[Manga] Castle Mango 1-2 (キャッスルマンゴー 1-2)

Eu Jun 21, 2016

If I hadn’t known, I wouldn’t have guessed that the Konohara Narise who wrote Castle Mango is the same one who did Don’t Worry Mama and The Man Who Doesn’t Take Off His Clothes. Castle Mango has a more solid plot than their previous works.

Shirosaki lives in a love hotel his family owns. There he meets the AV director, Togame, when his production team shoots in their hotel. Right from their first meeting, Shirosaki doesn’t have a good impression of the director. What’s worse is that he learns that Togame is gay and is fond of his little brother Satoru. Shirosaki decides to take an action at the cost of what?

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[Novel] The Man Who Doesn’t Take Off His Clothes

Eu Jul 13, 2014

That is a long title. /sigh

First off, am I the only who doesn’t get the hype for Konohara Narise novels? Don’t Worry Mama is average, this one is almost the same. Heck, I can’t even sympathize with any of the characters.

Rant ahead. Proceed with caution.

[Novel] Don’t Worry Mama

Eu Jun 22, 2014

Synopsis:
From the back of the book:

If you were stuck on a deserted island and you could pick one person to keep you company, who would you choose?

 

For Yuichi, it would be anyone but his uncooperative, self-absorbed, good-for-nothing boss Imakura! But as fate would have it, the two are mistakenly left on a deserted island during an important research expedition. Yuichi would prefer to drown Imakura in the sea with his bare hands rather than listen to his constant complaining. But as the days fade into weeks, Yuichi finds himself craving Imakura’s company more than civilization itself.

 

Will the two find a forbidden love in this tropical paradise? Or will Yuichi and Imakura live out their lives stranded on a deserted island with the one person in the world they can’t stand?

 

Originally published as a short story, Don’t Worry Mama returns as a full-length novel with an all new bonus story, “Present.” Written by Narise Konohara, one of Japan’s best yaoi novelists, this story of “love on an island paradise” is sure to delight.

Review

[Novel] S 1 (エス 1)

Eu Jun 15, 2014

Synopsis:
From the back of the book:

Welcome to Shinjuku district’s Kabukicho, Japan’s red light district. Here, the streets are dotted with bars, pachinko parlors and “love hotels”, which cater to all sexes and sexual orientations. These are the streets which Detective Masaki Shiiba must patrol.

 

A recent rise in gun crimes forces shiiba to go undercover and work with an “S” or spy, a member of a crime organization tasked to hand over information in exchange for special favors. Shiiba’s S is a man from the influential Matsukura Group, and someone who seems to have developed a fondness for Shiiba.

 

But when the detective gets a mysterious call warning him about his S, seeds of doubt are planted. If he can’t trust his S, who can he trust?

Review

[Novel] Only the Ring Finger Knows: The Finger Never Sleeps（その指だけは眠らない）

Eu Jun 6, 2014

Synopsis:
From the back of the book:

Wataru Fujii and Yuichi Kazuki have been through many trials and tribulations, but when Yuichi goes to New York to visit Mizuho, an old girlfriend who is facing major surgery, Wataru begins to have doubts about the wisdom of letting him go. His worst fears seem to be realized when with only a limited explanation, Yuichi sends his ring back to wataru! What can the return of Yuichi’s precious ring – the symbol of his relationship with Wataru – possibly mean?

 

In Tokyo, while Wataru worries and fumes, Yuichi’s older brother Shohei Kazuki continues scheming to end Wataru and Yuichi’s relationship. His reluctant ally in this endeavor is Masanobu Asaka – Yuichi’s senpai who confessed to Wataru! Will Shohei succeed in breaking up the two boys? Or will Wataru and Yuichi’s love each other prevail?

 

Don’t miss Only the Ring Finger Knows, Volume 5, the beautiful conclusion to the Only the Ringer Knows saga from writer Satoru Kannagi and illustrator Hotaru Odagiri. Includes the side stories A Spring Break Secret and The Week Until the Ring Finger, which tells the beginning of Wataru and Yuichi’s relationship from Yuichi’s point of view.

Review

[Novel] Only the Ring Finger Knows: The Ring Will Confess His Love（そして指輪は告白する）

Eu May 31, 2014

Synopsis:
From the back of the book:

College entrance exams are looming, and Wataru is running out of time to study. Pushing himself every night, he finds he’s losing time with his lover, Yuichi. Their stolen moments together hardly seem to be enough, even though their rings will always connect them. Will they have time for their love to grow together, or will they just grow apart?

 

Enter a mysterious Christmas card from Yuichi’s old female friend that leaves Wataru in fits of jealousy and confusion. But what’s all this about a passport? Just when Wataru needs him most, Yuichi is jetting off to New York to tend to an old girlfriend, leaving Wataru in the hands of his wicked older brother Shohei, and his rival in love, Asaka Masanobu, who will never give up his love for Wataru’s gentle heart. The two are still set on tearing Wataru and Yuichi apart, each for their own ends. Wataru is attacked from every side, forced to doubt his feelings for the man he loves.

 

It seems like the only one who wants Wataru and Yuichi together is Asaka’s aggressive younger brother Masa’aki who has a brother complex. But it seems like he’s out for Wataru’s blood, too! With Yuichi thousands of miles away and unable to protect, what will Wataru do in the latest installment of Only the Ring Finger Knows?

 

Review

[Novel] Only the Ring Finger Knows: The Ring Finger Falls Silent（くすり指は沈黙する）

Eu May 26, 2014

Synopsis:
From the back of the book:

Wataru and Yuichi have spent a blissful year watching their relationship soar to new heights. But with the added responsibilities of exit exams and a stressful job, both boys know that their stolen moments together are more precious than ever. Of course, their enchantingly handsome faces and unique personalities attract admiration from those both near and far…and when the sweet and sincere Masanobu decides that Wataru is an uncanny reminder of a love long-past, his attachment poses an immediate threat to the passionate couple. With a meddling older brother, jealous schoolgirls and a school-wide auction all thrown into the mix, will Yuichi and Wataru have no choice but to offer up their secret to the public, or go into hiding…forever?

 

Two rings bind Yuichi and Wataru in their intense love affair, but the very same rings also symbolize their secret pain in The Ring Finger Falls Silent. Prying eyes and selfish schemes meet them at every turn, and it seems no one can resist wondering about their intense relationship. Will the cost of guarding their racing hearts ultimately drive them apart? Deeper understanding and trust are there to save the day…but only if they can stay together.

Review

[Novel] Only the Ring Finger Knows: The Left Hand Dreams of Him（左手は彼の夢を見る)

Eu May 22, 2014

Synopsis:
From the back of the book:

Now that the model-perfect Yuichi is firmly established as a top student at a prestigious University, his high-school senior boyfriend Wataru cherishes every quiet moment that the two can find amidst the clamor of study schedules and fascinated outsiders. And when Yuichi decides to take the excited Wataru on an exotic getaway, what could be more perfect? Yuichi is forced to find part-time work to afford the much-needed trip…and that’s where the trouble begins to brew. Curious co-workers and flaring jealousy soon threaten the lovers, and find cracks begin to show in the still-new foundation of their young relationship. Do Wataru and Yuichi have a love that’s truly build-to-last? Can they work together to create the future they’ve always dreamed of, or will their fantasies come crashing down?

 

Passion build and tempers flare in The Left Hand Dreams of Him. Wataru and Yuichi may think that the biggest challenges of their new love are far behind them, but no one said the’d be left alone for-good! Even a private vacation getaway is full of meddling intruders who seem to have their sights set on disrupting the careful lovers. Their matchingings unite them in heart and spirit…will the men trust in this special bond enough to weather the storms of controversy?

Review

[Novel] Only the Ring Finger Knows: The Lonely Ring Finger (その指だけが知っている)

Eu Sep 27, 2013

Synopsis:

Not only is Yuichi the most mysterious, sought-after guy at school, he’s got an excellent shot at getting into any prestigious university…and no one knows this better than his secret love, Wataru. But instead of a vacation break spent celebrating beneath the fragrant sway of summer blossoms, both boys must surrender to Yuichi’s grueling study schedule. how can they possible sweeten the deal? A bet that promises to take their young relationship to the next level is in the works, but Wataru complicates matters when the very ring that symbolizes their precious bond goes missing. Prying girls and wisecracking best friends only fuel the flames of gossip, and soon the small white lies that were only meant to protect the heart of Wataru’s beloved become poison arrows. With the test and their relationship on the line, can the boys hold on long enough to survive the sticky meltdown of their longest summer?

Tender longing and young curiousity unite The Lonely Ring finger. Follow the cycle of a teasing friendship that takes a serious turn and spirals into an intense romance. The ring on each boy’s finger is a symbol of two hearts that beat together despite the prying eyes of classmates…and this is one couple who must weather a storm of scrutiny to discover if their love is truly meant to last.

Review