Review of 'Twelve Hours in Manhattan'

Two worlds. One heart. Twelve hours.

Bianca Maria Curtis is at the brink of losing it all when she meets Eric at a bar in Manhattan. Eric, as it turns out, is the famous Korean drama celebrity Park Hyun Min, and he’s in town for one night to escape the pressures of fame. From walking along Fifth Avenue to eating ice cream at Serendipity to sharing tender moments on top of the Empire State building, sparks fly as Bianca and Eric spend twelve magical hours far away from their respective lives. In that time, they talk about the big stuff: love, life, and happiness, and the freedom they both seek to fully exist and not merely survive.

But real life is more than just a few exhilarating stolen moments in time.

As the clock strikes the twelfth hour, Bianca returns back to the life she detests to face a tragedy that will test her strength and resolve—and the only thing she has to keep going is the memory of a man she loves in secret from a world away.

Review

Maan Gabriel focuses on developing Bianca, keeping Twelve Hours in Manhattan away from cliches, and giving readers a relatable, realistic, and sometimes heartbreaking romance.

Sucked in by the Storytelling

I know I have said this before, but I’m not much for romance. Usually, when I think of romance, I think of cliches or overly dramatic stories that I can’t lose myself in. I’m incredibly critical of romance novels.

That being said, Twelve Hours in Manhattan stuck with me.

This was an ARC that I received from the publisher, and I was wholly determined that I was not going to like this book. But it was free, so I decided why not.

I did not regret it.

Gabriel flushed out who Bianca was before delving into the romance. She introduces Eric and Bianca when she is down on her luck, pretty much at rock bottom, and gives Bianca the most she craves: understanding.

Taking him around Manhattan, she opens up and lets loose to this man she believes she will never see again, so what can it hurt. Who cares if he judges her. Except he doesn’t. Eric listens to her. He gives her the comfort she needs by just being there to listen to her without judgment.

And when they went their separate ways, it was gut-wrenching.

Even after two years, the connection between the two characters was still strong. But Gabriel doesn’t just launch the two characters into a relationship. Well, not really. She takes the time to give Bianca time to learn to forgive herself and love herself.

Bianca has to learn to love herself before she can be in a relationship, and it was powerful and moving to see Bianca go on this journey before getting the happily ever after she deserved.

Final Thoughts

Twelve Hours in Manhattan is a heartwarming romance that captured this cynic’s heart. I’m sure it will capture yours as well.

• Writing Quality : 9/10
• Character Development :9/10
• "Couldn't Put It Down"-ness : 9/10
• Intellectual Depth: 9/10
• Originality: 9/10
• Overall Rating: 4 out of 5.

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About the Author

Cynthia Bujnicki graduated from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature and Publishing. She has always loved to read since she was a child. A contributing writer for YA Fantasy Addicts, she is also the Editor-in-Chief for Cyn's Workshop. She lives in sunny South Florida with her husband, son and daughter and their two cats.