Sweat & Soap is one of my favorite manga romances. Across its volumes, it plays out a remarkably healthy love story that takes all of the various factors of two people making a life together and examines them in a shocking adult fashion – meaning that the characters are adults who act like grown-ups, not high schoolers. That made me very excited to pick up Home Office Romance, a single-volume story from the same creator, and while I didn't love it quite as much, it certainly still makes for good reading.

Set during the pandemic (which, I realize, may make some readers avoid the book altogether), the claustrophobic feel of the story makes a lot of sense. With only two real characters, the narrative focuses on the way that the onset of the pandemic and remote work affected social interaction, as well as the way that we relate to the world in general. For Nokoru, being told to work from home made him realize how unhealthy his work/life balance was. Having a seventy-five-minute commute felt fine when he took the job, but the pandemic forced him to see that it just wasn't sustainable and that he was much healthier (physically and mentally) working on his own time, from his own space. Speaking as someone who discovered much the same thing, there's an understated realness about Nokoru's revelation – it's not an epiphany, but a quiet “aha” moment. When he finally has time to unpack his apartment, he's reminded of all the things he used to enjoy doing, which helps him reclaim his sense of self. Again, it's not a loud realization, just a quiet reclamation, which is both in line with his character and very familiar.

It also, of course, allows him to meet Natsu, his next-door neighbor. Natsu didn't even realize she had a neighbor, which again tells us a lot about Nokoru's life, and her gregarious nature at first makes Nokoru uncomfortable. But when she quickly recognizes that his balcony garden is modeled after Angkor Wat, the two hit it off. Before too long they're negotiating a budding romance amid social distancing, although it's worth mentioning that we don't see a lot of it. Since my state completely shut down during the pandemic, it was surprising to me to see them go out to eat or that they could fly somewhere towards the end of the book, but the small cast does the job of conveying “pandemic romance” just fine. It's a more condensed story than Sweat & Soap, but that's to be expected, and my only real complaint is that I never felt like I got to know Natsu. It's still worth reading, though – this is one manga creator who knows how to write a grounded love story.

"Ridiculous as it might seem, this was how my wife and I first met." —p 11

Home Office Romance - Kintetsu Yamada
★★★★★

Thank you Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for the copy in exchange for an honest review!

My first though about this manga is that the ML looks exactly like Levi from AOT even 'deadlier' than he did. I love how it portrays so many topics in a single volume of manga: serious pandemic (as we all experienced in Covid-19 outbreaks), working from home situation, burn out from working and thesis, and ofc the adult romance in the perspective of introvert with a precise and well-done execution.

Personally i love the idea of neighboring situation between Nokoru and Izumi! Especially with that small space customized to their personal preference and it shows how their character is like just looking from their room arrangement and all. It's so tiny and packed like a personal nook, if i took Nokoru words.

The pacing was great, the characters' connection is awesome, the little sparks and awkwardness. I just love everything about it! It's a shame that it has finished, i'll definitely going for a reread in no time!

Super sweet, super fun, and such a swoony romance! A delight for romance manga lovers everywhere. Well paced and full of emotion.

Home Office Romance is a feel good on volume romance. It was nice to read something that while highly informed and contained around the pandemic.I enjoyed the awkward aspects of both characters, making them human and relatable. The story gave me a warm feeling as these two learn about each other, their likes, and all the little gifts they share with each other.

love during lockdown!

home office romance exploring the “new normal” of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nokoru is a logically-minded computer programmer acclimating to working from home during the pandemic. Organizing his home office reminds him of favorite hobbies, like his love of a certain fantasy manga. It also gives him occasion to meet Natsu, his next-door neighbor. The two initially only talk on their balconies, but soon Nokoru develops something of a friendship with the archaeology grad student. as they trade books and share snacks, a sort of relationship begins to grow between the two. But the world is unpredictable. Travel (when available) is sketchy at best, and someone going silent for prolonged periods is scary when there’s a virus spreading across the world. together throughout this story, Nokoru and Natsu navigate work-from-home life, love, and their (for now).

i loved it so much it was cozy and relatable. 4 stars.

Home Office Romance is a surprisingly wholesome and thoughtful look at two people who find love during the COVID pandemic years. Nokuro has started working from home as a software developer during the pandemic in Japan. Faced with a frankly depressing lack of life in his apartment, he decides to finally get around to decorating the place. While doing so, he also turns his balcony into an ancient site. This draws the attention of his neighbor Natsu, a grad student studying archaeology. The two navigate a budding friendship and romantic relationship despite the chaos of the outside world.

To be honest, I've always been uninterested in reading the author's other known work Sweat and Soap, so I was a bit hesitant about this standalone volume. I'm glad I took a chance on it. Nokuro is extremely relatable and his dry humor is entertaining to watch as Natsu's unassuming demeanor trips him up. The relationship element seems a bit fast, but really believable. I also like that the manga kind of feels like it has the fuller narrative of a novel. The author really does a lot with the space they have. I'm gonna pick this one up for my own collection when it comes out.

I absolutely loved this story! From the very first page, I was hooked, and I found myself completely immersed in this charming, relatable story.

As someone who works from home, this book felt like a breath of fresh air. The way it captures the challenges and perks of remote work, mixed with the romance and personal growth of the main characters, really struck a chord with me. Whether it’s the struggle to maintain focus with all the distractions, the awkwardness of video calls, or the joy of getting to work in your pajamas, every detail felt so true to life. The author really nailed the balance between humor and heart, making it not just a sweet romance, but also a heartfelt reflection on the realities of working from home.

The chemistry between the leads is undeniable, and watching their relationship evolve—both personally and professionally—was so rewarding. I found myself rooting for them every step of the way. Their connection felt genuine and organic, and I loved how their growing bond mirrors the ups and downs of remote work: the quiet moments of reflection, the challenges of isolation, and the eventual breakthroughs.

Overall, Home Office Romance is a cozy, feel-good read that made me laugh, sigh, and think about how far we’ve come in adapting to this new era of work. Whether you’re a remote work veteran or just getting started, this book will resonate with you on so many levels. It’s a perfect mix of relatable moments, humor, and of course, romance. I couldn’t put it down!

4.5 stars

Okay this was surprisingly cute. I liked that we got time to know the characters before a relationship formed. It didn't feel insta-lovey despite it being a one-shot.

тιтℓє: Home Office Romance
αυтнσя(ѕ): Kintetsu Yamada
ѕσυя¢є: NetGalley
яєℓєαѕє ∂αтє: November 12, 2024
яαтιηg: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

му тнσυgнтѕ:
Adorable.
A standalone love story of neighbors, Nokoru and Natsu, and the sweet romance that blossomed over a lush garden and wall.

Oh my gosh, I’m in LOVE.
Nokoru is the most isolated, neurotic, sweetest man ever.
Natsu was outgoing and direct and EXACTLY the type of woman Nokoru needed to come out of his shell.

Over the course of months spending time together and eating together and reading together, these two fall in love and it’s absolutely PERFECT.
I stg, I’m over here just swaying in happiness after finishing this one.
I loved the artistry and the storytelling and I can’t wait to read more from this author!

𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠. 𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙤𝙬𝙣. 𝙌𝙪𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙮 𝙗𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙗𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙤𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙡 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣.

This was a great read! Despite being set during Covid, it had sweet scenes and likable characters. The art was really lovely too

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this advanced copy!

I was a little hesitant about reading something set during the heaviest period of COVID, but this was such a sweet read! With how my year has been lately, I've found that the only books I can get through lately are graphic novels and manga, so this was a great pick. The artwork, character interactions were some of my favorite things about this and the ending was just great. I'm looking forward to buying this when it comes out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for this Arc. This did not influence my review.

This was very very cute! This manga follows the Covid lockdowns in a Japanese apartment building and the romance between two neighbors. We have the stoic Nokoru and the quirky archeology student Natsu. They bond over Nokoru’s garden that's inspired by ancient civilization and slowly the love blossoms.

Basically a slice of life short story that shows the mundane life of the Covid era. Extremely cute but surprisingly not slow paced. Not much to say other than a solid short and sweet romance!

Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the arc in exchange for an honest review! ✨

The story follows Nokuro and Natsu. Nokuro has been putting in lots of extra hours in his demanding job, and the pandemic lockdown gives him a chance to slow down, sort out his home set up and work from home. He rediscovers old passions and finds new hobbies, including a new balcony garden.

This garden attracts the attention of his neighbour, Natsu, an archaeology grad student, and the two strike up an unlikely friendship. Spending more time together as the lockdown rules ease, they share hobbies and interests with one another, and begin to grow quite attached.

This was such a sweet read! I'm more interested to try Sweat and Soap after this!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the Arc, in exchange for my honest opinions.

Sweet, adorable and heartwarming!!!

When I saw that this was by the same mangaka as Sweat and Soap, and was available to request on NetGalley, I immediately knew that I had to read it!! It's been a few years since I read Sweat and Soap, and it's one of my fav mangas of all time. And this didn't disappoint as well.

This one's set during the covid and we follow Nokoru, a software engineer who now has to get all his work done from his house, and it seems like a blessing to his introverted nature. He meets his neighbour, the extroverted Natsu, a graduate student in archaeology, and they slowly become more than acquaintances.

I loved this so much, and it's an added bonus that the story gets resolved within a single volume, but it did leave me wanting for more cuz it's that good😮‍💨 The way they share similar interests and get closer to one another through that was so sweet to witness!!! Definitely a good neighbours to lovers romance, and I highly recommend you guys check it out!

P.s. Would love to have a reading nook like Natsu's and a balcony garden like Nokoru's!!!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

This is a very cute manga about a pandemic romance. The two main characters are neighbors and very different personalities. I loved the internal dialog expressed and the development of this somewhat unlikely couple. Being neighbors really does make it easier to communicate regularly!

I think relationship communication is a huge theme for the story, besides the romance development. You see the main character struggle when there’s no communication and the internal tension when he isn’t sure where she is. He’s very vulnerable as he expresses is feelings to the reader. I liked it all around!

A great quick read. I love one volume stories and this was a light and enjoyable romance with a satisfying ending.

Was this the pick-me-up I needed today? A resounding HECK YES!

This super cute one-shot, romance manga is about two adults who have to work from home during the start of quarantine. They are next door neighbors in the same apartment building and slowly form a friendship that becomes something more by the end of the manga.

The romance in this story was very sweet and not too spicy, which I very much enjoy. The characters themselves were pleasantly fleshed out for a one-shot and I enjoyed both of them individually. I also enjoyed how their personalities meshed as the story went on. This is a definite buy for my collection when it comes out!

Give me more! This was so cute and wholesome. I love, love Nokoru. Not only is he relatable, he’s also such an intriguing character. The Covid lockdown has hit him hard and his only escape from his nightmarish routine of work, work… and more work… is his little garden. That’s where he meets Natsu—his bright neighbour to whom he’s never spoken. Suddenly, he can’t stop thinking about her, but what is an awkward and shy guy to do? The story is a bit slow, but I think the pacing is perfect for the limited pages we get.

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

Maybe because I was expecting the giddiness I felt while reading Sweat and Soap that made this a disappointment for me. I found the characters to be bland and they didn’t have chemistry or any reason to be together. I liked the realness of the pandemic being shown, but not much else.