Summary:

Nokoru has gotten used to living a hectic life thanks to his demanding job. So it’s a bit jarring when he suddenly has to start working from home, courtesy of the lockdown. The time saved from his commute is…more than anticipated.

So, he finally puts time and energy into his apartment. In doing so, he gets to know his neighbor, Natsu. They bond over their time together, enjoying their patio space and extra time.

Review:

Home Office Romance is a relatable and sweet story; I can’t recommend it enough. This romance is pretty much the epitome of pandemic romances, and despite the lighter content, it’ll hit hard for a lot of readers.

The story follows two characters with very different lives. They have only two things in common - living next door and dealing with pandemic lockdowns. However, it’s a timely meet-cute concept that I can’t get over.

I loved the down-to-earn nature of Home Office Romance; it felt wholesome and so real at the same time, providing the perfect break from reality. While this volume contains the full story, I would continue reading if given the chance.

Highlights:
Slice-of-Life
Manga
Romance
Working from Home
Sweet & Endearing

This was such a sweet read. I loved that our main characters, Nokoru and Natsu were so down-to-earth. Even though the story takes place during Covid, it doesn't feel like the main plot, which is amazing.

There is no conflict or crazy drama going on throughout the story, it is just a sweet and romantic story of how the two fall in love.

I highly recommend this if you are looking for a cute standalone manga with a happily ever after!

Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I honestly can’t remember the last time I picked up a manga, but when I saw this on the “Read Now” section on NetGalley, I decided to give it a shot. I’ve been feeling super overwhelmed lately, and the idea of something light and fun to read really appealed to me. (Plus, I’ve been avoiding requests because deadlines = anxiety for me right now.) This manga turned out to be exactly what I needed—a total breath of fresh air.

It’s funny, but it also digs a little deeper into pandemic life, working from home, and living alone. I related so much to Nokuro—his anxious personality and constant overthinking really hit home for me. Watching the romance slowly evolve was honestly so heartwarming. It wasn’t over-the-top or too fast; it just felt real and comforting.

Huge thanks to Kodansha Comics, Kintetsu Yamada, and NetGalley for this gem. It gave me a much-needed escape and reminded me why I should pick up manga more often! (less)

Home office romance was a cute story. I felt at times it was kind of choppy in the flow from one chapter to another but I liked the personality the artist was able to give the characters. The ending felt cut short and I expected the story to be more conclusive. I felt the art was very well done and I found myself laughing out loud at the MMC’s humor and formality.

Home Office Romance was exactly the kind of sweet and lighthearted manga I look for. I liked how Yamada took the COVID pandemic lockdown and showed ways that the extended time at home had some positive side effects, like helping Nokoru discover old and new passions. The romance between Nokoru and Natsu is delightfully sweet and awkward. I especially liked the way it was their shared existing interests that made them spend more time together. This was a delightful, quick read that I'd highly recommend for a quick mood-booster.

This manga made me laugh a few times. I like that it touches on the topic of the pandemic, what we experienced when we were isolated and also the bond that is formed between two completely different people.

A fun, romantic story worth reading.

Thank you Kodansha Comics for the ARC I read on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this e-book.

This book was exactly what I needed. It was a very cozy and adorable experience!

The manga takes place during the Covid-19 lockdown, but doesn't focus on it at all. We are thrown into Nokoru and Natsu's world, witnessing their little interactions starting as neighbors.

The book is very relatable and is told in a slice of life fashion.
The interactions are realistic and cute. Nokoru is nervous and awkward, making him quite endearing, while Natsu is more forward and sunshine-like. It was nice being in Nokoru's head when he was overthinking the simplest things hahaha

I appreciate it being a standalone, but I definitely finished it wanting to read more about the two!

3⭐️

Very cute close proximity manga inspired by the pandemic! The two characters get to know each other as they are neighbors and both of their lives get derailed by having to stay home more, but after getting to know one another, they spark a romance.

It was an easy and quick read and I related to the FMC alot because pandemic or not, my idea of a date is staying in, reading and playing video games 😂 I loved how relatable it was, even down to when the MMC was dressed formal above the waist and only pjs below when he was in his zoom meeting 😂

Thanks Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

This is such a cute and quick read and is drama free focusing on two people finding each other and reigniting their own passions for life. It just flowed perfectly even without something much going on.

Home Office Romance is a heartwarming tale of love and connection during the unpredictable pandemic.

The main characters, Natsuo & Nokoru feel real and grounded in reality. Their relationship has a slow but steady build up, giving the reader plenty of time to learn about them as individuals and as a couple. As we read the story from Nokoru's perspective, we also experience the fostering of their romance and queasiness of "are they flirting with me or just being kind?"

The pacing makes it an easy and enjoyable read, the romance is believable and sweet! I finished it in one sitting and enjoyed every minute of it!

Thank you netgalley and kodansha comics for for the opportunity to read this early copy!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the ARC!

This👏was👏incredible!!! So unbelievably wholesome and sweet in truly the sweetest way possible. I loved the communication and how the story developed over the course of the manga!!!This was just incredible all around and I desperately want to see more of these two!!!!

GET YOU A MAN WHO WOULD FLY ALL THE WAY TO PERU TO SEE YOU!!!!!!!

*Home Office Romance* is a refreshing, standalone contemporary romance manga that tells the heartfelt story of Nokoru, an overworked computer scientist, and Natsu, a graduate student in archaeology. Set during the pandemic, the two neighbors meet by chance on their balconies—Natsu airing her bedsheets and Nokoru enjoying a rare moment of fresh air. Their relationship blossoms through small, meaningful moments, gradually building into a beautifully crafted love story.

What sets this manga apart is the couple's mature and direct approach to their relationship, a rarity in Japanese romance stories. Their open communication feels authentic to reality, and the author does a stellar job relaying this sentiment in the book's few pages. This manga is an absolute 10/10, and I’m eagerly looking forward to exploring more works by the author!

🏢 Home Office Romance 🏢

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Finished: 11/14/24


It should be noted that I will read anything by Kintetsu Yamada! I loved their Sweat and Soap series and I'm very happy to read their newest work.

Nokoru was a fun MMC with his tired facial expressions and seeing him fall for his sweet next door neighbor. I loved seeing their relationship grow and Nokoru trying to keep their interactions going.

I like how the mangaka kept the story to only one volume due to covid reasons and not knowing how this pandemic would pan out. But I bet I would have loved Nokoru and Natsu as much as Asako and Kotaro.

A definite must read for the office worker romance readers and who wants a well done one shot!

Well, to be honest, I didn't have many expectations toward this stand-alone manga. But I was curious about how they incorporated pandemic life into the story.

Nokoru is an IT professional and a workaholic who commutes an hour to his office daily. When the pandemic hits, and the work-from-home policy kicks in, his life changes.

At first, Nokoru only used his room as a place to sleep and rest—nothing more. But working from home forces him to rethink his space. While adjusting to this new routine, he realizes something surprising: he has a neighbor.

Her name is Natsu, a cheerful doctoral student in archaeology. Natsu’s bubbly and curious personality makes her interested in everything, including Nokoru’s seemingly boring life. Long story short, they get to know each other, and a sweet relationship blossoms.

What I loved most about this manga is how adorable Nokoru and Natsu are together. I couldn’t get enough of how Natsu’s open, sunny personality complements Nokoru’s grumpiness—it creates the perfect dynamic. The best part? Nokoru is so considerate of Natsu’s schedule that he even does a survey to figure out the best time for their dates. How could you not fall for someone like that?

Overall, this short story is a delightful read—light, enjoyable, and heartwarming. I’d rate it a 4 out of 5, and I’m already wondering if there are other stories out there with a similar vibe.

This was such a comforting read for me! I enjoyed both characters so much and it just had very cozy vibes. I want to read more but it wrapped up so beautifully it would be selfish to ask for more!
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

This was a sweet story and fans of Manga will enjoy this story! There were so many relatable moments that reminded me of the loneliness and joys found when working from home ❤️

Looooove. This was such a sweet story about finding love with a neighbor during the pandemic. Topical, current, funny, and adorable. Highly recommend!

I would like to thank the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this eBook.

Home Office Romance by Kintetsu Yamada was the first standalone manga that I have read in a very long time. I was delightfully surprised by the whole premise. Yes, it begins during the pandemic lockdown, but the whole story is very... hopeful. The romance was drama-free, which I appreciated. Not all love stories have to be filled with miscommunications. There is strength in quieter/ more mature relationships. I would recommend this book to every manga/graphic novel reader out there.

Book Name: Home Office Romance
Author Name: Kintetsu Yamada
Myrating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Description:
Nokoru, a man who has been working brutal overtime, finally gets the chance to telework from home due to the pandemic lockdown. With the extra time saved from his commute, he discovers old passions and hobbies, including creating a lush garden on his apartment balcony. This brings him closer to his cute neighbor, Natsu, a graduate student in archaeology. As social distancing makes face-to-face interactions risky, Nokoru and Natsu navigate how to build a relationship in these strange times. The story is a cozy, funny, and heartwarming office romance that unfolds at home during an unusual time.

My Thoughts:
This manga is a delightful and refreshing read. It's funny, lighthearted, and perfect for fans of cozy romances. I loved how the story unfolded, with both characters growing closer despite the challenges of social distancing. The balance between humor, romance, and the unique circumstances made it a wonderful experience. I found the character development to be charming and felt the manga really captured the spirit of adapting to new situations.

I Recommend:
If you're a fan of heartwarming romances, quirky situations, and a bit of humor, I highly recommend Home Office Romance. It's the perfect escape into a light, feel-good story.

Thanks to @netgalley and publisher @kodansha_en for providing me with an ARC. Home Office Romance is available on Amazon, so go grab your copy today

Set during covid where two neighbors begin to work from home and bond over shared reading and food. Eventually falling in love and gaining new hobbies that their careers previously didn't allow them to. An interesting pandemic perspective that I really enjoyed in its manga format