young adult romance

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Lenni Reviews: “Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible” Vol. 11, by Nene Yukimori

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Kubo and Shiraishi both realize they have feelings for each other but Shiraishi is looking for the best way to tell Kubo. Luckily the class trip is coming up and Shiraishi hopes to get some alone time with Kubo to make his confession.

This volume is a lot of blushing glances and I gotta admit, it’s really sweet and wholesome. They’re super precious and the tone is very light and positive. Since it’s so very slice of life, don’t expect a ton of drama or angst; just these kids having a good time together. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Komi Can’t Communicate” Vol. 28, by Tomohito Oda

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

As Tadano and Komi have been an official couple for awhile, Tadano is wondering how to manage his first kiss. Unfortunately, the first person he asks is Komi’s father. Meanwhile, Nanoda, Kire, and Kyono all want to be Komi’s friend but are having trouble approaching her.

Our main couple is just so damn sweet and wholesome. While they are the highlight of this volume, Komi’s parents are a close second. Her mom was a little creepy for a minute but the resulting shenanigans were funny. The other stories with the summer uniforms and studying in the library are funny as well but the relationship is where this volume is most enjoyable. 4.5 out of 5.

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

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*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.

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Lenni Reviews: “Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible” Vol. 10, by Nene Yukimori

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

Summer is over and it’s time for the school festival where the students plan to take advantage of Junta’s invisibility and sets him up as a ghost in the haunted house they set up. Kubo is looking forward to spending some quality time with Junta at the festival but he does such a good job being invisible, she’s seeing Junta much less than she’d like.

Most of this volume is the school festival as Kubo wrestles with no longer being the only one Junta interacts with and it’s handled really well. It was low angst and pretty mature so if you’re looking for something light and sweet, this is perfect. It’s just cozy. 4.5 out of 5.

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

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

After feeling sick on the train, Saku wakes to find herself safe with all her belongings and a note from the person who helped her. The number didn’t work but she vows to never ignore a person in need. Until she finds out a boy she goes to school with, Haruki,  has the same last name as the person who signed the note and this boy has an older brother who she believes is the one who helped her. She tries to get close to Haruki in order to give a thank you note to his older brother.

Ah, a classic young romance. It’s cute so far and Saku is a really sweet and earnest character. She’s just trying to be a good person and it doesn’t come off as fake or like she’s a pushover. Haruki is relatable as well; dealing with being in his popular brother’s shadow. We’re starting off strong with this series. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Like a Butterfly” Vol. 3, by Suu Morishita

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

Suiren is working on her shyness and practicing talking more so she can speak to her crush, Taichi. Taichi however is unsure about his feelings after spending time with Suiren at a festival and distracts himself by throwing himself into his karate practice.

This volume is mostly Taichi avoiding the inevitable like a younger teen would but it is adorable to see Suiren trying to be more vocal and brave. It’s super chill without a drop of angst and dramatics if you’re in the mood for something cute, calm, and pretty to look at. 3.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “My Special One” Vol. 4, by Momoko Koda

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

Now that Sahoko and Kouta are officially dating, there is the lingering issue of Kouta’s fans finding out not only that he’s taken but who is girlfriend really is. Hajime, who works with Kouta, thinks Sahoko should stay away from Kouta to protect her.

It’s nice to see Kouta trying to hard to be a good boyfriend and treating Sahoko well. It’s such a contrast to Wolf Girl and Black Prince where the main guy is just the worst. Of course there’s the resident playboy who wants to stick his nose in but when you consider how insane fans can be, I am genuinely concerned about Sahoko if it gets out she’s dating Kouta. There are some psychos out there. This series has been fairly lighthearted so far, so I wonder what will happen. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Wolf Girl and Black Prince” Vol. 4, by Ayuko Hatta

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

After Kyoya flips out after learning Erica gave another boy the same gift as she gave him, Erica has had enough and ends their ‘relationship’ to be with Kusakabe; who is much nicer to Erica. Also, another student named Kamiya is a huge player who has sworn to never get involved with emotional relationships and set his sights on getting Kyoya to do the same.

Kyoya is still a dick but he’s slightly less awful in this volume.  I’m hoping he becomes a better boyfriend for Erika, who is so sweet and trying really hard. I can tell Kamiya is gonna be a temporary problem but his motivations are weird to me. Who cares if a guy you barely know isn’t a player like you? But hey, there’s drama to be had. 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Cuckoos Three” by Cassandra Jean & Mosskat

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Murry is a football star, hardworking, and obedient son, with a ton of friends. However the new kid, Jacob, is a small outcast and stands out as the quiet kid with piercings and a goth look. Despite being so different, they are drawn to each other. But, Jacob is hiding the reason why he moved with his family out to the small country town.

This is the sweetest story. Murry is so delightfully earnest and kind, Jacob is a darling, and they are precious together. It also contains some educational info on DID and how to help someone who switches. I wouldn’t mind a long running webcomic or something with these two since it’s so aggressively calm and heart warming. And the art is so colorful and soft, and it’s all young around friendly. 5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “My Love Mix-Up!” Vol. 9, by Wataru Hinekure & Aruko

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

Aoki and Ida are studying hard so they can get into the same college but Aoki is really struggling and graduation is just around the corner.

Yeeeaaahh, the super-deformed is back to it’s creepiness. I mean, look at this:

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I could easily see this exact panel in a Junji Ito manga. It is NOT something I would want to look at for very long.

Aside for that, I have to complain about a little spoilery type deal. There is an amnesia plot here that seems to only exist to cram in some final drama before tossing it aside as a dream before getting to the real ending. I would have MUCH rather had more time exploring how the characters feel, seeing them interact, getting more hints at their future… It was so sweet and clean aside for that aside. That was disappointing but at least the actual end is good. 3.9 out of 5.

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