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Mango Summer
Magic is in the air...For the first time in a century, the fruit in San Antonio's most famous mango farm all turned sour. Fiona, thirty-six and single, knows why. According to her family's legend, the only way to keep the mangoes sweet is for the women who run the farm to be married and bear children. If Fiona doesn't find anyone soon, the inheritance her family has been protecting for generations is in danger of rotting away.Greg used to have a massive crush on his older sister's best friend. When he drops by Fiona's farm to get his sister some of San Antonio's sweetest mangoes, his quick visit turns into an extended vacation. As the days go by, his feelings for Fiona begin to take root and grow. At twenty-eight, how can he convince Fiona that he's more than her friend’s kid brother?
185 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2018
3 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
Agay Llanera
16 books59 followersAgay is a freelance writer for TV and print. In her spare time, she enjoys writing Romance, New Adult, and Young Adult novellas.
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May 11, 2019A really delightful contemporary with an older woman/best friend's little brother plot. The romance is both sweet and tart--Greg is a cinnamon roll with good biceps, but also someone who has screwed up in a previous relationship and learned from the hurt. Fiona is prickly, very hurt by a previous fiance, and horribly prone to shutting down and withdrawing rather than dealing with problems.
The whole book is about defining happiness for ourselves and working out what people actually want, which isn't necessarily what society thinks we should. It is particularly lovely to see a 36yo woman who still isn't sure about kids and not really bothered if it doesn't happen.
Amazing spirit of place, with glorious descriptions of the rural Philippines setting, and the food writing is absolutely salivatory. Very well written (though, old person klaxon, I didn't see what was added by the use of present tense, which as far as I can tell just makes it difficult to handle any sort of flashback or past continuous. Mumble.)
A lovely read.
The whole book is about defining happiness for ourselves and working out what people actually want, which isn't necessarily what society thinks we should. It is particularly lovely to see a 36yo woman who still isn't sure about kids and not really bothered if it doesn't happen.
Amazing spirit of place, with glorious descriptions of the rural Philippines setting, and the food writing is absolutely salivatory. Very well written (though, old person klaxon, I didn't see what was added by the use of present tense, which as far as I can tell just makes it difficult to handle any sort of flashback or past continuous. Mumble.)
A lovely read.
March 20, 2021
2021 Spring Bingo (#SpringIntoLoveBingo🌷): Social Media Rec
Age gap + best friend’s younger brother + fabulism element (mango harvest won’t taste sweet unless farm owner is in love/pregnant).
Age gap + best friend’s younger brother + fabulism element (mango harvest won’t taste sweet unless farm owner is in love/pregnant).
October 22, 2018
It’s been a while since I last read a romance novel and by golly gosh was I glad to pick up Agay’s latest. I only knew about this book when I read the synopsis from one of the #romanceclass ladies and I knew this book was going to be amazeballs.
Jutanders heroine? Check.
Kiddie meal guy? Check check.
This book is me.
First lines of the first chapter...oh my god. That vivid description of smelling ripe mangoes took me back. Holy crap. I don’t have the same verbose writing skills as Agay, so you just have to read it to believe it. But in all seriousness, this book feels like the height of Agay’s skill. The characters and the story reel you in and there’s just no way of keeping your feelings in check. I should know...I’m still recovering from the after effects of a major book hangover.
I’m still a bit incoherent and high from the happiness of reading this book, so imma just condense it to a few bullets:
- There was a certain natural flow to how easy I liked the characters. Maybe because I’m Pinoy. I loved the dialogue and how well-paced the story was.
- The story could have been written to a straight up HEA after conflict resolution, but I loved how Agay took time to get the characters to grow with each other before deciding on a life-changing event.
- The food descriptions. It made me miss home sooooo much!
- Heat level 3 babyyyyy!!!!! 🔥🔥🔥
- I can’t stop calling G-boy as Gio. *teehee*
All in all, this book is going to my best reads of the year. I suggest y’all get your hands on this gem of a book. You won’t regret it!
Jutanders heroine? Check.
Kiddie meal guy? Check check.
This book is me.
First lines of the first chapter...oh my god. That vivid description of smelling ripe mangoes took me back. Holy crap. I don’t have the same verbose writing skills as Agay, so you just have to read it to believe it. But in all seriousness, this book feels like the height of Agay’s skill. The characters and the story reel you in and there’s just no way of keeping your feelings in check. I should know...I’m still recovering from the after effects of a major book hangover.
I’m still a bit incoherent and high from the happiness of reading this book, so imma just condense it to a few bullets:
- There was a certain natural flow to how easy I liked the characters. Maybe because I’m Pinoy. I loved the dialogue and how well-paced the story was.
- The story could have been written to a straight up HEA after conflict resolution, but I loved how Agay took time to get the characters to grow with each other before deciding on a life-changing event.
- The food descriptions. It made me miss home sooooo much!
- Heat level 3 babyyyyy!!!!! 🔥🔥🔥
- I can’t stop calling G-boy as Gio. *teehee*
All in all, this book is going to my best reads of the year. I suggest y’all get your hands on this gem of a book. You won’t regret it!
September 28, 2020
When was the last time she'd verbalized her gratitude for life? Things weren't perfect; they would never be. Her pickup truck was on the verge of dying, one of her old-time employees resigned, and someone left a bad review on their website. But here she was, doing something she loved, lying beside someone she loved, living in a place she'd loved since childhood. The realization sent happiness surging through her veins. Yes, thank you, she prayed. I'm grateful.
Such a refreshing read. Things I loved about Mango Summer:
- The way the writing takes you to the province where you can eat fruits right after picking them from trees on your Lola's backyard
- Fiona and G-boy's chemistry
- Mouth-watering food, from your everyday kakanins to mango cookies and mango jams
- It's a reminder that the true meaning of happiness and contentment is not the same for everyone, and how we achieve it is ultimately up to us
did-not-finish
August 11, 2021I had started this once before and set it aside hoping I would be more in the mood for it, and then I started it again today and wasn't inspired to continue, so I'm just going to stop trying.
July 9, 2021
"They stand face to face for a few silent seconds, letting that current of want flow between them like a bridge they’re about to cross."
This was a short and surprisingly steamy Filipino romance I read on Kindle Unlimited, and I highly recommend you check it out if you are a romance fan!
This story takes place in the Philippines on a mango farm and is
- an age-gap (she is 36, he is 28)
- childhood friends
- ex-best friend's little brother
romance.
G-boy is a total cinnamon roll and has been in love with Fiona for years. Both Fiona and G-boy have had their own relationship mishapps as the years have gone on, and both their hearts are healing from the betrayals they've experienced. I really love how they helped one another heal and just the raw attraction that sparked between them. It isn't often that we see an older heroine with a younger hero, and I was really appreciative of that as well. Agay has a gorgeous writing style and her voice is beautiful. I could vividly imagine the landscape and my mouth was watering from all the food descriptions. I wish Agay had more novels out because she has a true talent!
This was a short and surprisingly steamy Filipino romance I read on Kindle Unlimited, and I highly recommend you check it out if you are a romance fan!
This story takes place in the Philippines on a mango farm and is
- an age-gap (she is 36, he is 28)
- childhood friends
- ex-best friend's little brother
romance.
G-boy is a total cinnamon roll and has been in love with Fiona for years. Both Fiona and G-boy have had their own relationship mishapps as the years have gone on, and both their hearts are healing from the betrayals they've experienced. I really love how they helped one another heal and just the raw attraction that sparked between them. It isn't often that we see an older heroine with a younger hero, and I was really appreciative of that as well. Agay has a gorgeous writing style and her voice is beautiful. I could vividly imagine the landscape and my mouth was watering from all the food descriptions. I wish Agay had more novels out because she has a true talent!
November 13, 2018
I buddy read this with a fellow #romanceclass reader (hi, Kristin!), something I haven't done before, which made the experience all the more special!
First: Love how this author weaves her words together—she's got magic on her fingertips, she's got magic in her heart. ~When I grow up, I want to be like her~
Second: Mad appreciation for the Filipino-ness of this novel. The fantasy approach (about how the mango trees weren't bearing sweetness) ties in with how superstitious and somehow traditional a big part of our culture is, and the details that come along (town living and mentality) are on point.
Third: Here for the age-gap romance! I like how the main character, Fiona, is older and is breaking societal standards by how she lives and what she stands for. (The male race from all over the world can also take a page from Greg/G-Boy's book—what a guy, seriously, what a guy.) Over the past years, I've been reading voices younger than mine, and it's refreshing, if not enlightening, to return to that more experienced mindset—one that I myself could take cues from, re how to go through life. Fiona knows what she wants, what she should do and what she deserves, but at the same time, she's grappled by the what-ifs and what-could-have-beens. Very nicely done emotional tug of war.
Here is the thread of my (not so) live buddy reading, and below, I'm pasting my favorite quote from the book because GRATITUDE IS FOREVER THE BEST:
"When was the last time she’d verbalized her gratitude for life? Things weren’t perfect; they would never be. Her pickup truck was on the verge of dying, one of her old-time employees resigned, and someone left a bad review on their website. But here she was, doing something she loved, lying beside someone she loved, living in a place she’d loved since childhood. The realization sent happiness surging through her veins. Yes, thank you, she prayed. I’m grateful."
Congratulations to the author, and thanks for releasing this on my birthday this year (although unintentionally)! She talks a little bit of writing the book on Bookbed, by the way. Click here :)
First: Love how this author weaves her words together—she's got magic on her fingertips, she's got magic in her heart. ~When I grow up, I want to be like her~
Second: Mad appreciation for the Filipino-ness of this novel. The fantasy approach (about how the mango trees weren't bearing sweetness) ties in with how superstitious and somehow traditional a big part of our culture is, and the details that come along (town living and mentality) are on point.
Third: Here for the age-gap romance! I like how the main character, Fiona, is older and is breaking societal standards by how she lives and what she stands for. (The male race from all over the world can also take a page from Greg/G-Boy's book—what a guy, seriously, what a guy.) Over the past years, I've been reading voices younger than mine, and it's refreshing, if not enlightening, to return to that more experienced mindset—one that I myself could take cues from, re how to go through life. Fiona knows what she wants, what she should do and what she deserves, but at the same time, she's grappled by the what-ifs and what-could-have-beens. Very nicely done emotional tug of war.
Here is the thread of my (not so) live buddy reading, and below, I'm pasting my favorite quote from the book because GRATITUDE IS FOREVER THE BEST:
"When was the last time she’d verbalized her gratitude for life? Things weren’t perfect; they would never be. Her pickup truck was on the verge of dying, one of her old-time employees resigned, and someone left a bad review on their website. But here she was, doing something she loved, lying beside someone she loved, living in a place she’d loved since childhood. The realization sent happiness surging through her veins. Yes, thank you, she prayed. I’m grateful."
Congratulations to the author, and thanks for releasing this on my birthday this year (although unintentionally)! She talks a little bit of writing the book on Bookbed, by the way. Click here :)
October 16, 2018
Originally posted as a bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo9bFFjFo_T/
I've been a fan of Agay Llanera's writing since I loved her YA novel Choco Chip Hips, and I was excited to dive back into one of her books. Mango Summer is a beautifully written romance with a strong Filipino flavor that reminded me of childhood summers spent in the province, away from the hustle and bustle of Manila. Agay's words have always had a lyrical quality to them, but even more so in this book where magic felt woven into the story. The kind of everyday magic, small-town superstition and family legend handed down every generation that make you feel stronger somehow. Strong enough for love and forgiveness, and fresh starts and bigger and brighter things. Mango Summer felt reminescent of Laura Florand and Sarah Addison Allen's books, which I do not say lightly given how much I love those two authors. This book has the sweetness that I love in Philippine mangoes, but also layered with the sourness and bitterness that unexpectedly catches you by surprise in some fruits. A fitting metaphor for life and all its complexities. Highly recommended, I finished reading this in one go. Pick it up if you're in the mood for a Chachic type of read, because this was very much that kind of book.
I've been a fan of Agay Llanera's writing since I loved her YA novel Choco Chip Hips, and I was excited to dive back into one of her books. Mango Summer is a beautifully written romance with a strong Filipino flavor that reminded me of childhood summers spent in the province, away from the hustle and bustle of Manila. Agay's words have always had a lyrical quality to them, but even more so in this book where magic felt woven into the story. The kind of everyday magic, small-town superstition and family legend handed down every generation that make you feel stronger somehow. Strong enough for love and forgiveness, and fresh starts and bigger and brighter things. Mango Summer felt reminescent of Laura Florand and Sarah Addison Allen's books, which I do not say lightly given how much I love those two authors. This book has the sweetness that I love in Philippine mangoes, but also layered with the sourness and bitterness that unexpectedly catches you by surprise in some fruits. A fitting metaphor for life and all its complexities. Highly recommended, I finished reading this in one go. Pick it up if you're in the mood for a Chachic type of read, because this was very much that kind of book.
January 18, 2020
Sweeeeet
That title drew me in first. My favorite fruit combined with my favorite season got me one-clicking so fast, I might have broken a nail.
Like the mango fruit, the story takes a while to ripen. It started sour for me because the beginning was quite heavy, present tense is not my preference, and I was uncomfortable reading a hero who has the same name as my father.
But Agay’s evocative writing drew me in, the character development for Fiona and G-boy so compelling, the food porn so mouthwatering, the depiction of small town Philippines so spot on, soon I was unable to put the book down until I reached the sweet, satisfactory ending.
4.5 stars. Non-Filipino readers might need more context clues than what was provided to understand some terms and local culture references.
That title drew me in first. My favorite fruit combined with my favorite season got me one-clicking so fast, I might have broken a nail.
Like the mango fruit, the story takes a while to ripen. It started sour for me because the beginning was quite heavy, present tense is not my preference, and I was uncomfortable reading a hero who has the same name as my father.
But Agay’s evocative writing drew me in, the character development for Fiona and G-boy so compelling, the food porn so mouthwatering, the depiction of small town Philippines so spot on, soon I was unable to put the book down until I reached the sweet, satisfactory ending.
4.5 stars. Non-Filipino readers might need more context clues than what was provided to understand some terms and local culture references.
January 14, 2019
loved this. loved that Fiona was older than Greg and we get the best friend's brother trope. Loved the family story laced with an undercurrent of magic so you're not quite sure if it was true. But I was intrigued from the beginning.
November 26, 2019
The writing I so good, loved it, but this one has an ending that was uneven.. I guess it's about expectations here.
August 4, 2019
I think the story is incredibly sweet, and the setting and atmosphere are gorgeous. However, I didn't love the writing or pacing. I'd still recommend it if you want a cute and wholesome romance though.
October 10, 2020
"At dusk, when the world melts into shadow, the air is the thing most alive.
From her spot under the mango tree, Fiona smells the farm more clearly than she sees it. The scent is a lush, primal mix of unseen creatures crawling, burrowing, being born and rotting away; of green things straining against the earth to reach for the sun.
I, admittedly, had never read any of Agay Llanera’s books. And I realize that this was such a huge mistake on my part. Agay is a master of evoking emotion – especially nostalgia. One of the biggest draws of Mango Summer is the farm, owned by generations of Agay’s family. My mom is from San Carlos, Pangasinan, and when my siblings and I were younger she always insisted on us going home to the ancestral house every summer or Christmas break – an ancestral home which, by the way, was on a mango farm. As a result, a lot of my childhood memories involve being outdoors in the sunshine, climbing mango trees to pick the fruit (both ripe and unripe, because bagoong is life y’all), and sitting on the bamboo tables and benches my uncles put up themselves to eat the mangoes with my bare hands. In just a few short sentences, Agay was able to bring all this back for me.
Beautiful. Absolute poetry.
The romance between Fiona and G-boy – excuse me, Greg – was well-crafted and captivating. They had such chemistry, fueled on by their proximity to each other, their shared history, and the fact that both of them are recovering from life-changing relationships that eventually ended. I loved how, despite the pressure on both of them from all sides, Fiona and Greg were determined to take their relationship at their own pace, moving on to the next level only when they themselves were sure they were ready.
One of the most important lessons this book gives us is that true happiness comes only when you believe it will, and that happiness is in your hands and yours alone. It takes Fiona most of the book to discover that, and to make peace with it, but its a lesson she does get in the end – much to the everlasting joy of San Antonio’s mango-loving population.
Mango Summer combines small town magic, nostalgia, and hot, steamy sex into one spellbinding romance that I absolutely, one-hundred percent recommend!
Read my full review here.
Find more from me:
Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Youtube
From her spot under the mango tree, Fiona smells the farm more clearly than she sees it. The scent is a lush, primal mix of unseen creatures crawling, burrowing, being born and rotting away; of green things straining against the earth to reach for the sun.
I, admittedly, had never read any of Agay Llanera’s books. And I realize that this was such a huge mistake on my part. Agay is a master of evoking emotion – especially nostalgia. One of the biggest draws of Mango Summer is the farm, owned by generations of Agay’s family. My mom is from San Carlos, Pangasinan, and when my siblings and I were younger she always insisted on us going home to the ancestral house every summer or Christmas break – an ancestral home which, by the way, was on a mango farm. As a result, a lot of my childhood memories involve being outdoors in the sunshine, climbing mango trees to pick the fruit (both ripe and unripe, because bagoong is life y’all), and sitting on the bamboo tables and benches my uncles put up themselves to eat the mangoes with my bare hands. In just a few short sentences, Agay was able to bring all this back for me.
At dusk, when the world melts into shadow, the air is the thing most alive.
From her spot under the mango tree, Fiona smells the farm more clearly than she sees it. The scent is a lush, primal mix of unseen creatures crawling, burrowing, being born and rotting away; of green things straining against the earth to reach for the sun.
Beautiful. Absolute poetry.
The romance between Fiona and G-boy – excuse me, Greg – was well-crafted and captivating. They had such chemistry, fueled on by their proximity to each other, their shared history, and the fact that both of them are recovering from life-changing relationships that eventually ended. I loved how, despite the pressure on both of them from all sides, Fiona and Greg were determined to take their relationship at their own pace, moving on to the next level only when they themselves were sure they were ready.
One of the most important lessons this book gives us is that true happiness comes only when you believe it will, and that happiness is in your hands and yours alone. It takes Fiona most of the book to discover that, and to make peace with it, but its a lesson she does get in the end – much to the everlasting joy of San Antonio’s mango-loving population.
Mango Summer combines small town magic, nostalgia, and hot, steamy sex into one spellbinding romance that I absolutely, one-hundred percent recommend!
Read my full review here.
Find more from me:
Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Youtube
December 20, 2020
"Magic is wild, her mom used to say. You can't tame magic. It plays by its own rules."
•
I was supposed to write a full review on my blog for this but alas, I. Is. Busy. As. Bee. LOL. I'm sure I already psyched you up with my previous mango bookstagrams but omg, you should check out my livetweet thread while reading this! It was fun!
•
"Sometimes, life reveals itself clumsily. Yet Greg feels something has progressed between him and Fiona . . . "
•
I have read most of Agay's books and she's one of my faves bec of her distinct writing style. AWFH is my personal #1 (even though I haven't gotten the courage to reread it yet. LOL) but I feel like this book is where her writing flourished the most. The magic of her narrative was complemented by it's unique theme that was distinctly Filipino; as well as the layers of the plot (age-gap trope, boyhood crush, pressures of society to marry, etc.). I laughed and cried and laughed while crying bec, huhu, it's amazing!
•
"Yes, you can grab your life by the reins and run with it.
Yes, you can believe that anything is possible.
Yes, you can be happy."
•
The romance is just SO GOOD! I don't want to say anything more so everyone else can enjoy it like I did, but let me just say, as the title suggests: Mango = Sweet. Summer = Hot. And I mean, Heat Level 3, my friends. SO GOOD!
•
"I care about you too much to keep this a secret."
•
Similar to skinning ripe mangoes and relishing it to it's hard core, Mango Summer started out cute and sweet but didn't hold back with its gut punching realness. The sour and gritty bits of life unraveled one by one, with both protagonists trying to get a move on from unpleasant pasts or predicaments of the present, and by the end, there wasn't a trace of bitter aftertaste. There's just satisfaction. Delicious sweet and sour and tangy-ness, and the perfect ending to a wonderful meal. •
*This review also appear as a bookstagram on my IG: @bentchbites
•
I was supposed to write a full review on my blog for this but alas, I. Is. Busy. As. Bee. LOL. I'm sure I already psyched you up with my previous mango bookstagrams but omg, you should check out my livetweet thread while reading this! It was fun!
•
"Sometimes, life reveals itself clumsily. Yet Greg feels something has progressed between him and Fiona . . . "
•
I have read most of Agay's books and she's one of my faves bec of her distinct writing style. AWFH is my personal #1 (even though I haven't gotten the courage to reread it yet. LOL) but I feel like this book is where her writing flourished the most. The magic of her narrative was complemented by it's unique theme that was distinctly Filipino; as well as the layers of the plot (age-gap trope, boyhood crush, pressures of society to marry, etc.). I laughed and cried and laughed while crying bec, huhu, it's amazing!
•
"Yes, you can grab your life by the reins and run with it.
Yes, you can believe that anything is possible.
Yes, you can be happy."
•
The romance is just SO GOOD! I don't want to say anything more so everyone else can enjoy it like I did, but let me just say, as the title suggests: Mango = Sweet. Summer = Hot. And I mean, Heat Level 3, my friends. SO GOOD!
•
"I care about you too much to keep this a secret."
•
Similar to skinning ripe mangoes and relishing it to it's hard core, Mango Summer started out cute and sweet but didn't hold back with its gut punching realness. The sour and gritty bits of life unraveled one by one, with both protagonists trying to get a move on from unpleasant pasts or predicaments of the present, and by the end, there wasn't a trace of bitter aftertaste. There's just satisfaction. Delicious sweet and sour and tangy-ness, and the perfect ending to a wonderful meal. •
*This review also appear as a bookstagram on my IG: @bentchbites
October 7, 2020
At first, I wasn't sure about this book, I don't think that I've ever read a best friend's younger brother before. But oh friends, I'm so glad that I listened to my friends and read this book.
The heroine is the owner of a mango farm that it's famous for its very sweet and perfect mangos, until this summer, where the mangos come sour. Here comes the hero, looking for mangos for his sister and great ideas to save the farm. And he sees her again it hits him, all his feelings for his sister's best friend, so impossible and so beautiful.
Fiona is a fighter and she loves to make her own way in the world, even if she lost her balance for a while after the terrible breakup. There are many great things about this book (like how amazing all this food with mangoes sound), but I just really appreciate how this book deals with heartbreak and how it gives Fiona all the space she needs to grow before the romance.
The heroine is the owner of a mango farm that it's famous for its very sweet and perfect mangos, until this summer, where the mangos come sour. Here comes the hero, looking for mangos for his sister and great ideas to save the farm. And he sees her again it hits him, all his feelings for his sister's best friend, so impossible and so beautiful.
Fiona is a fighter and she loves to make her own way in the world, even if she lost her balance for a while after the terrible breakup. There are many great things about this book (like how amazing all this food with mangoes sound), but I just really appreciate how this book deals with heartbreak and how it gives Fiona all the space she needs to grow before the romance.
June 13, 2019
That was really sweet and fluffy and there were lots of things I really liked:
That the main protagonist is a 36 year old woman (who still doesn't know if she wants to marry or have kids! Loved that), that Greg is an awesome love interest who was great about respecting boundaries, but who also managed to very sweetly woo her. The romance is super sweet and refreshing.
I also loved the whole plot about the mango farm, there is a lot of food porn in there which was delicious. All in all it was a wonderfully uplifting story which made me smile a lot.
I have some issues with the story structure and the pacing though.
At times it felt more like a movie than a book (scenes were cut short and then we jumped to another scene which was also cut short and then there some moments that felt like pan shots where you admire the scenery etc.) which doesn't have to be a bad thing in general. But in this case it made reading feel quite jarring and the story never really ... "flowed" for me.
Also the story is kind of missing it's climax due to the fuzzy structure.
There is a somewhat intense moment around 50% where Fiona almost drowns and a lot of feelings surge up, but that's also cut short and never talked about again. There is the wedding they're organizing which had lovely moments, but was also over very quickly, and there is the birth of Gregs nephew which leads to Fiona and Grace reconcile, but that also wasn't the climax because the story wasn't about them, there is even - and eventually the mangoes taste sweet again, but that's already the epilogue and feels more like an afterthought.
I love jumping up and down, yelling "Yasssssssss!" und fistpumping when the climax happens (especially when it's a romance), and here it just kind of fizzles out. In a nice, soft, rose-colored way. But still.
So, my complains are more of the technical sort.
I'm sure a lot of potential readers will not even notice this or won't be bugged by it, so if you're looking for a really sweet summer love story don't let that deter you. I'm also a great fan of non-US romances, so this was an added bonus, because you get a very interesting glimpse into the contemporary Filipino life and culture.
With regards to content this is a very sweet and empowering story about second chances, not giving up, finding happiness in unexpected places and daring to dream bigger.
That the main protagonist is a 36 year old woman (who still doesn't know if she wants to marry or have kids! Loved that), that Greg is an awesome love interest who was great about respecting boundaries, but who also managed to very sweetly woo her. The romance is super sweet and refreshing.
I also loved the whole plot about the mango farm, there is a lot of food porn in there which was delicious. All in all it was a wonderfully uplifting story which made me smile a lot.
I have some issues with the story structure and the pacing though.
At times it felt more like a movie than a book (scenes were cut short and then we jumped to another scene which was also cut short and then there some moments that felt like pan shots where you admire the scenery etc.) which doesn't have to be a bad thing in general. But in this case it made reading feel quite jarring and the story never really ... "flowed" for me.
Also the story is kind of missing it's climax due to the fuzzy structure.
There is a somewhat intense moment around 50% where Fiona almost drowns and a lot of feelings surge up, but that's also cut short and never talked about again. There is the wedding they're organizing which had lovely moments, but was also over very quickly, and there is the birth of Gregs nephew which leads to Fiona and Grace reconcile, but that also wasn't the climax because the story wasn't about them, there is even - and eventually the mangoes taste sweet again, but that's already the epilogue and feels more like an afterthought.
I love jumping up and down, yelling "Yasssssssss!" und fistpumping when the climax happens (especially when it's a romance), and here it just kind of fizzles out. In a nice, soft, rose-colored way. But still.
So, my complains are more of the technical sort.
I'm sure a lot of potential readers will not even notice this or won't be bugged by it, so if you're looking for a really sweet summer love story don't let that deter you. I'm also a great fan of non-US romances, so this was an added bonus, because you get a very interesting glimpse into the contemporary Filipino life and culture.
With regards to content this is a very sweet and empowering story about second chances, not giving up, finding happiness in unexpected places and daring to dream bigger.
June 9, 2024
"Mango Summer" is a very, very sweet (magical mango-sweet!) romance that is a #romanceclass publication. #romanceclass is a community of Filipino writers and readers, writing and independently publishing romance books in English. It was my first #romanceclass book, and it won't be my last! I liked "Mango Summer" just as much as some of the traditionally-published romances that I have read, and I LOVED the setting in the Philippines and getting a taste of Filipino culture and traditions. The MCs are a delight, and I loved the "older woman" falling in love with her friend's kid brother who used to have a huge crush on her (note: they are now 36 and 28; nothing untoward; the energy in this book is so wholesome). I am sure that trope has a name, but I don't know what it is. 🤔
Premise: Fiona's family has run a mango farm for generations, and their mangoes are famous for being delectably, magically sweet. But this year, something has gone wrong. The mangoes are sour, and Fiona's heart feels sour too. Because...she thinks she knows the problem. The family legend is that the owner of the farm must be married and a mother to maintain the magic of their mangoes, and Fiona was left practically at the alter three years before. Enter G-Boy, Fiona's best friend's little brother. He comes to pick up mangoes for his family but ends up staying to help Fiona get through the mango crisis. As they turn sour mangoes into sweet mango jam and cookies, their feelings towards each other also begin to sweeten. Can Fiona see G-Boy as more than her friend's kid brother? Can G-Boy understand how much Fiona has been hurt? Will the beautiful mango farm survive?
Anyways, I don't have much more to say other than that this book is adorable, heartwarming, easy-to-read, and full of summer vibes. It has only the smallest dash of spice, and that part is very sweet too. And isn't G-Boy like the cutest name ever? Llanera gets some good mileage out of the humor of silly childhood nickname. I would recommend this book to any reader who enjoys contemporary romance but is maybe looking for something a little different - something not set in America or the UK. And now I want to eat a mango...
Premise: Fiona's family has run a mango farm for generations, and their mangoes are famous for being delectably, magically sweet. But this year, something has gone wrong. The mangoes are sour, and Fiona's heart feels sour too. Because...she thinks she knows the problem. The family legend is that the owner of the farm must be married and a mother to maintain the magic of their mangoes, and Fiona was left practically at the alter three years before. Enter G-Boy, Fiona's best friend's little brother. He comes to pick up mangoes for his family but ends up staying to help Fiona get through the mango crisis. As they turn sour mangoes into sweet mango jam and cookies, their feelings towards each other also begin to sweeten. Can Fiona see G-Boy as more than her friend's kid brother? Can G-Boy understand how much Fiona has been hurt? Will the beautiful mango farm survive?
Anyways, I don't have much more to say other than that this book is adorable, heartwarming, easy-to-read, and full of summer vibes. It has only the smallest dash of spice, and that part is very sweet too. And isn't G-Boy like the cutest name ever? Llanera gets some good mileage out of the humor of silly childhood nickname. I would recommend this book to any reader who enjoys contemporary romance but is maybe looking for something a little different - something not set in America or the UK. And now I want to eat a mango...
October 29, 2018
For this particular book, I think the setting is the winner. I can almost see myself and my childhood back in my province of Batangas even if we didn't own our own farm. The childhood background between Fiona and G-boy were well fleshed out. I can almost imagine them hanging out every summer.
The people living around the farm also reminded me of my own Titos and Titas.
It was also realistic that both the exes, Marcy and Cliff, were not made into bad guys even if they were the ones who cancelled on their respective weddings/engagements. They weren't two dimensional characters either. They were living, breathing characters who were important parts of our main characters' lives.
Nevertheless, I'm not so sure if I buy the whole Fiona and G-boy ending up together despite him being her bestfriend's brother. Yes, G-boy had a long suffering crush on Fiona but Fiona didn't see him in a different light until this last trip.
I truly wonder if people can fall under such circumstances.
The people living around the farm also reminded me of my own Titos and Titas.
It was also realistic that both the exes, Marcy and Cliff, were not made into bad guys even if they were the ones who cancelled on their respective weddings/engagements. They weren't two dimensional characters either. They were living, breathing characters who were important parts of our main characters' lives.
Nevertheless, I'm not so sure if I buy the whole Fiona and G-boy ending up together despite him being her bestfriend's brother. Yes, G-boy had a long suffering crush on Fiona but Fiona didn't see him in a different light until this last trip.
I truly wonder if people can fall under such circumstances.
March 1, 2020
A small-town, age-gap, best-friend's brother romance with a dash of magical realism. The book is lyrical and powerfully evocative, and reminded me of my childhood and all the required short stories in school I've read.
The book is about finding happiness on your own terms, and not being dictated by society or by your significant other.
I was pleasantly surprised by a couple of things in the book: how a wedding proposal rejection was handled well by the H, because h is not all too sure if she wants to get married and have kids and that's absolutely fine.
I also loved how the h was the one who dictated things the first time they have sex. The sexy times were well-written as well, and very, very hot.
My only gripe is that the book doesn't fully explain what caused the rift between the h and her best best friend (the H's sister).
The book is about finding happiness on your own terms, and not being dictated by society or by your significant other.
I was pleasantly surprised by a couple of things in the book: how a wedding proposal rejection was handled well by the H, because h is not all too sure if she wants to get married and have kids and that's absolutely fine.
I also loved how the h was the one who dictated things the first time they have sex. The sexy times were well-written as well, and very, very hot.
My only gripe is that the book doesn't fully explain what caused the rift between the h and her best best friend (the H's sister).
December 24, 2018
Amazing
Such a beautifully written book. The hero is lovely, so kind and smart and patient. The heroine is troubled and sad, but it’s wonderful to see her shake that off and come into her own. They both have had life-changing events and in the course of the story learn to live in their own skins. The older woman/younger man aspect is handled very well-not dominating the story nor swept under the rug. I loved how the secret of the mangos is revealed! This is one of the best books I’ve read this year.
Small issue with typos and words missing. Where were the proofreaders? Do you need an advance team? The mistakes tried to spoil a thing of beauty. This book deserved to be perfect.'
Such a beautifully written book. The hero is lovely, so kind and smart and patient. The heroine is troubled and sad, but it’s wonderful to see her shake that off and come into her own. They both have had life-changing events and in the course of the story learn to live in their own skins. The older woman/younger man aspect is handled very well-not dominating the story nor swept under the rug. I loved how the secret of the mangos is revealed! This is one of the best books I’ve read this year.
Small issue with typos and words missing. Where were the proofreaders? Do you need an advance team? The mistakes tried to spoil a thing of beauty. This book deserved to be perfect.'
November 3, 2018
Deliciously magical
I love Agay’s writing style and storytelling because it feels like her words are courting you heart with its beautiful words. The way she describes the scenery transports you to the warmth of a Filipino small town. The food, oh god the way she described the food makes your mouth water.
But of course the absolute star is the way she tells the story of Fiona and Greg and how each emotion unfolds. I love the way their story ended, for a second there I thought it was going another way and I feared for that but Agay proved me wrong that is why all the more I loved the book. 💜
I love Agay’s writing style and storytelling because it feels like her words are courting you heart with its beautiful words. The way she describes the scenery transports you to the warmth of a Filipino small town. The food, oh god the way she described the food makes your mouth water.
But of course the absolute star is the way she tells the story of Fiona and Greg and how each emotion unfolds. I love the way their story ended, for a second there I thought it was going another way and I feared for that but Agay proved me wrong that is why all the more I loved the book. 💜
March 27, 2020
I didn't plan to finish this in just one day. I meant to read portions in between chores (I'm trying to ration my reading material because quarantine haha) and thought this would last me for 3 days the most. But no, I just had to finish this last night, I mean, earlier at 2am. As with her other works, Agay's way with words sucked me in and never let go until I reached the end. Which is a good thing I guess? Because the happy vibes stayed with me today amidst the drudgery of community quarantine. Thank God for for happy endinga.
March 18, 2019
YES!
+#romanceclass!
+Best friend's little brother! Fiona is 8 years older than Greg! Flip those gender norms!
+Cookies! Really, Filipino food in general, but cookies!
+Super cute ending!
NO!
-It's narrated in 3rd person present tense! It gives the story a fairy tale quality which works for this story, but I find it awkward.
+#romanceclass!
+Best friend's little brother! Fiona is 8 years older than Greg! Flip those gender norms!
+Cookies! Really, Filipino food in general, but cookies!
+Super cute ending!
NO!
-It's narrated in 3rd person present tense! It gives the story a fairy tale quality which works for this story, but I find it awkward.
March 22, 2020
Some of the descriptions were a bit too florid for me, but the story overall was really sweet. I like how much Fiona grew as a person, and how much she realized about what her family's legacy really entails. I also really love the descriptions of the mangoes -- I can actually smell them, taste their sweetness, and feel the juices trickling down my chin.
November 26, 2018
I'M IN LOVE WITH THIS BOOK!
April 17, 2019
A perfect book for the summer. It makes me crave for mangoes too.
August 17, 2019
Great
This story was wonderful. The imagery and use of senses was great. I loved the flow and the character growth.
This story was wonderful. The imagery and use of senses was great. I loved the flow and the character growth.
November 30, 2019
Well, this is wholesome and cute with a touch of magic! This would make a super cute movie, too.
August 25, 2020
Mangos, childhood friends to lovers, and self discovery. All of that equals such a cute story!
March 6, 2021
This was so cute and has a very satisfying ending! Absolutely recommend. <3 #romanceclass
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