Manga Review: Secretly, I've Been Suffering About Being Sexless by Togame

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: July 2019

Volumes: 1.

Spoilers?: Light.

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Goodreads Synopsis:

True confessions from a sexless marriage...
Togame and her husband are happy in love and want to have kids. There's just one problem: Their bedroom has turned into a no-bang zone! With her raging libido frustrated by her beloved husband's practically nonexistent sex drive, Togame is climbing the walls in search of release...Left to her own devices to get her fix, will fulfilling her needs spell doom for Togame's marriage?!

Review:

This is about Togame and her sexual issues with her new husband. She wants sex relatively often, and has been trying to get his attention, and yet he seems completely uninterested. He doesn't know why, either.

I had really high hopes for this volume. It's an issue that we don't see very much, and I was curious how it would be handled here. Plus, the art work is really cute. Her husband is drawn in a particularly cute way, too, making him look like a sweetheart.

All of this is leading to the fact that I was disappointed. Togame is surprisingly vocal about her issues, and brings it up to her husband so they can deal with it. He doesn't seem to have put any thought into her issue, though, and doesn't really put any effort into trying more or figuring out what the real problem is. He's perfectly fine with smiling and shrugging it off.

All of the pressure with sex is put onto Togame. She tries a couple of different things to get his attention. And then at one point they decide that she hasn't been putting enough effort into her looks, so she tries to dress nicer and lose weight. A good enough amount of time is put on this option as the problem that it kind of ruined it for me. I really didn't want this to be a focus at any point, honestly, and was disappointed when he was like, “yeah, maybe you're just not making yourself look hot enough for me?” Again, seemingly without much thought for the idea, either.

This doesn't end up being the real problem, and it's kind of fixed weirdly easily in the end, but still. I was hoping for something more, I guess.

Manga Review: The Delinquent Housewife!, Volume 1, by Nemu Yoko

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: Vertical Comics

Release Date: September 2018

Volumes: 4.

Spoilers?: No.

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Volume: 2.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A family comedy manga about a high school boy and his sister in law who moves in, who has a BIG secret from her past.

Tohru Komukai and his bride-to-be, Komugi, move in with his family just until they find a place of their own. Or, that was the plan, until Tohru suddenly leaves for a long-term business trip overseas, leaving Komugi to fend for herself on her in-laws’ turf. While Komugi is pretty, considerate and appears to be an ideal housewife, the truth is she doesn’t know how to do a lick of housework, and can’t cook at all. Also, she has a secret past as a member of an all-girls bosozoku biker gang! The only member of the family to learn these secrets is Dai, Tohru’s younger brother, and he helps Komugi keep up appearances until she can learn how to hold her own as a domestic goddess...

Review:

Komugi and her fiance have moved in with his family while they plan and settle things, and then suddenly he's called away overseas on business. Which leaves Komugi with her fiance's family, not knowing them too well at this point.

Komugi is trying hard to help and fit in and get along with everyone. But she's clearly the odd one out. And also, she used to be a delinquent, and now she sneaks out of the house at night to meet up with her girl friends, and of course she can't tell her fiance's family any of this, because they wouldn't approve.

I was honestly very interested in this series, originally. I don't really understand why she would be living with her fiance's family, but maybe that's an American thing for that to seem weird; especially once he's gone for who-knows-how-long. But once it was obvious that Dai, her fiance's brother, likes her, I lost some interest. I'm still intrigued by Komugi's character and her challenges regarding her delinquent past, but I'm not interested in that whole unrequited soon-to-be brother-in-law drama. I don't think that's necessary.

I believe this is a short series, so I might try more. I'm not sure at this point.

Manga Review: Ne Ne Ne by Shizuku Totono and Daisuke Hagiwara

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: December 2018

Volumes: 1.

Spoilers?: No.

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Married off to a man more than twenty years her senior, Koyuki has no idea what her new life has in store for her. She's so in the dark, in fact, that she hasn't even seen her husband's face! But Koyuki isn't alone in fumbling through the intricacies of wedded bliss. Mask-donning Shin might have many years on his young wife, but as it turns out, he's just as naïve as she is! Will this pair of innocents ever get past their awkwardness (and the age gap)?!

Review:

This is by the same artist as Horimiya, so of course I had to pick it up. I'm obsessed with that series, and I had to try this one out.

Koyuki is married off to Shin, an older man who wears a mask, and whom she knows nothing about, but is determined to be a good housewife to. She's extremely innocent, but she thinks she's prepared for everything marriage entails, and she's curious. Fortunately for her, though, Shin is just as innocent as she is, and he can't bring himself to try anything with such a younger woman, even as their feelings grow.

This was a really sweet book. Koyuki works hard doing what she can for Shin, taking care of the house and cooking for him and trying not to let anything get in her way, even her own injuries. The humor is really good, and the banter and tricks are quite funny. Koyuki gets stubborn at times, and it's fun to see her fight Shin, and how Shin tries to appease her. They get a little dragon at one point, and it's a cute little thing.

I think if this series were given more time, it could have developed more, and more things would have been explained. I would have liked to see under Shin's mask, for instance. And I wanted to see the two actually get closer, to share touches and kisses more. But this was a really sweet ones-shot, and I think it ended at a good point. It was a fun, very cute romance story.

Manga Review: Happy Marriage?!, Volume 10, by Maki Enjoji

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: February 3, 2015

Volumes: 10

Spoilers?: No.

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Volume: 1. 9.

Goodreads Synopsis:

In order to help her father, Chiwa Takanashi agrees to an arranged marriage with the company president, Hokuto Mamiya—a man she doesn’t know—at the request of Hokuto’s grandfather. Chiwa believes the arrangement isn’t binding, but her new partner seems to think otherwise. Can two strangers living together find their way to a happy marriage?!

Final Volume!

Review:

First of all, there was a color page in this volume! Ohhh, it was so pretty!

Now, this was the last volume, and I knew it was going to be great. And I am really happy with how it all ended.

Hokuto disappears for a while, but then he comes back and reveals some stuff to his family. There’s a problem regarding that, but we do get to find out what happened to his mother, thankfully. And we know that Hokuto will be all right regarding his business and work, of course. This won’t ruin him.

I think it was a little odd the way they figure out that fighting is the way they communicate, but it works. It's very fitting for them. And I’m really happy with their ending. It was actually quite adorable, and their finally actually marrying, for them, was nice, and well deserved.

I’m really happy with this series. The ending was great, I loved the humor and the smut. I loved it all, honestly. And now I really hope that VIZ picks up another of her series.

Manga Review: Happy Marriage?!, Volume 8, by Maki Enjoji

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: October 7, 2014

Volumes: 10

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 7. 9.

Goodreads Synopsis:

In order to help her father, Chiwa Takanashi agrees to an arranged marriage with the company president, Hokuto Mamiya—a man she doesn’t know—at the request of Hokuto’s grandfather. Chiwa believes the arrangement isn’t binding, but her new partner seems to think otherwise. Can two strangers living together find their way to a happy marriage?!

Hokuto resigns from Mamiya Commerce and takes on a failing company, risking everything to become heir in one year. Chiwa and Hokuto are closer than ever, so why is he saying they can’t be a true married couple?

Review:

Chiwa is still learning her place with Hokuto. She doesn’t want to impose on him, she wants to be a good wife, and she wants him to appreciate and understand her. All perfectly understandable things. Meanwhile, Hokuto is still learning how much he loves Chiwa, and what he’s willing to do to make her happy.

I don’t think I have too much to say about this volume—it was very enjoyable, and I am still loving this series. There is a bit of similar drama in each volume, but it’s still very enjoyable. They exaggerate, they fight, they make-up. I enjoy how long they hold out, and then how they both apologize and want to make things better in the future.

There is some underlining stuff happening, too. The stuff in Hokuto’s past is coming up more often, and with what happened in the last chapter, it’s clear that we’re going to find out what it is soon.

Overall, a very enjoyable series so far. I’m loving the marriage drama, and the making up. I’m excited to read the next volume.

Manga Review: Happy Marriage?!, Volume 6, by Maki Enjoji

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: June 3, 2014

Volumes: 10

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 5. 7.

Goodreads Synopsis:

In order to help her father, Chiwa Takanashi agrees to an arranged marriage with the company president, Hokuto Mamiya—a man she doesn’t know—at the request of Hokuto’s grandfather. Chiwa believes the arrangement isn’t binding, but her new partner seems to think otherwise. Can two strangers living together find their way to a happy marriage?!

Review:

Chiwa and Hokuto, at this point, are still just having problems communicating. They have a hard time telling each other what they want, and only tend to do it after they’ve messed up. But I do think they’re learning, and they are starting to get used to each other.

One of the continuing problems for them now is Hokuto’s family. He doesn’t want to think about it, but Chiwa wants to fix it, and so is trying to find out what actually happened. In this volume, she made a surprising, possibly bad, revelation.

Then there’s Chiwa’s co-worker, who Hokuto still doesn’t really know is an ex of hers. And when Chiwa gets sick, she doesn’t want to burden him, and so he doesn’t know how to react, whether to rush to her or not. He might not have made the right decision, but he clearly already knows that. I look forward to seeing what they both do next. But on the other hand, Chiwa went to a business party with Hokuto, and was surprisingly helpful, which definitely helped her self-esteem.

I’m loving the romance and the comedy in this series. I can’t wait for the next book.

Novel Review: 3 Brides for 3 Bad Boys (Mercenary/Goddard Project, #2) by Lucy Monroe

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Brava Books (Kensington)

Release Date: 2005

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Rand - after tragedy struck six years ago, Rand buried what was left of his heart. But Phoebe Garrison isn't giving up, and she's got an enticing deal: the coveted deed to property his company needs in exchange for one hot week in her bed. It's an offer even the brooding Rand can't refuse. Now, as every hunger is explored, every secret revealed, Rand knows he'll need more than one week to indulge his fantasies with this amazing woman...Colton - waking up in Vegas next to a naked showgirl named Fayre after a scorching night of passion puts a smile on Colton Denning's face-until he discovers she's his new wife. How could the stable, workaholic Colton have married such an unpredictable force of nature, a woman as likely to throw pottery as a kiss? But when it comes to tender love-and erotic war-Colton's discovering that all is Fayre...Carter - as marriage proposals go, Carter's offer to Daisy Jackson lacks romance: Marry me and I'll give you a half-a-million dollars. To fulfill the requirements of his father's lucrative will, he needs a wife, and Daisy needs the money. But after a wedding night of absolutely explosive sensuality, Carter wants more than an arrangement. He wants Daisy, to have, to hold, and everything else...With these bad boys, you may kiss the bride is only the beginning...

The Cover:

I don't really like this cover. It looks cheesy, and embarrassing without the naked-chested man. There's also the cover on Barnes and Noble, and it's not really any better.

Review:

These stories were not as good as I was hoping they would be. They were weaker in character and story, but overall just rushed.

The first story, about Rand, was cute. He doesn’t want a serious relationship, but Pheobe pushes him to spend a week together in bed for the property of hers that he wants. The romance and characters were fine in this, but the climactic moment where Rand realizes he wants Pheobe for good just didn’t work for me. It made sense as an “I want you to stay” moment, but not an “I want to marry you” moment. It was way too rushed for that, in my opinion. So overall this was an okay story, but it was too fast, and that ruined it for me.

The second story, about Carter, was better. Overall this one was just cute, and I think since they worked out marriage before they fell in love, that worked better. I liked Carter, and Daisy was sweet.

The last story, about Colton, was cute. I probably found this one the cutest, and thought the attraction between the two very sweet and hot. But the way that Colton decided he wanted to keep Fayre around was way too fast, without much of a reason to be. He accepted what had happened without enough of a reason too quickly for me. But it was still a pretty cute story.

I’d probably give the first story a 2.5, maybe 3, and the others a 3, so I averaged to a 3 for the set.