I'm in Love with the Villainess: She's so Cheeky for a Commoner (Light Novel) Vol. 2

I'm in Love with the Villainess: She's so Cheeky for a Commoner #2

by Inori, Hanagata (Illustrator)

A retelling of the hit yuri series I'm in Love with the Villainess that inspired an upcoming anime (original light novels and manga adaptation also from Seven Seas)--from the villainess' point of view!

Claire François has it beauty, brains, and the blood of nobility. As the daughter of a high-ranking noble, she takes her status and the according responsibilities with utmost seriousness—even as the king threatens to undermine his realm’s stability with his visions of “meritocracy.” Claire is nevertheless prepared to take this societal change in stride, until one of the new commoner students at her elite academy, Rae Taylor, turns her life upside down. Everything about Rae confounds Claire, from her behavior to her intellect to her bizarre fixation on Claire herself. Little does she realize just how much Rae will change her world, and how much she’ll change Rae in turn.

Genres: Light Novel, Romance, Fantasy, LGBT, Yuri, Novels, Fiction

242 pages, Paperback

First published December 20, 2022

Reviews

[Pieter · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Rae told from mostly Claire's perspective remains entertaining, making me chuckle at times. The whole amour thing also came across better then in the original story with Claire first finding the story romantic and then being angry about it when she was the centre of two people fighting over her affection. It adds enough new things to prevent it being boring, mostly by adding side stories.

Having said that, it does feel more rushed, very much an add-on to the original with very few new things added. There are also inconsistencies both with the original (which is to be expected if you add new characters) and at times within the same volume. The contradictions are minor though, and not too difficult to ignore. Adding a new couple to the story also felt a bit over the top, but that might be just me.

So in the end it was an enjoyable read, not as good as the original, 3.5 stars rounded up.

[Xandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ngl, I read this thinking it was the second book in the series. I was very impressed by the bold choice to have the story from the perspective of the side characters and thought it was honestly a better way to tell the story. So yeah I just spoiled a lot of the series for myself, but it was still a fun read.

I felt a little frustrated when I realized I went out of order, but honestly it doesn't take away how much I liked it. You get to see Rei without knowing her less than pure intentions and I feel like you get a much better understanding of the world and its characters. Giant set pieces were mostly off-screen because they focused on how they actually affected the characters and the world itself.

I haven't read the original, but I strongly believe Lily and Yu's storylines work best from an outside perspective. It really captured that feeling of being closeted realizing there are other queer people in the world and you aren't alone.

[Wendy White · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with the first LN in this alternative POV series, I enjoyed Claire's side of the story much more than Rae's. But you absolutely need to have read the original series to be able to piece together what is happening here, as the author takes the opportunity to fill in previously unexplored gaps in the story of the original series.

[Excellia Isle · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Rae is focused on fighting Manaria for Claire's love, the Villainess make up with her feelings.
She loved that commoner.
BUT SHE WON'T ADMIT !

Yet she cares for her more and more.
Also, side characters like Pepi/Loretta are cool, Catherine is such a great character...

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claire's yearning for Rae is so good and I like the development of background characters that didn't have that much time in the original series.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's peak

[Louis Goldberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great new perspective

Really fun to see Claire's side of the story. Definitely read the original vol 1 & 2 at least before these three or you will be a bit lost.

[Eleventh Hour · Rating 5 out of 5]

ILTV Vol 2 was so good, that they had to make it even better with this one.

[Miss Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

still cute but inessential. it's nice seeing claire's class conscience rise from her pov tho

3 stars

[Velhala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!

[Zoe Sapphic · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.7

[Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was better than the last one, so I'll keep reading for now. We'll see.

[Jud · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm in Love with the Villainess: She's so Cheeky for a Commoner vol. 2 continues to be a delightful gift for the fans of the series.

If the first installment of this side story could be summarized as "rich girl has her bi awakening", this second one could be summarized as "rich girl has her bi awakening and develops class consciousness". I will always love Claire's characterization and development through the series: she is just such an interesting character.

Regarding our main couple, this is a good arc for Rae and Claire too, since they face a lot of struggles together. For example, there is the Manaria situation, which was interesting to experience from Claire's perspective. Moreover, seeing Claire trying to be flirty and Rae being completely oblivous was pretty hilarious.

To conclude, I enjoyed reading I'm in Love with the Villainess: She's so Cheeky for a Commoner vol. 2 and I cannot wait for the next volume!