Oh my stars this manga was so wholesome and fun, it was a perfect palette cleanser to read between books. Home Office Romance is a one volume manga about a reserved IT guy who meets and forms a flirtatious friendship with his more outgoing next door neighbor. It’s a she pursues him type of story and seeing the main male lead, Nokoru, spiral and become flustered over his neighbor Natsu’s passes had me giggling and kicking my feet.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced Nokoru to start working from home and the story does a good job of illustrating some of the unexpected benefits that came from this shift in work-life balance. After cutting out his commute, Nokoru finds himself getting better rest and having the opportunity to sleep in and take his time eating breakfast. He now has the time to put his home together and to enjoy long forgotten hobbies. With virtual meetings he can remain in comfortable clothes and mute his mic to avoid conflict. All of these little advantages were unexpected boons during the pandemic, as I could personally relate to this as an office worker that transitioned to remote work for a while during the pandemic.

This has definitely been one of my favorite COVID-19 stories and adult romance manga, I didn’t want to stop reading, sacrificing sleep to race to the end. An easy recommendation for folks that enjoy sweet slice of life romances.

A lovely story. The connection between the characters and small snippets of real life were nice to read and the artwork was delighful!

I already read work of this author and was exited to read more from them.they wrote sweet and soap which I read long time ago and need to read more as the last time I check it still ongoing series. Unlike sweet and soup, this manga is One volume and it fits. Its cute as hell and this is manga for people who doesn't love by series but love cute adult romance manga.

Home Office Romance is set during the pandemic in Japan and follows the developing love story between Nokoru, a shy, overthinking systems engineer, and Natsu, a bold, confident graduate student. The story is told primarily from Nokoru’s point of view, capturing his uncertainty about Natsu’s feelings and his eventual realisation of her affection.

It was lovely to witness Nokoru’s character growth as he gradually comes out of his shell, adding warmth and depth to the story. I also laughed out loud when he placed his 'order' and realised it had been delayed - such a relatable and funny moment. The contrast between their personalities creates a charming dynamic, highlighting how opposites attract. I liked the graphic illustrations too - they’re simple and clear, never distracting from the story but rather enhancing it. This is a quick, feel-good read that’s sure to leave you smiling.

Note: Arc provided by NetGalley & Kodansha Comics in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!

I received a free copy from the publisher through Netgalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

One of my reading goals from last year was to read more graphic novels, so I requested a bunch on Netgalley and this was one of them. I only got around to reading it this year, but I am so glad I got this one as it was really good. Home Office Romance is set during the Covid pandemic with the main characters working from home and they meet each other as they are neighbors.

I thought this was a wonderful slice of life romance story. It was super sweet with some hints to steamy stuff happening. I really liked reading about these characters and they felt realistic and real. They each had their own lives and I liked seeing them connecting with each other and talking about mutual interests. I liked seeing how their romance progressed as they grow closer. I also appreciated how there is very little drama or conflict. When a miscommunication of confusion occurs they actually resolve it quickly and nothing got drawn out, I really liked this. The ending was romantic and sweet and gives a glimpse of their future.

The art was very well done, at first I didn't like how Nokoru was drawn, but eventually I came to appreciate the subtle differences in his expression and liked how he was drawn more. Natsu is drawn so vibrant and alive and I really liked how obvious her emotions and expressions were drawn. The romance has a bit of a grumpy-sunshine vibe and is all told from the guys points of view.

I appreciated how this is a complete story in one volume and the ending wraps things up well. Most graphic novels have multiple installments, but this book has the whole story in one volume, which was nice.

To summarize: I really liked this graphic novel. It follows Nokoru's point of view as he falls in love with his neighbor when he starts working from home during the pandemic. This book was romantic, cute and sweet and I really liked it. the characters felt real and realistic. Any miscommunications or confusion got resolved quickly and there was hardly any drama or conflict. I liked the art-style, I had to get used to Nokoru's expressions, but then I appreciate the subtle differences in his expressions. Natsu is very vibrant and her expressions are very obvious and clear. I had a great time reading this one and am glad I read it.

This was such a great story of people finding love during the pandemic. And not just love, but realizing that feeling of just going for it (in life and love). I loved this story because the author did such a great job conveying the emotions of the MMC. I honestly felt those feelings as well dueing my read through. It was nice to see his POV and the internal dialogue when he was coming to terms with his feelings for the FMC were great. It's a sweet story, with a great ending. So if you're looking for a feel-good read, this is for you.

This is such a lovely manga romance story with great artwork and a beautiful romance. I really enjoyed reading this.

Nokoru, who is a rather nerdy man, has a really demanding job. He neglects his home, his personal life and doesn’t seem to do anything else apart from work. When the Covid pandemic lock down arrives he has to adapt, (like many of us did) to working from home. This gives him an opportunity to create a beautiful physical living space for himself. It also provides opportunities for small talk with his next door neighbour Natsu who is a graduate student in archeology.

Overtime and through passing conversations they slowly and gently become friends, then lovers. The beauty of this story is the ordinariness of their relationship and how it slowly moves to something deep and meaningful. This is such a lovely manga and one of my favourite reads so far this year.

Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

Another incredible manga from Kintetsu Yamada, Home Office Romance is equal parts beautiful and awkward love story, as he is so good at writing, and time capsule of the pandemic at its height. A pair of lovable and awkward professionals act as the protagonists to this incredible story for any fan of Sweat and Soap, and of romance in general

I enjoyed Sweat and Soap by this author, and I was so excited to read their new standalone romance set during the pandemic. The lovely illustrations truly helped to enhance the charm and cuteness of this short read. I will be recommending this to anyone who is looking for a delightful and heartwarming slice of life manga. It’s simple, yet captivating, leaving you wanting more. (Though the ending ties everything up perfectly!)

A cute and short story. I loved the socially awkward romance representation. This is a great choice if you are looking for something quick and light to read.

I loved Sweat and Soap so it was a no brainer for me to read Home Office Romance. This is a cute and wholesome neighborly romance, where love can be unexpectedly around the corner. Nokoru and Natsu are from opposite worlds, one technology and the other archeology, but oddly enough these worlds collide during a lockdown. The two connect over history, passions, and proximity. I loved the development of their romance and was glad I didn’t have to wait numerous volumes to see how it evolved. The ended filled me with a lot of joy.

Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for an advanced copy of this book!

This hopelessly cute romance one-shot is a satisfying quick-read and one I quickly added to my shelf once it was published.

Didn’t get a chance to finish this one in time before the book expired on my tablet. I will have to get the book and read it in person and then edit the review once I’ve finished.

Home Office Romance is a short and sweet story about finding love in unusual circumstances and taking risks.
For a single-volume manga, it's a very quick read, sweet, and drama-free.
I enjoyed getting to know the characters and seeing their development. Like the cover, the art and drawing style were really good.

**Many thanks to NetGalley, Kodansha USA Publishing, for an ARC
of this book!**

Possible Triggers: COVID-19 Pandemic setting and events but not the focus of the story!

I live for these cozy, romantic mangas! They are so wholesome with just a pinch of spiciness stirred in to the pot. Also, there's almost always a food element which warms the cockles of my withered heart. So the story follows Nokoru Mitsuhashi in the time of the 2020 Pandemic in Japan, when most people were embracing their WFH (Work From Home) Era. The drudgery that revolutionized self-care mentality and rebooted home decor renovations. He meets his next door neighbor, Natsu Izumi, via a balcony rendezvous - more her (extrovert) than him (introvert). It would be a meet cute if it wasn't for you know, the pandemic. This is as much of a slow burn romance as 200 pages in graphic novel will get you, however, Nokoru-san kind of gives things away at the start of the story. For some reason he sounded like Nicholas Cage's monotone voice in my head? Yeah. Anyway, these two definitely help each other out in their own ways, he with his cautious ways and she with her enjoy the moments way of life. This was a very quick read for me and I really enjoyed the art style as well. Absolutely recommend if you need a cozy vibes pick me up or you're in between books as this will make you smile and laugh out loud!

As someone else who is socially awkward I loved this one. The romance was so cute and I loved the art as well.

What a wonderful spin on the workplace romance sub-genre! I love cozy and relaxing reads where the main characters are adults with lives outside of each other. So often in romance the characters can become enmeshed or co-dependent, but in this story we have two adults awkwardly but warmly coming together to share in their passions together.

"Home Office Romance" nos presenta la historia de dos vecinos que se conocen en plena pandemia. A medida que transcurre la historia, los personajes van adaptándose a su nueva rutina diaria. El protagonista, que empieza a trabajar desde casa, decide transformar su espacio de trabajo en un lugar que no solo sea funcional, sino que también refleje su personalidad. La protagonista me pareció bastante directa, pero en el buen sentido, lo que le da un toque genuino a su carácter. La química entre ambos personajes es excelente, y aunque deseaba que se besaran en muchos momentos, al mismo tiempo sentía que su espera hacía que ese momento, cuando finalmente llegara, fuera aún más emocionante. Una historia encantadora que logra mantener el suspenso en los momentos clave.

ARC Review: Home Office Romance by Kintetsu Yamada

I absolutely adored Home Office Romance. It's a simple yet original love story that feels both heartwarming and refreshing. The manga captures the quiet joys of everyday life, making even the smallest interactions between the characters feel special.

Nokoru, a meticulous and introverted IT engineer, thrives in his routine, especially when the pandemic allows him to work from home. His world shifts when he meets Natsu, his lively and spontaneous next-door neighbor, an archaeology graduate student. Their growing connection—built through balcony chats, hobby exchanges, and unexpected moments—feels organic and genuine.

💛 What I Loved
- Adorable Art – Natsu’s expressive eyes? Nokoru’s awkward charm? Chef’s kiss!
- Unique Concept – A slice-of-life romance that naturally unfolds during a pandemic, with less focusing on its hardships.
- Opposites Attract – The dynamic between Nokoru’s overthinking and Natsu’s carefree nature is beautifully executed. A meticulous, overthinking introvert + a free-spirited, sunshine-like extrovert = the best combo.
- Simple Yet Impactful – No dramatic twists, just a wholesome love story that leaves you smiling.

✨ Tiny Drawbacks
- Slow Start – The pacing is deliberate, which may take time to get into (but once it picks up, it really picks up!)
-Flashback Narration – Knowing they end up together might take away some tension, but honestly? I don't mind. It’s totally worth it.

🎨 Final Thoughts
This manga is the perfect cozy romance for anyone who loves slice-of-life stories with natural chemistry and lovable characters. It’s simple, sweet, and absolutely delightful. If you need a pick-me-up read, Home Office Romance is it!

✨ Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC! My heart is so full after reading this. 💕

Super cute! I loved the story and the romance, I enjoyed a good socially awkward king opening up to the world and the perfect woman story