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More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog

Skip Beat 39 finishes the backstory of Kyoko's mother, Sanae, and why the two have had such a complicated relationship. Some readers will forgive what her mother did and others will likely always dislike her - but author Nakamura does a good job of avoiding pat resolutions for what has amounted to years of disaffection.

Meanwhile, Kyoko decides to join Moko in auditioning for a new Samurai pictures, Lotus in the Mud. But what she thought was a role protecting Moko's princess character instead turns out to be for the princess' rival. With the role of the Ronin love interest uncast yet, it will be interesting to see who gets the part of the person with whom Kyoko has to pretend to fall in love.

This volume ends one story arc (Kyoko coming to terms with her mother) and starts another (Lotus in the Mud drama). There are some great scenes of Kyoko and Ren as well as a fun sibling rivalry challenge between Kyoko and Sho. Add in a mysterious threatening caller about Lotus in the Mud and Kyouko is going to be faced with some interesting challenges soon now that she's resolved her past. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.