang’s “i am not jessica chen”
following her high school graduation, ambitious pianist ria garcia sets her sights on securing a spot at the prestigious australian academy of music. when she misses out on a crucial award, she embarks on a journey to find her true artistic voice and write an original song for her upcoming audition. a family trip to the philippines and encouragement from her sister inspire her to step out of her comfort zone and share her music with the world. however, as her best friend and longtime academic rival, xavier, begins exploring the world of online dating, ria is forced to confront unfamiliar feelings brewing between them. bound by ambition, friendship, and vulnerability, ria must learn to compose a future that harmonizes both her dreams and her heart
when i have mentioned i immediately thought about ann liang’s “i am not jessica chen”, it’s because ria and jenna (the fmc from ianjc) shares the similar struggle when it comes to themselves and to their future - they share the same perspective about asian household when it comes to achieving things as you grow older (which i think it’s a real cannon event for asians)
anyway, i really enjoyed reading this book. it was a real refresher - i miss the feeling of being just a high school who just wanted to enjoy life and can do whatever they want and be happy. a great way to start my october. i really love how enthusiastic ria is & her sister, jaslene. and her entire whole family and it got me thinking throughout my reading time, i always thought of “mapapakain ka rin ng lintik na passion na ‘yan”
i really appreciate the build up of the plot and story too - it was gentle, it took its time, it was carefully written. also, the cute enemy to lovers moment of xavier and ria. i love the character xavier because he is just a quiet guy. quiet and good behavior of mmc really has a place in my heart like wdym they’re matured, that they have sexy brain to think of of their actions. basta, sa isip ko, super clean looking si xavier
tho the ending, i felt a little frustrated haha i just can’t with ria’s attitude but i do understand her because i see myself in her too. i hate being out of my goal just because of a distraction. i know how hard it is to bring yourself up back again
all it matters was they had a good, peaceful, and secured ending ⭐️💛
huge thank you again to the author herself, ms. shaina veronica for writing this & letting me read ria & xavier’s story before it hit the shelves 💛
by the time i have finished reading “if i’m without you”, i immediately thought of ann liang’s “i am not jessica chen”
following her high school graduation, ambitious pianist ria garcia sets her sights on securing a spot at the prestigious australian academy of music. when she misses out on a crucial award, she embarks on a journey to find her true artistic voice and write an original song for her upcoming audition. a family trip to the philippines and encouragement from her sister inspire her to step out of her comfort zone and share her music with the world. however, as her best friend and longtime academic rival, xavier, begins exploring the world of online dating, ria is forced to confront unfamiliar feelings brewing between them. bound by ambition, friendship, and vulnerability, ria must learn to compose a future that harmonizes both her dreams and her heart
when i have mentioned i immediately thought about ann liang’s “i am not jessica chen”, it’s because ria and jenna (the fmc from ianjc) shares the similar struggle when it comes to themselves and to their future - they share the same perspective about asian household when it comes to achieving things as you grow older (which i think it’s a real cannon event for asians)
anyway, i really enjoyed reading this book. it was a real refresher - i miss the feeling of being just a high school who just wanted to enjoy life and can do whatever they want and be happy. a great way to start my october. i really love how enthusiastic ria is & her sister, jaslene. and her entire whole family and it got me thinking throughout my reading time, i always thought of “mapapakain ka rin ng lintik na passion na ‘yan”
i really appreciate the build up of the plot and story too - it was gentle, it took its time, it was carefully written. also, the cute enemy to lovers moment of xavier and ria. i love the character xavier because he is just a quiet guy. quiet and good behavior of mmc really has a place in my heart like wdym they’re matured, that they have sexy brain to think of of their actions. basta, sa isip ko, super clean looking si xavier
tho the ending, i felt a little frustrated haha i just can’t with ria’s attitude but i do understand her because i see myself in her too. i hate being out of my goal just because of a distraction. i know how hard it is to bring yourself up back again
all it matters was they had a good, peaceful, and secured ending ⭐️💛
huge thank you again to the author herself, ms. shaina veronica for writing this & letting me read ria & xavier’s story before it hit the shelves 💛
September 29, 2026
read this if you enjoy:
- best friends to lovers
- high school rom coms
- the black cat x golden retriever duo
- POC main characters (filipino x korean leads)
- chaotic, loving and supportive family and friendships
- fandoms!!! nerding out!!! books kpop anime manga etc etc all the wonderful nerdy things!!!!
Ria Garcia has one goal in mind: get into the prestigious Australian Academy of Music. She has no time for distractions. So when her friends decide to make online dating profiles, she only half-heartedly agrees, with no real intention of pursuing any matches. A stable future in the music industry is the only thing she's willing to pursue. That is, until she starts feeling not-so-platonic feelings for her very platonic best friend. As Ria's life and emotions veer off her carefully planned path, she is forced to reevaluate everything she wanted - or thought she wanted - for herself.
I've been super excited to read Ria's story. Her big sis Jaslene's romance became one of my favourite books of all time after reading it last year. I loooved all the pining and fangirling of Jas's story, and Ria's story brought all that back! While I did not relate to Ria as much as I did to Jaslene, there are still many parts of her story I connect to (especially her overachieving "please be proud of me" daughter core). Shaina has a way of writing characters that feel so real, you could almost imagine them living right beside you! I particularly love how 'nerdy' they are - Ria and co. being no exception. They're MY kind of people. The kind that's always falling down a new rabbit hole, hopping between interests, and becoming completely enthralled by whichever topic/hobby/fandom is currently dominating their attention. #WeLoveNerds 🎮
Shaina also has such a brilliant way of writing friendships and food! Both are depicted with such love you can't help feeling all warm inside (and craving food you can't even pronounce!). Love is at the core of all Miss Veronica's stories, and in this case, Ria's love for music shines through. Her passion for her craft is something so special and inspiring. Another shining love is Ria's love for Xavier, her best friend (who also happens to be her academic rival because we love that added tension hehe). There's something so achingly pure about loving someone platonically before loving them romantically.
If you love love (in every form it takes) then If I'm Without You and its big sister All About You are the books for you! As a big lover of love, they're absolutely the books for me 💛🩷
- best friends to lovers
- high school rom coms
- the black cat x golden retriever duo
- POC main characters (filipino x korean leads)
- chaotic, loving and supportive family and friendships
- fandoms!!! nerding out!!! books kpop anime manga etc etc all the wonderful nerdy things!!!!
Ria Garcia has one goal in mind: get into the prestigious Australian Academy of Music. She has no time for distractions. So when her friends decide to make online dating profiles, she only half-heartedly agrees, with no real intention of pursuing any matches. A stable future in the music industry is the only thing she's willing to pursue. That is, until she starts feeling not-so-platonic feelings for her very platonic best friend. As Ria's life and emotions veer off her carefully planned path, she is forced to reevaluate everything she wanted - or thought she wanted - for herself.
I've been super excited to read Ria's story. Her big sis Jaslene's romance became one of my favourite books of all time after reading it last year. I loooved all the pining and fangirling of Jas's story, and Ria's story brought all that back! While I did not relate to Ria as much as I did to Jaslene, there are still many parts of her story I connect to (especially her overachieving "please be proud of me" daughter core). Shaina has a way of writing characters that feel so real, you could almost imagine them living right beside you! I particularly love how 'nerdy' they are - Ria and co. being no exception. They're MY kind of people. The kind that's always falling down a new rabbit hole, hopping between interests, and becoming completely enthralled by whichever topic/hobby/fandom is currently dominating their attention. #WeLoveNerds 🎮
Shaina also has such a brilliant way of writing friendships and food! Both are depicted with such love you can't help feeling all warm inside (and craving food you can't even pronounce!). Love is at the core of all Miss Veronica's stories, and in this case, Ria's love for music shines through. Her passion for her craft is something so special and inspiring. Another shining love is Ria's love for Xavier, her best friend (who also happens to be her academic rival because we love that added tension hehe). There's something so achingly pure about loving someone platonically before loving them romantically.
If you love love (in every form it takes) then If I'm Without You and its big sister All About You are the books for you! As a big lover of love, they're absolutely the books for me 💛🩷
October 2, 2026
Thank you so much to Shaina Veronica for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!!
A coming-of-age, friends-to-lovers romance that was easy to get through, but ultimately felt much too underdeveloped for me.
Ria Garcia is an 18-year-old Filipino-American girl determined to get into the Australian Academy of Music. While her friends are busy entering the dating-app scene and looking for love, Ria has one goal: her future. She’s already dealing with the pressure of trying to prove herself creatively, burnout, and the uncertainty that comes with figuring out what she actually wants from her life. The problem is that she’s also beginning to realize her feelings for her best friend, Xavier Kim.
I actually flew through this book. It’s fast-paced, easy to read, and never felt like a chore to pick up, which definitely worked in its favour. There were also some cute moments between Ria and Xavier, and I could understand the appeal of the best-friends-to-lovers setup.
But unfortunately, I kept feeling like the story was only scratching the surface of everything it wanted to explore.
Ria, especially, felt underdeveloped to me. I liked the idea of a teenage girl who is so focused on her future that she actively tries to stay away from romance, while simultaneously struggling with burnout and the pressure she puts on herself. That part felt very believable. But once her feelings for Xavier start becoming impossible to ignore, so much of her characterization gets pushed aside for the romance. I wanted more of her as an individual and what this whole journey actually meant to her beyond getting into an academy.
And the MC, Xavier, I wanted to understand him so much more. He’s basically written as the perfect best friend/boyfriend: supportive, funny, always there for Ria, and apparently in love with her for years. But we never really get to know him. Their relationship had cute moments, but I needed more depth and more of Xavier’s own personality, motivations, and inner world.
The romance itself was… fine. Some scenes were adorable, but I never became completely invested in their relationship. There were also a lot of pop-culture references, especially BTS/Kpop references. I could tell they were probably meaningful to the author, and I didn’t necessarily dislike them, but there were moments where they felt a little excessive rather than adding something to the story.
And the third-act breakup. Girl. 😭 Without getting into spoilers, I found it so frustrating and honestly pretty ridiculous. The ending also felt rushed.
All in all, I think this had a lot of potential. The premise was cute, the pacing kept me reading, and there were definitely some sweet moments. But the characters, romance, and emotional conflicts all needed more room to breathe. I wanted to feel more connected to Ria and Xavier, rather than simply being told about their feelings.
A coming-of-age, friends-to-lovers romance that was easy to get through, but ultimately felt much too underdeveloped for me.
Ria Garcia is an 18-year-old Filipino-American girl determined to get into the Australian Academy of Music. While her friends are busy entering the dating-app scene and looking for love, Ria has one goal: her future. She’s already dealing with the pressure of trying to prove herself creatively, burnout, and the uncertainty that comes with figuring out what she actually wants from her life. The problem is that she’s also beginning to realize her feelings for her best friend, Xavier Kim.
I actually flew through this book. It’s fast-paced, easy to read, and never felt like a chore to pick up, which definitely worked in its favour. There were also some cute moments between Ria and Xavier, and I could understand the appeal of the best-friends-to-lovers setup.
But unfortunately, I kept feeling like the story was only scratching the surface of everything it wanted to explore.
Ria, especially, felt underdeveloped to me. I liked the idea of a teenage girl who is so focused on her future that she actively tries to stay away from romance, while simultaneously struggling with burnout and the pressure she puts on herself. That part felt very believable. But once her feelings for Xavier start becoming impossible to ignore, so much of her characterization gets pushed aside for the romance. I wanted more of her as an individual and what this whole journey actually meant to her beyond getting into an academy.
And the MC, Xavier, I wanted to understand him so much more. He’s basically written as the perfect best friend/boyfriend: supportive, funny, always there for Ria, and apparently in love with her for years. But we never really get to know him. Their relationship had cute moments, but I needed more depth and more of Xavier’s own personality, motivations, and inner world.
The romance itself was… fine. Some scenes were adorable, but I never became completely invested in their relationship. There were also a lot of pop-culture references, especially BTS/Kpop references. I could tell they were probably meaningful to the author, and I didn’t necessarily dislike them, but there were moments where they felt a little excessive rather than adding something to the story.
And the third-act breakup. Girl. 😭 Without getting into spoilers, I found it so frustrating and honestly pretty ridiculous. The ending also felt rushed.
All in all, I think this had a lot of potential. The premise was cute, the pacing kept me reading, and there were definitely some sweet moments. But the characters, romance, and emotional conflicts all needed more room to breathe. I wanted to feel more connected to Ria and Xavier, rather than simply being told about their feelings.
September 8, 2026
ARC REVIEW:- ( which I am thankful for giving me opportunity)
The book was so interesting that i couldn't drop it for my exams ... 👀
It starts with ria garcia , who wants to become singer and is exceptionally talented ... Her only weakness - she undermines herself and keep putting pressure on herself .
Now her bestfriend Xavier is the man .... THE MAN . He is always there for her , he is always supportive and well in love 😭.
Ria being oblivious and that's vaild Because bestfriends have that bond where love and friendship line blurs.
Now I love both the character . I felt ria was me because I am like her in many aspects. Ria felt real to me rather than character . She was so honest ,brutal and sometimes vulnerable , I just love her .
My man xavier i love him for not giving up anything and i almost cried whenever something happened.
Their friends ( I love jesse ) and her family ( who are crazy, loving troops) made this story alive and amazing .
Overall I loved my first bestfriends to lovers romance 🤭🤭
TROPES (IN MY VIEW)
bestfriends to lovers 😉
Reverse grumpy x sunshine 💅🏻
Black cat energy 😈
Wholesome group ❤️
Focus on career 😚
High pressure 😔
Always been u 😏
Everyone knew except them 🙄
The book was so interesting that i couldn't drop it for my exams ... 👀
It starts with ria garcia , who wants to become singer and is exceptionally talented ... Her only weakness - she undermines herself and keep putting pressure on herself .
Now her bestfriend Xavier is the man .... THE MAN . He is always there for her , he is always supportive and well in love 😭.
Ria being oblivious and that's vaild Because bestfriends have that bond where love and friendship line blurs.
Now I love both the character . I felt ria was me because I am like her in many aspects. Ria felt real to me rather than character . She was so honest ,brutal and sometimes vulnerable , I just love her .
My man xavier i love him for not giving up anything and i almost cried whenever something happened.
Their friends ( I love jesse ) and her family ( who are crazy, loving troops) made this story alive and amazing .
Overall I loved my first bestfriends to lovers romance 🤭🤭
TROPES (IN MY VIEW)
bestfriends to lovers 😉
Reverse grumpy x sunshine 💅🏻
Black cat energy 😈
Wholesome group ❤️
Focus on career 😚
High pressure 😔
Always been u 😏
Everyone knew except them 🙄
September 20, 2026
I received an ARC of this book so here's my quick review. I was really excited to read this one because I loved All About You, but I just couldn't get into Ria and Xavier as much. I do enjoy a friends to lovers trope, but I just didn't feel as invested in the relationship as much as I wanted to be. Xavier was a really nice friend and was very supportive of Ria, but it was almost too obvious that he potentially wanted to be more than friends. I felt like I needed just a bit more to really get into the storyline, but I did like that it covered that period of finishing high school and stressing about your future. I think that part of Ria's life was very relatable and how she had to learn to deal with rejections. For me, it was one of those books where you know the two love interests will fall in love, it's just finding out about their journey along the way, and there just wasn't enough conflict for me. It almost seemed too easy. But other than that, it was a quick read and easy to follow if you did not read All About You. I also enjoy learning more about Filipino culture, so I definitely googled the song Ikaw while reading. Overall, this one was just average for me. I didn't love it but didn't dislike it either. I just don't think it was for me.
October 6, 2026
If I'm without you
Author: Shaina Veronica
My rating: ★★★★.5/5
Some books make you feel seen, held, and make themselves at home somewhere deep inside you, even after the story ends. This was one of those books for me.
I relate (a little more than I would like)with Gracie. She puts herself under invisible pressure, chases ghosts of her sister’s achievements, and shuts everyone out when she can't face the moment. Her character was almost a mirror. Seeing her being loved in spite of her shortcomings and finally finding herself was truly heartwarming to read.
As for Xavier... where do I even begin about Xavier? I don't think anyone can top how Ria sees and describes him.
Sweet, caring, loving, attentive, loyal, supportive, understanding... the list goes on. Xavier is all that and more, while having his own problems: trying to find what he wants, keeping his feelings swallowed, and striving to become the best version of himself.
Writing was amazing. The flow was well done. I couldn't put it down until I finished it, and even then I didn't want to put it down. Can't believe the duology is done.
Would definitely recommend.
Author: Shaina Veronica
My rating: ★★★★.5/5
Some books make you feel seen, held, and make themselves at home somewhere deep inside you, even after the story ends. This was one of those books for me.
I relate (a little more than I would like)with Gracie. She puts herself under invisible pressure, chases ghosts of her sister’s achievements, and shuts everyone out when she can't face the moment. Her character was almost a mirror. Seeing her being loved in spite of her shortcomings and finally finding herself was truly heartwarming to read.
As for Xavier... where do I even begin about Xavier? I don't think anyone can top how Ria sees and describes him.
Sweet, caring, loving, attentive, loyal, supportive, understanding... the list goes on. Xavier is all that and more, while having his own problems: trying to find what he wants, keeping his feelings swallowed, and striving to become the best version of himself.
Writing was amazing. The flow was well done. I couldn't put it down until I finished it, and even then I didn't want to put it down. Can't believe the duology is done.
Would definitely recommend.
September 11, 2026
"I look at you, and see the stars, and in my heart. I see you."
One of the best friends to lovers troupes to be ever written with Asian lovely characters.
Ria is everything - ambitious, full of dreams and wants to have a 'successful' life while Xavier is 'going with the flow' type of person. Yet when things don't go as Ria planned, Xavier is the one holding her.
Ria in herself has her beautiful traits and flaws, her journey from chapter 1 to the end is remarkable supported by worthy characters, including her family special mention to the sisters bond I personally relate and love<3.
"Lovee is a choice, and it is the hardest, the best, and most important one we have." - Jaslene (love)
The relationship between Xaier and Ria is completely beautiful filled with growth, love, compassion, fun antics and even the lowest of moments which truly make up a bond worthwhile.
Must read, lovable and comfort read for anyone looking for a soft romance rec 💫
One of the best friends to lovers troupes to be ever written with Asian lovely characters.
Ria is everything - ambitious, full of dreams and wants to have a 'successful' life while Xavier is 'going with the flow' type of person. Yet when things don't go as Ria planned, Xavier is the one holding her.
Ria in herself has her beautiful traits and flaws, her journey from chapter 1 to the end is remarkable supported by worthy characters, including her family special mention to the sisters bond I personally relate and love<3.
"Lovee is a choice, and it is the hardest, the best, and most important one we have." - Jaslene (love)
The relationship between Xaier and Ria is completely beautiful filled with growth, love, compassion, fun antics and even the lowest of moments which truly make up a bond worthwhile.
Must read, lovable and comfort read for anyone looking for a soft romance rec 💫
September 26, 2026
4.5
ARC was given by the author
This was so freaking adorable thank you Shaina for letting me read your book I can’t believe this is my first time reading your works consider me a fan now 😭
I want to admit I’m not really the target audience and this isn’t my usual genre I was definitely taken back to my younger teen years of ambition (even in the music world yikes) and love.
There were a few situations I felt were cheesy (the pop culture references actually didn’t bother me too much but I was like that one Leo meme WAIT I KNOW THAT REFERENCE) but I think it really won me over was my surprise of how relatable Ria was towards the end. I’ll admit I did find it annoying and childish with how she was acting towards Xavier and Jaslene and pushing everyone away but I had to take a step back and realize…. Oh wait this is me actually lol. I think it’s a hard cold truth to be shown that nothing will ever set you free if you don’t find acceptance in yourself. Even in my old age and a recent creative, I still feel this. You don’t need validation from awards, recognition, a large following. The most important is if you accept yourself. Everyone else is welcome and the ones that will support you is infectious.
Xavier…. He’s so dreamy omg I cannot believe him when he had to hold back like that for so long and when he finally got to say his romantic declarations I was like wow this boy was really waiting for it!! As lovely as he was I hoped to see more ambition as a character that isn’t revolving around Ria. It does make me curious what his future goals would be.
Regardless I enjoyed this! I miss cheesy romcoms and I felt seen as a fangirly Asian-American/diaspora that also strives for being your best self as a creative (both in writing and music Shaina I fear you made this book for me)
Thank you again for the ARC! I am now going to invest in the author’s catalogue now.
ARC was given by the author
This was so freaking adorable thank you Shaina for letting me read your book I can’t believe this is my first time reading your works consider me a fan now 😭
I want to admit I’m not really the target audience and this isn’t my usual genre I was definitely taken back to my younger teen years of ambition (even in the music world yikes) and love.
There were a few situations I felt were cheesy (the pop culture references actually didn’t bother me too much but I was like that one Leo meme WAIT I KNOW THAT REFERENCE) but I think it really won me over was my surprise of how relatable Ria was towards the end. I’ll admit I did find it annoying and childish with how she was acting towards Xavier and Jaslene and pushing everyone away but I had to take a step back and realize…. Oh wait this is me actually lol. I think it’s a hard cold truth to be shown that nothing will ever set you free if you don’t find acceptance in yourself. Even in my old age and a recent creative, I still feel this. You don’t need validation from awards, recognition, a large following. The most important is if you accept yourself. Everyone else is welcome and the ones that will support you is infectious.
Xavier…. He’s so dreamy omg I cannot believe him when he had to hold back like that for so long and when he finally got to say his romantic declarations I was like wow this boy was really waiting for it!! As lovely as he was I hoped to see more ambition as a character that isn’t revolving around Ria. It does make me curious what his future goals would be.
Regardless I enjoyed this! I miss cheesy romcoms and I felt seen as a fangirly Asian-American/diaspora that also strives for being your best self as a creative (both in writing and music Shaina I fear you made this book for me)
Thank you again for the ARC! I am now going to invest in the author’s catalogue now.
September 10, 2026
My emotions while reading this book would be like riding a rollercoaster. Tears, laughs, frustrations, anger mixed up at once, the most emotional part for me would be Ria’s breakdown.
She’s being hard on herself as she would like to proof that she could do it better than anyone else. But being hard on oneself has a greater impact on your own mental health. The voices inside can be louder and end up distancing yourself away from people that cares and loves you.
The moment of when the parents speak to her and she finally let go of all the burden that she harsh on herself, would be the moment that I cried the hardest. I feel seen and loved at the same time.
Xavier though, the yearning, the patience, and also the one who boosts up Ria’s confidence whenever she felt down.
Thank you for writing these beautiful series and also it’s an honor to receive this ARC!
She’s being hard on herself as she would like to proof that she could do it better than anyone else. But being hard on oneself has a greater impact on your own mental health. The voices inside can be louder and end up distancing yourself away from people that cares and loves you.
The moment of when the parents speak to her and she finally let go of all the burden that she harsh on herself, would be the moment that I cried the hardest. I feel seen and loved at the same time.
Xavier though, the yearning, the patience, and also the one who boosts up Ria’s confidence whenever she felt down.
Thank you for writing these beautiful series and also it’s an honor to receive this ARC!
September 16, 2026
4.3⭐️
I received this as an arc copy and it doesn't affect my review in anyway.
This is my third book reading by this author and Ria and Xavier are absolutely adorable. I loved the way their dynamic was written with Xavier being her best friend, it felt real. It flowed smoothly to me.
They were cheesy to me though. I'm not sure Ria apologised properly to Xavier. She did give an apology but it felt so small. Maybe its because I don't like half assed apologies.
Not to say I don't understand how she felt in that moment.
I also could connect with Ria wanting to come out on top. Seeing Filipino food made me hungry for my food at home.
I loved that the author wasn't afraid to put her own cultures food and language inside this.
I received this as an arc copy and it doesn't affect my review in anyway.
This is my third book reading by this author and Ria and Xavier are absolutely adorable. I loved the way their dynamic was written with Xavier being her best friend, it felt real. It flowed smoothly to me.
They were cheesy to me though. I'm not sure Ria apologised properly to Xavier. She did give an apology but it felt so small. Maybe its because I don't like half assed apologies.
Not to say I don't understand how she felt in that moment.
I also could connect with Ria wanting to come out on top. Seeing Filipino food made me hungry for my food at home.
I loved that the author wasn't afraid to put her own cultures food and language inside this.
September 3, 2026
Thank you so much to the author for the arc!
♾️/5⭐️ I’ve been SO excited for this book ever since it was announced especially knowing it’s about Ria who I loved so much in ‘all about you’! This is one of my fav books ever, I loved it so much and will hopefully pick up a physical copy when it’s released!
I already knew Ria would be one of my favourite fmc’s after meeting her in the previous book so it was amazing to get to know her so well and read her own story! She’s such a determined, caring, fun character and is written with so much depth. Seeing the pressure she puts on herself to succeed felt so relatable and I really liked seeing that be incorporated within the plot. Xavier is definitely one of my fav mmc’s too, the loyalty he has to Ria was amazing and I loved how he never once gave up and always supported her. He’s such a fun character and the interactions between them both were incredible, I loved how strong their connection was from the very start. Friends to lovers is one of my absolute favourites and I loved seeing that progression throughout the book. Their relationship has the perfect blend of humour and cute moments and the two of them had me smiling so much throughout. They both supported each other so much and I love how much they encouraged and really wanted the best for each other. I loved the elements of the flashbacks too as it brought so much to the story and I loved seeing past glimpses into their friendship as it just solidified the strong bond between them.
I loved the scenes with Ria’s family so much and seeing so much of her and Jas together! They’re one of my fav sister duos and I LOVE the relationship between them. They’re both so supportive of one another and have so many fun interactions. I loved seeing Jas and Marlon together too as they’ll always be one of my fav couples and I loved seeing where they’re at now! I love seeing elements of their culture within the book too, just like within the first, as it makes the book feel super immersive and allows you to fully engage with the characters.
The friend group was so much fun! I love how chaotic they were and the way each member had a distinct personality. I loved getting to know them and seeing how supportive they were of one another. I love when books have such strong family/ friend connections and so the fact this book has both is one of my favourite elements and it’s something Shaina always does so well in her books! The group had so many fun scenes together and I loved how close they all were which really came across through the authors writing and characterisation. They all brought something different to the book and it made the book feel so comforting to read!
The plot itself had so much depth and I Iove how it tackled topics of pressure and high expectations alongside the romance. I absolutely LOVE the references that Shaina puts into her books (anime, kpop etc.) as someone who’s a huge fan of all of those things I always love seeing them mentioned within books! It made the book feel so relatable and I really connected with it. For me there was the perfect amount and the way they were fitted in always felt really natural!
Shaina has been one of my favourite authors ever since reading her debut book! I can’t put into words how much I love each of her books, they’re the perfect rom-coms and I highly recommend checking them out if you haven’t already!
♾️/5⭐️ I’ve been SO excited for this book ever since it was announced especially knowing it’s about Ria who I loved so much in ‘all about you’! This is one of my fav books ever, I loved it so much and will hopefully pick up a physical copy when it’s released!
I already knew Ria would be one of my favourite fmc’s after meeting her in the previous book so it was amazing to get to know her so well and read her own story! She’s such a determined, caring, fun character and is written with so much depth. Seeing the pressure she puts on herself to succeed felt so relatable and I really liked seeing that be incorporated within the plot. Xavier is definitely one of my fav mmc’s too, the loyalty he has to Ria was amazing and I loved how he never once gave up and always supported her. He’s such a fun character and the interactions between them both were incredible, I loved how strong their connection was from the very start. Friends to lovers is one of my absolute favourites and I loved seeing that progression throughout the book. Their relationship has the perfect blend of humour and cute moments and the two of them had me smiling so much throughout. They both supported each other so much and I love how much they encouraged and really wanted the best for each other. I loved the elements of the flashbacks too as it brought so much to the story and I loved seeing past glimpses into their friendship as it just solidified the strong bond between them.
I loved the scenes with Ria’s family so much and seeing so much of her and Jas together! They’re one of my fav sister duos and I LOVE the relationship between them. They’re both so supportive of one another and have so many fun interactions. I loved seeing Jas and Marlon together too as they’ll always be one of my fav couples and I loved seeing where they’re at now! I love seeing elements of their culture within the book too, just like within the first, as it makes the book feel super immersive and allows you to fully engage with the characters.
The friend group was so much fun! I love how chaotic they were and the way each member had a distinct personality. I loved getting to know them and seeing how supportive they were of one another. I love when books have such strong family/ friend connections and so the fact this book has both is one of my favourite elements and it’s something Shaina always does so well in her books! The group had so many fun scenes together and I loved how close they all were which really came across through the authors writing and characterisation. They all brought something different to the book and it made the book feel so comforting to read!
The plot itself had so much depth and I Iove how it tackled topics of pressure and high expectations alongside the romance. I absolutely LOVE the references that Shaina puts into her books (anime, kpop etc.) as someone who’s a huge fan of all of those things I always love seeing them mentioned within books! It made the book feel so relatable and I really connected with it. For me there was the perfect amount and the way they were fitted in always felt really natural!
Shaina has been one of my favourite authors ever since reading her debut book! I can’t put into words how much I love each of her books, they’re the perfect rom-coms and I highly recommend checking them out if you haven’t already!
October 21, 2026
okay so i give If I’m Without You a solid 3/5 stars!!
like, i actually did like this book! it literally had all the elements that make a cute read. the character development was pretty good, and honestly, ria’s passion for music was everything 🎶 like watching her navigate her dreams and songwriting (and all that high school / post-high school drama uk??) was so real. plus all the best-friends-to-whatever vibes with xavier kim had me hooked!
a HUGE thank you to the author, shaina veronica, for giving me an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!! 🤎 keep writing because the potential and passion are definitely there!! 💌
like, i actually did like this book! it literally had all the elements that make a cute read. the character development was pretty good, and honestly, ria’s passion for music was everything 🎶 like watching her navigate her dreams and songwriting (and all that high school / post-high school drama uk??) was so real. plus all the best-friends-to-whatever vibes with xavier kim had me hooked!
a HUGE thank you to the author, shaina veronica, for giving me an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!! 🤎 keep writing because the potential and passion are definitely there!! 💌
September 2, 2026
Im so honored to have been given an arc of this and ITS DEFINITELY A NEW FAVORITE OF MINE IN THE ROMANCE GENRE!! I absolutely loved the main focus being on Ria and her relationships with her friends and family and music. Also, I LOVE LOVE LOVE books about musicians and singing and that are packed with pop culture references! This book truly felt like a movie and I could literally see it playing out in front of me. The only complaint I have towards this book is that we don’t see the sunset date scene which sounds super cute and romantic. OTHER THAN THAT I ADORED THIS BOOK
September 5, 2026
I'm about halfway done through this books ARC, my sincere gratitude for author Shaina Veronica for giving me this opportunity to read this masterpiece, it uses simple language and conveys feelings that I actually felt while reading this book, it's truly a must read for any romance lover! (Full review out soon).
EDIT:
Oh my god, i just finished reading the book and the entire book is a masterpiece, like Xavier is so cute and the filipino-australian family dynamic is so amazing and i just love it, i didn't want it to end, everything is so cute, and its good, its just wow! I cant thank the author enough for giving me the ARC for this book, it is truly a must read for anyone who cried their eyes out reading the fault in our stars, i just cant recommend this book enough.
EDIT:
Oh my god, i just finished reading the book and the entire book is a masterpiece, like Xavier is so cute and the filipino-australian family dynamic is so amazing and i just love it, i didn't want it to end, everything is so cute, and its good, its just wow! I cant thank the author enough for giving me the ARC for this book, it is truly a must read for anyone who cried their eyes out reading the fault in our stars, i just cant recommend this book enough.
October 14, 2026
If I'm without you by Shaina Veronica is a quick and easy book to read. I loved how simple and straight forward the story was. I enjoyed seeing some pop culture and filipino culture references while reading the book. I also loved how the characters were made. The reason it didnt get full marks was because there are some parts that are a bit cheezy for me (its a me thing) that sometimes i feel its not for me.
Still, I enjoyed reading the book. I want to thank Shaina for the opportunity to read her work.
Still, I enjoyed reading the book. I want to thank Shaina for the opportunity to read her work.
September 26, 2026
I really enjoyed this book and there were moments where the words were so beautiful and poetic.
The story follows Ria, a girl set toward her future and the ins and outs as she navigates her rapidly changing life when she graduates high school without getting into the school she wants to.
A heartfelt romantic book with fluffy scenes and adorable characters.
However, the writing style was a bit inconsistent at times with tense changes throughout the book which drew me out of the story a bit.
The story follows Ria, a girl set toward her future and the ins and outs as she navigates her rapidly changing life when she graduates high school without getting into the school she wants to.
A heartfelt romantic book with fluffy scenes and adorable characters.
However, the writing style was a bit inconsistent at times with tense changes throughout the book which drew me out of the story a bit.
October 2, 2026
SO GOOD!! If you love yearning, slow-burns, and sweet, clean romances you NEED to read this!! I loved the connection between all the characters. The MCs are literally the definition of slow-burn and the yearning?! Don't even get me started! > ⌓ <
There's self worth growth, an overthinking FMC, sisterhood, Asian culture, and much more. The plot and characters were written amazingly. You should definitely read.♡
There's self worth growth, an overthinking FMC, sisterhood, Asian culture, and much more. The plot and characters were written amazingly. You should definitely read.♡
October 8, 2026
The characters written by Shaina feel real. Their life, choices, conversations and romance makes me feel like I am there. As if I was a friend observing it irl. It really doesn't feel fictional. And I love the efforts she puts in her books.
Honestly speaking, I loved the first book of the duology more. But that doesn't mean this book wasn't magical.
It was sweet and lovely.
I loved how every moment the couple spent together was dreamy and filled with warmth, love and trust.
Honestly speaking, I loved the first book of the duology more. But that doesn't mean this book wasn't magical.
It was sweet and lovely.
I loved how every moment the couple spent together was dreamy and filled with warmth, love and trust.
October 1, 2026
ARC review!! I think this book is honestly so adorable and I honestly really like how the friends to lovers was done. This book is such a cute read and I absolutely loved the he falls first and harder trope in this as it’s done really well and the pining just makes this books way better. I also really like the mmc being a golden retriever which was definitely a plus in this book.
October 6, 2026
I love this book so much! The emotions, the friendship, and the writing all come together to make it so good.
Thank you Shaina for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
Thank you Shaina for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
October 14, 2026
ANYONE WHO KNOWS ME KNOWS HOW MUCH I LOVE ANN LIANG AND THIS FELT LIKE A ANN LIANG BOOK IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE
October 21, 2026
shaina did it again!!! totally related to this one hardcore. ugh i loved it and i related to ria very much. fun and cute read!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews