gay romance

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Lenni Reviews: “Jealousy” Vol. 5, by Scarlet Beriko

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

This volume concludes Uichi and Akitora’s relationship in the flashback and returns to the present day; where they are both much more mature men. The ending is a perfect conclusion to the ride we go on through the series and it really feels earned. There’s plenty of spice for all of us naughty readers but also a great deal of sentiment. And I really like the way the art style adjusts between the younger and older characters. I’ll kinda miss this series but I’d go back and read it again. 4.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Change World” Vol. 2, by Yuu Minaduki

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

Yosuke and Arimura’s relationship is almost dreamlike until Arimura gets a job offer overseas and his former classmate, Masato, comes in to start trouble.

It may be spoilers to say so but Yosuke and Arimura are clearly an unshakeable couple. They may have some hesitation but there was never a point in this volume where I thought the conflicts presented would pose the slightest threat to their relationship. If you’re looking for a low angst yaoi, this fits the bill perfectly. The main couple are sweet and fun to read and there’s some sexy times that are graphic so be aware of that. 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Links” by Natsuki Kizu

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

This is a collection of short stories about four different couples. They all have a connection to one another and it’s very slice of life. I like it, it’s a cute mix of different types of love and personalities. It isn’t very graphic; more like suggestive. So, if you’re looking for a laid-back, low angst, slice-of-life romance that’s relatively clean, this isn’t a bad read. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Scattering His Virgin Bloom” Vol 1, by Aya Sakyo

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

In this world, alphas are at the top of society, betas live a comfortable life in the middle, but omegas are viewed as lesser than anyone else. Hana is usually assumed to be an alpha so he keeps his omega status a secret to avoid being forced to mate with anyone. Renjaku is an alpha and a regular customer at the café where Hana works and while Hana has a crush on him; Renjaku is a rude, demanding man who doesn’t believe in fated mates. But when Hana’s first heat comes, his cover is broken and Renjaku begrudgingly offers to help him.

And that help comes in explicit sex. This is an adult comic.

I thought this was going to be a typical alpha/omega story but then we have Hana’s brother drop in and my jaw dropped. I did NOT expect that. I can’t say I like this twist but it does give Renjaku added motivation to help Hanna other than the inevitable coming to terms with the idea of a fated mate. 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Change World” Vol. 1, by Yuu Minaduki

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

In this sequel to Sayonara Game, Ito and Arimura are growing closer but Arimura wants Ito to move in with him.

This was cute but fleeting. I like the contrast between the stoic Ito and outgoing Arimura but having a third character, Hozumi, appear as an antagonist to interfere with them is really cliche. I am aware this is cliche for a reason but this seems particularly generic. It’s obvious the main couple is too devoted to be fooled by this person, if they even bother to deal with him at all. Fun but we’ve seen all this before. 3.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Therapy Game Restart” Vol. 1, by Meguru Hinohara

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

Shizuma’s job as a veterinarian is keeping him to busy to spend as much time with his boyfriend, Hinato; who has some insecurities about their relationship because Shizuma used to date women.

For clarity, I have not read the original series. So, any backstory beyond this volume is a mystery to me. That being said, this is a cute, smutty story that reads fast and has a nice pair of characters. They contrast well, Shizuma’s nice guy attitude with Hinato’s more standoffish ways but it was a fun read. 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Black or White” vol 2, by Sachimo

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

This volume goes back to how Shin and Shige first met back in high school. We also introduce the conflict of Shige wanting to step back in his career to give Shin a chance to fight his typecasting.

I understand the book is trying to make their careers the source of the conflict here; their stage personas having adverse effects on how they manage their private lives but in my opinion, the possible impending love triangle or a guy directly trying to sabotage their relationship. The rest feels like filler. If I had the third volume in hand, I’d jump right into it looking for things to move forward. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Jealousy” Vol. 3, by Scarlet Beriko

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

Uichi is still plotting his way into the yakuza to be with Akitora but this time, he has a pretty good plan to make some money without actively committing violent crime. But Akitora’s bodyguard, Asoda, still doesn’t trust Uichi and thinks he’s a threat to his boss.

I know this is a prequel and they’re eventually going to work all this stuff out somehow but I am really curious as to what will happen between Asoda and Uichi. I understand Asoda’s point because Uichi’s lackadaisical attitude and utter carelessness with his own life being very worrying, but I can tell all Asoda’s meddling will do is piss off his boss. Akitora is chill but he won’t be if he finds out Asoda is not obeying orders. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Don’t Call Me Daddy” by Gorou Kanbe

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

Ryuuji is raising his son Shouji as a single father and seeing he needed help, his friend Hanao steps up to help him. But their feelings for each other and the pressure to stay in the closet becomes too much for Hanao and leaves. Twenty years later, they encounter each other again. Will Hanao take this second chance?

You don’t get many yaoi stories with older couples. I think the world needs more of this because I liked this book. They didn’t take the chance on showing a full on sex scene with the older men, having it take place off panel but the story was really sweet.

There was something funky with my digital arc copy making the reading experience a chore but I may check this out when I get my hands on a print copy. 3 out of 5.

 

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Lenni Reviews: “The Artist and the Soldier” by Angelle Petta

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

In this sprawling tale, we have Max Amsel and Bastian Fisher who meet as teens in Camp Seigfried then again as adults in the thick of World War II.

First off, I dunno if I was taught this in school and forgot or just wasn’t taught this but I was SHOCKED that the Nazi Camp Siegfried was a real place in NY! I honestly didn’t realize such camps existed and kudos to this book for teaching me that.

This book is almost perfect. It focuses more on the war itself and how it’s affecting everyone, not just our main characters. A great deal of the plot is plucked straight from history. The writing is compelling, the action is well done, and the romance did tug at my heart. If you like historical fiction with a bit of angst, I recommend this despite the ending being a bit of a drop-off. But you can tell a lot of love went into this book. 4.7 out of 5.

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