Trigger Warnings:

• Emotional abuse / controlling family dynamics
• Miscarriage
• Colorism and racial prejudice
• Judgment and social stigma in relationships
• Grief and emotional trauma

Characters:

• Tala – A smart, guarded Filipina navigating life post-heartbreak, personal loss, and the suffocating expectations of a traditional family.
• Devonte – Tala’s suitor, a dark-skinned man whose presence challenges the deeply embedded colorism and quiet prejudice within Tala’s circle.
• Gavino – Devonte’s Filipino friend and cultural guide. Gavino serves as the bridge between Devonte and Filipino customs, language, and community quirks. He helps Devonte understand the world Tala comes from, and also subtly calls out the cultural biases that Filipinos don’t always realize they carry.

On the surface, Boyfriend Mo is a delightful romantic comedy that’s funny, cute, and packed with awkward “ligaw” scenes and hilarious inner monologues. But underneath all the kilig is a story with real emotional weight.

SPOILER ALERT

Tala’s relationship with Devonte isn’t just about finding new love – it’s about the difficulty of loving someone who doesn’t “fit” into the narrow box of cultural approval. Devonte’s skin color becomes a quiet source of tension because of the judgment from the people around Tala. The novel shines a light on colorism in Filipino culture, showing how even the kindest families can harbor harmful biases.

This is also a story about finding new love despite scars from the past. Tala carries the emotional weight of an abusive relationship and loss of a precious life with Jason, a white man adored by her family.

This book needs to be read by every Filipino, especially to better understand how biracial individuals and people with darker skin are often treated unfairly even within their own families or communities. It confronts how quickly we judge others for who they date or love, especially if they’re seen as “too dark” or “too different.” It’s a hard truth, but an important one.

Gavino, as comic relief and cultural translator, is such a great addition! He shows that being a good friend also means helping someone learn your world without making them feel like an outsider.

If there’s one critique: I wish there were more scenes between Tala and Devonte. Their love story has so much potential, but their relationship feels a little rushed. Given everything Tala had been through, a slower getting to know each other would have made the ending even more satisfying.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Boyfriend Mo? is more than a rom-com—it’s a journey of healing, acceptance, and the courage to trust again.

Tala’s story shows how love can bloom even after betrayal and pain, and how the right person can help untangle the chains of the past. Blending wit, cultural richness, and emotional honesty, this debut delivers both laughter and heartache, ultimately leaving readers with hope that love can be found where it’s least expected.