Okay, volume one is unbearably cute. Love the artwork, and the coloring on the cover love the characters so far. I can't wait to see what's going to happen in the next volume, especially the way this one ended on a psuedo cliffhanger.

I was curious what their connection is, especially when they started talking about how Sumire was Ninomiya's world. But I'm now remembering the comment that was made by Sumire's father, and am certain that she was in horrible peril, and he came to her rescue, she just doesn't remember. Also, is that when he decided to change his life around?

Thank you to Netgalley/Kodansha/Rin Mikimoto for allowing me to read a digital ARC

Honestly this is such a feel good manga. If you like a Male lead that’s a hot bad boy cinnamon roll this is a must read. Plus the Drawing style is AMAZING!

I was pleasantly surprised by this, as I went in not knowing what to expect except for that this is an age gap romance. I appreciated the acknowledgement that there is a gap in age between the two protagonists, and how it isn't exactly appropriate. I also really liked the surprise twist we had near the ending, and I am definitely looking forward to seeing where this series goes!

5/5

“A 20 year old in high school?! And he’s Rumoured to be a delinquent?! And he’s sitting right beside me?!” Lightning and Romance by Rin Mikimoto follows Sumire, a girl who’s just starting her second year of high school. The only problem is that she’s stuck beside Reo Ninomiya, the handsome but cold 20-year-old boy who’s still attending high school.

For some reason I couldn’t stop myself from audibly saying “hot” while reading this book. Huh. Weird.
I love every part of this series so far. The character design, the art, the fashion! I LOVED their school uniforms. Literally every iteration that was shown was amazing. I’m so excited to get to know more of all the characters. Including Reo’s boss and Sumire’s friend. My interest is also piqued at the little drama the author is created with their past. As well as the opening of the manga, and why Sumire’s dad is so protective.

Now, let’s talk Reo. Love. Love. Love. The himbo energy I know, love and deserve. More please. Always more. As perfect as Reo is to me, I’m really glad that he doesn’t overshadow the main character, Sumire. She’s also a great character and I’m very excited to see her story.

I impatiently wait for volume two.

I am now a squishy marshmallow with sweet tears in my eyes. I need this manga in my life. Lightning and Romance are nicknames for Ninomiya, a reformed bad boy who is super hot, and Sumire, a second year high school girl with love on her mind. Ninomiya is a 20 year old man working on finishing high school. No one knows why a man is still in high school and they are afraid to ask him. He is very intimidating and has a lightning shaped scar on his cheek. Little Sumire is young and sheltered but has a brave soul. When the two are seated together in class, Sumire makes an effort to talk to Ninomiya.

I don't want to give away any spoilers but there is more to Lightning than meets the eye and there was an accident in Sumire past that makes her father over-protective. I can't wait for the next volume.

Quando ho richiesto una copia di preview su Netgalley di questo manga non sapevo assolutamente nulla di questo manga ne dell'autrice, ma la copertina mi aveva conquistata subito, e di solito con gli shojo manga è uno degli aspetti che mi convince ad acquistare e leggere una serie. I disegni devono essere ottimi, altrimenti non riesco ad immergermi nella lettura. E fortunatamente questo manga ha uno stile davvero delicato, dolce ed elegante.
Ma i personaggi son tutt'altro che delicati. Sia Sumire che Reo sono personaggi con un carattere forte. Se Sumire all'apparenza può sembrare la solita protagonista shojo, timida e con mille dubbi, ha poi certi momenti in cui quando meno te lo aspetti tira fuori un coraggio che non ti aspetti minimamente (come a pag. 135...WTF???). Reo invece è dipinto come il tipico teppista, da cui tutti si tengono alla larga, ma ovviamente nasconde la sua vera personalità alle persone superficiali con cui non vuole avere a che fare. Ma non mi sarei mai aspettata di vedere anche con lui un colpo di scena come quello a pag.175!
Come posso ora non sapere come va avanti questa storia??? Ne ho assoluto bisogno!
Questo manga mi ha assolutamente conquistata e se venisse pubblicato in italiano probabilmente lo comprerei di sicuro!

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When I requested a preview copy of this manga on Netgalley, I knew absolutely nothing about this manga nor about the author, but the cover had conquered me immediately, and usually with shojo manga it is one of the aspects that convinces me to buy and read a series. The drawings must be excellent, otherwise I can't immerse myself in reading. And fortunately this manga has a very delicate, sweet and elegant style.
But the characters are anything but delicate. Both Sumire and Reo are characters with a strong character.
If Sumire apparently may seem the usual shojo protagonist, shy and with a thousand doubts, then she has certain moments in which when you least expect it she brings out a courage that you do not expect at all(as on page 135 ... WTF ???).
Reo, on the other hand, is portrayed as the typical thug, whom everyone keeps away from, but obviously hides his true personality from the superficial people he doesn't want to deal with. But I never expected to see the twist that it's on page 175!
How can I go on now, without knowing how it goes on??? I absolutely need it!
This manga has absolutely conquered me and if it were published in Italian I would probably buy it for sure!

(First of all, thank you so much NetGalley, publisher and author for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review)

Synopsis: Sumire is a second-year high school student who wants to fall in love and experience things out of her comfort zone. She discovered that her classmate next to her is Reo Ninomiya, a 20-year-old bad and mysterious guy with whom she started to talk and know him better.

This book caught my eye first of all because of the cover. It has beautiful drawings on the inside. It's easy to read, funny, and with unexpected reactions from Reo that will warm your heart.

Warning: Spoilers below.

Even though it's an insta-love from Sumire, Reo has secrets we don't know yet. It felt like he knows her from before and I want to know more about it. Okay, let`s talk about him BECAUSE: the note with the bear, the earrings, HE PAINTED HER NAIL (didn't see that coming and I love it), the sakura petal ("Hope it comes true" ... and me too, buddy), the little things he did for her sister that a true brother will do without thinking even if they could be silly, WHEN HE BLUSHED... I mean BAD GUY? HE IS A CINAMON-ROLL. PRETTY-PLEASE I NEED MORE OF THIS.
I love too the age difference but I preferred it with both sides being more than 18.

Maybe the only BUT I saw here was the thing that Sumire feels now okay to paint her nails because she starts to fall in love. I mean, you want to now paint your nails? Okay, do it. But don't associate the act with the fact of starting to be in love.

Waiting for Volume 2!

This was such a cute and funny read. First of all, the drawings. I fell in love with them and will definitely read other titles by the same mangaka just for them. Now onto the story. We follow Sumire who starts a new year in high school and is seated next to a 20 years-old boy who seems unapproachable. However, things are sometimes not what they look like and Ninomiya is such a softie. Their relationship made me laugh a few times. There is a lot of mystery around Sumire and her past and I can’t wait to learn more about her and how she met Ninomiya. Also she is quite mature and doesn't hesitate to say things so I really like her.
I recommend this shojo to anyone looking for a cute and funny read.
5/5

I've been super into romance books and manga at the moment and this really hit the spot! I thought the main characters were adorable and there definitely was a little bit of intrigue! Loved the other side of the main male character too that adorable face when he was embarrassed! Can't wait to read the next volumes.

Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for my arc

Great drawings in this manga! Ninomiya-san Rep is a hawt 20 year old finishing high school! Love his character as his seat mate Sumire crushes on him despite her being overly protected. First three chapters were fun as we watch Sumire fawn over him in a new boy crush. Loved it! Five stars!

I received a complimentary copy to read and voluntarily left a review!

Wow!
So, first, a confession. I do have a weakness for baddies on the outside, softies on the inside. This probably flavors my opinions on romance manga.
That being said, I am super impressed of Lightning (male mc) deciding to go to high school even though he's already a grown adult. He had a rough past but he's turning it around. Finally my ideal type and he's old enough for me to crush on without feeling creepy rofl.
I really like the female mc, too. She's delicate but also bold and cute. I can hardly handle it!
I feel like there's a bit of mystery in this story as well. Why are the men acting like the mcs have some previous connection? Why is Yoshizas dad so protective?
Definitely going to have to keep reading and find out!

Thank you Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for the opportunity to read and review this.

I found Lightning and Romance a very interesting read, and I am very intrigued to see what happens in the next volume.

This manga follows Sumire, a high school student in her second year, who lives a very protected life. Her seatmate is a 20-something troublemaker student, Ninomiya Reo, who Sumire finds herself drawn to him, and falling for him.

It is revealed that Reo has a connection to Sumire(?), and I look forward to seeing what this connection is.

Thank you to Kodansha and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

When I saw that the author/artist of Kiss Me at the Stroke of Midnight had a new manga out, I knew I had to add it to my TBR list right away! Lightning and Romance, Vol. 1 by Rin Mikimoto is an adorable shojo manga about two high school students who fall in love. The story revolves around Sumire, who is an ordinary, everyday schoolgirl. One day, a handsome young man with a scar on his cheek sits next to her. Everyone says that he's a gangster. Is there any truth to these rumors?

Overall, Lightning and Romance, Vol. 1 is an amazing shojo manga that will appeal to fans of Yakuza Lover or Honey So Sweet. One highlight of this book is the main male character, who acts and looks tough on the outside, but who actually shows vulnerable emotions in rare moments. The way that he expresses his caring nature toward Sumire is absolutely adorable. Another highlight of this book is the gorgeous artwork. Just like in the author/artist's previous manga, the characters are well-drawn, and the artwork is top-notch. If you're intrigued by the description, or if you're a fan of shojo manga in general, I highly recommend that you check out this book, which is available now!

Lightning and Romance seems a bit different and the setting caught my eye. Sumire is a high school second year student, but lives a very protected life. She wants to try things out and fall in love. Her seatmate is a 20-something troublemaker student called Ninomiya Reo and somehow Sumire falls for the guy. Well, this happens right away, so the insta love thing felt superimposed, but I did like the age difference and how the guy works at a bar. Also, it seems he knows Sumire somehow and this mystery seems very interesting as well as his off-putting and distant behavior. I just wish Mikimoto had used more time to grow the crush part and not make Sumire so extremely gullible.

The art looks very delicate and light, which works well, although it's not the best as the eyes are extremely big and creepy even. I kind of want to know why Sumire's dad is the way he is and what lies behind the whole setting, since it's the most interesting part by far. Still, the age difference, especially when you consider our main couple's personas, feels slightly creepy. Sumire acts like a kid almost and looks like one at times too and Ninomiya looks like a grown man.

I wasn’t sure if I’d like this manga because the cover art style isn’t something I’m used to picking up, but I loved the synopsis and decided to give it a shot. Boy I’m glad I did because I freaking love this manga. I also ended up really enjoying the art style and thinking Sumire’s shocked face expressions were hilarious. This manga is so swoonworthy and it’s all because of Reo. He is an absolute hottie! The stuff he does for Sumire are just so sweet that you can’t help but root for their potential relationship. He’s supposed to be a previous Yakuza and there’s a lot of backstory that we don’t know much about yet, so I’ll definitely have to keep reading to learn more. One thing I liked was how he’s aware of the age gap between him and Sumire, and he always treats her well. There’s a big thing that happens a little after the halfway point of the story that makes him begin to question things, but he still acts in a very mature manner. I feel like he’s going to be such a cinnamon roll though, it’s just hiding under his tough exterior. I’m so excited to see where this manga goes!

6/5 Stars

the art style of this is absolutely gorgeous and i love the flow between scenes, as well as the characters themselves. the mystery revolving around why an adult is attending high school and what their connection is, is set up early on which leads to more questions than answers that i wish there were more hints of throughout the chapters. it was still enough to pull me into wanting to read the next volume for answers!

Yes yes yes! I’m a sucker for a cutesy romance between an aloof guy and sweet girl!! After reading this first volume, I definitely need more! I knew I had to read this after finishing Kiss Me at the Stroke of Midnight. I’m excited!

Thank you Netgalley and Kodansha for letting me read this!!! I will be keeping my eyes open for a physical release…

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Kodansha for this volume of #LightningandRomance1.

I don’t know how I feel about this manga. At first the age difference of the characters threw me off (young adult vs. teenager), but then it was nice when they pointed out how it would be inappropriate, so I was fine with it. But then it got a little weird again… The art is beautiful and I think the story is interesting, however if they get together with that age gap I don’t think I would continue reading this unfortunately.

Thank you netgalley for allowing me access to request books thank you to the publisher and author for allowing me a copy of this manga to read.

Overall I think this book was very cute I loved the art style the progression was really good the captions were tight and everything made sense but the one thing I just couldn’t get over was the age difference and I think that’s kind of disappointing. But I did really really like this and I would rate it 5 out of five stars but I think the age difference kind of took away from it a little

me: ok I won't fall in love with this story no matter how cute it is
main guy: (is really cute)
me: damn I guess I have no choice huh.

Age difference doesn't really bother me, but at first I was weirded out like ?? a 20yo in high school? But like, sure, whatever, I'll just go with the flow, I need the romance! I've never read this author before and now I want to read everything - the art is adorable and dreamy and I love the main characters. Sumire is very brave and I love how determined she is to get stronger and live a romance, and Reo has that gap between looking mean vs being very sweet that just draws me in... I want to see more of them!