Showing posts with label genre: romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label genre: romance. Show all posts

July 13, 2026

Honey Lemon Soda 11

Honey Lemon Soda 11 by Mayu Murata

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The first time I read this it didn't make a lot of sense as the story jumped all over the place. With some sleuthing given the suspicious storyline, I was able to discover that my ebook had the pages mixed up. Once this was corrected, it was much easier when re-reading to follow where the story went, though it does still jump around a little bit between the main pairing and their friends. While the story starts during the school year and covers a rather awkward summer camping trip, a good part of the story moves on to summer. With summer vacation, things are a little more relaxed, but that means schedules don't line up between cram school and jobs. It's no wonder that Kai has been working so long either once we learn more about his situation. There's even a rather surprising scene with Uka's father, which just goes to show how much the family's opinion has changed, especially her dad's. The new pictures are especially cute, though it's unlikely any of this will change or stop Uka from worrying about Kai - he may just have to learn to live with that.

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July 7, 2026

Assassin & Cinderella 5

Assassin & Cinderella 5 by Yuzo Natsuno

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


It is unclear if this is the last volume for the series or if more will be coming later on down the line, but if this is indeed the end, it's a horrible place to end the series. This has been a bit of a strange one with the confusing storyline and art from the beginning, especially as they play on Neneko's name a lot and actually draw her more like a cat than a person. Omi is as devoted as ever, and obviously has been paying attention given the small little gifts he's able to convince Neneko to accept along the way. While Neneko knows some of their shared history, it might be argued that she is still missing the most important parts, which would include why she makes such a great "weakness". She plays the game well in this volume, though it may not result in what everyone truly wants given the ending. While it seems like everything has been stacked against them from the beginning, can't help but hope these two would someday be able to break away from their missions and actually have a happy life down the road like Omi wishes.

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July 6, 2026

Assassin & Cinderella 4

Assassin & Cinderella 4 by Yuzo Natsuno

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Read this on a manga site online. I'm honestly not sure why I continue the series as there's not a lot of content and it borders on overly graphic, yet they somehow never cross the line for all that things are always hot and steamy between the main couple. Did wonder if Omi might recognize this new "trainee", but it seems he only sees a rival for Neneko. While we now know what the organization has planned for Omi and get a little more background into how they "saved" Neneko, there's no set method or timeline shared to expect anything from. It may be a good thing that Omi keeps dragging his friend in as a buffer for all the other coworkers though if for no other reason than potentially some unexpected backup if or when things do go south. It will also be interesting to see how Neneko responds at that time and if she'll ever learn about her shared history with Omi.

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Assassin & Cinderella 3

Assassin & Cinderella 3 by Yuzo Natsuno

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


The title and Neneko's appearance make a lot more sense in this volume as we learn not only why Omi became an assassin, but how the two first met. Coincidentally, this also explains some of his obsession with taking care of her despite the concerns over enemy groups. Though Omi is insistent on keeping this a secret at the moment, it would be interesting to see if this knowledge would change Neneko's point of view about the organization and their relationship at all, especially as it's clear without the organization, there wouldn't be anything holding her back. It seems that this mysterious benefactor may have some not so happy plans in mind for Omi, and believes Neneko is the key to making it happen, which certainly may be the case given their connection underneath all of the titles and work roles.

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Always a Catch! How I Punched My Way into Marrying a Prince 10

Always a Catch! How I Punched My Way into Marrying a Prince by Mayo Momoyo

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


No matter how close to the wedding we seem to get, there is something new that happens, though the date itself isn't delayed. Fortunately it turns out Renato is safe and sound, though there's still more than enough excitement with the other unintentional rescue and then the last scene. For all that Mimi just wants a little time with her prince, things never seem to go according to plan. Her strength comes in handy more than once in saving the day, though it gets her into some trouble unintentionally. Given how free Mimi tends to be, can't imagine this new edict going over very well, though it may or may not bring some peace of mind to Prince Renato at least temporarily. 

A Sign of Affection 14

A Sign of Affection 14 by Suu Morishita

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Yuki and Itsu go on their first trip together overseas, which leads to a lot of excitement, but also some misunderstandings and a rather unexpected conversation about their future. Yuki's disability proves to give her a unique experience overseas as she's able to communicate rather well through gestures for simple greetings and kindness from strangers, but it also puts her at a disadvantage when her fear spikes and she thinks she's in a dangerous situation. Of course, Itsu isn't going to leave her alone for long and seems more than happy to share odd tidbits with her. His "selfish request" is also a surprise, yet not at the same time considering the way this pair has been going. May be with Yuki's dad though when Itsu's usual bluntness comes to play with his greeting - of course that's the first thing on his mind.

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February 26, 2026

His Sensual Whisper: The Voice That Sets Me On Fire 2

His Sensual Whisper: The Voice That Sets Me On Fire 2 by Pyoko Asahina

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Mizuho and Hibino end up working on a project together that takes them to the office where Hibino had previously transferred back from. At first, it looks like some jealous sparks may fly, and they do both have their moments, but it seems people are catching on that the two are together, even at work, and they do work very well together. Hibino is surprisingly not only committed, which he proves unexpectedly when he goes out for drinks with his coworker, but is thinking much further into the future, even though girls demanding such things from him before is what he had claimed he disliked about relationships. We even get to meet Mizuho's cousin and her parents in this episode after their work trip, which gives us some insights into the couple other than just when they're going at it like rabbits (though there's plenty of that as well). There are hints of more new things to come in the future, so this doesn't feel like an ending just yet, and is a relief to see there's a third installment planned later in the year.

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January 28, 2026

Game of Destiny

Game of Destiny by Lina Ljunggren

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Found this through an ad for online novels for the Astra Novel reading app. Unlike most online reading apps, this doesn't require top offs and coins to unlock new chapters, though there are frequent short ads as a result. Sometimes the ads won't work and you need to restart the app to get the next chapter to unlock correctly, but it's still slightly better than paying for a ton of coins to temporarily unlock a book for reading.

The book itself doesn't have the best formatting or spelling out there, but if you read it just for the story and enjoying the characters, it's constantly moving and evolving, which makes for an entertaining read. Amie has a very unique experience and point of view, which she uses to her own advantage as she makes her way. Finlay was not on her radar at all to begin with, but she ends up drawn to him and her pack. Honestly, if things had turned out differently with the bond, there might have been a revolt from the readers, but it works out very well. There's more than a little bit of drama with twists and turns to keep it interesting. It wraps things up nicely with the epilogue as well, and the story is complete, so it isn't left hanging in addition to the unlocking requirements to read it online.

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January 25, 2026

Always a Catch! How I Punched My Way into Marrying a Prince 9

Always a Catch! How I Punched My Way into Marrying a Prince 9 by Mayo Momoyo

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This volume covers from the departer of Mia and her group of visitors up to the first part of the "wedding week," which kicks off with Aida's wedding and is meant to end with Mimi and Prince Renato's. Mimi's family is back on the scene as well, leading to more than a few hilarious encounters ans Mimi and Renato desperately want a few moments alone as a couple before their rather public grand debut, but it seems this is more and more unlikely, especially when Prince Renato goes missing. Originally, it looked like this could potentially be the final installment of the series if it covered both of the anticipated weddings, but it seems there is more drama yet to play out. If they can find a solid lead though, it's more than a little likely Mimi, and maybe her family with her, will be off to save the day, and the others will be hard pressed to hold them back or keep up.

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December 24, 2025

A Sign of Affection 13

A Sign of Affection 13 by Suu Morishita

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


While Yuki and Itsu don't seem to get jealous when it comes to their friends and are happy for those around them, it seems they have some definite triggers when it comes to their own jealous emotions. Yuki seems to be trying to focus on their upcoming trip, Itsu's birthday, and her longings for their relationship to cope with her own jealousy and insecurity. On the other hand, Itsuomi seems to be drawing his own conclusions and fears to the surface as Yuki has been more clingy than previously and he questions just how sure their future is together given his personal goals. It's a rather surprising turn given his usual assurance and bold declarations that he couldn't see them apart and he'd make her happy. Hopefully Itsu's mom wasn't unintentionally foreseeing a bit of their future during their video call, and if she was, it's hard to believe it wouldn't work out as well or better than it did for her given the commitment these two have to each other.

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A Sign of Affection 12

A Sign of Affection 12 by Suu Morishita

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is always such a good series to come back to. Itsuomi doesn't let Oushi phase him, and seems comfortable with his relationship with Yuki, even if he did take the time to let her know about his feelings. Despite Oushi's protests, it seems like he and Itsuomi actually do get along and may end up as friends after all. It will be hilarious to see if Itsuomi does manage to get Oushi and Shin to both go out for a guy's day with him. It's also lucky that Yuki doesn't seem to be jealous given how some of the scenes between Itsuomi and Oushi could be taken. Even Oushi's friends end up seeming to like Itsuomi, though they were originally cheering for him with Yuki. Even Emma seems to be moving on and happier now that Shin has opened up to her. Even Yuki seems to be thinking about next steps with Itsuomi, though she's adorably clueless as to why he's taking his time with her. Hopefully she'll get some answers in the next volume, though most likely with more than a little blushing considering her own innocence and shock.

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October 6, 2025

Psychic Princess: Season 2

 Psychic Princess: Season 2 (2018)


My rating: 1 of 5 stars


Normally, I don't rate seasons separately unless they appear under different titles, however, the change in this story is so drastic that it needs a separate opinion. The art in the original animation was beautifully done, leading to an amusing and unusual courtship between the main characters. This new season picks up directly at the end of the last one, except the art is in a 3D style, and instead of the gentle story we had before, we have random riff offs, character dances, and the most cringe worth heart kisses complete with total NPC bad acting an movements that can make you cry (and not in a good way). Honestly I couldn't make it past the first episode with the sheer volume of cringe, changes in the art, and different character designs. Unsure if it may get better later on, but it's really hard to imagine with just how badly this deviates all around.

Psychic Princess

Psychic Princess (2018)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This tale seems to be adapted from a live action drama rather than usual printed variety that is common. With little to go off of other than that it was recommended along with several other series that I've thoroughly enjoyed, there wasn't much expectation or knowledge going into this series. The intro itself is hilarious, with upbeat music and silly dances to catch the watcher's eye before the story even unfolds. Qian Yun Xi is considered an outcast among her family, sent to live in the mountains due to her unusual abilities until it is convenient for the family to summon her back in order to take her sister's place in an arranged marriage with Prince Ye Youming. Given Prince Ye is part of the opposite faction as Qian's father, it isn't too surprising then that neither part seem too pleased with this arranged marriage and want nothing to do with each other - to the point they don't even recognize each other when they meet outside the palace. Ye is convinced that his new wife must be a spy for her previous family... that is, if she really is that good of an actress while also somehow being a constant surprise and somewhat childish at the same time. With the exception of Beauty Chu, who grips her position as the favored concubine and headmistress of the Ye Palace with an iron first, it's little wonder the rest of the royal family and those who get to know the new princess are taken by her charm and unique perspective.

October 1, 2025

I'll Never Be Your Crown Princess! Betrothed 3

I'll Never Be Your Crown Princess! Betrothed 3 by Saki Tsukigami

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Liddy ends up in another unexpected situation, but it seems like her rose may have more benefits than even they realized when Freed manages to show up just in time. It's not too surprising then, that the last thing the two want is to be separated, even though they're mostly willing to go with the status quo. It seems Freed does have some idea about Cain and the protection he may be providing for Liddy, though Cain does not yet want to leave his shadows and conveniently is too far away when things happen at the start of this volume. It seems there may be an even larger plot to steal Liddy away, not that she has any desire or intention to leave Freed.

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September 28, 2025

My Unexpected Marriage 4

My Unexpected Marriage 4 by Anju Hino

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


It's not exactly an expected ending, but it fits well with the rest of the story. Shin Yu doesn't seem concerned at all about living a different life out in the country, so long as Ren Fa is with him. The bit about the curse is also interesting, though the fortuneteller really is beyond creepy. It's a good thing Shin Yu seems to trust Ren Fa and notices the effort she puts into his meals and helping him recover. Their trip overseas is especially sweet and finding her father well. It never even seems to cross Ren Fa's mind to stay, much to Shin Yu's relief. The ending does indeed feel like an end, but also remains open enough that there could be a continuation of some sort in the future if the series does well and the author was so inclined.

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My Unexpected Marriage 3

My Unexpected Marriage 3 by Anju Hino

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Things seems to unravel quickly here, going from the encounter with the emperor, even kidnapping, and Shin Yu showing up just in time - but at what cost? Ren Fa seems determined to fix things herself before her new family can suffer for her perceived mistakes, but she may end up destroying everything in the process. Shin Yu doesn't seem to believe her, which could be good or bad depending on how this news at the end came to pass in the timing of everything. Was it Shin Yu's last attempt to stop her from going to the inner palace, or is something else amiss given the turmoil the country was already in as they observed from the marketplace and the carriage rides.

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My Unexpected Marriage 2

My Unexpected Marriage 2 by Anju Hino

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Ren Fa may not know much about the way of the nobles especially, but she is slowly able to find her place in her new family and seems to get just the right amount of guidance from her new home to make her way. She even attends a tea party with the empress and the consorts, though the last thing she expected was to come face to face with Ie Hong Liu after she was refused not once, but twice, to join her new household. While it's clear Ie is less than pleased to see Ren Fa and there are a few bumps in the road with how clear her features are as an outsider, her tea and dish are well received. She even inadvertently seems to have made friends with the princess, Ron Shian. There seems to be something on the horizon though.

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My Unexpected Marriage 1

My Unexpected Marriage 1 by Anju Hino

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Leyfa is from a fallen noble family, working to earn money and try to pay off the taxes to free her father from his title so they can live in peace among the commoners. In her quest to pay off this large fee, she didn't expect to meet a foreign woman on a quest to find something blue and gold that is willing to pay the exact amount of money she needs for her father's freedom, in exchange for her. For reasons that are not entirely clear, Shin Yu, the son of the woman who bought her, decides to name her Ren Fa and declares she will be his wife. Perhaps because she comes from so far away and is learning new both their language and culture as she goes, but Ren Fa comes across as genuine while also rather innocent and maybe a tad naive as she is determined to look for the good in everything around her.

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September 24, 2025

Honey Lemon Soda 10

Honey Lemon Soda 10 by Mayu Murata

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Kai's frustration is so obvious in this volume, though most of the time he keeps his cool facade, leading to more than a little bit of ribbing and speculation from his classmates. Even Uka seems to be thinking about things and wanting to be better for him, but he genuinely likes her just as she is. Uka is at the same time uncertain as she questions her own femininity and what Kai really likes about her, while also being more certain and bold as she has moments where she stands up for what she wants and solidifies her own place with her friends, refusing to be replaced even as she supports others like Nano.

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September 13, 2025

His Sensual Whisper: The Voice That Sets Me On Fire 1

His Sensual Whisper: The Voice That Sets Me On Fire 1 by Pyoko Asahina

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Mizuho has a rather unique fetish - voices. After hearing Hibino on the phone when she's a new employee, she's hooked, but she can never find him. A chance after hours work party to welcome back a sales transfer turns that all around. On top of that, Hibino seems just as interested in her and is fascinated by her obsession with his voice. Mizuho is counting her lucky stars she got just one night with him, but he's not willing to leave things at that. Now they're navigating being coworkers and having a relationship at the same time. Surprisingly, they both have a bit of a jealous streak, too. What are the odds this could really be a match made in heaven.

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