M/M Romance

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Black or White” Vol. 3, by Sachimo

58438390

(Image Source)

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

Shin, who is so reserved he is typically typecast as a bad guy, is getting closer with a veteran actor, Tatara, who he has admired for some time. Shige, Shin’s boyfriend, is filled with jealousy at this growing friendship but still has to keep his relationship with Shin a secret.

They synopsis made this volume sound more dramatic than it actually is. There’s a lot of feels and exploring the character’s hang ups and Shige and Shin navigating their relationship around their jobs. This volume wasn’t bad but I expected a huge drama that didn’t happen. It’s pretty chill, actually; so if you’re into heavy angst, this isn’t it. 3 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

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

58438426(Image Source)

*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.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

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

58438397

(Image Source)

*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.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

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

58952887._SX318_

(Image Source)

*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.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Birds of Shangri-La” Vol. 2, by Ranmaru Zaria

55711523

(Image Source)

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

Apollo is still trying to resist Phi’s charms to break the rules of his job as a teaser. As the attraction between them boils, demons from Phi’s dark past come stalking him.

It’s interesting that the teasers also function as a type of bodyguard when the ‘birds’ are allowed to leave the brothel. I’m not sure if they’re qualified to deal with whoever is stalking Phi; as it’s clear that stalker is going to do something dangerous that will affect everyone at Shangri-La. I do like how the story treats the chemistry between Phi and Apollo even without the naughty scenes. 3.8 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

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

57147091

(Image Source)

*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.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Black or White” Vol. 1, by Sachimo

57147090

(Image Source)

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

Washimiya is an actor known for having a cold and standoffish attitude and his hiding the fact he is dating another actor, Shin. Washimiya is hesitant about the relationship due to how popular Shin is in contrast to how his aloof nature has typecast him into villain roles and he doesn’t want to ruin Shin’s reputation.

This is a cute start to a series. Shin is just the right amount of clueless about how to be in a relationship and the conflict unfolds naturally while giving the reader some smut to enjoy in the first volume. This isn’t overly explicit but you know what’s going on and leaves plenty to anticipate in volume 2. 4 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “MADK” Vol. 1, by Ryo Suzuri & Adrienne Beck

(Image Source)

*This comic is suggested for mature readers.

Makoto is a young man with some serisously dark fantasies. Knowing no human being could ever fulfull them, he summons a demon to fulfill them. After selling his soul, the demon takes Makoto to hell with him where he learns he didn’t land just any demon, he sold his soul to J, an archduke of hell.

If you’re in the marked for some dark M/M, this is certainly an original entry; especially if you like unconventional relationships. Makoto and J have a strange dynamic and this is not for the faint of heart even if the art flubs what’s happening so it’s not overly graphic. You get it but it’s not along the lines of a guro manga or anything. 4 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Bad Boys, Happy Home” Vol. 1, by SHOOWA & Hiromasa Okujima

55711514

(Image Source)

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

Akamatsu has energy to burn off so he picks fights with random people at the local park. One day, he comes across Kanzaki; who proceeds to kick his ass. Repeatedly. When it becomes clear to Akamatsu that Kanzaki is living in the park, he offers Kanzaki a place to stay until he finds his own place. 

I like this duo. Both of them are brash and standoffish; keeping their feelings bottled up and expressing themselves through fighting rather than talking. They have good chemistry together and while this is clearly a set up for a relationship of sorts and has some smexy times, this volume has just the right amount of humor to make me want to keep up with the series. 4 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

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

54303319

(Image Source)

*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.

Follow me on BlogLovin.