Honey So Sweet, Vol. 5

Honey [ハニー] #5

by Amu Meguro

Although Nao Kogure was once afraid of the delinquent Taiga Onise, she was soon touched by his kind soul. Nao and Taiga plan a romantic date on Christmas, but Yashiro, Misaki and Futami push their way in to make it a party at Taiga’s house instead. Though their friends leave early to allow Nao and Taiga some time alone, someone else interrupts them—Taiga’s mom!

Genres: Manga, Romance, Shojo, Young Adult, Graphic Novels, Contemporary, Slice Of Life

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 25, 2014

About the author

• Associated name: 目黒あむ
• Name in native language: 目黑 亞霧
• Blood Type: A
• Birthday: September 24
• Zodiac: Libra

Reviews

[Selena Pigoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is still tooth-achingly sweet, and I'm still eating it up. I'm loving this so much.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is probably my favourite volume so far!! <3

RTC

[Kate♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5stars

This was so cute I know I keep saying that but I’m addicted to this story and the characters it’s so adorable omg

[Leila ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

El capítulo de Valentine’s Day 😭😭 I can’t-

3.5 de 5 estrellas.

[Laura A. Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

VIDEO SERIES REVIEW HERE: https://youtu.be/dl1jsBTCar0

I always feel a cuteness overload after reading these volumes!

This one wasn't my favorite, but I think once again it spoke of Onise's character. (And Nao is *incredibly* sweet who really has a big heart.) I admired how because Onise DOES care for Nao (and Sou too) that he was willing to step in and say something. I just felt that was a huge thing. And even with Nao. While she seems more "petty" this volume (I didn't think she was), my heart really softened towards her (not that was mad/upset at her because at wasn't!) when she explains her actions.

I REALLY liked Sou in this volume! A LOT! I think it was just really good to see him more of a parental role, especially since that IS how Nao sees him. I mean, obviously I have known he is a parent to Nao, but it was just a good volume with everything that happens and seeing how communicating is important.

That last chapter was ADORABLE!

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

With so many shoujo titles, it can all be about the couple getting together and then plenty of misunderstandings and rivals. But with this volume 5 of Honey So Sweet, the focus is on the slowly developing relationship. Even after all these chapters, the couple is nervous about holding hands, hugging and haven't even kissed. As such, this is a lovely slow burn of two people coming to know each other better.

Story: Nao and Tai finally get enough courage to go on a date on Christmas. But their friends crash the party and the pair have a great time but wonder if they will ever get time alone. When the group leaves suddenly, Nao and Tai finally get their real date. Until Tai's mother returns home from work with gifts from abroad. Circumstances ensue where Tai gets knocked out and Nao gets alone time with Tai's mother. When the two stay up too late talking, Nao stays the night. But this leaves the lonely Sou upset from the worry over Nao's whereabouts. Nao will need to address that problem as well as a teases from her friends that she has yet to kiss Tai.

Since the focus is on all the relationships - how her friends interact with her, how the parents/guardians interact with their kids, and how the various relationships in their lives are evolving, this is more about feelings than drama. It's also about communication and coming to honestly understand one's self.

Nao and Tai's relationship is slowly progressing and it was cute seeing them finally attempting a kiss at the end. Meguro has created a very sweet but also emotionally grounded series that manages to eschew all the drama and melodrama so rampant in the shoujo genre. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[Shae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I continue to love watching the love story of Nao and Taiga progress. Each is learning to be more responsible for a variety of things and reasons as this volume goes on. We see them start to take certain steps in their relationship, and I love seeing them.
With 3 more volumes to go, I have a good idea of where the story will go. I'm still excited to watch their journey unfold.

[Kayla Brunson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume was so freakin' cute! OMG, these characters are pure and adorable. My heart is so full because of this fluffy manga.

[Marianna Rainolter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arriva il Natale e dopo una vivace festa con i loro amici Nao e Taiga si trovano soli, o quasi... Arriva infatti la mamma del ragazzo e quando in seguito Nao rimane con loro tutta la notte senza avvisare So, tra questo e la ragazza si crea una tensione che si risolverà solo con l'intervento di Tai che li aiuterà a risolvere i loro problemi e ad aprisi (e voi che lo credevate un teppista!). E dopo il Natale giunge infine San Valentino e il primo bacio dei nostri protagonisti... Insomma un volume davvero dolcino e carino: l'ingenuità e la tenerezza dei due ragazzi mi piace molto, è in linea con la storia fin dall'inizio e mi regala molta tenerezza e felicità quando leggo.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah the Christmas story...you absolutely CANNOT do a romance manga without a Christmas storyline somewhere. Only this particular Christmas takes a couple of difficult turns. First off Nao and Taiga can't seem to get a moment alone...and when they do? Everything kind of blows up. (Taiga really can't hold his alcohol!)

The argument shows a stubborn side of Nao that I wasn't expecting. And while there's more drama than you can shake a stick at, there's a certain reality to it. This growing up process is darned difficult. But this is still a fun couple. I really love these stories!

[Rereader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finally get to meet Tai's mom! I was wondering when I was going to meet the seemingly sole parental figure in Tai's life as well as have him introduce Nao to her. While I wasn't too fond of how she put on an abrasive act to "test" Nao, I do get where she's coming from and considering how cutesy this series is, it's not like anything terrible was going to happen. Seeing them interact was adorable and it is clear that Tai's mom really dotes on him. Another cute character to add to the already full cast of sickeningly sweet characters.

[D E N Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great volume! Man I enjoyed this collection with the Christmas and Valentine Day celebrations. But aside from those cute celebrations, I'm happy on how this volume shone an importance on Sou and Kogure's familial relationship. I loved that this chapter/the mangaka showed on how Sou really loved Kogure as if she was his own daughter and I loved how Onise's mom also explained it to Onise. Really, this series shows time and time again that while it has a lot of cute moments, they also show some emotionally great scenes as well. :)

[Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

These two are the cutest! Also, we adore a respectful boyfriend; rather than encouraging Nao's rebellion as most YA heroes would do, seeing as it works in his favor (Nao's in a tiff with her uncle Sou after falling asleep at Taiga's on Christmas Eve and she continues to sleep at his place until Taiga puts his foot down/makes Sou and Nao talk it out). I want to go into the nuanced portrayal of young love as well as parental ties needing to loosen as they let their kids go, but I'll save that for vol. 8.

[nidah05 (SleepDreamWrite) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has been a good series. Has its cute moments, from the story and characters. Also that art style is really good.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

MangaMadnessReadathon | November 2019

[MargReadsManga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness!! So much adorableness packed into this volume, I just can’t!! It’s just too darn sweet.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

As always, this series never fails to make your days feel lighter. Really sweet series on building a relationship with someone you love, as well as establishing another soon-to-be couple. Check this out if you're tired of drama and angst in shojo, want an adorable romance that isn't centered around lust, has good themes, and is overall just a feel-good manga.

[Skye (Skye's Scribblings) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series keeps getting better and better, so glad I've stuck with it! And this volume was utterly adorable. Can't wait to get my hands on the next volume!

[CJ - It's only a Paper Moon · Rating 4 out of 5]

It just keeps getting better and cuter!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

More like 4.5. Did not like a scene with Onise's mom.

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

With so many shoujo titles, it can all be about the couple getting together and then plenty of misunderstandings and rivals. But with this volume 5 of Honey So Sweet, the focus is on the slowly developing relationship. Even after all these chapters, the couple is nervous about holding hands, hugging and haven't even kissed. As such, this is a lovely slow burn of two people coming to know each other better.

Story: Nao and Tai finally get enough courage to go on a date on Christmas. But their friends crash the party and the pair have a great time but wonder if they will ever get time alone. When the group leaves suddenly, Nao and Tai finally get their real date. Until Tai's mother returns home from work with gifts from abroad. Circumstances ensue where Tai gets knocked out and Nao gets alone time with Tai's mother. When the two stay up too late talking, Nao stays the night. But this leaves the lonely Sou upset from the worry over Nao's whereabouts. Nao will need to address that problem as well as a teases from her friends that she has yet to kiss Tai.

Since the focus is on all the relationships - how her friends interact with her, how the parents/guardians interact with their kids, and how the various relationships in their lives are evolving, this is more about feelings than drama. It's also about communication and coming to honestly understand one's self.

Nao and Tai's relationship is slowly progressing and it was cute seeing them finally attempting a kiss at the end. Meguro has created a very sweet but also emotionally grounded series that manages to eschew all the drama and melodrama so rampant in the shoujo genre. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

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

4.5/5 brought up to 5! This volume continues in the last's footstpe by having an volume-long arc/scenario that fleshes out side characters. This time after a Xmas debacle the the parents are fleshed out as Sou and the Taiga's newly introduced Mom handle parenthood (but mostly Sou
This volumes introduces us to Taiga's mom who I really enjoy. That bad cop good cop deal with your child's new beaux is something I'm used to since my mom is just like that.
Most of the volume focuses on a Xmas celebration and an ensuing bought of rebellion as Sou and Nao struggle with each other as she becomes more independent through her romance with Taiga. The Christmas chapters cute and neat. It's enjoyable to see all the friends together again in a happy situation after Yashiro's arc. But what starts as a simple Xmas romance moment evolves into a rebellion arc that explores parent-child relationships further blossomed by the introduction of a new parent-child relationship in Taigas mom. The exploration of parenthood and single parents / foster parents dealing with their child growing up and involving them less is really nice. We see Taiga's maturity once again. This time not through his considerate love but rejoining of Sousuke and Nao.
Finally we end with a short and sweet Valentine's Day chapter that is completely wholesome af.

[Lou (Lou and Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was cute but there was one weird scene. Apart from the one weird scene, I really liked this cute book. The weird scene was with Onise's mother. She basically judges Nao and like grabs her boobs and is like, "You're big boobs is the only thing going for you." But then when Nao is like you may not like me but I will make you like me, and then Onise's mother is like "It was a joke." And then it's like happy families. I was a bit shook... I was weirded out but then the book was all cute and innocent again which kind of threw me. I did enjoy the story of this volume minus the weird part as it was about Onise and Nao celebrating Christmas together and then Sou being a jealous father. It was a very cute book. I am enjoying this series and I would recommend it. Just watch out for the weird scene in this book.

[Amethyst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nao-chan and Taiga-kun are just so sweet and cute. I can't help but fangirl over how adorable they are when they react to each other's kind and lovely gestures~

[Potential spoilers]
In this volume, we finally got to meet Taiga-kun's mom! Also, the Valentine chapter was just really cute~ ^^
[Potential spoilers over]

Some quotes I like:
-Sou: "But he understands us better than we understand ourselves." (referring to Taiga)
-Taiga's mom to Taiga: "Sometimes parents have a hard time admitting to their children that they're having trouble. I think that's how Sou was feeling."
-Taiga to Nao-chan: "I feel so incredibly happy these days because of you. I somehow keep expecting something to go wrong."

***

[BookChicGeek · Rating 4 out of 5]

We finally got to meet Onise mom in this volume. She was just as quirky, in a good way, as all the other characters in this series. I like that Onise and Nao relationship is getting stronger but I'm getting annoyed that they are sooo innocent and pure because they still haven't officially kissed or even hugged! Every time they work up the nerve to it goes wrong or get interrupted. It's kind of funny but I seriously hope that they don't finally kiss or hug in the last volume because that will really suck.

[Nadina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series continues to be cute and sweet. The title really suits the series.
There isn't really much conflict, it's more just episodes and little trivial obstacles that must be overcome, but it's still cute.
I like that Sou's character was developed more in this volume, and also that we finally met Tai's mom, and how her character developed.
I wouldn't call Tai and Nao stagnant characters, because they do grow, but not as much because they have already been established.
I love how cute the artwork is and it is really an adorable series.

[Nyx · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
Okay, so this book has its problems just like every book, but I love it anyways. It's cute and cheesy romance, with a lot of teen awkwardness thrown in. It's great for a bad day, because it picks you up and makes you laugh. Overall, I am loving this series the more it progresses.
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

[Jayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

We get to see Christmas and Valentine's Day here, but not New Year's. Oh well.

Lots of cuteness happening here, and we get to meet Tai's mom! Was a bit disappointed in Nao's little rebellious streak but was quite happy with how Tai helped her and Sou.

Thought we'd finally get some progress with our main protagonists but alas! Thwarted again! Hahahaha. But they're so sweet.

[The Nerdy Weeb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This manga is so sweet and cute! Both the main characters are funny, shy and adorable . The art is really nice and relaxing, makes you feel all bubbly and stuff. The author puts her heart and soul to make this manga into a work of art and to pull at your heartstrings . Love it!

[Ally (AllyEmReads)]

I like seeing the dynamics between Tai and his mom, and how it parallels Nao and Sou. It's kind of funny how Nao gets so flustered when it comes to basic family squabbles, because she's never had that problem before. Also, JUST KISS ALREADY.