marie_thereadingotter's reviews
1169 reviews

Dream a Little Dream of Me by Akira Varma

emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I received this book from NetGalley for review. 

RTC

Boss Bride Days, Volume 7 by Narumi Hasegaki

funny tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

While I do enjoy the silliness of this series, I would like more plot to happen beyond Sakura being a mess. I'd like more moments of the boys trying to win her over. I'd also like to start seeing more of Sakura being sure of herself. She has her moments but it's not very consistent. 

I feel like there could have been more attempted tender moments with each of the brothers in this volume, but alas, they had a sinister plot to uncover. 

I totally saw it coming with that kid Sakura knew from school showing up on the cruise. It was too convientant him being there.

 

Boss Bride Days, Vol. 6 by Narumi Hasegaki

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really do like Sakura as a character. She is very unsure of her self in the most bizarre times, but really steps up to the plate when things get dicey.
I also like that she finally spent some time with Shusuke. It felt like the last few volumes he was pushed into the background. 

Boss Bride Days, Vol. 5 by Narumi Hasegaki

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Sakura really pushes these boys. I like that while she's being pushed out of her comfort zone, she's pushing the boys out of theirs. 

Boss Bride Days Vol. 4 by Narumi Hasegaki

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

There was more "plot" in this book than silly shenanigans. (not that I don't like the silly shenanigans)
 Sakura is coming out of her shell a bit more.
I think it's cute when characters like Reo (the ultra "tough guy" type) get vulnerable with the FMC. I don't like it in real-life, but in fiction it works.

Boss Bride Days, Vol. 3 by Narumi Hasegaki

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This volume was just alright. 
I feel like the "story" moves too fast, and the characters don't get a chance to settle before something else happens. 
But I like the silliness of plot.

Ao Haru Ride, Vol. 13 by Io Sakisaka

emotional lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was a cute little ending to the story. All the loose ends got nicely tied up, and I loved learning the name of the stray cat Kou adopted earlier in the series. It was really cute.

This is a nice "happy for now" story, but they are still in high school and things are left on a positive note. 
I found the characters in the series very relatable for various reasons. I related to Kou's grief, I related to Futaba's personality, I related to Shuko's trust issues, I related to Yuri's subtle insecurities, and I related to Aya's care for his friends. 
The characters drove this plot and what I loved the most about this series. The artwork is my second favorite thing. I like how unique it feels and how she draws characters. 

Ao Haru Ride, Vol. 12 by Io Sakisaka

emotional lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Well, damn this was a very emotional volume. 
These characters really tug on the heartstrings.
I want to feel bad for Toma, since he seemed to like Futaba, but he was overly pushy. He didn't ask if he could kiss her. Sure, Kou was being wish-washy with her, but he'd never force himself into her life if she had truly wanted him to leave her alone.
Toma seems like a nice enough guy, but he's also a pushover in a way. He didn't care that Futaba didn't like him, he just kind of took advantage of her unsure feelings, kept saying that he didn't care about her feelings and kissing her. 

The ending of this volume had me in the feels. I'm so happy they stopped lying to themselves and each other. I have no idea what's in store with the next volume, but I hope my hold at the library doesn't take too long. 

Ao Haru Ride, Vol. 11 by Io Sakisaka

emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Futaba is really trying to move on from Kou, but she's lying to herself, and to Toma. I don't like that his friend called her a B. That was uncalled for. She's conflicted but that's to be expected. 

I love, love, love that Kou went out and looked for her and that he got her bag back. Kou didn't hesitate at all when he found out she was missing, he didn't hesitate when she was sad about her bag with her charm being gone. He did that because of how much he cares for her. He's still an idiot. 

Ao Haru Ride, Vol. 10 by Io Sakisaka

emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Kou is finally being honest with himself. And Futaba is lying to herself.
I was happy to see Kou get the closure he needed. He got to visit his mother's grave with a lighter heart, and I was really happy that Futaba was there with him for that.

Futaba also gets her chance to talk to Narumi and clear the air. She wasn't wrong that Narumi was holding Kou back in his grief, but at the moment that's not important. It was what she felt she needed to move on because she thought she'd already lost Kou.

This is likely a minority opinion, but I don't like Toma and Futaba together. I don't understand his motive behind falling for her. Their first interaction is her tripping, knocking him over and accidentally groping him. Seems like a weird time to form a crush on someone.
Kou wasn't sure if about pursuing her because he was still healing in his grief. It makes me sad that the scene from vol 3 hadn't been a real kiss. None of this messiness would've happened had they kissed back then.