It's unfortunate because I think given the basic structure of the story, I think that this could have been a really impactful, meaningful and beautiful one-shot story.

One might think it could be challenging to fit so much character into a one-shot, but to name a few top tier ones: <i>This Wonderful Season With You</i> and <i>Our Dining Table</i> are both one-shots filled with tender moments and ones that would touch your heart. Their characters were lovable, had depth, and personality.

And I can see that this book was trying to get there, but it doesn't help that the characters were completely flat and one dimensional. I didn't have a proper reason to really care, which was a shame. This facet, paired with their actions and thoughts were just... I can't even find the words, but were just uneventful. I'm sorry, I just felt bored.

This story had its moments. The art is super pretty and there were times I thought that the relationship between the main characters was sweet but ultimately it did not leave a lasting impression on me. I really disliked the nonconsensual part of this story, it caught me by complete surprise and it’s something I steer clear from and it kinda ruined my experience a bit.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC :)

Thank you so much for letting me read this manga. this was such a cute little story about a second chanse at love for both the characters. And such a nice slice of life story along it.

~ thank you, kodansha comics and netgalley, for the copy ~


•

It's been a while since I've read a queer manga, and I'm so happy to be able to get my hands on this book. While being grateful for the opportunity, I have to be honest and provide my thoughts on what I really felt upon finishing this.

Communication is probably the most important thing here in this relationship, probably irl relationship. I'm glad that the problem has been resolved. I think the only thing I didn't like is that the storytelling is confusing and messy? I was quote confused on some panels, to be honest. I think that's the only thing I had a problem with.

Overall, I did enjoy this despite the issue I presented.

This was such a nice standalone manga about love, family, reconnection, and trust. I really enjoyed this and the beautiful artwork. A lot of BL manga can sexualize the characters in uncomfortable ways or be so overly pure that you're questioning if it got marketed correctly. This struck that perfect balance and delivered a really nice and simple story of two boys learning to love after time apart.

I gave it a 2.5 stars! The art was very beautiful, but I couldn't connect with the characters and felt like I needed a bit more backstory to understand their relationship. I felt like there were a lot of plotholes, which made me quite confused.

The White and Blue Between Us shines with its brevity. Honestly if they tried to stretch out this story for more than one volume I would have demanded so much more, but the economy of storytelling executed in this one volume made it a quick, pleasant read.

Summary:

White lies are commonly told to preserve relationships – but can they also tear them apart? Seven years ago, Hozumi left the island he called home. That wasn't all he left behind, as he left his best friend and probably the love of his life.

He thought a lie would help make it easier. He was wrong. That lie tore everything apart, himself included. Now he's home, and he has to see if their love can be mended.

Review:

First, I just want to say that I really loved the cover of The White and Blue Between Us. It's what drew me to it. That said, I'll confess that I was mostly disappointed with this read – it had so much potential!

My biggest problem with The White and Blue Between Us is that I just didn't care. I didn't care about the characters, the plot, any of it. So, it was hard to feel invested in rebuilding their bonds. My other problem with it is the pacing. We go from broken hearts to back together (sort of) in just a few pages.

I feel like more build-up would have made the plot feel more honest and sincere. Oh well. I also really wish we were given a better explanation for Hozumi's thoughts/actions. Overall, I'd say that this isn't bad, but it could have been so much better.

Highlights:
Manga
Yaoi
LGBT Romance

Will I continue the series? Nope

Thanks to Kodansha Comics and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I have posted my review to the X platform, I attached the link below.

First off, I'm giving this book 4 stars! Now, diving into the details—⁠

Starting with the minus points:

Firstly, the characters. I felt there weren't many standout side characters; most seemed like passersby, except for ML's bro and mom, then MC's grandpa. I expected something more.

Next up, is the plot, especially the climax. It didn't feel quite as intense as I anticipated.

You see, I was building an emotional connection with the story and the characters, but before that feeling reached the peak, the plot's climax occurred.

I kinda felt: what is really happening? Why it suddenly—⁠

Now, third: how they resolved things. If I were in the MC's shoes, I wouldn't have given in to ML so easily. While the book aimed for character understanding and warm feelings, something is lacking there. Perhaps the MC was too understanding, so it feels like not natural? Like ... it is unreal?!

Now, onto the positive aspects – there are so many! I'll go with what I love the most.

Firstly, I adore the MC's personality.

His emotional range, can be escalated from -100 to 100. 😂😂 That, is both amusing and endearing, for me. His witty comments add a nice touch too. Overall, I appreciate the diversity in the characters here.

Secondly, the depth and meaning behind this book are easily graspable.

Delving deeper, there are numerous unspoken quotes conveyed through actions rather than words. A brilliant way to address sensitive moments.

Thirdly, I may not fully buy into the ML's cuteness (pah I really hv a bitter spot for someone like him, based on personal experience), but the whole "come-back-as-boyfriend" thing? Absolutely adorable! Plus, that extra? Cutest!

Fourth, the character development can be seen clearly. I love it when they talk and decide to be better together. It's a pivotal moment in this book to show us how much they've grown.

Despite the richness of the plot, they did grow.

Book Review for: "The White and Blue Between Us" by Kiyuhiko
Source: ARC from NetGalley
Score: 3/5 stars

The book "The White and Blue Between Us" follows Hozumi and Mishima from the moment they breakup to seven years later when they meet again.

Plot:
The book starts with Hozumi and Mishima breaking up and then the book fast forwards to seven years later when Hozumi comes back to look for Mishima.

The two meet again at the lighthouse that Mishima operates and they try to talk things out. There isn't much said but things do get intimate quickly.

The challenge with the one-shot style manga is that each dialogue and moment must be met with intention and help build the emotional connection from the reader. It felt this book missed a lot of opportunities to build the story and stakes of meeting again.

Writing:
Although this graphic novel has expressive illustrations, the writing and dialogue felt flat and limited in it's range of emotional poise. The characters are interesting and their history together has potential. Unfortunately, the book does not capitalize on meaningful flashbacks to support character development. Graphic novels are short and it felt as though this book moved too quickly for it's own benefit.

Characters:
The characters have some personality but this book moves too quickly to develop any emotional connection with them.

Finale:
Overall, "The White and Blue Between Us" offered expressive illustrations to build the story between our two lovers.

solid tree stars for this book. i loved the art, and i thought it matched the story really well. overall, it way okay and a good read but i felt that there was no plot and that the characters were too plain with no personality. something that felt out of place were the two spicy scenes, especially the first one. i think they are unnecessary and they didn't add anything to the story.

˗ˋˏ ୨୧ thank you to NetGalley and Kiyuhiko for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review! ୨୧ ˎˊ˗

˗ˋˏ ♡Thank you Kiyuhiko and NetGalley♡ ˎˊ˗

˗ˋˏ୨୧Introduction୨୧ ˎˊ˗
This book is “The White and Blue Between US” by Kiyuhiko. This is a graphic novel that is mostly romance. This is a Boy LOve story and does include two spicy scenes, however there is not much of it. We have two characters, Hozumi and Mishima. They used to have a relationship back into their highschool days, but something happened. It has been 7 years since Hozumi left and now he is back, however Mishima has blocked everyone out and lives in the lighthouse.

˗ˋˏ୨୧Plot Summary୨୧ ˎˊ˗
It starts off with use meeting Hozumi as he comes back to the island he left 7 years ago, he is excited to be back and just wants to see one person. Mishima, they used to be in love during highschool, however due to something Hozumi said that was all ruined. Mishima is now very closed off from everyone else and lives in the lighthouse and does the job his grandfather used to do. Hozumi is trying to talk to Mishima again, but Mishima does not want anything to do with him. Hozumi does not stop and keeps trying until one day it rains and Mishima finally lets him in, this does not last long as the moment it stops raining Mishima makes Hozumi leave. This point is the driving point of their relationships, they end up communicating through their problems and we get to see their beautiful love. We also get a bonus chapter where we see how their relationship was formed.

˗ˋˏ୨୧Writing style/Art style୨୧ ˎˊ˗
You can not really assess the writing style as it is a graphic novel. The art style though is very good, it is simple and I do not know how to explain it but it is a style that matches the story.

˗ˋˏ୨୧Characters୨୧ ˎˊ˗
Both of the boys are cute characters. I like that they are kinda the opposite of eachother. M is more shy and closed off as well as is an introvert, while H is more open and an extrovert. They complete each other extremely well.

˗ˋˏ୨୧Originality୨୧ ˎˊ˗
This type of story is nothing new, there have been multiple books about someone leaving and coming back to fix their mistake with a person. Even if it was not that original I will eat it up all the time and will always love it.

˗ˋˏ୨୧Enjoyment and impact୨୧ ˎˊ˗
I loved reading this, especially after reading a thriller. I do not care what people think if it was not original or you could guess what would happen. It was just cute and lighthearted.

˗ˋˏ୨୧Target audience୨୧ ˎˊ˗
People who want a fast, cute, lighthearted, slight spicy, romance, yaoi, boy love, and graphic novel read/book.

˗ˋˏ୨୧Overall assessment୨୧ ˎˊ˗
Overall I really enjoyed this book, the art style was really good. I loved the story, it was really easy to read. I would recommend this book. A good 4 star book!.

I don’t ever like the ‘break up for the other person’s own good’ trope, but this time it happens as a sort of prologue to the real story so at least it is over and done with quickly. When Ishizaki and Mishima are reunited 7 years after their high school graduation they are able to heal the wounds from their past and restart their relationship.

While the story wasn’t anything groundbreaking, the setting was lovely. The lighthouse in a small community was an excellent backdrop to this love story.

Recommended for: yaoi readers

Content warning: explicit sex scenes

I received a digital ARC of this manga from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 stars. It was okay and you can definitely tell it was more of a one shot than a full story. It just didn't do much for me.

This manga felt a bit underwhelming. There’s not much of a story beyond two people finding their way back to each other (which in itself can be great but in this book it felt rushed). It also felt like the characters didn’t have much personality and this made me uninvested in the story itself. There were some jumps between past and present that confused me a bit as well.

The two stars are for the absolutely beautiful illustrations. The art in this book is immaculate, so it’s a shame the story didn’t work for me. I’m sure there will be people who will absolutely adore this story though, so do give it a try if you find the premise interesting.

Thanks Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for letting me read an ARC of this book. The White and Blue Between us is out on February 13th.

This was cute, but too short. I wonder ir this was a short movie or something because it didn't build up anything. Like it was a quick BL read.

I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I liked the artwork the story not as much. The book definitely needed more story. Everything was so rushed that after I read parts I had to go back and reread because it felt like I missed something.

I found this book by chance on netgalley, fell in love with the synopsis and decided to give it a chance. And I was totally surprised. The manga has completely deep and beautiful writing, in addition to the drawings being very well done. As I read the book I felt a mix of emotions. If this is what you are looking for you should definitely read this manga.

Thank you Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This could have been a cute and nice read - despite feeling very rushed - , but there were some narrative choices that made it impossible for me to fully enjoy this story.

The characters are poorly written - one is barely there and the other is a toxic walking red flag - and although the art is lovely it wasn't quite enough to compensate for the lack in terms of plot development and pacing.

Unfortunately the whole experience felt like reading an incomplete draft.

This volume was quite a treat. The art was lovely, and the story very realistic in lots of ways. I really would have loved a longer look at this couple, but I really enjoyed my time with this couple on this small island.