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

"Home Office Romance" is a charming and lighthearted manga that blends office comedy with sweet romance. The art is adorable, with expressive character designs that perfectly capture the awkward yet endearing moments between the protagonists. The workplace setting adds a fresh twist to the romance genre, and the interactions between the characters are both amusing and heartwarming. Fans of slow-burn romances with a good dose of humor will enjoy this delightful read. I especially appreciated how the story balances professional and personal dynamics in a relatable way. Definitely a fun and cozy read!

Full review on website: https://animecorner.me/manga-review-home-office-romance-will-leave-you-wanting-more/

This was a cute story about a love story that happened during the pandemic. I enjoyed the art, the premise, and the characters. There isn't much more to say about it, but the story is aware it's short and doesn't drag it out, so it's a good short read.

cute and short manga, I had a nice time reading this!

thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this e-arc.

This mangaka always know how to write great nuanced love stories, no matter the concept. Even though I did drop her Sweat & Soap, since that was a bit too much lol, I wholeheartedly enjoyed this pandemic romance. It was just so cute and simple in all the best ways: their interactions, slow-burn, chemistry. I like seeing people become their better selves with the aid of another.

Thank you to Kodansha for providing me this E-Arc thru Netgalley!

Acknowledgements and grateful thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics publishing for the opportunity to read and review this e-ARC: 'Home Office Romance by Kintetsu Yamada'. All opinions are my own and are not a reflection of the publishers and/or author, of which I have no association with.

Three out of five stars (3/5 stars).

This was super cute for a straight romance manga/anime. I really enjoyed the characters and the main character's growth throughout the book.

"Nokoru has been working brutal overtime at a demanding job when the pandemic lockdown finally gives him the chance to telework from home. This new situation (and the time he saves on his commute) lets him rediscover old passions and new hobbies. The lush garden he creates on his apartment balcony provides a chance to get to know his cute neighbor, Natsu, a graduate student in archeology." — the blurb from NetGalley's official website.

It wasn't at all hard to read this and I usually struggle remembering to read the opposite way of graphic novels and my usual comic books.

I did put off finishing this due to other responsibilities and preferences, but I do wish I hadn't put it off as long as I did as I quite enjoyed this

Not a lot really happens which isn't my usual taste and outside of NetGalley I don't think I would have ever picked this up and that would have been a shame.