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Lenni Reviews: “Sakura, Saku” Vol. 8, by Io Sakisaka

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

Haruki has confessed his feelings to Saku but she thinks Hazuki would be a better match for him because she’s certain he still has feelings for Hazuki and not herself. This gives Iryu a chance to make his move.

 

For some reason, Saku is really ticking me off. She’s not being honest with herself and her own feelings, making decisions about the feelings of others FOR them but also taking advantage (in a way) of Iryu’s attempts to cheer her up. Girl, just don’t deal with either of them if you’re this unsure. Maybe it’s my own bias seeping in, but don’t fucking decide other people’s feelings for them. Saku is inadvertently becoming a toxic “nice girl,” and I really hope she gets called out.

Also, this is how to make a guy kind of an asshole but still likable. Iryu says mean shit, but Wolf Girl and Black Prince should take notes.

3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Wolf Girl and Black Prince” Vol. 15, by Ayuko Hatta

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

Wanting to pursue glass blowing, Erika is trapped between her mother’s insistence on studying it in Kyoto and Kyoya’s ultimatum to stay in Tokyo or break up with him.

Yeah, I’d expect Kyoya to be a dick about this. There are plenty of characters who can balance cool, aloof jerk with a soft spot but Kyoya comes off as overly cruel then has to walk it back so the story can keep the couple together. The best part of this was someone giving him a good smack and putting him in his place because he keeps acting like a walking red flag to a girl who clearly cares for him and doesn’t deserve his abuse. 2 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Rainbows After Storms” Vol. 5, by Luka Kobachi

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

After their kiss at the festival, Nanoha and Chidori are struggling to communicate with each other about wanting to do it again. Also, a former classmate of Nanoha’s, Mai, joins their school and literature club.

These two are so damn adorable.

Even with this potential rival showing up, I’m still thinking this relationship won’t crumble because of Mai unless she threatens to out them. If I were to guess, that’s probably what’s going to happen since keeping their secret is so important. If Mai doesn’t do it, someone/thing else might. It doesn’t seem like the type of series to get really dark, so if it did, it would be very out of character. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Wolf Girl and Black Prince” Vol. 14, by Ayuko Hatta

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

As graduation looms, Erika is unsure what she wants for her future. Also, Kyoya’s birthday is coming, and while Erika is excited to do something nice for him, Kyoya is indifferent to the whole thing.

Erika goes to her aunt Eiko, who makes glass art, and since she’s so excited about it, she’s considering doing it as a career. Meanwhile, this volume tries to get me to like Kyoya again as he learns to enjoy his birthday, and he encourages Erika to come to college with him, but I didn’t forget what happened in volume 12. In my mind, he hasn’t redeemed himself, and that temper is consistent throughout the whole series. It wasn’t just one bad day. Maybe college is the chance for Erika to get away from him for a while. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Like a Butterfly” Vol. 12, by Suu Morishita

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

This volume is spinoffs, one-shots, and bonus chapters, changing some perspectives and some what-if stories.

While cute, these feel like they could have been divided up and put at the end of previous volumes, not sold on their own in a separate volume. I mean, if you’re desperate for more content with these characters, it may be worth it for you, but for me, I was skimming most of this. And I’d be annoyed if I’d paid for this. In this economy? No thanks. 2.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Wolf Girl and Black Prince” Vol. 13, by Ayuko Hatta

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

Despite Kyoya’s warnings, Erika tries to play matchmaker. After the trip, Erika’s parents want Kyoya to come over to formally meet him, and he takes Erika out for her birthday. There is also a side story where Takeru tries to tell Kyoya he shouldn’t be so blunt.
Takeru is a decent guy, and it’s nice to see someone be a friend to Kyoya. Overall, the bungled birthday date was the most amusing part. Kyoya was really trying to put forth some effort with the date and meeting her parents was off the rails; it gave me emotional whiplash, which was NOT appreciated given I haven’t forgotten what happened last volume there, kiddo. You’re still an asshole. 2 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Let’s Do It Already!” Vol. 5, by Aki Kusaka

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

Due to the restrictions placed on their relationship, Keiichiro is planning something special for Yuri’s birthday; a three day trip to Kyoto.

I love how Keiichiro throws himself into things wholeheartedly. Yuri’s struggling with a class? He organized a whole damn curriculum to help her. He wants to have an overnight trip within the constraints of his family’s rules? He makes that shit happen. Bless that young man because he just wants to do his best and do right by the love of his life. The comedy isn’t bad, but it’s mostly all about Keiichiro being a sweetheart. 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Komi Can’t Communicate” Vol. 34, by Tomohito Oda

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

Rumiko still hasn’t responded to Wakai’s confession and Komi gets accepted to her first-choice school. Their class is gearing up for another festival and decides to do a ramen stand.

The ramen stand was a funny event. Komi’s come a long way from not speaking at all to leading the class to play for an event and having a great time. I like that this volume keeps most of the focus on this event with only a couple side stories like Rumiko and Wakai. The volumes with a ton of different little stories have been hit or miss but this volume was just some cozy fun. 4.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Sakura, Saku” Vol. 7, by Io Sakisaka

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

Iryu is tempted to interfere with Haruki’s relationship; meanwhile, Saku thinks Haruki still has feelings for Hazuki.

Okay, I know they’re teenagers but seriously. Saku has doubts about Haruki so she snubs him and immediately goes to the other guy who likes her? And to just dismiss him when he says what’s past is past? Spoilers I guess, but to me, it felt like she was doing her hardest to sabotage this relationship. It really annoyed me because Haruki was so earnest and open with Saku, and she just closed it off. This is seven volumes in now, you’d think she’d know him better than that. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Let’s Do It Already!” Vol. 4, by Aki Kusaka

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

Yuri’s plan to become a maid at Keiichiro’s home to be closer to him over the summer doesn’t work out like she thought, resulting in hilarious consequences once summer break is over.

This volume has some great comedy, but it’s starting to feel like Yuri is learning the same lesson over and over again. She does something wacky then realizes that Keiichiro deeply cares for her and she should just chill out about what she expects from their relationship and all these rules. I like them and root for them, but this volume was just okay. I’d like to see a bit more growth from her. 3.5 out of 5.

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