Monthly in the Garden with My Landlord, Vol. 2

Maitsuki, Niwatsuki, Ooyatsuki [ Monthly in the Garden with My Landlord] #2

by Yodokawa, Stephen Paul (Translator)

Asako has finally settled into life sharing a house with Miyako, her landlord and former leader of the popular idol group Elm. Now fully unpacked, Asako is ready for the next step in making her dream home a reality―buying her first-ever potted plant! But their carefree days are interrupted when Miyako’s unexpected feelings for her tenant begin to strain their relationship, and the shocking news of Elm’s comeback stirs up her past trauma…Will the two be able to return to the peaceful times they once shared?

Genres: Manga, Romance, LGBT, Yuri, Queer, Graphic Novels, Lesbian

162 pages, Paperback

Published March 19, 2024

About the author

See also: ヨドカワ

Reviews

[daph pink ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this volume, we learn more about the pasts of both protagonists and witness further character development. Additionally, the addition of a few additional characters gave it a little more edge. In contrast to volume 1, this volume also marked the beginning of the characters' romance, which I find positive. I really enjoy this manga's laid-back style and its cool, realistic cast of characters. The characters' chibi versions are adorable and appealing to me as well.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's an origin issue as we learn about the landlord's past and the people she left behind when she ditched a lucrative career to live in an attic and collect rent.

This is all character driven and loaded with lots of sweet little relationship moments as the main characters continue to settle into their unusual living arrangement.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miyako learns an important lesson about names and Asako gets trapped by her past behaviours. But she’s not the only one looking back, as Miyako’s old group is getting back together and they definitely aren’t bringing her along this time.

There are depths to this that wouldn’t necessarily be apparent from the start, as this goes pretty light most of the time, especially during the first section when Asako decides to adopt a plant and Miyako gets jealous.

It’s all very childish, but when Miyako gets her wish granted towards the end you can see that it’s churning up some feelings that she might not have been thinking about before that point.

So begins a slow burn, but it has to get past Ayako, who’s still smarting from her previous relationships where her partners didn’t take kindly to her love of caring for somebody else. It made her happy, so who can blame her, but now she’s trying to keep herself in check.

Which is a thing when Miyako could probably use all the help she could get. At least in terms of domestic life. We see her strengths at being the more social of the two later on, which is a welcome addition of her bringing more to the table.

We also get a lot more backstory about why she left the idol life and it turns out that I was way, way off after all that. It ends up being more that Miyako was nothing like her idol persona and when she had to be that Miyako constantly, rather than her true self, she cut and ran.

One nice tweak to this story (at least to this point) is that the only guilt Miyako feels is over leaving her group in the lurch, she is absolutely fine with having left that part of her life behind anyway. Especially given where she ended up.

There’s a lot of small stuff throughout this one that really works. The framing of Ayako when she’s being amazing in Miyako’s eyes, the way they’re becoming more casual with one another, the innocent deadly comment at the flea market.

Heck, they even have Ayako’s idol obsessed friend Hatomori play a pivotal role in Miyako getting to see her old group perform and she apologizes for her kind of annoying behaviour. That’s the kind of slick course correction that I quite appreciate.

And then there’s that ending, which might put my original thoughts about the band back on the table from another direction and also has two people saying super important things and maybe them not even noticing. But other people sure do.

It all adds up to be more than I was expecting and it’s quite good. There are a lot of solid yuri romance out there lately and this one has a pretty unique take on things, which I always enjoy, and there’s plenty of room in the genre still.

4 stars - this is real good stuff and I don’t think it’s quite 5 star material, but I don’t have much to say about it by way of complaints either.

[Vanna Book-Mage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too cute. Also Miyako is sooooo tall and I’m just like whoa. “Yay my allowance!” is the funniest line.

[Larakaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, emotional and subverting some tropes when it comes to the idol group.

[Tib · Rating 4 out of 5]

We get to see a little more into Miyako's past life as an idol and actually got to see how her former bandmates felt about her and her retirement. It was sweet!

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. This series continues to be absolutely adorable and very chill. It’s a slice of life between a former Idol turned landlord and her tenant. Nothing romantic yet but the ending was definitely interesting to say the least. I like Asako and Miyako and they have a cute friendship so far so I’m excited to see what’s gonna happen next. I also liked that we got to know more about Miyako and why she left her life as an Idol. Good stuff.

[Aurakinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so lovely. ❤️ I may have cried, a lot. The characters are just so sweet with each other. Not just the main characters, but the side characters too. Even when there's conflict, it's clear that they care and want the best for each other, and they all do their best in their own ways.

The romance is very slowburn, and I adore the MCs together. Looking forward to future volume(s?) and just seeing more of their interactions!

[Chris Gernon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series continues to be a relaxing comfort read with this volume. Nothing too exciting happens in the story in this one, but then this series isn’t really about the plot. We get to know the characters better (including a very fun Landlord-San backstory arc that takes up most of this volume), and Asako’s fangirl friend gets more page time as well. A low-stakes, fun read I’m looking forward to continuing!

[Loki Wylde · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely a cozy, slice of life girl love with nearly no angst at all. All the characters are ridiculously cute ranging to adorable. I loved the main couple and enjoyed them as a pair. I feel like there’s even a second relationship that manifests that’s along the line of ace? Good read. Only giving an 8/10 because there’s still some things left to be like… figured out. I don’t feel like the end really felt finished. Still definitely cute read.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

solid second volume...there are some small steps forward, like at the flea market (the hand grab on the shoulder as she haggles...squee!!)

I absolutely LOVED the art in this one, especially the final panels as miyako reunites with her bandmates and they talk about her leaving. just gorgeous use of black ink!

[ℂ ✧ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ho he intentat, però aquesta sèrie no és per a mi ^^' L'argument i l'evolució de les protagonistes em sembla del tot supèrflua, sense carisma ni interès, a més que el món idols no m'atrau gens... Fa tota la pinta que s'allargarà com un xiclet perquè cap de les dues reconeixerà els seus sentiments i blablabla.

[VreadsfromtheVoid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Manchmal braucht man einfach eine Geschichte, die warm ums Herz macht – und genau das liefert “Monthly in the Garden with My Landlord”. Ein süßes Slice of Life, das mit ruhiger, einfühlsamer Erzählweise punktet.
Das Herzstück der Geschichte ist definitiv die Dynamik zwischen den beiden Hauptcharakteren. Es ist wunderschön zu beobachten, wie sie sich nach und nach näherkommen – nicht überstürzt oder dramatisch, sondern auf diese leise, organische Art, die sich einfach richtig anfühlt. Die gemeinsame Zeit im Garten wird zum Raum für Begegnungen, Gespräche und langsames Vertrauen.
Was die Geschichte besonders macht, ist der Fokus auf die persönlichen Veränderungen beider Charaktere. Ihre individuellen Schwierigkeiten und Herausforderungen werden nicht unter den Teppich gekehrt, sondern schön hervorgehoben und mit Sensibilität behandelt. Man sieht, wie beide durch ihre Begegnungen wachsen und sich weiterentwickeln – jeder auf seine eigene Art.
Und ein kleiner Bonus, der nicht unerwähnt bleiben darf: Die Outfits sind einfach cool! Es sind diese kleinen visuellen Details, die der Geschichte noch mehr Charme verleihen und zeigen, wie viel Liebe in diesem Manga steckt.

[rotting charm · Rating 3 out of 5]

while its somewhat cute and entertaining, the same face syndrome its annoying when trying to introduce more characters, specially when showing them in the past and having similar styles to other characters

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still a relaxing, easy read. This volume has a bit of a mommy/person being taken care of dynamic forming, which I am surprisingly into here since it's lowkey and developing naturally, and it's fun to see that kink slowly taking shape while also maintaining the lowkey and wholesome tone.

[silly_finney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how laid back this series is

[Danielle Arredondo · Rating 5 out of 5]

again, sapphics for the win!! such a quick read that makes you feel all warm and giggly as you read. it’s very episodic feeling which i like with that same fast pace feel

[Amna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still super adorable

[nelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

My babies… they are so cute and wholesome I love them 🥺

[poet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously why is this allowed to be so cute

[Ivye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is just really charming and fun. I like it a lot.

[star · Rating 4 out of 5]

this contained some really cute slice of life moments, i‘m starting to get invested in the mcs bond, i like their dynamic so far & i‘m excited to see how romance will change things

[Reuben Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continued to be very cute, I enjoyed learning about Miyako’s idol career and seeing them slowly settle in to living together and getting closer.

[R.H. Lankova · Rating 5 out of 5]

so hecking cute

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume 2. Suga gets a houseplant. Miyako gets to see her ex-idol group in person.

[Mar · Rating 4 out of 5]

這種不吵架的同居生活感覺好不現實，只能說兩人很幸運遇到彼此，既然是虛構就繼續發糖吧～～

[El · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,7 stars

[marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vol. 1 ★★★☆☆

Whereas the first volume focuses on Asako, this one is more about Miyako and her backstory. Her struggles are realistic and I appreciate how everyone is supportive of her decision. The romance is bubbling beneath the surface, but nothing concrete yet.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5*

[пташатко · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5)

the story was already charming and delightful as it is, but i feel like this installment took its magic a step further! with deeper glimpses into miyako's past in particular and more space given to the supporting cast, it became even more engaging and enjoyable. i honestly adored this volume! i also can’t get enough of the artstyle and character designs — they’re just so so lovely.