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How to Melt the Ice Queen's Heart #1
How to Melt the Ice Queen's Heart Volume 1
Asahi Kagami -A rather outgoing guy with a tendency to try to help anyone in need- happens to be neighbors and classmates with a girl named Fuyuka Himuro. At school she’s been nicknamed “The Ice Queen” by her classmates, and for good reason: she prefers to keep everyone at arm’s length and seldom talks to others. Neither Fuyuka nor Asahi have had a chance to interact with each other yet, but Asahi’s tendency to meddle in other people’s business slowly but surely marks the beginning of a relationship that blooms into something more…
Kindle Edition
Published July 25, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 26, 2024
3.5 ⭐
downloaded this story on a whim, not knowing what I was getting into but i honestly didn't expect this cute of a story. sure it was slow at times, sure the random language made me go...what happened in translation?, but overall this story was actually cute. and asahi cooking for fuyuka was the cutest thing ever.
Crying that was so cute 😭
downloaded this story on a whim, not knowing what I was getting into but i honestly didn't expect this cute of a story. sure it was slow at times, sure the random language made me go...what happened in translation?, but overall this story was actually cute. and asahi cooking for fuyuka was the cutest thing ever.
"I think we've got a good schedule going here. We can cook dinner, eat, and then study," he proposed.
"That sounds good to me," she replied.
"So should we make this a daily thing?"
Crying that was so cute 😭
December 5, 2021
When Asahi comes to the aid of his school’s notorious Ice Queen, Fuyuka, he’s not expecting much in return, it’s just in his nature. Hers, however, is to repay her debts and this is the start of a series of interactions that will lead to her thawing just a touch and maybe, just maybe, something more…
This has just enough charm and is just harmless enough to be perfectly fine if you want a ridiculously chaste slow-burning romance to enjoy when you don’t need to think too hard about what you’re reading.
If anything, I like that this story has no qualms about moving past ancient stereotypes for gender roles, that’s a cute little addition. Fuyuka turns out to be both academically and athletically superior to Asahi, whereas he is an excellent housekeeper and cook.
To that end, food and cooking are definitely the predominant activities of this story, as Asahi and Fuyuka bond under a shared arrangement that involves a lot of eating and preparation for eating. The two slowly grow closer. Very slowly. One hesitates to use the term ‘glacial’ but there’s not exactly a ton of momentum here. Fuyuka’s reputation is implied far more than it’s shown.
Yes, Fuyuka acts cool and aloof, but Asahi’s already in a position to be up in her business within ten pages so it’s not like there’s a lot of establishing her character before it changes. I do think that hurts the story a little bit.
The actual romance, such as it is, largely boils down to lots of blushing and the occasional heart throb. They definitely have their moments together, but nothing that you’d ever describe as stirring. The whole situation with the brooch (including a fun reveal at the end) and the time that Fuyuka loses something important are probably the high points.
Secondary characters mostly boil down to Asahi’s friend, Chiaki, and his very extra girlfriend. While not explicit in the text, the one image of them we get implies that she’s a stockier girl and he’s a bit of a playboy and that almost seems like a better story. Otherwise they are there to drive Asahi crazy with their antics and I have to admit I find the way they’re written a bit cringey.
Then again, when Asahi’s parents make an appearance towards the end of the book they are a very good example of the parents who love their child but express that in ways which embarrass the utter hell out of him. So, sometimes it gets cringe right at least and both Asahi and Fuyuka have rather strange (as in, only in Japanese fiction) family situations. It’s definitely more to the dramatic in Fuyuka’s case and, while unrevealed, clearly has something to do with her icy nature.
It’s fine in the way that a lot of these light novels are. The themes are fine, the characters are all right, the language is a touch simple and the writing isn’t particularly mature. It doesn’t exactly leave a big footprint but it isn’t necessarily trying to.
3 stars - fairly pedestrian stuff. I’ve gone down a bit of a rom and/or com rabbit hole lately with my light novels, trying to find one that’s above average. This one is certainly not it, but it has enough going on that I’ll likely grab a second volume of these two kids pairing up.
This has just enough charm and is just harmless enough to be perfectly fine if you want a ridiculously chaste slow-burning romance to enjoy when you don’t need to think too hard about what you’re reading.
If anything, I like that this story has no qualms about moving past ancient stereotypes for gender roles, that’s a cute little addition. Fuyuka turns out to be both academically and athletically superior to Asahi, whereas he is an excellent housekeeper and cook.
To that end, food and cooking are definitely the predominant activities of this story, as Asahi and Fuyuka bond under a shared arrangement that involves a lot of eating and preparation for eating. The two slowly grow closer. Very slowly. One hesitates to use the term ‘glacial’ but there’s not exactly a ton of momentum here. Fuyuka’s reputation is implied far more than it’s shown.
Yes, Fuyuka acts cool and aloof, but Asahi’s already in a position to be up in her business within ten pages so it’s not like there’s a lot of establishing her character before it changes. I do think that hurts the story a little bit.
The actual romance, such as it is, largely boils down to lots of blushing and the occasional heart throb. They definitely have their moments together, but nothing that you’d ever describe as stirring. The whole situation with the brooch (including a fun reveal at the end) and the time that Fuyuka loses something important are probably the high points.
Secondary characters mostly boil down to Asahi’s friend, Chiaki, and his very extra girlfriend. While not explicit in the text, the one image of them we get implies that she’s a stockier girl and he’s a bit of a playboy and that almost seems like a better story. Otherwise they are there to drive Asahi crazy with their antics and I have to admit I find the way they’re written a bit cringey.
Then again, when Asahi’s parents make an appearance towards the end of the book they are a very good example of the parents who love their child but express that in ways which embarrass the utter hell out of him. So, sometimes it gets cringe right at least and both Asahi and Fuyuka have rather strange (as in, only in Japanese fiction) family situations. It’s definitely more to the dramatic in Fuyuka’s case and, while unrevealed, clearly has something to do with her icy nature.
It’s fine in the way that a lot of these light novels are. The themes are fine, the characters are all right, the language is a touch simple and the writing isn’t particularly mature. It doesn’t exactly leave a big footprint but it isn’t necessarily trying to.
3 stars - fairly pedestrian stuff. I’ve gone down a bit of a rom and/or com rabbit hole lately with my light novels, trying to find one that’s above average. This one is certainly not it, but it has enough going on that I’ll likely grab a second volume of these two kids pairing up.
August 7, 2021
4-4.5 sh stars, absolutely loved it. I love how cold hearted the heroine was and how she gradually melted and softened as the protagonist went out of his way to help her, and I really enjoyed their mutual relationship with him teaching her to cook as she helped improve his studies to reach the top ten of the school. I enjoyed the emotional ties, like Asahi's parents naming the restaurant after him as their morning sun, and I also just generally enjoyed the day to day interactions and budding romance of the two leads.
Minor drawbacks are the two side characters who I didnt find as enjoyable nor amusing, and the father was a smidge annoying with his overzealousness when the two ate at their family's restaurant, but it was still overall extremely good, and I'm looking forward to more in the series. The official translation was also excellent.
Minor drawbacks are the two side characters who I didnt find as enjoyable nor amusing, and the father was a smidge annoying with his overzealousness when the two ate at their family's restaurant, but it was still overall extremely good, and I'm looking forward to more in the series. The official translation was also excellent.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2021
Strangers to Friends and....
This is a charming slow romance story. The protagonists live alone. They are in high-school together but have virtually no contact with one another until a series of coincidences lead them from being acquaintances onto something of a business relationship. The story is well written and humorous. There are some awkward word constructions and idioms in this Japanese to English adaptation of a very sweet romance novel for young adults. What is amazing is how the humor and awkwardness as well as innocence comes through the translation.
This is a charming slow romance story. The protagonists live alone. They are in high-school together but have virtually no contact with one another until a series of coincidences lead them from being acquaintances onto something of a business relationship. The story is well written and humorous. There are some awkward word constructions and idioms in this Japanese to English adaptation of a very sweet romance novel for young adults. What is amazing is how the humor and awkwardness as well as innocence comes through the translation.
January 28, 2022
3,5 stars. It was cute but I didn't completely love it. I like the slow progression of Fuyuka and Asahi's relationship and Fuyuka's process to be more comfortable with Asahi. I do not like the teasing from the other characters though, I hate the obnoxious "you must be a couple!!" thing Hinami (and Asahi's parents) do. Something small is ok, like "oh, you seem to be fond of that person, hmm?" type of thing but the overwhelming insistence is annoying.
November 28, 2021
A beautiful story of a stand offish girl and a nosy boy who start to grow into each other. Slowly progressing friendship that was a joy to read. I will also say, I love Asahi's Mother and Father, they were a blast. Highly recommend this book for anybody.
June 15, 2023
Not so much a review but this book gave me serious The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten vibes. Not sure which came first, however. Additionally, it is my understanding that the series was cancelled in Japan after the second book came out.
July 31, 2021
Asahi Kagami is neighbours to girl Fuyuka Himora, also known as the Ice Queen in his high school. Both living alone, Asahi because his parent run a 3 star restaurant and simply lack the time. Fuyuka's circumstances are unknown for now. They never talked until one day he finds her struggling to do her shopping due illness and offers his help. What follows is the start of a fairly typical rom com although the "annoying" friends act as one would expect of friends and it is Asahi who is the cook (and makes the lunch). I enjoyed the read: a light hearted slice-of-life without going any of the ridiculous misunderstanding-kind of tropes (beyond the awkwardness of teenagers), hopes it stays that way in future volumes (and that it is going somewhere).
January 19, 2022
I love it
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews