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Lenni Reviews: “Pink Candy Kiss” Vol. 1, by Ami Uozumi

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

In middle school, Takara was in love with her classmate, Ema. Twenty years later, they meet again after Takara is dumped by her boyfriend. Her old feelings return, but Ema is married.

This volume is very bittersweet. It touches on the cultural aspect of girl crushes as something you’re supposed to outgrow. Ema is fucking adorable, and there does seem to be some lingering feelings for both of them. But, there is a marriage to consider, and it would have been so, SO easy to make the husband a complete asshole like in Tears on a Withered Flower, but he’s a cutie patootie, too! The art is beautiful and soft, but has no trouble handling the humor in this story. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Rainbows After Storms” Vol. 4, by Luka Kobachi

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

This volume has our secret couple Nanoha and Chidori going on their first beach trip with their friends as well as introducing Igarashi; Chidori’s first love that broke her heart.

It’s interesting to see how f/f relationships are seen in Japan. I remember reading/watching somewhere that these little intimacies are seen as cutesy things you grow out of as life gets “serious,” then you go on to have a family. My mother believed something similar. It was so fucking sweet to see Nanoha put her foot down and say Chidori is her girlfriend. They’re still a secret to their friends but this isn’t a passing thing for them. While this isn’t a flash forward 20 years in the future to see they’re still together for a real confirmation but I’ll take it. They are so damn adorable. 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Rainbows After Storms” Vol. 3, by Luka Kobachi

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

Nanoha and Chidori are heading into their first summer as a couple and their first official date at an aquarium.

We have our usual sort of episodic misadventures where we learn Chidori is great at cooking, Nanoha has a sleepover with all her friends, but her little sister, Kaede, figures out their secret. Still, something is brewing about Chidori’s past. I’d expected Kaede to be a little shit and cause trouble but nah, she was fine. I don’t anticipate this series going super dark and have everyone turn on them, but Chidori clearly went through something that’s really bothering her whenever it crops up. Everything is lighthearted and sweet so, while my guard is interested, it’s not at full attention yet. 4 out of 5. 

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Lenni Reviews: “I’m in Love with the Villainess” Manga Vol. 1, by Aonoshimo, Inori & Hanagata

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

Rei Ohashi is overworked, and gaming is her only escape. One day, she wakes to find herself in one of her favorite games, where she takes the chance to romance the villain in the story, Claire Francios.

While I haven’t read the light novel, this is a silly but a little creepy sort of story. Although Rei is technically in a game, she’s really pushy with Claire, even getting a job as a maid in order to be around Claire at school and at home. Claire is a classic bully girl but anyone would be creeped out if someone wormed their way into their life like this, especially since part of the maid’s duties includes bathing. It is beautiful, I love the art but yeah, the premise gets less and less funny the more I think about it. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Rainbows After Storms” Vol. 2, by Luka Kobachi

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

Nanoha and Chidori’s relationship is still a secret from their friends and Chidori thinks back on her past love.

This volume continues the very light, slice-of-life tone. Just a bunch of cute moments of their relationship as they study, hang out, etc. Since we still don’t have any particular stakes, it’s a cozy read where the reader can just enjoy seeing these girls be happy with each other and live life. I appreciate the positivity after some of the depressing stuff I’ve been reading (you’ll see those reviews soon) but it can get repetitive. Every chapter starts with how they’re keeping their relationship a secret; as if each one was serialized in separate issues so it could be picked up in any spot. It’s not as enjoyable when it’s all put together, though. 3.9 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Rainbows After Storms” Vol. 1, by Luka Kobachi

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

High school students Nanoha and Chidori are dating but they keep their relationship secret; only known to their classmates as best friends.

This is very slice of life, especially when compared to the same setting for yaoi manga. It’s just so cute and sweet. Not a bit of smut to be found. It gets repetitive because each little story starts out with “we’re dating and keeping it a secret” and there are no obvious stakes to them keeping their relationship a secret. It doesn’t seem like their friends are homophobic or anything. Everything is very lighthearted and calm; a lot of blushing and meaningful glances. It’s decent but maybe a little more depth to it would make me like it more. 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Catch These Hands!” Vol. 3, by Murata

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

While Takebe is determined to leave her past self behind, Soramori doesn’t want her to change, frustrating Takebe who feels she is not getting the support she needs to accomplish her goal of becoming a “normal” adult.

I can see Takebe getting frustrated because a big part of her character is that she wants to be a functioning adult instead of an angry teenager who brawls all the time. It was a reach for me for it to cause such a falling out. It was funny to see it all come full circle as they have a fistfight about it rather than talking it out but this volume was just okay. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Hello, Melancholic!” Vol. 2, by Yayoi Ohsawa

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It’s time for the community festival but Hibiki’s hand injury won’t heal in time. So, Minato comes up with a solution so they can still perform. After the show, Minato discovers Chika and Sakiko have a deeper relationship than she’d assumed.

A good chunk of this volume is dedicated to how Chika and Sakiko got together and the nature of their relationship but we also get Minato and Hibiki on a date. Hibiki wants to find out if Minato has any feelings for her or not. There’s a little forward momentum but I’m guessing the big plot points will happen in the next volume. The date is cute and the other couple’s story has some interesting elements to is. This one is spicy but not overly explicit. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Catch These Hands!” Vol. 2, by Murata

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Since Soramori got Takebe to go out with her after a bet, Soramori keeps trying to find things they can to together as a proper couple. However, it seems Takebe is just going along with this because she lost that bet meanwhile Soramori has genuine feelings for her.

This volume is Soramori trying different activities to try and bring them closer together. The progression of their relationship here feels natural to me. It’s a bit slow but they’re still in the phase where they’re getting to know each other. They have a nice dynamic that’s pretty entertaining to watch. 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “How Do We Relationship?” Vol. 2 by Tamifull

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is recommended for mature readers.

Miwa is trying to become more confident not only in her relationship but in telling others she’s gay while Saeko is struggling with her own jealousy. While they grapple with their feelings, a guy named Kan joins the band club too and starts fishing around in their relationship and hates Miwa for some reason.

We also get a little backstory on their friend Usshi who doesn’t feel like it’s possible to get a boyfriend. It’s enjoyable save for Kan, who is seriously creepy and I hope he doesn’t hurt our main characters. I do want to see what happens next, though. And again, this is mature but not overly explicit. 3.9 out of 5.

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