Marlowe

Thank you to Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I had a good time with this manga! The story flowed nicely and the number 8 being a connection between the two main characters was unique. The development of their relationship was sweet, and the occasional chnage of POV from Eito to Hatta was a nice bit of insight into the other's mindset.

As usual, it has the usual small conflict of most BL protagonists, where they think ‘I'm not gay, but I like you', but it's actually not too prominent in this, and the two of them seem to overcome this quickly, which was super refreshing!

I think the weakness was in the side characters; I felt like the friends were barely there, only occasionally popping in for funny dialogue or contextualising some small things. Though with only 196 pages, I understand the author would want to focus on the relationship between their two main characters instead.

Overall, this was short and sweet, and I enjoyed my time with this manga!

Thank you to Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I absolutely adored my time reading this manga! I myself identify as asexual, and Chika's feelings regarding feeling alienated from other people because of her disinterest in relationships and romance really hit home. Since there was no romance, it really gave the author the opportunity to create strong platonic bonds between Chika and her new friends, and they did such an incredible job of it! Chika's bonds with Ishii, Moto, Ito and Ume were developed beautifully, and their encouragement and support of Chika really carried this book.

I also really loved how everyone's identites were never ‘perfect'. Even Chika's relationship with her sexual, romantic and gender identity isnt exactly answered by the end of the book, but it's because it's something so personal to her and something she can explore and find an answer to at any time, and everyone around her will support her along the way. This book is only the beginning of Chika discovering herself, and it's handled beautifully. The manga also did a great job at educating the reader in an organic way that never felt forced into the story, and instead helped along Chika understand different identities as well.

I do think the queer-platonic(?) relationship with Ume felt a little rushed, but it could be due to the fact that the author spent all 256 pages fleshing out everyone that it felt very sudden to me, but I appreciate that it's something the two are still working towards and it's very early days for them.

Overall, i really enjoyed this manga, and strongly recommend it to anyone looking to learn about asexuality, or even other identities, whilst also watching the main character learn and grow with them along the way.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bella Books for an eARC copy of this book!

I enjoyed this book even more than I thought I would! The references to real world events and changes to working life (COVID, remote working, etc) felt seamless, especially given the environments each protagonist works in.

Both the main characters felt very fleshed out, suitably flawed and loveable, and their chemistry was amazing! All the conflict within the novel felt very organic to their characters and situation, and their communication was so refreshing. The third-act conflict can be a real downer on some books, but in this, the conflict was both external to their relationship, and also contributed to each of the characters' growth.

A particular highlight was the relationship itself. They both started on the wrong foot, through no fault of their own, and the way they grew closer and bonded was beautiful. Angel also stole the show so many times, and facilitated their relationship growing throughout the book in such a lovely way! They both shared their interests with one another, and the two of them together was so sweet, and so healthy as well! 

I also loved the development the side characters all got. Devyn's friends having marital problems they worked through, Robbie's uncle's own growth and reconnection with someone from his past, and even Devyn's ex-husband to some extent (although I'm a big hater of cheaters in relationships, so even with the development I held a grudge. AND CHEATING ON DEVYN?! Unbelievable.

Overall, I had such a lovely time reading this book and highly recommend it to any romance lovers!

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK Audio for a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

I enjoyed this book quite a bit more than I expected after the first initial chapters! The book felt quite shallow at the beginning, and some of the writing I found to be awkward at times, but after a while it definitely grew on me and became more charming than grating. The chemistry between the two characters didn't really show at first, and I wasn't a big fan of Leo at first, but their relationship grew to be so genuine and heartwarming, especially from the midpoint onwards. Having protagonists who actually communicated and grew together whilst supporting and uplifting one another was lovely, and it was great to see each of them take initiative towards their own goals rather than solely depend on one another.

I think the writing style wasn't completely for me, but the narrator did a great job at telling the story in a way I found enjoyable, and it definitely added to the charm of the book. At times, if I had been reading this as a paperback, I would have enjoyed significntly less without the actor's voice narrating the story.

Overall, I had a good time with this one! Contemporary isn't always my jam, but the premise was unique and the characters really sold this to me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This novel was an experience; I feel like that's the best way to describe it. There are a lot of questions that remain unanswered, despite the plot itself seeming quite straightforward. The writing itself was beautiful, with some very interesting imagery throughout the novel. The supernatural elements felt both very out of place, but also almost ingrained into the storytelling, and we don't get much of an answer as to why these things are happening.

The intense relationship between Helene and the main character was so interesting. Their connection was instant and, even from the beginning, it always felt somewhat off. They had wonderful moments together, but the toxicity slowly eases its way in until the readers themselves feel uncomfortable, and with the horror imagery throughout makes quite the unsettling story. It felt like Helene's character wasn't explored much, but I think it plays into her role as someone who the main character actually barely knows; she lives a very different life to her and feels distant, even in their more intimate moments.

I also love that the man never gets named. Even after he's dead, only the women get the dignity of being identified and explored throughout the book. I think we barely get to even see him outside of the character referencing the night of the party. He really felt like a dark presence rather than a man; the only humanity he's shown is after his death by his own mother . I think the haunting reflects this beautifully, how it invades every aspect of the main character's life, dogging her every step. I think the consumption of animals plays into this too, how she eats it in an almost animalistic way due to having to eat on the job or hidden in a cupboard, and also how this is forced onto her by another male character.

It would have been lovely for her and Oliver to remain friends; their connection was brief but very sweet, and I think the two of them would work well together as friends.

Overall, an enjoyable and haunting read!