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My New Wife's Fake Smile, Volume 1
They’ve been married one month already, but Soijiro’s new wife Chiyo has maintained a fake smile every day since. She says and gives away so little, in fact, the insecure samurai can’t help but worry whether she’s dissatisfied with the arranged match. Ever the beautiful and dutiful wife, Chiyo seems much too good for him — a lowly second son — so he swears to become the husband she deserves. Little does he know, however, the head-over-heels Chiyo is desperately trying to keep her wild attraction to him in check for propriety’s sake.
How could she not love a handsome husband who cherishes and protects her with all his heart?
How could she not love a handsome husband who cherishes and protects her with all his heart?
136 pages, Paperback
Published November 4, 2025
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23 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 10, 2025
I received this book from the publisher in exchange of an honest review.
OMG, this was even funnier and better than I had thought it was given the blurb. A girl with indecent thoughts trying to hide it + she is also super shy which doesn't help the cause and a guy with low self-esteem but also super protective. I just laughed so many times because the guy is just totally not getting why his wife is acting like this and in the meantime you see his wife sniffing him like mad or drooling over his delicious body (sometimes even funnier when people in public see her face). I am rooting for this couple, they need to get closer and I want to see kisses and more. The art was fab, I especially love the FMC's facial expressions. HIGHLY recommended!
OMG, this was even funnier and better than I had thought it was given the blurb. A girl with indecent thoughts trying to hide it + she is also super shy which doesn't help the cause and a guy with low self-esteem but also super protective. I just laughed so many times because the guy is just totally not getting why his wife is acting like this and in the meantime you see his wife sniffing him like mad or drooling over his delicious body (sometimes even funnier when people in public see her face). I am rooting for this couple, they need to get closer and I want to see kisses and more. The art was fab, I especially love the FMC's facial expressions. HIGHLY recommended!
October 2, 2025
Oh this was hilarious and she is so head over heels for him. I wonder at what point will her realize her feelings? This is all I can say without spoiling anything.
Thanks so much to the publisher for the DRC. This is giving My Happy Marriage vibes but out FMC is beyond in love/lust. Can't wait to read the next one!
Thanks so much to the publisher for the DRC. This is giving My Happy Marriage vibes but out FMC is beyond in love/lust. Can't wait to read the next one!
November 11, 2025
Cute but irritatingly repetitive.
October 27, 2025
Cute, but lacking depth.
September 7, 2025
3.5 Rated Up.
I have to admit, even with the cute cover, the summary of this new manga made me think it'd be a lewd comedy, despite it being a TokyoPop title. I've seen many an erotic manga having that mix of romance, comedy, and then yeah graphic sexual scenes.
At least for volume one, this is not one of those. This is definitely a romantic comedy set in Japan's samurai era. Each chapter or story is only a few pages long, and has a narration cadence that reminds me of a poem.
Sojiro and Chiyo are a newlywed couple, the marriage arranged by their family. Sojiro is the second son and doesn't quite have a high opinion of himself other than he knows he can wield his sword masterfully. Chiyo seems to be your typical filial daughter who obliges and can only hope that the marriage is kind to her. We soon see in the first few anecdotal stories that she very much is happy to be with her husband, but she was raised to always be polite and genteel and doesn't want to show her husband or anyone else, what's really racing through her mind.
It's a series of cute misunderstandings where both care about each other but simply don't know how to communicate with each other in a meaningful way. I do like that there are some tropes that are changed around here, so Chiyo isn't just a typical meek wife of the era. There are some of the romantic trappings I see that I dislike (and it applies to like 99% of romance books) like weird jealousy that has no reason to be there.
The art style isn't so bad. It's not as strong as other manga but everyone does look unique, and I like that Sojiro is softer looking here. Both of them look like they're of similar ages with Chiyo being simply petite and demure but very much a young woman. It's such a quick read, and it's something light-hearted that I'd recommend to anyone. I can't see this being a very long series and do hope that they get to understand each other more quickly in however many other volumes are to come.
The cover is very cute and simple. It looks like they're standing for their couple's portrait with Sojiro looking sad/dubious of his new wife's happiness, while Chiyo's trying to contain her happiness to a respectable level. Not *quite* an eye catching cover if I were to peruse Kinokuniya, but does accurately display the mood of the manga.
Thanks to Edelweiss for providing me a copy of this!
I have to admit, even with the cute cover, the summary of this new manga made me think it'd be a lewd comedy, despite it being a TokyoPop title. I've seen many an erotic manga having that mix of romance, comedy, and then yeah graphic sexual scenes.
At least for volume one, this is not one of those. This is definitely a romantic comedy set in Japan's samurai era. Each chapter or story is only a few pages long, and has a narration cadence that reminds me of a poem.
Sojiro and Chiyo are a newlywed couple, the marriage arranged by their family. Sojiro is the second son and doesn't quite have a high opinion of himself other than he knows he can wield his sword masterfully. Chiyo seems to be your typical filial daughter who obliges and can only hope that the marriage is kind to her. We soon see in the first few anecdotal stories that she very much is happy to be with her husband, but she was raised to always be polite and genteel and doesn't want to show her husband or anyone else, what's really racing through her mind.
It's a series of cute misunderstandings where both care about each other but simply don't know how to communicate with each other in a meaningful way. I do like that there are some tropes that are changed around here, so Chiyo isn't just a typical meek wife of the era. There are some of the romantic trappings I see that I dislike (and it applies to like 99% of romance books) like weird jealousy that has no reason to be there.
The art style isn't so bad. It's not as strong as other manga but everyone does look unique, and I like that Sojiro is softer looking here. Both of them look like they're of similar ages with Chiyo being simply petite and demure but very much a young woman. It's such a quick read, and it's something light-hearted that I'd recommend to anyone. I can't see this being a very long series and do hope that they get to understand each other more quickly in however many other volumes are to come.
The cover is very cute and simple. It looks like they're standing for their couple's portrait with Sojiro looking sad/dubious of his new wife's happiness, while Chiyo's trying to contain her happiness to a respectable level. Not *quite* an eye catching cover if I were to peruse Kinokuniya, but does accurately display the mood of the manga.
Thanks to Edelweiss for providing me a copy of this!
February 18, 2026
This was kind of cute, but it didn’t seem to have much going on. A new samurai bride is so star struck by her handsome, brave husband that she smiles inanely when he’s around and barely speaks to him. Her husband –the samurai–is so insecure that he misreads her expression and believes her to feel disdain for him. The joke is that they each are unknowingly in love with the other.
She drools with lust over his muscle-y muscles; he barely restrains himself at her beauty. Their marriage hasn’t even been consummated because of this constant misunderstanding.
But yeah—that’s pretty much all there is. It’s a series of little stories that all have the same plot. The characters are cute, but for this to work *something* else would need to happen.
It also suffers from a personal pet peeve of mine: historically inaccurate language/manners/behaviors. I could overlook that if everything else was strong enough, but here it just kind of contributes to the overall mediocrity.
She drools with lust over his muscle-y muscles; he barely restrains himself at her beauty. Their marriage hasn’t even been consummated because of this constant misunderstanding.
But yeah—that’s pretty much all there is. It’s a series of little stories that all have the same plot. The characters are cute, but for this to work *something* else would need to happen.
It also suffers from a personal pet peeve of mine: historically inaccurate language/manners/behaviors. I could overlook that if everything else was strong enough, but here it just kind of contributes to the overall mediocrity.
November 20, 2025
This is super cute, but there's not much to it beyond the central premise of Chiyo being so into her husband that she struggles to control her face, and Sojiro having bad self esteem and assuming it's because she doesn't like him. But both of them are adorable and sweet, and watching them circle each other is very fun.
The biggest problem is that it's missing an overarching plot. It's more like a collection of little sketches than it is an ongoing story. Sure, each new instalment fleshes out the universe a little more, but there's no progress or change in Chiyo and Sojiro's relationship. I was really looking forward to having the miscommunication resolved, but it's still ongoing at the end of volume 1, which just makes it feel like they're milking the premise a little hard.
Overall, a fluffy little palate cleanser. It's a fun, easy read that you don't have to think about too hard.
The biggest problem is that it's missing an overarching plot. It's more like a collection of little sketches than it is an ongoing story. Sure, each new instalment fleshes out the universe a little more, but there's no progress or change in Chiyo and Sojiro's relationship. I was really looking forward to having the miscommunication resolved, but it's still ongoing at the end of volume 1, which just makes it feel like they're milking the premise a little hard.
Overall, a fluffy little palate cleanser. It's a fun, easy read that you don't have to think about too hard.
November 27, 2025
I think this manga has a very cute concept, but very poor execution.
Each chapter is very episodic, and I feel like it could have used a bit more plot to give it some "oomph". The way it is now, I feel like the writing is just okay, but is mostly relying on a gag to push the story into readable territory. If we had some more plot events and character backstory, I think it would have a better base to stand on.
But most of all, I feel like the art in this is a bit amateurish. The shading and anatomy had me scratching my head at a few points, and sometimes I felt that the character designs didn't really befit a period piece.
Overall, I would have liked a little more and better from this, but as it is, it isn't totally offensive or anything. I would say it's a little cute and harmless.
Each chapter is very episodic, and I feel like it could have used a bit more plot to give it some "oomph". The way it is now, I feel like the writing is just okay, but is mostly relying on a gag to push the story into readable territory. If we had some more plot events and character backstory, I think it would have a better base to stand on.
But most of all, I feel like the art in this is a bit amateurish. The shading and anatomy had me scratching my head at a few points, and sometimes I felt that the character designs didn't really befit a period piece.
Overall, I would have liked a little more and better from this, but as it is, it isn't totally offensive or anything. I would say it's a little cute and harmless.
August 25, 2025
3.5 Stars. This was cute, but not something I think I'll continue.
October 5, 2025
3.5
I really like the premise... It just got a little redundant, but I think it's cute and charming and pretty okay.
I really like the premise... It just got a little redundant, but I think it's cute and charming and pretty okay.
November 11, 2025
art was good and cute.
but damn this was boring. not a thing happened, they just said the same shit over and over again.
but damn this was boring. not a thing happened, they just said the same shit over and over again.
November 30, 2025
this was so silly. 3.5★ rounding up because it was cute, but there was very little actual development here lol
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2025
So CUUUUTE!! Silly goofy fun and so sweet!
December 22, 2025
3.8 stars.
December 27, 2025
a cute fun read!
January 4, 2026
Cute short chapter manga. The little stories of the couple lives are cute.
January 7, 2026
Loved the premise and the drawings but the story got boringly repetetive quickly. I hope for some real story progress in the next volume.
January 10, 2026
Cute- a fluffy read and they are right for each other (I hope the intense miscommunication rights itself soon 🤞🤞😂)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2025
One of the worst manga I've ever read (I've read worse, though). It had a few good moments sprinkled in here and there. Not worth my time.
January 27, 2026
Chiyo's facial expressions behind her new husband's back are absolutely hilarious. It is even better when other people see them and Soijiro is left confused by what they are reacting to.
I am looking forward to the light-hearted silliness sure to come in volume 2.
I am looking forward to the light-hearted silliness sure to come in volume 2.
December 3, 2025
3.5⭐️
This was such a cute read. If you have read and enjoyed "the way of the house husband" then I think you will really enjoy this. This is about two people who are in an arranged marriage, and they each think that the other person doesn't like them, when in reality, they are both obsessed with each other. It's so cute and wholesome, I can not wait for the second volume to come out in December.
This was such a cute read. If you have read and enjoyed "the way of the house husband" then I think you will really enjoy this. This is about two people who are in an arranged marriage, and they each think that the other person doesn't like them, when in reality, they are both obsessed with each other. It's so cute and wholesome, I can not wait for the second volume to come out in December.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews