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文化祭実行委員としてがんばる羽花に三浦くんがくれるのは、うれしいサプライズ。好きな気持ちはますます高まるけれど、元カノの芹奈が今も三浦くんを──? 甘ずっぱくて ちょっとほろ苦い。まぶしい青春がここで待ってる!

Paperback

First published April 25, 2017

24 people are currently reading
132 people want to read

About the author

Mayu Murata

54 books37 followers
Name (in native language): 村田真優

Works (in chronological order):
- Dokuro X Heart [ドクロ×ハート] (2007)
- Mousou Cinderella [妄想シンデレラ] (2009)
- Nagareboshi Lens [流れ星レンズ] (2010-2014, 10 volumes)
- In the chocolate [インザチョコレー] (2011)
- Mata Ashita [またあした] (2015, 3 volumes)
- Fukashigi Closet [不可思議クローゼット] (2015)
- Honey Lemon Soda [ハニーレモンソーダ] (2016, 26 volumes ongoing)

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5 stars
302 (41%)
4 stars
287 (39%)
3 stars
115 (15%)
2 stars
14 (1%)
1 star
7 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Profile Image for Mark.
2,797 reviews269 followers
March 1, 2024
School festival time is here and Ishimura is run ragged trying to keep her class’ cafe on its feet. That won’t stop her from bumping up against Kai, however, nor will it keep the entire school from noticing, apparently.

Interestingly enough, I just came to this after having my brain disengaged and possibly damaged permanently by the final volume of No Matter What You Say, Furi-san is Scary, a title that also prominently featured maids and a fireworks festival with yukata.

So what’s the difference? Writing, writing is the difference. If you bother making characters that I might be at all interested in seeing together and are even a little nuanced? Hey, see if that doesn’t make for a satisfying read.

Ishimura has always been so easy to root for, even if it can be super cringey when her worst nature wins out over her attempts to be the person she wants to be. But that’s realism for you - nobody decides to change and gets there overnight.

So, there’s a lot of self-deprecation on her part, as usual, and she can’t quite seem to see the obvious effect that she’s having on Kai either. It’s really clear, in a ‘because it’s well done’ way, that he’s having a lot more fun around her. Their visit to the arcade is so freaking cute.

I think the depiction of Ishimura’s self-esteem is believably harsh, honestly, and the story isn’t interested in playing it totally for laughs, which makes it hit hard. When Ayumi shows up to get her to go to the fireworks, it’s a great friend moment but also so emblematic of somebody who just doesn’t have faith in themselves.

(Also, plus twenty points for not having any of the main cast wear yukata.)

It’s interesting that Serina has a lot more in common with Ishimura than it first seemed - Serina had an especially bad experience in middle school and Kai came to her rescue there, which is how they ended up dating.

I don’t love her sort of rotating back around to being a potential rival, but I’m hoping it’s more of a ‘being honest with each other’ between her and Ishimura. There’s every indication that Serina is well aware of the score on that front. Either way, they’ve done a lot more with her than the norm and it makes it so much more interesting.

Kai might be stuck in the ideal boy role, but he’s still more interesting than just some prize. He’s got a strong sense of justice, maybe too strong, and he’s definitely big on his individuality. And his flirt game is very, very strong.

Which is ironic, because that makes him your basic prettyboy, a label he would absolutely despise, and sees him dead centre of the affections of many female admirers. The depiction of their offhand cruelty is more than a little brutal for poor Ishimura.

There are some issues, certainly. Some of the dialogue does not have a logical flow to it, oddly, and sometimes the art can get a little too twee and abstracted for its own good. Not enough to wreck the experience, mind, but it sure happens. This is shojo as hell.

But that’s what I want from it and it has always been a good example of type that continues to really work well. The soda bottle cropping up as the way Kai finds Ishimura when she’s stuck with her thoughts is just really clever.

4 stars - this is a consistently good story of one person trying real hard and the boy who’s the reason she’s trying. Whatever the reason, she’s a treat to watch and easy to cheer for.
Profile Image for Laura A. Grace.
1,967 reviews307 followers
December 2, 2023
"That's right. I'll handle this myself. Why am I always letting Miura-kun handle things for me anyway?"

Oh, how I deeply loved and enjoyed this volume!

I have already been super enjoying this series, but I feel between the last volume and this volume, it really is only getting better and better!

Uka is a heroine that is so easy to root for and felt even stronger when reading this time around! However, her words from the ending of volume three still ring in my ears of "it's bright here too" (in reference to her own "world" when compared to "Kai's world") and I feel we are seeing the fruit of her words. She was the culture festival rep for her class, learning to "go with the flow," and just make plenty of other baby steps, with the biggest being her admitting that she loves Kai. (Though not to him! No spoilers here!)

It was absolutely crushing seeing her lie about it though to not only her friends, but herself. I was riding a giddy high at her and Kai's interactions at the culture festival because Kai IS different around her and seems to care for her. But when Uka starts to "belittle" herself because of how she perceives situations and other people's words, it was so so so hard! I don't want her to put up a wall or think she doesn't have a chance or that she needs to step aside. I want her to do exactly what she did at such a critical moment: She kindly spoke up and shared her feelings openly (though not with Kai! Again no spoilers here!) It was beautiful and I deeply loved it, despite the angst it gave me! LOL!

Honestly, this volume was an emotional rollercoaster. I felt the ups and downs of Uka's journey and felt blessed to be a reader who sees it! This is still just the beginning and deeply excited for her and what is to come because out of any heroine I've read recently, she is trying the hardest and giving her all and deserves to have nothing but happiness in moving forward. <3
Profile Image for Rebecca.
4,313 reviews69 followers
November 22, 2023
Sarina may yet be a problem, but I doubt it more with each volume, even if Uka doesn't. But that's what makes her such a relateably anxious character: no one has a lower opinion of her than herself, and she's certain that she doesn't have the right to exist around others. That's very real behavior from my own past at her age (and even now, when PTSD strikes), and it grounds the otherwise very stereotypical shoujo plot. Kai needs to put in real effort to break through to Uka, and that helps with his character growth as well, although the flashback shows that he's always just gone for what he wants. But if he can help Uka to see that she deserves to exist, I'm all for whatever the plot throws at us.


...I hope I don't end up regretting that statement.
Profile Image for z.
114 reviews
Read
March 17, 2022
I need to sleep
Profile Image for Tala.
116 reviews7 followers
January 30, 2025
I still think Ishimori continues to be a sweet summer child, Midori-sensei is still a creep, Miura continues to be annoying, Serina should just turn this into a yuri because male lead sucks, and Endou is a treasure. This volume reveals most everyone’s feelings to each other without revealing them to the actual person involved. This overly complicated love triangle is so dramatic. Why are they like this? Someone help them!
Profile Image for Luz T.
2,050 reviews5 followers
March 4, 2024
This is going too slow and it feels repetitive at times, but the little that does happen is so cute!!

At this point I don’t know if I’ll continue with it though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Isabel Tan.
170 reviews
June 7, 2025
okay maybe it isn't actually a 5 stars but the drama was too good that I just had to.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Mary.
803 reviews31 followers
November 22, 2023
La historia avanza lentamente, pero se disfruta el proceso.
Profile Image for Sasha.
306 reviews
February 11, 2024
This continues to be my favorite manga series. I feel healed every time I read a new volume. All of the characters care about each other so much and are so sweet. I hope it never ends.
Profile Image for Tachan.
2,585 reviews23 followers
September 16, 2024
Quand on est jeune ado et qu'on cherche une romance, Honey Lemon Soda, est peut-être l'une de celles que je conseillerais le plus facilement à l'heure actuelle, tant elle est facile d'accès, entraînante et bien représentative du shojo lycéen japonais.

Alors oui, c'est une série longue en plus de 20 tomes à l'heure actuelle, avec un rythme qui prend son temps, mais elle brasse tous les sujets. Dans ce tome, on retrouve par exemple le classique triangle amoureux avec l'ex du héros. Mais l'autrice choisit de l'aborder sous un angle original : la dépendance affective, ce que j'ai rarement vu. Souvent dans les shojos, on aime nous présenter des héros en mode chevalier blanc et des héroïnes embêtées qu'il se plaît à aider. Ici, c'est le cas, mais l'autrice en profite aussi pour dénoncer ce travers du syndrome du ''Chevalier blanc'' où la femme ne prend jamais les choses en main et dépend trop de l'homme. Ça change !

Nous sommes ainsi face à la fois à une histoire lycéenne très classique où il est question du festival de l'école, du harcèlement que certains subissent, des fêtes estivales où les jeunes aiment aller, et une histoire qui remet un peu en perspective cette figure de la jeune fille fragile et naïve qui a besoin de protection. Si la première partie n'est pas celle qui me passionne le plus, elle peut intéresser un jeune public qui découvre ainsi la vie lycéenne japonaise et manière assez représentative et avec à la fois un bon esprit de camaraderie et les problèmes de harcèlement qu'on connaît. La seconde m'intéresse plus comme dit plus haut, surtout qu'elle se couple avec une redéfinition de la rivale, qui ici n'est pas la méchante, mais au contraire une amie de l'héroïne qui partage avec elle un certain schéma dans la façon dont elle a fait connaissance de Kai. Elles sont donc plus proche de devenir des alliées que des rivales au final.

On parle ainsi beaucoup de sentiments dans ce tome. On sait enfin naître ses choses plus claires chez chacun même si les mots ne sont pas encore posés, certains actes parlent pour eux. Ça reste assez flou, voire même un peu brouillon dans la mise en place de l'autrice qui cherche sans à flouter les pistes mais se perd un peu elle-même. Je dois avouer que même si Uka se prend de plus en plus en main, j'ai du mal à avoir de l'affection pour elle. Je ne me sens pas non plus proche de Kai, même si je trouve assez mignon la façon dont il prend peu à peu conscience de ses sentiments et les exprime. Il me fait fondre. L'autrice d'ailleurs, je trouve, commence à leur donner des traits plus matures, ce qui n'est pas pour me déplaire. Mais que de pseudo-drame pour pas grand-chose dans ce tome, et ça s'enchaîne...

Romance lycéenne parfaite pour les jeunes lecteurs. Elle est on ne peut plus classique, vue et revue pour les amateurs du genre, mais offre une petite originalité dans sa redéfinition de la relation entre le chevalier blanc et sa demoiselle en détresse qu'on a l'habitude de voir. J'aime qu'on évoque ce trouble de la dépendance affective et qu'on cherche à nous présenter une héroïne cherchant à y échapper. Je suis donc agréablement surprise de l'évolution.

Article complet : https://www.sanctuary.fr/avis/149997/
Profile Image for Psalm Star.
42 reviews2 followers
April 9, 2024
The femme lead is being very degrading about herself more and more with each volume. I find it realistic she doesn't have a group of friends, but is way too dependent on Murka... also no one mentioned the dark turn its making with the teacher being a creep and threaten to possibly inappropriate things to her of Murka doesn't watch her closely. It's moving from cute love story to possible trauma forced proximity. I felt like that was a unnecessary thing to add out of all the drama plots why would this involve a possible (TW)



Groomer teacher that got fired from the last school for doing the same thing and singling out girls who are alone... think this has turned me off from the series completely I'm so sad because it was decent writing that took a light manga a wild turn for drama sake.

Edit: I'll think about it because I really like this couple I know a anime is being adapted but i hope they skip the teacher scenes or change it to something not so creepy🥹
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Marie.
165 reviews
February 15, 2025
Quatrième tome sur vingt-sept (pour le moment), et on connaît déjà globalement les sentiments de tout le monde ? Voilà qui m’étonne ! Je me demande ce qui va bien pouvoir se passer ensuite.

C’est très intéressant de découvrir le passé de Serina. Elle et Uka ont vécu une expérience similaire, pourtant leurs personnalités et leurs réactions sont très différentes. J’espère que leur relation s’épanouira de manière positive pour elles deux, sans basculer dans la jalousie (même si cela ne semble pas être la direction prise ici, mais sait-on jamais). Elles méritent chacune d’avoir quelqu’un pour les soutenir et les comprendre.

Kai qui parvient à retrouver Uka alors qu’elle s’est isolée, c’est vraiment adorable. J’espère simplement que leur relation ne virera pas à la dépendance, ils méritent tous les deux d’être heureux de façon saine.

Profile Image for R..
2,081 reviews
February 20, 2025
Uka still has some rather uncomfortable situations come up, but overall she's growing and not as much on the sidelines as she was previously. Even wanting to help Kai and Serina, though perhaps misguided, she still takes steps herself and was already going to head out to the festival when Ayumi showed up. Kai doesn't seem conflicted, though he's as hard to read as ever and gives as little away as possible. If nothing else, can't claim he doesn't care at all given how often he's also right there or on his way and usually finds himself at Uka's side, "caretaker" or not. That label doesn't nearly cover it, though it is a tad amusing how the class plays on it. Not so much how the rest of the girls try to use it to write Uka off like she doesn't matter. At least she isn't letting those comments completely freeze her anymore, even if they do give her pause temporarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sequoia Cron.
1,006 reviews12 followers
December 28, 2023
It always takes me a hot minute to figure out what happened in the last volume. Not that the story is forgettable, but it feels like I'm reading some of the same as other shoujo manga.

The art style always takes me a bit to get used to as well. Especially the way the eyes are drawn in some scenes. If you've read this series, you might know what I mean...

Honey Lemon Soda is a very slow-burn story about Uka, who is severely socially awkward, and the boy who helps her find her voice.

There is a possible romance between the two, but an ex, who is actually beginning to be friends with Uka, entered the picture. I enjoy reading about Uka, and her opening up more, and trying not to depend so much on Kai to get her out of uncomfortable situations.
Profile Image for Shawn.
188 reviews1 follower
March 14, 2024
Love, love, love. Best installment yet of this series. Uka is realizing she has friends and agency and things to look forward to, with or without Kai. Pretty huge step for someone that essentially has PTSD from the bullying she endured in middle school. And while Kai’s personality isn’t exactly fleshed out yet, he is still incredibly supportive of Uka and he is very obviously different when he’s around her and when he isn’t. And the fact that Serina, Kai’s ex, still seems like a nice person and she and Uka seem to be developing a healthy friendship! I love rooting for all of these characters and can’t wait to see how this story and all these characters develop and grow, both separately and together.
Profile Image for Julie.
2,622 reviews197 followers
May 17, 2024
This volume stressed me the fuck out. My eyes are watering and my nose is running. My heart can't take this shit. This felt really jumbled and kind of all over the place. It's really taking me for a fucking ride. I'm routing for Uka and her female friendships. And also her just getting some self-confidence. Everyone can be so mean and the way she feels so down on herself just feels so real. Then the whole situation with Serina?? Idk how that's going to play out. That preview at the end of the volume is foul. I know it's trying to make me think something is going to happen and it's probably not going to happen the way it's alluding, but the implication that it might is STRESSFUL.
Profile Image for Marie.
556 reviews
April 5, 2025
Seeing the cultural festival play out in the school was intresting and they really were very popular with their idea was. Uka is starting to come into herself more and gaining confidence in her actions. Her relationships with others are developing so well and Kai is so brilliant in this edition, he is really putting himself out their. His relationship with Uka is developing so well and they are making some progress in going forward. Uka and Serina's relationship is so beautiful in how they are never rivals and just being friends. This was a lovely edition to the series and so worth the read, so enjoyable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Emily Grace.
Author 1 book5 followers
December 29, 2023
I was about to rate this 4 stars because Uka lied to Serina about liking Kai. I hate it when shy characters like Uka lie to their love interest's ex.

But then Uka fixed that problem when she admitted to Serina that she liked Kai. They both admitted it, which I greatly appreciated. Finally, the small miscommunication between Uka and Serina regarding their feelings for Kai is resolved.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for TheBookishHobbit.
674 reviews12 followers
May 8, 2025
I forgot to update my Goodreads lol. This was an enjoyable volume and now I am enjoying this series after the first volume. However, I will take a break from shojo and return to Back Butler in celebration of the new season for the anime. :)
Profile Image for Ady Weasley.
1,776 reviews45 followers
August 10, 2025
El festival fluye de una manera increíble, Uka está muy feliz pues el puesto de su clase le está lleno muy bien, aunque su deseo secreto es pasar tiempo con Miura, y las cosas no serán tan fácil ya que la aparición de Serina la ex de Miura complican las cosas y le hacen plantearse sus sentimientos
244 reviews
December 28, 2023
YOU'RE TELLING ME I'M SUPPOSED TO WAIT TILL MARCH 2024 BEFORE I GET THE NEXT VOLUME 😭😭

OH I LOVE THEM ALL SM
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
453 reviews
January 10, 2024
Continues to be a low-stakes highschool slice-of-life. The art is pretty but the characters are pretty 2D and the female lead in particular is a bit grating. Probably gonna stop here.
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