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Wild Roses and Pretenders #1
Wild Roses and Pretenders Vol. 1
A beautiful Boys' Love manga featuring romance between a servant and his master!
Desperate to financially support his ailing mother, Noah leaves his hometown to enter into the service of the Reinhardt family. Upon his arrival, his new master, Lord Rupert demands that Noah pretend to be his lover! Lord Rupert wishes to avoid a political marriage, and Noah is determined to keep his job, so the two men work out an arrangement.
However, the more time they spend together, the more Noah realizes that his forlorn master is beset by loneliness--and Noah wants their love to be real. Can Lord Rupert ever see him as more than just a servant?
Desperate to financially support his ailing mother, Noah leaves his hometown to enter into the service of the Reinhardt family. Upon his arrival, his new master, Lord Rupert demands that Noah pretend to be his lover! Lord Rupert wishes to avoid a political marriage, and Noah is determined to keep his job, so the two men work out an arrangement.
However, the more time they spend together, the more Noah realizes that his forlorn master is beset by loneliness--and Noah wants their love to be real. Can Lord Rupert ever see him as more than just a servant?
176 pages, Paperback
First published November 26, 2024
14 people are currently reading
261 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
December 4, 2024
Way to fast paced. I did not feel like anything was earned. I dont understand why the guys care for eachother. Wish it was slower and we got to see more bonding. I also hated how the rich guy just dressed up his lover like a child. It was really weird.
December 11, 2024
This was a soft and melancholy story about a man whose sweetness slowly brings a grieving man out of the shadows. The art, especially in the details of the clothing, is so intricate and beautiful. I dont care much about the family drama subplot, but I'm very much looking forward to the conclusion in order for these two to get their happily ever after.
June 28, 2025
It was cute, sweet, and with a beautiful art style; literally, right up my alley. It's also always a bonus when a story is set in a regency-like setting, and nobody bats an eye at a same-sex relationship. The problem being Noah's standing (a commoner) in contrast to Rupert's (aristocracy), not his gender is a win in my book.
I'll be purchasing the second volume ASAP to see how this will wrap up.
I'll be purchasing the second volume ASAP to see how this will wrap up.
August 14, 2025
It’s okay I guess? I‘m not really sure how to feel about it yet, so I will read the next and last volume and see how this story goes on, because until now it felt a bit off to me.
February 22, 2025
The art is gorgeous, but WOW is the pacing going at break neck speeds. This could have been great, but there's no build up.
March 5, 2025
This was such a cute story! The first volume started off really well and I enjoyed the pace. Even though it was only five chapters, it didn’t feel too fast or too slow, it was just right for the story. I never felt bored or overwhelmed and I liked how everything flowed naturally. It was a really nice way to pass the time and I found myself getting drawn into the characters and their interactions. The art is super cute too which made it even more enjoyable.
December 1, 2024
This was cute but i need see more romance build up though..
Cart wait for vol 2
Cart wait for vol 2
August 8, 2025
believable and fun conflict
It was a fun read with the right amount of trauma and tragedy. The characters are well written and easy to root for:)
It was a fun read with the right amount of trauma and tragedy. The characters are well written and easy to root for:)
December 1, 2024
The slow burn? The slow yearning?? I love it. Especially how cute Noah is??? There’s not enough historical BL I tell you
January 23, 2025
An enjoyable read, love a character with trauma. Noah was very sweet.
November 29, 2025
Synopsis:
Wanting to make enough income to pay for his mother's illness Noah applies to work as a groundskeeper to earn money when he arrives a servant request him to help her deliver deserts and tea to Rupert and his guest.
A few seconds after Noah arrives Rupert kisses him announces to his stepmother that Noah is his lover in a attempt to avoid arranged marriage set up by his stepmother.
Noah can either help Rupert in his farce or return home without the money he needs to help his sick mother.
He decides to stay.
This story is slightly different than I had expected.
I was a little skeptical of Rupert and Noah's relationship since I don't particularly like "master and servant" or "boss and worker" romances and false relationships but the story was better than I had expected.
I had a fun time reading the development of Rupert and Noah's relationship and witnessing Rupert demeanor soften for Noah.
Noah is a ray of light.
He's so sweet,kind and adorable in contrast to Rupert who is sarcastic and filled with resentment towards his father.
Noah is also surprisingly good at adjusting to his life at the manor and elsewhere.
I had expected him to make a mistake and embarrass himself or Rupert at one point but he hasn't.
I was quite surprised.
I don't care much for Rupert's parents.
The father and stepmother are cold,invasive and calculating and his birth mother is selfish and cruel.
Noah is exactly what Rupert needs:
someone who is caring,loyal and isn't power hungry.
The artwork is very elegant and pretty.
Noah is dressed like a mix between a Japanese RPG character and a Super Dollfie Dream Midi doll.
He brings the better side of Rupert after a while which I adore but I wish the pacing of this story was slower because their romance seems sudden.
I would like to see this series have an animated series in the near future.
Wanting to make enough income to pay for his mother's illness Noah applies to work as a groundskeeper to earn money when he arrives a servant request him to help her deliver deserts and tea to Rupert and his guest.
A few seconds after Noah arrives Rupert kisses him announces to his stepmother that Noah is his lover in a attempt to avoid arranged marriage set up by his stepmother.
Noah can either help Rupert in his farce or return home without the money he needs to help his sick mother.
He decides to stay.
This story is slightly different than I had expected.
I was a little skeptical of Rupert and Noah's relationship since I don't particularly like "master and servant" or "boss and worker" romances and false relationships but the story was better than I had expected.
I had a fun time reading the development of Rupert and Noah's relationship and witnessing Rupert demeanor soften for Noah.
Noah is a ray of light.
He's so sweet,kind and adorable in contrast to Rupert who is sarcastic and filled with resentment towards his father.
Noah is also surprisingly good at adjusting to his life at the manor and elsewhere.
I had expected him to make a mistake and embarrass himself or Rupert at one point but he hasn't.
I was quite surprised.
I don't care much for Rupert's parents.
The father and stepmother are cold,invasive and calculating and his birth mother is selfish and cruel.
Noah is exactly what Rupert needs:
someone who is caring,loyal and isn't power hungry.
The artwork is very elegant and pretty.
Noah is dressed like a mix between a Japanese RPG character and a Super Dollfie Dream Midi doll.
He brings the better side of Rupert after a while which I adore but I wish the pacing of this story was slower because their romance seems sudden.
I would like to see this series have an animated series in the near future.
March 11, 2025
It feels like the creator didn't have enough time or pages to create the story they wanted, so the plot ends up rushing from one trope-y major plot point in a romance to another, with no smaller moments of character interaction connecting them to show why these two were developing affection for each other, let alone falling in love.
The family and court politics were interesting, but also started to feel rushed by the ball at the end of the volume.
The family and court politics were interesting, but also started to feel rushed by the ball at the end of the volume.
December 22, 2024
Oh, this was lovely.
Honestly...probably a bit too fast-paced; I was really surprised by the emotional development and resolution in this volume, since Lord Rupert's trauma seemed like something that would take a lot longer to work through. It could've definitely gone some dark routes - there's the whole deal with him swearing to never be like his father, who had married his mother for practical reasons, "loved" her in his way for a bit, then stopped, while she continued to pine after him.
Rupert is heavily traumatized by his mother's suicide, something he witnessed as a child, and has feared the idea of love ever since. Now as an adult and the Commander of the Royal Guard, he's struggling to keep his stepmother from dragging him into political arranged marriages.
When 19 year old Noah shows up at his manor, prepared to work as a gardener to pay for his sick mother's medicine, Rupert sees an opportunity to tells his stepmother that he's fallen in love with this handsome, lowly servant boy. He then asks Noah to keep up the pretense, while apologizing for the initial kiss and promising not to touch him again.
That promise doesn't exactly last - although he does ask Noah's consent before they do anything further. But there is still the whole power imbalance deal going on, and the very strong thread of Noah falling deeply in love with him while Rupert is still struggling with his trauma and his own feelings.
So I'm relieved, I suppose, that a two-volume series doesn't really leave room for any angst...like Rupert realizing that he's made someone sweet and gentle and selfless fall in love with him, just like his father did with his mother.
Instead, this is just a very soft, healing love story with Rupert accidentally stumbling into a relationship with the kindness, most supportive person he possibly could've ever found for himself.
This volume ended on such a lovely note. Maybe it's a bit too sweet...could've used more drama and more grit, but I don't care. I loved it.
Honestly...probably a bit too fast-paced; I was really surprised by the emotional development and resolution in this volume, since Lord Rupert's trauma seemed like something that would take a lot longer to work through. It could've definitely gone some dark routes - there's the whole deal with him swearing to never be like his father, who had married his mother for practical reasons, "loved" her in his way for a bit, then stopped, while she continued to pine after him.
Rupert is heavily traumatized by his mother's suicide, something he witnessed as a child, and has feared the idea of love ever since. Now as an adult and the Commander of the Royal Guard, he's struggling to keep his stepmother from dragging him into political arranged marriages.
When 19 year old Noah shows up at his manor, prepared to work as a gardener to pay for his sick mother's medicine, Rupert sees an opportunity to tells his stepmother that he's fallen in love with this handsome, lowly servant boy. He then asks Noah to keep up the pretense, while apologizing for the initial kiss and promising not to touch him again.
That promise doesn't exactly last - although he does ask Noah's consent before they do anything further. But there is still the whole power imbalance deal going on, and the very strong thread of Noah falling deeply in love with him while Rupert is still struggling with his trauma and his own feelings.
So I'm relieved, I suppose, that a two-volume series doesn't really leave room for any angst...like Rupert realizing that he's made someone sweet and gentle and selfless fall in love with him, just like his father did with his mother.
Instead, this is just a very soft, healing love story with Rupert accidentally stumbling into a relationship with the kindness, most supportive person he possibly could've ever found for himself.
This volume ended on such a lovely note. Maybe it's a bit too sweet...could've used more drama and more grit, but I don't care. I loved it.
January 8, 2025
This was a beautiful story, with some nice characterisation and world-building. It begins with a bang - Lord Rupert has a nightmare about being a child and picking flowers for his mother. But when he goes to present them to her, she's standing on the balcony of their home and throws herself to her death. Later, we learn that it's because she was in a loveless marriage and was desperate for her cold, unfeeling husband to love her. Ever since, Rupert has nightmares and insomnia from the memories.
In present day - where Rupert is an adult - he's suffering through a visit from his step-mother, who is trying to matchmake him to a young woman he can't stand. He knows that's only for his step-mother's advantage, and possibly the girl's, and he refuses to play the game.
At the same time, Noah has just arrived on the estate to take up the position of groundskeeper. He's only 19, but he's desperate to earn money, because his mother is sick and he needs to pay for her medicine. On his way to report for duty, a maid begs him to deliver the tea tray to Lord Rupert and his guests, because she's so busy. But when he does, Lord Rupert drops a bomb - he tells his guests that he and Noah are madly in love and that he can't possibly entertain courting anyone else.
What follows is a mash-up of some of my favourite tropes : grumpy/sunshine, marriage of convenience, fake dating, rich/poor and hurt/comfort. Noah is adorable, sweet, naive and innocent, while Lord Rupert is surly, distant and sharp-tongued at first, flirty later. Their chemistry grows nicely over time, ending in a soft affection. Not the intense attraction and sexy times of some other stories of this kind, but slowly and with warmth rather than heat. While they do end up with sexy times, it's all behind doors and off-page, which suits the characters and the storyline, letting the plot take centre stage.
I'm looking forward to Volume 2.
In present day - where Rupert is an adult - he's suffering through a visit from his step-mother, who is trying to matchmake him to a young woman he can't stand. He knows that's only for his step-mother's advantage, and possibly the girl's, and he refuses to play the game.
At the same time, Noah has just arrived on the estate to take up the position of groundskeeper. He's only 19, but he's desperate to earn money, because his mother is sick and he needs to pay for her medicine. On his way to report for duty, a maid begs him to deliver the tea tray to Lord Rupert and his guests, because she's so busy. But when he does, Lord Rupert drops a bomb - he tells his guests that he and Noah are madly in love and that he can't possibly entertain courting anyone else.
What follows is a mash-up of some of my favourite tropes : grumpy/sunshine, marriage of convenience, fake dating, rich/poor and hurt/comfort. Noah is adorable, sweet, naive and innocent, while Lord Rupert is surly, distant and sharp-tongued at first, flirty later. Their chemistry grows nicely over time, ending in a soft affection. Not the intense attraction and sexy times of some other stories of this kind, but slowly and with warmth rather than heat. While they do end up with sexy times, it's all behind doors and off-page, which suits the characters and the storyline, letting the plot take centre stage.
I'm looking forward to Volume 2.
November 26, 2024
A tragic event in Lord Rupert’s childhood has left him cold and unloving. He has no intention to marry, so his step-mother’s matchmaking aggravates him. To get her off his back, he declares he’s in love with a pretty servant boy.
Noah is a new gardener who is shaken by Rupert’s announcement. Especially since he’s rather curt with him when they’re alone. But little by little, he thaws Rupert’s ice. When the time comes for Noah to return home, Rupert doesn’t want to let him go.
This was a very hasty story. It felt like everything happened in a couple of days, but apparently a little more time than that passed. Rupert’s change from cold to hot seemed too fast because of the hasty pace. A lot was happening on the background too with Rupert’s parents, that didn’t really have any impact on the story. The dialogue, especially that of the upper class, was ridiculous. But Noah was sweet and art was beautiful, and since this is apparently only a two volume story, I’ll likely read the rest too.
Noah is a new gardener who is shaken by Rupert’s announcement. Especially since he’s rather curt with him when they’re alone. But little by little, he thaws Rupert’s ice. When the time comes for Noah to return home, Rupert doesn’t want to let him go.
This was a very hasty story. It felt like everything happened in a couple of days, but apparently a little more time than that passed. Rupert’s change from cold to hot seemed too fast because of the hasty pace. A lot was happening on the background too with Rupert’s parents, that didn’t really have any impact on the story. The dialogue, especially that of the upper class, was ridiculous. But Noah was sweet and art was beautiful, and since this is apparently only a two volume story, I’ll likely read the rest too.
January 9, 2025
I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect when reading this manga, I only chose to read it because of how beautiful the cover was, but I was pleasantly surprised by the story itself.
I didn’t expect the darkness of Rupert’s past nor did I expect how much I enjoyed reading his interactions with Noah. It was also interesting to see hints at Rupert’s family dynamic as a whole, along with his dynamic with both his father and step-mother. I’m very curious going into this next volume since I’m expecting some sort of drama in connection with Noah and his mother, however I hope it isn’t anything too heart wrenching. Noah seems like an absolute sweetheart and I want his mother to get whatever help she needs.
I didn’t expect the darkness of Rupert’s past nor did I expect how much I enjoyed reading his interactions with Noah. It was also interesting to see hints at Rupert’s family dynamic as a whole, along with his dynamic with both his father and step-mother. I’m very curious going into this next volume since I’m expecting some sort of drama in connection with Noah and his mother, however I hope it isn’t anything too heart wrenching. Noah seems like an absolute sweetheart and I want his mother to get whatever help she needs.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2025
Ni el bonito arte que se maneja la obra salva está historia. El ritmo es horrendo, en un cap se conocen y el final del siguiente sin haber pasado mucho tiempo, interactuado o vivido más experiencias juntos, ya están enamorados. Lo que más decepciona es que no hay motivación de parte de Noah, viene a trabajar para solventar la medicina de su madre y solamente eso de él conocemos, no tiene otra ambición, otros motivos, termina siendo la medicina de Rupert.
Igual es una historia corta y se lee bastante rápido.
Igual es una historia corta y se lee bastante rápido.
April 14, 2025
This was an okay read overall. Finding out it was meant to be a short story definitely helped make sense of the pacing, but it still felt a little all over the place. The constant scene changes and time skips made it hard to stay locked in or really enjoy the flow of the story. There are definitely some cute moments sprinkled throughout, but it just didn’t leave a strong impression. It’s a very mid read. Not bad, but not super great either.
December 26, 2024
it felt so rushed? like i wish there's more to how their feelings blossomed, but i guess i shouldn't expect every story to be slowburn catering to my tastes LMAO still a good read tho. noah is cute and what i like about fake relationship trope is that i get to see the other person falling head over heels to the other despite being firm and establishing their boundaries at first.
May 7, 2025
the Size Difference between our two main characters made me feel like I was reading early 90s yaoi with only slightly better anatomy.
the story was.... eh.
and it's a shrinkwrapped Manga so The Scene was also...
meh.
the story was.... eh.
and it's a shrinkwrapped Manga so The Scene was also...
meh.
July 2, 2025
I agree with other reviewers that it's a bit rushed, but I think for what it is, it's enjoyable, especially because the cast is fun. It's definitely more entertaining than Kamoburger's other work, "Our Sweet One-Room Apartment", and if people wanted a perhaps more "realistic" relationship, they should try that instead.
June 29, 2024
A short, sweet BL with some beautiful artwork!
August 31, 2024
I liked the Noah (MC) but Lord Rupard (ML) tried my patience. The artwork is stunning.
I'd still recommend it to those who like the 'fake dating' trope.
I'd still recommend it to those who like the 'fake dating' trope.
November 13, 2024
3.5 rounded up for emotional honesty. Not that Rupert is particularly honest about his emotions, but the reason why he isn't is handled with enough thought and care that it makes up for that.
November 27, 2024
Rating: 3.5*
I enjoyed this overall, but I wish there was more romance build up. It felt pretty insta-lovey. It was still cute though and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.
I enjoyed this overall, but I wish there was more romance build up. It felt pretty insta-lovey. It was still cute though and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.
January 5, 2025
Not to be dramatic, but I do anything for Noah.
January 19, 2025
Great read. Can't wait for vol 2.
January 21, 2025
The most perfect bittersweet story with the most gorgeous drawings
January 21, 2025
I quite enjoyed it the relationships were interesting, the art was gorgeous, and the romance was rather believable. All together lovely. I will be picking up the second volume.
January 26, 2025
Really enjoyed this! The romance happened a bit too quick, but still good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews