Title: Of Heads and Hearts in the Metro
Author: Thessa Lim
Genre: New adult fiction
Rating: 4.5/5
Thessa Lim’s Of Heads and Hearts in the Metro is an exploration of the inner workings of a female friend group, and how differences and ego can either make or break friendships. Capturing the intertwining lives of friends that may contain twists and turns, Of Heads and Hearts in the Metro delivers on the portrayal of “sister from another mister,” and having shared history together.
The story follows four friends in their mid-20s—Jazmine, Anne, Zara, and Laine—as they navigate their own hardships, both on their own and as a group. They ride through the storms of life together, even with vacation days to spare. However, when Jazmine’s unplanned motherhood and Anne’s upcoming elopement go awry, the girls’ friendship is tested, and they must overcome their differences, for better or worse.
Meeting halfway
Each of the girls have their own personalities that play into the plot—Jazmine and her tendency to give the benefit of the doubt, Anne’s impulsivity, Zara and her detail-orientedness, and Laine’s prudishness—which sometimes become the catalysts for something good or bad to happen. For instance, Anne’s rash decision to elope caused a temporary rift between herself and her friends, with their own respective reasons. On the flip side, Zara’s attention to detail reminded the group how much they care for each other.
Nevertheless, despite their differing personalities and principles that clashed from time to time, the girls still find a way to make up and meet in the middle. Perhaps, it is their differences that keep them together as they go through challenges. Their own individualities are parts that make up their whole friendship—matchsticks that keep the fire of their sisterly love.
The modern Filipina
While mostly being set in Metro Manila, the story takes time in immersing the readers, intricately describing the different places the characters go to, and their experiences—for example, Bohol, where Laine grew up; and Alaminos, Pangasinan, where Zara and her team went on a work trip. In addition, there are also footnotes in some pages which go into the detail of some of the highlighted Filipino terminologies, food, and the like.
The book also highlights traditional Filipino values, combining it with the modern feel, as shown in the main characters. Most importantly, the value of family is the most emphasized, as well as the love of a mother (as seen in Jazmine and newfound motherhood) and the lengths she will go through for the well-being of their child.
Ultimately, Of Heads and Hearts in the Metro shows readers the different faces of love, and how it will always keep one going. A little bit of teamwork, a dash of friendship, and a sprinkle of hope goes a long way. May we strive to find and cultivate friendships that uplift and help us become better people. In turn, may we be good friends to those whom we love and care about, too.
Overall, the story teaches us that no road is long without good company. As American author and disability rights advocate Helen Keller puts it: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
Of Heads and Hearts in the Metro is available for purchase in National Bookstore branches nationwide.
