Nomoto lives to cook but since she lives alone and no friends live nearby, much of her food is left over. A chance meeting with her neighbor, Kasuga, gives Nomoto the opportunity to finally share her love or cooking with someone who can eat her huge portions.

This is a very relaxing read. Its sweet to see Nomoto and Kasuga grow closer. The pairing is a classic bubbly energetic vs calm and deadpan. Kasuga isn’t cold or detached, she’s just really chill. I do want to know her backstory but I’m sure we’ll get to it in future volumes. If you’re looking for a clean (so far) lesbian love story, this is a nice one. I do wish there were recipes, though. I wanna try all this food. 4 out of 5.

January 1, 2023March 22, 2023 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “The Color of Always” Edited by Brent Fisher & Michele Abounader

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

This LGBTQ+ anthology features different romance stories across the LGBTQ+ perspective. I love the idea and the various art styles are gorgeous but I honestly wish there was more. A lot of emotion is packed into these shorts but some could have benefitted from more length. But it’s not a crime for a story or stories to be so good, you wish you could spend more time with it. You have self-acceptance, transitions, POC, and a whole lot of heart. In case it triggers you, there are some instances of homophobia, religious judgement, and transphobia. If collections like this are your jam, I’d absolutely check this out. 3.9 out of 5.

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December 29, 2022March 8, 2023 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “The Girl That Can’t Get a Girlfriend” by Mieri Hiranishi

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

Meiri is an awkward college student with bad luck in love and desperately wants a girlfriend. When her search leads her to Ash, Meiri believe she’s finally found her dream girl only for it not to turn out like she hoped.

This is Meiri’s journey through love, loss, and healing. Told with honestly and plenty of self deprecating humor, this is a story I’m sure people of any sexuality will empathize with. Mieri draws every character but herself in a normal style, while she is much more cartoonish and has bombastic, super-deformed expressions. I found this to be very touching and I really related to her feelings. 4 out of 5.

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December 17, 2022February 24, 2023 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reivews: “Hello, Melancholic!” Vol. 3, by Yayoi Ohsawa

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Minato admits her feelings for Hibiki and things go back to normal until Misato gets a change to play with a professional band, putting a strain on their relationship.

I’m a little sad this series is over but it ends in a natural place, Minato and Hibiki have great chemistry and if you like lower dramatics, this story fits the bill. There’s conflict but it’s not high angst, it stays chill and jovial. It’s also pretty clean so there’s no issue with smut if you’re looking to avoid that. 4 out of 5.

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August 17, 2022September 16, 2022 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Hello, Melancholic!” Vol. 2, by Yayoi Ohsawa

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It’s time for the community festival but Hibiki’s hand injury won’t heal in time. So, Minato comes up with a solution so they can still perform. After the show, Minato discovers Chika and Sakiko have a deeper relationship than she’d assumed.

A good chunk of this volume is dedicated to how Chika and Sakiko got together and the nature of their relationship but we also get Minato and Hibiki on a date. Hibiki wants to find out if Minato has any feelings for her or not. There’s a little forward momentum but I’m guessing the big plot points will happen in the next volume. The date is cute and the other couple’s story has some interesting elements to is. This one is spicy but not overly explicit. 4 out of 5.

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August 12, 2022September 14, 2022 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Catch These Hands!” Vol. 2, by Murata

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Since Soramori got Takebe to go out with her after a bet, Soramori keeps trying to find things they can to together as a proper couple. However, it seems Takebe is just going along with this because she lost that bet meanwhile Soramori has genuine feelings for her.

This volume is Soramori trying different activities to try and bring them closer together. The progression of their relationship here feels natural to me. It’s a bit slow but they’re still in the phase where they’re getting to know each other. They have a nice dynamic that’s pretty entertaining to watch. 3.5 out of 5.

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August 1, 2022August 25, 2022 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Crema” by Johnnie Christmas, Dante Luiz, Ryan Ferrier & Atla Hrafney

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Esme appears to be a regular woman who works as a barista but when she drinks coffee, she can see ghosts. At a party, she meets Yara, the heir to a coffee plantation that is selling the coffee shop where Esme works. One of the ghosts makes his presence known to Esme who is connected to the plantation Yara’s family owns; begging Esme for help with his unfinished business.

This is fast, well paced, soothingly colored, and really sweet. I like how the ghosts factor into the plot and how they work a little differently from traditional spirits. Esme and Yara are a cute couple and I think anyone who loves coffee, ghosts, and romance will think this is enjoyable. 5 out of 5.

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June 25, 2022June 24, 2022 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Mizuno and Chayama” by Yuhta Nishio

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Mizuno has to put on a happy face as her father is the mayoral candidate in their small town, Chayama is the daughter of a wealthy family and heir to a tea company that rivals Mizuno’s father. As their families are at odd, they must keep their relationship a secret.

This volume follows them through high school as they fall in love and struggle with the pressures of their familial obligations and small town life Chayama is frequently bullied while Mizuno is put on a pedestal due to her father’s status. It’s a pretty good story but jumps around at the end but it is a tense read. It’s not explicit but there are some suggestive scenes; done tastefully in my opinion. They make a cute couple and the art suits the overall tone. A worthwhile addition to the yuri genre and I’d suggest it for older teens due to to those suggestive scenes. It’s less graphic than what they’re watching on the CW these days. 3.9 out of 5.

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June 5, 2022June 15, 2022 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Hello, Melancholic!” Vol. 1, by Yayoi Ohsawa

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First year, Minato, is very reserved and self conscious because of her height; towering over the other girls in her class. When upperclassman Hibiki catches sight of Minato with her trombone case, Hibiki is dragged out of her comfort zone when Hibiki insists Minato join the music club and play in her band.

Minato is a very relatable teenager, nervous about tripping up and finally making some friends that won’t mock her for her height. The contrast between her and Hibiki has some classic tropey elements but their individual personalities keep things unique and interesting. They’re a classic odd couple but it’s done well and they’re so sweet together. Even the tertiary characters are entertaining. I think teens looking for more LGBTQ+ content will love this. 4.8 out of 5.

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April 30, 2022May 26, 2022 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Catch These Hands!” Vol. 1, by Murata

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As an adult, Takebe is trying to leave her delinquent past behind her in favor of a more traditional look and persona. As she’s shopping, she runs into Soramori, a former rival from high school. Turns out Soramori wants one final fight and if she wins, she gets to date Takebe.

This is a cute, laid back, clean lesbian romance. And yes, it was the title that caught my eye first and it still makes me laugh. Takebe and Soramori make a great odd couple. The premise clearly will lead to a happy ending but I enjoy their interactions as they get used to the idea of being in a relationship. There’s not much yuri I’ve come across that’s clean enough for a teen to read so that’s a plus. It’s pretty generic but it got a chuckle out of me. 3.7 out of 5.

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