Say I Love You., Vol. 18

好きっていいなよ [Suki tte Ii na yo] #18

by Kanae Hazuki

"I LOVE YOU." After travelling down different paths in their post-secondary educations, Mei and her friends finally enter the world of working adults—with new challenges around every corner! As the people around Mei face life-changing events like marriage and parenting, she reflects on her journey from a shy, asocial high schooler to who she is now. Surrounded by so many fulfilling relationships, Mei comes to a profound realization about what’s important in life and love.

Genres: Manga, Romance, Shojo, Young Adult, Comics, Graphic Novels, Manga Romance

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

かなえ 葉月 is a manga artist and writer.

• Name in native language: 葉月かなえ
• Birthday: September 1980
• Blood Type: B
Twitter username: @kanaehazuki

Reviews

[Erica Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to be happy, you have to treasure the people you meet. And when you fall in love, you have to say "I love you." You are the one who makes your own happiness.

[🌟Star🌟 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ended just as expected which was good. No complaints about Mei and Yamato’s ending but I still think Asami and Nakanishi shouldn’t have ended up together; she could have done way better. Still, in his feelings for Asami, Nakanishi was honest. Loved Aiko and Masashi and enjoyed Megumi’s growth at the end. I don’t know, this series just didn’t spark anything exciting inside me like it did when I first read the volumes that were available on Kindle Unlimited. Still, it’s not a bad series. Very sweet in fact.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm happy to see this series all nicely wrapped up.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not care that I'm very biased with this manga series; I love it. Definitely an all-time favorite.

Although this last volume is mostly a wrap up for all the character story arcs, it's a wonderful conclusion to a great series.

[Estefany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mis bebes terminaron su historia de la mejor manera posible, de verdad me encantan los finales felices!!!!

[Holly Letson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much as I once loved this series, I can now say that I am quite happy that it is over. This series had begun to dwindle in appeal during its' last few volumes, and this one wasn't that impressive, either - what with people that once acted so "in love" with one another rarely even having time for one another, anymore.

If you start reading this series, just realize that the last 25% or so doesn't stack up to the rest of the series.

[Ya Boi Be Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

And with this peak is over 😭😭 These last few volumes have felt like a sort of finale and epilogue covering them out of high school and into college and adult life. I enjoyed it mostly especially with how the characters realistically keep in touch and that element of adult relationships and contact plays into the plot.
This one continues them into full adulthood and serves to round out everyone's storyline in a way that is strong. Once again as a Megumi stan I really enjoyed what she got here with her struggled journey home and going back with Takemura. There really isn't much to say other than it's a fitting end and it's satisfying to see these characters so successful and grown knowing we've been privy to their struggles and events that have caused their growth.

[klm.imagines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad to finally reach the end of this story, but it was a brilliant journey to have been on with all the characters and watching them grow and seeing their lives unfold, especially at the end.

Thank you very much, Hazuki-sensei, for bringing us along with you on your own journey through this manga series too. I wish you all the very best going forward.

[Ambur · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely wonderful ending to the series! While there was a bit of frustration through the series with lack of communication, overall I adored this series. The characters were so sweet, their friendships were amazing, and I loved seeing the friends and the couples get closer and grow up throughout the series! So, so good!! This ending was exactly what I hoped for, too...such a satisfying conclusion! 🥰🥰🥰

[Moriah Venable · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so sad to see this end. I wish I was into manga when I was in high school, this manga would have helped me a lot in understanding my own feelings and how to accept them whether they were good or bad. Especially when it comes to relationships and how I would have wanted to be treated by people.

I am glad that everyone found someone and had a happy ending. I know high school relationships don't last but I also know that some of them don't.

Even though I am 26, its also good reminder that communication is key to any lasting relationships and that people who have trouble talking or making friends, can't always change. Mei changes and bloomed so much over the years. It was amazing to see.

[lobelyys · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

arghhh why did yamato have to propose through the phone?!?! nooooo!!! it ruined everything!

anyway, this was a good ending, like i hoped in something more but i personally accept it. i started this series when i was younger and always stopped for them restarting again over and over throughout the years, so i’m happy to finally having finished this, and i gotta say that i loved it more when i was younger, now i can see how some things were problematic, cliché and repetitive. but it was cute in some ways, so all in all i think i give this series a 3.5 stars

[Emily Z. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series so much! Beautiful wrap-up of the series and sad it ended. This series helped me understand myself and helped me be more confident and helped me accept myself for who I am. Really do recommend this series to others! The author did a great job!

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐ A sweet ending to the series. I like that this series gave such a realistic look at the emotions of the characters, and this is the most true to life series I have read that focuses on the end of high school and beginning of adulthood journey from that emotional focus.

[littlebookfaerie ~ e r i ~]

I wish they finished the anime and when I was happy seeing there was more to the story! I’ve always loved the anime and always love the manga❤️

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

i’m glad everyone got their happy ending but this series really grew steadily, then peaked, and went downhill for me. so, a mixed bag overall, but still glad i stuck it out and finished it!

[Aurelie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhh what a sweet ending for everyone, what a lovely manga from start to finish!

[BoMo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is it, the final volume of "Say I Love you". And it's a bittersweet goodbye for me. This series was one of my favorites and I'm not ready to say goodbye!

Story (4,5 /5)
I really liked the last volume. Some parts of the story were rushed (Mei's troubles at work, Megumis return and her sudden success) but overall I'm happy to see all of the storylines wrapped up nicely. It was nice to see everybody again (Nagi! Marshmallow! Meis mother - she was hilarious!). Megumis and Yamatos relationship really changed and it was perfect that they helped each other to become finally successful.

Relationships (4/5)

Mei and Yamato - Throughout this whole series these two grew a lot and finally they were able to truly live together and face their (daily) obstacles together. Their lives as adults were portrayed rather realistically. Being an adult and in an realtionship is not always sunshine and butterflies but hard work and insecurities as well. For me the best part of this last volume was Yamatos proposal. In my opinion it fitted them perfectly. He was finally able to leave something for her! (And of course their child was really cute and the ending was perfect!) 5/5

Asami and Nakashi - I liked that these two got their hea as well, but I really didn't like that Asami so willingly left her job, family and friends behind to follow him. I found it rather selfish from Nakashi to "force" her to quit her whole life just because he didn't want a long-distance relationship! His proposal was just as bad ( If the other opinion is a long-distance relationship I'd rather marry you). 3/5

Megumi and Kai - From the first time these two met I hoped that one day they would become a couple. They were perfect for each other, balanced each other out and saw the other for what and who they really were! Even after all this years of separation and not speaking, Kai saw right through her and encouraged her not only to return home but also to be the best version of herself! I loved the part with her confession in the magazine and all of their interactions were cute, flirty and just perfect (especially the "date" at Land! Kai waited years for this day!) but I really hoped to see them a least kiss once. We all know that it is bound to happen (sooner than later) but I feel just a little bit disappointed that they didn't officially became a couple. 4/5

Kyoko and Daichi - They've got their hea. It was cute and perfect. 5/5

Aiko and Masashi - I always liked Aiko and it was so nice to see her finally be happy with her life and herself. Masashi was adorable as always and I like the fact that Aiko helped Mei get over her insecurities regarding her job! 5/5

Art (3/5)
The art in "Say I love you" was always good. In this last volume we see all of the characters as grown adults. And somehow I think the men aged way better then the women. Kai was by far the best looking grown-up ! He looked good and I liked his new hairstyle. Yamato looked really good as well.
Mei and especially Megumi looked older but something was just not right. Maybe it was Megumis hair (even if she was wearing wigs it was just waaaaay to long sometimes ) or Meis constant look of stress, I'm not sure.
The weakest part for me were the (newborn) babies. They looked really weird and not cute at all.


Final thoughts:
I'm not quite ready to let this series go. It was - and will always be - one of my favorite shojo mangas and I hope to read some new work from the author.

[Sabrina Newlon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful way to end this series.

[Jos · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMÉ ESTO
Solamente me hubiera gustado que Megumi y Kai iniciaran una relación, desde que empezaron a interactuar los shippeo :c

Ufff... esta historia significa mucho para mí, empecé viendo el anime y posteriormente la película y me encantaron, se convirtió en mi anime de romance favorito y mentiría si no dijera que en el fondo me gustaría tener un vínculo tan fuerte como el de estos personajes... ojalá en un futuro la autora nos quiera dar algún extra o capítulo especial, sería increíble.

[Alya Atiera · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Suki-Tte Ii Na Yo a.k.a Say I Love You

❝A light read filled with positive messages.❞

(The rating and review are conclusion for all of the volumes excluding the synopsis. Beware of spoiler.)

《 Plot 》
The pace of the story is good. Although there are 18 volumes all over, it doesn’t make you lose interest in it. The story starts by introducing Mei who's a bully victim. She doesn’t have any friends because she always distances herself from people. This is because she has been betrayed by her friends back in the middle school. Ever since then, she never trusts people anymore. However, she begins to change when she gets to know Yamato. Yamato is a popular guy that has many friends and is wayyy too friendly with girls. He starts to approach Mei when she kicked him because of some misunderstanding that happened. Yamato pursues Mei every day which eventually leads them being together. The story starts to develop from there and it’s being told from Mei’s POV.

《 Characters 》
❐ Mei Tachibana, the heroine
When Mei starts falling in love with Yamato, she feels scared of showing everything to him. I can relate to that a lot because you don't know how things will be so it's scary. There are other moments that I can relate to but I won't tell you to avoid spoiler.

At one point, Mei begins to change herself by engaging more with people around her. That's what makes her strong and kind girl. She is very observant of people around her and tries to help them the best she can. I love her character development.

❐ Yamato Kurosawa, the hero
Yamato is a typical cool who is popular for his kindness. Despite being a cool popular guy, he still has his own flaws. There are some issues that he struggles with but didn't let people see him in that way. I wouldn't really picture him as a really good guy. He has his flaw but he learns to change little by little.

《 Pros & Cons 》
☑ Realistic & healthy relationship
↳ There are several couples born in this comic and each of them shows what relationship is likely to be in real life especially Mei’s relationship. If you have been in a relationship, several situations that happened will make you go “Omg, I went through that too!”. On top of that, most of them are in a healthy relationship making it enjoyable to read.

☑ Positive messages
↳ It touches the issue of bully and friendship. Although Mei has been bullied, she doesn’t retaliate at those who had betrayed her back then. It also shows that life is more wonderful with loyal companions being by your side.

☒ The art drawn
↳ It’s not that the art are bad or anything. It’s just not really my cup of tea. I noticed that the art was changing slightly as the volume continues on. It got better in my opinion.

《 Extras 》
My favourite manga! I keep going back to this whenever I feel like reading something light and fun. This is my first manga that I read when I first started to read comic. I was so happy when I found out this comic had completed in English version. These are several quotes that I love from this story.

“Nothing makes a girlfriend more insecure than a boyfriend who's kind to everyone.”

“No matter how beautiful you are, when you're dating someone, all of your flaws come out.”

“If you want to move forward, sometimes, you can't keep doing things the way you've always done them. That peace of mind ruins you and hurts people.”

“You can get stronger by loving others and letting them love you.”

⚝ Who should read? ⚝
❥ Enjoy high school story.
❥ Love friendship theme story.
❥ Can tolerate typical “famous guy” falls for “unpopular girl”.

✎ Synopsis Volume 18
Everyone is settling down in their own path they walked.

[isrhat · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The things that are important for you, you make for yourself.” ♥️♥️

The mangaka spent 9 years of her life on this and I was here for 5 days. I can’t even imagine how the people who were following this manga diligently felt when the end came. The thing about “Say I love you” is that everyone comes for the story but we all stay for the characters.

The story is nothing substantial but it’s really all the life experiences and pain and sadness and happiness that every character goes through that touched me. This story is more than the two main characters and I love that, I love that we got Daichi’s story and Megumi’s story (my favorite stories!! I love them more than Yamato and Mei’s story which is odd I know).

I mean the mangaka said this herself, she couldn’t tell everyone’s story to the end (I really wanted to see Ren and Nagi!!) but some didn’t really need an ending (Rin, obviously but still would have been interesting).

I LOVE THIS MANGA I REALLY DO

but I’m going to rate it a 7/10 on myanimelist because there were some themes I couldn’t stand.

There’s also the fact that Mei and Yamato’s story just stopped in order to focus on other characters was a little off putting because I feel like some stuff could have been condensed if certain things happened in the same timeline! But it’s not my story it’s just my opinion sjsjsksk.

AGAIN I HATE I WOULD LOVE TO GIVE THIS AN 8 OR 9 BUT I JUST FEEL LIKE THATS UNFAIR JUST BECAUSE I LOVED THE CHARACTERS SO MUCH!! My favorites are: Aiko, Megumi, Kai, Mei, Daichi, Kyouko and Ren! So basically all the side characters lol. Surprisingly Yamato was okay for me lol I was never 🥺 which I feel like really makes it or breaks it for a shoujo manga!

OH I ALMOST FORGOT ARAI AND HAYAKAWA literally never come back after volume 8 😭😭

Finally, I felt like the pacing was a little bit of a drag sometimes. And the mangaka admits this herself! At one point she realized that she couldn’t just put out what she wanted and had to give the story more of what she was intending and or a moral.

Speaking of moral! There were so many and honestly one of the things that I absolutely adore is how much the mangaka put herself into this series. I loved every one of her authors notes and just found it so enjoyable to be apart of her journey. Even though I technically did a speed run.

It really goes to show just how short life and how much we spend fretting over the small things. If there’s one thing that I’ve taken away from this series is that, you are the main character. You are the one driving the car on the road that is your life. Sure you have to watch out for others around you but in the end all that matters is that you got to do the things you wanted to and that you are happy. Even if it takes years to get where you truly want, be happy in the moment. Life is too short to not be happy.

UPDATE: I GAVE IT A 8 BC I COULDNT STAND NOT GIVING IT THE RECOGNITION IT DESERVES

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.

This was such a sweet ending. I was expecting myself to be more upset about the loose ends for some of the characters or not being able to see what certain characters have been up to since the time jump (ahem... KAI), but I really enjoyed this volume and it was very heartwarming. Honestly, I didn't think I would be satisfied with the ending but for the most part, I really was.

My favorite parts were with Megumi and Kai. They deserved more screen time!!!!!!! However, they were my part of the volume. The little "credit" scene at the end where they finally go to Land together and they are bickering was so cute and sweet. Also Megumi finally getting the opportunity for Paris Fashion Week after all her hard work!!!! And showing it to Kai and both of them having tears in their eyes!!!!!!!!!!!

I wish we got to see more of Aiko in the later volumes but I'm happy that she ended up with a good dude and has a nice life with him and their baby.

I still wish Asami got a different boyfriend.... fight me. The proposal scene was cute though. However, I wish Asami was written as a more 3-dimensional character, rather than just being the cute friend or girlfriend. Like did she even like her job as a teacher or did she do it because Mei was doing it? What are her interests? What job does she have now that she moved? Is she still a teacher or is she pursuing something different? Did she genuinely want to move or did she only do it to be with Kenji? I feel like we barely got to know her outside of her relationship with Kenji, even though she is one of the original characters and has been in basically all 18 volumes.

Seeing Yamato's brother get married was so sweet. I feel happy for them and it's so jarring seeing Nagi becoming a teenager.

Seeing Mei and Yamato's relationship progress over these 18 volumes has been interesting. It would have been interesting to see one of the committed relationships not get married or decide not to have kids. Obviously, I'm not shocked that all the couples, if we aren't counting Kai and Megumi, ended up married with a child, but it would have been cool to see a subversion of that. I loved seeing Mei and Yamato pursue their careers and due to that, sometimes not being able to be together, but still being supportive and making things work. I just really enjoyed seeing them mature into their relationship and be more settled in it.

Overall, I am happy that after all these years, I finally finished this series. Despite its flaws, I still really enjoyed and will look back on it fondly. I think it captures that feeling of being in high school and starting to figure out yourself, others, and your life. It also understands that specific feeling when you are lost or when things are changing and how jarring that can be, even if those changes are good.

[Tania · Rating 2 out of 5]

Se perdió la batalla y todavía se puede perder la guerra porque voy a leer el spin-off de la hermanita de Yamato.

Como sea, amo que en este tomo todos se casaron, les dio la fiebre por el matrimonio y en chinga decidieron todos apartar su fecha, incluso el hermano de Yamato. Como sea, rescato la vida de Aiko y su novio, fiel él desde la prepa, ahora tienen familia, su casita y sus trabajos estables, bien por ellos. En esta economía es lo mínimo que se puede pedir y ellos siempre andaban juntos así que los quiero a pesar de que siempre fueron relleno.

Asami y Nishikawa (Nakanishi?? Who cares, tbh) igual acabaron juntos y pues que recurso tan flojo, pudo irle mejor con el Man que conoció en la uni y que claramente tenía interés en ella, pero eso habría alargado la serie aún más y para este entonces la mangaka estaba embarazada, se había casado y pues esto era más un epílogo largo que un nuevo arco. No justifico, pero entiendo por qué quedó así de apresurado, además no es que darle profundidad a sus personajes sea su fuerte, se nota.

Amo que Rin y Ren desaparecieran completamente de la trama, excepto como recordatorio de que ella logró antes todo lo que Megumi quería, porque demuestra cuán irrelevantes eran en realidad para la trama. Sobre Megumi me gustó que volviera a Japón, no todos la hacen en el extranjero y está bien admitirlo, además su público siempre estuvo en Japón y ahora con su apariencia más madura pudo atraer a más público, bien por ella porque al final sí se le hizo andar en la semana de la moda de París. Además le dio chamba al Yamato y pues bien por ambos. Se quedó con Kai que se veía desde el tomo 3 era el endgame y pues si bien no me agrada que ella es grosera con él incluso ahora, parece que se entienden. Good for them I guess.

Entre esta reseña y la pasada dije poco de Yamato y Mei pero es que hay muy poco que contar sobre ellos, siguen juntos, se casaron, tuvieron un hijo, bien por ellos, pero pues equis, la vdd, su historia fue floja desde un inicio y ni disfruté tanto su romance.

Anduve chingue y chingue con que quería un epílogo de Kimi ni Todoke y de Ore Monogatari y aquí que sí me lo dieron y hasta con creces la verdad es que me valió sorbete por lo malísimo que es. Tristísimo. Pero ya soy libre para irme a leer otros shojos.

[Isis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly speaking, I first started reading this series because of one reason: it seemed to be a popular shojo manga. I didn't what I was expecting, of course I knew it was the typical She's All That premise in the sense of the main guy being a popular, handsome guy and the girl is a loner. At the time I was actually also reading Kimi Ni Todoke which is soooo similar to Say I Love You that I found myself comparing the two. With that being said, this series seemed too sweet from the beginning, too perfect right from the start in that Mei and Yamato started dating right from the start and he was already head over heels for her. Nevertheless, though it took me a while to finally finish, every time I started a new volume, I became instantly smitten once more.
I loved Yamato, he was so sweet and gorgeous but at the same time it was infuriating how kind and dense he could be with regards to girls' secret intentions towards him. Mei was awesome all around, I liked how she was oblivious, unsure, strong and caring, pure and insecure- just like any normal girl. Their entire story, and that of those around them like Kai and Megumi, Aiko and Asami and their respective significant others was really interesting to experience and observe. Even though I saw everyone reach their own conclusions in life and even though I knew where it was all heading to, it still was a bittersweet surprise to actually see it all come to an end. It's so hard to imagine that they are all grown up and that they've made their own lives and walked down their own paths. It's never, ever easy to say goodbye to characters I've grown accustomed and attached to for so long and this series was no exception.

[Ardilla Azul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Esta historia empezó muy bien, me gustó que aunque fuera la clásica trama de "chica que nadie quiere conoce a chico popular que se enamora de ella porque es el único que ve su verdadera belleza", la autora trata de ahondar en otras problemáticas adolescentes que no se suelen tratar tan abiertamente. El bullying, los desórdenes alimenticios, las inseguridades, las cosas terribles que te obligan a hacer so pretexto del amor. Las cosas terribles que uno hace so pretexto del amor. El abandono, la tristeza, la soledad. Y también va desarrollando la relación principal de una forma muy creíble. Pasan por muchas etapas hasta madurar como novios, después de terminar el colegio, inclusive.

Las mini-historias de los secundarios tienen principio y final, lo que se agradece, aunque como sigue siendo un shoujo hay cursilerías que se exceden bastante. Bastante. Mucho. En fin.

Amo a Megumi, me encanta su desarrollo desde villana de chocolate idol preparatoriana hasta su vida adulta como profesional. Tuvo que pasar un trago muy amargo para tratar de convertirse en lo que quería ser y es la única que tropezó tan fuerte antes de encontrar algo que no era lo que buscaba, pero al final fue mejor.

Me leí hasta el epílogo con los agradecimientos de la autora porque ahí es donde se detalla el final-final, entre notitas. Me enteré de la tristísima situación de Hazuki-san (la autora) mientras escribió esta historia y me sentí con mucho amor de que decidiera terminar y cerrar el manga y que estuviera bien en su corazón con el sacrificio que realizó.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a bit to get to the final books but overall I really enjoyed this series.

And there aren't many series that make me tear up but I did have a moment where I got choked up when I saw a particular spread.

Mei's loner origins to finding herself and her tribe was good to read. Plus I did enjoy the author's commentary at the end of each volume as she had her own reflections. Writing can be self-reflective and there was definitely an access point for me, as both reader and writer, in seeing the manga-ka reflect on the passing of her mother and the importance of this story.

I think we have or can have that person that "cracks" something in us. In the case of Mei, meeting Yamato and having her world slowly begin to expand. To become vulnerable. It is a scary task and somehow, some of us as we get older shy away from this.

Quoting Matthew McConaughey "Just keep living..."

If nothing else, reading this now felt like a good reminder of the importance in the company we keep. The lives we live. The choices and paths we take. The people we let in. Their significance to our growth and in turn our own contribution(s). It is through these relationship we learn more of who/what we are/made of.

[Jonas Walls · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m so sad to be finished with this series! I watched the anime when I was in middle school, so revisiting this series by reading the manga now at 19, was really interesting. I have to say I enjoyed the manga much better then what I remember from the anime. I think there are some gorgeous visuals, especially when it comes to the chapters about modeling and photography, that the anime did not really capture. Overall I really loved this series, especially its characters. Fantastic drama and romance, and I really appreciated how realistic the characters and relationships were in the highschool arc. I think my only gripe is that I definitely could have used some more… anything??? From Yamatos proposal?? My guy really just left it sitting on the living room table for her. And throughout the whole series Yamato has been a romantic so this really bothered me as it wasn’t even really in character for him to do that. Anyways I think seeing the gang all together at the wedding, and the general lovely happy ending that everyone got, helped rectify that horrifyingly mid proposal. Megumi making it to Paris fashion week almost made me cry!!

Overall Say I Love You is a coming of age shojo that I would totally recommend!!

[-moonprismpower- · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg so sweet!!!!!! Typical happy endings but I DON’T CARE!!! I LOVE IT ALL THE SAME!!! Yay for marriage and babies!!!

AND MY SHIP SAILED!!!! Hella late but it sailed!!! Lol
I really love Meg and Kai. They might be my fav characters, surprisingly!

My thoughts on the series as a whole:
4.5/5 stars!!!!

I loved it! This was my 2nd read through and I’m a little older this time so it hit even harder, especially near the end. This was a wonderful series with lots of charm. I like that it wasn’t too “sweet and innocent “. Teenagers have sex. People have and will have sex. No need to shy away from it. And people also say and do horrible things. But they can also learn and grow from it. Mei and Meg are both perfect examples of character development in this series. They did ALOT of growing in the years that we saw in this series.

The only thing I didn’t like was that the last few volumes felt rushed. I understand that not much happens in day to day adult life but come on! I wanted to see more Mei and Yamato moments!!!! They really didn’t move in together until 25!!!!! That’s like 11 YEARS TOGETHER!!!! Lol.

[Hilary Fudge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and series in general does some many things well, that's not to say that everything about it is perfect, but overall I was obsessed with it. The characters are all flawed in many ways, but over the course of the series (which is many years, and I appreciate that) they all grow and change so much. The story highlights the friendships of the characters, some of whom are almost enemies to begin with. I love that the series felt completed and it was such a satisfying ending - I love when a series has an ending like this and I don't think it's done enough. This series had such a roller coaster of emotions, there were many times reading it that I felt like screaming at the characters for not saying what they meant or how they felt, or because they were doing something they shouldn't be doing, or just making a poor decision in general. But all that being said, it felt so real - I'm sure we all have times in our lives that we have regrets or made decisions without thinking about it like we should have. As much as I love a romantasy, there is something special about a slice of life romance that has a certain nostalgia factor, it really warms the heart.

[Autumn Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finnally finished this series which I started reading in my last year of highschool, 3 years ago. As i read this manga I soon could tell it would become one of my favorites. Growing these past few years with this manga has been very precious to me, with each new volume i read and each new challenge the characters faced, i was experinceing new things too. I love how in depth each character was and I'm grateful that the author gave everyone a happy ending. Once of my most favorite aspects of these books was reading the authors note at the end. Each note was so personal, and heartwarming. Especially this last one. The author mentions how important it is to "Say I love you" when you can, to express your graditude for the people you care about when you feel it, because they might not always be around. I'm so grateful for this series and the memories its given me. I will always reccomend this series for any romance lover, but also because the messages in this story are so important to understand. I give this book and the whole series a 10/10 💖