Review: Hal Osaka's THAT BEAUTY IS A TRAMP, volume 1

 

THAT BEAUTY IS A TRAMP
Volume 1
Rom-Com manga

 

 

 

AUTHOR:
Hal Osaka

RELEASE DATE:
August 13, 2024

PUBLISHER:
Kodansha Comics

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9798889334781

RATING:
4.5

 

 

Nagi is a tomboy who secretly yearns to experience romance and passion with a man. However, unconsciously her body rejects any touch from them. Aran is an androgynous male model already popular in women’s fashion. He wants to branch out in men’s couture. He spots Nagi at a fashion show and asks her to be his partner in an upcoming photo shoot. She agrees, only if he agrees to help her overcome her aversion to male touch. Can Aran cure Nagi of her problem?

Aran reminds me of Ayame Sohma from Fruit Basket. They have the same vibe, flair and confidence. And long, beautiful hair! I have a weakness for anime and manga men with long hair. They are my kryptonite. What I love the most about Aran is how HE sees Nagi’s beauty. He dislikes how she continuously disparages her looks.

Nagi proves to be Aran’s perfect contrast. She is not confident in her appearance, whereas he is. I love how Aran is slowly helping Nagi build up her confidence. And I like how the mangaka did not make it instant. Being around Aran is opening Nagi’s eyes to a good many things.

I really enjoyed this volume. It is a fun quick read. Also, it is a nice change-of-pace for me. Nagi and Aran are both adults.

I plan on picking up this manga for my collection and to read upcoming volumes as they are released.

 

Review: Makoto Shinkai's "SUZUME, Volume One)

 

Suzume, Volume 1
Manga

 

 

 

AUTHOR:
Makoto Shinkai

RELEASE DATE:
September 24, 2024

PUBLISHER:
Kodansha Comics

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9781647294045

RATING:
4.5

 

The story centers around Suzume, a junior in high school. One day, she encounters an attractive stranger looking for ruins. That starts her journey. Suzume travels around looking for a cat-like keystone. Along the way, she closes magical doorways found in ruins.

Whenever I like or enjoy an anime, I check out the manga (if it has one). Usually for the scenes that never made it into the animation or a continuation of the story. Suzume, Volume 1, is more an adaptation from the movie than vice versa. It is the second one – adaptation from the anime – I have read (Yashahime is the first and it greatly differs from the show) So far, there have been no new scenes, etc. It follows the movie scene-by-scene. The art style is a little different, softer.

I cannot wait to check out further volumes. I still need to buy the movie for my own collection. This series may be included.

Review: Kerrigan Byrne and Cynthia St. Aubin's "SIRENS"

 

SIRENS
Romantic Comedy / Contemporary Romance

 

 AUTHOR:

Kerrigan Byrne and Cynthia St. Aubin

RELEASE DATE:
July 16, 2024

PUBLISHER:
Oliver Heber Books

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
B0CK8X86HX

RATING:
4.5

AUTHOR LINK:
https://www.kerriganbyrne.com/    and https://www.cynthiastaubin.com/

 

 

Margaret “Maggie” Michaels is an investigative reporter who probes into historical cold cases. She comes to Townsend Harbor, Washington to investigate an 1800-era brothel madame. Thanks to a friend, Maggie lands a job as a bartender. However, she knows nothing about mixing drinks. A fact that the sexy town’s deputy calls Maggie out on. Will Maggie crack the Victorian cold case with McGarvey’s help? Or will her own past derail the investigation? And her relationship with Trent?

Deputy Trent McGarvey likes to unwind at the town’s only pub after work. He encounters the place’s new bartender, who happens to be abysmal at her job. Trent offers to give the sassy redhead lessons in the art of mixing drinks. Something about Maggie tempts him to let go of his strict control and bend some rules. Trent senses there is more to her story than investigating the town’s historical villainess. Has Trent met his match with Maggie? Or will her past destroy any possibility of a relationship?

I empathize with and understand Maggie’s not-so-flattering views on her body shape. She is a character I can easily relate to since she is no slender, model-que type of heroine. Trent is a sweetheart! I love how he adores Maggie’s body. Trent dislikes how people, especially men, discouraged Maggie because of it. He sets out to banish all that negativity from her mind. What I like the most about Maggie and Trent is how their different personalities counterbalance each other. Maggie is spontaneous and chaotic disorder while Trent likes things neat and tidy.

SIRENS is the fifth book in Kerrigan Byrne and Cynthia St. Aubin’s romantic-comedy series, TOWNSEND HARBOR. I strongly recommend reading the prior four books before this one. They really set up the setting – Townsend Harbor, a small touristry hamlet on the Pacific Coast. I love how we are learning the seedier history of the picture-perfect town.

Beloved characters from the previous books pop up throughout the story. I squealed in delight when Gabe – the hero from book three BAZAAR GIRLS – had a role in several scenes. The series would not be complete without the hilarious antics of one septuagenarian. Myrtle’s shenanigans had me in stitches. I can see where others see her as a menace. The woman is a riot – one I would LOVE to know in real life!

Please, oh please tell me that Mark Kelly – Gabe’s older brother and Maggie’s best friend – will be next! I want him to be Townsend Harbor’s next transplant resident! And Kiki!

Review: Donna Grant's DRAGON BORN

 

DRAGON BORN
Fantasy Romance / Paranormal Romance

 

AUTHOR:
Donna Grant

RELEASE DATE:
July 09, 2024

PUBLISHER:
DL Grant, LLC

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
B0CJYPDM9K

RATING:
4

AUTHOR LINK:
https://donnagrant.com/

 

 

Melisse is the Dragon Queen of the Violets. She is the first offspring from a Dragon King and a Dark Fae. Melisse comes to Zora in hopes of finding a place where she belongs. When a pink disappears in a mysterious bramble, she vows to rescue it. The vines prove to be more sinister than Melisse expected. They did, however, bring Henry back into her life. Can Melisse patch things up between them? Or will their enemy keep them apart?

Former M15 agent Henry is the JusticeBringer – a special Druid tasked with policing their kind. He senses a powerful Druid on Zora who poses a threat to Melisse and Earth. Henry openly defies his Dragon King comrades by coming to the other realm to protect her and confront their foe. He discovers new aspects of his abilities within the bramble. Can Henry protect Melisse from the Druid?

For those new to the series, and curious about Melisse’s parents, their story is told in IGNITE THE MAGIC. It is basically a prequel to the DARK KINGS and DRAGON KINGS books. I like how Melisse tells the rest of her parents’ tale, years after the end of ITM. It explains her reluctance to get close to any of the Dragon Kings. What I adore the most about Melisse is how she always keeps Osric and her parents’ memory close. She never forgot the many sacrifices they made for her.

Henry has always been loyal and faithful to the Dragon Kings. He is the only human, aside from the mates, who the Kings allow to know their secrets and existence. I like how Henry never abused their trust, especially when he faced a foe who wanted the information. He remained steadfast and silent, only giving common knowledge. I am happy that Henry and Melisse finally got their happily-ever-after. Their budding romance spanned in the background of several books.

DRAGON BORN is the eighth book in Donna Grant’s fantasy-romance series, DRAGON KINGS. It is a spinoff from her paranormal series, DARK KINGS. I recommend new readers to start with the DK books before venturing into this one. Henry, and then Melisse, are first introduced. Their interactions and growing attraction take place in the background. It also explains what happened between the two.