Sleeps In Sunbeams's manga / #re-read!!! ^.^(278)

A really lovely adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew which is probably my favourite of Shakespeare’s tales. However, I liked this even more because instead of Petruchio taming the headstrong Katherina with psychological torments in response to her shrewish behaviours, here we had more of a taming of the Lothario playboy. I like that Katherina was respected more here, whilst still keeping her family relationship consistent with the original story and Bianca’s subplot and the explanation for Katherina’s shrewishness as well. I found Petruchio more endearing as he fell for Katherina, the little things like his fear of bugs to inadvertently sharing his genuine feelings.

A really lovely story about a friendship with the petite commoner Kouran, and the Emperor of Shou, Shiki. I liked the MCs, the gentle Shiki who is really only gentle with Kouran, and the sweet orphan girl who has a tendency to put others before herself. Their steady friendship to romance was lovely, it was the kind that was so strong that you knew nobody else could come between them. I wasn’t bothered by Kouran‘s petite build that often saw her being mistaken for a child because she was very clear and upfront about her age and it was a fun plot device (especially given that Shiki was actually younger than her by a year).

Bring on the ugly tears It’s a masterpiece, a beautiful love story, a gem amongst stones. Loved it.

Having read the novel “Without Reservations” when it was first released and loving it, I was naturally thrilled to see a manga adaptation. I thought that the mangaka did a great job bringing these characters to a new format and I really enjoyed the banter, romance and humour that was kept so well. It would be amazing to see Jake and Remy’s story, but for now I am really happy with this.

I love these kinds of yaoi, the stories where personalities are opposite to their appearances and to each other, and stories with intensity from at least one of the MCs. Showy looking student Niina Keito is usually surrounded by girls seeking a wild fling with the sexy playboy. Only problem is he is actually a virgin tsundere with a penchant for shoujo manga and a dream of being in a loving relationship. Elegant and attractive, Takizawa Ryou is the school Prince that girls want to marry. Only problem is that he is actually a wicked sadist who loves to tease Nina in the privacy of their home. Oh, forgot to mention, these two rivals now live together when their parents recently married. And Ryou is in love with his romantic minded housemate. Things are about to get interesting.

A thoroughly wonderful story that had great characters, some unexpected plot twists, adventure, tears and romance. Beautiful artwork completed the package for a great isekai that didn’t drag on endlessly. Definitely recommended.

Sei Hikawa had a tough break up with his lover. Feeling depressed, he quit his job, let his hair grow unkempt, and drifted aimlessly into a job at the local store. There Sei met the imposing Kengo Haruki, a tall and imposing man dressed in an elegant suit who literally swept Sei off his feet. Now Sei is under the protection of a stern stranger who has some reason to clothe, house, feed and train Sei to be his very best self. A man who forthrightly let’s Sei know he can pay what he owes with his body and takes him with the gentle worship of a lover. This story was interesting because the dynamic of owing sexual favours is sordid and unromantic, but oddly it was very sweet and romantic, especially when we had insight into Kengo’s thoughts and his possessive, protective nature.

An apt title for this lovely story. Yotsugawa fell for Kyouda at first sight when the slumbering man with a lap full of gay magazines slept through plane turbulence. Approaching him to exchange numbers soon had these strangers creating a loving relationship as they spent their time together. Kyouda seemed to absolutely adore Yotsugawa; he was kind and expressed his adoration and fascination for the smaller man constantly. However, Yotsugawa had some insecurities he had to manage about Kyouda’s high school friend. He dealt with it on his own, it would have been nicer to see him verbalise his concerns, but jealousy is a monster many of us can relate to and he did work through the feelings without negatively impacting his relationship. Beautiful artwork, especially the sex scenes with erotic angles and arching bodies all entwined, this mangaka has a real talent expressing emotion through the way these guys were entwined together.

Cute bottom Tatsuya Miike embraces his lifestyle of no-strings-attached hookups with straight virgin guys. No commitment, no expectations and no second times. Tonight’s guy is a little different though… I thought that this story of stalking and obsessed Kotaroh and the surprisingly clingy Tatsuya was adorable. When you read the title you don’t realise that it suits both MCs. Both are a little dysfunctional but together they work. Tatsuya actually needed an obsessive partner who would treasure his own hidden need to belong with someone and cling, and Kotaroh treasured every bit of Tatsuya. For me, this was a fun read. One of those, “there is someone for everyone” romances. The second oneshot of crossdressing friend was cute. The understanding and acceptance was sweet, though it would have been nice to see their relationship develop at a slower pace without the dubious consent scene.

Spoiled son of a business CEO, college student Tatsuki is a hotheaded rich kid tired of sleeping around with girls. After his friends suggest he try a guy he sets his sights on Miyako Hirota and finds himself drawn into the web of a high functioning sociopath. Lots of twists and some mind games in this story. Miyako is not very loveable, but he is absolutely obsessed with Tatsuki in ways he himself finds disconcerting. I liked that Tatsuki was no easy pushover but at the same time he got swept along in the madness. Definitely an interesting romance, in a dark, ‘are you sure about this?’ kind of way.