One of the most powerful and influential women in fiction, Jo March from Little Women, once said, “Women, they have minds, and they have souls, as well as ‘just hearts.’ And they’ve got ambition, and they’ve got talent, as well as ‘just beauty.’”
Like Jo, we’ve long grown past the narrative that “love is all a woman is fit for.” Women in diverse professional fields around the world have embodied this cultural shift through the years. Amid persisting hardships and obstacles, Filipinas have taken charge, too—as community leaders, advocates, and artists who uplift each other’s stories without compromising their love for the world.
This year, the modern Filipina is taking her dreams, goals, purpose, and yes, even her love life to new heights with the revival of the Pinoy romance novel. Leading this fun, fresh, and flirty era of storytelling are the Indie Indays—five Filipina romance authors who are spreading all the feels across the country’s contemporary literary scene.
We’re getting to know them one by one this September—as prolific authors, “lover girls” by nature, and passionate working women with their hearts set on making their bestseller dreams come true.
Joline Lim and her novel, Heart of the Moon Goddess. Photo: Joline Lim
Our first featured author is Joline Lim. This Cebuana mythology geek swears by romance and fantasy—two genres that have always gone hand in hand in her creative journey. By highlighting complex yet endearing female leads, she and her stories remind readers of the boundless paths, callings, and adventures that women can embark on against all odds.
In this special feature, Joline gets candid about her writing journey and the power of writing simple yet relatable love stories that resonate with every hopeless romantic.
Let’s start by sharing a little about yourself, your pen name if you go by one, and your early days as an author.
I’m Joline Lim. I go by my real name. By day, I’m an accountant, and by night, I’m a storyteller and bookworm. I often laugh at the contrast between my two worlds. One is filled with numbers, and the other, with words. But I’ve come to realize they balance each other beautifully. Double-ruled!
I grew up surrounded by wonderful stories. My mom is an avid reader, and my dad is a natural storyteller. With that foundation, my love for reading naturally extended to writing. It felt inevitable that I’d create my own stories one day. When I was in fourth grade, I’d ship my classmates with one another and craft romantic narratives about them.
I’m also part of Book Chickas PH, a book club that has deepened my love for stories even more.
Tell us more about the books you write. What can Filipino readers and aspiring authors expect from them?
Joline Lim’s romance novels. Photo: Joline Lim
All of my stories carry romance at their heart. Before I Go is a teen romance novel that explores friendship, grief, and healing. I wrote it during the pandemic with much raw emotion.
My second book, Heart of the Moon Goddess, holds a very special place in my heart. I wrote it in 30 days as part of a challenge hosted by 8Letters Publishing. It’s a retelling of Philippine mythology inspired by the moon goddess, Mayari, and the legendary moon-eating sea serpent, Bakunawa. In my version, the Bakunawa is guwapo.
As a mythology lover, I feel deeply connected to our own legends. Greek, Norse, and other myths have long been in the spotlight, but I believe that Philippine mythology is just as rich and deserves worldwide recognition.
On a lighter note, my rom-com novel, Love by the Numbers, follows three single accountants navigating love through finance. This book was inspired by my own circle of friends. We’re three accountants. In this story, the first in the Romance Risk Assessment Club series, the characters go on blind dates and hilariously evaluate each one with pros, cons, and “romance risk assessments.”
I was inspired to write after a real-life rom-com moment with one of my friends. She went on a blind date that we analyzed like a case study right after, just like accountants going through financial reports. Later, we found out that her date had done the same thing with his friends. It was too funny not to turn into a book.
Which of your titles would you recommend to first-time readers of modern Filipino romance?
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I’d recommend Love by the Numbers. It’s light, fun, and full of kilig. It’s an easy entry point for anyone diving into modern Filipino romance. And beyond my books, I’d also recommend the works of my fellow Indie Indays: Kyra Ysabel, Carina Gaskell, Anj Miranda, and Beatrice Pobre. We’re a group of Filipina authors, and we’re really good friends. Their stories are as full of heart.
How would you describe a five-star Filipino romance novel?
For me, a five-star Filipino romance novel doesn’t just make you swoon; it also makes you feel seen. The kilig hits differently when it’s relatable, when a reader can say, “OMG, this is me!”
My friend reacted this way when she read my books. It balances the kilig with the culture, humor, and values that make Filipino love stories unique. When a book captures that spark, it lingers long after the last page. The emotions are true, the characters feel alive, and the love story feels both magical and real.
Where can we purchase your books?
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My books are available on Amazon. They’re also on 8Letters Books’ website, Shopee, and Lazada stores. Meanwhile, Heart of the Moon Goddess is available in select Fully Booked branches: SM Mall of Asia, Bonifacio Global Center (BGC), SM North EDSA, and Grand Central.
I’ll also be joining the 8Letters booth at the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) on September 10 to 14, 2025, at the SMX Convention Center. I’d love to invite everyone to drop by and join us in celebrating book love.
ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: Mica De Leon to Return With a New Adult Romance Book With Penguin Random House SEA
What are your favorite tropes and classic lines in Pinoy rom-coms? Share your picks with us in the comments below!
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