Yet another cute instalment as handsome high-schooler Shin tries to convince thirty-year old laundromat owner Shin about his deep and unrequited love Yet another cute instalment as handsome high-schooler Shin tries to convince thirty-year old laundromat owner Shin about his deep and unrequited love for the latter. Throw in Shin鈥檚 mischievous schoolmate Asuka鈥檚 (who I thought would be a troublemaker) penchant for stirring things up, and poor flustered Minato is finding it harder and harder to be a responsible adult.
But then along comes an important figure from Minato鈥檚 past who might just rattle things in a way beyond Shin鈥檚 control and determination. ...more
Thirty-year old Akira Minato quit his tedious corporate job and inherited his grandfather鈥檚 rundown Laundromat. While he welcomed the slow pace of hisThirty-year old Akira Minato quit his tedious corporate job and inherited his grandfather鈥檚 rundown Laundromat. While he welcomed the slow pace of his new workplace that was mostly visited by senior citizens, he is suddenly thrown into a tizzy by the arrival of handsome high-schooler Shintaro Katsuki. Shin soon becomes a regular at the laundromat and has no qualms about expressing his adoration for the adult and very flustered Minato. Minato wants to be a responsible adult but Shin is pushing all his buttons, with a dogged determination. How will this dodgy love story proceed?
Although this series has been on my radar for a long time, I was always wary about the age-gap and the questionable relationship that would materialize between an adult and a minor. But am glad to see that it is a responsible read, while still exploring the pangs of being drawn into an enticing love despite the best of intentions. Minato is genuinely trying to set up boundaries to keep the smitten and persistent Shin at bay. While the weary business owner is attracted to the stoic charm of the young boy, he never allows things to reach an uncomfortable head. With the arrival of an ex-crush on the horizon, this bond between the unlikely duo will likely be tugged at with new fervour. And I would love to see how this story progresses. ...more
Tsuge and Minato hit a roadblock when Tsuge blurted out about his mind-reading ability. But with the help of the much-in-love Adachi and Kurosawa coupTsuge and Minato hit a roadblock when Tsuge blurted out about his mind-reading ability. But with the help of the much-in-love Adachi and Kurosawa couple, who pretty much went through the same thing, the fractured duo may finally make some progress.
It was also endearing to see the original couple's love story from the POV of Kurosawa, had he been blessed with the mind-reading dash of magic....more
Yet another solid instalment, as the much-in-love newlyweds hit a snag in their marital bliss. The exceptionally competent Kurosawa is asked to helm aYet another solid instalment, as the much-in-love newlyweds hit a snag in their marital bliss. The exceptionally competent Kurosawa is asked to helm an important project but he loses himself in the imposing task as he attempts to handle everything himself. As his health suffers, the concerned Adachi takes an unexpectedly strong stand and hits Kurosawa exactly where it hurts : no intimacy unless Kurosawa learns to share the burden with his eager and helpful colleagues (which includes Adachi).
A healthy maturity seeps into the world of Adachi and Kurosawa and it is endearing to read....more
The newly-married Adachi and Kurosawa are ensconced in their fuzzy, happy honeymoon bubble. But they do take the care and time out to help Tsuge in hiThe newly-married Adachi and Kurosawa are ensconced in their fuzzy, happy honeymoon bubble. But they do take the care and time out to help Tsuge in his fledgling relationship with Minato. A double-date enables the flustered Tsuge to express himself more clearly, even as our hilariously smitten Kurosawa continues to live out all his cherished fantasies with his bashful new husband....more
Adachi and Kurosawa have decided to the take the next step in their budding relationship: Marriage. But while they may have the love and support of thAdachi and Kurosawa have decided to the take the next step in their budding relationship: Marriage. But while they may have the love and support of their friends and families, there are still a lot of hurdles that the duo, being a same-sex couple must overcome.
This is a very heartwarming volume. It is endearing to see Adachi and Kurosawa鈥檚 circle being supportive and helpful as the nervous duo make plans for their big day. The author keeps things realistic amidst the fuzziness, and has the reader rooting for its favourite sensible (but also lovestruck) couple as they proceed to share their happiness with the ones who truly matter. ...more
As Adachi and Kurosawa settle into their blissed-out relationship, the latter looks back fondly on the development of his feelings for the shy, awkwarAs Adachi and Kurosawa settle into their blissed-out relationship, the latter looks back fondly on the development of his feelings for the shy, awkward, seemingly gloomy co-worker Adachi.
Just a filler volume but adorable nonetheless....more
Despite Adachi鈥檚 transfer to the Nagasaki branch, the relationship between him and Kurosawa is still going strong. The proactive (and smitten) KurosawDespite Adachi鈥檚 transfer to the Nagasaki branch, the relationship between him and Kurosawa is still going strong. The proactive (and smitten) Kurosawa landed a contract with a prominent pottery artist in Nagasaki which increased the chances of the cute couple to meet more often. As they settle into an understanding and adorable routine, the two decide to take their relationship to a new level: Marriage. And for that, they must overcome another hurdle: Meeting the parents.
I was really scared for my puppies in this edition, but as always, the creator manages to combine their idealistic hopes with uncomfortable reality by showing how strong and committed they are to each other. It was heartwarming to see the besotted couple have their first fight for very valid reasons, even as they clear the room of any misunderstandings due to non-communication.
Adachi has finally lost his magical power of reading minds, courtesy a rather adorable 鈥渟ession鈥� with his handsome boyfriend Kurosawa. And the shy, awAdachi has finally lost his magical power of reading minds, courtesy a rather adorable 鈥渟ession鈥� with his handsome boyfriend Kurosawa. And the shy, awkward Adachi is finally learning to express himself and reciprocate Kurosawa鈥檚 affection with restrained but heartfelt affection.
As Adachi decides to accept the transfer which will put a massive distance in their budding relationship, the smitten duo will be plagued with the insecurities of being away from each other. Will this career move put a spanner in the works or help them to develop a better understanding and deeper love for each other?
While the main magical premise of this series is over with Adachi losing his mind-reading abilities, it is still endearing to see another phase of the Adachi-Kurosawa equation in a more realistic setting. This pair continues to wring my heart with their earnest, hilarious, and supportive love and I am here for the long haul. ...more
Timid yet mentally strong college student Yeo Eui-joon works the night shift at a convenience store, whose clientele includes rude and dangerous mobstTimid yet mentally strong college student Yeo Eui-joon works the night shift at a convenience store, whose clientele includes rude and dangerous mobsters and hoodlums. The only bright spark about dealing his with troublesome customers is the arrival of one of his regulars: Beom Geunwoo.
The powerfully built, tastefully attired, brooding Geunwoo is an intimidating gangster who makes all the other crooks run for their mommies. He is a man of few words and fast punches, but he is unexpectedly kind towards the terrified Eui-joon. As he turns out to be a willing ear to Eui-joon鈥檚 alcohol-infused rants and his saviour during dangerous situations, the relationship between the unexpected duo blossoms, and the scary Geunwoo might just be the one bright light in Eui-joon鈥檚 depressing life.
Ahh鈥�.our wonderful Ahjussi! Or as he was hilariously (and ever so rightly) dubbed: Ahjuicy by the smitten commentators, Geunwoo is a BL hero to end all heroes. A mountain of a man with a questionable background, who turns out to be a raging green forest throughout the series, he captured the hearts of all who read it. Although I have read the entire series and loved it, I cannot review each instalment separately.
All I can say is that if as you go beyond the blush-inducing shmexy scenes, you will find a love story that is warm, funny, healing, and worth returning to whenever you crave chivalrous heroes who save the day with their deadpan humor, zero-tolerance for bullshit, and innate goodness. And okay鈥�.devastating good looks too. ...more
An age-gap story that addressed the worries haunting people burnt by past fiascoes and hesitant to take a leap of faith towards love again. I have alwAn age-gap story that addressed the worries haunting people burnt by past fiascoes and hesitant to take a leap of faith towards love again. I have always been a sucker for the 'golden retriever puppy' meets 'cautious snooty cat equation', and these two delivered their roles perfectly....more
Aw...my two awkward gangster-babies finally made some progress after walking on tenterhooks around each other. I truly enjoyed the premise and it was Aw...my two awkward gangster-babies finally made some progress after walking on tenterhooks around each other. I truly enjoyed the premise and it was endearing to watch the softer sides of these two supposedly brutal men....more
A cozy, comforting end to a cozy, comforting series. With their domestic bliss as the backdrop, we get more of Seiji and Shin's adorable interactions,A cozy, comforting end to a cozy, comforting series. With their domestic bliss as the backdrop, we get more of Seiji and Shin's adorable interactions, seasoned with their smoldering shmexy-time.
This was a beautifully drawn series that managed to straddle emotional issues and humor effortlessly. I will definitely be returning to this cute duo some time in the future....more
When Mobster Boss Shojiro unknowingly walks in on his Captain, Akihiro and Asst. Captain, Ritsu in a compromising position, he finds himself troubled.When Mobster Boss Shojiro unknowingly walks in on his Captain, Akihiro and Asst. Captain, Ritsu in a compromising position, he finds himself troubled. And he doesn鈥檛 understand why.
Is the oblivious Shojiro finally going to realize that his affection for the grumpy yet soft-hearted Aki runs far deeper than paternal instincts? And will the chaotically sweet Aki who suffered from the pangs of unrequited love finally find his affection returned?
Vol.2 is essentially Shojiro鈥檚 awakening. As a sinister person from their troubled past makes an appearance, the Boss will have to make some tough decisions, even as he tries to protect the one closest to his heart. And the long-suffering Ritsu does his bit of pushing the two dolts in love a bit closer.
This is an endearing series and watching members of the feared underworld go through the vagaries of finding love makes for a hilarious and engaging premise. Love it! ...more
Handsome young patrolman Shin and middle-aged store owner (and former cop) Seiji are finally a couple and living under the same roof. For the forever Handsome young patrolman Shin and middle-aged store owner (and former cop) Seiji are finally a couple and living under the same roof. For the forever smitten Shin, it is becoming harder to control his libido around Seiji, and Seiji in turn, wonders whether his middle-aged dad-bod could satisfy his adorable young lover.
Seiji and Shin co-habiting, with their fluffy cat makes for a non-problematic slice-of-life take on the new partners. There aren鈥檛 any dramatic twists or major pitfalls to overcome, and yet, you are along for the relaxing ride.
When Akihiro Kashima was a teenage delinquent, he was picked off the streets by the Sawatari Mob Boss Shojiro. Under his indulgent yet powerful mentorWhen Akihiro Kashima was a teenage delinquent, he was picked off the streets by the Sawatari Mob Boss Shojiro. Under his indulgent yet powerful mentor鈥檚 care, Aki grew up to become the feared right-hand man of the Mafia Boss and his most trusted aide.
But over the years, Aki鈥檚 familial respect and adulation has grown deeper and he is now completely in love with his (seemingly?) clueless boss. Always respectful, he knows that he cannot cross the unspoken line but his vulnerable heart cannot handle the gestures of affection that Shojiro鈥檚 lavishes upon him.
What follows is the chaotic hilarity of the stone-faced Aki as he tries to fight his growing attraction, even as contenders for Sojiro鈥檚 affection seem to be hovering on the horizon.
This book was utterly hilarious and I want to hug panicky Aki caught up in the throes of unrequited love and calm his chaos. ...more
Former cop, now small-town convenience store owner Seiji Tajima is a laidback middle-aged man who is still single. One of the frequent visitors to SheFormer cop, now small-town convenience store owner Seiji Tajima is a laidback middle-aged man who is still single. One of the frequent visitors to Sheiji鈥檚 store is the tall, handsome young Patrolman Shin Nakamoto. Seiji and Shin knew each other ten years back and have coincidentally come into each other鈥檚 orbit when Shin gets transferred to the police station near Sheiji鈥檚 stop. They have an easy and comfortable camaraderie but Seiji鈥檚 suddenly finds his world rattled when Shin claims that he has been in love with Sheiji for a very long time. And he intends to finally let his unrequited love reach fruition.
As the unlikely pair decided to explore the possibility of dating, we get a delightful and heartfelt look into the tender, funny, and naughty moments that dot the shift in their status quo. This is a very endearing read that removes all the uncomfortable bits that could mar an age-difference defined relationship. The scruffy, pet-cat loving, dad-bodied, kind-hearted, and intuitive Seiji is the perfect foil for the devastatingly good-looking, stoic yet openly smitten Shin. Their interactions, be it romantic or steamy, make your heart flutter with the honesty of their feelings for each other.
Their slice-of-life series is something that I will be following with avid enjoyment. ...more
Thirty-year-old screenwriter Jungmin had a breakdown at her toxic workplace, quit her job, and holed herself up in her newly acquired apartment in theThirty-year-old screenwriter Jungmin had a breakdown at her toxic workplace, quit her job, and holed herself up in her newly acquired apartment in the picturesque Chestnut Burr Village. When she finally breaks the inertia and steps out of her self-imposed exile, she stumbles upon the quaint SOYO pottery workshop. And she soon finds herself feeling a return of missing peace amidst the earthy smells of wet clay and glossy kiln-fired plates, the comforting freshly-brewed coffee served in the workshop鈥檚 uniquely crafted mugs, the non-judgmental teacher, and the myriad students who pass through the doors of the haven that is SOYO.
As the title indicates, this book is about healing. Be it from an unresolved incident in the past, the callous workplace politics that mar her creativity, her uneasy relationship with her mother, her own inability to face her internal demons, or even just the everyday task of getting up from bed and making an attempt to be a part of the community beyond the safe walls of her home鈥�.Jungmin will find some solace, and with her, we as readers, take a breath and soak in the unhurried pace of this melancholic read.
This book is a go-nowhere book, and I don鈥檛 mean that in a derogatory way. It is just a quiet and contemplative stroll through the changing seasons, as our heroine comes to terms with all that has robbed her of her true self. With a blend of cozy solitude and a non-intrusive communal setting, Jungmin makes peace with the ghosts of her past, even as she becomes a friend or just a willing ear to others dealing with their own bugbears.
Soft, shorn of unnecessary drama, necessarily itchy where it needs to be鈥� The Healing Season of Pottery touches the chaotic corners of your heart that are overwhelmed with responsibilities, crippled by insecurities, or even the sense of unexplained uneasiness that plagues even the brightest of souls from time to time.
While the book doesn鈥檛 magically make everything all right, it gives you a chance to stop and savour life and its vagaries with renewed interest and a hint of restraint. ...more
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