1.25 stars.

When I saw the beautiful cover for this, and read the synopsis, I was hoping for a cosy, second chance romance by the sea.

What we actually got was...well, definitely not that.

While the artwork is nice, it was pretty inconsistent, and despite there being 7 years between the high school flashbacks and the present day, there was nothing to make this easily distinguishable in the visuals. Paired with the strange pacing and back-and-forth between present day and memories, I was left confused at times as to when and where we were with the guys.

As for the characters themselves, there was very little personality for either of them. Mishima is an assumed hikikomori, with an abrasive demeanor that doesn't allow us as readers to really get to know him. And Hozumi just isn't very likeable full stop.

Their relationship break-up was nonsensical, the flimsy reasoning seeming like almost an afterthought of the author just for the sake of having it happen. We quickly go from Mishima wanting nothing to do with Hozumi, to being back with him again with no real conflict or conversations to address any of their history.

And let's talk about the out-of-nowhere sex scene which, though not 100% clear, seems like dubious consent at best, and actual assault at worst!? But again, it's never addressed, so who knows what the author was thinking.

I think the only thing I actually enjoyed was the brief glimpse we got of them during high school, when they were originally falling for one another. The moment they took a nap together outside was very sweet.

Overall though, this was a mess, sorry to say.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 stars out of 5

This story was just very okay. Definitely not the worst story I've ever read and it was still a bit enjoyable in parts. The story was mostly comfy and cute with some angst but there were a few parts that happened out of nowhere that were uncomfortable. I did like that these characters were adults, I am glad that is becoming a more common thing in manga the last few years but there just wasn't here. I wish there was a bit more, especially for a one-shot because it doesn't really seem worth the 13-15 USD that it'd cost and I can't imagine it being too many people's cup of tea because of the lack of much of anything.

Disclaimer: I received an arc copy of this on NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

The cover is cute, but the story is lacking. There is absolutely no reason to feel like these boys are in love. The timeline and the way the story cuts from past to present seemingly without reason makes it worse.

Ultimately, the very very low rating is due to a non consensual sexual experience that was thrown in for what reason??? And romanticized. I hated that. Would give zero stars if I could.

I did really enjoy reading this, but I wish we had another 100 pages or so for plot. We get roughly 130 pages or so of the main story, and it KILLS me because I think there was really something there if only we’d gotten a little more buildup and a lot more groveling. Seven years is a long time to nurse a broken heart, so the reconciliation was a little abrupt for me.

Loved this one so much! I am a second chance romance girlie, so this one hit all of my buttons!

The art was so sublime when capturing the emotions of two people who loved each other deeply, but wouldn’t show it. I loved that we got to see a little bit about their life together, after, and that’s it wasn’t all roses, they had to work together to rebuild what was destroyed before.

Thank you to the publisher & Netgalley for an eARC of this manga!

I’m absolutely getting a physical copy of it as well!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.

This follows Hozumi and Mishima, old high school friends who grew apart due to what is deemed a "little white lie". After returning to the island they grew up on, Hozumi wants to make up with Mishima and fix things between them. However, over the years Mishima has shut everyone out and now lives off the grid in a lighthouse. The story follows the two as they try to mend things and hopefully face the feelings they have for one another.

I truly did not get anything out of this story, the plot was very bland and very rushed. The characters were very flat and one-dimensional with no personality, which made the read very boring to me.

Additionally, one of my biggest pet peeves in books is when there is smut for the sake of having smut, and that was the case here. Was not needed at all, felt very awkward and out of place, and did not add anything but a bad taste in my mouth.

The art was really beautiful but unfortunately, the story itself was a miss.

**I received a free digital copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

This was an enjoyable read. The dynamic between the two main characters was interesting. We got a glimpse into their history that pretty easily spelled out what happened between them, and watching them slowly fall for each other again was fun. There were a few confusing points, but other than that, this was an interesting story.

I didn't really love this story because it had some problematic things and the relationship between the two boys felt really rushing and we don't get to see their feelings towards each others.
The sexs felt unnecessary both of the time more than unnecessary it was so sudden without being build up to that situation, mostly the first one when it wasn't even consentious and that didn't sat right to me.
Only at the end of the volume was nice and we could see more of their dinamics , so it's a shame, if it would be more develomped the relationship it could have been a good manga.

The cover is cute.

I didn’t love the art style and the characters were not well developed which made their relationship feel forced - no chemistry.

The reason for the conflict was shallow and predictable, but none of this is what lead me to a one star rating though, it was the non consensual sex scene that was passed off as something romantic?? Which made me feel uncomfortable and a little ill tbh.

Also would have been nice to have a content warning or something as I had no idea it contained mature content.

"The White and Blue Bwtween Us" is a poignant and heartfelt BL one-shot that explores the complexities of friendship, love, and forgiveness. I like how the story delves into the consequences of a single lie and how it can fracture relationships, leaving behind unresolved feelings and misunderstandings. As Hozumi and Mishima navigate their reunion after seven years apart, the author beautifully captures the emotions of regret, longing, and hope. The setting of the island town and the lighthouse adds a nostalgic and atmospheric backdrop to the story, enhancing the themes of nostalgia and reflection. With its compelling characters and touching storyline, "White Lies and Blue Skies" is a captivating read that will resonate with fans of the genre.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy of this yaoi manga. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy it. The story was a bit superficial and rushed, I couldn't attach to any of the characters, it all just felt forced. Too bad.

“The White and Blue Between Us,” by Kiyuhiko

Hozumi left his hometown and boyfriend Mishima after graduating high school. After seven years Hozumi returned and realized his feelings for Mishima wont end. Mishima however won’t interact with anyone, especially Hozumi.

I really liked this manga. It was sweet and sad but hopeful. The art is so good. There are some bedroom scenes in the book but not overly graphic. When I was reading the book, I was invested and sucked in immediately. I will be reading more manga by this author. 5 out of 5 stars.

Thank you for the ARC.

The cover and the art are absolutely gorgeous. The story was short, a bit rushed, but sweet and enjoyable.

This story was a little fast for me. I wish it could've been stretched out and filled in a little more, but I didn't hate the story.

However, my biggest problem is the throwaway assault scene, which is very common in bl but I still think very worth calling out. The story would've been more believable without it. Why would anyone continue to be in a situation developed from that? Especially when it's never a point of contention and there isn't any resolution from it. The writing literally waves it off.

Because of those reasons, I can't give this more than 2.5 stars.

Even though I did not like this story, I would like to thank NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the opportunity to read this story.

Can you forgive someone who has broken your heart, when you were both young? It's a hard question. I have a lot of trust issues as it is, and it would be hard for me to forgive something like that.

Hozumi cruelly broke up with his high school boyfriend because he didn't see a future with either of them. He was worried he'd be holding Mishima back with his plans to move to the city, and Mishima helping with the family business.

Years later, Hozumi realizes how stupid he's being when he has to return home after his father gets injured at his job. Mishima is still on the island but has become a recluse with trust issues, working in his grandfather's lighthouse. Realizing it's his fault, Hozumi makes an excuse to go see Mishima. Maybe, just maybe with persistence and the right effort, he can make up for his worst mistake.

This manga is sweet and hopeful about what we can do when we communicate. Yes, Hozumi was an idiot, and he fully admits that. But he has grown, and is making an effort to improve. His brother Sosuke is also the clear MVP of the book. He knows exactly what to say to give Hozumi courage at a crucial time.

What an amazing manga. I'd love to read more from the creator!

I absolutely loved the cover and artwork and, given that this book is a one-shot volume, I was looking forward to a self-contained story. Unfortunately, while the bonus story helps a slight bit in understanding how the main characters come together (before the breakup with which the main story starts), I feel the plot was lacking and could have benefitted from showing instead of telling how their love was so that they couldn't stop thinking about each other seven years later.

I enjoyed this book ithought the plot was inviting you know long lost friends/lovers comeback to eachother to try and reconnect after a few years apart. I thought the writing was good and the art and cover were very pretty and I really liked the main characters. But what I didn't like is the sex scenes it's just not something I like in a manga and that's just personal preference I found it kinda weird to see illustrations doing the nasty. All in all I would recommend this to a friend though.

appena ho visto la copertina è stato amore a prima vista veramente dovevo leggerlo ...e che dire?appena l ho iniziato a leggere me ne sono innamorata dei protagonisti ma anche come si svolge tutta la loro storia ...ho adorato anche i flashback che ci fanno ancora di più capire il presente dei due protagonisti e capire perchè succedono certe cose ....quando l ho finito ero un misto di emozioni ,da una parte ero felice dall altra ero triste perchè ne volevo ancora e ancora ....i disegni sono assolutamente stupendi per non parlare del faro ...Leggetelo tutto .....merita davvero

The White and Blue Between Us had a quality that I am just learning about. The coziness of BL Manga. This being the third one I've read I'm quickly wanting to read more. In some ways this felt as an extension of a prior one, to the determent I had make sure it wasn't.

This was also adult magna which means I was shocked to see sex. Not mad but shocked.

The overall story worked for me on a lot of levels, and I felt like we got the perfect amount of story. I love the low angst, and low action. I love how in love the protagonists are. Just had a good time overall and will defiantly be recommending.

The cover was what first drew me in, the colors and the art appealed to me. And I feel like it really matches the story. It evokes this feeling of summer and being the only two people in the world when you're together.
The inconsistency of the story threw me a little off. In the beginning you get a version of how they got together and then in the bonus content at the end, there's another version. I kind of hated the plot. I like the estranged friends reconnect after several years trope, but there was nothing that made me feel like they actually cared about each other? It all felt selfish to me. Especially the main character. He just thinks about what he wants and doesn't care about Mishima's feelings and then Mishima's inner monologue it's just "He's annoying". I was disappointed with the story but I believe the translation job was well done. It didn't feel awkward like it does sometimes. And the art is good, very traditional manga style.