My favorite thing about Kris and Ringo? Their banter, which was nothing short of memorable, witty, and highly entertaining. However, as much as I loved Kris and Ringo together, I adored them just as much individually! Both characters had distinct voices, strong (yet oddly complementary) personalities, and mature mindsets. I can’t help myself from admiring Kris’ headstrong defiance and tough cookie persona. Similarly, I really enjoyed how Ringo approached everything methodologically in an adorably nerdy way.

As endearing as the romance was, what really stood out the most to me was the impeccable use of imagery and local color, which allowed Jay’s writing to capture both the Filipino and Korean cultures wonderfully and realistically.

From the gripes over the problematic public transportation system (I’m looking at you, MRT) to the exploration of “tita” culture (it’s so much more than just being an aunt – wink, wink), You Out of Nowhere embodies the epitome of Filipino contemporary romance at its most current.

Unfortunately, unlike most of the people who’ve read this book, I was not a fan of Ringo’s constant use of the title “tita” to refer to Kris. I found it really strange and not sweet at all. I guess that’s because I really can’t imagine myself feeling kilig (read: giddy) over someone calling me “tita”, no matter what the inside joke or context is. It sort of got in the way of my reading enjoyment, but hey, to each their own.

Note: I received a digital review copy of You Out of Nowhere as part of my participation in a blog tour. This neither affects my opinion nor the content of my review. Many thanks to the #romanceclass authors for this fantastic opportunity!