"Keep that thing in a holding pattern!"

Those who know know. That was so hilarious it caught me off guard ! I enjoyed this and read it in a day. I love Nokoru and Natsu- san. Nokoru - san is introverted and yet he knows how to express his feelings. He surprised me when he traveled all that way just to see her and be with her. He's so sweet.

when it comes to anime and manga, i adore slice of life—it fills me with so much happiness! there’s something especially wholesome about watching someone go through the simple motions of everyday life, with such mundane routine moments offering familiar, warming comforts. it’s almost akin to revisiting a moment of nostalgia. there’s no forlorn scenes, or tragic situations. it’s pure and soothing. home office romance was like that—simple comforts—with two next door neighbours finding love during a terrible time when face to face interactions were restricted and exchanges were limited. natsu and nokoru made some of the smallest exchanges feel like extraordinary moments. with carefree chatter and trading hobbies, watching natsu and nokoru fall in love was sweet to witness.

I LOVED this cute manga so much. In the days of the pandemic and how hard it is coming face-to-face, two neighbors become acquainted and then fall in love. This story is about how they came to be, especially during a time when masks are being worn and remote work is the new norm.

I really enjoyed this slice of life comic that showcased more heartwarming moments in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. The story was heartfelt and I really found myself rooting for the main couple. It was quick and sweet feel-good story that can be read in one sitting.

I thought the little moments during Covid such as the online shopping, only getting half dressed for a zoom call, etc were all funny moments that most people can relate to after experiencing the pandemic.

Overall it was an enjoyable story about finding love in unexpected circumstances that I thoroughly enjoyed!

Thank you to Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Home Office Romance by Kintetsu Yamada is a heartwarming manga built on the isolating reality of the Covid19 pandemic in early 2020-2021, focusing on two characters who slowly develop a friendship in the midst of social distancing, work from home, and somewhat-forced proximity. It follows Nokoru, an office worker who moves to tele-work, where he finds the time to pick up new hobbies and befriend his neighbor, who before he had never spoken to.

What I liked most about this manga as a reader is how real these two characters feel both on their own as individuals, as well as in their interactions. The way their relationship developed felt equally real. Once they began dating, I as a reader couldn't stop covering my eyes and giggling. They were cute! I also appreciated, as a fan of Kintetsu Yamada's other work Sweat and Soap, how he's able to tell a story about normal every day people in every day situations in such a succinct, one volume story. I appreciated that Nokoru was greying. Finally, relatable, realistic characters!

For some reason, the style he drew this in felt nostalgic.

Thank you Netgalley, Kintetsu Yamada, and Kodansha Comics for the early read!

Oh my gosh. I love this sweet romance. I could not put this book down. I love how the characters are like opposites.
There is also grumpy sunshine. I laughed my way through this book. could not picture anything better. I was so sad when the book was over because I wanted more. I truly enjoyed this book and could not get enough. Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for this amazing read.

4★ // This standalone, single-volume manga follows the lives of neighbours Nokoru and Natsu as they navigate both their WFH situation (brought upon by the pandemic lockdown) as well as their budding romance with each other.

I found the characters quite approachable and realistic, traits that - if not done well - could be the make-or-break point for standalones. Their interactions were also very cute - this was just an overall feel-good story.

It was interesting to read something that was set during the pandemic, because it was a common experience for the entire world and something that will be talked about for ages to come. Maybe this story won't age well in the future, maybe future generations of readers won't be able to relate, but it is a snapshot into what life was like during these momentous, transitional years.

"Home Office Romance" by Kintetsu Yamada is a delightful and heartwarming story about finding a connection in unexpected circumstances. Set during the COVID-19 lockdown in Japan, the manga explores how life changes—whether in work, home, or social settings—can spark new beginnings. Nokoru and Natsu's budding romance as neighbors is both charming and relatable, with thoughtful reflections on how distance impacts relationships and how a single shift in routine can lead to transformative life events. Fans of Yamada’s previous work, Sweat and Soap, will appreciate the same heartfelt storytelling here. A perfect one-volume read for romance fans—4 stars!

Disclosure: Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha for providing me with a copy for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Home Office Romance by Kintetsu Yamada is a single volume, COVID lockdown romance wherein apartment neighbors have a meetcute and eventually fall in love with each other. Both main characters are very different in terms of personality with Natsu being a quirky, outgoing paleontology student and Nokoru being a quiet, serious developer with wanderlust. They are a great foil for each other and it is cute seeing their relationship develop, albeit, in a short timeframe. This is definitely a josei (adult) romance as the characters are in their mid-twenties and have mature discussions about sex.

The art direction was nice, though I wasn't a fan of Nokoru's character design, but I think that was intended as he reacts very surprised when Natsu calls him "handsome". I think the characters both grew in the short page count they had, especially Nokoru!

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoyed Yamada's long running series "Sweat and Soap" or "I'm a Wolf, My Boss is a Sheep!" series.

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.