The second year of high school has only just started, and Amane is already in a bind. His new class includes everyone’s angel, Mahiru, as well as their friends Itsuki and Chitose. Of course, no one can know how close he and Mahiru have gotten so long as they pretend to be strangers. This arrangement may not last long, though, given that a certain someone is clearly unhappy she can’t spend time with Amane. While he tries to figure out what to do next, some old wounds resurface…
After Amane learned Mahiru's terrible past, their relationship has gotten more intimate. They mutually support each other and make all of their worries disappear as if it were all a lie. Thanks to that, they closed the distance between their hearts and became something similar like lovers. Yes, this new relationship has a big effect on their school life. Then, they even go out on something similar to a date. However, in reality, they are simply friends. Of course, part of it is Amane being dense, but the real cause of it is his trauma. Because of a certain past incident, he became afraid of creating new relationships with others—he even went as far as leaving his hometown. To lock in this trauma inside of him, he hasn't told anyone of it besides his parents. However, just by seeing Amane misery, Mahiru is in pain as well. As an Angel, will she properly accept his trauma? Or will she...
As usual, this was a very sweet story! Personally, the point that interests me the most is the way how Amane and Mahiru's relationship progresses. Without rushing, they slowly close their distance between each other. For example, in volume one, they were simply neighbors. They had a relationship one of friendship, not love. In the second volume, they understood each other's feelings and crossed the boundary of just being friends a little. Then, in the third one, they are always together like it's the most obvious thing in the world. In this time frame, both Amane and Mahiru are clearly growing and becoming more mature. As a reader, I can't but smile at their relationship.
The next development seems to be summer vacation, so I'm greatly looking forward to it! If it perhaps interest you, by all means, read it!
It is a cute story about two young kids experiencing romance for the first time in their life. Book 1 was all about the beginning of their romance, them meeting for the first time, circumstances forcing them together and then developing friendship.
Book two was about the barriers between them coming down and getting close. It was also the book where Shiina Mahiru, the main heroine dealing with her emotional baggage and make progress. That was executed properly and felt real.
This book, the third in the series, should have either addressed the hero, Amane's emotional baggage or made progress in their relationship. While it made some progress, it wasn't enough to justify the two hundred odd pages I had to read.
The main character is dour and uninteresting. Even his emotional baggage feels unimaginative and insignificant. Plus, the constant show of stubbornness and lack of initiative doesn't endear him to the reader. The heroine and the supporting cast are doing an excellent job of at least progressing the story, while the main character drags them all down.
This is an ongoing series with four more books that have yet to receive an English translation. When that happens, I won't be reading them. It was fun while it lasted, but without any proper progress and interesting main character, this series feels boring and static. Not worth the time.
I like this series because of the characters. However, Amane, the feckless lead is often frustrating. I am skeptical that he is truly that clueless and fearful. I suspect instead that the author simply wants to milk their romantic conflict for a few more books. At least Shiina grew as a character and took action in this novel. We are promised that Amane will in the next volume.
I feel that their date went on for so long, I almost lost the will to live. Fortunately, it ended with a surprise that resuscitated me. Amane’s friends are correct. Amane’s a wuss. He needs to read the room and ask Shiina out already.
But I didn’t mind the read. The characters are entertaining, the story has been translated well, and I feel invested in the outcome.
I’ve been hooked and will buy book 4 when it comes out.
"His scars did ache, but not so much that it would bring him to his knees."
The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten Vol.3 By Saekisan
Things are getting better and better. I am excited to read the volume 4 and then venture into the unknown. What a sweet volume.
After being left behind, Mahiru has started to take steps for her own good. She's moving forward, showing signs, and yet Aname can't seem to figure out. Honestly, it's kinda funny and frustrating, but at the same time kinda sweet.
"They had all smiled to his face and abused him in private, and that was something he couldn’t bear."
Aname has finally told Mahiru about his past. While it might seem mild, it did leave an effect on him. It was a good character deconstruction. His low self-esteem has reasons. He knows his fault and knows the reason, yet he doesn't change because of the incident, but now he will.
The cooking class part was fun and enjoyable. Mahiru slowly started to talk to Aname even in school, and then the date part was also adorable. The jealousy part was subtle but funny.
Amane was nervous at the start of the 2nd year of high school regarding his classmates. But he got lucky, sort of. Itsuki, his first friend is in his class, but so Chitose, Itsuki's girlfriend. And Mahiru is also in his class. Amane has to be very careful that no one finds out about his relationship (whatever it is that day) with Mahiru so she and he don't have issues with their classmates. But then Chiose wiggled out a way - since she was friends with Mahiru, she got her to come eat with Itsuki and Amane . Then came the cooking class pairing, and a requested outing from Mahiru which led to Mahiru being spotted with a boy again. And when confronted by a female classmate, Mahiru stated that while she was not dating, she did have a friend whom she was very fond of. Amane is in so much trouble going into the next book!
This was a rather enjoyable slow-burn romance with both leads being interesting characters. It has plenty of heartwarming and even funny moments to make the reader feel engaged in the love story. The male lead is particularly fascinating. He maintains a calm and composed demeanour, which sets him apart from other high-school romance protagonists. However, his underlying insecurities add remarkable depth to his character and allow the titular Angel to truly shine in a meaningful and relatable manner. The gentle and understanding nature of the heroine makes the narrative quite emotionally rich, with a nice warmth that lingers even after putting the last page down.
This is a slow developing romance that is well worth reading. As the author has said Mahiru would take more proactive steps. And yet even though the characters might acknowledge to themselves the depths of their feelings they're afraid to reveal their inner thoughts so...
It's easy for the reader to identify with either character even if you've been married a while. Communication really does require expressing thoughts and feelings otherwise there is no progress.
Unlike the first two volumes, this one had more of a push. Mahiru and Amane's feelings are more definite and while one side is dragging feet and feigning ignorance over some misguided self-esteem issues, the other wants something more. Their friends as always are there to enliven and encourage them while snickering in amusement and frustration behind their backs. Amane seems to have opened up to a new friend but whether he'll be open about outing his 'relationship' with Mahiru is a whole different story.
em soooooo in love with this two mc mahiru and amane excited to read the 4th vol of this LN and em excited to watch the anime version of Mahiru and Amane ❤❤
I love this series it's just so much fun watching the caricaturs relationship grow. I'm anxiously awaiting the next book and seeing how they grow from here.
I enjoy the character development and how the main characters treat each other with friendship and respect. I wish that I had this to read in high school and was able to appreciate it.