Manga Review: Daytime Shooting Star, Volume 3, by Mika Yamamori

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: November 2019

Volumes: 12 +1.

Spoilers?: Light.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 2. 4.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Optimistic high schooler Suzume moves to Tokyo and finds her heart caught between two men!

After arriving in Tokyo to live with her uncle, Suzume collapses in a nearby park when she recallsm once seeing a shooting star during the day. A handsome stranger brings her to her new home and tells her they’ll meet again. Suzume starts her first day at her new high school sitting next to a boy who blushes furiously at her touch. And her homeroom teacher is none other than the handsome stranger!

Suzume has moved to Tokyo and is living with her uncle. In an unguarded moment while Mr. Shishio naps in the infirmary, Suzume voices her feelings. But he wasn’t sleeping?! Mamura soon realizes how Suzume feels about their teacher, and with Mr. Shishio’s ex-girlfriend back in the picture, things become even more complicated.

Review:

There's a surprising confrontation and twist of plot in this volume. While Suzume was still coming to terms with her feelings, she hadn't expected to actually tell him this early. And her doing this makes Mr. Shishio acknowledge it and attempt to move forward. It honestly threw me off and makes me conflicted. I understand his stance, and as it moves forward, we get to see why he reacted like this.

It could be because of his job, but mostly he's just hung up on his past relationship too much.

I do find it interesting how we take a break from high school and Suzume here, and get to see inside Shishio's head for a bit. He's got a different perspective, and he has to assess his real feelings for his ex and for Suzume before being able to actually move forward.

And then there's Mamura. Poor Mamura, who likes Suzume, while Yuyuka likes Mamura and Suzume is trying to help her.

It's all getting very complicated, honestly.

And I'm hooked. I'm here for it.

 A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: Snow White with the Red Hair, Volume 3, by Sorata Akiduki

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: September 2019

Volumes: 22+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 2. 4.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A romantic retelling of a classic fairy tale about a beautiful herbalist and a lovestruck prince.

Shirayuki is an herbalist famous for her naturally bright-red hair, and the prince of Tanbarun wants her all to himself! Unwilling to become the prince’s possession, she seeks shelter in the woods of the neighboring kingdom, where she gains an unlikely ally—the prince of that kingdom! He rescues her from her plight, and thus begins the love story between a lovestruck prince and an unusual herbalist.

Shirayuki’s life as a court herbalist in Clarines seems to be going well. She works hard at her job and gets to spend her free time with Zen. But when Zen’s brother, crown prince Izana, returns to the castle, he has a lot to say about his brother’s new friend. Will Shirayuki be able to overcome this new obstacle in her relationship with Zen?!

Review:

Izana tries stirring up some real trouble for Zen, but luckily he has things handled. And, despite his attempts, Shirayuki isn't easily rattled or swayed, either.

Izana is a bit of a jerk, but honestly I feel like he's being put on as a lot tougher than he is. We get a glimpse of his and Zen's past, and it makes Izana look even worse. But also, he's not much against Shirayuki, really.

In the second half of the volume, things get a bit more easy-going. Shirayuki has caught some public attention, and so she gets a bodyguard. It feels like a triangle is being attempted here, but I'm not really into that, and it's also not very strong at this point.

We get to meet a new girl, there to fight for her land and birds against a new viscount taking over her land. She hates nobles, but hits it off with Shirayuki. Their meeting is a bit one-dimensional, which I think this series has suffered from a few times.

This volume was okay. I've warmed up a little to Shirayuki and Zen, but still some of this series just hits meh for me. I really want to like this series a lot more than I do.

 A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: The Girl from the Other Side: Siuil, a Run, Volume 4, by Nagabe

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Seven Seas

Release Date: March 2018

Volumes: 8+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 3. 5.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A FATE WORSE THAN DEATH

Shiva's little white lie has had devastating consequences. While she reels from the shock of the horrific events that have unfolded, Auntie reveals to Teacher how Shiva came to live under her roof--and the cruel fate that awaits all who are afflicted by the curse.

Review:

Both Teacher and Shiva's Aunt seem to want what's best for Shiva, and thus they're both very distrustful of each other. Shiva's Aunt reveals how she came upon Shiva, but then the curse seems to be working on her differently than we've seen at this point, though that might be explaining some things as well.

It seemed like Shiva was getting a larger group, getting to form a family, but that seems too hopeful now.

This series is still very strong for me, and getting deeper.

Manga Review: RIN-NE, Volume 30, by Rumiko Takahashi

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: Shonen Sunday (VIZ Media)

Release Date: July 2019

Volumes: 40.

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 26. 31.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Manga legend Rumiko Takahashi’s lighthearted tale of a girl who can see ghosts and a boy from the beyond.

After a mysterious encounter in her childhood, Sakura Mamiya gained the power to see ghosts. Now a teenager, she just wishes the ghosts would leave her alone! Then one day she meets Rinne Rokudo, a boy who is far more than what he seems.

In the summer season of restless spirits, Rinne and the gang head to a beach house to confront a supernatural spirit who’s obsessed with braids. Sakura’s trademark hairstyle makes her a target of the ghost’s mad desire… Can Rinne figure out how to send the spirit away, ASAP?!

Review:

The episodic plots seem to be extending a bit more, as most of them seems to last a couple of chapters now. Such as the love-lost ghost haunting a bell. And the dead girl who thought her boyfriend cheated on her. Lastly, Rokudo faces off with Masato, with a surprise appearance by Rokudo's salesman father, in order to find a magical mask that turns stuff to stone.

There was a weird theme of people dying for terrible and dumb reasons, though. It's good none of it was taken seriously, or it could have been very depressing and tragic.

These are relatively fun chapters, but very episodic and with not much lasting plot lines. I don't mind these volumes, but I'm not very connected to the characters, either. Easy and fun, but little substance.

A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: My Hero Academia, Volume 22, by Kohei Horikoshi

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)

Release Date: December 2019

Volumes: 25+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 21. 23.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Midoriya inherits the superpower of the world’s greatest hero, but greatness won’t come easy.

What would the world be like if 80 percent of the population manifested superpowers called “Quirks”? Heroes and villains would be battling it out everywhere! Being a hero would mean learning to use your power, but where would you go to study? The Hero Academy of course! But what would you do if you were one of the 20 percent who were born Quirkless?

In the third match of the joint battle training, the students of Class 1-A have their hands full dealing with the unexpected creativity of Class B’s Quirk use. These matches give everyone a chance to reflect on exactly where they all stand in comparison to each other and on the events in their lives that have brought them to this point. Then it’s time for Bakugo to show what he’s learned…

Review:

This volume continues the current test. More groups face off, are tested and prove themselves and see how they need to improve more. And then it's Deku's turn.

Deku has already been fighting with his powers, he's had weird dreams featuring the previous heroes of One for All, and now he's against the mind-controller who started this mess for him. He knew it was risky, but he had to do what he could.

Deku's in a real predicament as this volume ends. I'm really intrigued to see what happens with his power next, what this means for him.

A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Comic Review: Little Moments of Love by Catana Chetwynd

Rating (Out of 5): ~4.5-5

Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing

Release Date: June 2018

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. Powells.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Soppy meets Sarah’s Scribbles in this sweet collection of comics about the simple, precious, silly, everyday moments that make up a relationship.

What began as stray doodles on scraps of paper became an internet sensation when Catana Chetwynd’s boyfriend shared her drawings online. Now, Catana Comics touches millions of readers with its sweet, relatable humor. Little Moments of Love collects just that – the little moments that are the best parts of being with the person you love.

Review:

I love this little collection of comics. It's starring this cute couple, and we get to see moments from when they first started dating, expectations versus reality, and moments as they live together and stay adorable and odd and cuddly at all times. They have a cat, and they're both introverted and sometimes work at home. It's definitely from a cute perspective, but it's also honest.

It's so very simple, and yet I love it. It was a lot of fun to read, and I will definitely pick up the next one.

Manga Review: The Water Dragon's Bride, Volume 11, by Rei Toma

Rating (Out of 5): ~4.5

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: November 2019

Volumes: 11.

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 10.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A modern-day girl gets whisked away to a strange land where she is sacrificed to a water dragon god!

In the blink of an eye, a modern-day girl named Asahi is whisked away from her warm and happy home and stranded in a strange and mysterious world where she meets a water dragon god!

Facing the gravity of his impending demise, the water dragon god vows that he will send Asahi back to her world before all his power disappears. As Asahi struggles to find a way to stay with him, she can’t deny that the day when they must part is coming. Is it truly the end for these two star-crossed lovers?

Review:

The Water Dragon God is dying, because of his relationship with Asahi, and he has the option of eating her to save himself. He's formed too many human emotions, too much of an attachment, though, to be willing to do that.

This series wraps up in a way that I definitely didn't expect. Most stories will discover a crazy solution at the last second, like he'd become human with her or something. That's not what happens here. Instead, we get to see the series all over again, only from the Water Dragon God's perspective, with new insight for how things happened and leading to this new ending.

I actually really appreciate how this worked out. And it definitely makes me want to re-read the series with these new realizations.

I feel a little bad for how Subaru fell so far in the background, given how much I loved him in the beginning. On the other side, I'm really happy with where Asahi is at the end of the series, and I'm glad we get to see her family again.

I'm really happy with how this series wraps up. It's a pleasant surprise that leaves me very pleased.

A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: Shortcake Cake, Volume 5, by suu Morishita

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: August 2019

Volumes: 12.

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 4. 6.

Goodreads Synopsis:

An unflappable girl and a cast of lovable male roommates at a boardinghouse create bonds of friendship and romance.

When Ten moves out of her parents’ home in the mountains to live in a boardinghouse, she finds herself becoming fast friends with her male roommates. But can love and romance be far behind?

Ten comes to a realization. Chiaki and Riku both have feelings for Ten, but Riku doesn’t feel that he can pursue her.

Review:

Chiaki is watching as Ten tries to get closer to Riku, trying to stay out of it and yet still ending up next to her all the time. It's no surprise that he does what he does at the end of the volume.

Honestly, I think I like the boys in this series more than Ten. She's okay, and there are definite moments that I relate to her. But also she's not all that memorable or particularly stand-out. And yet, I relate the most to Chiaki and I love him. And Riku is super sweet, too. I like that we get to see inside each of their heads, too, since the boys stand out so much and even their friendship is as important to me as everything else.

I'm a little iffy on this series, but also there's scenes that stand out and that I love so much, all at the same time.

A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Series Anouncement + Cover Reveal!: Hot Cakes Series by Erin Nicholas - Sugarcoated out March 24th!

Hot Cakes, an all-new delicious, laugh-out-loud series of standalone romantic comedies from New York Times bestselling author Erin Nicholas, is coming this spring and we have the irresistible covers!

Sugarcoated is heating things up March 24th! 

A hot, funny brother’s best friend rom com . . . with sugar on top!

She's his best friend's little sister. He's known her all his life. He's practically part of the family. There is nothing either of them could do to surprise the other at this point.

Then she showed up in his bedroom in lingerie and asked him to take her V-card.

Now, that was a surprise.

Aiden is pretty sure Zoe was equally surprised when he told her no.

To say that he didn't handle it well would be a massive understatement. Almost as massive as the amount of work he's going to have to do now to convince her that he wants her. Forever.

Right after he tells her that he's bought the company that's her bakery’s biggest competitor.

Maybe if he tells her he’s in love with her first, that will help sugarcoat the whole we're-rivals-in-business-now thing.

So, first "I'm in love with you", then "take off your clothes", then "I'm now your business adversary".

Piece of cake.

Pre-order your copy of SUGARCOATED today!  

Amazon

 Amazon Worldwide

Apple Books

Nook

Kobo

  Google Play: Coming Soon!

Add Sugarcoated to your Goodreads TBR: http://bit.ly/36Etef8

 

Each Hot Cakes Title can be read as a complete standalone.

Look out for:

Forking Around: May 2020

 Making Whoopie: June 2020

 Semi-Sweet on You: September 2020

 Gimme S’more: January 2021

Cover designed by: Angel Waters Art, LLC.

Photography by: Lindee Robinson Photography

Sugarcoated models: Chelsey Nicole & Adam Johns

Forking Around models: Kelly Marie & David Turner

Making Whoopie: Cristy Mazaris & Michael Pack

Semi-Sweet On You: Christina Engel & Camden Grigsby

Gimme S'more: Kayle Berry & Andrew Wilson

About Erin Nicholas

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Erin Nicholas has been writing romances almost as long as she’s been reading them. To date, she’s written over thirty sexy, contemporary novels that have been described as “toe-curling,” “enchanting,” “steamy,” and “fun.” She adores reluctant heroes, imperfect heroines, and happily ever afters.

Erin lives in the Midwest, where she enjoys spending time with her husband (who only wants to read the sex scenes in her books), her kids (who will never read the sex scenes in her books), and her family and friends (who claim to be “shocked” by the sex scenes in her books).

Connect with Erin

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Instagram

Website

  Stay up to date with Erin Nicholas by joining her mailing list: http://bit.ly/38a5Fv5

Manga Review: Waiting for Spring, Volume 11, by Anashin

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: July 2019

Volumes: 13.

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 10. 12.

Goodreads Synopsis:

It’s time for the New Team Tournament, and the stakes are high. If Seiryo wins, the basketball team’s ban on dating will be lifted, and if Mitsuki agrees, she and Towa can finally be an official couple. But then, Towa has a dream that he misses a crucial shot and loses to Aya … Could it be an omen?!

Review:

Both sides are amping up for the big game. There's a lot at hand, it feels like. Towa is trying hard and he's determined to win this, even if Aya is a hard competitor. They're both using this game as a reason to be bigger in real life.

Mitsuki is also using this as a reason to finally be honest about her feelings. No matter how it goes, though she's clearly rooting harder for one side.

There's a couple of sweet moments in this volume, and the new year happens. But mostly there's lots of anticipation, and then it's finally here. The game happens with a little twist at the end, which doesn't change anything for Mitsuki.

I still really like the main couple in this series, and I'm excited and curious to see where they go next.

Manga Review: Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt, Volume 11, by Yasuo Ohtagaki, Hajime Yatate, and Yoshiyuki Tomino

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: VIZ Signature (VIZ Media)

Release Date: May 2019

Volumes: 14+

Spoilers?: Yes.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 8. 12.

Goodreads Synopsis:

An epic story of war and survival set in the legendary Gundam universe!

In the Universal Century year 0079, the space colony known as Side 3 proclaims independence as the Principality of Zeon and declares war on the Earth Federation. One year later, they are locked in a fierce battle for the Thunderbolt Sector, an area of space scarred by the wreckage of destroyed colonies.

Abandoning their allegiance to Zeon, Daryl Lorenz and Dr. Karla Mitchum join Federation defector Claudia Peer and head for the Nanyang Alliance's Taal volcano base to dedicate themselves to the cause of Sojo Levan Fu. Once there, they learn the full extent of the Nanyang operation to mass-produce the Psycho Zaku and the Reuse P. Device, and Sojo Levan Fu’s ultimate plan to end humanity’s fall toward inevitable destruction! Daryl and Karla are the keys to this plan, but unlocking their shattered memories has unexpected dangers.

Review:

All is apparently revealed in this volume, as Daryl shows what side he's really on and betrays the team he was originally on. Daryl and Karla join the Levan Fu side, as Daryl wants Karla to get her memory and self back. This could be great or terrible for them, though.

Everything Daryl does here is kind of hard to take, and yet his and Karla's relationship is important to him, as much as his stance on fighting. Their romance seems sweet, but also with an underlying tragedy, it seems.

Then there's the Sojo Levan Fu cause. This just feels like a terribly misleading, brainwashing cult. It felt very off reading that entire arc, as Daryl and Karla arrive and are introduced fully to it.

I'm not following this series, as I'm not a mecha reader. But this was an interesting volume.

A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: Jujutsu Kaisen, Volume 1, by Gege Akutami

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)

Release Date: December 2019

Volumes: 9+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 2.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Yuji Itadori is resolved to save the world from cursed demons, but he soon learns that the best way to do it is to slowly lose his humanity and become one himself!

In a world where demons feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryoma Sukuna were lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of Jujutsu Sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the undead!

Yuji Itadori is high schooler who spends his days visiting his bedridden grandfather. Although he looks like your average teenager, his immense physical strength is something to behold! Every sports club wants him to join, but Itadori would rather hang out with the school outcasts in the Occult Club. One day, the club manages to get their hands on a sealed cursed object, but little do they know the terror they’ll unleash when they break the seal...

Review:

From the beginning, I'm unsure who we're following. We meet Fushiguro investigating a cursed object, and then go to Itadori, who's an average high school boy. He's in the occult club, but mainly because he needed to join a club that wouldn't overlap his outside-school responsibilities. Though he's found friends there, this is all interrupted when Fushiguro shows up and demons attack the school. When Itadori swallows the cursed finger, everything for him changes.

This was a wild volume. We get thrown to a couple of different places and we follow Itadori most of the time, but Fushiguro sometimes, too. The whole plot itself is a bit crazy, really. And then we're in danger as the volume ends, so I'm curious where that will go, as I'm a little doubtful that the warning we're given will be true.

I appreciate that, while this does take the stereotypical shonen route, it feels a bit new. Particularly, the lone female character is not just here for her big boobs—she's kind of awful, honestly. We'll see how that goes, though.

A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: Ao Haru Ride, Volume 7, by Io Sakisaka

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: October 2019

Volumes: 13.

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 6. 8.

Goodreads Synopsis:

The popular shojo manga series that was adapted into the Blue Spring Ride anime!

Futaba Yoshioka thought all boys were loud and obnoxious until she met Kou Tanaka in junior high. But as soon as she realized she really liked him, he had already moved away because of family issues. Now, in high school, Kou has reappeared, but is he still the same boy she fell in love with?

Futaba Yoshioka has encountered her first love again in high school, but he seems different from the boy she once knew. At the cultural festival, Futaba and Kou kiss by accident and then for real. Futaba is on top of the world until she sees Yui in Kou’s arms…

Review:

I think the drama is amping up in this series. I will admit it might not be what we expect of either Sakisaka or this series—but I'm still enjoying it.

Futaba is still having a hard time with Kou, and that Kou has kind of chosen Yui. But Futaba doesn't think that Yui is good for Kou, and that she's dragging him down. I did appreciate this sentiment, but I also didn't think her decision on how to confront this was a good idea. There was no way it was going to turn out any other way.

It's really too bad for Kikuchi, honestly. He's a good guy, and he likes Futaba a lot. But Futaba's too stuck on Kou to see anyone else. I like that we got to see Kikuchi's friends more here, and how Futaba's friends interacted with them. There's some potential there.

These series definitely don't beat around the bush. Futaba doesn't keep her feelings hidden for long. And so of course Shuko finally confronts her feelings for Tanaka, especially after she gets a reality check about what her feelings could do to his career.

I'm hopeful about where this is going, but I definitely think there's some more drama ahead.

A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!