Posted February 14, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments
A Side Character's Love Story
Genres: Manga,
Romance Pages: 161
Series: A Side Character's Love Story #8 Rating: 
Synopsis: Winter is here, and the first Christmas that Tanaka-san and Irie-kun will spend together as a couple approaches. The two of them make plans to bake a cake together at Tanaka-san's place. As Christmas begins, they're both a little nervous: it's the first time she's invited a boy over, and the first time he's been in a girl's room. In the midst of it, Irie-kun works up the courage to ask for their second kiss... The heat of their love grows stronger in volume 8.
Volume eight of Akane Tamura’s A Side Character’s Love Story is super cute. I know I keep saying that all of it is cute, and it really is, but it’s turbo-charged here. Hiroki and Nobuko spend Christmas together, and also he gets sick and she goes over to nurse him a little. The glasses scene… be still my heart.
In terms of the arc of their relationship, nothing much changes here except that they get more confident with one another, with showing how they care for each other and treating each other as partners rather than just coworkers (something they struggled with even once they were together, at first).
One criticism: arrghh stop taking your masks off when one of you is sick! Wear them properly!
Rating: 4/5
Tags: Akane Tamura, book reviews, books, manga, romance
Posted February 9, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 2 Comments
The Apothecary Diaries (manga)
Genres: Fantasy,
Historical Fiction,
Manga Pages: 176
Series: The Apothecary Diaries (manga) #1 Rating: 
Synopsis: Maomao, a young woman trained in the art of herbal medicine, is forced to work as a lowly servant in the inner palace. Though she yearns for life outside its perfumed halls, she isn't long for a life of drudgery Using her wits to break a curse afflicting the imperial heirs, Maomao attracts the attentions of the handsome eunuch Jinshi and is promoted to attendant food taster. But Jinshi has other plans for the erstwhile apothecary, and soon Maomao is back to brewing potions and...solving mysteries?
The first volume of the manga version of The Apothecary Diaries (original story by Natsu Hyuuga, drawn by Nekokurage) was fun; I wondered if I’d be more into the story if I’d read the light novel, after reading this, so I’ve been reading that as well and really enjoyed it. I’m very curious about Jinshi’s motivations and what he’s up to, and I wondered if maybe the novel went into a bit more depth. In some ways it did, but in others it didn’t.
Maomao’s a fun character though, with her fascination with her studies, her stubborn desire to avoid the people who sold her into this situation profiting by it, and her total lack of interest in Jinshi.
I like the art too, it’s very clear.
Rating: 3/5
Tags: book reviews, books, manga, Natsu Hyuuga, Nekokurage
Posted February 2, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments
Star Collector
Genres: Manga,
Romance Pages: 209
Series: Star Collector #2 Rating: Synopsis: Fynn's favorite activities are skipping class, smoking, and lying around. So when he's told it's time to shape up and try doing something else for a change, he has no idea where to even start.
Then, on a nighttime walk around his neighborhood, he sees a stranger with a telescope up on a hill: his name is Niko, and he loves to watch the stars. Intrigued, Flynn decides to find out more about this nerdy boy and what could be so interesting about the night sky that he loves so much.
This is the second and final volume of the Star Collector series.
Like the first volume of Sophie Schönhammer and Anna Backhausen’s Star Collector, this just feels a bit half-baked and rushed. I like the art and think it’s cute, and the enthusiasm and intensity of the crush and their first fumbling attempts to have sex ring very true for teenagers.
Buuut Fynn’s headlong rush into things still feels a bit off, even for a teenager. Parts of it make sense, like being mad at Niko not explaining what’s going on, but in other ways he’s going waaaaay too fast.
It’s all very melodramatic and teenage, in any case; it’s cute, but too rushed.
Rating: 3/5
Tags: Anna Backhausen, book reviews, books, manga, romance, Sophie Schönhammer
Posted January 26, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments
Star Collector
Genres: Manga,
Romance Pages: 200
Series: Star Collector #1 Rating: 
Synopsis: Fynn's favorite activities are skipping class, smoking, and lying around. So when he's told it's time to shape up and try doing something else for a change, he has no idea where to even start.
Then, on a nighttime walk around his neighborhood, he sees a stranger with a telescope up on a hill: his name is Niko, and he loves to watch the stars. Intrigued, Flynn decides to find out more about this nerdy boy and what could be so interesting about the night sky that he loves so much.
The first volume of Sophie Schönhammer and Anna Backhausen’s Star Collector has cute art and some glimmers of compelling characters — I love that Fynn’s ex is friendly to both of them, not perfectly over the whole situation, but doing her best to be a good and supportive friend.
However, it feels rushed. Fynn’s interest in Niko, and then his apparent wish to come out to everybody before it’s even clear that he’s not just on the rebound or having a temporary fascination… There’s something that does ring true in the crush, but it doesn’t convince as a basis for a stable relationship. And maybe it’s meant to be that way, and volume two will reveal that…
There’s a lot of potential here, though, either way.
Rating: 2/5
Tags: Anna Backhausen, book reviews, books, manga, romance, Sophie Schönhammer
Posted January 20, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments
A Side Character's Love Story
Genres: Manga,
Romance Pages: 161
Series: A Side Character's Love Story #7 Rating: Synopsis: An incident at the park one evening prompts Tanaka and Irie to consider what it might be like to kiss the person they care for, with their nervous imaginings enough to distract them during their daily routines. It isn't easy to be yourself when you like someone, but the distance between them is closing a little more each day...
When I first read volume 7 of A Side Character’s Love Story, I was a teeny bit impatient with Nobuko’s hesitance and self-doubt — in part because it’s so darn recognisable, and (as the reader) it’s clear that Hiroki is going to be patient with all of it. There were some moments in this volume in particular that just made me cringe a bit…
And then there were also some super sweet moments, particularly as Hiroki and Nobuko take a bit of a step forward. Seven volumes in, they’ve finally kissed!
Another thing I’m appreciating through this reread is that there’s a full cast around them, and they have remarkably separate lives from each other. I wish we saw a little more of that, because sometimes it seems like Nobuko probably hides in her apartment whenever she’s not working or with Hiroki, and every so often we get glimpses of e.g. her friendship with Fumi that really help to round things out. In this volume we also see a little more of Hiroki’s life outside of work and their relationship, albeit only a glimpse.
Rating: 3/5
Tags: Akane Tamura, book reviews, books, manga, romance
Posted January 10, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments
A Side Character's Love Story
Genres: Manga,
Romance Pages: 160
Series: A Side Character's Love Story #6 Rating: Synopsis: After dreaming of it for so long, Tanaka and Irie are finally a couple. Even as she relishes her modest happiness, Tanaka can't help but worry that Irie seems to enjoy talking with other people more than he does with her. A small new adventure begins for this side character, who only wishes to grow closer to her boyfriend...
Aaaah, volume six of Akane Tamura’s A Side Character’s Love Story is so cute. In this volume, their friends urge them to actually use one another’s personal names instead of family names, and Nobuko meets Hiroki’s family.
I love how patient Hiroki is, telling Nobuko they can go at their own pace… but how she pushes through discomfort to be as brave as he is about advancing their relationship. It’s just, aaah, despite Nobuko’s anxieties and their mutual awkwardness, they are so sincere and so dedicated to their relationship.
This is #relationshipgoals right here.
Rating: 4/5
Tags: Akane Tamura, book reviews, books, manga, romance
Posted December 24, 2024 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments
A Side Character's Love Story
Genres: Manga,
Romance Pages: 160
Series: A Side Character's Love Story #4 Rating: Synopsis: "I'm going to confess my feelings to Tanaka-san." Steeling his resolve, Irie-kun prepares to bid farewell to the relationship he and Nobuko have as "just friends," whatever that may bring. As one side character reaches out to another, this love story's ending may be in sight...
In volume four of Akane Tamura’s A Side Character’s Love Story, Nobuko and Hiroki finally admit they like each other… even if it takes most of a volume. This volume shows Nobuko and Hiroki both speaking to their friends, figuring out they want to say something, and going on a date — and that’s it!
The volume flies by, though it’s actually the same length as the others.
As ever, it’s really cute, and it’s also fun watching Hiroki and Nobuko develop, get a little braver, and figure out how to talk to each other. Some of Nobuko’s intense anxiety is beginning to fade, too, as she trusts that Hiroki won’t let her down.
Rating: 4/5
Tags: Akane Tamura, book reviews, books, manga, romance
Posted December 19, 2024 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments
A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation
Genres: Fantasy,
Manga Pages: 208
Series: A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation #1 Rating: Synopsis: When Lizel mysteriously finds himself in a city that bears odd similarities to his own but clearly isn't, he quickly comes to terms with the unlikely truth: this is an entirely different world. Even so, laid-back Lizel isn't the type to panic. He immediately sets out to learn more about this strange place, and to help him do so, hires a seasoned adventurer named Gil as his tour guide and protector.
Until he's able to find a way home, Lizel figures this is a perfect opportunity to explore a new way of life adventuring as part of a guild. After all, he's sure he'll go home eventually... might as well enjoy the otherworldly vacation for now!
I’m very intrigued by the first volume of A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation (based on a light novel by Misaki, adapted/illustrated by Momochi). It leaves us with a lot of questions about Lizel: why’s he there, what’s his role in his own world, what are his aims, what’s he thinking?
At the same time we get a certain amount of introduction to the world, thanks to Gil giving Lizel the tour and getting him signed up as an adventurer. Not everything is perfectly clear — what’s going on with the labyrinths? Are we supposed to just take those on board as being random loot dungeons, or is there a bigger plot around them? How big is the adventurer system?
As you can see from all my questions, we get enough to be tantalising. And Lizel’s relationship with Gil is fascinating too. I can see that it gets a bit tense between people as to whether they’re intended to be a romance or not, but it’s hard not to read it in there sometimes when Lizel refers to Gil as a thing that belongs to him and gets so defensive over him!
Overall, I’m very curious about the world and story, and I like the art a lot. Nice clean lines, easy to follow, and nice character designs.
Rating: 4/5
Tags: book reviews, books, manga, Misaki, Momochi, Sando, SF/F
Posted December 12, 2024 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments
A Side Character's Love Story
Genres: Manga,
Romance Pages: 158
Series: A Side Character's Love Story #3 Rating: Synopsis: It's summer, and through sheer determination, Nobuko's achieved a small miracle: she can finally have a normal conversation with her crush. She hopes things can continue on like this forever, but her junior coworker Abe-san imparts a warning about trying to "keep things the same" when it comes to love. Could this fellow side character's love story be a glimpse into Nobuko's future?
In volume three of Akane Tamura’s A Side Character’s Love Story, the slow burn continues, but both Hiroki and Nobuko are starting to admit their feelings and take a few brave steps closer together. There’s some really cute moments between them, and like in book two, we get some glimpses into what Hiroki is thinking as well. Abe and Kaneko also give them some very good advice and a little push — I love that their relationships with the people around them, like their coworkers, get as much “screen time” as their relationship with one another.
They both remain really shy, and unsure of what they’d even like to do together, but they end up going for a trip to the zoo and having a good time.
The special chapter at the end kind of spoils the flow into the next volume, but it’s also cute.
Rating: 3/5
Tags: Akane Tamura, book reviews, books, manga, romance
Posted December 6, 2024 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments
A Side Character's Love Story
Genres: Manga,
Romance Pages: 158
Series: A Side Character's Love Story #2 Rating: Synopsis: This side character's love story is rapidly unfolding... Emotions are running higher in volume 2, as we finally see things from the perspective of Irie-kun, who's fallen for Nobuko. Little by little they grow closer, and each gesture is leading up to something special. Everyone's cheering this couple on in the eagerly-awaited second installment!
Volume two of Akane Tamura’s A Side Character’s Love Story continues to be very cute but a slow burn, following the main character (the “side character” of the title!) as she navigates her growing feelings for a co-worker, and hesitant steps toward a relationship. Her anxieties and hesitancies about speaking up are maybe a little too real, as in the first book.
What’s nice in volume two is that we do get more of a view of what Hiroki’s thinking and feeling, where the first volume just followed Nobuko. Like her, he’s never really been interested in someone before, and he clearly overthinks things somewhat as well, but he’s a bit steadier.
There are some really sweet moments during their not-quite-date, particularly Hiroki noticing that her shoes hurt and giving her a blister plaster — he comes across as so sweet and earnest.
Rating: 3/5
Tags: Akane Tamura, book reviews, books, manga, romance
