A Timid Lady Was Turned into an Ugly Cat, but on the Verge of Fainting Is Picked Up by the Most Fearsome Military Duke, Vol. 1

by Otori, Kou Kusaka (Artist), Ema Okadachi (Original Author)

Marie’s life as a viscount’s daughter is snatched away when her own sister curses her to become a cat...and then steals her betrothed! Forsaken, she collapses from hunger, when tender hands reach out―and on the other side is the undefeated duke with a reputation for being cruel and unfeeling?! Marie’s turn from misfortune to a comfortable cat life begins here!

Genres: Manga, Romance, Fantasy, Young Adult

180 pages, Paperback

Expected publication June 23, 2026

Reviews

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from the publisher on Edelweiss in exchange of an honest review.

So will I be reading the next one? Yes, because I need the duke to see that Chiffon/Marie is his fiancee, that she didn't run away but is right here and in trouble. I am also curious if Marie will ever be able to get back to human again or if she will stay a cat forever, but I don't think that is very likely. Despite the issues I had (Marie not being chubby, the duke not being a murderous creep, people calling the cat ugly), I still am happy that I was able to read this one!

Review to come closer to the release day on June 20th.

[Janina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leute, das war unheimlich schwer zu bewerten. Der Anfang war für mich 1 Stern, weil es sehr stereotypisch war - wie die Charaktere vorgestellt wurden, die böse Stiefschwester, die unscheinbare Hauptfigur und wie blöd es doch ist, dass sie rote Haare hat und ihre Brüste so wackeln lol. Und dann wurde sie in eine Katze verwandelt und es war so viel besser. Ich bin dadurch echt zwiegespalten.

[Jagoda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Polski tytuł to Z nieśmiałej panny w brzydka kotkę
Szczerze to jest najlepsza manga jaką kiedykolwiek przeczytałam absolutnie wypiera wszystkie poprzednie
Cu do wne !!!!!!!!

[Zuza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dosłownie comfort-read. Tak się to świetnie czytało, a fabuła wciąga od pierwszej strony. Kreska też bardzo przyjemna. Mega polecam

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Edelweiss and Yen Press for the free access to a Digital Copy of this manga in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a pleasure to read really. I was very curious how Marie would turn into a cat so it was very interesting when that question was answered. I went into rather blindly more based on the cover and title I had a feeling it would be a fun read.

This was actually deeper than I expected in some spots as well. There was a few moments where I had to write down the quotes cause they really were great ones. Such as “The truth is only a fragment of what one can see. People believe what they want to believe.”

It was nice seeing Marie witness how all the rumors around the Duke aren’t as true as people make them out to be. I also am so curious to see this series continue so I will be continuing this title after this first volume as I am that intrigued.

[Katie Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this manga! I loved the characters especially Marie and the duke! I grew fond of the both of them rather quickly. Marie has to be my favorite character, I love her character design and just overall personality. I could relate to her personality quite a bit which made me quickly grow really fond of her. This story is a bit of mix of elements, I feel theres suspense and a a plot twist or two but it’s also kind of fluffy with some romantic tension. I love the cat element, I like the idea of her getting to know this fearsome duke. I’m absolutely loving the idea of this forming romance, I’m definitely going to be continuing this series! I love it! Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for my complimentary review copy.

[Zephorah Dove · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title reeled me in but the cuteness of the story made me stay and devour it in a sitting.

We have a typical story of an older sister being shunned by her younger sister but the spin this time is that the older sister is turned into a cat the day she's supposed to meet her new husband. She runs away in fear and gets picked up by said husband and becomes his new pet.

I love the way our MMC is drawn and the gentleness between him and Marie is adorable. I can't wait to see if she gets turned back in the next volume.

Thanks so much to the Yen and Edelweiss for the DRC. I'll be tuning in for more.

[Nitoy Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely read manga. But with that kind of title, who doesn't want to give in and read it. Man it was a good one! The characters are lovable (specially Marie/Chiffon). I love how the author builds up the story slowly and the surprises in the story are chef kiss. You'll finish this book wanting for more!

[Yui · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gesehen, gekauft, gelesen. Und ich wurde nicht enttäuscht. Einfach Liebe! Und auch so traurig und lustig im Wechsel. Freu mich auf mehr! 🤍

[gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️ 5 Sterne

[Magdalena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zaczyna się dość przyziemnie, ale prawie natychmiast wciąga. Comfort read, przy którym się uśmiałam i nawet troszkę spłakałam. Nie pamiętam kiedy ostatnio tak kompletnie pochłonęła mnie jakaś manga.

[devynreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 4.5 stars

[Bar · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art is good, the story is pretty boring until about half of volume one when the heroine is FINALLY cursed into a cat - a cute, fluffy and absolutely uwu cat.

Cuteness fever (or a cat fever) demanded that I pick up next volumes immediately - while #2 was good, #3 has our heroine's transformation reversed and it quickly becomes boring 😴 it was fine while the curse lasted I guess...


But the cat!!! The cat was so cute!!! Nothing will change that 😊

Also I hated how curse so conveniently heals her eyesight (okay I felt jealous too but seriously. Let the girl keep her glasses.)

[BookSwan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this manga. ❤️🐱🐈❤️

Before reading, I recommend grabbing some tea ☕️, a chiffon cake 🍰, three candies (each with a different filling: strawberry, apple, and mint) 🍬, and some florentines 🍪. Trust me, seriously prepare these sweets before reading the manga.

I hope you'll fall just as deeply in love with this sweet love story and the cat, Chiffon. ❤️🐱🐈❤️