At twenty-three, theatre actress Erin Javier has yet to fall in love or kiss a boy offstage, away from the klieg lights. She is the perfect leading lady—whose heart men would fight for, win, and protect—unfortunately, only until the curtains fall and the lights go down. In real life, Erin is a certified NBSB whose heart has been hoping for a song to dance to.

But when two (two!) men enter from stage left and right, Erin is confused. Who deserves to take center stage in her heart—Mr. Theatre Royalty whose attention and displays of affection make her pulse race, or a good friend whose steady support has helped steer her to success and fulfill her dream?

Waiting in the Wings may be categorized under romance but it also dealt with other important things such as self-worth, perseverance, and trust that things will fall into place if you really want to make something happen.

Ailla, Le Bibliophile

Ramon Figueroa *hello* meet my new book boyfriend. How can someone measure up to him now?

Sil, The Book Voyagers

Waiting in The Wings is a fantastic New Adult novel about how it is to be a part of an amazing family of Theater Performers. Not only that, but it also pays great tribute to plenty of Filipino composed songs which I consider to be great contributions to Philippine literature. Oh, and did I mention that it’s written rather beautifully? It’s an amazing book meant to be read by all those who has ever felt negatively about being a small star in a galaxy filled with constellations.

JM, Book Freak Revelations

Erin Javier is the cutest character I have read so far. She is this cuddly ball of sunshine, and in Ramon’s words, people just can’t help but fall in love with her.

Claridge, booknomnom

This novel taught me that true love waits. Not just the romantic kind of love but also the love you have for something you are passionate about like acting. It may take some time for you to get that role or to be able to shine under that spotlight, but you definitely have a chance. All you have to do is to continue working hard and love it with all your heart.

Samantha, Fictionzoned Fangirl

Erin’s “audition” at the end deserves a standing ovation. I loved the scene so much. Definitely one of the best “grand gesture” scenes I’ve read. So much feels!

Angeli, RX Literature

…this book is a love letter to Philippine Theater, and I can’t imagine anyone but Tara writing it. She’s created a fantastic, but very real world of actors singing original music, creating new things almost every day. She’s featured beautiful songs by original Filipino artists, and showed the family-like camaraderie that we usually find in groups of the same circle here. Reading Tara’s book is familiar and honestly, stress-free. It put a smile on my face from beginning to end.

Author Carla de Guzman

This is such a feel-good story. I liked how this is a chaste romance. It focused on emotions and had a good character development for both main character and love interest. I also found it awesome that Tara mentioned OPM songs. She even penned original ones just for this book. This book is so Pinoy, I love it!

Veronica, Brain Tabs

I love how each character finds what they want and making their dreams happen on and off the stage. There are those who finally realize what their heart desires.

Paula, Perks Be With You

 Listen to the Waiting in the Wings playlist here.

WAITING IN THE WINGS
an excerpt, live read by Fred Lo and Gracielle So
#AprilFeelsDay2017 at the U.P. Town Center, April 30, 2017

WAITING IN THE WINGS
an excerpt, live read by Gio Gahol and Gracielle So
#AprilFeelsDay2017 at the U.P. Town Center, April 30, 2017

Waiting in the Wings is part of the #romanceclass catalogue. Please support Filipino authors by buying their work and encouraging others to do the same! <3

It's all fun and games until someone catches feelings.

If there's something Pio Alvez is good at, it's pretending to be someone he's not. On stage and on-screen, the actor has mastered the art of becoming the characters he plays, and his new role should be no different. After all, how difficult would it be to pretend to be smitten with a beautiful, intelligent go-getter like Audrey Alonzo?

Perhaps it's more difficult pretending not to be.

Pio and Audrey’s story teaches you about the chances that you take and where these chances may lead you. About how starting over sometimes begins with taking that step into allowing yourself to feel a little happiness apart from the usual sadness. About maybe taking that leap of faith and learning how to trust someone else with your heart again.

The BookNut

As expected, I was delighted to have read Pio and Audrey’s captivating story. It’s a fast-paced spin-off that is written beautifully with characters that were all charming in their own ways, a trope that’s a well-known favorite for romance lovers, and a twist that will tug on everyone’s heartstrings. It pays great tribute to the undying relevance of close family ties, and the importance of being faithful. I had an amazing journey with Pio and Audrey, and I’m pretty sure other readers will too. Everyone deserves to read a heartfelt story at least once in this lifetime. Let Pio and Audrey’s story be that story for you.

JM, The Book Freak Revelations

...what made this special was the fact that this story isn’t just about Pio and Audrey overcoming their respective heartbreaks but also about how they struggled to be the best version of themselves for their chosen career/line of work and, especially, for the happiness of their families.

Sath, Fictionzoned Fangirl

I really love Audrey’s character. She’s smart, level-headed, and sassy, yet vulnerable and a bit of a damsel in distress for a duration in the book. She’s also family oriented, actually they (Pio) both are, which made her character really relatable.

Inah, The Bibliophile Confessions

Audrey Alonzo is the young professional woman I wish I was, to be honest. She’s a creative go-getter who isn’t afraid to call people – specifically, her asshole ex, who works in a supervisory position at the same agency she’s with – out on their bullshit. And most of all, she’s introspective enough to realize when she herself is spouting bullshit. Acknowledging that she’s not in a good place to commit fully to a relationship, and working on healing herself before giving her heart wholly to someone else? That level of inner awareness is one you seldom see in chick lit. Audrey is the romantic-comedy female lead we all need and deserve.

Kate, The Backwards Bookshelf

Indeed, love does conquer all in the universe of Like Nobody's Watching, and not just for Pio and Audrey as a couple. Both of them learn a little more about themselves--and each other--when they're together; when they're not, they find courage from what they've learned to pursue the happiness that would heal their broken souls. Ultimately, you will find yourself rooting for Pio and Audrey's happy ending, and you will have confidence that they have, indeed, found happiness in each other.

Stella, author of Crushingly Close

I loved that Audrey was a few years older than Pio and despite her relationship woes, that she was confident in her work. He’s attracted to this competence and thinks she’s beautiful. Pio was such a refreshing male protagonist as well—such a softy. So in touch with his feelings. So willing to be vulnerable. I adored him!

Amanda, Goodreads review

Everything about this book fascinates me. The theater life, production, showbiz relations, meeting the parents on a birthday party, those sweet, sensual, sexy nights… Those easy and quirky banters between the characters. And all the feels and wonderful emotions it gave me. Loved Tara Frejas writing, concise, realistic, affectionate and sure made me feel like a teen again.

Claire, The Coffeeholic Bookworm

I love both Audrey and Pio's personal journeys to navigate their lives and their own careers--Audrey slowly rediscovering the 'ligaya' back into her life and Pio finally getting that foothold on the industry that he lost.

Carla de Guzman, author of The Queen's Game

Listen to my Like Nobody's Watching playlist here.

LIKE NOBODY'S WATCHING
an excerpt, live read by Fred Lo and Sam Aquino
#OctoberFeelsFest2018 at the Maybank Theatre, BGC