Amita4ever's manga / #BBV :((75)

Good number of the pages are out of order, muddling a story with already questionable motivation. BBV (Bed Before Vows), and BBV twins to boot. Wouldn't call this a a romance. More of a caste based coercion with long term consequences.

I wanted to like this so much more than I did. So many wholesome characters, reasonable emotions, and a promising plot. It really didn't need the BBV (Bed Before Vows). It was made a big part of the plot, but this story really didn't need it and would have, IMO, could have been made a richer, deeper romance without it.

Due to the authors time constraints, this story bounced back and forth between gorgeous digital paintings and rough black and white drafts, but it was still enjoyable. I especially appreciated that when opportunity/obligation demanded this title be dropped prematurely, that the author put a proper end on it rather than leaving it unfinished with the ambiguous hope of maybe returning later.

Marginally enjoyable, but definite eye-rolling moments too, I give the author credit in that she took many of the traditional plots and tried to give them a twist to make them not what they originally seemed in the end, but there were moments I just couldn't overlook. For instance, pardon me while I get sexually technical here, but just WHY is proof of virginity blood on the sheets. Well, most young ladies have a thin skin membrane called the Hyman "down there" and the first time, the guy has to push through it. It's simple. When it tears, it bleeds. And a baby exits through the same opening. So tell me... Isn't a baby a bit bigger than a guy? Yeah. No way around it. The Hyman is already gone. Our FL might be a virgin technically, but there is no way she can prove it physically so that bit of poor biology being used as such an important plot device kinda soured things for me.

5 chaps

ONE SHOT

Sigh. I really wanted to like this one more. The FL starts at a point of weakness and blooms under the loving attention of a man who sees her for who she is when no one else can. It was a wonderful, naturally progressing relationship that I enjoyed... right up until it went 'au natural'. But the biggest disappointment on top of that is we never get to hear him propose. Instead, she effectively invites him to be her bed warmer. Commitment is implied, but only implied. There is never any proof or mentions of vows, and that rather spoiled the whole thing for me. Bad enough they jumped in for some BBV (Bed Before Vows- RL statistics show that harmful to long term marriage), but to not even get to KNOW they marry? Sad ending IMO.

I'm sad BBV (Bed Before Vows) was a required plot device, but other than that, I have to admit it was a sweet, light hearted story about growing up and realizing you are the author of your own story, and you can change. And I also like the final 'justice' page. It wrapped it up nicely.

It was a well drawn, well told story up until we got a bed instead of a wedding. I gave it a 4 because it didn't let me down until, literally, the last few pages, but I would have loved it more if he had arranged for her to be brought to the chapel instead of the cottage.

It's a BBV (Bed Before Vows) based plot, but with this in mind, I found the story had its strong points. The FL was a strong character who made her own decisions, considered possibilities, acknowledged her shortcomings without dwelling on them and acknowledged the consequences her choices were of her own which I can’t help but respect. The ML on the otherhand, was a man of his class - rich, presumptious, a bit haughty, and quite selfish, but - of course - love turned him around in the end. Its too bad that their BBV starts their marriage off with a handicap. RL statistics show that marriages without BBV are stronger and last longer.