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bookishcb_21's reviews
743 reviews
A Condition Called Love 9 by Megumi Morino
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Ugh, so good!! It was nice to see some development between some of the side characters and their relationships with others. Hotaru really cares about her friends, so the friendship trope was really good in this volume! Also, the cliffhanger at the end!!!!! I have been getting these through the library and the next volume isn’t ready for me to put a hold on it yet 😩 I am really enjoying this series, so if you need something cute, swoon-worthy, and fun to read over a weekend, I recommend picking “A Condition Called Love” up 💞
A Condition Called Love, Volume 8 by Megumi Morino
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Hotaru missing Saki/Hananoi during this volume was just the sweetest thing around! 🥹 While she waited a week for him to return back home, she connected back up with friends/loved ones around her and even got a confession from Yao (which she didn’t hear 🚂🙈) - he acknowledges his feelings for Hotaru, but knows he doesn’t want to get the way of what she has going with Saki. The ending was just adorable - I am looking forward to starting the next volume right away to see what happens next!
A Condition Called Love, Volume 7 by Megumi Morino
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This volume brought a lot of interesting chapters - from new love and what it brings to our MCs, to idols, to figuring out past/future relationships…this volume was really good. Our MCs enjoy spending time together and even though others might not think it will last, they prove them wrong by figuring out all their firsts together. Looking forward to the next volume and what becomes of Saki’s sudden visit from his father…
Sweat and Soap, Vol. 3 by Kintetsu Yamada
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Our MCs have navigated their feelings for one another and it truly shows us that they can work through a lot early on without too many misunderstandings. They are the sweetest to one another and I’m sure the next volume will have more surprises in store 💞
Sweat and Soap, Vol. 2 by Kintetsu Yamada
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Asako and Kotaro are now figuring out their relationship and debating if they should tell others. As they learn more about one another, they start to understand the minor insecurities each other is feeling from time to time. Also, I liked how Asako introduced Kotaro into conversation/in person to her family. Looking forward to the next installment!
Wish Upon a K-Star by Kat Cho
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This spin-off to “Once Upon a K-Prom” brings all the drama! If you like K-pop, K-dramas, and friends-to-enemies-to-lovers, then just you wait! You are in for a treat, reader friends! 🫰 Thanks again to NetGalley and Disney Hyperion for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for feedback.
We get to see some familiar faces in this spin-off, with characters from the popular K-pop idol group (WDB), along with some other friends that you might recognize from the first book. K-pop idol, Moonster (Moon Minseok) and newcomer K-drama star (and former idol), Shin Hyeri, are forced to work alongside together for a variety show. In doing so, it will try to help mend some drama that has affected both of them in some way. On the show, they pretend to get married and do various activities together. I liked the fact that we got to see how their beginnings as idols brought them together as teens and then get to understand why they aren’t too fond of each other when the story originally started out. There’s a LOT of drama that pops up for Hyeri throughout the story, but we get to see some soft sides of Minseok that help her realize that there’s more to her ex-crush/friend than what she originally thought. Will they mend bridges between the two of them or will working together only tear them further apart? 🧐
It was nice to revisit this world that Cho created with the first book, so I’m excited to have had the chance to read it. I look forward to adding it to my forever collection 💞
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying
Sweat and Soap, Vol. 1 by Kintetsu Yamada
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A quirky office romance that started from a specific scent given off by Asako (who sweats a lot) and a perfume developer who notices it and isn’t bothered by it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
Marry My Husband by sungsojak, Studio LICO
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is a Webtoon/K-drama combo that was fun to start around the same time! It’s been a minute since I watched the drama a little earlier this year, but I believe I started off by watching the drama first and then picked up the Webtoon after that. It’s been fun to read it a little here and there, keeping the suspense going as long as I could keep it going. I was really glad for the resolutions at the end of this story (especially since Jiwon dealt with so much heartache and life-threading situations/death early on) and for the joy that Jiwon found in having Jihyeok in her life 💞 If you love K-dramas based off of Webtoons/web comics, then consider making this your read/watch for 2025 🤗 You will enjoy the suspense, revenge and romance that this combo brings!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Murder
Home Office Romance by Kintetsu Yamada
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was a really cute standalone manga! This book takes place during lockdown and revolves around our two MCs (who are neighbors). They adjust to working from home and eventually find out that they share a lot in common. I adored the introvert vs. extrovert moments that these two share together and the blossoming relationship was everything! I plan on picking up more from this author 💖
My K-Pop Secret: Book 4 by J.L. Lee
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
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