Love As You Are

by Tara Frejas

Former violinist Isagani Alvez hasn’t had a serious relationship in almost ten years, but at thirty-seven, romance is the least of his priorities. There are, after all, many more important things to prioritize. Like taking care of his mother, managing his family’s home, keeping himself in shape, and, most recently, making sure the Alvez Foundation for the Arts remains true to its objectives.

Office manager Moe Castellana has been single all thirty-six years of her life. She is finally about to go on a date for the first time, something she should be looking forward to. Unfortunately, her soon-to-be first date swiped right on a severely outdated photo, and she fears he would accuse her of catfishing when he sees her—twenty kilos heavier—in person.

A series of awkward encounters locks Isagani and Moe in each other’s orbits, and the longer they spend time together—workout sessions, cheat days, and campaign rallies included—the more they feel a blooming sense of affection for each other. But he thinks she’s taken (or is about to be), and she thinks he’s way out of her league. Who will be brave enough to take the first step and let their feelings be known? And would they be able to do it before it’s too late?

Genres: Romance

340 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 15, 2026

About the author

Tara Frejas is a cloud-walker who needs caffeine to fuel her travels. By day, she works in project management and events, and she writes down her daydreams at night. She began publishing fiction for public consumption in 2004, posting her pieces on various online channels like fan forums and Blogspot, eventually exploring other avenues like Livejournal, Soomp!, Tumblr, and most recently, Wattpad.

Aside from her obvious love affair with words and persistent muses, Tara is very passionate about being caffeinated, musical theatre, certain genres of music, dancing, dogs, good food, and romancing Norae, her ukelele. She owns a 6-month-old male bunny named Max who sometimes tries to nibble on her writing notes.

Fun fact: She's a Piscean. Go figure.

Reviews

[Katt Briones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is #romanceclass world building as its best. <3

I've followed these series from Erin and Ramon, and we've just completed the Alvez brothers like the infinity stones!

What I loved:
- Characterisation: We've met some of the characters here, but they continue to have their own voices. Everyone's voices are distinct. I don't have to read who spoke or messaged even - I feel like the reader would know it was Datu or Pio or Kuya Gani, and it shows how strong each character build is.
- Moe's back story made me sob. By the end of the book, I still haven't forgiven the family member who had an atraso haha huhu. (But still better character development compared to another character I am also side-eyeing. Trying so hard not to spoil.) Everyone here got me invested! But fear not for Moe, absentee family yes, but she gets auto-family via Kuya Gani. Instant hipag treatment and addition to the kumander group chat. (wink!) I live for this.
- Filipino family dynamics: The way it was portrayed here was so real and vivid, and it tugs at your heartstrings. Kuya Gani's guilt is a prevailing theme and it was handled so well. The brothers disagreeing and ending up shielding Cecilia from it, Moe's Lola, absentee Alvez dad and his audacity (LOL) - it's all so relatable. The part I enjoyed the most was the kulit moments between the Alvezes, whether over group chats or in-person teasing? Such a treat.
- The spicy scenes? So hot. KUYA GANI ALAM NA ALAM MO ANO GINAGAWA MO EH. How dare you with those glasses. How dare you very much.
- Bonus: Messed up pipe / plumbing. How very dare you x 2, Kuya Gani.
- I loved the twist with the match and how it served as the catalyst - ang healthy pa rin ng naging dynamic (and fun!)
- The PasigLaban scenes. <3 We love characters who fight for what is right. Bonus if they fall in love in the process. Multitaskers sina Kuya Gani and Moe, bakit ba. <3
- Ditas is so fun and very Pinay bestie coded. You just gotta have a Ditas in your life.
- The ending is like the cameo of cameos. What a treat. I felt like it was Christmas.

I would therefore like to live in this book and universe. Thank you <3

[Highnyzbibliofiles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love as You Are gives us a glimpse of the past. It was like walking down memory lane during the pandemic and the 2022 election. It was one of yearning for “sana” and wondering if it could have been better. It was a season of unexpected things, bringing people together.

And this novel was quite like that; it gives unexpected turns. Two people who were brought together by one co-working space, and everything that comes after. Having Isagani and Moe in their late 30s seems relatable to those in their trentahin era and beyond, showing that there is no timeline for finding love.

I like the concept of learning things as one nears their prime. The notion of suddenly becoming conscious of something missing in their lives. It is about starting something new for oneself and finding joy in it. With Moe having been ridiculed for the way she looked in her younger years, looking good and feeling good about oneself is a milestone in anyone’s life.

The novel also gives us different themes that are quite interesting. It gives us the usual struggles of being the panganay. As a panganay myself, it is relatable. The notion of growing up fast and having to take care of our siblings as instructed by our parents was relatable to the story. In a way, this leads to having that sense of keeping things to oneself, as if the other siblings would not care. It was sort of a healing part for a panganay, just to accept that things can be relayed to any of the siblings as something that Isagani did.

The story might be an insta-attraction, yet I love how they navigate their relationship and help one another with things that seem to be new to them.

It was another great story from Tara. I want to thank Tara for allowing me to read the ARC of Love as You Are.

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a highly bingeable read!  It was so easy to get into, the characters were so relatable, and the story flowed really nicely.  I actually cried, especially during the parts where the moms were involved, because if you don't know, I'm a mom too so those scenes made me emotional 🥹

I related to Moe a lot, because she was the type of person who had a tough childhood which resulted in a lot of insecurities, but not one to shy away from knowing what she really wants.  It was a joy to see her eventually blossom, to lessen her overthinking ways, and to accept the good things that came to her because she deserved it.  And Isagani was a super green flag, and you know me, give me my green flags over bad boys any day!  They had a super sweet (and very spicy) romance which is very reminiscent of the early stages of a relationship.

I also really appreciated the absence of a third act conflict which was so refreshing.  Just straight romance, and all the kilig feelings that comes with it 🥰

In addition, I just love how music and theater was incorporated into the story.  I just wished there were more aspects of it shown!

[Prin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received an ARC from the author. I loved knowing Gani and Moe (and Tita Ces is a favorite, too) 💖 Full review coming soon!

[Shiandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so good! I loved every second of it. Isagani and Moe's story touched my heart in ways I never expected. So so excited for other romance readers to read this one!