Always a Catch! 02: How I Punched My Way into Marrying a Prince

Always a Catch!: How I Punched My Way into Marrying a Prince #2

by Mayo Momoyo, Itsuki Mito, Kaki Nagato (Art)

A zany romantic comedy starring a duke’s daughter, who’s more of a fighter than a lady, and a prince who happens to be into that!

The road to the altar may have some bumps along the way! Eligible young bachelorette Maria has managed to sort out a case of mistaken identity and win herself an admirer of her fighting skills. Now she's happily engaged to said admirer, Renato, a neighboring country's crown prince. While her future should now be set, troubles await her at home...

When Maria makes a triumphant homecoming to inform her family of the good news of her engagement, she's thrilled to see her mother, sisters, and baby brother again. But she also discovers that her father isn't acting like his normal self, which may get in the way of her happily ever after. Will the course of true love run smooth, or does she need to get into some scuffles and knock out her opponents first?

Genres: Manga, Romance, Fantasy, Humor, Historical Fiction, Graphic Novels, Shojo

192 pages, Paperback

Published March 18, 2025

Reviews

[Jen]

Meh. Nothing more about the attempted assassination and the artwork at 15% was SUPPOSED to be pretty and you could tell that the artist couldn’t decide where to have the prince’s left arm and hand, because the arm was angling downward, but his hand was snaking up around her neck…

Completely threw me out of the story, which was cute, but not enough to want to continue with it.

Mary Sue MC h spreads love and joy wherever she goes, just by being herself naturally and without trying. Yawn.

3, not bad but not enough action for Lil’ Miss Punch-a-Lot Mary Sue for my taste, stars.

[Laura A. Grace]

SO MUCH FUN!

I deeply enjoyed volume one, but volume two was a complete blast! I might have initially been a little bummed to know our leads weren't going to be together for much of this volume, but seeing Maria's family was hilarious! All her brothers are so buff!! I don't think I've seen THIS much muscle in one volume of manga before! LOL!

The departure was sweet though and thankful to know our leads will be united again! I really hope that Renato is coming to meet her family because I NEED to see Maria's Dad meet him! He is a huge burly guy, but he truly does have a soft spot for his daughter. I honestly had to laugh when they were having a good heart-to-heart and he's upset and wondering why she would let herself be protected by people weaker than herself only for her to say, "I plan on keeping them safe so that they can feel better about protecting me." Hahahaha!

The action scenes were SOOOO good! I love how the artist has really brought Maria's fighting techniques and her overall training to life! It's really really fun seeing her kick butt on page!

I am SO excited for the next volume and truly hope the wait for it won't feel TOO long because this series is such a good one! Highly recommend!

[Natalie H]

April 2025
Kindle edition

The novelty wore off with the strength. Carrying on from the first, the prince is besotted. Maria continued to gather fans. The return home was nice. The family was doting. Looking forward to seeing the prince meet the family.

[Leanna]

It’s cute and kind of ridiculous hahah. It’s a fun read but it’s a little forgettable as much as it is sweet. I’ll continue just cause it’s easy and fun, just nothing super groundbreaking.

[Manon]

loved this! so quirky and fun!

[Rella]

la reina solo tenía cara de enojada para ocultar su nuevo cariño hacia su nuera.
y también hay intento de asesinado pero prota las defiende a ambas.

príncipe ya ha visto a prota hacer su serie de movimientos para entrenar.

prota regresa a la casa de sus padres, donde toda la familia llega para verla.

flashback del nacimiento de su hermano y como el papá la crio para ser la heredera, pero nace el niño y cambia de heredero.
que la verdad, mi humilde opinión, cambiar de heredero solo porque si no es justo, es más, sin contar toda la crianza de la menor hacia ser una heredera, ahora le pones una presión increíble a un recién nacido; que también podría no querer el puesto.
lo que pasa es que en este manga, lo dicen tipo, bueno como que yo no estaba al 100% dispuesta entonces no importa.
pero no estoy de acuerdo. ese entrenamiento y presión a ella pudieron habérselo ahorrado. o apuntan heredero cuando los niños sean más grandes.
(hasta las hermanas mayores golpean al papá por este cambio de decisión tan repentino)

Teo, el bebé está preciosooooooooooooooo
(no puede ser que el papá era así de su edad)
y prota María de la pasa con el.
Maria de lo quería llevar en la maleta.

pinche principeeeee
Maria de hubiera quedado un mes o algooooo

a antes, de camino a la casa hay una trama de unos campesinos que como el líder de la región o uno de buena posición no les quiere ayudar a encontrar una chica desaparecida entonces María los ayuda y manda a que hablen con su prometido.

[R.]

We get to see more of Mimi's unique family and interactions in this volume as she returns home to visit them following her engagement. It's clear that while her family may be a bit eccentric, they all love each other dearly and are a tight-knit family. We even get to see Mimi's adorable little brother that she's so taken with. Readers may even recognize what her "hairpin" actually is, though they use different descriptions so far in the story. Of course, Prince Renato is not too happy with Mimi being so far away from him, even if she does inadvertently give him a great reason to follow when she sends the villagers to the palace for aid.

[Jess | jadecanread]

The cast of this is just so colorful! Mimi is such a bright character and the series overall has been really fun.

Recap: renato’scousin is a womanizer, Mimi is going back home for a visit, we learn about the forms of martial arts, Mimi helps villagers and a count from a robbing, meet the family and they’re so loud, her dad is a riot, Renato learns of the villagers distress and decides to go out and meet Mimi hehe.

[Danielle]

Always a Catch!: How I Punched My Way into Marrying a Prince Volume 2 further explores the new engagement between Maria and Prince Renato

Things I Loved:
*Renato’s dedication*
*Maria’s kindness*

In this volume, we watch Maria attempt to adjust to life as the Prince’s fiancée, which means more lessons in how to be ladylike. This one also focuses on Maria heading back to her family to visit. I didn’t love the way Renato tried to essentially keep her there, nor did I love the way her father was treating her after she came home.

However, it seems this volume gives the reader a bit more peace of mind about Renato overall being a good character than the last. I also loved watching Maria and Teo together and just how the author presented their special bond

[Noelle Haycraft]

Yes. The series title gives you all you need to know. If that intrigues you? Give it a go. It's honestly so cute and the fact that she's so tough and can actually punch and stronk? Right on.

Happy Reading!!

[Jourdy]

So cute!!!!! I love how she loves her brother still even though he’s the heir now, and her family is so fun and loving!

[Chrysalis Chrysanthemum]

great read

I really love the story so far. Strong female lead and likable male protagonist. The story is engaging and keeps you wanting to read more.

[Alarna]

good but this one felt even shorter than the last. :)

[Jennica]

Still kind of off the wall a bit, but I do want to know what happens. It was nice to meet her family too.

[Skye (Skye's Scribblings)]

6/25 A little too ridiculous for my tastes, will not be continuing.

[Jacqueline]

4.5 stars

[Sif]

seeing mimi really reciprocate the prince’s adoration was such a nice touch !! it was also a lot of fun meeting her family and seeing more of their fighting styles !

[Lindsay]

So funny and lighthearted! I love the idea of a tough and strong heroine.

[Mariána K]

The story continues to be cute but nothing particularly outstanding or fancy. I definitely like the characters and want to see the shenanigans they do next.

[Kathleen]

Maria visits home, and her whole family is adorable, especially Teo!

[Bee]

We get to meet her sisters this time! Yay!

[Kikie]

This series really fun to read. But I think the anime was better than the manga 😅

[Fatimah]

王妃のファン態度すごく面白かった🤣
ミミの家族も紹介された、面白い家族でした

[Ainsley Fabrizio]

awww. I really love how genuine Maria is and I love how much her and her family love each other. Another super cute volume.

[Kyisha Walter]

Not as strong plot-wise and less romance than the first volume but still very fun

[Sara]

Read more graphic novel reviews at The Graphic Library.

Mimi decides to travel back home to visit her family before her nuptuals, but there's trouble on the road (which she and her attendants handle). Then, back home, everything isn't as she had hoped to find it. Her dad is acting weird! This series is comical, and there's a strong-willed, and strong-armed female lead who takes charge and leaves no prisoners. There's a lot to like about this story!

Sara's Rating: 9/10
Suitability Level: Grades 7-12