*Ana Takes Manhattan* by Lissette Decos is a lively, feel-good novel about self-discovery and love. Ana, a Cuban-American woman, embarks on a journey to Manhattan for a fresh start, navigating new challenges and relationships along the way. Decos’ writing is engaging, with a strong sense of place that brings the city to life. Ana is a relatable protagonist, and her personal growth is well-explored. However, the plot sometimes feels predictable, and some secondary characters lack depth. While the book has charm and heart, it doesn’t quite offer anything groundbreaking. It’s a solid read but could have gone deeper emotionally.

Ana's a reality TV producer who's outgrown her life... or she would if she'd stop self-sabotaging. A fan of lists and perfect plans, she can't imagine that the existence she's so carefully curated could be to blame for her dissatisfaction. Eight seasons on the same "surprise" proposal show where she got her start, and she's stagnated. And work isn't heading anywhere more fulfilling since Ana's attempts to pitch her own show inevitably tank. In her personal life, things aren't going any better. Ana's sad to be single but has terrible taste in men. She rejects most outright (same), but also somehow falls in love with a photograph instead (not same). Her best friend is a self-involved bride-to-be, and her dad's wife and stepdaughter feel like replacements for Ana and the mother they lost. Sure, there have been overtures to include Ana in the new family unit, but she's resisted them as often as she can.

The book thrives on rom-com energy in terms of quirky happenstances, romantic energy paired with non-romantic missteps, and an opposites-attract plotline that relies on banter Ana construes as veiled insults. Early on in the story, Ana faces the possibility that the perfect guy might not exist (particularly as delineated by one of her exhaustive lists), so a drunken Ana decides to construct something akin to Frankenstein's monster. She'll go on dates with multiple men who, combined, meet all her requirements. It isn't until after the first round of dates that we learn she's been putting her romance producer instincts to work to edit each account and cast them in a more romantic light. The fact that I wasn't much committed as a reader to her "real" love interest allowed me to bask in the humorous chaos in a way I wouldn't have been able to if I had a particular agenda. I actually laughed out loud when she responded to a dick pic (her first ever) with a thumbs-up emoji.

I found the conclusion surprisingly emotional given the overall light-hearted feel of the book. I particularly appreciated the way she connected with her father after years of distance between them. Perhaps less impressive was the resolution of Ana's fight with her bestie and the arrival of her "real" romantic interest on her radar. With so many irons in the fire, Ana spends most of the book completely oblivious to her best option because he sits in a pretty intense blind spot. In the book's final moments, we see the promise of something between them, but it's not a big portion of the book. For most of it, he's kind of simmering in the background while she carries on with her many mistakes. While it doesn't exactly come out of nowhere, their little moments together didn't make me feel any type of way like I would want to experience reading a romance novel.

If you want a romance, maybe don't pick this one. It's really not the main point of the story even if Ana's constantly chasing it. But if you want a story about the foibles of womanhood and modern dating, then you should definitely go for it. With humor and horrifying realness, we meet Ana as she tries to control everything in an uncontrollable world, and there's something vindicating about seeing how hard things are on the page, watching them implode, and seeing Ana come out the other side stronger for her shenanigans-- like she had to make things worse before she could get better, and she went on some wild adventures that make great stories in the process. Thanks to Forever for my copy to read and review!

This was an easy read. Ana is a bad ass producer who produces extravagant marriage proposals for reality tv. When one doesn’t go as planned she has to come up with ideas for the show to redeem herself while finding love in the process. I really enjoyed this Jane Austen inspired novel and can’t wait to read what Lissette writes next.


Thank you @readforeverpub and netgalley for an arc.

I love a book where the main female character is trying to both find yourself be successful and have some sort of personal life as well. I love that the personal success was what was the focus, even though there is some romance involved.

Ana Takes Manhattan by Lissette Decos. Pub Date: February 28, 2023. Rating: 2 stars. Set in NYC, this novel is an exploration of Ana and her life as a reality TV show producer who is trying to figure out who she is, maybe find romance and live life on her terms. I thought the premise of this novel sounded intriguing, but the execution was lacking for me. Honestly, I had a tough time connecting with Ana and felt the plot was all over the place. I think Ana had too much drama surrounding her life that I found it to be repetitive and eye rolling at times. I wanted more character growth, which I felt Ana was lacking in. Unfortunately, this was a miss for me. Thanks to #netgalley and #forevergrandpublishing for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

The title and cover are what drew me in to this one!! This book was such a fun read set against the backdrop of New York City's fast-paced world. Ana's adventures in navigating her dating life, guided by a quirky set of criteria, were both hilarious and endearing. The author's insider knowledge of reality TV lent authenticity to the behind-the-scenes portrayal, adding an extra layer of fun (and I LOVE reality TV). As Ana juggles dating four men who each fulfill one of her requirements, the resulting conflicts and varying personalities provided plenty of laughs and unexpected twists. The unfolding romance with the unexpected choice was heartwarming and left me thoroughly delighted by the end.

Ana Karina, a reality TV producer known for orchestrating extravagant proposals, finds her own love life lacking. Stumbling upon an old college list detailing her dream man—romantic, talented, artistic, and funny—Ana embarks on dates with four men, each embodying one of her criteria, hoping to find fulfillment.

This debut novel is a fun read, though it occasionally drags with its character-driven rather than plot-driven narrative. Ana’s personal growth is compelling, despite moments where her dating choices seem questionable. Her obsession with Landon, the best man at her friend Gia's wedding, feels misplaced, especially given her lack of effort to know him beyond a photograph.

Gia, as a character, detracts from the story with her inappropriate behavior and lack of support for Ana. The narrative could have benefited from more interaction between Ana and her family, particularly her stepmother, as well as more complete scenes, especially the dates.

The ending is satisfying, albeit rushed, with Ana ending up with someone fitting. The book is better categorized as contemporary women’s fiction rather than romance, focusing on Ana’s personal journey rather than her relationships. Overall, it’s an enjoyable story with moments of humor and insight into Ana’s growth.

I've never read a book where the FMC works in television so I was so excited to read Ana Takes Manhattan. Though this book had some good parts overall it fell a bit flat for me. I heard that it's much better as an audiobook which I will keep in mind with future books by Lissette.

Ana works as a tv producer and is surrounded by happy couples ready to plan extravagant proposals. For her to find her perfect man she has a long list of qualities he must have. As she sees all of her friends get coupled up and her feeling left behind she lets her guard down and goes for it with work, dating, and everything else in her life. Some of her dating experiences had my lol'ing but at times I felt Ana to be really immature and shallow. Even so if this type of reality show was on tv I'd definitely be turning in each week.

This book took a turn from what I was expecting after the first few pages.

This was an okay read but not one that will leave a positive or lasting impression.

"Ana Takes Manhattan" by Lissette Decos is an exhilarating romp through the bustling streets of New York City, filled with charm, wit, and unforgettable characters. From the moment we meet Ana, the spirited protagonist with a penchant for adventure, to her whirlwind encounters with the dashing Alex and the quirky yet endearing best friend, Sarah, this novel is a delightful journey from start to finish.

Decos effortlessly weaves together a tapestry of love, friendship, and self-discovery against the backdrop of the city that never sleeps. The chemistry between Ana and Alex sizzles with undeniable attraction, while the bond between Ana and Sarah is a testament to the power of true friendship.

What truly sets this novel apart is its vibrant cast of characters, each as colorful and multifaceted as the city itself. From the charming street performers to the enigmatic strangers Ana encounters along the way, every interaction is infused with warmth and authenticity.

The pacing is brisk, keeping readers eagerly turning the pages as Ana navigates the ups and downs of life in the Big Apple. Decos has crafted a story that is both heartwarming and irresistibly entertaining, making "Ana Takes Manhattan" a must-read for anyone craving a dose of romance and adventure.

This book was super cute, and a fabulous romantic comedy. I could compare it in a sense to a Hallmark movie. Ana was a very likable main character too. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me this book in exchange for my review!

My blog is https://bookreviewsbyjules.blogspot.com/

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/44083250-julia

Instagram/bookstagram https://www.instagram.com/bookreviewsbyjules/

This was a fun, cute story! Very light hearted romance, which was nice!
I enjoyed Ana's character and found her relatable as she navigated the woes of dating and finding "the one". I found myself laughing out loud at some of the things she said.

Also, as a fan of reality dating shows, it was fun to see (even fictional) behind the scenes of what goes into those shows as a producer. I loved that was a big part of the story.

I was also a big fan of the love interest and the one she ended up with.

Gia, on the other hand, was a very unlikeable character. I found her to be selfish and controlling and not supportive of her friend .

Overall, this was a quick and fun read and I would recommend it to anyone looking for something light!

Ok - I know this took me a bit to get too but being a big fan of Abby Jimenez and recently have read an Alexis Daria book, I loved this! I love reality tv shows and this was a fun read! I laughed and enjoyed this so much and Ana is just great and loved seeing her character development throughout. What a fun read - thank you for the ARC!

Ana is a reality TV producer, mainly working on a series of shows regarding surprise marriage proposals. She finds that, with helping her best friend prepare for her wedding and all the couples she's interviewing for work, Ana herself is lacking in romantic fulfillment. She finds a list she created in college and is determined to check off some boxes to find her ideal man... and she finds 4 men to check these boxes with.

Ana goes through turmoil at work, in her family connections, and in her romantic life. What she ends up learning from it all is more of a life lesson than checking off a bunch of boxes from a list. Ana's character development was profound after dating these men simultaneously and coming out on the other side, not necessarily unscathed; you could say she made a list of all the things she learned about herself as well, just not put down on paper.

This book had all the quips and sarcastic comments that we all love in dialogue and listening to the audio book, with random sound effects, just made the experience more well rounded.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Ana Takes Manhattan is about a reality TV producer, and I unapologetically love the reality TV rom com trope. It's one of my things. If it weren't one of my top tropes, I might find some of the character development a little underdone, but I will make an exception here.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

I’m not ashamed to admit I love reality tv and I love books set in the reality tv world. This one was so much fun! This story becomes a bit more about finding yourself on a quest to find love and I was here for it.
.
Thank you #readforeverpub and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

While I was able to finish this book, I finish not feeling anything for the FMC. It didn't provide that connection that we seek when reading.

Ana Takes Manhattan puts the com in rom-com. Ana is a Cuban American New Yorker, who works in reality TV, crafting the perfect proposals for a living, but she is still waiting on her happily ever after. Spurred on by her friend Gia's engagement and an old list she found of qualities she was looking for in a man, Ana goes from single to dating four different men at once, looking for one that checks all the boxes. Meanwhile, her new editor, Richard, is infuriating and has terrible fashion sense. Why does one man have so many scarves?

The four men she's seeing couldn't be more different--one is a young guy (who ends up being way too young and immature for her--and has a weird fascination with food), one is her best friend's brother who'd been carrying a torch for her (I honestly felt sorry for him; this one was hard), one is an older, famous painter (who ends up having a wife), and the fourth is her ex who cheated on her years ago (and who, we find out, hasn't changed much). Then Richard--the man she butts heads with at work every day--ends up being the one who really sees her.

I'll be honest. I didn't *LOVE* this one. It was a little too cheesy for me. If I'd read it several years ago, I probably would have loved it. It felt like the Cuban American version of the Shopaholic series, in that it has the same over-the-top, dramatic vibes. Ana is a hot mess, and I spent most of the book just wanting to send her to therapy. Like, girl. This is not a healthy way to deal with your problems. But I did love the representation and how Lisette's real life experience on reality tv shows made that side of the book feel very realistic. I appreciated the glimpse behind the camera.

If you're looking for a snort-chuckle kind of rom-com read, this one might be perfect for you. (For me, the secondhand embarrassment was a little too real.)

I'd give this one maybe 3.5 stars, so I'll round up to four here.

This book was a bit uneven. I really enjoyed the scenes involving Ana's job in production. Decos's skill and passion for production rang true in these scenes and they were the most lively. I also enjoyed the ending and the last 20%, where Ana reflects on her immature behavior and repeated lies and begins to evolve.

However I found the middle of the book to be a bit of a filler rather than anything meaningful. Ana didn't make any meaningful progress or change. She repeatedly messed up in ways that gave me vicarious anxiety without truly understanding her motives.

I wanted to see more of Richard and less of the cast of male characters that mostly fell flat. I did not enjoy how much Ana lied to those she loved. She came off as younger than she was supposed to be. I do not think that her apology to Gia was anywhere near sufficient to be forgiven. I would have liked to see Ana's ARC include therapy or something a bit more meaningful to spur her change of heart and mind.

This was a cute, quick read! I love any book where the MC is a women who’s willing to be bold about their ideas. The romance was a cherry on top!