gay romance manga

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Lenni Reviews: “I Ship My Rival x Me” Vol. 1 by PEPA & Qualia

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Wei Yanzi and Gu Yiliang are both young up-and-coming actors currently working on the same show but Wei Yanzi feels as if he’s overshadowed by Gu Yiliang’s natural talent and good looks. Since he’s getting some hate from Gu Yiliang’s fans, Wei Yanzi leans into those online shipping him and his costar so he sees more positive things about himself.

This is so goofy. Wei Yanzi doesn’t realize how flirty he sounds when he talks to Gu Yiliang and it’s funny to see him encouraging fanfiction of himself and his costar. I say costar because (spoiler?) they’re not really rivals; they get along pretty well the entire time. Gu Yiliang is clearly developing some feels while Wei Yanzi is clueless. It feels a little scattered but it’s still cute. And a clean read so far at a 13+ rating.3.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Someday I’ll Fall for You” Vol. 2, by Tomo Kurahashi

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+.

Now that all the feelings have been revealed, Chiaki and Kazuma are dating in secret and Kazuma wonders if it’s time to take things further in their relationship, navigates how to be a couple when they’re still pretending to be friends, and what their future will be after high school.

While there’s plenty of smut in this volume, the rest is just delightful and sweet. Chiaki is a little bean who’s just so damn in love and Kazuma earnestly wants to be happy. They’re adorable and despite how I kinda wish the characters were older, I can acknowledge the differing consent ages and how it’s not really made for me. It’s for older teens to relate to. I’d like to see their story continue into adulthood to see how their relationship is in the future but this will probably just stick with the high school stuff. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “My Dearest Patrolman” Vol. 3, by Niyama

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

After living together for a year, it’s time for Shin to celebrate Seiji’s birthday for the first time. But since he’s a nightmare to shop for, Shin uses his police skills to find the perfect gift.

There are other cute stories here too: a mishap with handcuffs, befriending a stray cat, judo tournament, and giving their cat, Chiko, a new toy. We’re in full on domestic bliss territory with some well timed spice in-between. Shin and Seiji are adorable and funny, making them a joy to read. If you like a lovey dovey couple around your smut, this series delivers. 5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Stigmata: Love Bites” Vol. 2, by Hidebu Takahashi

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

Detective Kuroiwa and Asako are still trying to use Asako’s unique ability to find the person who killed Kuroiwa’s ex-wife and Asako worries about what to do about the feelings he has for his superior.

I don’t know why I’d expected this series to be drawn out longer; the murder case as well as the romance, but it wrapped up pretty quick! I can appreciate it since Asako and Kuroiwa had chemistry from the beginning but the premise of Asako using his powers to help solve the murder off his crush’s ex-wife is rife for tons of drama. It felt over too soon and yet the happily ever after is still sweet. And spicy. The sex scene is pretty detailed so be aware: Adults only. 3.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Worst Soulmate Ever” by Haruta

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

At 29, Shishikura has been trying to find his soulmate but watching all his friends get married without any luck for his own love life. As he waits for a matchmaking service to assist, his heat comes on when only his surly coworker, Kotani, is around to help him. But will a single night of passion turn into more or will they continue to feud with each other.

Yeah, Kotani is the worst for awhile but of course, these two knuckleheads are meant to be. This is clearly not spoilers for anyone with any passing experience with yaoi or especially omegaverse stories. As an omegaverse, there is plenty of smut involving heats and such and it is very detailed. This is absolutely adults only. Omegaverse isn’t usually my jam but this was ight on the trope that omegas are treated like shit. There’s one offhand comment but other than that, I’m glad the story didn’t go there. It’s more about how our main couple are snippy with each other. 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Stigmata: Love Bites, Vol. 1” by Hidebu Takahashi

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is for mature readers only.

Detective Kuroiwa and his subordinate Minami work tough murder cases using Minami’s unusual ability to see and feel the victim’s thoughts and manifest their injuries on his body. When Kuriuwa’s ex wife, Mari, is murdered, they work together to solve the case but Minami is unsure if his feelings for Kuroiwa are his own or the lingering echoes of his dead ex wife.

The implications of Minami’s powers are sad and frightening. His introduction is – trigger warning – reading the memories of a rape/murder victim and him dealing with feeling the violation in parts of his body he doesn’t have. In addition, he could die if he feels this shit too long. I like the art style; it can be ethereal but maudlin. Not what I’d think to use for a police procedural or murder case with how soft it is but it’s pretty. There are some spicy scenes. 3.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “The Metalhead Next Door” by Mamita

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

Kento is a broke college student who moves out of the dorms to abnormally cheap apartment to save money knowing the place has no heat or hot water. When he almost freezes to death outside, his neighbor, Soushi, saves him. They become friends but the outgoing Kento hasn’t told Soushi he’s gay. After a year of friendship, Kento vanishes; leaving Soushi to deal with some confusing feelings.

This manga takes place over three  years and at 200 or so pages, there are some time skips that are pretty clear. I would classify their relationship as a slow burn but there’s not enough pages to get bogged in that. Since Kento works with kids, there’s some funny interactions he has with them and while it’s probably not the best to get relationship advice from a kid, their interaction was pretty funny. You have to get to the end to see any smut which is not overly detailed but you absolutely get what’s going on. And I’m not even going to pretend the metal head in me wasn’t biased towards the misunderstood shy guy who likes metal music. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Someday I’ll Fall for You” Vol. 1, by Tomo Kurahashi

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

Kazuma, Chiaki, and Tomoe have all been friends since childhood. Kazuma and Chiaki were raised like brothers but the feelings between them are more than just siblings.

This manga wastes no time getting to the smut. It appears in this case they’re intimate with each other but Chiaki has caught feels while Kazuma dates girls. Now, these boys are third-year students which can me 18 years old so Imma stick with that despite feeling like that’s still gross for me to be reading (that’s why I’m partial to the ones with older characters like My Dearest Patrolman, Don’t Call Me Daddy, or Old Fashioned Cupcake). My tastes in romance in general have sorta aged as I have so, this gives me a bit of the ick even though the general trope and romance in this are cute. At that age, this would have been awesome for me. The art is breezy and calm which is nice for this low angst love story. 3.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “My Dearest Patrolman” Vol. 2, by Niyama

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

Shin and Seiji are now living together and while Shin is over the moon to finally be with his long time crush, Seiji wonders if he’s able to satisfy his younger partner.

Now that they’re together, this volume is them learning more about each other and getting used to being a couple. It’s sweet and spicy the way a new couple should be and it’s just adorable how besotted Shin is. Seiji’s insecurities are relatable and handled well but quickly since there are a bunch of scenes to get through: an overnight trip, Shin working on New Year’s, Seiji getting a cold; the usual quick little plot points. Also, cats make well timed appearances and add to all the cuteness. 4.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Takara’s Treasure”, by Minta Suzumaru

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

Taishin Nakano moves to Tokyo from Fukuoka to attend the same college as Takara Shiga after Takara left quite the impression on Taishin when he was younger.

I like stories where the characters are forthright. It minimizes silly misunderstandings and focuses on the feelings of the main couple. These two are pretty seamless as they get together; there isn’t a huge conflict or a bunch of complications to get them into a relationship. The smutty parts are staved for the end and are kept pretty short; almost like an epilogue. Since it’s short overall, I wish we had more time with them, especially at school or the hiking club they’re both a part of. But, I did like it. 3.5 out of 5.

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