Magnolia Heights Series by Kyra Ysabel

Bonita Santiago has just graduated from college and is embarking on her career as a film producer. To earn respect at work, she must create a compelling short documentary on a topic she finds meaningful.When Bon discovers that her neighbor and longtime friend, Ryan Miller, is about to join a post-pandemic medical mission in Batanes as a new doctor, she sees an opportunity and convinces him to let her document his journey... moreBonita Santiago has just graduated from college and is embarking on her career as a film producer. To earn respect at work, she must create a compelling short documentary on a topic she finds meaningful.When Bon discovers that her neighbor and longtime friend, Ryan Miller, is about to join a post-pandemic medical mission in Batanes as a new doctor, she sees an opportunity and convinces him to let her document his journey. Initially hesitant and usually grumpy, Ryan agrees on one Bon–being the extroverted, bubbly, optimistic social butterfly that she is–must help him ask out the girl he’s been infatuated with since med school.As they dive into practice dates and pickup line rehearsals, Bon and Ryan navigate the complexities of their friendship and uncover deeper feelings that could change everything. less

Pretending to date? Simple.Pretending it doesn’t feel real? Impossible.Emily Rodriguez’s New York dreams crumble when she loses both her career and her boyfriend. Now juggling three part-time jobs, she decides to shake things up with an impulsive date. The catch? Her dreamy mystery man turns out to be Joshua Santiago—her best friend Bon’s annoyingly attractive older brother, whom she hasn’t seen in a decade... morePretending to date? Simple.Pretending it doesn’t feel real? Impossible.Emily Rodriguez’s New York dreams crumble when she loses both her career and her boyfriend. Now juggling three part-time jobs, she decides to shake things up with an impulsive date. The catch? Her dreamy mystery man turns out to be Joshua Santiago—her best friend Bon’s annoyingly attractive older brother, whom she hasn’t seen in a decade.Back in Manila for a wedding, Emily and Joshua are caught in a storm of stressful situations—including her ex-boyfriend showing up with his new date and Joshua’s mother playing matchmaker. As a temporary solution, they hatch a plan to pretend to be a couple until they’re back in New York.With rules that seem simple enough—no feelings, no messy attachments—they think they have it all figured out. After all, Josh is a serial casual dater, and Emily is just getting over a long relationship.But as boundaries dissolve and feelings intensify, they must confront the possibility that their staged romance could evolve into something profoundly real. less