You Were Experienced, I Was Not: Our Dating Story Vol. 1 Review

Tags: Comedy, Romance, Drama, Slice of Life, School Life

Sub-Tags: Gyaru, Cute, Heartwarming

Cover Illustration for Volume 1

Synopsis:

Kashima Ryuto is a gloomy high-schooler who quietly spends his days watching his crush, the beautiful Shirakawa Runa, from afar. She rules the school and has had no shortage of boyfriends. Although Ryuto is fully convinced she’d never accept him, fate leads him to confess his feelings to her anyway. To his astonishment, she accepts—simply because she’s “available” at the time—but the surprises don’t end there. She immediately invites him over as if it’s the most natural thing in the world! This odd couple is different in just about every way—the friends they keep, their hobbies, their love lives—but with every passing day, they grow a little bit closer. This may not be Runa’s first relationship, but their dating story is going to be full of firsts for them both! (Source: J-Novel Club)

A Relationship of Differences!

The Gloomy High-Schooler and the Gyaru

The second of JNC’s newest licenses with an anime currently airing, Makiko Nagoaoka’s fluffy rom-com series, Our Dating Story, makes for the focus of my latest review.

Not what most would consider a conventional paring, the story of Our Dating Story follows the blossoming relationship between the gloomy high-schooler, Ryuto, and his new girlfriend, the shining Gyaru, Runa. Whilst Runa only originally accepts his confession because she’s available, Ryuto is determined to make their romance a reality and make Runa’s ideals of love come true. What follows is a series full of firsts that’ll turn their love-fantasy into a love-reality. 

Deciding on the cute and fluffy approach to the rom-com genre, this series sets itself apart almost immediately by making its female lead experienced. Not getting a large showing in this genre style, this series manages to get away with an experienced lead by suggesting that Runa’s exes have only ever been after one thing and that she’s never truly experienced the other joys of dating.

Determined to have true love blossom between them then, Ryuto’s approach sees him take the slow and steady route.

Throughout the first volume, Ryuto shows Runa that he views her as an individual rather than the Runa cultivated by rumours or her ex-boyfriends. He showcases this by taking Runa on dates and other activities with her favourite hobbies as a focal point, showcasing that he constantly wants to learn more about the real her.

Ryuto’s forward-thinking action plan clearly has an effect. From shopping dates to boba tea sampling, Runa quickly notices the difference between Ryuto and her past relationships. Ryuto’s efforts to make her happy are always something that she brings up in his favour, either to herself, her friends or her classmates. It also shows that Ryuto is willing to move beyond being passive, an aspect that does tend to hamper the genre.

Rumours and Relationships

Whilst this series may focus more on the fluff side of things, there’s still intrigue to be found in its human drama. For the most part, this drama focuses on Runa’s past – how she deals with relationships and how her peers perceive her suspected promiscuous nature.

The author’s focus on how Runa deals with a new relationship is a strength of the series. Having been tricked by men she’s loved in the past, every so often, her insecurities play out in her time with Ryuto. Both jealousy and possessiveness come out from time to time, usually reassured by a quick-thinking Ryuto.

Drama about Runa’s past and her peers occurs during the plot climax of the novel. Concerning rumours spread by a newcomer in class, what should’ve seen an end to their relationship is turned on its head thanks to Ryuto’s growing confidence. It promises great things ahead for the two of them, given that they’re both willing to fight for their relationship.

In conclusion, Our Dating Story’s premier volume makes for a great taster of what’s to come in the series as a whole.

A blend of cute, fluffy moments alongside interesting moments of human drama, the series is at its best when focusing on the protagonists. From how the story highlights Runa’s insecurities in contrast with her outward personality to Ryuto’s focus on Runa as an individual, there’s plenty for any rom-com enjoyer to like in this series.

Our Dating Story Vol. 1

My Rating: 8/10

If you like what you read and what I do, why not consider supporting me through Ko-Fi. Any donation helps keep this site up and keep me writing.

You can read the first volume of this series digitally on the J-Novel Club website.

An Introvert’s Hookup Hiccups Vol. 4 Review

Tags: Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life, School Life

Sub-Tags: Misunderstandings, Gyaru, Introverts, Cute, Heartwarming

Cover Illustration for Volume 4

Synopsis:

Yoshin and Nanami are about to mark their one-month anniversary of dating: the day they are due to break up. As the end of their relationship nears, they plan their final dates—to the amusement park and the zoo! Yoshin prepares to tell Nanami how he truly feels about her, and Nanami gears up to tell him that her confession was actually based on a dare. As their intentions become crossed, their final dates begin, and the moment of truth soon arrives. With the fateful day upon them, the love that the two have been nurturing will finally be put to the test. What will be their final decision? (Source: J-Novel Club)

An Anniversary of Looming Reveals!

The Last Two Dates

Yoshin and Nanami have thoroughly enjoyed the last three weeks together. From sleepovers to hot springs adventures, the two have come ever closer to each other and slowly discovered what it means to fall in love. Unfortunately, those carefree times together had to come to an end at some point, as the fourth volume finds the lovebirds resting upon the realisation that their upcoming anniversary means they’ll have to reveal their shocking confessions.

In light of these looming confessions, the two resolve to make their potential last week together a good one – organising a special double date bonanza. After much thought, the two dates they decide on are true classics, starting at a theme park and then having their last date at the zoo.

Regardless of confession anxiety, Yoshin and Nanami have a great time at both locations. Expect to see the series’ signature sugary-sweet style out in full force, only this time, the couple seem bolder than usual. Perhaps down to the thinking that they might have only a few opportunities left to show their love, the romantic novices take strides in their confidence, even allowing Yoshin to initiate a few smooches.

Truth, Dares and Love

Having done everything they can to secure a positive result, the climax of the volume finally deals with the dare issue.

Given the sufficient gravitas expected of an issue built up over four volumes, it starts with both parties obviously shocked at the fact that they’ve both been keeping secrets around the dare. What follows is a series of apologies that turn into declarations that eventually turn into a series of passionate kisses.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Yoshin and Nanami are still together after revealing the truth. If anything, revealing the truth to each other has made their relationship stronger. With their deceit out of the way, they’re finally able to enjoy their relationship with no strings attached.

To conclude, the fourth instalment of the Hookup Hiccups saga makes for a wonderful continuance to the series.

Portraying the final week before their respective confessions, the author expertly mixes the series’ usual sugary-sweet tone with two protagonists who have grown bolder due to a potential end to their relationship. The result: strides in confidence and progress.

Furthermore, this volume deals with the constant elephant in the room – the dare. Dealt with thoroughly and maturely, both Nanami and Yoshin come out of the experience stronger.

As the story comes to a close on the fake confession arc, it feels as though a weight has been lifted on the series. Now, unencumbered by deceit, the story can move forward to new and exciting storylines for the couple.

An Introvert’s Hookup Hiccups Vol. 4

My Rating: 9/10

If you like what you read and what I do, why not consider supporting me through Ko-Fi. Any donation helps keep this site up and keep me writing.

You can read the fourth volume of this series digitally on the J-Novel Club website.

There’s No Way a Side Character Like Me Could Be Popular, Right!? Vol. 4 Review

Tags: Comedy, Romance, Drama, Harem, Slice of Life, School Life

Sub-Tags: Introverts, Misunderstandings, Fake Lovers, Gyaru

Cover Illustration for Volume 4

Synopsis:

After the events that unfold with Makiri-sensei, my summer vacations aren’t over just yet. Normally I’d stay in my own home enjoying the AC, like I usually do every other year. However, this year, I find myself accompanying Ike Haruma, the protagonist of my story, as his loyal sidekick on a trip to the beach. Funnily enough, we end up stumbling our paths with Touka, Kana, and Tatsumiya over there. It all feels like the ideal summer experience, but do I really have the right to enjoy something like this? I’m just a side character, after all.

As the summer draws to a close, time passes swiftly, and the relationship between me and the other girls changes slowly but surely. (Source: Tentai Books)

A Side Character and Summer Vacation!

Beach Trips and Movie Dates

Patching things up with his father and earning Makiri-sensei’s affection along the way, the fourth instalment of this side-character rom-com sees Yuuji enjoy time on summer vacation.

The fourth tale in the series has less of a running narrative than in previous volumes. It finds Yuuji splitting his last two weeks off from school between dates with the three heroines and spending quality time with the boys.

Whether it be going on a movie date with Kana, picking out Yukatas with Touka, or going on a surprise camping trip with Makiri-sensei, the author’s goal with this volume is clear – make romantic progress. The more episodic nature of this volume happens to be a boon in achieving this goal.

Without the need to solve one of the main heroine’s dilemmas, the story becomes more relaxed and settled. This, in turn, allows for more time to be spent with each of the heroines, inching progress with all three in preparation for the all-important next stage in the rom-com cycle.

As the volume ends on a three-way festival date, it is very likely in the near future that Yuuji’ll be looking at several confessions!

Progress Beyond Romance

Romantic progression isn’t all that’s on offer in this volume. Due to Yuuji’s reputation, it wasn’t just a potential girlfriend that he was scaring off, but friends and a proper relationship with his father as well. The latest volume in the series shows just how far he’s come to mitigate this problem.

In previous volumes, the relationship between Yuuji and his father can best be described as non-existent. Whilst the third volume went some way in fixing their relationship, the fruit of their labour comes to fruition here as they go on a father-son bonding trip. Fraught with misunderstandings, at least there’s some palpable healing taking place.

Progress can also be seen on the friend front. Spending most of his last summer vacation alone, he’ll have no such luck this year as the new group of friends he’s made are more than willing to spend quality time together.

Overall, Side Character’s latest outing proves that the series can still work even without the central narrative of introducing the three main heroines. Progress can be felt throughout the volume with each of the romance-able cast, but more importantly with the supporting character as well. The highlight of the volume comes as Yuuji and his father attempt to heal their relationship and come to an understanding with one another.

Side Character Vol. 4

My Rating: 8/10

I hope you enjoyed my review and would love to see what you thought of the volume in the comments! If you like what I do and want to see more, consider supporting me by buying me a coffee on Ko-Fi.

You can read the fourth volume of this series digitally through the Tentai Books website or through a list of their distributors.

An Introvert’s Hookup Hiccups Vol. 3 Review

Tags: Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life, School Life

Sub-Tags: Misunderstandings, Gyaru, Introverts, Cute, Heartwarming

Cover Illustration for Volume 3

Synopsis:

Lovestruck introvert Yoshin Misumai and shy gyaru Nanami Baruto are steadily growing closer, so where better to go on their next date than a steamy hot spring? Things heat up as they continue to learn more about each other (not to mention see each other in traditional Japanese clothing)! But even as their lovey-dovey antics escalate, only two weeks remain until their inevitable breakup. What more turmoil could possibly lie ahead? The couple had better buckle their seatbelts and strap down their hearts, because they’re in for a sugar-sweet ride! (Source: J-Novel Club)

Impromptu Trips and Troubles with Names!

The First Trip

Hookup Hiccups’ latest volume sees Nanami and Yoshin start their third week of dating, both fully aware that the fateful anniversary day is fast approaching. There’s little time to ruminate, however, as the story begins with the couple surprised by a trip away to a hot spring.

A gift from Yoshin’s parents, the trip has both sides of the family travel and stay together in the hot springs. For romcom’s sweetest couple, the trip away provides ample opportunity for more of the series’ signature sickly sweet flirting as the two inevitably grow closer by bonding with each other.

Meanwhile, the parents are also using this trip to their full advantage. Getting along famously, it’s as if Nanami and Yoshin have been married for years, and the parental groups have been doing these events forever.

Game Friends

Having gotten even closer to each other over the trip, the third volume signals several moments of bravery from Yoshin. Unlike some of the previous volumes, the third has a heavier focus on Yoshin, his attempts at getting closer to Nanami and ridding himself of trauma. The first of these brave new steps see Yoshin introduce Nanami to his gaming friends.

Yoshin’s gaming friends have been instrumental, not only in ensuring Yoshin makes the right moves when it comes to romance but as an important social outlet for him when things got difficult at school. Thus, Yoshin introducing these friends to Nanami makes for an extremely pressing development in their relationship.

The introduction between the two groups is wonderfully wholesome. Most of Yoshin’s friends are excitable but kind, but more importantly, the interaction gives Peach a chance to apologise. The two become good friends as a result.

Say My Name, Say My Name

Finally, the third volume in the series attempts to deal with Yoshin’s long-lasting trauma, a trauma that has left in unable to make the last step in calling Nanami by her first name.

Being unable to say Nanami’s name properly causes the first major rift between the couple. As a result, Yoshin has to come to terms with his past and move forward, a gesture he makes in the most embarrassing of ways when he proclaims his feelings to a whole bunch of classmates.

Overall, Hookup Hiccups’ third volume continues with the series’ signature fluffy rom-com atmosphere. This latest volume makes leaps and bounds in its romantic development, especially from an emotional perspective. Yoshin really opens up to Nanami in this volume, showing her sides of himself he’d never show anyone else, leading to great moments of vulnerability. Mixing fluffy moments alongside graspable development holds great things for the series’ future.

An Introvert’s Hookup Hiccups Vol. 3

My Rating: 9/10

I hope you enjoyed my review and would love to see what you thought of the volume in the comments! If you like what I do and want to see more, consider supporting me by buying me a coffee on Ko-Fi.

You can read the third volume of this series digitally on the J-Novel Club website.

An Introvert’s Hookup Hiccups Vol. 2 Review

Tags: Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life, School Life

Sub-Tags: Misunderstandings, Gyaru, Introverts, Cute, Heartwarming

Cover Illustration for Volume 2

Synopsis:

Yoshin Misumai, the perennial introvert, is now dating one of the most beautiful girls in school—Nanami Barato, the clean-cut gyaru who confessed to him on a dare. With a surprise stamp of approval from Nanami’s parents, the two are on their way to super flirty, ooey-gooey romance. But in the midst of a boba date and an accidental kiss, the two run into Yoshin’s parents, and Nanami learns that he’ll be home alone while his mom and dad are out. It’s time to amp up the mood with late-night meals and an impromptu sleepover. This introvert had better prepare himself because things are getting cushy—fast! (Source: J-Novel Club)

A Couple’s Ooey-Gooey Second Week!

Featuring 100% ooey-gooey goodness, the latest review on my list ensures my return to the fluffy romantic hijinks of Yoshin and Nanami as they enter their second week of dating.

Things are Heating Up

The series’ second outing continues to build upon the sugary sweetness of the first. The volume is practically bursting with cute moments as the relationship between the two is stronger than ever – it makes you think how the author manages to constantly up their game on the different scenarios.

Starting proceedings, the series sees a bit of a plot reversal, as Nanami is the one to face the “meet the parents” moment. True to form for this series, it changes up the potential for heavy drama, choosing instead to have Yoshin’s parents accept her as his girlfriend in a hilariously easy fashion. Yoshin, however, doesn’t get away quite so easily. It seems having a girl over when the parents are away is a cause for serious consequences!

As a result of their chat, Nanami and Yoshin are afforded yet another opportunity to get close and cosy. Nanami will be teaching Yoshin how to cook, meaning it won’t just be Yoshin eating good but the reader as well. One needn’t go into detail on just how much flirting the two get up to.

The Bold and the Brave

This volume also sees the couple attempting to develop their relationship further in several ways. Each of them, throughout the volume, has their own personal task to complete to achieve this development. For Yoshin, this requires the bold step of saying ‘I love you,’ whilst Nanami challenges herself to have her first kiss.

The latter challenge culminates in their second date at an aquarium. They have a wonderful time watching fish and playing parents. A lap pillow later, and the kiss is sealed.

Perhaps more importantly, the latter half of the novel provides some interesting information by way of a girls’ chat side story. It seems there was more than meets the eye regarding Hatsumi and Ayumi’s dare. To make the confession as safe as possible, the two girls put in a lot of research to find the perfect boyfriend candidate and made sure to be on standby should anything go wrong. It gives good clarification on the type of friendship the three have.

Hookup Hiccups continues to be a beacon for all things cute and fluffy. The second volume continues the reasonable pace of the first, the relationship between the main characters is developing nicely, and the author has spent some much-needed time developing the motivations of their side cast. I look forward to seeing how things develop in the third!

An Introvert’s Hookup Hiccups Vol. 2

My Rating: 10/10

I hope you enjoyed my review and would love to see what you thought of the volume in the comments! If you like what I do and want to see more, consider supporting me by buying me a coffee on Ko-Fi.

You can read the second volume of this series digitally from the J-Novel Club website.

An Introvert’s Hookup Hiccups: This Gyaru is Head Over Heels for Me! Vol. 1 Review

Tags: Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life, School Life

Sub-Tags: Misunderstandings, Gyaru, Introverts, Cute, Heartwarming

Novel Illustration

Synopsis:

When the gorgeous Nanami Barato confesses to Yoshin Misumai, it seems too good to be true! Only, it is—and Yoshin knows it. How’s an introverted guy like him supposed to keep his cool when he knows this is all just a dare? Even more puzzling, despite her gaudy appearance, this supposed gyaru isn’t actually all that good with guys! Perhaps this is the perfect chance for this shy guy to pluck up his own courage and say yes to the guy-shy girl. So begins their new cushy life of morning meet-ups and handmade lunches. The thing is, judging by the way she’s acting, Nanami has fallen head over heels for him! From dares and dating to downright disasters, can these two first-timers figure out their feelings and maybe even fall in love—for real, this time?! (Source: J-Novel Club)

Dares, Dating and Marriage Proposals!?

Starting the first of three pre-pubs finishing this Friday, my latest review is on a series that is sure to get your sugar levels up!

J-Novel Club’s latest rom-com, Hookup Hiccups, tells the trials and tribulations of the relationship between Nanami and Yoshin. A confession with a difference kicks off proceedings as not only is it originally a dare but Yoshin already knows about it. What follows is their happy couple life filled with homemade lunches, meet-ups and dates. With everything going so well perhaps the confession can no longer be considered a dare!

This series is absolute fluff, cuteness and sugar to the max as volume one follows the first week of Nanami and Yoshin’s budding romance. Gone is any semblance of drama transplanted with a cavalcade of their sweet moments together, from their awkward first times sharing lunch to their struggles at making things romantic at their movie theatre date.

To give you a clearer picture of just how sweet and sugary this series is, for most of the volume, I had to pause every couple of pages just to stop myself squee-ing with delight with every sugary section.

What this series lacks in drama, it makes up in subverting the audience’s expectations. Several rom-com tropes are turned on their head during the volume. The romantic rivals challenge – beaten through cheats and Nanami’s ultimate judgement. Even the ‘meet the parents’ moment ends in a sudo-marriage proposal.

Looking at the two main characters, Yoshin might be an introvert but he’s kind and protective. Whilst he may lack confidence at first, his online buddies are always on hand to help, thus giving him the confidence to move their relationship forward. It’s often fun to read the remarks between him and Baron as he’s in constant shock at how quickly they’re progressing.

Nanami is the more interesting of the two. Wearing Gyaru clothing as more of a defence due to her fear of boys, the volume gives plenty of parts from her perspective. They’re often enlightening, showing how close the two are getting as well as how comfortable she is around him as she slowly gets over her fear.

Hookup Hiccups is another great series adding to the ever-growing list of J-Novel Club’s rom-com roster. Fantastically fluffy, it manages to retain a good sense of pace and a host of lovable characters. I would wholly recommend this series to any rom-com lover.

Hookup Hiccups Vol. 1

My Rating: 10/10

I hope you enjoyed my review and would love to see what you thought of the volume in the comments! My next reviews will be Peddler in Another World and Piggy Duke Vol. 8.

You can read the first volume of this series in pre-pub format on the J-Novel Club website.