Monthly in the Garden with My Landlord, Vol. 4

Maitsuki, Niwatsuki, Ooyatsuki [ Monthly in the Garden with My Landlord] #4

by Yodokawa, Stephen Paul (translator)

It’s not easy being in a relationship! Miyako has her hands full with planning dates, picking out the perfect gift for Asako, and…meeting her parents?! Meanwhile, Elm is busy preparing to make their comeback with the cute and cunning Ruri as their leader. This means dance lessons, live shows, streams, social media posts—it’s almost too much for her to bear! Thankfully, seems like Ruri’s got a new special someone…

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

Kindle Edition

Published March 25, 2025

About the author

See also: ヨドカワ

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good volume. Not flashy, but filled with solid human drama and a reasonably portioned amount of heart.

Asako and Miyako are in the fluffiest phase of their relationship, which is driving Miyako nuts because while Asako can be a bit of a scold she never gets really mad. This is a cute little moment that shows their differences and introduces Chekhov’s socks into the equation.

The other notable arc with them comes in at the end, when they go home to meet Asako’s parents. This isn’t astonishing - Asako’s mom and dad are so incredibly normal that it’s entirely believable - but it makes for a strong note to end the volume on.

All the drama is focused on Miyako’s old group, ELM, who have a new single coming. Ruri is working herself to the bone for this, not only for its success, but also to get out from under the rumours that she got rid of Miyako to get the leader role.

Ruri’s real role has actually been to fuel the potential second coupling in the manga, between herself and Hato, who is forced to get to know the real Ruri instead of her idol persona.

Ruri is always at Hato’s place, but their relationship is moving at a glacial pace, particularly with Hato having an idol fan’s mindset she’s not super good at shaking. She clearly cares for Ruri in her way, but figuring out that way is her issue.

When ELM’s meddlesome manager inserts herself into the midst of Ruri’s extracurriculars, it all spills over into their professional relationship and makes things awkward as all get out.

It might resolve a little quickly, I think this could have been mined for more dramatics, but it’s a good lesson on believing in people and supporting them. And more than one person learns that. I loved the way that it all closed out.

This isn’t a wow-factor story, but I do think it’s well-written with a good heart and some more tender moments than you’d expect given the subject matter. Nothing you’d immediately recommend, but wouldn’t regret reading.

4 stars - good, workmanlike, yuri that gets done what it wants and expresses what it’s trying to get across. A rarer beast than you’d think.

[Mk · Rating 4 out of 5]

LET HER PROPOSE

[Cherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Idk why but the idol group stuff really annoyed me.

[пташатко · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.25)

ніколи не втомлюсь повторювати, наскільки ж тут симпатичний дизайн персонаж_ок, яка ж страшенно чарівна мвльовка!! а історія, бляха, яка чудова!!! ці затишні буденні замальовочки з головними героїнями, їхні стосунки одна з одною та зі своїми подругами, затравочки на іншу пару, сюжетна лінія з гуртом та айдолським життям, оця поїздка до батьків ще.... а а аа а Я НЕ МОЖУ

хочеться 1) авторці розцілувати руки 2) покричати про відсутність в мене фізичних примірників КАМОН ТА ВИДАЙТЕ ВЖЕ ЦЮ ЧУДОВУ СКРІЮ УКРАЇНСЬКОЮ МАЙТЕ СОВІСТЬ

[marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vol. 1 ★★★☆☆
Vol. 2 ★★★☆☆
Vol. 3 ★★★☆☆

Now that the leads have gotten together, the story shifts gears to Ruri, the current leader of Miyako's old idol group. There are also hints at a secondary romance. Had it been earlier in the series, I would've been more receptive. However, knowing there's only a volume left, I just want to spend the remaining time with our main couple. Their chapters are definitely my favorite of the volume.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

With a lot of the romantic tension settled between the main couple, the writer swings attention to the professional and friendship tensions in the pop idol group the landlord once belonged to. It's all right, but not what I pick up this series for.


FOR REFERENCE:

Contents: Chapters 19-24 -- Translation Notes -- Bonus, Part 1 -- Bonus, Part 2

[edy · Rating 3 out of 5]

rating: 3.5

since i read the first three volumes back in january i don't remember much about this manga but it's still cute and wholesome

[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.

[Julia]

I enjoyed the first three books in this series, but this volume hit a lull for me! There isn't a consistent story line through much of this one, and there isn't any source of conflict or tension driving these chapters. I plan on giving number 5 a try, but if it follows the pacing in this volume, I may be all set on the series.

[star · Rating 3 out of 5]

on one hand it’s fun that we are focusing more on the side characters and i appreciate that there wasn’t any unnecessary drama created surrounding the main couple just for the sake of it, on the other hand i feel like the side characters aren’t distinct enough so far. their character design isn’t interesting enough and they don’t quite pull me in or charm me as the main couple.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable! Love getting to see Asako and Miyako as girlfriends and ALSO love getting to see more ELM. Another great volume of one of my fave yuri series

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this cute and positive wlw story very much. Such a feel good read in a world that feels like it’s on fire~

[AP · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just really love this series, guys. I’m loving the jpop industry details and really excited to see more of the secondary couple!

[Reuben Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed seeing more of Ruri and Hato, and again just loving the gentle, warm, cosy, cuteness of it.

[Vanna Book-Mage · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted less of ELM.

[Tara'e · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 I wanted more of the main couple 😕