Society is much more open about attraction and relationships than it used to be, but change on an individual level can be slow, especially for those who were raised with a more limited range of expectations. Jason is one the latter. At 35, he is single, and had yet to be in a relationship. He knows he wants to meet someone, to have a partner, but he’s never been physically attracted to the women he’s dated, although he’s been attracted to the conversation and company. When a new employee, Frank, is hired, Jason is conflicted by his response to him - an issue complicated by the suggestion that Jason, who has a spare room, allow Frank to move in as his roommate, to save him and excessively long commute.

This is a novel of self-exploration, of discovering yourself as a person separate from the expectations of those around you, and all the uncertainty and stress that such exploration brings with it. The illustrations are understated, and yet complement and supplement the text beautifully. Recommended for teens and adults, especially those who are exploring their own understanding of who they’re attracted to, and those who care about someone who is in the midst of such exploration.

I voluntarily read and reviewed and advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I thought the growing relationship between Jason and Frank was really sweet, especially on Frank’s side where he truly just wanted Jason to know he was loved, whether he could reciprocate those feelings or not. There were a few plot points I found difficult to really understand, like Jason’s hyperfixation on the classmate he turned down out of a lack of attraction, but it didn’t significantly take away from my enjoyment. The epilogue said there are more Frank and Jason stories to come, so I’m interested to see where their relationship goes and how Jason actually ends up identifying.

Very soft, very sweet love story between a 35 year old virgin man, and the new hire, a young man in his 20s. At times it feels as the the MC doesn't care if he never finds love, at other times, he feels as htough he is being forced, by his family to finally get together with someone, anyone, man or woman. But he refuses.

But then the new IT worker needs a palce to stay, and the other people in the office suggest the MCs appartnment, which has an extra room. And so the MC has a cute new roommate, but he still isnt' sure if he is feeling attraction to him, or not.

This goes on through the whole book, until, he even tries dating a woman, to see if he can get a feeling of love from that, and it doesn't happen.

thankst to NEtalley for making this book available for an honest review.

Short, sweet, hopeful, and introspective. A really nice change of pace for me. Jason and Frank truly deserve to be happy together.

This book was written for my 30-something self! The story leaned more slice of life to me than romance but I liked that because the story's progression felt very realistic. I would have liked more to the end of the story but it still left off in a place where I don't have to have more. I also did find that there were some points where the translations felt a little off but they were few and far between. This is the kind of book that I would recommend for people in their 30s who want to read about other people in their 30s who don't feel like they are living up to their own (and their families) expectations. That is where this story shines!

Overall disappointed with this one - it follows a 35 year old virgin who has never experienced love and his younger colleague who moves in with him after their coworker sets them up to live together (and they were <i>roommates!)</i> The “romance” wasn’t clearly set up, and I didn’t get any sort of connection between the two of them. Additionally, I felt that there was a disconnect between a lot of the dialogue, and the translations were definitely weaker in this than in even some of the fan-made translations I’ve read.


<b>I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</b>

This was cute. It was a quick easy read with a great cast of characters. I wish there was more but I loved what was in here!

It's been years since I've read any Manga so this was something different.

I grabbed a copy via NetGalley after reading the blurb. It seemed like a good story could be built and I wanted to know more. It was less than 200 pages, which makes it a quick read for me.

While I enjoyed some aspects of the story, I felt a little lost at times too. The relationship was rushed in a way I can't really explain. It just felt like I blinked and suddenly they were going to be together. I would have loved more time on their journey or even some time together on page after they got together. Nothing erotic, just simple romantic moments.

Now don't be fooled, there is still some sweetness in this story. The main characters both have difficulties outside of the relationship itself that manifest and pull at the heartstrings. I'd definitely give the author another read down the road to see what other stories they come up.

A short and healing story about finding yourself. It touches on sensitive topics workplace bullying and the weight of a parent's expectations. I thought it was a short and sweet story and I liked how they approached these topics, even if they didn't resolve most of them. I wish we saw more scenes of the main characters talking to eachother and forming a stronger emotional bond. The romance felt rushed.

A cute, quick read. It felt a bit more like a slice of life than a romance. Jason is single at 35 years old and feels the pressure to find love. He invites a coworker to move in with him, and they start to form a connection. I loved that the characters were older, but I really wish the characters had been developed more. They felt very one dimensional. I also wish their relationship and sexualities were explored more. The two characters are supposed to have a connection, but we never really see it. Also, the ending was really rushed, and it seemed like things just kind of worked out to tie everything together quickly. I would have liked to see them together and see how their relationship unfolded.

Now I enjoy short fiction, don't get me wrong. But this was just too short. I would classify this more as a coming of age (even as a 35 year old yes) rather than a romance, as there isn't really romance? The MC is just trying to figure out who he is and what he wants with his life. Which like, yeah, relatable. But I do wish it had been marketed thus and the blurb had focused on that as opposed to romance. It was overall kind of a meh read. I don't regret it but wouldn't read it again.

I received a free copy from NetGalley for an honest review.

I really liked this story and the characters.
They start as work colleagues and housemates and their relationship gradually grows and they get used to each other.
Until their feelings start to change without them even being aware of it.
I really liked them talking to each other and sorting things out.
It was a really sweet slowburn.
I really liked the art that conveyed the story and personality of the characters.

This was my first foray into manhua, and in all honesty this one wasn't for me. It was a little confusingly translated in some parts and you could see the layout didn't suit English as all the speech bubbles were very portrait oriented so the text looked awkward.
The story was quite sweet, but the obsession with who is junior to whom (in age and job seniority) was a cultural issue I found a bit irrelevant to me. Also how the main character hadn't even really heard of bisexuals. However it was apparently a very personal story to the author, so I appreciate them sharing their experience.

While this was a cute read, it felt rushed and lacking. I wanted to know more about the characters and to see them interact directly instead of viewing their build up via a flash back. The ending felt extra rushed as if heading towards a page count limit and needed to wrap up the story. Overall, I wanted more.

This was a pretty flat story for me. I found the dialogue to be super clunky and not enjoyable to read. The art was cute overall though.

I definitely think this could work for newer to BL readers overall though.

This was a super cute quick read. I liked the characters, I wish there was a tad more depth but given the format what is there is enough. There's not much too it, guy going through a tri-life? (what is the word I need, it's not a quarter life crisis, but he's not old enough for a mid-life crisis either....Jason's right in the middle.) crisis who meets someone who opens his mind and heart to all the possibilities of life. Though, that makes this sound schmaltzier than it actually is. It's warm and fuzzy while being realistic. There's no cosmic misunderstandings, there's no willful non-communication. I wish there was more to the ending, but I'm also not mad at it. It's gives enough to know where their headed together.

I enjoyed this, but it definitely needs a sequel! Don't expect this to be as spicy as Japanese BL manga, but it's sweet and the art is really lovely.

4.5 stars

Short and sweet tho the ending felt a little rushed. I do wish it had been longer so we could get to know Jason and Frank more and then see their relationship evolve once together.

Jason's new co-worker Frank lives very far away from their workplace, so Jason offers him a place to stay in his apartment. Jason is 35 and has never been in a relationship. Frank is 7 years younger than him and begins to fall in love with Jason after being his roommate for a while. He confesses to him but is Jason's response what he expected?

What a sweet and heartwarming story. The art is absolutely beautiful and I could identify with the two main characters a lot. Problems like being bullied, not being able to speak your mind freely, anxiety, not wanting to disappoint your family and friends, being single over 30 and always pressured into relationships, feeling like you don't belong or are worthless because everyone around you has a partner and kids... it's really tiresome but something I have experienced first hand, too. That's why it felt so familiar reading about Jason and Frank and I'm so glad this story ended the way it did.
There should definitely be more books about these topics so others can learn from it. I felt understood and comforted, like being wrapped in a warm blanket. Can't wait to read more from this author.

This one was cute, but felt like it was missing something. It could be that the translation wasn't as clear as it should be, and the errors throughout play into that theory. I thought there would be more to it, with more build up and character progression, but Jason seemed to suddenly just not want to be alone and that was that.

I really enjoyed the art, and was intrigued by the storyline itself. I just wish there was more to build it up, growth from the characters, and relationship building instead of time jumps.