• manga,  Uncategorized

    MANGA: Super Platonic

    Super Platonic – Ueda Niku

    Takagi, the store manager of a flower shop, does a favor for his younger sister by going to an Idol concert to check out a man she met online. However, it turns out that this online friend is actually Toraji, a part-timer who works for Takagi.

    Super Platonic is a sweet and gentle story about not judging people by their appearance.

    Store owner Takagi hasn’t really been getting along with his big and scary-looking part-timer, a university student named Toraji. But he noticed the young man actually handles his flowers with a lot of care. And he makes really cute bouquets. After getting roped in by his sister to meet a man she was supposed to meet at an idol concert, he was surprised to discovered, it was Toraji.

    I adore Toraji’s kind of seme!! A strong, silent type who’s super loyal and devoted to his uke. I loved the tiger reference in his name (tora = tiger). This fierce-looking cat is actually a kitten. His blushy face is everything!

    Despite his appearance, he’s a guy who likes cute, girly things. He’s a huge fan of an idol group that Takagi’s sister also liked. He was upfront and honest about his feelings, point blank asking Takagi to go out with him.

    The manga is from Takagi’s POV. I wasn’t too keen about Takagi at first. There was a misunderstanding about the identity of the person who was supposed to meet Toraji. He let this misunderstanding dragged longer than necessary. He also took his time sorting his feeling for the younger man. This part was understandable though. He eventually won me over when he became honest with himself.

    There’s an age gap aspect in play with some scenes highlighting the age difference, making it seem Takagi is that old even if he’s only in his early 30s. Not too keen about this part either.

    However, I really loved the vibe of the manga. Despite some of the negative elements, it felt soft and light. I especially loved the way the mangaka drew Toraji. I’m all about this boy here.


    If you like my content, please consider supporting me on Ko-fi. Your donations will help keep this website going. Thank you so much!

  • book,  Uncategorized

    REVIEW: Hot As Heller by Lucy Lennox

    57590880. sy475

    Aster Valley: Hot As Heller – Lucy Lennox

    The man asked me to valet his damn car.

    Look, I left LA for a reason. I’ve had my fill of big Hollywood stars and their even bigger egos. I want something genuine. Something real. And it doesn’t get any realer than being the new sheriff of Aster Valley, Colorado.

    That is, until entitled Finn Heller appears on the scene, handing me the keys to his convertible like I’m his personal servant.

    The former child star and wannabe action hero is the hottest thing I’ve ever seen. He’s also a snarky party animal with legions of adoring fans and attitude for days.

    Or so I thought.

    The longer the film crew stays in town, the more I begin to wonder if Finn is hiding his true self, one that’s as beautiful inside as out. He’s a star alright, but the kind that shines bright enough to light up the night sky… the kind I want to make a wish on.

    A wish Finn will find a way to make things work with me, even if it means his next role is my very own leading man.


    Aster Valley works its magic one more time in this delightful love story between a Shakespeare-quoting action star and the good sheriff of the town.

    The sleepy mountain valley in Colorado is buzzing with movie stars. A film crew is in town shooting a big budget action flick starring infamous former child actor, Finn Heller. Sheriff Declan Stone has had enough of the crowds and the inflated egos and is counting the days when all these brouhaha is over. Unfortunately, fate keeps throwing trouble and a certain former child actor his way.

    Finn has the disastrous reputation typical of child actors who grew up in front of the camera. But you got to hand it to our boy, he was trying really, really hard to rise above that. It was a huge uphill battle, with everyone, including his own mother, expecting him to be nothing more than a money-making machine. I was rooting hard for this sweet, passionate, hardworking man who just wants to be taken seriously.

    I appreciated Dec being a steady, grounding presence for Finn. The good sheriff and the actor might have started off the wrong foot, even butted heads a few more times, but Dec always made sure the younger man was safe and protected.

    I loved the way the author bought these two characters together. The more time they spent together, the more they realized there’s so much more to the other person. Their chemistry was just fabulous! And I adore the way Dec treats Finn like the treasure he is.

    The most vivid moment for me was when Finn was at the park teaching some teenagers about Shakespeare. Dec saw him all glowing and happy under the trees and sunshine and he couldn’t resist coming over to talk. I could almost see that as a breathtaking scene in a rom-com movie, with the camera showing a dreamy Finn through Dec’s bedazzled eyes.

    I enjoyed all the Aster Valley books, but I enjoyed Hot As Heller more because it was an easier read. Previously, I had complained that the antagonists were much too vile for me. So much so that they took me out of the story. Here, the author toned down the negativity, going for more tell rather than show. I really appreciated it because while we still have major conflicts and bad guys to keep us on our toes, they were deployed at a tolerable level.

    All the couples from the previous books made their appearances. I always perk up whenever one of them pops up. This series has some of the most lovable supporting cast. They made me want to move to Aster Valley. The town itself is almost another character.

    Hot As Heller is a heartwarming story about taking charge of one’s life and following your dreams. It continues the Aster Valley tradition of charming unwitting celebrities into finding love and staying for good. It is quite an enticing place. So I say, drop by any time. You’ll feel right at home too!

    Rating:
    4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits

    Soundtrack: Starstruck
    Artist: Years & Years
    Album:

    P.S.

    Let Aster Valley charm you by reading the books in order. Check out my reviews below:

    Winter Waites
    Right As Raine
    Sweet As Honey


    If you like my content, please consider using my Amazon affiliate links below to buy your copy of Hot As Heller. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying Amazon purchases at no additional cost to you.

    US: Kindle | Audiobook
    UK: Kindle | Audiobook

    If you like my content, please consider supporting me on Ko-fi. Your donations will help keep this website going. Thank you so much!

  • song,  Uncategorized

    SOUNDTRACK: Starstruck by Years & Years

    Soundtrack To Aster Valley: Hot As Heller by Lucy Lennox

    Pretty much an obvious song choice for a story about the small town sheriff who fell in love with a hot, young Hollywood actor.

  • quote,  Uncategorized

    I can’t help it
    I get starstruck around you

    I feel like all these people in this room
    Don’t shine like you
    If I could bottle you up
    I would sip ya
    Like cosmic juice

    So give me that good love
    Good love all night
    Don’t need your cash
    I got my own to spend it on ya
    If I like
    If you wanna dance, baby let’s dance
    We can dream until the sun rise

    I can’t help it
    I get starstruck around you
    What can I do, baby
    I can’t help it
    I get starstruck around you
    What can I do

    There ain’t no reason why
    I can’t speak, think or stop
    Staring at your glow
    I wanna tell you everything that’s on my mind baby
    Even if I choke, ooh yeah

    So give me that good love
    Good love all night
    Don’t need your cash
    I got my own to spend it on ya
    If I like
    If you wanna dance, baby let’s dance
    We can dream until the sun rise

    I can’t help it
    I get starstruck around you
    What can I do, baby
    I can’t help it
    I get starstruck around you
    What can I do
    When I get my hands on you

    I’m not giving, not giving you up
    I’m not giving, not giving you up
    I’m not giving, not giving you up
    I’m not giving, not giving you up up up, no

    I can’t help it
    I get starstruck around you
    What can I do, baby

    Starstruck, not giving you up
    Starstruck, not giving you up

    I can’t help it
    I, I can’t help it
    I can’t help it
    I, I can’t help it
    I can’t help it
    I, oh, oh, oh…

    I can’t help it
    I get starstruck around you
    What can I do, baby
    I can’t help it
    I get starstruck around you
    What can I do
    (Oh, what can I do)

    I’m not giving, not giving you up
    I’m not giving, not giving you up
    I’m not giving, not giving you up
    I’m not giving, not giving you up up up, no

    I can’t help it
    I get starstruck around you
    What can I do

    Starstruck, not giving you up