shojo

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: “My Special One” Vol. 6, by Momoko Koda

199798590

(Image Source)

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

While Sahoko and Kouta are enjoying their relationship; we take a break to spend time with Emika Nanase; an actress with a crush on an idol singer named Kanato Asuma. When she finally gets the chance to shoot a show with him, she tries to be as brave as Sahoko and confess her feelings.

Is it bad that I don’t care as much about Emika and Kanato as much as I cared about Kouta and Sahoko? Her motivation doesn’t feel as original as Sahoko’s, more like a generic crush to confession pipeline without the same back story as Sahoko. Emika focused her entire career as an actress around getting to Kanato which simultaneously is sweet and sad, since she’s not doing it for herself and she can’t focus on that job around her crush. I just didn’t find her fumbling endearing and wanted to go back to our main couple. 2 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: “Ima Koi: Now I’m in Love” Vol. 9, by Ayuko Hatta

Version 1.0.0

(Image Source)

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

On the School trip to Nagasaki, Satomi and Yagyu & Mira and Noda ponder what the future holds for them as they go into their final year of high school.

The ending is really sweet for these kids and makes for a low angst romantic series for those who like their teen romances fairly light and happy; complete with a happily ever after. It doesn’t go too far into their future but what we see is just enough to provide a satisfying ending as it is. 3.7 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: “My Special One” Vol. 5, by Momoko Koda

(Image Source)

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

While Kouta is temporarily teaching at Sahoko’s school, Akutagawa toys with them with threats to out their relationship and tries to turn Sahoko’s attention away from Kouta.

Once whatever Akutagawa stopped with whatever he thought he was doing (I don’t quite get giving this much of a fuck about someone else’s relationship like he does), the rest of the volume is just Sahoko and Kouta just enjoying being together; even Kouta formally telling Sahoko’s mother they’re officially dating. He’s come a long way from the closed off person he was at the start of this series. His turn from swearing off any relationships at all to being so earnest and caring is really sweet. 3.7 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.