I was very intrigued by this book and was so excited but it sadly fell short for me.
I can‘t say if it‘s the characters or the writing style but I couldn’t connect with anyone and I also didn’t really care about anyone or anything.
I‘m sure people love this book but it wasn’t for me

While the plot was good overall, the book was about the development and growth of two people falling in love. However, the insight into the growth didn’t help me understand what they were learning about themselves. The ending was also very rushed.

I feel so bad but I really did not enjoy this book! It felt like less rom com more unrealistic! I wish I loved it more. I will definitely still check out more from this author at some point. I truly appreciate being selected for an arc

I wish I enjoyed this book more than I did. The premise was exciting and I have a soft spot for any book that takes place in NYC. The most interesting part of the plot happens in the first third and for the rest of the book I was just bored.

"Twelve Hours in Manhattan" by Maan Gabriel is a fast-paced and riveting thriller that unfolds in the bustling heart of New York City. With skillful storytelling, Gabriel takes readers on a whirlwind journey through a day filled with suspense, danger, and unexpected twists. The characters are compelling, and the vivid urban backdrop adds a layer of authenticity. This gripping novel keeps you hooked until the very last page, making it a must-read for thriller enthusiasts.

2/5 stars! The premise of this story was interesting and I was looking forward to reading it. This book just didn't work for me. Based on the cover and premise, I thought I was getting a romantic comedy with a splash of trauma. Instead, this book is exceedingly depressing. The subject matter is really heavy and I found myself being frustrated by the main character and her actions.

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

I can't quite place the familiarity of it, but it seemed very familiar to me, to the point of being repetitive. It was a cute story and I enjoyed it, but nothing made it stand out to set it apart from other cute romances. Will definitely try more from the author in the future though.

This is a very ute chance encounter romance. After Bianca's worst day she meets a beautiful stranger and shares an incredible 12 hours together. Life goes on for both of them and 2 years later. Maan Gabriel reminds us love is complicated, messy, and beautiful.

This book was cute and cheesy but it was too much insta-love. It felt like a fanfiction. This book was too scattered.

3/5 (one point for cover)

I expected so much more, I just couldn't get into this one. No matter how hard I tried, it was a struggle to finish. I considered DNF-ing. I didn't hate it, but I really didn't love it. I just wanted to be more enthralled and I didn't find myself that way.

I really liked this book. It gives cozy summer read vibes. I will definitely read more by the author, since their writing style is what kept me close to the story,

I really wish I enjoyed this book more than I did. The premise was exciting and I have a soft spot for any book that takes place in NYC. But this book was just... not great. The most interesting part of the plot happens in the first third, and for the rest of the book I was just bored. I think the themes of the book are interesting and important topics to cover - race, poverty, identity, grief - but the way it's done in the book felt a bit juvenile. I gave this two stars because I still think that the overarching themes are important to be addressed, however the execution and overall plot was lackluster.

*Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for an ARC of this book*

This is more of a woman’s fiction type story, a coming-of-age maturing story. It’s not a rom-com with a traditional HEA. But if you can get behind that, and need more stories about kpop stars - and want to read about K-pop fandom and fantasize about the behind-the-scenes for K-pop stars.- this is a great read.

I am not someone who watches K dramas, so I have no idea who this story was supposed to be modeled off of. That said, this book was cute. I think the concept - meeting someone and developing a very real, very frank, relationship in 12 hours, and then walking away, is a fun premise for a book. Was it a Top 5 for me? No. Would I recommend it to fans of celeb-normie books as a beach read? Absolutely. I do feel like the book could have used a bit more polish, but it’s cute and well worth the 3.5 stars (cute read, but doesn’t need a re-read).

I was provided an ARC copy of this book through Netgalley. My thanks to the publisher and the author for providing it to me.

This is the story of a woman who meets a famous Korean actor in a bar and they spend 12 magical hours together in NYC before going their separate ways. Two years later they are reunited.

Overall I was hoping for a rom-com type but this was anything but. I was actually expecting a cute-meet, romantic-comedy present in KDrama. This book is sad; it’s about the personal life walks of each character. It seemed to drag and I want to stop reading in part 1 but I kept on. I want to love Bianca but she’s a crybaby.

This book is so cute! I really enjoyed it!
This characters are so funny 😆
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the book 💕

Bianca and Eric meet by chance at a bar and spend 12 wonderful hours together in Manhattan. Eric is a K-Drama star and Bianca is a not famous woman from NJ. Circumstances in Bianca’s life do not allow them to remain together and she leaves thinking she will never see Eric again.

This serendipitous tale of loss and love is beautifully written. The author tackles hard topics with such skill and emotion. I honestly did not want it to end. What an amazing read!

Thank you to @netgalley, She Writes Press and @maan_gabriel for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

The book is very disorganized and scattered. I didn't feel connected to the FMC, and honestly I couldn't even finish this one!

Oh my goodness I loved this story!

What a great book this was – it was written with feelings, love, honour and consideration.

It was a truly great storyline and I loved every page from start to finish

The characters were amazing, I loved getting to know them and their interaction

It is no hesitation from me at all in giving this book 5 stars – very highly recommended – I loved it

This was a miss for me. The first part of the book, where Bianca and Eric meet and spend time together was wonderful (if a little flowery) but then she reveals her secret and part two begins, which is nowhere near as lighthearted and fun as the first part. It is well written but overly sad and I found myself not wanting to pick the book up again. I ended up not finishing this one but may try again at a later date. I just wanted more of the fun in the first part and couldn’t find my way to it.