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MANGA: Chiguhagu na Kiss
Chiguhagu na Kiss – Suehiro Machi
With graduation on the horizon, pure-hearted Kumai has only one thing on his mind— getting a girlfriend! He hasn’t been able to put himself out there due to a past heartbreak, but seeing all his fellow classmates beginning relationships, Kumai’s decided it’s time to take a step forward. He shoots his shot with a mutual over text, and to his delight, she agrees! They even plan to have a lunch date the very next day! But, uh…why did Sasahara, the hottest guy in school, show up instead? And why’s he acting like they’re dating…?
Clumsy Kiss is a sweet high school romance about two boys eager to step into the springtime of their lives.
Kumai, dumped for being too pure and passive, longs for a girlfriend before graduation. When he texts a girl who seems interested, he’s thrilled she agrees to a date, only the popular Sasahara shows up instead.
When Sasahara said he was happy that Kumai confessed, he didn’t have the heart to tell Sasahara of his mistake. And just like that, Kumai has a boyfriend.
It might have started with a miscommunication, yet their relationship blossoms naturally. Sasahara and Kumai did all the right steps with the boyfriend thing. As the more experienced one, Sasahara let’s Kumai set the pace, taking him on fun dates and practicing kissing.
It was all ridiculously cute and wholesome with Kumai slowly realizing he’s falling in love for real except how to tell Sasahara about the text? His internal conflict gave the story depth, leading to a heartfelt climax.
The shift to Sasahara’s POV is poignant. Scarred by a past relationship, he found the courage to take a chance on Kumai when he discovered he’s one of the good guys. Sasahara appear cool and composed but showing his vulnerable sides to Kumai makes him more endearing.
After they cleared the air, Sasahara and Kumai were even more adorable! Miscommunication aside, I loved how they communicated openly and cheered for each other’s dreams. Overall, spring has sprung and it’s here to stay.
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REVIEW: How to Fake It in Society by K.J. Charles
How to Fake It in Society – K.J. Charles
It is 1821 and Nicolas-Marc, Comte de Valois de La Motte is making a splash in London Society. The son of Jeanne de Valois de La Motte, infamous for stealing a priceless diamond necklace meant for Marie Antoinette, Nico hopes to restore his wronged mother’s reputation, if only he can raise the funds. But he must operate with great secrecy, because the Bourbon dynasty murdered his mother, and he fears for his life.
At least, that’s what he tells Titus Pilcrow. Titus was a simple shopkeeper, making and selling artists’ paints, when he found himself suddenly married to an immensely wealthy woman who wanted to disinherit her nephew on her deathbed. As word spreads of his fortune, Titus finds himself a target of every scammer and beggar in London . . . including one Nicolas-Marc, Comte de Valois de La Motte.
Nico is on his last legs, out of money, and on the run from some terrifying gangsters. When Titus offers Nico a space in his household, it’s the perfect chance for him to exploit London’s newest golden purse – until he falls in love with the man he needs to cheat. Still, Nico is sure they can have a happy ending together. If he can just find his way out of his own web of lies . . .
How To Fake It In Society is another brilliant historical romance from my all-time favorite MM author, K.J. Charles.
Nicolas-Marc, Comte de Valois de La Motte, befriends Titus Pilcrow, a newly rich colourman who inherited his fortune in the most unusual way, through a deathbed marriage to a wealthy old woman, with strict instructions not to share the money with her greedy relatives.
Unsure how to navigate high society, Titus turns to Nico, who sees him as a ticket out of his own debts. But instead of fleecing his mark, Nico finds himself falling in love.
I loved Titus! He’s kind-hearted, generous, awkward, and naive about aristocratic life yet sharp, resourceful, and passionately devoted to his craft. Bullies try to dim his light, but with Nico’s support he learns to live on his own terms.
He started his friendship with Nico with open eyes, aware that the comte might just be after his money. Knowing that, he still invited him to live in his house. Their friendship is my favorite part of the story. Titus and Nico enjoyed each other’s company and that joy leapt off the page!
One of the most charming touches is Titus entertaining the comte with trivia about colors, such as a certain shade of green is made of arsenic or a yellow named after a queen’s unwashed clothes. It made him want to burn his green jacket, still Nico was utterly smittened. Couldn’t blame him, Titus’s enthusiasm is contagious.
These details, along with K.J. Charles’s immersive historical texture, make the novel sparkle. I especially love that her romances spotlight not just dukes but working-class characters with fascinating period-specific jobs, here a paint maker, other books a pornographer (Unfit to Print), taxidermist (An Unseen Attraction), a handwriting analysis expert (Copper Script), even a waste man (Rag and Bone).
Though Nico intended to exploit Titus, he ends up giving him everything he needs, confidence, colorful clothes, and unwavering support. His delight in making Titus happy is balm to the soul. Their romance is ridiculously endearing, and the cover perfectly captures their sweet hand-holding moments. And they really love holding hands!
The supporting cast was equally wonderful. Mr. Thorpe the loyal butler, Mrs . Thorpe the housekeeper and their daughter Alma the maid make a cozy found family for Titus who’s estranged from his brothers. Eve a.k.a. Poirot the valet is Nico’s cousin and a dashing lover for Alma.
The big reveal hit Titus and Nico hard. The author deftly unraveled the secrets and emotional fallout, throwing in some menacing bad guys who were caricatures, and the most hilarious villain takedown scene to give us a spectacular resolution worthy of Marie Antoinette!
How To Fake It In Society is a story about bringing out the best in people by seeing the good in them. Overall, wrong thoughts, right words, right actions and a romance that’s pure joy!
Rating:
4.5 Stars – perfection is only half a step awaySoundtrack: Give You The World
Artist: Yello feat. Malia
Album: Toy
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HOW TO FAKE IT IN SOCIETY: Amazon UK | Audiobook
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SOUNDTRACK: Give You The World by Yello feat. Malia
Soundtrack to How To Fake It In Society by K.J. Charles
Give You The World by Yello feat Malia for a book about schemes, secrets, support, and satirical endings.
If I could give you the world, I would
And if I could give you and I’d love to give you the truth, oh yeah
And if I could kill all the pain and take the strength, oh yeahWhat have you become now? What kind of a showtime?
What have you become, my friend?
What have you become now? What kind of a showtime?
What have you become, my friend?We’re gonna twist and we’re burning in love, my friend
And if we can, we gon’ live by the sea and start feeling the breeze, oh yeah
So let’s go and play in the rain and start over again, oh yeah -
Are you ready, are you steady? (ooh)
Time for you to get back
What you leaving? what you giving?
Time for you to get backIf I could give you the world, I would
And if I could give you and I’d love to give you the truth, oh yeah
And if I could kill all the pain and take the strength, oh yeahWhat have you become now? What kind of a showtime?
What have you become, my friend?
What have you become now? What kind of a showtime?
What have you become, my friend?We’re gonna twist and we’re burning in love, my friend
And if we can, we gon’ live by the sea and start feeling the breeze, oh yeah
So let’s go and play in the rain and start over again, oh yeahWhat have you become now? What kind of a showtime?
What have you become, my friend?
What have you become now? What kind of a showtime?
What have you become, my friend?Are you ready, are you steady? (ooh)
Time for you to get back
What you leaving? what you giving?
Time for you to get backIf I could give you the world, I would
And if I could give you and I’d love to give you the truth, oh yeah
And if I could kill all the pain and take the strength, oh yeah
Let it go, let it go, let it goAre you ready, are you steady? (ooh)
Time for you to get back
What you leaving? What you giving?
Time for you to get back -
MOVIE FEATURE: Oh, Otto!
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RELEASE BLITZ: Shadows Never Leave by Lark Taylor
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RELEASE BLITZ: Everything, Every Day For Eternity by E.W. Silver
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FLICKer: Dandelion
Featuring LGBT short films I found around the interwebz a.k.a Youtube. Okay sucky intro, but yeah, that’s it.
In 1970s Los Angeles, rebellious queer teen MARGARET (Ava Lalezarzadeh) gets thrown out of yet another foster placement and finds herself in the company of mysterious social worker, JOYCE (Vic Michaelis), who’s tasked with finding her a new home before the break of dawn. At odds and forced to travel the city together, Margaret realizes that running may not be her only option.
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COVER REVEAL: Wanting My Husband by Lex Amber & Bec Benson (Excerpt)
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NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Standard Tuning by Andi Tozier (Excerpt)
