Vince’s Life: The Next Chapter – Getting Over Andrea
Technology, you just have to love it. Halfway around the world, and we could still find ways to hurt each other.
Vince O. Teves is back with another disarmingly candid, subtly romantic book about his life after Andrea, his ex-girlfriend, left for the US. Vince’s Life: The Next Chapter – Getting Over Andrea is the sequel to the highly successful title Vince’s Life that was published four years ago.
Vince is finally taking the first step toward the two dreaded words after months without Andrea — moving on. They still communicate frequently through emails, and he has been demoted from boyfriend to buddy, but that’s okay with him. The important thing is that he’s got himself a job at an award-winning ad agency, something that he has never really expected. Soon after, he is introduced to the agency’s “Charlie’s Angels,” one of whom becomes his love interest as the story progresses.
A lot of elevator pranks (which consisted of things from catty to just plain crass), beers at Yakuza (a bar the agency dudes hang out at frequently), heart-breaking email exchanges (between Vince and Andrea), a successful account (a product of overtime works and a sleepless night), and an old high school crush later (with whom Vince has a textbook-perfect date…sans the magic and fireworks), Vince hooks up with Cat, the hazel-eyed, “kinky librarian type” of the three angels. They have stimulating conversations, and they find a common ground with their love for books.
They become close, but an awkward moment befalls upon them as Vince’s mouth gets the better of him, and Cat ends the call with, “You make me believe in magic again. And just when everything is so beautiful, you go and break the spell.” Even after that, they become even closer still and the magic remains, albeit not one of them acts on it. All is well and dandy, until Andrea tells Vince that she’s coming home.
Confused, he is left to choose between an old flame and a new one. The beach, or the Ad Congress? Should he win Andrea back, or continue what he’s started with Cat?
“I have to see where this is going,” I said, trying to explain. “Andrea and I were serious for a long time, and it just doesn’t go away so quickly. I’ve known her for six years–”
“Four,” Cat interrupted.
“It’s six,” I explained. “I’ve known her since first year college–”
“Four!” Cat insisted, her anger flaring again. “She’s been gone for two years. And for those two years, you and her have been nothing. And you know what, Vince? You can’t love someone who’s never there.”
I’ll be a heartless bitch and spoil everything for you. He chooses the latter.
On a sidenote, that “magic” and “fireworks” stuff will stay with me forever. And I’m not going to write pages 90-92 here, but trust me, it’s a must-read. It’s probably the part of the book where I first got teary-eyed. Granted, I’m such a crybaby, but the letter that was never sent just gave my heart a little pinch, and I felt the hurt, if you know what I mean. Pages 139-140 are a gem.
“[...] I won’t be stuck in the past, holding on to our yesterday, waiting for something that won’t ever come back.
“And I’m happy. You don’t know how happy I am now that I’ve straightened all of this out.” I laughed, I don’t know why. It wasn’t particularly funny. “We gave it our best shot, and we loved hard. It was beautiful. And now we’re both free–and whole–and we can do whatever we want to do.
“You’re leaving again. But I won’t ever lose you. Some people think loving someone is a waste when it doesn’t work out because you can’t take back the love you gave. But I don’t think it’s like that. You’re a part of me.”
I remember back then, right after reading Vince’s Life, I told my friends, “I think I’m in love.” With Vince, I thought. I’m a sucker for guys who can write beautifully. Besides, every girl deserves a Vince in their lives. And in this second installment, we see a growth in Vince here, and, even if it doesn’t exactly precede the first book, I like it better.
What I love best about Vince Teves is that he writes in a simple yet beautifully lyrical manner that makes you feel as if you’ve witnessed firsthand the things he went through. Unlike most of the Filipino-written chick lit books I’ve read, his words are simple and honest. There’s no need to use a dictionary or thesaurus to look up big words, and the way his sentences flow is easy to follow. Vince is expressive just as he is sensitive, and it shows.
Both Vince’s books are perfect for an afternoon break at the park. They’re short and sweet. They are for people who are in touch with their romantic side. They’re for girls who take guys for granted, and for guys who take life for granted in the name of love. They’re about falling in love, moving forward, moving on, falling out of love, and falling in love all over again. In short, they’re incredibly cheesy, but I like them all the same. Vince’s life may very well be a glimpse, or a mirror, of our own lives.
Give the books a try, if you haven’t done so already. Who knows? You might like them just as much as I did…and that’s a lot. 
You’re evuuuhl. You spoiled it for the others!
Haha. I love that quote from the book at the beginning of the entry.
Lexie
19th November 2008 at 13:32
That sounds like a good book. I’d like to read it sometime if I get to grab a copy
Even if you spoiled it (haha) I still want to read the whole story 
Claudine
19th November 2008 at 18:25
[...] O. Teves (a local author): Vince’s Life: The Next Chapter – Getting Over Andrea (which is reviewed by Shari, although if you plan to get the book, I’d suggest not reading the whole [...]
Books, books, books. | Diventare
21st November 2008 at 15:21
I just finished it! Sooooo kilig! I’m glad there’s a third book since I want to see more of Cat and Vince’s romance. They seem perfect for each other. I mean, they have one shared passion–books. What did he share with Andrea? Never liked Andrea–felt like she didn’t deserve Vince at all. She was shallow and flirty with other men and undecided and, the worst!, she left him. And toyed with his feelings, too! Evil woman. I actually liked the other girl in the first book, the one with the Japanese name. Problema lang is Vince was so blinded by Andrea! Hooray, Vince, for moving on!
Topaz Horizon
22nd November 2008 at 16:47
hahahaha! i’ve got the book!
clark
23rd November 2008 at 13:26
I think I’m missing a gene or something, because I’ve never been fascinated in chick lit or anything typically romantic :O
Kaisa
23rd November 2008 at 19:56
I knew I should’ve picked up the first book when I saw it last year. :shakefist:
Oh well, at least now I have something on my shopping list this Christmas. :yay:
jhay
24th November 2008 at 10:23
nice book! i might grab a copy this Christmas, thanks for sharing! :dance:
joycee
24th November 2008 at 23:12
wow!!! i think i’ll kinda love that book…it sounds so interesting…i think i find a book who would reflect what i’m undergoing right now…(jajaja)
dying seed
25th November 2008 at 09:49
waaah.. i will buy one!! (i finished the first book by just going to powerbooks greenbelt during lunch breaks when i used to work in makati) but a book two?? i will definitely buy one this time!
and there’s a 3rd book?? cool!! =)
Nice feed backs on the books… something to look forward =)
great!
Tarsio
25th November 2008 at 15:26
hi. i’m wondering, do you happen to know who vince o. teves really is in the real life?
Hannah
27th November 2008 at 21:30
Hi Hannah,
Di nga eh. Hanggang ngayon iniisip ko kung ano kaya tunay niyang pangalan. After reading this sequel, talagang nag-search pa ako for winners ng Ad Congress na ginanap sa Cebu.
)
Shari
27th November 2008 at 22:09
:biggrin: i really love the flow of the story, i really love the character what vince’s had… oh, nagsearch din pla kau ng pangalan nya?? gosh, i cant believe this feeling…. what is 3rd book? i never heard of it pa! add nio me sa fs nio or sa facebook… benlovelaraforeverforlife@yahoo.com thanx.. More power kay vince..hehe
donna
2nd December 2008 at 03:49
kelan yung 3rd book?
d na ko makapaghintay.hehehehe
sandy
5th December 2008 at 18:14
[...] and giving them free books! Considering that only a few days prior the event, I visited and bought a book from Fully Booked Gateway when I was with Lexie and Aja a couple of days ago, it was a curious [...]
I’m Fully BOOKed! • MISTERYOSA.COM
5th December 2008 at 19:41
[quote comment="16280"]hi. i’m wondering, do you happen to know who vince o. teves really is in the real life?[/quote]
who know who is this guy named..MR.
ian
9th December 2008 at 13:38
who knows this guy named Mr. Vince O. teves..
im a great fan of him…
ian
9th December 2008 at 13:39
Hi Ian. Aren’t we all?
Unfortunately, I don’t. 
Shari
10th December 2008 at 22:43
[...] Girl’s Guide to Boys, should be out now soonish. Her first book was launched the same time Vince’s Life: The Next Chapter – Getting Over Andrea (which I fell in love with, for real!) was. I’d be buying her books the next time I hit the [...]
So Write! • MISTERYOSA.COM
11th December 2008 at 15:37
hi, nagresearch din ako dun sa ad congress winners…at lahat lahat na…pero wala akong makuhang information..,sabi dun sa book,fiction lang daw yung story…eh hindi naman diba?…vince’s life story is real…vince o. teves is existing…or else,nakakalungkot nman…
khelsea
11th December 2008 at 18:17
Oooh, I didn’t know they made a book out of this? I remember reading this in…what’s that magazine? Seventeen? lol.
Helga
11th December 2008 at 20:54
..damn! ..i lost the first book! :shake:
..pero kukunin ko tong second book!
..san pa kaya ako makakakita ulit ng first book nito??
..huhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhu..
..tapos meron pang 3rd book? ..haha! ..good job
ZuE
23rd December 2008 at 15:10
..i’ve read the book na,, ..its great!
..im still finding my first book,, ..its lost..
..hi Andrea! ..buti nga sau yan! ..haha!!
..go Vince and Cat! ..haha! ..GJ
ZuE
31st December 2008 at 14:35
is there a 3rd book coming out soon and what’s the title? im really looking forward for that!among the summit books the ones by vince teves is certainly the most sincere, honest and realistic ever! i love it!
kry
3rd January 2009 at 11:40
Honestly, I don’t know of any third installment rumor. I should’ve asked the publisher from Summit Media last month when I got to talk with her. ^_^
Shari
3rd January 2009 at 18:16
of course there is a true vince o. teves, there’s got to be. i just bought the 2nd book this morning, just finished reading it. i love that seventeen column, i love the 1st book and this latest book. whoever he ends up with is one lucky girl! inggit ako!
liz
9th January 2009 at 22:55
OMG. i fell inlove with the book and the character. whew. ill be visiting makati this feb and im hoping i can meet the author. for signing of the books and a pic with him. sobra pa to sa addiction ko kay johnlloyd. ahahha HELP! ANYONE?
kae
19th January 2009 at 10:40
“”"the book is super great!!!!
‘nakakakilig!” I have read the 2 books and they’re so nice! When will be the next edition??????
“”‘WAIT,I just wanna ask about the author ‘coz I’m going to do a book report in my English subject.-Vince’s Life: the next chapter-getting over Andrea…Who is Vince O. Teves? When did he started writing books? I need a complete information about him…Please reply…
tine
28th February 2009 at 14:54
of course the characters in vince’s life book series are existing in real life. it says on the first book
“the editors of seventeen chose to call it “vince’s life”, though of course, that isnt my real name – just as andrea, spider, and connie arent real names though they are all real people. The most real, and the truest, I might add.”
so i believe they just changed the names, but vince, and the other characters do exist in real life.
James Balanquit
18th August 2009 at 10:33