Honey Bee & Lemon Balm 1

ミツバチとレモンバーム [Mitsubachi to Lemon Balm] #1

by Jil Hashikura

Kaoru Mitsuya has all but given up on living a meaningful life. Ensnared at a young age by the temptations of organized crime, he has neither a penny to his name nor anything he holds truly dear. It is at this lowest point that he encounters Yuichiro Shirouzu-a delicately beautiful florist with a secret or two hidden beneath his kind demeanor. When Yuichiro offers Kaoru a job at his nighttime flower shop, it marks a turning point for Kaoru, both in how he lives his life, and whom he wishes to spend it with…

Genres: Manga, Romance, LGBT, Queer, Contemporary, Comics, Yaoi

Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2026

About the author

Japanese name: 端倉ジル

Reviews

[Pearl Angeli (pearlreadsnovels) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

I loved the overall cuteness of this manga, where an ex-yakuza member suddenly found a new direction in his life after meeting a sweet florist and working for her. Both Kaoru and Yuichiro are likeable characters and their interactions are sweet. I loved how their romance was developed in a natural way. Those moments where they were just lingering and getting to know what they really feel for each other. It was tender and yet you couldn't deny that their feelings for each other are really sincere.



I loved art in this manga as well. However, I didn’t feel completely connected to the story as a whole because there were moments when the narration felt confusing. There were times when I wasn’t sure who was speaking or whose thoughts I was reading, which made some scenes a little difficult to follow. I also felt like there wasn’t enough real conflict or tension in the story to give the romance the depth it needed. The relationship felt cute, but I wanted a stronger storyline and more obstacles to make their romance feel more meaningful and compelling. I still enjoyed it in the end. It was a short read with lots of potential.

***

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

[BookSafety Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Safety info, content warnings and tropes down below.

This was adorable and funny. I finished it super fast and was sad when I reached the end as I just wanted to continue reading. I really like the concept of this book/series, and I hope I get to see where it goes from here. The main characters are super cute – both in personality and looks, the art is excellent – and I’m looking forward to see how their relationship develops from here. It also made me chuckle a few times, especially with the funny ‘background' descriptions and spelling of the different noises (can you tell I’m new to graphic novels? lol).

The side characters were great and added lots to the story, and the art really was fantastic. Definitely recommend.

The ending was a bit abrupt even for a series with more volumes, and I was left reeling just a tad.

All to say, this was fun and enjoyable and I’m looking forward to read more. Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the ARC!


Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
BL manga
Graphic novel
Strangers to lovers
Former Yakuza
Mistaken gender
Femme MC
Love at first sight
Boss x employee
Coworkers
Forced proximity


⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Violence
Vomiting
MCs injured on page
Alcohol consumption
Mentions of MC serving time in prison (recent past)


⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: Yuichiro goes on a date with someone else but turns him down for more after
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual (sort of)
Genre: BL manga, romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: N/A
Main characters’ age: 22 and 29
Series: 1st of 3 volumes
Kindle Unlimited: No
Pages: 176
Happy ending: Series not finished yet







You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the arc of this manga.
This was so cute!! I quite enjoyed myself it’s simple yet the little I have lately that’s about what I’ll be needing for a while I’m afraid.

The only thing I’d have to say is that I don’t think I made the connection of why it has this particular name.

An ex yakuza falls in love at first sight with a florist who helps him set his life straight for the better.
It’s original, funny and adorable. The time to use to read it is less than an hour.

It just come out on the 7 of April so definitely worth checking it out!

[Elynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cliche

[gracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need volume 2 asap!!! This was so freaking cute and the way Kaoru's facial expressions were drawn made him so adorable. I enjoyed it so much.

[Bettina · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️ The story of a former Yakuza member and a kind florist, was such a treat! The art style was so beautiful, the story was both exciting and funny, as well as some side characters that made the story really come to life. I was positively surprised by how much I loved this story, and I'm so intrigued to read the next volume to see where the relationship between Kaoru and Yuichiro will go next.

If you like opposties attrack, age gap, former gang members, cute florists, funny side characters, and stunning art, this is a must read for you!

A big thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha for providing me with an arc of this manga, I had an absolute great time!

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this volume, we follow our main character Kaoru who has recently gotten out of prison and is seriously down on his luck. By chance, he encounters Yuichiro who is a florist in (presumably) the red light district. After helping him out, Kaoru gets hired to work at the flower shop and now lives with Yuichiro. The story continues from there.

This volume was perfectly inoffensive. There was nothing terrible about it, but I also wasn’t all that compelled by it. I found the main characters to be relatively bland. Kaoru is a bit too childish for me, so I couldn’t get that into the potential of a relationship between him (22) and Yuichiro (29).

I also found the character designs of the main characters easily overshadowed by that of the side characters. I was immediately intrigued by both of Yuichiro’s siblings and was disappointed by the fact that the story couldn’t follow them instead. I’d be 100% there if the story was either about Yuichiro’s gorgeous masc sister or his charming brother. But alas…we’re stuck with Yuichiro and Kaoru 😔

As it stands, I don’t see myself continuing this series. It just didn’t grip me enough for me to want to continue. Plus, I found it off-putting how quickly Kaoru was all, “I’m in love with Yuichiro 🤩” It throws off the pacing completely—especially considering this was planned as a series, and there’s more volumes to come. We could’ve taken a bit more time with that while still making Kaoru’s interest clear.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha for an eARC of this manga. It has not impacted my rating.

[Cath · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

Really really cute, but I feel like something’s missing. Hopefully volume 2 and sweet moments will fulfill that missing piece. Other than that though I liked the main character and the ML and the progression of their relationship so far.

[bambino doe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4⭐️
Format: Arc

Now what do I do with myself 😭?!!! That was so short, i binged this in like 30 mins that’s how good it was. This is just insanely sweet, we have an ex-yakuza down on his luck who per chance meets this florist who he mistakenly took for a woman lol. That was corrected quickly but was so funny because yes he’s so pretty 🤣. The cliffhanger didn’t help either, I got to stop because they always end up at such a good section. I’m lowkey going to be experiencing withdrawals until vol 2 comes out.


Thank you netgalley for the arc, all opinions are my own.

[Khadija · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Netgalley thank you ☺️

This was very cute and sweet It's a beautiful start to the series. I loved the characters, the story, and the art; it was absolutely beautiful.😍

[Px4 Manga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Kodansha & NetGalley for the ARC

I really enjoyed this.
The art is pretty and expressive. The story is very cute and the characters are sweet. The setting of the shop being a florist that opens at night is something different and refreshing.

I loved that Yuichiro is able to take care of himself and that we get some of his backstory. Kaoru is a fun character and his reactions made me smile. Yuichiro’s siblings and their protective meddling is very sweet.

Overall an entertaining read and i will be looking forward to the next volume and seeing how their relationship will develop.

[B3tw33n_th3_c0v3rs · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8 stars
I loved the art, it was so soft and pretty. Im not usually a fan of insta love, but I felt with the tropes used it leaned into the cheesy factor and made the story flow.
Kaoru is such a prickly guy that offsets Yuichiro and his gentle demeanor well. We didn't get much story progression in this volume, but where story lacked the character introductions excelled. The siblings are all so different and I know they will be a great part of the story going forward.
This was a very quick read and if you are looking for a light and fluffy Manga this is a good choice.
Thank you Netgalley for this copy

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this one from Kodansha Comics on Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.


OMG, I hadn’t expected to get so invested that I forgot this one was a first volume and then getting upset when I reached the ending and wondering where the rest was. Haha.

🌸 I loved the way our guys met. Kaoru just being beat up and in pain. Yuichiro lying in a heap of flowers collapsed. But the funniest thing about this scenario was that Kaoru thought Yuichiro was a girl. Yup. He was all like, wow, she is stunning. She is so lithe. Not that endowed. And then when Yuichiro was lifted Kaoru mentioned feeling something poke in his back… mm, but that still didn’t deter him from thinking Yuichiro was a girl. Haha. And it got funnier as Yuichiro knew about the misunderstanding and didn’t do a bit to lift it, nope, he just rolled with it.
🌸 Yankee boy x florist boy? I didn’t know I needed this one in my life, but heck apparently I did!
🌸 I loved that this isn’t just an ordinary florist, you know the one catering to people like you and me, but instead caters to entertainment businesses and yakuza and all that. Which means the flowers are hella overpriced. I mean, 2500 yen for bouquet of roses? Which is around 14-15 euro. I can get a gorgeous bouquet for 6-7 at a very good florist here. Or those orchids. 1642 euro according to the converter I am using.
🌸 I loved that Kaoru was taking under the wings of Yuichiro. He knew what he might get himself into, but he say a cute stray dog cough um human and helped out. Gave him a room. Made sure to teach him how to do flowers. Let him do the heavy lifting. I love that Yuichiro gave Kaoru such a big chance.
🌸 I love how Kaoru was constantly flustered around Yuichiro. It was adorable. You wouldn’t expect that from such a tough guy, it is a cute gap, and I love it. He even got quite protective to the point that when Yuichiro had a date he was there with Yuichiro’s brother stalking them, haha.
🌸 I loved Yuichiro’s family. We have police guy Ryo who is protective and we have another sibling who is even more protective. I thought it was the cutest though, but because as we find out Yuichiro is super strong… but also has a weak constitution, with asthma, anaemia, and more. So I love that his brothers were all there for him whenever they could. Bring food. Make sure to check up on him.
🌸 Most of the manga is pretty slice of life with cute moments (I am shipping these two like mad), but there are also times when Kaoru’s yakuza past rears its head.
🌸 The last panels, YES YES YES! I won’t spoil it but I was doing so many dances!
🌸 And the art was just so pretty! I really loved the character designs, the gorgeous flowers, the backgrounds. OK, I loved it all!

All in all, I am in desperate need for the next volumes! I would highly recommend this if you want a cute M/M with a bit of tension and lots of cute moments and flowers.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Loreleï Loreleï]

*Honey Bee & Lemon Balm* fully embraces the light, feel-good romance genre, even though the story starts with a massive misunderstanding. Yuichiro could have cleared up that famous “a lady like you” line right from the start… but then again, without it, half the book wouldn’t exist.

I really liked the dynamic between the two main characters: Yuichiro, a gentle and delicate florist, completely in his own little world, and Kaoru, a former yakuza fresh out of prison, with a rougher temperament. Their contrast works very well, and they grow closer naturally as the chapters unfold.

The manga is a quick read: it’s cute, lighthearted, without any major dramatic stakes, but warm enough for a really enjoyable time. The artwork adds a lot to the overall charm, with a very pleasant style and expressive characters.

I also really liked the bond that develops between Kaoru and Yuichiro’s brother. The scene where they spy on Yuichiro together during his date with another man, torn between jealousy and curiosity, is particularly funny and endearing.

A simple yet effective read that clearly makes you want to pick up Volume 2 to see how this romance will unfold.

[Carissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

*2.75/5 Stars*
*Thank you to Kodansha Comics for the E-Copy!*


Honey Bee & Lemon Balm volume one was the set up of a romance between 21 year old former yakuza member Kaoru and 29 year old florist Yuichiro. They meet as Kaoru is getting out of jail and is between a rock and a hard place. No where to go, no money to spend he finds Yuichiro laying on the ground. Originally, Kaoru thinks Yuichiro is a woman, and offers to help “her” get to the florist shop. When they arrive, Yuichiro offers Kaoru and job, and the extra room, this leads Kaoru to discover Yuichiro is a man. However, he is still attracted to him. The romance ensues.

This volume was a basic start to a romance manga. We are introduced to the protagonist and love interest, and then side characters slowly throughout. It was cute, however the characters are all ones I’ve seen before and there’s nothing keeping me engaged in the story. I’m sure the story is cute, but this volume was basic start with no real unique premise or intrigue.

[Becky (romantic_pursuing_feels) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basic plot:
A down on his luck ex-yakuza member is counting his last coins when he trips over a beautiful florist

Give this a try if you want:
- ex-yakuza and florist heroes
- M/M romance
- mistaken identity - Kaoru mistakes Yuichiro for a woman at first meet
- employer / employee vibes
- mains are 29 and 21/22 (he has a birthday during the book)

Thoughts:
Oh, this one is too, too cute. I seriously adored it. I wasn't even going to grab it because the cover was beautiful but too...sweet looking? I wasn't thinking I would like it and I am so glad I tried it anyway because this has become one of my favorite starts to a manga!

The art in this one is really lovely. I adored all the characters, how distinct and detailed they all looked and their expressions were so good. The humor was wonderful and the art really brought those themes out in some of the panels.

This one had some great tension building and character development starting. And the longing and emotions were so strong.

Eagerly awaiting more in this series!

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sweet read and I enjoyed every moment of it. The plot is a simple one: an ex-yakuza is employed by a florist and develops an intense crush in the same moment. That the florist isn’t a pretty lady, but a pretty man is only a momentary confusion before the crush is well-cemented.

I adore this trope and I was so pleased that Yuichiro is not only older, but he’s more mature than Kaoru. The introduction of the siblings was a highlight as well and they add depth to the story. It’s not a complicated plot but the story doesn’t need to be so, it’s a short and sweet storyline and I can’t wait to read the next one!

Thank you the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Akansha · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

Thank you Kodansha comics for the review copy

An ex yakuza member who stumbles upon an overworked florist and falls in love with him. To sum it up in one line this is pretty much the storyline this manga follows.

Vol 1 actually didn't had much happening and we mostly see Kaoru and Yuichiro spending time taking care of the shop and living together.

It was quite funny to see Kaoru mistaking Yuichiro for a woman and then when he realizes how wrong he was. But that's kind of the highlight for me in this volume. I still want to continue this series and see where this relationship goes with how instant the attraction and interest was especially through Kaoru's side.

[Frank Chillura (OhYouRead) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a low stakes, lighthearted, and heartfelt manga about a flower shop owner and an ex-yakuza. The first volume follows Kaoru as he is released from jail after taking the fall for a higher up in the gang he joined at a young age. When he tries to go back to his old crew, he’s turned away as thanks. Down on his luck, he stumbles upon a flower shop and falls instantly in love with its owner, assuming the beautiful person is a woman.

This is an extremely slow burn romance. None whatsoever happens in the first book. Kaoru’s first attempt at professing his love is overshadowed by the howling of cats outside the window. Needless to say, this is very sweet and memorable, even if Yakuza x Florist is a popular trope in BL.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted eARC.

[Ella Averette · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

This was so good! I do hate how it just jumped into the fact that they were already in a relationship, normally the ones I read have a build up to the relationship. But it was interesting to see the relationship already happening. I loved the dynamics between the characters, although ONE of them did get on my nerves a bit (ifykyk) the “bonus chapter” kinda confused me a bit because of how similar the characters looked, for a second I thought they were the same characters…the art was so good though! I’m not used to reading black and white, normally the art is colored, but I enjoyed this a lot!

[Katie (Kitkatscanread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual rating: 4.5/5 Kitkats

Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of this from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This doesn't affect my opinion of the book whatsoever. It's my true opinion only.

This is a very sweet manga about a guy who has a rough day and bumps into a guy who works in a flower shop.
At first he believes the person is female, but discovers they are in fact male.
As they learn more about each other, Kaoru ends up falling for Yuichiro and ends up wanting to protect him.
Overall a very cute read and I look forwards to continuing.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance copy from the publisher via Netgalley for review purposes; this in no way influences my review.

This is a really cute, soft story and I’m very excited for more, especially because it’s definitely left me wanting more about the characters. I love ex-yakuza being soft and sweet after they get out of the life, and Kaoru is definitely that. I also really enjoyed learning more about floral language and meanings. Just a very cute, fun manga that I’m excited to read more of.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't expect this to be so chaotic lol. I was expecting a fluffy maybe even a little sad romance based on the cover, but I guess reading the description it does say humorous lol. It's a little too over the top for my tastes so I'm not sure if I'll pick up the next one. Although, I am mildly interested in how the story will continue.

[Chelsea is Booked · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up to 4

I think this series has potential and I am excited to see where it goes. I love me a good MM romance. I thought the 3 unique siblings was fun. I also like the reformed yakuza. Its a fun trope. The flowershop setting is pretty and the clientele is an interesting aspect to add. I needed more yearning though!

[Kat in Stacks · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you NETGALLEY and Kodansha for the early arc!

I was surprised how much I enjoyed this, a former gang member falling fast for a flower shop owner who is super sweet?
Instantly sold and cannot wait until more volumes are released to see how this unfolds.

[Mar Rose]

Arc from NetGalley

DNF at 58%
A dull read, unfortunately. I found one of the brother’s behavior off putting and left shortly after he appeared. I do not like characters who are controlling in the name of care. This manga managed to have several of my least favorite tropes/cliches as well.

[☽｡⋆ Naidah ₊˚ෆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the ARC

It was cute but it feels like it doesn’t hit quite the same as other BLs especially this kind of delinquent x golden retriever trope.

The art was beautiful tho

[Niki.reads.rainbow · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

Kaoru is a gangster, who meets a beautiful florist Yuichiro, who may look delicate, but actually isn't. Yuichiro offers Kaoru a job at his flower shop. They get close, and Kaoru finds himself falling in love.

It's a sweet and funny story, I hope we see the plot progress more in the next volume.

[⭐️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was extremely cute and fluffy. An ex-yakuza hoodlum is taken in by the gentle and fragile florist. The misgendering was kind of entertaining and one of them actually shocked me ahahha.

No spice!!

[Gabriele | QueerBookdom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Representation: queer Japanese protagonists, queer Japanese secondary character, Japanese secondary and tertiary characters.

Content Warning: violence, blood, yakuza.