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

A Timid Lady Was Turned into an Ugly Cat, but on the Verge of Fainting Is Picked Up by the Most Fearsome Military Duke #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, Magic, Young Adult, Graphic Novels, Historical

180 pages, Paperback

Published 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.


I am so sorry, but I have to start with this. This girl is NOT chubby (not as a human at least, as a cat she is chubby). She is thin/normal. She needs to eat more if anything. I am sorry mangaka but please no, do some research. I was so weirded out, at one point she was a child and being compared to her halfsister and called chubby, and I was like? Which one of them? The one with glasses? UMMMMMMM???? Her flabs are swaying? What flabs girlfriend? And how is she ugly? She wears glasses sure, but seriously? Can we stop with the whole OMG she has red hair and that is EWW, red hair is fucking gorgeous. She is gosh darn adorable and cute and I would date her if I was a prince or duke or whatever.

And Emilia, what the fuck is wrong with you. I already didn’t like her because of her attitude and how she stole her sisters fiancee without even one ounce of remorse, but as we finally get to the cat changing part she went full cuckoo land and she is crazy. Imagine that someone is just living their lives the way they want and you get jealous of that?

My heart absolutely broke for Marie as she was roaming the streets as a cat. The poor thing just didn’t know what to do, got bullied by people because she was “ugly”, I am sorry but I would have hugged that cat if I spotted it. Even though I am allergic. She looks so fluffy. And I love her spots.

I am glad that she met someone to take care of her, though I did have a big laugh as she was picked up by the guy she was supposed to marry, yup, the guy everyone fears so much. I loved that he took her home, gave her love, food, and care. And even a name!

I loved seeing Marie explore the grounds, discover more about the duke, about who he really is, listen in to conversations (and find out that the duke was really interested in her when she was a human), get love from other people (and food), see her react to when people call her ugly. I love seeing her figure out how to be a cat, how things worked for her. Haha, though she needs to work on her facial expressions, some just made me snort. Though I did feel for her, she wants to tell the duke she is Marie, that she is his fiancee, and that she wants to talk to him. But she can’t. I wonder if she is eventually able to do so or that she can change back short periods of time and that they together seek out a cure for her, or get rid of the sister, either works for me, haha.

Also on that note, hello can we do away with the trope of OMG he is a killer. He is ruthless. Look at his facial expressions. But in fact he isn’t so bad.

The art was really pretty, I both love the human character designs and how Chiffon/Marie is drawn.

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 also posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this and NEED the next one NOW. And the publisher told me they don’t even have a date for volume 2 yet.

NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

5, I am SAT and IMpatiently waiting for volume two, stars.

[Hisgirl85 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. I don't think the cat is ugly. The half-sister is so ugly I don't even need to close my eyes to see how she truly is. Her outer appearance is merely a shell, and her behavior makes it transparent. Besides the sister and her flying monkeys, I enjoyed this story. There was a lot of set-up, but I'm eager for the next installment.

[Home Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though concise and clear, it did not meet my expectations and could have been improved. The artwork is beautiful.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marie, what are you complaining about? This is an ideal situation. Turning into a cat and being adopted by a wealthy, twenty-something who adores you? You’re living MY DREAM.

Anyway.

This is mostly cute for one of those oddly, unnecessarily longly-named series. It’s a lite reimagining of the “ugly stepsister” story—with more cat content. (Give the people what they want.)

Is it a tad too melodramatic at times? Of course. It’s a fairy tale.

But, is it also quite charming? Definitely yes! But, I’m also a sucker for anything with a cat in it so maybe take my thoughts on this with a grain of salt.

Still.

If you are also an unapologetic cat lover who enjoys a cute little romance every now and then, I think you’d enjoy this one~

[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

[E (manga_runner) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute and wholesome read! Loved reading this and can't wait for the next volume to release!
This is a shorter series with 3 volumes.

It was adorable seeing Marie trying to do a cute cat face and Lord Marshal thinking it's cute while his subordinate is laughing. Her cat form is definitely designed for that ugly cute look. As she spends more time in the mansion, she sees a different side to him rewriting what she heard. Everyone in the mansion also is so caring toward her, which is a shift from how she was treated in her own home.

It does take on the trope of sister the center of everyone's attention, takes the MC's fiance and angry when they have a better prospect after, gets forced out of the home and the MC gets taken in by the ML (who is surrounded by rumors) and sees him in a different light. While it's a sweet fluffy romance building, there is also an aspect of suspension and mystery.


Quick description:
Marie was turned into a cat by her sister (who.also stole her fiance), after she realized Marie would be a higher rank than her. Marie is basically ran out of the house and forced to wonder the streets. Unfortunately, Marie's appearance is not an adorable cat someone would just want to pick up. Then when she reached her limit, someone took her home. The person who picked her up was no other than Lord Marshal. He takes the cat home, names her Chiffon, and takes care of her. Marie is now seeing that the rumors about Lord Marshal are just that ... rumors.

[Laura A. Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was as cute as everyone said it would be! 🥹🥹🥹

Though poor Marie! 😭😭😭

I instantly loved her character and found myself quickly wishing for her happiness! It hurt my heart that when she was SO excited to see her father again and meet her family, only for her new sister to instantly snub her. I don't think she was prepared for how her sister would eventually turn against her...

Honestly, I know I wasn't! I was upset that she stole Marie's fiancé from her, but I never imagined how Marie's sister would hold a grudge that has lasted pretty much a lifetime? I know I was SO hurt and angry when she said cruel things to our sweet girl! I would say it makes it especially worse after a mysterious person was saying such kind things to Marie, even if it was just in writing. 😭

However, our sweet Marie as a cat is SO loved, which I could imagine would shock her sister to know! Yes, Marie is not the prettiest, but I love her expressions just as much as Lord Marshal!

Speaking of, I LOVED how this volume showed that the more time he has with Marie, the more every rumor she had heard was debunked! He is NOTHING like the rumors, and I am hoping there is going to be something good that happens so that Marie can be with him as a human! I'm also hoping that Lord Marshal realizes that Marie is an actual human, but in the body of a cat?

I don't think it's impossible, but I'll definitely be tuning in for volume two because this was so lovely and I need to know what happens next! Definitely recommend if you love glass-wearing heroines, dashing male leads who are nowhere near what the rumors are making them out to be, and an overall engaging story with a cat!

[Im_Bann_der_Zeilen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was bedeuten vier Sterne für mich? Es gab mehr Dinge, die mir gefallen haben, als Dinge, die mir nicht gefallen haben.

Den Zeichenstil mag ich sehr. Er transportiert die Emotionen, aber auch den Humor des Mangas in meinen Augen sehr gut. Auch der Handlung kann ich problemlos folgen.

Mein Leben als Moppelkatze ist zum einem ein Manga, der zum wohlfühlen einlädt. Die Zeichnungen von Marie als Moppelkatze sind zuckersüß und lassen mein Herz schmelzen, was auch das Gefühl ist, was bei mir überwiegt. Ihre Abenteuer brachten mich auch immer wieder zum Lachen.

Doch der Manga hat auch dunkle Seiten. Er behandelt Motive wie Unsicherheit, Eifersucht und Voreingenommenheit gegenüber anderen Menschen. Wir müssen dabei diese Dunkelheit durchqueren, um das Licht zu sehen.

Lady Marie ist eine sehr unsichere Protagonistin, da sie von der Gesellschaft als moppeliges, Mauerblümchen abgestempelt wird. Dabei trägt sie vielleicht eine, maximal zwei Kleidergrößen größer als ihre "schlanke" Schwester. Im ersten Moment hat mich deswegen die Bezeichnung "moppelig" auch etwas irritiert. Dieser Unterschied in der Körperfigur der beiden ist mir zunächst gar nicht aufgefallen. Noch kann ich nicht sagen, ob der Manga dieses Körperbild, was die Gesellschaft vermittelt, kritisieren wird, weswegen ich es in der Bewertung erst einmal außen vor lasse.

Zum Herzog möchte ich gar nicht einmal so viel sagen. Aber ich mag ihn ;)

Insgesamt empfand ich den Manga als sehr tollen Einstieg und ich freu mich schon auf Band zwei.

[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.

[R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This starts off with a very traditional looking Cinderella storyline, but quickly takes a few turns. Marie's life is turned upside down, beginning with the arrival of her new stepmother and half-sister, and continuing on as her new sister basically takes over their family home and her entire life. Abandoned by everyone except her aunt, Marie tries to re-enter society as she faces a new rushed engagement. That new engagement would put her in a higher position in society than her younger sister though, and of course that cannot stand. The last thing anyone expected was for Marie to disappear in the midst of engagement talks. She hasn't really disappeared though. Instead, she's meeting her would-be fiance and learning an entirely different side to him that society doesn't know. Now if only she could find a way to communicate before she's written off entirely.

[Katies_bookish_adventure · 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.

[Isa Newbury | reading_isa · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Thank you to YenPress & Edelweiss for the ARC; all opinions are my own.**

4⭐️

This was a great start to a new fantasy romance manga! I loved the setting and I'm hoping we'll get more information about the wolrd/history as the story progresses. Marie is a very timid FMC, but I have high hopes that her time as Chiffon will give her the confidence that she is lacking. I also really liked the Duke's character- he may just be my favorite. I'm wondering if, as time goes on, if Marie will sort of revert back to her normal self like Sophie does in the Howl's Moving Castle movie. Looking forward to volume 2! Also, we are NOT here for evil little sisters!!

[Susanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marie is the older daughter of a viscount. Her younger sister steals her fiancé, and when her father arranges a new marriage for her, her sister, who is secretly a sorcerer, turns her into a cat. Marie runs away as a cat, and ends up being adopted by the man she was meant to marry. She’s a fat and ugly cat, but he absolutely loves her.

This was delightful. The beginning was a bit long, but once Marie was turned into a cat, the story got going. Pity the volume ended soon after that. Art was good. I’d read more.

I received a free copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

[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!

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

4/6 stars
Listen if you are gonna call the cat ugly... maybe make it ugly. If you are gonna call the FL overweight, make her overweight. Its annoying.
But the Duke is a green flag all around, he is a good cat dad and I would 10/10 recommend him cause of that. The story is pretty standard. Evil sister with magic destroys her sister's life as she is jealous of her.
The art is nice.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a strong start! I liked the characters a lot and the art was really pretty. Marie is a little too pessimistic at times for me, but I'm excited to see her gain confidence and actually see her interact as a human with the duke.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is hilarious, charming, stupid, and sweet. I need volume 2 now. Loved the art, the characters, and can't help but want to know what the author drew on for inspiration. It's not quite The White Cat fairytale, but it is definitely heading into animal bride territory.

[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

[helene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neuer Liebling, so witzig!!! Und so mega süß gezeichnet

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I suspect I liked this more than I should.

Notice to the public: There is no such thing as an ugly cat.

[Madalyn Horn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The delightfully quirky drama of a manga meets bridgerton. Loved every moment.

[Zoe W · Rating 4 out of 5]

the cat isn't ugly but this story is pretty cute and i will probably read the next few volumes