This was a bittersweet love story about two boys who fell in love during High School but then broke apart when Hozumi said that he didn't really love Mishima after all.

Many years later Hozumi returns to their hometown to help his ailing father and the two reconnect. But Mishima isn't sure he's willing to let Hozumi back into his life again. When Hozumi finds out that Mishima has become somewhat of a recluse, rarely ever leaving the lighthouse that he took over after his father's passing, he determines to find a way to repair the damage he caused all those years ago.

I was a little bit put off by Hozumi's forceful methods, how he showed up and wasn't listening to Mishima's requests for him to leave and I found the rekindling a little bit forced. But I think with a little better pacing this could have been a really heart-warming story.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

A white lie tears Hozumi and Mishima apart and seven years later Hozumi returns to the island they grew up on to try and repair things.
This one-shot BL was really exciting to read, the flash back and forwards gave us history, dimension and context to what was happening and created more depth for the characters. I would have loved to get to know them even more and even would have liked their reconciliation to have been longer as it did feel slightly fast. That doesn't take away from the great journey we are taken on though.
Second chance romance is one of my favourite tropes and it was done so well in this book. The characters are sweet, the art is really vivid and after I read this I was just left feeling very happy! What more can you ask of a book? I would really recommend this to anyone that would like a pick me up, a really endearing story and some beautiful scenery.

This graphic novel was cute and tells the story of two guys who find each other again years later after a break up

The artwork is stunning and storyline fast past.. I hope they bring out a 2nd version to continue the story

This was a sweet M/M second change and misunderstandings romance. I liked the artwork and the characters, but I couldn't always tell whether we were in the past or present, so the time jumps weren't clear.

I want to start by saying that the art is really good.

However, I found the plot to be quite messy. I couldn't connect with any of the characters as they seemed to lack personality. Their actions didn't make sense from a rational perspective. Additionally, the romance felt rushed and lacked chemistry. The smut was unnecessary and felt forced. I feel like we don't know anything about the characters except for their break-up, and even the reasoning behind that didn't make any sense.

The frequent time jumps between the past and present left me confused, as they did not add much to the story.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have been pretty clear in the past that my standards for love in real life versus what I like in fiction are different. But one fictional trope that I secretly (or maybe not so secretly) love to see in real life is the second-chance troupe! As a lover girl, I love the thought that sometimes people fall apart and come back together stronger than ever. I especially love this trope when the first love part happens during the character’s teen years and they reunite as adults.

In Kiyuhiko’s manga, The White and Blue Between Us, I get to revel in this fantasy. It stars Hozumi, a man returning to his island hometown after being gone for seven years. He is there to help out his parents, but his main priority is to reunite with his first love, Mishima. When Hozumi attends his high school reunion, he hears a rumor that Mishima has become a shut-in.


this is what Hozimi had in mind
Hozumi starts visiting Mishima every day, even when it’s clear that Mishima does not want to see him. By visiting every day, Hozumi melts Mishima’s resolve and the two make up for lost time. There are no surprises in the way they make up and get back together. If you read manga it is a tale as old as time. That being said, it is still very heartwarming to watch. I appreciated that after they make up, there’s a jump to the near future and the next step in their relationship.

My favorite part of how the second chance troupe plays out in The White and Blue Between Us are the flashbacks. Hozumi and Mishima bounce between high school them, and the adult versions of them. In high school, Hozumi lies to Mishima to break up with him for Mishima’s “benefit.” This of course is a childish way of thinking and acting and the grown-up characters recognize that as well. Having the adults reflect on past mistakes was touching to see.


The bittersweet part of the story is that it is just a one-shot. While I think the amount of story was perfect for what it showed, I wanted MORE! (Spoiler alert: I always want more!) The future part introduced Hozumi’s family and I would have loved to see them more involved down the line. Especially because they are so supportive. But we can’t have it all (sigh.)

The White and Blue Between Us was a quick and easy read and I can’t wait to add it to my collection when it’s in print.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This had potential but it fell short unfortunately. A lot of it felt confusing and like were being thrown information without any context and very fast. Some scenes I didn’t even realize were flashbacks and that was jarring.

It could’ve been good if things were explained more and we actually got to know the characters a little bit.

this was honestly lovely! i loved how lighthearted & sweet it was. mlm mangas have always been my soft spot and this one definitely did deliver <3

First off I loved the art style my issues with the graphic novel was the story itself. The story felt kind of bland and I didn’t care for the characters.

I want to start off this review on a positive note by saying the artwork and scenery’s in this manga were gorgeous.
When I initially read the summary of this one-shot, it sounded like a really interesting take on a yaoi title… unfortunately as this was a one-shot the story moved a little too fast for my liking and I was left wanting to know more about the background of our characters introduced and not just be thrown into a story that seemed predominantly focused on our one ML, Hozumi and not the other, Mishima.
Whilst I appreciate it is a one-shot so the story will naturally move quicker it just felt like we only got to see a one sided view point from 1 of our 2 male leads.
These things aside there were some aspects of this sorry that I really appreciated, one being Hozumi’s family who were perfectly portrayed and supportive of their son/brother.
Overall, I didn’t dislike the story I was just left feeling a little sad not to get a different viewpoint on our two ML’s lives. A pleasant enough read and story and would recommend for any yaoi fans.

Review to come in 2-ish weeks on blog/goodreads/other places.

I received this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange of an honest review.

One of the two LGBT/MM romance manga I requested when I saw them on Netgalley. Yes, I was a bit worried about both (thanks to how Yaoi so often has rape/non-consent/abuse), but I was looking forward to reading them as well.

And for most of this book it was all fine, there was just one moment that had me on the verge of DNF-ing, thankfully that was the only moment so I kept on reading. But that moment was definitely very iffy and I just wasn't happy it was added. 

In this one we meet two characters, Mishima and Hozumi, two boys who have known each other in high school, briefly dated/were together, and then due to Hozumi breaking it up fell apart and each went their way. Now they are back together and I was curious to see if Mishima would allow Hozumi back in his life, if the rift between them could be repaired. Because we can clearly see quite soon in the book that these two are still in love with each other. But yeah, I don't blame Mishima for having trust issues. One, the guy you loved just up and broke up with you making you feel shit, and two, its been around 7 years since you last saw or heard of the other. I am happy that the author showed the hesitance in Mishima. That while Hozumi was all ready to just go back to what they were, Mishima was cautious, angry even (which I would be as well if this would have happened to me). And I loved that slowly we see that things are building up again. OK, that one moment I talked about ruined things for me and at a point also Hozumi's chances for a bit. But we can see them talk about it, see them reconnect, and I found myself just rooting for these two. Hoping that they could be together. Have happy moments and make up for the lost time. 

Hozumi was a bit awkward at times, felt a bit unnatural in how he reacted/acted. Some of their interactions also felt a bit off/weird. Stilted, as if they are putting on a play. Hope that makes sense.

I also loved that this one took place in a small town near the coast. And Mishima even lives in the light house and takes care of it, which just had me smiling because that isn't a job you often see in books!

Oh, and bonus points to the parents of Hozumi. 

The bonus chapter/later part from the POV of Mishima and taking place in high school was a perfect addition! It gave more insight in how their love started and made me smile.

I also love the art in this one.

All in all, despite that one moment + some awkwardness, I am very happy with this manga, happy I found out about it. I would recommend it.

We don't learn much about Hozumi and Mishima's personality. The entire story focuses on Hozumi trying to get Mishima to talk with him. There isn't real chemistry I can point too. Even in the flashbacks to high school there isn't anything that shows how they came to love each other. The ending is especially weird because that's when the author decides to show what they were like when they were in high school. It ends almost abruptly because I expected to go back to present day after looking back on them meeting and becoming closer in the past. There was one scene I found heartfelt and that was Hozumi's compassion and acceptance toward his brother's sexuality.
This took me some time to finish because there isn't anything that makes the reader want to pick the manga back up again.

The White and Blue Between Us was exactly what I was wanting in a standalone graphic novel. It was a low angst, classic Second Chance romance.

Hozumi breaks Mishima’s heart when he leaves for the big city after high school, but when Hozumi returns to help his family out after his father is injured, Hozumi is ready to pursue a second chance with Mishima. Mishima meanwhile has taken over the responsibility for tending the lighthouse from his grandfather, and slowly stated to become a shut in. Hozumi starts to try and break down Mishima’s walls. Let the pursuit begin!

This story feels very old school classic graphic novel in the black and white presentation of the art. The slice of life story has just enough angst to make you want to see two young people fall in love and make it work. Also who doesn’t want to run back to their first love and live in a light house?

4 out 5 Star

A cute and easy to read manga. Very enjoyable read it all in a single sitting.

Thank you Netgalley.

Thank you netgalley and publisher for a arc in exchange for review.

This is a coming of age Boys Love story about two friends reuniting after a lie told in bad taste. Seven years ago Hozumi told his best friend turned boyfriend Mishima that he didn't love him. Hozumi up and left the island the two grew up on, going to college and working in the big city. 7 years later he shows up back on the island to help his family's storefront- only to hear that Mishima has become a shut in, never leaving the lighthouse he's inherited from his grandfather. Quick to admit his lie, Hozumi attempts everything to rekindle their relationship that was.

This story was quick and to the point, the ending felt rushed but I wasn't mad at how it ended. I like my happily ever afters as much as the next person, but to me I felt like we needed to unpack Hozumi's choices more. This might be better off as a 2 or even 3 part series rather than smashing it into 1 single volume. 3/5 stars.

A story about high school boyfriends reconnecting in adulthood after one of them breaks it off without properly communicating why.

It was fine, the art was cute and the story was fairly predictable and for once in my life I'm going to say that this one-shot probably would have benefited from no sex scenes, or at least, not the first one that seemed so out of place? But the setting was lovely and the boys were shakable in a very "just talk to each other!" way.

However, I did really enjoy the family's reaction especially the brother's, how refreshing.

Thank you to Kodansha and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for review.

Maybe not my kind of story, but it was nice.
The characters were a little too much at the begining, but I can understand why they are like this. I just wanted them to chill out! Glad the story turn just right

To echo what I see a lot of other readers saying as well, the art style here is absolutely STUNNING but the story itself was firstly bland.

This was an amazingly cute love story about two boys who fell in love in high school, but broke apart in a heartbreaking way. Seven years later they meet again, and they can't help but feel their hearts beating strongly for each other.

With gorgeous artwork, I absolutely love the depiction of the lighthouse kind of representing their connection to each other. I also love how honest this manga felt. It wasn't nothing but happiness, both of them didn't just automatically fall for each other. We got to see how one's curiosity and stubbornness lead the other to falling for his kindness.

A sweet romance with a happy ending and family approval. What more can I ask for?

Beautifully drawn. Really sweet story. Includes some really mature panels with some steamy stuff. Easy to read n one sitting. Would recommend.