4.5/5
Quality of writing: 4
Plot development: 5
Pace: 4
Characters: 4
Enjoyability: 5
Ease of reading: 5

I have not read a lot of mangas in my time as a reader and wanted to give something that is not about super strong teens, hungry titans or pirates a try.
Super cute and fast paced. Is it predictable? Yep. But who cares?! Not sure if I would have enjoyed this if it had been longer and stretched over multiple volumes.
I might need to pick us something else by this author.

Review copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first manga I have ever read, and I must say that I truly enjoyed it. The story presents a beautiful meet-cute romance between two neighbours who meet during the lockdown period. At times, I felt as though I were watching a Ghibli movie while reading this manga, as the author masterfully weaves small, charming details about life in Japan into the story. I also really appreciated the artwork, which perfectly complements the story and adds depth to the characters and their emotions.

I would highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy heartwarming stories with a touch of realism, and anyone curious about daily life in Japan. If you’re new to manga or looking for a light, feel-good read, this is an excellent place to start.

Sweat and Soap is one of my favorite series, so I was excited to give Home Office Romance, a one-volume pandemic romance, by the same mangaka a try.

I could’ve really enjoyed this if I’d gotten to spend more time with them or we’d left them as they were just starting to fall. I think that would’ve suited the length better. I could see their chemistry, but we get their relationship as snippets and then we rush at the end. Overall, it was an okay read.

Home Office Romance by Kintetsu Yamada is a heartwarming, slice-of-life manga that tells the story of two neighbors who find unexpected love during the pandemic lockdown. Nokoru, a burnt-out professional, finally gets a chance to telework from home, and it’s through this shift that he bonds with Natsu, his cute neighbor and an archaeology graduate student. As they share moments over their balconies, a gentle romance blossoms in a time when social distancing makes connection feel impossible.

The art style is a standout in this manga, with Yamada’s detailed and intimate illustrations bringing the characters’ quiet moments to life. The emotional depth conveyed through the visuals adds richness to the story, making it easy to get lost in the characters' journey. Nokoru’s transformation from a jaded, withdrawn adult into someone more open and emotionally available is subtle yet impactful, making his relationship with Natsu all the more rewarding.

This manga offers a beautifully written, low-stakes romance that is sweet and sincere, with just the right touch of humor. It’s a perfect standalone read for anyone looking for a cozy, character-driven story about finding connection in uncertain times. Whether you're a manga fan or simply looking for a feel-good romance, Home Office Romance is a delightful escape.

How cute. I don't think the art is on the beautiful side but it is pleasant. This is a sweet story about an overworked office worker that falls for his next door neighbor that is a grad student. Its about creating human connections in the pandemic in a very kind way that benefited both. They were both kind, thoughtful, and caring of each other. I loved the ending what woman doesn't want a man that will go out of his way to be with you and not prioritize only himself and his career. He never held her back and helped her grow. We get to see all their first as well, kiss, dinner, night over, etc. Its a one shot volume which is nice. Thank you for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion NetGalley.

PS every person ever's opinion is expressed in this about commuting that time we lose in sleep and time to ourselves going to and from the office is validated here.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Kintetsu Yamada for providing me with an ARC of Home Office Romance in exchange for my honest review.

Home Office Romance is a charming and heartwarming manga that beautifully captures the magic of finding love in unexpected places. Set during the lockdown, the story follows a geeky engineer who discovers romance right next door. The protagonist's relatable quirks and vulnerabilities make his journey feel authentic and deeply endearing.

What truly stands out in this manga is its art style. Kintetsu Yamada’s illustrations are both vibrant and intimate, perfectly complementing the tender moments shared between the characters. The emotional depth conveyed through the visuals enhances the storytelling, pulling readers into a cosy, slice-of-life narrative.

The romance itself is beautifully written, balancing sweet and sincere moments with a touch of humor. It’s a standalone story that leaves you with a warm and satisfying feeling, making it the perfect read for anyone who loves character-driven tales of connection and love.

Whether you're a fan of romance, manga, or just looking for a delightful escape, Home Office Romance delivers a poignant reminder of how love can blossom even in the most uncertain times.

This was such a surprisingly pleasant and introspective read from a mangaka I've never read from. Would highly recommend to litfic lovers who love the character study approach to romance. The MMC is a rare example of one that's wholesome and likeable. I look forward to reading more from this author.

The book was great, a bit slow at the beginning and a few page errors but that could be the fault of the ebook. As an archaeologist myself it was nice to be able to relate so fully with one of the characters. I would recommend it to everyone!

Cute and relatable story of two people stuck in their own lives making time for their neighbor. They ultimately fall in love in a lockdown.

4☆

In this rom-com manga we follow Nokoru (a software engineer) and Natsu (an archeology student), two neighbours who meet each other while working from home during lockdown.

This was such a cute, feel good story. Both characters were adorable and I enjoyed watching their relationship slowly grow into something really sweet. The characters felt relatable and the setting brought back a lot of memories of home-working during lockdown (some of the good parts of that). The art-style was great and worked well for the story, and I devoured the book in one sitting. I’d recommend this one if you’re looking for an adorable ‘meet cute’ manga that leaves you with that warm-fuzzy feeling after reading!

This was the first manga I've ever read, and it was great. The characters are so realistic and I loved how real the story felt, and also how positive it was in the midst of a lockdown. I found the thought process of the MMC funny and sweet, and I really enjoyed the spreadsheet-dating-timetabling scene. It felt so characteristic of the MMC and I loved how the FMC just ran with it! Really enjoyable and easy to read - I finished it in less than an hour.

This was such a cute romance story. It was ordinary and this is why I found it so cute, this is an everyday romance and I loved it so much. Thank you.

This was so cute!!!! Nerdy IT introvert guy meets his extrovert neighbor and go through falling in love during the covid 19 pandemic.

I was kicking my feet and giggling the whole time. Adorable slice of life romance standalone

Thank you Net Galley and Kodansha Comics for this copy.

A sweet, everyday romance. Nokoru and Natsu are two neighbours who get to know each other better when the pandemic forces them to work from home. Nokoru works as a programmer, and Natsu is an archaeologist, which was pretty fun. I liked that they were interested in each other's hobbies, traded books to read, and even found a connection.

Nokoru's balcony is really cool and I wish I had one.

I also liked that the positive aspects of home office appeared in this work. Without having to commute every day, Nokoru has more time for himself and more flexibility, which is something I also love about home office.

Nokoru is pretty introverted and awkward, while Natsu is more open and lively. I liked that Nokoru was a bit socially awkward and thinking about interactions formally (like making pie charts to compare their schedule). The ending and their mutual development was also really nice.

Overall, not something groundbreaking, but a cozy and sweet romance story.

this was so cute!! Such an adorable love story. I loved seeing the characters grow towards each other and open up. It was so nice seeing such a fluffy and happy couple/love story!! Happily doing things to help / compromising with the other

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
3.5 stars rounded up

Man, being thrown back to covid times was wild xD Glad to be out of those.

This was a really cute romance that used a very complex time to make two neighbors interact more. Nokoru was an interesting protagonist, seeming like a very jaded and withdrawn adult, which made his interactions with Natsu even sweeter. Got to see him slowly come out of his shell as well as understand him better while he was in the shell. Their romance was sweet to watch unfold. To top it all off, the art style was very pleasant :D

This was absolutely darling. I love the dynamic between Nokoru and Natsu, they left me giggling and kicking my feet, they are just so cute together. I love getting to see a new take on the pandemic and how it reminds us that it wasn’t all bad in lockdown, so many people, like Nokoru, picked up new hobbies, developed a better work-life balance, and made new friends. Overall, this was very refreshing and fun and I enjoyed it immensely.

This one was so adorable. Lovely stuff. It'll definitely be due for a re-read sometime this month or next month.

This was a really cute romance! This was a lovely palate cleanser that manages to write a story set during the pandemic without the focus being on fear or worry. I really enjoyed the pacing of this story and I always enjoy a standalone manga!

a cute slice of life standalone manga that ended up being a sweet, quick read. since this is not a series, the romance progresses pretty fast and there's not much that is special about it. still enjoyable enough, just wish it was longer.