Manga Review: Komomo Confiserie, Volume 5, by Maki Minami

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: September 6, 2016

Volumes: 5.

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble.

Volume: 1. 4.

Goodreads Synopsis:

As a little girl, Komomo Ninomiya delighted in picking on Natsu Azumi, the son of her family's pastry chef. Ten years later, when the family fortune is lost and she has no place to live, Komomo encounters Natsu again in her hour of need. Now that Natsu is a master pastry chef in his own right, he'll help Komomo-but only if she works for him at his new confiserie!

Both Komomo and Natsu are resolute in their stance that they are not in love with each other, even though everyone else around them thinks otherwise. Now that Komomo’s fortunes and arranged fiancé have returned, a romance between a pâtissier and a princess seems even less likely. But Komomo is determined to pursue her own path in life when she realizes what she wants most.

Review:

This fantastic series draws to a very nice close. It didn’t feel rushed to me, and it worked out very nicely in my opinion.

There’s some love-triangle drama involved, but that doesn’t take as much precedence. And I don’t think it matters as much when Komomo’s father tries telling her what to do and she straight-up refuses. She even makes Natsu pay for being such a jerk to her, and I think he makes it up to her in a very deserving way. It is cheesy, for sure, but it’s adorable, and I love the way it all wraps up.

This was a super fun series, and I really love the author's work. I hope they release everything else of hers they can; I would eat it all up.

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

Manga Review: Komomo Confiserie, Volume 4, by Maki Minami

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: June 7, 2016

Volumes: 5.

Spoilers?: Light.

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

Volume: 1. 3. 5.

Goodreads Synopsis:

As a little girl, Komomo Ninomiya delighted in picking on Natsu Azumi, the son of her family's pastry chef. Ten years later, when the family fortune is lost and she has no place to live, Komomo encounters Natsu again in her hour of need. Now that Natsu is a master pastry chef in his own right, he'll help Komomo-but only if she works for him at his new confiserie!

Komomo attends her first festival by working in the Méli-Mélo food truck. But Natsu keeps snubbing her in front of Noel Étoile, an entitled rich girl who became attached to him while he was in France. Komomo realizes that Natsu must be in love with Noel, but why is Komomo so upset by it?

Review:

We officially meet Noelle in this volume. She’s in love with Natsu, and will crush anyone who gets in her way, which means she’s after Komomo. Natsu does what he can to prevent this, but his ignoring Komomo only frustrates her.

Komomo stands tall through most of this, a little bullying doesn’t really bother her. It’s when Noelle goes too far, hurting Natsu’s business, that we see Komomo at her best. She’s snaps, and she’s pissed, and she goes after the person responsible. I love this side of Komomo, when she’s tough and mean and in charge. She can handle bullying, because she knows how that works and she knows how to fight back. She also knows how to be the better person, not to stay spiteful and petty.

Komomo is strong and smart, and I love seeing this.

We also get a revelation about Komomo’s feelings for Natsu, pushed by an old friend of Natsu’s who just wants the best for him. It should be fun to see how this series wraps up. I can’t wait.

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

Manga Review: Komomo Confiserie, Volume 3, by Maki Minami

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: March 1, 2016

Volumes: 5.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 2. 4.

Add on Goodreads 

RightStuf Synopsis:

Komomo, in the throes of first love, doesn’t understand the feelings she’s having for Seto. She asks Natsu about feeling giddy, and he tells her that she’s simply experiencing a head cold. But when Komomo finds out Seto’s heart belongs to another, will Natsu be there to comfort her?
Komomo Confiserie volume 3 features story and art by Maki Minami.

Review:

I’m honestly surprised with the maturity in this series.

Komomo realizes that she’s dealing with her first love, and is upset when she first realizes that he has a girlfriend and that he’s moving away. And while this hurts her at first, she doesn’t bother with that for very long. Instead, she decides to fix things between the couple when they break up, even if it hurts her as well. And she does it so well, too.

Then Komomo has a friendship moment with Rise, as Rise tries to help Komomo get over her broken heart without really admitting to doing that. Their friendship is both hilarious and perfectly fitting both of them. They’re odd, and they get each other.

And of course we’re left with a cliffhanger regarding Natsu. I’m anticipating him finally admitting to his feelings for Komomo, which I’m hoping will be hilarious and adorable in normal Minami fashion, but it’ll probably be another volume before we see that.

Still, absolutely loving this series. It’s hilarious and adorable and mature and crazy. And the sweets look so delicious. I can’t wait for more.

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

Manga Review: Komomo Confiserie, Volume 2, by Maki Minami

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: December 1, 2015

Volumes: 5

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 3.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Now that Komomo’s family is bankrupt, the arranged marriage her father had planned for her is most likely void. With her future now open, Komomo decides to look for love and start dating. Natsu offers himself up to be her suitor, but will Komomo accept him?

Review:

Now that Komomo has made friends with Kaname, her previous bully, they’ve grown close. Kaname is in a similar position as what Komomo was in her previous life, and they’ve bonded over that. Kaname confesses her love to a guy with Komomo’s help, and then they set up a double date.

Komomo has never been on a date before, having believed that she was still in an arranged marriage, and is excited for this new experience. Some things go wrong, but Komomo still keeps her optimism and tough front. Komomo is now wanting to fall in love, even if it’s with Natsu.

I just love Minami’s stories at this point. The way Natsu humors and torments Komomo is so funny to me, and I love his possessiveness over her as well. I also appreciate the way that Komomo stands up for herself and what she believes in. Her strength and honesty is admirable.

I love this series, the humor and the characters and just everything about it. I can’t wait for the next one.

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