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Lenni Reviews: “Pink Heart Jam Beat” Vol. 1, by Shikke

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

Haiga has moved in with Kanae, and they have been living together for a year. Because Kanae is pushing himself so hard, Haiga is on the hunt for a job and is struggling to find what he wants.

While there is some smut in this, Haiga and Kanae are just so damn wholesome. With everything going on these days, and after the last romance manga I read, it felt awesome to enjoy a couple that loves and respects one another. Restores a little faith, to be honest. They have great chemistry, an interesting supportive cast that’s used just enough that they are a nice addition and complement our couple. Just great vibes. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Palace of the Omega” Vol. 2, by Fumi Tsuyuhisa

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

Ilia lives a quiet life after the death of his husband, but as civil war rages, he encounters a familiar young man who turns out to be King Khalid, leading the rebellion against Zayn.

First off, Suya is the MVP still. I love her. Secondly, I can’t see Zayn without thinking:

Because I’m dead inside and surviving on memes. Other than that, I love the rebels taking back the kingdom plot but… Y’all, they made it weird like I thought they would when I reviewed the first book. Sorry, but if the ages were tweaked so Kahlid wasn’t just shy of the legal age, it wouldn’t be as creepy. You can make him as badass as you want, but he’s still barely legal. And it’s weird when the flashbacks happen and they talk about how much they loved and wanted each other before the war, but it flashes back to a literal child. It’s creepy and hobbled my enjoyment. Yes, there’s plenty of detailed smut to be had, but ugh… 3.5 out of 5 because I do adore the art and the plot is interesting.

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Lenni Reviews: “Megumi & Tsugumi” Vol. 5, by Mitsuru Si

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

Megumi’s father’s dislike of omegas still looms over his relationship with Tsugumi and he’s determined to win his father over, only to end up tricked into a blind date with Inami.

I actually like how the sex scenes are almost like an afterthought to the couple’s goal to make Megumi’s father accept their relationship. Tsugumi is so earnest and deadpan, bringing a comedic element into all the drama. He’s not too doofy – which can also be fun – he’s just the type to know what he wants to do and doesn’t have all the hangups of those around him.  It’s refreshing since Megumi frets so much. And Tsugumi has awesome dads. I love when they’re included. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Worst Soulmate Ever: Proposal” by Haruta

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

Shishikura went to the matchmaking service to get married and ended up with his rival, Kotani. His relationship is contentious, but on their first trip together, they do their best to get along and get to know each other better. But what Shishikura learns is Kotani has no interest in getting married.

While smutty and sweet, this is a little rushed. Not that I need a ton of angst and drama but this couple went from hate to love so quickly, they still have serious disagreements, then suddenly marriage is on the table; it all felt so fast that one person wanting marriage and one person not seemed like the least of their issues. However, it didn’t kill my enjoyment of the volume. It’s a familiar trope and we only had 2 volumes to get to the happy ending. There’s so much spice and it’s explicit so keep that in mind. It was fun but pretty standard or omegaverse yaoi. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Palace of the Omega” Vol. 1, by Fumi Tsuyuhisa

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

Prince Ilia is an omega and the 13th prince of his line. As the lowest-ranked omega in his family, he is married off to the king of another kingdom, King Khalid, who turns out to be just a kid.

When I saw the king turned out to be a young child, I both had every red flag ready to fly and wondered if this was gonna be one of those “I may look like a child but I’m actually 80 bajillion years old” kind of thing. While this volume is all plot without any smut, I’m sticking the rating on there because it’s inevitable. I am totally okay with a good setup; the world-building, the intrigue, Ilia’s character arc, Suya being generally amazing, it’s all absolutely fantastic. If there was never a bit of smut in the whole thing, I’d still continue this to see what happens. However, I wonder how the romance will be rationalized later on. I hope they don’t make it weird. They’re gonna make it weird, aren’t they… 4.5 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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