This was super cute!! Not exactly what I was expecting, but adorable.

We love a direct woman character, 10/10. And they're so wholesome while also still looking and feeling like adults, which I adore.

My only complaint is that we don't get to see more of their travels and relationship. I think something like this would make a really cute, low stakes series.

This book felt a little bit real, since it portrayed the pandemic. I guess a lot of people might have felt the same way as the main character, you finally had time to breath a little and put your life in order. This was a nice slow paced story about how the main character met his wife. It felt short but it was a nice read.

It's a heartwarming story. Set in lockdown, this book gave a glimpse of what our lives were like in those days. When human connection seems dangerous. Nokoru discovering his hobbies felt relatable. The romance between Nokoru and Natsu built steadily. The pandemic situation adds tension.
 
I also appreciate how this book delves into the topic of toxic work culture, where everyone is participating in a rat race, always working, barely finding a time to spend with themselves. This gives the idea of why work-life balance is important. Why spending time with yourself is important.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really liked it, stuck with me & would recommend
Previous to this book, I've read manga, but have never really loved any of them, but this one really touched me. Although a fast read, the story was paced in a very slice of life cozy way, where the characters develop and fall in love in what I felt was a very real way. So much so, that I almost thought it was autobiographical. I was engaged and very much rooting for their success.

I loved the artwork, as it was a little bit toned down from the large exaggerated emotions of other manga. The line work was clean and pleasing.

Thank you to Kodansha Comics, NetGalley, and author Kintetsu Yamada, for providing me with a digital ARC copy of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review. Home Office Romance is out November 12, 2024.

I absolutely loved this book! This was a quick read for me. I found the storyline and the characters so enjoyable.

SOOOOO lovely, this was such a cute read, it had me crying from joy at the end!!! The art is so pretty, the story is so well rounded and cute, rooting for these two forever hehe!

Cozy, slice of life story with a dash of lockdown nostalgia.

It’s always nice to see a manga for grown ups about grown ups. As much as I understand that the younger cast gives the author more freedom (far less daily responsibilities to account for while the characters battle whatever plot throws their way), I’m a bit tired of the highschool setting, so this felt really nice.

The story is slow and the stakes are very low but that’s the charm of this manga. The overall vibe is well supported by the simple yet very competent art style.

I wouldn’t mind a few extra plot twists here and there, but I still appreciate this story for what it is, just a very relaxing read.

A cute and humorous fast read with a wholesome and peaceful vibe, even though it’s set during the pandemic.

Gotta love a wife-guy.

Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗
Spice: 🔥

This was a light rom-com that gives me vibes of Wotaku ni Koi wa Muzukashii, while also making me think of Shingeki no Kyojin (if you're a fan of the Levi x Hange couple, you might enjoy this).

The characters interactions are hilarious, which is great to pass the time, while also giving us depth and character growth.

I enjoyed every minute of it.

~ARC Reader~

Thanks to NetGalley for the copy of this ARC!

This was an adorable little love story. The characters were dynamic and interesting, and the modern setting against the COVID and post-pandemic backdrop was engaging. Definitely a kick your feet and squeal kind of cute. Also love a one-shot manga where I don't have to agonizing over what's going to happen next. While this has an open ending for interpretation on where their lives go from the end of the story, it still feels completed. Highly recommend for a light-hearted love story.

**Home Office Romance – A Heartfelt and Realistic Love Story**

*Home Office Romance* by Kintetsu Yamada is a beautifully crafted manga that truly stands out for its realistic storytelling. The art is exceptional, capturing the emotions of the characters with subtlety and depth. What really struck me, though, was how genuine the story felt.

The ups and downs of navigating feelings, the ache of missing someone, and the moments of vulnerability were portrayed with incredible authenticity. I especially loved that the narrative unfolded from his point of view, offering a refreshing perspective on love and connection.

This manga does a fantastic job of blending heartfelt moments with the complexities of relationships, making it both relatable and deeply engaging. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a romance story that feels grounded and sincere.

This was a really good graphic. It was really neat to see two totally different people sharing the same space, but on opposite sides of the wall. It was interesting to see how these two were able to connect and find that they were so much alike even though they seemed so different. I would love to read a sequel to this story to see how they deal with marriage and family.

Home Office Romance by Kintetsu Yamada is a quiet, heartfelt reminder that even in the strangest, most isolating of times, connection finds a way to bloom—sometimes quite literally. Set against the backdrop of the pandemic lockdown, this story is part romantic comedy, part introspective slice-of-life, and wholly charming. It’s a love story born not from grand gestures but from small, everyday kindnesses—growing like Nokoru’s balcony garden.

Nokoru is instantly relatable. Burned out by a demanding job, he’s practically running on fumes when remote work becomes the new normal. The sudden lack of a daily commute feels like an emotional reset for him. Yamada’s portrayal of this shift—from overworked cog in the machine to someone who slowly begins to breathe again—is beautifully authentic. You can almost feel the tension ease from his shoulders as he spends more time cultivating his garden and rediscovering things he enjoys outside of work.

Enter Natsu, his adorable neighbor, who’s the perfect foil to Nokoru’s introverted, work-weary existence. Natsu is bubbly, a bit awkward, and deeply passionate about his archeology studies. Their relationship unfolds with all the tenderness of watching vines intertwine. Because of social distancing, their romance builds through chance balcony conversations, small notes, and shared cups of coffee at a distance. It’s sweet without being saccharine, and it captures the cautious but meaningful ways people navigated connection during a time of isolation.

What makes this story shine is its grounding in reality. Yamada doesn’t gloss over the challenges of the pandemic—it’s there in the anxiety, the isolation, and the deep need for human connection. But rather than being bleak, it’s hopeful. Nokoru and Natsu’s romance grows slowly, nurtured by quiet moments rather than grand gestures. There’s a gentle intimacy to it that feels real and earned.

The garden is also a lovely metaphor woven throughout the narrative. Nokoru’s care for his balcony blooms mirrors the way he starts to care for himself and his budding relationship with Natsu. It’s not just about pretty flowers—it’s about resilience, growth, and the quiet satisfaction of nurturing something into life.

If there’s a small critique, it’s that the story’s slower pace might not be for everyone. Some readers may find the stakes too low or the plot too meandering, especially if they prefer fast-moving romances with lots of external drama. But for those who appreciate a reflective, soft-burn love story with real emotional depth, this book hits all the right notes.

At 4 stars, Home Office Romance is a tender, pandemic-era love story that reminds us that even in the most isolating of times, connection can blossom in unexpected ways. With its endearing characters, calming atmosphere, and quiet but powerful message about self-care and human connection, this is the kind of book that feels like a warm, comforting cup of tea on a rainy afternoon. And after reading, you might just feel inspired to grow a garden—or at least smile at your neighbor a little more.

I had already read the previous story of the mangaka, sweet and soap. And I love the style of the drawings, a very cute slice of life, we see how hard the life of an employee is but that everything can change if you look out the window and meet your neighbor.

A short, cosy look into the life of an introverted, burnt-out software engineer and an archaeology grad student coping with remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic. My favourite thing about this manga was how fully fleshed-out Nokoru's character was. The art is gorgeous, one of the best I've seen in a while. The subtle nods towards curation were a pleasant yet much-needed surprise. If this was a longer story, I would've loved to see this concept explored further with Nokoru customising his space. The pacing, though, was a bit rushed at times- a flaw directly attached to some of Natsu's seemingly unrealistic gestures. The ending was too sudden and took me out of the story.

I am still deeply impressed by the thoughtful and artistic elements of the story and looking forward to reading more such stories from the author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a proof in exchange for an honest review.

It was fascinating to read a manga set during the COVID-19 pandemic—a rare backdrop for storytelling. I also appreciated that this was a romance featuring adult protagonists and told from the perspective of a male lead. It’s refreshing to see publishers releasing more titles focused on diverse adult experiences.
The premise was sweet: two neighbors falling in love while navigating the challenges of working from home. The story had a lot of charm and potential, but I found myself wishing it was longer. A bit more time to develop the characters and their relationship.

The pacing felt a little rushed, especially toward the end, and there was one particular aspect of the conclusion that didn’t fully work for me. Despite these shortcomings, Home Office Romance remains an enjoyable one-shot with a unique and timely premise.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this copy.

This was unexpectedly adorable. I ate it up. Nokoru is stuck at home during the pandemic and he has decided to cultivate his space. He meets his next door neighbor on the balcony of their apartments, and slowly their relationship blossoms. He's very monotone, very unemotional, very grumpy. Until Natsu cracks his prickly exterior wide open. This is so soft and tender and everyday and it develops into love that traverses continents. I wanted even more stories of their adventures. What a delight for my hopeless romantic self. The illustrations were fun and moved the story along.

A very fitting premise considering many were or still work mostly from home. No longer the "height of pandemic" times, but an enjoyable read post-pandemic.

Yamada-sensei did a good job with balancing the personality dichotomy of Nokoru and Natsu. I like the fact their personalities are not on the extreme sides of "opposites attract." I like that dynamic, but it's equally as refreshing to see more tempered, grounded personalities like these two. Natsu is clearly a bit more uplifting than Nokoru and yet I can see how both of them are able to harmonize together and be compatible enough as the endgame.

Very wholesome with a pretty art style.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this advanced copy. Good one-shot manga to have read.

This had no business being so cute ☺️ I've been thinking about them everyday honestly, this was so wholesome ugh

I enjoyed every single page of this book! I don't usually read romance, but this one had me giggling and kicking my feet. The two characters have amazing chemistry and even though their lives are confined to just their rooms, their personalities really shine through. This book is not only very cosy, romantic and masterfully paced, it's also incredibly funny! I had to stop multiple times to laugh and enjoy a particular one-liner or a panel. Truly heart-warming, I will most definitely buy a physical copy.