shojo manga

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Sakura, Saku” Vol. 4, by Io Sakisaka

199798633

(Image Source)

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

Saku worries that Kotono may also have feelings for Haruki as they are still pretending to be dating to throw off her ex.

This was really sweet and I appreciate Saku and Kotono talking things out instead of letting all these doubts and questions fester but honestly, I am really worried about Kotono’s ex. He is a walking talking red flag that I could see getting violent and I don’t believe he’ll completely back off. He needs to be dealt with before I feel I can enjoy Saku and Haruki getting closer. It’s this mental axe hanging over the plot for me. 4 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Neighborhood Story” Vol. 3, by Ai Yazawa

199798803

(Image Source)

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

Mikako and her friends heat for Mariko’s family villa for the summer but Mariko’s first love, Shu, happens to be staying next door, causing conflict with her current boyfriend, Yuske. When they return to Yaza Arts, the upcoming school festival gives the chance for the students to show off their work.

Maybe I wasn’t in the right headspace when I read this but, (SPOILER) after Mikako flipped out on Tsutomu because he was so jealous of her new assistant, Seiji, I was checked out. He had every right to be more upset with her than he was, even if his jealousy was unfounded. Yes, she is hardworking, talented, and has big dreams; but the way she put him down stuck with me and I wasn’t rooting for their relationship so much anymore. 3 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Wolf Girl and Black Prince” Vol. 8, by Ayuko Hatta

199798625

(Image Source)

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

Lena is dead set on confessing her feelings to Kyoya, no matter how Erika feels. After that, the focus shifts to the upcoming holidays and how Kyoya will spend Christmas with Erika.

When it came to Lena, we got to see the old, nasty Kyoya but it didn’t look like this middle schooler was gonna back off. It felt like obnoxious met obnoxious in this case because it’s skeevy to go after your cousin’s boyfriend like that and she wouldn’t take no for an answer. I guess Kyoya’s nasty attitude was helpful in this case. The Christmas thing was nice and the story about Kyoya’s horrifically bad eyesight and him softening a bit because of Erika was a middling affair. It’s just okay and I stand by my initial assessment that it’s Erika’s happiness that keeps my interest in this series. 3 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Like a Butterfly” Vol. 5, by Suu Morishita

176443429

(Image Source)

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

After a confession, Kawasumi’s crush on Suiren becomes common knowledge and while she reciprocates, Kawasumi’s next obstacle is not only his complete lack of knowledge of how dating works but meeting Suiren’s parents.

Man, as cute as our main couple is, this volume makes me so damn happy I’m not in high school anymore. Since this isn’t one of those super depressing manga, I doubt this will lean hard into any real bullying from the other students like in a lot of other stories where what you’re looking at isn’t so much bullying as several violations of the Geneva Convention… Legit torture… But, there are plenty of other ways they can make Suiren and Kawasumi’s lives harder as the couple figure this whole romance thing out. 3 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Komi Can’t Communicate” Vol. 29, by Tomohito Oda

176443907

(Image Source)

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

While the kids are at a study camp, Tadano’s old crush, Rami Kawai, is also there with her friends. When she finds out Tadano is with Komi, she challenges Komi to compete for Tadano’s attention.

This rivalry is the main focus of this volume and it seems Tadano is none the wiser about it. I actually like that because after all this time, we know this kid and he wouldn’t be jazzed about Rami interfering the way she is. I guess this is going to work itself out to Rami becoming another friend on Komi’s list but I wouldn’t mind if she just backs off and goes away because not everyone is worth forming a friendship with. 3.7 out of 5 because I really dislike Rami.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Neighborhood Story” Vol. 2, by Ai Yazawa

(Image Source)

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

Mikako is working with her friends to get their club going but Tsutomu brings in a new girl, Ayumi, and Mikako lets her jealousy get the better of her.

I’m on the fence about how quickly Mikako and Tsutomu worked things out. Was it too easy or am I glad the back and forth wasn’t needlessly drawn out with a bunch of contrivances to keep up the angst? Either way, it’s resolved so the rest of the volume is prepping for the flea market and some conflict with Mikako’s father making it a very dramatic volume. 3.9 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Yakuza Lover” Vol. 12, by Nozomi Mino

176443787

(Image Source)

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

Things with Yuri’s family didn’t go well and now, Oya’s mother summons Yuri to give her the truth about what it’s like being a woman of the yakuza.

The final volume brushes aside it’s premise so fast and throws in this random thing with Oya losing his eyesight? That’s never resolved? Then they get married and she’s pregnant: the end. There, I just saved you the time reading this. Watching Yuri prove herself to Oya’s mother would have been awesome to see. Maybe even, oh, I dunno, show the dark side of being a yakuza wife? Any danger it might put her in? Put her family in even though they’re not involved with a dangerous crime organization? Nope. That’s a criticism I’ve had for this whole series. Where there were chances to really go somewhere, it turned into just fluff. 2 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Sakura, Saku” Vol. 2, by Io Sakisaka

176443041

(Image Source)

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

Saku gets her meeting with Ryosuke to thank him for saving her only to discover it wasn’t him after all. With her feelings a mess, she finds comfort and support in Ryosuke’s brother, Haruki who has been by her side the whole time.

Saku is just adorable. In fact, the main characters are really cute and their dynamic makes for a cozy read. Well, most of them. You’ll see when you read this. While it may be a fairly standard young adult romance, the art is beautiful and expressive. I hope it keeps it’s light-hearted tone and doesn’t go where I think the ending is hinting. 4 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Rainbow Days” Vol. 8, by Minami Mizuno

(Image Source)

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

After being rejected by Keiichi, Nozomi thinks about what she should do next. Meanwhile, the boys reminisce about how they first met.

The story about how all the boys met is entertaining and much less frustrating Nozomi’s side of things. I like how she reflects on her past and wants to be different and improve herself but Keiichi is not the best guy. If that works out, I hope he’s not a jerk to her. This volume leans more towards the less interesting parts of slice of life. It’s okay but had trouble grabbing my attention. 3 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Wolf Girl and Black Prince” Vol. 5, by Ayuko Hatta

176443662

(Image Source)

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

Erika and Kyoya are now second years and to her delight, they are in the same class together. However, Kamiya the playboy is convinced Kyoya should be like him and continues to meddle with their relationship.

Kyoka is churlish and grumpy but not as horrid as previous volumes. It’s clearer now that he’s actually trying to make Erika happy and maybe catching some feelings of his own. I’m relieved because he was getting on my damn nerves. Erika is such a sweet cinnamon roll of a character who deserves the happiness she craves so badly. This feels like the grump/sunshine trope I was hoping for. 4 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.