i think this has some problems that make my review sound harsh, everything is so fast without a reason, and some scenes should have come first like their backstory more importantly to make an impact on the we are gonna be together again, that should be the end or at least the previous part before the conclusion with their romance ending. I think this order of events doesn't make much sense and does not help the story.
Then like I said everything is super fast-moving when it could have been a great story about hurt and second chances and reasons and feelings. I agree with the other reviews when the first sex scene is unnecessary because why? to show they still have feelings? and in that style? it could have been something else and more impactful.
Overal I have read better than this and it was a bit disappointing.

I really liked this! The storyline between these boys was so relatable and the art style was so easy to look at. and I am so glad I read it.

First reading this genre but oh boy, It’s a typical break-up scene then few years after they have a reunion and one must have a closure. It was cute but then it ends abruptly like why? I want more. I need more. I like how loveable the characters are and they look gorgeous!

A one-shot BL manga is a perfect way to dive into something. It was so nice diving into something that I knew was going to be wrapped up in the end. Yet, by the end, it felt as if there was something missing.

In so few pages, Mishima and Hozumi’s history is condensed down. Not only did this leave me feeling like I was missing key information that would help explain their past and the connection that they have. Without that, the whole manga I felt like I was playing catch up and trying to read in between the lines and then it was over.

Feeling like I was missing out on their history and connection wasn’t the only thing I felt like I was missing out on, I feel like the characters suffered as well. I never felt like I really got the chance to get to know them. They did in fact feel like flat characters, rather than ones that could pop off the page at any moment and tell me their story themselves.

While I did struggle with all of that, I do think the story was nice at the core. Two people who have a deep history, reconnecting. It was nice, but needed some fleshing out to really bring it to life and make it a story that would stay with the readers.

I loved the art in this manga.

Unfortunately though, that was about the only thing I enjoyed. The plot was rather messy and rushed making me think this would've been a better slow burn multiple volume, rather than a single volume, and there were a lot of conversations and plot points that were discussed once and then completely glossed over or forgotten about.

The thing that I really disliked, though, was that this was a romance, but it didn't feel romantic to me at all. The whole thing felt one sided and forced. Mishima made it clear very early that he wanted nothing to do with Hozumi, but Hozumi forced his way into his life and wouldn't accept the clear boundary that was set. Then the sex scenes felt rapey to me. Especially the first one where Mishima clearly wasn't comfortable or okay with the situation.

I only got about 15% into this as it was archived before I finished. However what I read was paced very well and the characters individuality was really well fleshed out and established. I think I would’ve enjoyed this looking over the premise and with the execution of the beginning that I had read. Would be very interested in continuing and picking up the authors later works!

I couldn't get enough of the characters and the story. I really loved the way this story unfolded, and how easy it was to love and root for them. It was such a beautiful story. Thank you netgalley for sending me an arc of this book.

I absolutely loved this manga, and I can appreciate it as a standalone. Which makes it easier to suggest to customers new to boys love manga, as it's not a series with a huge number of volumes.

It's very mid in most aspects.
Edition and translation feel well done.
The art looks good but nothing remarkable.
The story starts OK but it falls off the cliff real fast. The conflict is set well in the first part, then we don't get much explanied and suddenly all is solved and it ends. Has a spicy scene in between.

Can't really recommend it.

A melancholic story about second chances, but it sadly it didn't fully do it for me.
It was a nice, quick read and I generally liked the art style but it won't become an all-time favourite.
The setting with the lighthouse was lovely and one of my favourite parts.

A quick read that is mostly sad, considering the setup, but gives you hope with its ending.

Hozumi and Mishima were friends in high school and first loves. At the end of the year, Hozumi told a lie that has had an impact in bith their lives. Seven years have past and Hozumi retuens to the island to help with the family business. As he starts to build his life there, he learns more about Mishima and how he has become fairly reclusive. With lingering feelings, Hozumi wants to meet Mishima again and see how he is doing. Mishima still has a lot of resentment and doesn't want to see Hozumi again. Unfortunately for him, Hozumi is very persistent. After they finally meet and talk they discover they both have feelings for each other and begin to start fresh.

The White and Blue Between us is a sweet BL manga romance. The characters have a past and lingering feelings for each other. Watching their relationship blossim again was sweet. Overall, I enjoyed the story. I did find Hozumi to be overbearing and a little selfish. He frequently did what he wanted and didn't think ahead to the consequences of how it would make Mishima feel. I loved Mishima's character and found myself wanting to see more from him. He didn't seem nearly as invested as Hozumi was in the relationship and several times I wondered if he still had trouble trusting Hozumi. It was an enjoyable read if you enjoy second chance romance and short, sweet romances.

Thank you Kodansha for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley.

2/5 ⭐️

This had so much potential with tropes that I like: high school romance, small town romance, reunion, second chance. I'm a huge fan of "I Hear the Sunspot" and was super excited to give "The White and Blue Between Us" a read! Unfortunately, I was left disappointed at the messy execution.

The story follows Mishima and Hozumi, who dated in high school but then broke up. Hozumi moves away for college, but returns years later to help with the family business.

I was already rubbed the wrong way by the opening page. The synopsis stated a “white lie” but Hozumi's was a HUGE lie, which understandably left Mishima feeling hurt. His reason for lying made absolutely no sense. He deeply betrayed Mishima… and for what?

Furthermore, Hozumi’s actions throughout the manga were just not great. His main interaction with Mishima is constantly being told to go away. The extremely sudden and fast-paced smut scene initiated by Hozumi left a sour taste in mouth with how potentially dubcon/noncon it is, especially considering Mishima's negative reaction and Hozumi's thoughts after.

The pacing is all over the place in the manga. There was constant flipping back and forth between their high school years and their current time as adults. Mishima takes Hozumi back in for no reason after being hurt by him again, and then shortly after there’s a timeskip where the two are happy and lovey-dovey?? The reader is given zero time to watch these characters grow & truly reconcile with the past, and is just expected to accept this. This manga has a total of 2 smut scenes in under 200 pages, but they hold no substance due to how quickly everything progresses.

On a positive note, I really liked the art style, especially the eyes, and the cover art is lovely. There was also one family moment I enjoyed, but it was also underwhelming at the same time.

I don't think this story worked well as a second chance romance. I couldn’t stand Hozumi as one of the main characters, and I was certainly more invested in them as high school sweethearts than adults. Poor Mishima deserved so much better.

Unfortunately I don't see this as a book I'll be adding to my shelf. This work is a bit on the older side (2018), and it definitely shows with its tropes. The plot was jumbled, characters lacked development both in themselves and their love lives, and the bonus chapter was just awkwardly placed. There are many unlocalized works that exist, and I’m a little disappointed that Kodansha chose to translate this one.

This second-chances romance is all anyone who adores the trope of missed love can want. This heartwarming yet angst filled manga has just the right combination of light-heartedness and deep emotional connection. Lovers of romance manga will adore this cute romance between two high school best friends who turn into something more ten years down the line.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to read the ARC, but I have to be honest and say this one was a bit of miss for me.
For some reason I just could not connect with the characters and the art didn't catch my attention either so it really just got very hard to read just to keep my attention on it.

Really enjoyed this one.

Loved the art work.

I also love the front cover to this.

Hope to get a physical copy one day.

I'm normally not really into manga, but this was a sweet story. I think this is perfect for teens who might not read a lot of manga, but enjoy comics and romantic stories.

This was a really sweet manga following two boys that dated in high school and broke up. We're now revisiting them seven years later as they try to rekindle their romance. Overall, I really enjoyed this and the artwork was nicely done too.

The White and Blue Between Us is a fast-paced and enjoyable queer romance. Hozumi and Mishima were in love during high school, but seven years have gone by. With the backdrop of the lighthouse, Hozumi and Mishima must decide if they can ever find their way back to each other. This was a sweet and angsty romance that it was easy to become invested in. I liked the lighthouse imagery! I’d recommend this to readers who enjoy a second chance romance.

Thank you to Kiyuhiko, Kodansha Comics, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately I have mixed feelings about this story. There are scenes where the characters are adults and flashbacks to when they are in high school, but it is hard to distinguish between the past and present in some parts. The first sex scene was sudden and gave off an uncomfortable vibe. It is unclear to me why the one MC even forgave the other so quickly for what happened in high school. I think this story could’ve benefitted from more relationship building for that to make sense.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

Look, you'll get a backstory for this one like an internet recipe.

I have been trying to get into more manga on and off for half of my life now, mostly very unsuccefully because the kind of stories I like, I couldn't get my hand on with a few notable exceptions.

I requested "The White and Blue Between Us" by Kiyuhico mostly because it was free and I was going through graphic novels like a thief swiping money off the counter after a bank heist (true story, you can ask NetGalley). I had no idea of what kind of story I was about to get but I'm so glad I took the risk.

This was the loveliest, realest, ordinary love story, perfect for when you want to start and finish something light in the space of a few hours

I loved the characters, their normal jobs and lives and how they went through several stages of their relationship with conversations about their thoughts and reservations. The way the story ended with the book title being mentioned, was so beautiful and poetic, that it made sure that this story will always stay in my head.

If you are feeling a bit down, need something fast and uplifting or just like beautiful romance and manga, I absolutely recommend this to everyone. It was something truly special.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for this DRC.