The trentahin crowd is often overlooked by romance authors. Usually, kilig literature is centered on the twenty-something category. YA is also popular, and I am a guilty fan. But as a trentahin and soon to be kwarentahin (shudder) in a few days, I feel that more authors should write stories for my age group. After all, we have lived through wars with exes and self-doubt. We also have the capacity to purchase books just because. And with that, it is an honor for me to review Tara Frejas’s latest novel, Love As You Are.
The prolific author’s 17th book (yes, seventeenth!!!) focuses on characters in their late thirties. Isagani and Moe felt so familiar to me that even their inside jokes felt uncomfortably like my own. In my knowledge, the author and I have not touched based at all. But when Isagani called his mom the queen, I cringed because someone I used to know (I call him manchild on Threads) called his mom the queen of my life. Unlike me, Moe got her happily ever after with Isagani. I kept on reading despite the familiarity because I could relate to Moe’s insecurities. All her worries were mine at some point. Also, this novel kept me company as I was preparing for an important medical procedure. This trentahin love story kept me sane and satisfyingly kilig. Safe to say that this book made me smile, reminisce, and thank God that I am marked safe from the ones that got away.
BRB I need to workout! I need an Isagani in my life to check on my fitness progress- or not. The best romance that I discovered during the course of this novel is the relationship that I reinforced with myself. I love myself just as I am.
Love As You Are by Tara Frejas can be pre-ordered here. It will be released digitally on August 15, 2026.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for a review.