irl_bookworms 's review for:

Is Love the Answer? by Uta Isaki

4.5

informative inspiring medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

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Wow this is actually one of the best pieces of aspec media I’ve ever read. Based on the title alone, I was not expecting there to be a focus on the nuance and differences between the sexuality spectrum, the romantic spectrum, and the gender spectrum. But all were touched on and approached I think with a good acknowledgement of all the spectrums approached. Not only that, but even heterosexual expectations were challenged and Chika even helps a couple realize that they both have very different expectations when it comes to romance. Everything previously is assumed between the two, but only when Chika facilitates a conversation with them do they finally talk through and realize that while they might be romantically and sexually attracted to each other - their personal definitions and expectations don’t match and it would not work between them. I love to see heterosexual people reflect on the expectations set for them, even if Queer folks end up doing the brunt of the labour for them. It’s still so good to see and read.

This story also showed a variety of different partnerships and even friendships, and discusses that what we benefit from different bonds can be just as important. I especially loved Chika’s complex but ultimately close relationship with Umezaki.

I think it was a marketing issue, but I think this book focused much more on asexuality than it did aromanticism (which as an aromantic, I would have liked to see), and even less on her exploration of potentially being agender. However, I think that the author made it clear that it just wasn’t that point in Chika’s journey yet. Her discovering her asexuality was what helped her acknowledge herself. I would love to see more of Chika’s journey or others in her life as they explore the aromantic and agender spectrums in the same way that asexuality was approached here.

This is a definite must read for aspecs and very comforting to read.

*I received an eARC from Kodansha Comics & NetGalley. All opinions are my own*