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Keyring Lock – YMZ
The freeter, Yui, found a stranger in a tattered state along the road. His name is Toshiki, a man with a strange appeal. Yui couldn’t leave him alone, and so, he accompanied the stranger back to his house. Upon getting there, Toshiki revealed to be wilful, and Yui decided to go along with him. The next morning, however, he found that he has been trapped inside Toshiki’s house.
So unique and gentle. More strange, platonic co-habitation stories, please.
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The Agency: Merlin in the Library – Ada Maria Soto
An Agency Short Story
Agent Martin Grove is in pain every minute of the day while his wounds slowly heal. As soon as one injury starts to fade another that was hidden presents itself, but despite that Martin is, above all, a man who appreciates routine. For him that means ‘Merlin’ must return to the regularly scheduled Saturday Children’s’ Story Hour at the library. He’s been absent for too long and his body is still a technicolor canvas of physical damage, but as long as he has his Arthur by his side, he just might make it.
Last year, His Quiet Agent blew me away with the soft, sweet story of Martin and Arthur. That it is also a wonderfully done ace romance made it unforgettable for me.
Merlin in the Library is the epilogue that follows the aftermath of Martin’s reappearance and it is written in his POV (Thank you, Ada Maria!). Martin was recovering from his injuries and trying to pick up his routines. Arthur has now become an important person in his life and together they continue the Saturday story class.
This is such a lovely follow up.
Still as soft as the first story or perhaps more tender now that we get a glimpse inside Martin’s fragile mental state and his connection with Arthur. I love how the author was able to develop their relationship with a delicate hand in a slow but sure way. It warms my heart to see Arthur and Martin are doing well. I hope we get more stories about them.
P.S.
Me raving about His Quiet Agent here.
Rating:
5 Stars – absolutely perfect
Soundtrack: Lost in the Library
Artist: Saint Etienne
Album: The Misadventures of Saint Etienne(source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41147433-merlin-in-the-library)
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Koisuru Barairo Tenchou – Mochimeko
When he was a child, Isao was inspired by a florist named Aiko and fell in love with flowers. After saving his father’s company, Isao finally leaves his desk job to realize his lifelong dream of owning a flower shop, opening it in the same location that Aiko’s shop used to be. Right before opening, he finds out that Aiko had passed away when he meets her widower Koutarou and their young son. Koutarou is utterly devoted to his son Zen and carries on the love of flowers that Aiko instilled in him. Thus the florist Isao falls in love with Koutarou, and tries to win his heart through the flowers they both love.
Sure, it’s cute and all but Satou is the best character.
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Merry and Bright – Joanna Chambers
Three seasonal love stories from Joanna Chambers
Humbug
Quin Flint is unimpressed when his gorgeous colleague, Rob Paget, asks for extra time off at Christmas. As far as Quin is concerned, Christmas is a giant waste of time. Quin’s on the fast track to partnership, and the season of goodwill is just getting in the way of his next big project. But when Quin’s boss, Marley, confiscates his phone and makes him take an unscheduled day off, Quin finds himself being forced to confront his regrets, past and present, and think about the sort of future he really wants…and who he wants it with.
Mr Perfect’s Christmas
Sam Warren’s new job hasn’t been going so well so the last thing he’s in the mood for is the obligatory office Christmas party, particularly since Nick Foster’s going to be there. Nick–the guy whose shoes Sam has been trying to fill–seems to take very opportunity to point out where Sam’s going wrong. But when Sam receives an unexpected Secret Santa gift at the party, he’s forced to question his assumptions about his rival. Could it be that he’s been misinterpreting Nick’s actions all along? And is it possible that his reluctant attraction to Nick is reciprocated?
Rest and Be Thankful
Things haven’t been going well for Cam McMorrow since he moved to Inverbechie. His business is failing, his cottage is falling apart and following his very public argument with café owner Rob Armstrong, he’s become a social outcast. Cam needs to get away from his troubles and when his sister buys him a ticket to the biggest Hogmanay party in Glasgow, he can’t leave Inverbechie quick enough. But when events conspire to strand him in the middle of nowhere in a snowstorm, not only is he liable to miss the party, he’ll also have to ask his nemesis, Rob, for help.
Three seasonal love stories that were sweet and fluffy. Joanna Chambers writes great short stories. They are usually well-written, fully fleshed out and resolved satisfactorily. Insta-attraction is the scourge of romance short stories and the author works around that by having the characters crush on each other for a long time without the other realizing then she brings them together and BAM! The FEELS.
Humbug: posted here
Mr. Perfect: What was supposedly Sam’s Kris Kringle nightmare turned out to be a sweet revelation. Nick be like, notice me, kohai! This one’s a win.
Rest and Be Thankful: Rob and Cam did their best but it wasn’t working. Sorry guys! You’re good people. It’s just that, the story is boring. I feel bad giving you low ratings.
Rating:
Humbug – 4 Stars
Mr. Perfect – 4 Stars
Rest and Be Thankful – 2.5 StarsOverall: 4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits
Soundtrack: Baby, It’s Cold Outside
Artist: Rufus Wainwright & Sharon van Etten
Album: Holidays Rule(source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36554036-merry-bright)
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Mitsuiro Pancake – Kinoshita Keiko
Salaryman Miyasaka harbors a secret love for his childhood friend, manga artist Minami. He knows that someday Minami will find a girl and he’ll have to say “Congratulations”, but so soon?!
Miyasaka’s unconditional love for Minami is beautiful but for heaven’s sake, let it get requited, the poor guy!
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Love You –
Munya Munya Sue (Kobato Mebaru & Ogura Muku)
The first story is by Ogura Muku sensei, and the latter is by Kobato Mebaru sensei.1. Bear-kun is always laughed at for being so clumsy and useless, despite his large size. So, he has come to hate the fact that he is large. Squirrel-kun finds him crying, and one thing leads to another and Bear-kun ends up helping Squirrel-kun using his large size.2. The eldest brother in the wolf family is actually a fox… a golden fox. He knows he’s “different” from all the rest. One day, he falls in the swamp and gets covered in mud… as a result, he is black like his brothers. When the second eldest brother sees this, he begins licking the fox to expose the beautiful fur. Together they discover the pleasure their tails can bring.
Anthropomorphic doesn’t sound so cute so yeah, furries!
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Tenshun – Tada Yumi
A Military “Thought” Police is helped from a fall by a Communist Party member. Unbeknownst of the man’s political stance, he promises to repay him, but as “a man of strong principles,” how will he keep his promise…
Those fleeting encounters that change your life forever…
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Kare to kare no ijiwaru na kyori – Narusaka Rin
Spin off of Kare no Tokubetsu na Kare which involves Sahara and Moriya.
Shigeru & Sahara: Crossdressing is fun. Pining after a guy pining after his childhood friend is not.
Louis & Yuuchi: “There’s no one cuter than an idiot”. Best couple.
Ryouta & Seo: too similar to Back Stage
Tatsuya & Suruga: hmm…I need to read their manga first
(source: http://www.mangago.me)
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Mimi ni Nokoru Kimi no Koe wa – Inoue Nawo
As graduation gradually approaches, Miyoshi, a high school student, finally gets a chance to talk to a fellow classmate alone for the first time since they met. Due to the other student, Arai, always sleeping after arriving to school early, he’s never really had a chance to meet him until now when their time together is limited to the short period before graduation. Meanwhile he realizes his latent feelings for Arai. Arai, however, has never had an interest in school or friends, and he only really had one joy in life…
I’m so glad he went ahead and said it:
“I like you… so let’s stop this from ending”
Atta boy, Miyoshi!
(source: http://www.mangago.me)
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Hitotsu Yane no Shita no Kedamono – Kuroiwa Chihaya
Daigo’s going to be a university student starting from spring. He has two male cousins who are identical twins, called Shin and Jin. Daigo has always been secretly in love with the kind Jin who’s always treated him like a younger brother. However, his feelings were exposed by Shin, who’s always doted on him as well. Under pressure by Shin who said to him “Choose me,” although he resisted at first, looking at the same face as the person he likes and hearing the same voice, his heart can’t help but beat faster…?!
He said NO, dumbass!
I hate Shin. Jin was the better twin.
(source: http://mangakakalot.com)
