I received this book from the publisher in exchange of an honest review.

To say that this was one of my most hyped books of well a long time, yes. Did it go where I wanted. Heck no. It just felt so short. What I had expected: College, university, dates, romance, sweet times between Yamato and Takeo, studying, some silly times. What I got, over 1/4 of a book about a childhood friend who I didn’t give a shit about. After that things did get better, but I hadn’t expected that the next story would be the rest of the book. I am so disappointed. I was so happy to get approved for this one on Edelweiss (something that is a very very rare occurrence). sighs

I still don’t get why the first bit of the book had to be about that childhood friend. If Takeo really had done something to him I would have been kinda invested, but I already knew that it would be a dumb thing that Takeo made way bigger in his head. And it was. I have to say that around 30-40 pages in I just wanted to DNF. Again, I came for romance. Sweet moments. FINALLY after YEARS I would see my favourite couple again. And then this.

Sure, I am happy to see Yamato and Takeo again! I am happy that their relationship is ever so strong. I am happy to see them both going to the same uni/college, Yamato would get in there easily, but we all know that Takeo isn’t that well-versed in studies, he is more the athletic can do all type. I also loved seeing Suna there and that the friendship is still strong. And the second story, or well, 3/4’s of the book was fun, it is a bit of a murder mystery feel with them getting stuck in the mountains while volunteering/working there. Again, no dates or much college/university, but at least it had some tension and I liked seeing the peeps get more and more paranoid, haha.

But seriously, this could have easily been set in high school. I get that it is their first year, so it is only a couple of months between, so maybe it would have been nicer to just have a few moments at the start of them starting college, and then go to a year or so later. I also wanted to see some progress between Takeo and Yamato, but it was just like in the start of their relationship. You know they are together, they are protective of each other, they are cute together, they have chemistry, but that is it.

I am still hoping to actually get to see a more mature Takeo and Yamato story. I would love to see their wedding. To see their kids. To see them have grown up to be adults.

So yeah, I just cannot give this one more than 2 stars. I had it at 3 originally, but after this review, it is going down. I am sadly, not going to be putting this on my shelf. I guess I am happy that I was able to read this early, because I was planning on buying it.

Not sure if I would recommend this. I am so disappointed.