readwithmitch

The Midnight Press by Joline Lim

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𝑨 π’”π’‘π’‚π’“π’Œ π’Šπ’ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 π’…π’‚π’“π’Œ π’•π’Šπ’Žπ’†π’”. π‘Ίπ’–π’“π’—π’Šπ’—π’‚π’ π’Šπ’ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 π’π’‘π’‘π’“π’†π’”π’”π’Šπ’π’. 𝑨 π’‡π’Šπ’ˆπ’‰π’• π’‚π’ˆπ’‚π’Šπ’π’”π’• π’Šπ’Žπ’‘π’π’”π’”π’Šπ’ƒπ’π’† 𝒐𝒅𝒅𝒔. 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆 π’Šπ’ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 π’Žπ’Šπ’…π’”π’• 𝒐𝒇 π’“π’†π’ƒπ’†π’π’π’Šπ’π’.

Born into Cebu’s elite, Nora Monreal lives a life of comfort until a secret resistance paper and an arranged promise to an American soldier expose her to the atrocities of war and the absolute absence of freedom. Drawn into the world of rebellion, she must choose what, and who, she is willing to fight for when love and liberty come at a heavy price.

The Midnight Press by Joline Lim may be fiction, but its premise is deeply rooted in Philippine history, the story of my people and those who came before us. That is why this read felt so personal and sentimental to me. I am truly grateful to Joline for writing this book. Imagining that these characters may have walked the same streets I did at some point in the past feels incredibly special.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a blend of historical fiction and romance. I really loved this story, though I felt the romance had the potential to be more developed, especially in the earlier parts, and that more historical depth could have been established. However, at just 200 pages, Joline did a wonderful job bringing this story to life πŸ’–

Rating: 4.5 stars

BOOK BLURB:

Eleonora β€œNora” Monreal was born into Cebu’s elite, surrounded by pearls, soirees, and a life wrapped in comfort and security. Yet in her quiet moments, she loses herself in the pages of The Midnight Press, a secret paper passed hand to hand. She’s captivated by its poetry but hardly notices the sharp edges of war and resistance hidden in the words.

That is, until her father promises her to an American soldier.

Suddenly, the verses she once adored reveal a bitter truth. Freedom isn’t just a word anymore. It is slipping right through her fingers.

Then fate brings her to Milagro β€œMilo” Cortez, a man with a smile like sunrise and a courage that burns brighter than fire. With him and his people, Nora’s world shifts. And as The Midnight Press grows bolder, so does she.

In a time when love and liberty come at a steep price, Nora must decide what and who are truly worth fighting for.

#book_review #historical_fiction #philippine_literature #romance