This isn't a "fake dating" setup per se, but it is pretty similar. The two main characters decide to date after they come out to each other and then they try to navigate how they actually feel about each other. Overall really cute with some nice supporting characters.

A lovely concept with sweet, charismatic artwork. The first volume fell somewhat short for me due to the clashes in character interactions but there's a lot of potential here and I'd be interested to see how Miwa and Saeko's relationship progresses in future volumes.

The opening was too brusque and tacky for me. Standard characters, events just to be titillating, nothing to grab my attention.

*DISCLAIMER* I received a free copy of this book for review purposes. I only accept books I think I’d like because life is too short to waste on bad books. That said if I don’t like a book, I’ll say so, free or not. With that out of the way, onto the review:

I got this one to review, then it expired before I got around to it, oops! Glad I decided to get it from the library. Super cute and awkward manga.

Miwa and Saeko are in college. Miwa is shy and awkward. Saeko is beyond outgoing and also moves much quicker than Miwa is prepared for. Still they decide to date. They’re not sure they’re a match or if they even truly like one a other. They just know they’re the only girls they each know who also likes girls, so why not?

It’s not a perfect book, some of the dialog is so weird and feels forced. But overall, it’s a sweet start to a relationship. I will likely read future volumes.

3.5/5 stars

🐻 Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this e-arc!


✨It was only fine. Not that good of a manga but i wouldn't mind reading more from the author

Charming manga about a young couple learning to navigate their relationship. Reading as a married adult, this story makes me feel all kinds of nostalgia. As a teen, I would have really appreciated a story like this. I'm so glad I see more LGBTQIA+ representation in manga. The characters were well thought out, and their personalities are well-matched. The illustrations were beautiful, and the dialogue translation was very natural. Really glad I was able to pick this one up, and looking forward to the rest of the series!

What starts with a relationship of convenience quickly transforms into a genuine romance with all its ups and downs.

Miwa is practical and levelheaded, which compliments well with Saeko's brash behavior. The two have a chance to encounter during the first week of college and become fast friends. Their feelings for each other quickly progress once the boys in their band express their feelings to Miwa. From there, the story blazes through various situations testing their friendship and feelings.

I was quickly drawn into the story with Miwa's oblivious behavior and Seko's humorous confessions. The plot quickly transitions from a basic introduction to various situations between the characters and their friends. The are reflects the tension and drama well. The dialogue focuses more on the interaction between characters and less self-reflection of the characters. The romance progresses from an uncomfortable situation to an honest relationship between two girls. The author also addresses coming out to friends and family. There is a lot packed into the first volume but I know there is more to come in the next volume!

I cannot believe I now have to WAIT for vol. 2! This was such a genuine capture of a real relationship feels like, the flirting, the uncertainty, the many many moments of foot in mouth syndrome. All this is real for queer couple too and I love that we get to see that. This was fun and wonderful and oh man give me volume 2 ASAP!!

I'm not sure I can purchase this title for my teens due to the sexual content at the beginning, but otherwise, "How Do We Relationship?" is a fun title focusing on two women who really are learning how to navigate their new relationship and I suggest it for collections that skew older.

When it comes to relationships, most of us are absolutely clueless during the first time. During that time, a simple gesture like holding hands can send a crippling chill down our spines and keep our hearts beating on week’s end. We get it. That’s normal, but we still can’t help shuddering reminiscing about it.

In How Do We Relationship? we witness how one newly formed lesbian couple wades their way through a swamp known as “relationship”.

Advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I requested this manga because I was intrigued by the cover. I'm so glad that I did because this story is super duper cute. In the beginning, I was taken aback by the sex scene, but then the story proved to be a super cute coming of age romance between two girls at university/college. You see the relationship between Miwa and Saeko begin and how their relationship develops and the obstacles that they have to overcome being gay, with coming out to family, and friends. I really loved the way their relationship was explored. In the beginning, it's quite casual but by the end they do like each other and it was really nice to see the friends and family be supportive. I'm so excited to read the next volume! I also liked the chapter at the end where the author explains that she wanted to write a manga on a relationship, and not end a manga when the characters get together.

I would highly recommend this manga. The only thing I would say is that this manga does have an 16+ rating due to the sexual content. I loved how cute this manga was and how it tackles the topics of being in a gay relationship. I can't wait to see what happens next and read more from this author!

A very promising and refreshing take on the romance genre - delving into the early stages of forming and maintaining a relationship. Miwa and Saeko - our two leads - are dynamic foils always willing to push forward in their love in their own awkward ways. While the pacing may be a little slow for my taste, I cannot deny there is room for potential in this title, and I - as well as the rest of the Otaku Hourly crew - cannot wait for the next one, anticipating where the couple will go and maintain their love. It is a specific lesbian romance speaking universal experience of building and maintaining love.

How Do We Relationship is a cute, sexy LBGTQ+ manga about two girls who start up a relationship. When I saw this available for request, how could I not go for it? It's not often you see a lesbian romance manga (at least not to me). I needed this in my life.

This manga features two main girls; Miwa - the shy romantic who has always dreamed of finding 'the one', and Saeko - the outgoing, experienced out lesbian who is brassy and very forward. The manga doesn't follow the usual build-up slow burn 'will they, won't they' romance tropes that a lot do, and instead thrusts these two into a relationship. In the beginning they aren't even sure if they like each other deeper than on an attraction level, and the story follows their relationship right from the start, including the insecurities, the worries about how fast the relationship is going, sex, new experiences and their past experiences. I love how this manga doesn't shy away from all the unromantic parts of a relationship and the trials that early relationships go through. It displays the mistakes and awkward conversations but keeps it sweet and endearing. The girls are polar opposites and have to figure it out together for their relationship to work, and I love how this was done.

I really enjoyed this read a lot and hopefully I can continue on reading this.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for a chance to read this book in exchange of an honest review.

Published in English by VIZ Media, How Do We Relationship? is a teen plus yuri romantic comedy manga series by mangaka Tamifull. In this series, shy Miwa has always dreamed of finding love, but living in small-town Japan made finding the right match difficult. While finding love is hard, it’s even harder for Miwa who has spent much of her life hiding her interest in girls. Even going away to college didn’t seem to help her in the romance department. Then, one day, her outgoing classmate Saeko suggests they might as well start dating each other since it’s not like either of them has other options. What begins as a relationship of convenience, quickly becomes the real thing.

How Do We Relationship? Volume 1 opens with the already established relationship between Miwa and Saeko, in bed, laughing, and getting ready to go for round two. While there isn’t anything extremely intimate shown, the reader knows what’s happening which makes the switch to how they got together all the more interesting. Through nine chapters we get the chance to see Miwa move from timid and questioning her own sexual identity to deeply in love and thriving.

The way that Tamifull writes Miwa is wonderful. Miwa doesn’t tell people she’s queer but she doesn’t do it out of shame. In fact, with her internal dialogue, you see that she knows that there is nothing abnormal about being attracted to women. That said, her fear of the way society will react pushes her to hold herself back in conversations about dating.

How Do We Relationship?

On the other hand, you have Saeko. Where Miwa is timid and worried about interacting with people, Saeko is open, loud, and affectionate with everyone she meets. When she makes the proposition to begin dating their already close connection grows, even if Miwa is hesitant at first. While Saeko is comfortable in her sexuality, Miwa has never been with a woman. But both women are complex characters. Miwa isn’t always timid and Saeko isn’t always open – in fact, as the story develops, it becomes clear that her loud demeanor is both her armor and her weakness. While she is able to be open about who she is and openly being romantic with Miwa in small amounts, when they’re discovered kissing, Saeko’s self-deprecating humor shows that she is too aware of how society sees her.

How Do We Relationship? even tackles the harassment, discrimination, and the stereotypes they’re fueled by when Saeko and Miwa are seen by their band mate Mikkun. When he asks Saeko about their intimacy, fueled by fetishization of lesbian relationships, she explains that this isn’t the first time she’s had to react to such questions and Tamifull breaks down why Mikkun’s question isn’t okay to ask. But outside of this one moment, their relationship is celebrated by their friends and the two of them and from that point on the volume becomes an adorable slice-of-life with romance and comedy in equal measure.

But perhaps How Do We Relationship?’s biggest strength comes from Tamifull’s ability to build out a story that feels genuine even when the two women misunderstand each other. As the two develop deeper feelings, it’s refreshing to see them flourish without tragedy. While each have backgrounds that impact how they navigate their relationship, it never feels like Tamifull is pushing them to drama for the sake of it. In fact, the way they build up to their first time is adorable and loving.

Overall, How Do We Relationship? Volume 1 is the debut to such a wholesome and fun series. For those looking for a queer romance that doesn’t fetishize their relationship and doesn’t land in the smut category, this is a series to pick up. It’s loving, thoughtful, and Miwa and Saeko compliment each other in the best of ways.

I found this to be very realistic and endearing, with some funny moments. We’ve all felt the way Mira felts she embarks onto her first relationship. All of the awkwardness and miscommunication that happens in relationships. Definitely more for adults, but a great story.

Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy!

While I enjoyed the art style and the group friendship in this one, I felt that a lot of things were rushed.
Most importantly the relationship itself. I feel that the girls could've communicated much better about what was going on in both of their heads and it would've saved everyone some time.
There were a few language incidences that also didn't sit right with me.

A funny, cute, and quirky romance manga that breaks from usual conventions and is unique and full of heart.
This romcom manga follows the ups and downs of a new relationship. Most stories focus on the will they won’t they and tend to end with the characters coming together. How Do We Relationship is a refreshing take. The characters start dating in a casual and funny manner early in the story leading to hilarious and sometimes awkward situations as they both navigate their new relationship.
the characters are amazing and funny. The story is well thought out and extremely enjoyable. The art is great too.
This is a fluffy and heart warming story about two adorable girls navigating the perils and benefits of a new relationship as they fall in love.

While there are plenty of romance manga out there, very few of them center on actual couples. Series like Fly Me To The Moon and My Love Story have begun to break the trend, but they're still lacking in LGBTQ representation. This is where How Do We Relationship? stands out, highlighting the lives of two college girls, Miwa and Saeko, as they date each other. What follows is a heartwarming love story that explores the challenges of maintaining a same-sex relationship.

How Do We Relationship? doesn’t dawdle in pairing its main two heroines together. By the end of the first chapter, Miwa and Saeko are a couple, but this is merely the first step in their relationship. The series touches on the difficulties of being in a same-sex couple publicly. Saeko's previous experiences of discrimination because of her sexuality makes her wary of coming out publicly, and Miwa's reserved nature makes it difficult for her to discuss her sexuality with others. The girls’ decision to disclose their relationship to their friends reflects their desire to no longer hide their identities and be proud of their true selves. In turn, this also allows Miwa and Saeko’s friends to serve as a support system for their relationship. Both girls ask their friends for advice throughout the volume, and they help navigate their daily woes. These friendships provide a grounded touch to the narrative, and make Miwa and Saeko’s relationship all the more compelling.

One of the primary topics of this volume is intimacy. While Saeko has been in several relationships before, Miwa has little experience dating, let alone with another woman. This contrast serves as the biggest gap in their relationship, as each of them has different expectations. Saeko wants to have sex with Miwa as soon as possible, but Miwa is hesitant to do so. Each girl has boundaries for what they're comfortable with, but since they don’t align, they worry about disappointing their partner. Their search for a common ground as a couple is incredibly interesting, and presents a difficult aspect of relationships that is rarely highlighted. From this obstacle, we get a better understanding of Miwa and Saeko’s expectations, why they’re attracted to each other, and if they see a future together.

Tamifull’s artwork is consistently solid throughout the volume. Their character designs are particularly praiseworthy, as it showcases a wide range of body types and fashion choices. You can tell each character has a unique personality, and the variety aptly fits the college setting. Tamifull also does a good job of utilizing silent panels. This is especially true between Miwa and Saeko, where there will occasionally be quiet moments when they’re together. During these instances, you can vividly identify their emotions, whether it’s that of anxiousness or joy. It adds an additional humanistic element to the manga, and strengthens the narrative as a whole.

How Do We Relationship? is a lovely exploration of relationship dynamics, uniquely framed from a same-sex couple’s perspective. It’s a wonderful manga that will sell you on its focal characters and root for their success. I look forward to seeing where Miwa and Saeko’s love takes them next.

A really sweet, slightly sexy manga about a budding college-age lesbian relationship and what happens *after* the relationship starts. There's a meet cute, but where a RomCom would spend the whole time exploring how the couple gets together, this focuses on the exploration, bumps, and milestones of relationships. The main characters are engaging and make an interesting couple and the supporting characters are well fleshed out and fun. I've never read a manga about a lesbian relationship before, but it turns out there's a whole genre of it (called yuri), and I like how issues of coming out, discomfort in public, and discovering oneself are handled. Sweet and worth reading.

<i> Thank you to VIZ Media for providing me with an eARC of this graphic novel via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review..</i>

<u>How Do We Relationship?</u> was a cute, piecemeal story about two young women who begin to develop a relationship with each other. The art style was very cute, but a majority of the plot focused on the idea of sex - whether to have it or not, what boundaries are, and how previous experiences affect our outlook of it. If that isn't your cup of tea you might not be comfortable reading this new series.