romance comics

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Colette Decides to Die” Vol. 5, by Alto Yukimura

(Image Source)

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

Kotsume the otter is considering a job with Poseidon while Dynonisis and Hermes accompany Colette on her journey.

Mild spoilers, but I am VERY unsure about the addition of a “precocious young child” character. She’s cute, but I can see her getting annoying long-term. Since we’re getting into the realizing feelings phase, we don’t have any confessions. Especially since Colette is still so devoted to her work. I wonder if she’ll be forced to choose between that and Hades. And that damn silly little otter made me cry; that adorable little fucker. 3.5 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Sakura, Saku” Vol. 9, by Io Sakisaka

(Image Source)

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

After rejecting Haruki’s confession, Saku is convinced she did the right thing, freeing him to love Hazuki. But Kotono’s scolding has her doubting her decision in this final volume.

While I’m glad Saku finally stepped up and was honest about what she wanted, I’m actually disappointed Haruki (spoilers) was indeed the guardian angel the whole time because that’s pretty predictable. It’s sweet, but part of me wanted it to be a completely random person who had nothing to do with any of them, but they got together anyway. This was still nice, though. Even if you can totally see it coming. As the final volume, all my tender-hearted readers out there get our happy ending. 3 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Plus-Sized Misadventures in Love!” Vol. 2, by mamakari

(Image Source)

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

As Yumeko enjoys her new outlook on life, the investigation into the incident that cost her her memories is ongoing, making it seem that, despite her optimistic outlook, not everyone around her can be trusted.

This is one of those stories where I’m not sure if I want it to get super serious. I want this to be Yumeko’s new lease on life, not how horrid her old life was. Some of the jokes at her expense aren’t very funny as a plus-size woman (let us feel cute, for fucks sakes…) but I am a sucker for characters like Yumeko: positive, hard working, earnest… That little light in a cynical, dark world. Much like in Hirayasumi, I don’t want that light to go out, no matter how strong my curiosity around the incident might be. 3.5 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Plus-Sized Misadventures in Love!” Vol. 1, by mamakari

(Image Source)

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

Yumeko is miserable, believing herself unworthy of love, much less worthy of her work crush, Keisuke. After what is assumed to be a suicide attempt erases her memory, her personality completely changes to a confident, outgoing person. As she learns about her former life, the cause of her accident may not have been her own doing.

It’s clear that there’s an underlying mystery clouding all the fun positivity Yumeko brings to this story. Something dark enough to warrant trying to kill her. While that’s a compelling plot, I’d read Yumeko just being fabulous and enjoying her new life. Even if the stereotype of her always eating is there (can we drop that joke, for fucks sakes…), it’s clear her newfound confidence and boundless positivity are the highlight of this story, and it’s so sweet to see her make everyone better around her. 3.7 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Pink Candy Kiss” Vol. 3, by Ami Uozumi

(Image Source)

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

Takara decides to love Ema in her own way, believing that as long as Ema is happy, it doesn’t matter if there is no happy ending.

This volume shows that while Takara is smitten, she doesn’t know Ema like she used to. They do need to get to know each other again, and who knows where that will lead. Maybe she’ll realize Ema is better as just a friend more maybe she’ll fall even harder. That bittersweet tone is still present, especially since Ema’s husband is still just this decent dude who’s not only supportive of his wife but of Takara being back in her life to support Ema as well. Still not sure where this will go but there are clues.

3.5 out of 5

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “My New Wife’s Fake Smile” Vol. 1, by Kengo Matsumoto

(Image Source)

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

After a month of marriage, Sojiro’s wife, Chiyo, always sports a fake smile. As it’s an arranged marriage and he’s the second son, Sojiro vows to do his best to become the husband she deserves and make that smile real. However, he is totally unaware that Chiyo is desperately holding her intense feelings for him inside.

These two are a couple of goofballs who misunderstand each other but are still funny and nice to one another. It’s a light-hearted comedy that has potential in both good and bad ways. I can see these consistent misunderstandings getting repetitive in the long term if they don’t progress as a couple as more volumes pass. There are some serious moments as Sojiro is a samurai and gets into some sword fights, but this just means the art handles the sweet, the silly, and the fight scenes with no problem. 4 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Colette Decides to Die” Vol. 4, by Alto Yukimura

(Image Source)

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

As Colette’s journey to her hometown continues, she encounters Hercules and spends time with her siblings. We learn more about all of them and their journey as healers.

Kotume is an adorable addition, and screw Posidon for being cruel to that precious little bean.

How can you be mean to that little face!!??

Other than that, this volume is mostly about Colette and Hades getting closer. There was the chance of a typical ‘beach episode,’ but she is such a hard worker that we skip that trope, and she spends the time learning unique skills from the healers near the sea. She adds these to her skill set before heading back to the underworld. This is the volume with the most negativity as some apprentices are nasty to Marie (Colette’s older sister) and the harsh treatment of Kotsume (an otter). It was a downer in the series for sure. 4 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Colette Decides to Die” Vol. 3, by Alto Yukimura

(Image Source)

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

Dionysus makes an appearance as he’s one of many afflicted with a cold that’s going around. As thanks for treatment, he invites Hades and Colette to a banquet to get closer.

In addition to the banquet, we see more of Colette being an amazing apocathary and how deep her connection to the vilage goes. Again, this is one of those series where the romance and fantasy are great but Colette’s pure hearted and earnest dedication drives this story and is a pleasure to read. Seriously, the budding romance between Hades and Colette is such an afterthought in my mind. I could have the whole series just be about her and be totally fine with it. 4.5 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Otaku Vampire’s Love Bite” Vol. 4, by Julietta Suzuki

(Image Source)

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

After the cosplay shoot, Amanatsu gains a bit of fame when the photos are posted online, resulting in a forced date that triggers Viktor to trick Hina and Amanatstu to go back to Hina’s father.

This volume balances the silly and the serious better than the previous ones. It also builds up another person lurking in the background and shows that Hina is a force to be reckoned with, despite her adorable otaku nature. It’s nice to see them getting closer and having fun. I would like to see Hina come into her own while still being her goofy self, but it feels like we’re still getting the cast together for whatever plot points are coming up. 4 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Firefly Wedding” Vol. 4, by Oreco Tachibana

(Image Source)

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

Kotaro, Satoko’s bodyguard, comes to rescue her, but Shinpei isn’t about to let her go that easily.

We also learn who hired the thugs who kidnapped Satoko in the first place, which was not surprising in the slightest. Again, Shinpei really swings from psychotic to sweetheart in a terrifying way and the art is fantastic at showing both. Even though Satoko has these two scary guard dogs, she still gets a chance to show her strength in her own way within the confines of her position and her health. For now, we’re still stuck on the island and not likely to leave anytime soon. I’m itching to find out what happens when Satoko gets home. 4 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.