I've heard a lot about this author and his work and, I confess, it was one of the reasons that a friend persuaded me to finally join NetGalley. - and it was worth it! Art, story, characters... All so cute! A real slice of life, just the way I like it. Definitely recommended for more mature readers because of its grounded plot, without any major “unbelievable dramas”. Lovely!

4.5 stars
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗

🧠 My thoughts
I rarely dive into manga, but this one might just be the finest romance manga I've ever read. The story was pure and romantic without being too cheesy, and the strong female lead was a refreshing surprise. From the first page to the last, I was completely hooked, and the artwork only added to the charm with its stunning visuals.

On the downside, I found the storyline a bit too idealistic; it felt like such events wouldn't easily unfold in real life. However, this minor quibble didn’t take away from the overall enjoyment of the story.

Thanks NetGalley, Kodansha Comics publisher, and the authors for a great advance copy of the book in exchange for my honest review!

This was a really quick, cute, and drama free slice of life, Manga. I enjoyed the characters and art style. Of course, I wish it was longer and not so rushed , though.

Thank you Netgalley and publishers for sending me an e-arc for review.

A super-cute pandemic lockdown romance!

1. The mangaka has the gift of turning commonplace interactions into magical moments - enjoying hotpot in Nokoru's patio garden, or Nokoru feeling instantly comfortable and falling asleep to Natsu's keyboard going clickety clack!

2. Another shout-out to how organic and angst - free their eventual love story was - the upfront discussions and adults 'knowing what they wanted' was refreshing

3. The characters themselves were so relatable, haha. Debating over the weekly snack haul, graduate school dating = hanging out at home, eating and playing games.

4. I love how the slice of life plotline concluded with Nokoru and Natsu being thrown out of the pandemic isolation, and doing the big romantic gesture.

I'd definitely love to read more from this mangaka!

My thanks to Kodansha and NetGalley for the eARC, all opinions my own!

So sweet and heartfelt! a sweet love story in the time of the pandemic. Nokoru has to work from home because of covid and meets his neighbor, a sweet college student. these two are cute and a little awkward at first but I just love them. this was a fun read and I wish there had been more.

3.75 stars

This was such a cute manga!

This is the perfect little pallet cleanser that is both romantic and funny.

I love me a seemingly grumpy guy, who really is just misunderstood and shy with a sunshine of a girl. I just eat it up everytime.

This was so cute, absolutely loved the art style and I loved the story between them as well and how their relationship developed. It was so cute seeing how Natsu brought Nokoru out of his shell.

If you want a cute romantic manga, then I recommend this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for an E-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I had previously read and immensely enjoyed Kintetsu Yamada's Sweat & Soap series. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to read their newest manga in exchange for an honest review.

Right off the bat, I was intrigued as this manga is written in the perspective of the MMC, Nokoru. It was very refreshing to read a cozy, drama-free, romance manga from a guy's perspective. Not only that, the story showed an adult romance that I could relate to as a thirty year old woman. I was giddy with delight following Nokoru and Natsu, as they deepen their connection doing simple things together.

The art style was clean and charming. The relationship was well-paced. I fell in love with the characters, their story, the art, and I want more!! I highly recommend checking this manga out!

A big thanks to Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for this eARC in exchange for a honest review.

Home Office Romance is a short and sweet story of finding love under unusual circumstance and taking chances. The background of this story taking place during a global pandemic is practically as relatable as it gets (as we all lived through one). The main characters of Natsu and Nokoru are so funny and I loved getting to know them throughout the course of the story.

The awkward dance of starting a relationship are so vividly shown in this story, and just the challenges that come from trying to date in a period where meeting face-to-face was considered dangerous. I'm not sure I have ever related to a character more than I have with Nokoru.

I wish we could have seen more of their story, maybe even gotten more of Natsu's POV but overall I really enjoyed this story and will def be looking to secure a copy for my collection in the future.

This story is darling! It’s so refreshing to see a manga about adults. It being during lockdown was very interesting to see too! I loved the two mains they were really cute together!

Thank you, NetGalley for an advanced ARC of this manga

This was a very sweet read but unfortunately, I didn't feel for the story as a whole or the characters so my emotional investment wasn't there for the story that was being told, now I see many people loving this sweet slow romance happening but for me it was simple.

I do recommend this for romance fans though

This was really sweet and cute. It's nice to see a happy story coming out about the time of the pandemic. Just a quick wholesome story about two home bodies with very different personalities, but who complete each other and make themselves strive to be more.

This was so cute! The development of our two main characters from neighbors to friends to lovers was very heartwarming and realistic! The story progression was good throughout to show daily life but also the budding relationship. I do think the ending was a bit rushed, but overall I still enjoyed it.

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

I have heard good things about the author and their other work, but never read any of it. This was a good introduction though. The story had humor, and the characters were so sweet and lovable that you instantly root for them.

This was so so lovely I had the best time! Set during the height of the pandemic this manga follows the joys of working from home and introverted. 2 people meet on their balconies who end up having a lot to chat about and end up exchanging snacks and books and eventually develop a cuteeee little relationship that journeys through the pandemic together and the anxieties of a new relationship! I loved the setting and getting a bit of an insight into what the pandemic was like in Japan. Also both of their occupations were SO cool - an upcoming archeologist and an IT programmer. And I loved how they made a comparison between the both to connect them even though you would think they were vastly different such a perfect metaphor for their relationship. Nokoru & Natsu were definitely complete opposites with the latter being bubbly and up to try anything and Nokoru on the very introverted side with a grumpy undertone but as they got to know each other it was so fun to see his humorous side poke out as he became increasingly more comfortable around her. The manga style was fun and if you’re a lover of manga and romance then this one is definitely for you! Cute, cozy and delightful time! Thank you to NetGalley & Kodansha Comics for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you so much for letting me read this manga. I liked this story. It is so normal but then again thought provoking and also comical in some moments.

I never thought I'd want to read anything set during the pandemic but this was so wholesome.

I loved the characters, so different from each other but perfect for one another, and I particularly enjoyed how although set during lockdown the story didn't return too much to the pandemic, it was just there in the background.

I know it's a stand-alone but I wouldn't mind seeing this extended into a small 'slice of life' series.

5 stars!! This was so cute and dorky and adorable. Absolutely loved it and binged it within like an hour. So easy to read and follow. I kind of wish it was longer because I think they are such a cute couple and wanted more!

Post pandemic, I feel like this manga will resonate with adults looking for slice of life manga. It's slow paced, and there's no drama really attached to the romance.

Thank you Kodansha Comics for a copy of Home Office Romance!

"A rom-com manga about two neighbors who find unexpected love during lockdown and learn that working from home doesn't mean an office romance can't still blossom."

Ran to request this when I saw that it's from the same creator of Sweat and Soap! An enjoyable one-shot manga about some of the positive that came out of the pandemic.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kodansha Comics, and Kinetsu Yamada for the opportunity to read this manga in exchange for an honest review.

Home Office Romance is a wholesome stand-alone taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. Noroku must work from home most days. and while his coding job is rather grueling no matter where he works, he finds solace in his little balcony garden and unpacking some long-forgotten fantasy and romance manga. His next-door-neighbor, Natsu, is a grad student majoring in archeology.

Their first encounter involves her admiration of Noroku's garden. What's really cute about this manga is that it's told from Noroku's perspective and he explains early on that this is the story about how he met his wife. The reader gets to join him on his journey getting to know his neighbor and how everything leads up.

This manga has great pacing, simple art that adds a quaint element of realism, and a story that feels like it could certainly happen. This manga is great for adults or new adults, given the age of the characters, and really has a wholesome feels for the 20's and 30's age range audience. Us older folk need more of this magic!