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

Wei Yanzi and Gu Yiliang are both young up-and-coming actors currently working on the same show but Wei Yanzi feels as if he’s overshadowed by Gu Yiliang’s natural talent and good looks. Since he’s getting some hate from Gu Yiliang’s fans, Wei Yanzi leans into those online shipping him and his costar so he sees more positive things about himself.

This is so goofy. Wei Yanzi doesn’t realize how flirty he sounds when he talks to Gu Yiliang and it’s funny to see him encouraging fanfiction of himself and his costar. I say costar because (spoiler?) they’re not really rivals; they get along pretty well the entire time. Gu Yiliang is clearly developing some feels while Wei Yanzi is clueless. It feels a little scattered but it’s still cute. And a clean read so far at a 13+ rating.3.7 out of 5.

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December 10, 2024December 7, 2024 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Komi Can’t Communicate” Vol. 31, by Tomohito Oda

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

It’s Summer Festival time again; an ideal time for Komi and Tadamo to have a nice date but through a series of mishaps, it’s hard for them to have time together.

The stories around our couple are amusing but things feel disconnected. It’s best when we’re focused on our main couple, especially when they’re fretting about their first kiss or thinking about their futures. It totally made up for the scattershot feeling of the rest of the volume with the other characters. Kawai’s family dynamic really is… Something. Why are so many of the side characters so ridiculous? 4 out of 5.

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July 21, 2024November 5, 2024 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Sakura, Saku” Vol. 5, by Io Sakisaka

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

Saku is working with Iryu at the cafe for the summer and since Haruki is also working, they have a hard time getting together. We check in with Kotono’s nasty ex and there is some evidence that Iryu may have been the one to save Saku.

The side story bumped this volume up to a 4 for me because it was sweet. Other than that, Saku and Haruki are still just friends while it’s so damn obvious at least Haruki has some feelings brewing. I would love if the ending of this is we never find out whoever Saku’s guardian angel is and she just moves on with her life as yeah, she was rude as hell to Iryu and is missing out on who is currently in her life in favor of this other mysterious hero. Again, 4 out of 5.

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July 19, 2024November 4, 2024 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Like a Butterfly” Vol. 9, by Suu Morishita

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

Suiren and Kawasumi decide they need space from each other but Suiren still considers their relationship intact. When summer rolls around again, they plan to keep their promise to attend the Summer Festival together.

While the time spent apart seemed to have done the couple some good, what I was most interested in – and have been for a few volumes now – is Suiren becoming stronger and more confident; especially when dealing with the popularity she clearly does not enjoy. I’ll say it again: Suiren needs more to her than “I love Kawasumi” and “prettiest girl in school.” We have side characters we know more about or at lease I feel like I know more about them and understand them better than Suiren. If we’re gonna spend so much time with her, she should have more depth. 3.5 out of 5

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April 16, 2024June 1, 2024 atthequillsmercy

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

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*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.

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April 10, 2024June 1, 2024 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Ima Koi: Now I’m in Love” Vol. 9, by Ayuko Hatta

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*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.

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