LGBT romance

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Lenni Reviews: “Old-Fashioned Cupcake” by Sagan Sagan

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

Nozue is feeling like he’s in a rut. He may be the oldest and most popular person in his office job but all he does is go to work and come home. When speaking with his coworker, Togawa, the younger man decides to help with what he calls “andropause” by helping Nozue experience more of life. Togawa’s intentions are kind but it is clear he has a crush on the older man.

This is a fun May/December romance. There are some intimate scenes but they’re not super graphic. Togawa is the stern type, doing a poor job at hiding his feelings, and Nozue is the oblivious one who needs a roadmap to see he’s the target of a crush. As they come together, we get some nice slice of life moments. It’s nice to see older characters – even though 40 is hardly “old” – and it’s a quick read that makes you smile. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “My Love Mix-Up!” Vol. 7, by Wataru Hinekure & Aruko

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

As high school nears its end, Aoki puts more effort into being involved and supportive of Ida, who wants to go away to college.

I like this volume but I am wondering if we will get more progression as these stories play out. The young relationships are moving forward but it’s a little slow to read. At least Aoki and Ida are fun to read. We get the classic ‘only one bed in the hotel room’ plotline. Akkun and Hashimoto are a nice counterpoint to the others. It’s all sweet and worth reading if you’re looking for some YA romance. 4 out of 5.

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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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Lenni Reviews: “Megumi & Tsugumi” Vol. 1, by Mitsuru Si

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

Tsugumi is an omega who hates all alphas due how to they treat omegas like playthings. When he beats up the wrong group, Megumi – an alpha – comes to avenge his friends only to fine Tsugumi irresistable.

I like the energy of this couple. The typical balance is the hot headed one and the cool headed one but neither of these guys qualifies as cool headed. They’re both ready to fight and have big personalities, which makes their relationship more interesting. There’s plenty of spice and smutty scenes (where my head cannon is they are in their 20’s so I don’t throw up) but I honestly enjoy them interacting overall. They made me laugh. 4 out of 5.

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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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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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Lenni Reviews: “My Love Mix-Up!” Vol. 6, by Wataru Hinekure &Aruko

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

Aoki is working hard at his part time job in order to buy his boyfriend, Ida, a present. They are spending more time together but Aoki is curious about being more intimate as for as long as they’ve been dating, they’ve only held hands.

Even though the super-deformed drawings can still get creepy, the story and the characters are so charming and adorable that this is still a warm, comfortable read. Aoki and Ida are slowly growing in a natural way that is nice to experience as we go through this journey with them. 4.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Coyote” Vol. 4, by Ranmaru Zaria

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

Now that Coyote knows who Marleen really is, Marleen is put on house arrest to keep him away from Coyote while the wolves and wolf hunters conspire with their respective groups behind the scenes. Coyote takes a huge risk to try and rescue the man he loves.

While Coyote and Marleen are sweet and they have their spicy scenes, I am all about what is going on with the wolves gearing up to take on the mafia family that’s hunting them down. I am super excited to see all this come to a head (no dirty pun intended) in the next volume. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “My Love Mix-Up!” Vol. 4, by Wataru Hinekure & Aruko

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

 Prepared for rejection, Aoki confesses to Ida but Ida accepts his feelings and they start dating. Aoki wants to keep it a secret but Ida doesn’t think they should and has no issues being honest with their friends and classmates. However, Ida isn’t very good at expressing how he feels to Aoki.

This is relentlessly cute. I’m enjoying watching the story just play out and it’s written well enough that I’m rooting for them. This is a fun little romance that’s clean, fun, and has low angst (so far). 4 out of 5.

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