My Secretly Hot Husband, Vol. 1

남편이 미모를 숨김 [Nampyeon-i Mimoreul Sumgim] (Comic) #1

by Gabi Nam (Adapter), Harara (artist), Jungyeon (original_author)

Letitia was reborn into another world after her untimely death, but that was only the start of her hardships. A series of tragic events forces her to work like a servant at her uncle’s house, until he sends her off to marry the infamous “Monster Lord” Erden Halstead. But once she arrives at her new home, Letitia’s fear is quickly replaced by a whole slew of questions. Why is she randomly finding modern objects from her previous life that don’t belong in this fantasy world? Why is her supposedly hideous and evil husband such a sweetheart who really loves bunnies? And most importantly...why is he so HOT?!

Genres: Manhwa, Manga, Fantasy, Romance, Graphic Novels, Historical, Found Family

304 pages, Paperback

First published June 5, 2022

About the author

Gabi Nam 가비남 is a South Korean artist who has lived abroad in Japan and France. She self-publishes her work in South Korea and specializes in the black-and-white manga style. Fangirl: The Manga is her English debut.

Reviews

[Marquise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I sometimes think to myself that mangaka/manhwaga must be determined to embarrass their readership with these silly-sounding titles that are like their genre’s equivalent to the shirtless Fabio covers in romance novels.

When this manhwa was recommended to me, I wasn’t enthusiastic because of the title. Call it judging a book by its cover, but although titles like this never fail to elicit a smile from me, I tend to not give them a second glance to explore their contents further. Packaging matters a lot in fiction, some readers pick books solely on the cover, others on the blurb, and some more by the title, a fact publishers know well or they wouldn’t spend millions on all three.

I’m glad I decided to trust the recommendation over the corny title, because My Secretly Hot Husband was one of the most charming manhwas I’ve read in recent years. A mix of the complicated and the simple, the cute and the silly, the melodramatic and a dash of seriousness, and more adventure and engaging characters than I had expected.

Full review on my website.

[Laura]

DNF 5/18

I'm too bored to continue.

[Laura A. Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am beyond excited to be rereading this series in physical form because this was my favorite read of 2023 and it was just as exciting as the very first time I read it! (It's also still the only series I have/am double-dipped on!)

This story is wonderful in every way, but one thing that really spoke to me when rereading was how incredible Letitia is. I mean I knew she always was, but seeing how she's a young woman who is "trapped" in the nightmares of her past life with worries about her present life and how she'll survive really hit me. There are many times when we see her afraid, but yet taking a brave stand to help those around her. She is a strong young woman who you can't help but want to be like and be inspired by because of how she pushes herself physically and mentally to do all she can.

Though to add to that, seeing her "scheme" and trick the devils around her is awesome and hilarious! I loved seeing her thrive as a girl boss and admired MANY scenes with her where she is standing her ground and fighting back while Erden is away. Again, she is amazing!

Speaking of Erden, HE IS A PRECIOUS LITTLE BEAN!!! Gah, I love him so much and admire him just as much as Letitia!! He is so brave and strong and feel deeply inspired by how he puts his life on the line so that others can live in a safer and "better" world. I have come across no manhwa male lead like him and truly feel he is one-of-a-kind!

I would HIGHLY recommend this series if you're looking for a really fun transmigration story with a slowborn romance and plenty of action with an epic girl boss female lead! I cannot wait to read volume two physically as the story only will continue to amp up!!

[Elynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 the art is great but plot is weak

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Way more adorable than I thought it would be. Liked it so much, I pre-ordered the second.

4, so cute!, stars!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good!!!!!!!!! I love the art, it's so beautiful. I also really love every single character; I was feeling a little emotional towards the end when they were fighting.

Letitia is a great main character; she is the perfect mix of brave but also a little silly. I love that it showed her being scared but still stepping up as the lady of the castle. I also really like Erden, we didn't get to see a ton of him towards the end though.

It was hilarious how they kept calling out modern capitalistic society 😂

I can't wait for volume 2!

Thanks to Ize Press for the arc!

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I kind of wish the original author had stuck with the other name she mentioned for the series - Leticia of the Red Flame feels like a better fit, at least as far as volume one goes. But even a cringey title can't hurt this above average isekai fantasy, which raises the bar for elderly characters by including three old ladies who kick absolute ass.

[Breshna]

I actually read this 4 years ago, but dont remember, so gonna read again. ITS ONE OF MY FIRST MANHWAS 😼

[Katie❄️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mean what an ugly husband... LOL He looks like the hottest k-pop star. 🤣Just truly monstrous.

[Izel · Rating 4 out of 5]

these wack ass titles, I swear. I love manhwas though

[Sarah Ryder · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first saw my friend talking about this series my first thought upon seeing the images for it was “They look like Yona and Hak (from Yona of the Dawn)” and ever since then I’ve wanted to read it for that reason alone, lol. And while it’s not like Yona it is still super sweet, funny, and engaging all on its own!

Letitia and Erden are a couple of precious little beans who need to be protected at all costs and when they’re together the cuteness overload is real, lol. They’re just so cute together yet strong apart as well and I loved seeing them start to trust and open up to each other, it was so sweet. I also love the three grannies, they’re so much fun.

The balance of comedy, seriousness, and hard core action is handled really well and hit just right when the appropriate beats were needed without one part getting more attention then the others. And when the comedy happened I actually laughed and/or snorted which is a huge accomplishment as I normally laugh at stuff that isn’t supposed to be funny, lol. The artwork is beautiful too, some of the panels are just stunning!

I also heard from another friend that this story has been compared to Beauty and the Beast and while it’s not a direct retelling in the slightest there are elements of the tale throughout the three volumes I’ve read so far—Erden’s “hideous” curse and the fact that he’s called a monster and wears a mask, and the “beauty” who is summoned to his castle to be “locked up” yet grows to love him for who he is on the inside rather then the outside; those are definitely the strongest things I can think of though there might be smaller ones I missed.

I’m most certainly sold on this series and will be continuing! Must see more cute Letitia and Erden moments but also the way this volume ended? Dang that was good!


‼️Content‼️

Language: damn; what the heck; gosh; hell (as a place); gah

Violence: a character died in a fire in their past life (not shown, only implied); fighting with weapons and magic (PG-PG-13); blood on a sword blade (PG-13); imps are blown up (PG); a character’s called a witch and threatened to be burned at the stake; a girl punches a guy’s face; characters cut their fingers for a contract (PG); injuries and blood (PG-PG-13); stone golems kill each other (PG)

Sexual: a man is called hot; a man tries to woo another’s wife (he’s firmly rebuffed)

Other: evil fantasy creatures and humanoid beings are called “devils”; a character is reincarnated; a character is called a monster; a rumor about a character murdering and eating young maidens (this is a lie); explosions; a character is cursed; magic/magical objects

[XOX · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF at 50% point. It is not that original.

A woman who died in a fire, reborn into a world of magic and demons. There is a religious who murder women if they are found to be witches.

The girl is now 12 and remembers her past life. She is afraid of being burned alive by the religious people. She lived with her uncle now.

Her uncle has a problem. His family has been ordered by the religious leader to give them a girl. He needs to sacrifice his own daughter and give her to be married off to a demon. He didn't want to do that. He would give them this girl instead.

The girl is being treated well, as she is the future wife of the demon lord. She is useless at first. But her past life memory helps her to fight the enemy and read a magic book, which is in Korean.

It is a fantasy story about a girl of 12 meeting a boy of 15. The rest is fighting monsters and being treated like a princess.

It got predictable and boring fast.

2.5 stars

This is not for me.
This is for you if you like K-drama. The main protagonist is tall and a K-pop singer type, handsome. It is a K-drama in manhwa form. If that's what you like, you will like it way more than I do.

[DancingMarshmallow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall: 4 stars

This was a fun sort of "Beauty and the Beast" isekai manhwa with very pretty art. I don't like reading comics on a phone screen, so I read the first volume of the printed adaptation of the webnovel. Just a note on the printing: the paper is very nice quality, and it's a heavy volume with lush colors. It's definitely worth picking up, if you're into printed comics.

I did really enjoy reading this once I got past the first 25%, which wasn't bad per se, but it was a bit cliched and boring, since it's the "tale as old as time" that we've seen in every story inspired by Cinderella/BatB ever. The book starts with the heroine, Letitia, as an orphaned girl being raised by her horrible uncle until one day she's married off to the "monstrous" lord of a northern kingdom. Letitia spends most of her time flipping the heck out, which is understandable, but it also gets a little tiring seeing either her family treating her like dirt or her freaking out about being in the beast's castle.

After this slow, tired beginning, the action ramps up and the story fast-forwards until Letitia is an adult who is much more independent and badass. She has to defend the castle and its people on her own while the hero is gone and takes on a leadership role with ease. It was pretty refreshing and cool seeing a practical, no-nonsense heroine being a badass while also wearing cute dresses. Fantasy goals.

My only real complaint is that I didn't love the isekai elements of the story. I think it would have worked just as well, if not better, if it was just a straight fantasy with Letitia developing actual magical powers or something instead of modern things like butane canisters appearing in this fantasy land. But oh well, it was still a fun fantasy read with lovely art, and I definitely enjoyed it and will be checking out volume 2.

[Annalise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very fun and I’m very excited to see what their vibes are now that they’re going to be reunited after 7 years🤭 Also, I need to see more of the four winged dragon👏

[Jaxine Rivera · Rating 3 out of 5]

About a 3.5

The art of this manwha is pretty good. I can't wait to hear the reason why this stupidly handsome guy believes he's ugly. It's pretty cool they have two different colors for their eyes and the mask for him is actually pretty cool looking. The main couple has a 3 year age gap, but when you see them meet at 12 and 15, the main girls looks way younger and they do explain its because she wasn't fed well and stuff. Also, I love how she's able to face devils in the story because (no joke) capitalism.

I do like that the female is still scared to face things, but bravely faces them on because she wants to protect the people who welcomed her.

The afterwords are very cute tho so I look forward to reading the other volumes I got from the library.

[Samantha Pimlott · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this manga

This was a great first read for this fantasy Manga it has an amazing plot and the drawing is fantastic excited to move on to book two

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. Glad they didn't immediately marry but just got engaged. Though I did think it was hilarious that he was conveniently gone for a lot of the years until maturity.
2. Love seeing our MC grow from a tiny girl with big plans to an adult with even bigger plans.
3. Love that she was isekaied and that it helps with certain things in this world (like the gas or some of her plans).
4. Her husband is indeed HOT *swoons*.
5. I need to know why he thinks he is hideous.
6. I love how she is spreading rumours so no one can touch her hubby and is also actively destroying the divorce papers he makes, I would also do that, haha.
7. Pretty art!
8. Great side characters!

[Susanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good transmigration manhwa. Letitia, originally from Korea, has died in a fire and reborn in a different world with memories of her old life. She loses her parents young and is living in her uncle’s manor as a servant, her only use for him her inheritance. But when he has to marry one of his daughters to a devil lord of north, he sends Letitia instead. She’s heard horror stories of life in north and her future husband, but it’s still a better fate than being burned at stake for being a witch, with which her family threatens her.

Letitia is only twelve, but it turns out her husband to be is only fifteen. He hides behind a mask, because he looks like a monster, but she soon realises he’s very kind. In a prologue that gives a peek to their future lives, he’s very handsome, but it may be she’s only one who sees him that way. That remains to be seen.

At their engagement party, he shows her a secret text that no one can read, but which should help them to defeat all the monsters of north. It turns out to be in Korean, so she can read it. Other modern items pop up too, like butane canisters that help her defeat some monsters.

Encouraged by her ability, he leaves right after the engagement to search for more such books. He hides the castle with magic before he leaves, and for seven years, Letitia and the villagers live in peace. But now the magic is vaning and he’s not back.

This was an exciting start for the story. Lot of action and intrigue. I liked the time jump too, because otherwise it would’ve been either icky or too slow to follow. And the full colour art was very beautiful. The original official webtoon is still available in English too, so I think I’ll continue reading that instead of waiting for the next volume to be published.

[Felix The Pirate Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wirklich tolle Geschichte mit tollen, ungewöhnlichen Charakteren und Verstrickungen, die mich wirklich fesseln. Ich freue mich schon auf die weiteren Entwicklungen und bin gespannt, ob sich irgendwann das volle Geheimnis hinter der Maske ihres Ehemannes offenbart wird.

Ich finde auch den Drachen total toll!! Der ist so niedlich! Ich hätte auch gerne einen...

[padma]

dnf

[mith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread! I read this finished earlier this year and have been meaning to binge. The artwork is so pretty!

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read my full review here.

[Mersi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The amount of drama and anxiety I have for this beautifully and hilarious book is insane

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This reminds me of a few different manga that have all turned out to have excellent characters and political intrigue. I'm excited to read more of this manhwa.

[Lissy Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Que lindo ❤️😭🫶

[Anisa]

DNF

[m.・゜゜・・゜゜・． · Rating 4 out of 5]

she’s so cyuuuttteeee

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, actually, a shadow daddy character can be tolerable—BUT, only when he doesn’t know he’s hot.

Anyway.

This is very fun and cute. My favorite kind of isekai is one that subverts tropes and features a non-loser boy protagonist. This checks off both boxes.

Letitia is not only endearing right off the bat she also grows to be a smart, capable, and strong young woman who can stand beside her powerful—but, endearingly insecure—husband. We are introduced to such a mutually respectful dynamic between the pair here that only becomes more interesting as the story progresses.

I’m very much looking forward to reading more. These two are so cute~

[Katie Haasch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and quick manga read. Letitia was reborn into a fantasy world and lived with her aunt and uncle (think Cinderella). She is chosen to fill full a marriage contract for her cousins and sent to marry the hideous and evil “Monster Lord” Erden Halstead. Once she arrives she starts to discover items from her past life.

[Nur Malso · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Se dice que si cuelga los nudos que te ha hecho en la espada de alguien que va a la batalla, volverá ileso.
Los hilos que componen los nudos, lo llevarán de vuelta a casa.
No es la muerte la que temen la gente aquí en el norte. Nuestro mayor temor es vagar después de morir, sin poder regresar a casa.
Pero cuando sales con un nudo hecho pro alguien que se preocupa por ti, te da consuelo."