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Chéri, My Destiny!
A pastry chef from France is confident about his pastries until he hears word of a popular Japanese confectionary nearby. He starts a food war, saying that the owner of the Japanese store doesn't understand the greatness of Western sweets, but he gets in a little over his head...
160 pages, Paperback
First published August 10, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
June 11, 2021
I've noticed that lgbt+ mangas are usually very hit or miss... this was definitely a miss. I had high hopes for this so this was so disappointing.
My main issue with this was the fact that the MC literally put achohol into some deserts to get the love interest drunk. He does this knowing that the love interest will end up wanting to have sex with him... and they do. After that I just couldn't continue because... what?
Before that, the story was fine, nothing special. There was almost no development and it was very insta love. I'm not a huge fan of that trope in general but this manga just didn't do a good job with it at all.
Overall, I definitely don't recommend. Please don't spend your time or money.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
My main issue with this was the fact that the MC literally put achohol into some deserts to get the love interest drunk. He does this knowing that the love interest will end up wanting to have sex with him... and they do. After that I just couldn't continue because... what?
Before that, the story was fine, nothing special. There was almost no development and it was very insta love. I'm not a huge fan of that trope in general but this manga just didn't do a good job with it at all.
Overall, I definitely don't recommend. Please don't spend your time or money.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 29, 2021
2.5 rounded up for chocolate.
June 10, 2021
I really love this one!!! It was so super cute!!! Word of warning though, this is super x-rated. Like see it all x-rated. So if you’re not into that, don’t read this. But if you are, come on down!!!
Sojiro is adorbs, but Kaoru is just cluelessly cute and cuddle-able. As they go back and forth, it’s easy to fall for the story and the characters. It’s super short and is such a quick read. I burst out laughing multiple times and just really enjoyed this.
I recommend this to manga lovers who enjoy some lgbtqia+ loving. So much fun!!!
Thanks to NetGalley and Tokyopop for allowing me to read this for my honest and unbiased opinion!!!
Sojiro is adorbs, but Kaoru is just cluelessly cute and cuddle-able. As they go back and forth, it’s easy to fall for the story and the characters. It’s super short and is such a quick read. I burst out laughing multiple times and just really enjoyed this.
I recommend this to manga lovers who enjoy some lgbtqia+ loving. So much fun!!!
Thanks to NetGalley and Tokyopop for allowing me to read this for my honest and unbiased opinion!!!
August 11, 2023
this is so cute and now i'm craving for chocolates
February 25, 2022
AUGHH SO CUTE!! I NEED MORE!! WHY IS THIS SO SHORT—WAIT, OKOGE SAID IT'S HER SECOND BL MANGA, I'M GOING TO GO SEE HER FIRST ONE TOO!!
By the way, when I added it to my reading list months ago, I hesitated to read it because of a review I stumbled upon about it being an X-rated or something. Lol, I was like, so basically, it's just H content, right??
Dang, I was afraid so I didn't bother because I didn't want to see things I wouldn't like...
And then I saw someone reading it in my feeds and was like: Okay, let's give it a try, we've been exposed to a hefty sum of boys love these past couple of months. Why don't you just try it already? If you don't like it, then just dnf the shit out of it.
Lol, that's so funny!! I wouldn't read others' reviews again before reading something. Yea, so misleading. It's just your typical yaoi set-up. You know what, next time, I'll just see everything for myself and be the judge of it. That's more fun—to experience a thing firsthand and without hesitation, so I wouldn't feel this regret in the end about not being able to read it sooner—THE CHARACTERS ARE SO CUTE, I'M LIKE EASILY SWAYED BY GREAT ART STYLE OKAY
Update: I don't think it's here. Sad!!
By the way, when I added it to my reading list months ago, I hesitated to read it because of a review I stumbled upon about it being an X-rated or something. Lol, I was like, so basically, it's just H content, right??
Dang, I was afraid so I didn't bother because I didn't want to see things I wouldn't like...
And then I saw someone reading it in my feeds and was like: Okay, let's give it a try, we've been exposed to a hefty sum of boys love these past couple of months. Why don't you just try it already? If you don't like it, then just dnf the shit out of it.
Lol, that's so funny!! I wouldn't read others' reviews again before reading something. Yea, so misleading. It's just your typical yaoi set-up. You know what, next time, I'll just see everything for myself and be the judge of it. That's more fun—to experience a thing firsthand and without hesitation, so I wouldn't feel this regret in the end about not being able to read it sooner—THE CHARACTERS ARE SO CUTE, I'M LIKE EASILY SWAYED BY GREAT ART STYLE OKAY
Update: I don't think it's here. Sad!!
June 23, 2021
4 stars
Very cute and funny yaoi/BL manga.
I thought it was *good* or satisfactory for a standalone but could have benefited from being a short 3-4 book series. I thought the plot development and character’s romantic relationship seemed too rushed. I would have wanted it to expand into at least a second volume. Also, I feel like it could have resolved a lot of my unanswered questions as far as plot holes and giving side characters purpose/agency.
The translation itself was great overall! I had no problem with it and the dialogue was appropriate.
Thanks Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC.
Very cute and funny yaoi/BL manga.
I thought it was *good* or satisfactory for a standalone but could have benefited from being a short 3-4 book series. I thought the plot development and character’s romantic relationship seemed too rushed. I would have wanted it to expand into at least a second volume. Also, I feel like it could have resolved a lot of my unanswered questions as far as plot holes and giving side characters purpose/agency.
The translation itself was great overall! I had no problem with it and the dialogue was appropriate.
Thanks Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC.
August 25, 2022
ehh, forgettable and shallow storyline imo. length didn’t help much regarding this, and i also didn’t care for their relationship.
July 2, 2021
The main characters and rivals - Kaoru and Soujirou - could not be more different. Kaoru is a relatively small and flamboyant patisserie, while Soujirou is a rather reserved and tall man who creates classic Japanese sweets.
"Chéri, My Destiny!" is a Boys Love manga that sparked my interest because of the premise. I expected a sweet enemies-to-lovers story (pun intended) but sadly got disappointed.
The standalone manga is full of funny and romantic scenes. However, one particular scene turned the supposedly sweet story sour (pun intended). Kaoru uses Soujirou's weakness for alcohol to his advantage by secretly adding alcohol to a dessert and serving it to Soujirou without his consent. As a consequence, they have sexual intercourse for the first time. The next scene shows both of them in bed the following morning, and Soujirou doesn't remember why he is in bed with Kaoru at first.
"Chéri, My Destiny!" uses non-consensual sex as a plot driver, which is the reason for my low rating of this manga. While the artwork is pretty and the story seems simple and cute, this manga is sadly a total miss for me, which is why I will not recommend it.
** Disclaimer **
I was lucky to receive an eARC of "Chéri, My Destiny!" thanks to the publisher - TOKYOPOP - and NetGalley. Nonetheless, this review is based on my personal opinion and written with no intention to offend anyone!
"Chéri, My Destiny!" is a Boys Love manga that sparked my interest because of the premise. I expected a sweet enemies-to-lovers story (pun intended) but sadly got disappointed.
The standalone manga is full of funny and romantic scenes. However, one particular scene turned the supposedly sweet story sour (pun intended). Kaoru uses Soujirou's weakness for alcohol to his advantage by secretly adding alcohol to a dessert and serving it to Soujirou without his consent. As a consequence, they have sexual intercourse for the first time. The next scene shows both of them in bed the following morning, and Soujirou doesn't remember why he is in bed with Kaoru at first.
"Chéri, My Destiny!" uses non-consensual sex as a plot driver, which is the reason for my low rating of this manga. While the artwork is pretty and the story seems simple and cute, this manga is sadly a total miss for me, which is why I will not recommend it.
** Disclaimer **
I was lucky to receive an eARC of "Chéri, My Destiny!" thanks to the publisher - TOKYOPOP - and NetGalley. Nonetheless, this review is based on my personal opinion and written with no intention to offend anyone!
September 1, 2021
what the fuck did i just read??? We just gonna gloss over that ending?????
May 18, 2021
1st Line: "'Hello, and thank you for dropping in!'"
Prose (Story): Kaoru, after studying the art of candymaking in France, proudly opens up Bisous, his own patisserie, in Japan, specializing in new and innovative flavors and creations. The store is a hit, Kaoru even more so as he is quite young and handsome; a good catch, for someone so young yet already operating his own successful business. Kaoru takes huge pride in all he's learned and accomplished - no more so than when he hears of a nearby patisserie, called Tatsuya, that's been in business forever and yet remains as popular as the day it opened. As Tatsuya only deals in traditional Japanese chocolates and sweets, Kaoru is even more dumbfounded about how the shop could rival his ... until he takes it upon himself to visit the store to size up the competition, and sees that the manager behind the counter is just as elegant, upscale, and breathtaking as the shop itself. Worse, Kaoru - who is bi - finds himself immediately smitten by the store manager, Sojiro, the insta-love throwing him completely off-course, and after trying unsuccessfully to reign in his emotions regarding the superiority of his own shop and sweets, Kaoru makes it his mission to create some new, even more innovative sweets ... for the sole purpose of bringing them over to Sojiro, who will then have to acquiesce to the superiority of Bisous and French sweets, even as Kaoru finds himself falling more and more in love with his shop's biggest rival.
Don's (Review): Run-on sentence above aside, I can hardly find room in my heart for the love I have for this incredibly sweet (no pun intended) male-male manga love story with a confectionary setting. Kaoru is so reminiscent of that one character (at least) in every anime - film or series - whose reactions are all overreactions; one minute he's adorable, in the next panel a bug-eyed, shrieking fiend with razor-sharp teeth because something minor has sent him over the edge. A talented pastry chef and smart business owner, yet at times very immature emotionally, whether it be falling in love so fast or having a serious freakout when Sojiro isn't immediately impressed with one of his confections. My worry was that these constant actions and reactions would make Kaoru incredibly annoying, very fast, but in truth somehow writer Okoge Mochino has in Kaoru created a character whose emotional outbursts seem to cover up a young man who's simply trying very hard to be successful in the adult world, even while maybe still not fully a "grown-up" inside. Indeed, instead of off-putting, as the story went on I found myself becoming more and more endeared with Kaoru, wanting him to succeed both in business and with Sojiro - and speaking of which, in Sojiro Mochino has successfully created a sensitive yet masculine, empathetic yet intelligent "hottie" that makes it easy to see why Tatsuya has such a large female clientele ... and why Karou falls in love. Not a lot of conflict here, in a pretty straightforward story, but if seeking a charming, simple, boy-meets-boy love story, you probably couldn't find anything in either Kaoru or Sojiro's patisseries that is any sweeter. I only hope Mochino continues, either via these boys or other standalones, with bringing characters so wonderfully to life on the page as a manga artist and writer. 4.5/5 stars
NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
Prose (Story): Kaoru, after studying the art of candymaking in France, proudly opens up Bisous, his own patisserie, in Japan, specializing in new and innovative flavors and creations. The store is a hit, Kaoru even more so as he is quite young and handsome; a good catch, for someone so young yet already operating his own successful business. Kaoru takes huge pride in all he's learned and accomplished - no more so than when he hears of a nearby patisserie, called Tatsuya, that's been in business forever and yet remains as popular as the day it opened. As Tatsuya only deals in traditional Japanese chocolates and sweets, Kaoru is even more dumbfounded about how the shop could rival his ... until he takes it upon himself to visit the store to size up the competition, and sees that the manager behind the counter is just as elegant, upscale, and breathtaking as the shop itself. Worse, Kaoru - who is bi - finds himself immediately smitten by the store manager, Sojiro, the insta-love throwing him completely off-course, and after trying unsuccessfully to reign in his emotions regarding the superiority of his own shop and sweets, Kaoru makes it his mission to create some new, even more innovative sweets ... for the sole purpose of bringing them over to Sojiro, who will then have to acquiesce to the superiority of Bisous and French sweets, even as Kaoru finds himself falling more and more in love with his shop's biggest rival.
Don's (Review): Run-on sentence above aside, I can hardly find room in my heart for the love I have for this incredibly sweet (no pun intended) male-male manga love story with a confectionary setting. Kaoru is so reminiscent of that one character (at least) in every anime - film or series - whose reactions are all overreactions; one minute he's adorable, in the next panel a bug-eyed, shrieking fiend with razor-sharp teeth because something minor has sent him over the edge. A talented pastry chef and smart business owner, yet at times very immature emotionally, whether it be falling in love so fast or having a serious freakout when Sojiro isn't immediately impressed with one of his confections. My worry was that these constant actions and reactions would make Kaoru incredibly annoying, very fast, but in truth somehow writer Okoge Mochino has in Kaoru created a character whose emotional outbursts seem to cover up a young man who's simply trying very hard to be successful in the adult world, even while maybe still not fully a "grown-up" inside. Indeed, instead of off-putting, as the story went on I found myself becoming more and more endeared with Kaoru, wanting him to succeed both in business and with Sojiro - and speaking of which, in Sojiro Mochino has successfully created a sensitive yet masculine, empathetic yet intelligent "hottie" that makes it easy to see why Tatsuya has such a large female clientele ... and why Karou falls in love. Not a lot of conflict here, in a pretty straightforward story, but if seeking a charming, simple, boy-meets-boy love story, you probably couldn't find anything in either Kaoru or Sojiro's patisseries that is any sweeter. I only hope Mochino continues, either via these boys or other standalones, with bringing characters so wonderfully to life on the page as a manga artist and writer. 4.5/5 stars
NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
August 13, 2021
Fluffy, zero-drama instalove with very little to support the romance other than physical attraction. I found the main character so annoying that I didn't even bother to read the stories in the back. Big fat meh.
September 1, 2022
Cute love story💕
February 13, 2026
I have to admit that the translation here wasn't the best I've seen, and it was perhaps a bit fast paced, but overall its good for a stand alone.
December 18, 2022
Kaoru, a flamboyant young chef who owns his own successful patisserie that whips up indulgent western sweets feels suddenly threatened by a local shop that makes traditional Japanese desserts and more importantly, its seemingly popular owner. When Kaoru decides to scope out the competition and bring the latter to his knees with his carefully crafted confections, he is a bit shocked to be treated with respect and grace by the reserved and handsome Sojiro.
And so begins their love story.
I was absolutely smitten by the premise. Any romance that revolves around food or people who make said food has my heart and my attention. And honestly, this could have been a wonderfully funny and engaging read. But that one uncomfortable (and frankly surprising, considering Kaoru’s personality till then) scene involving chocolates laced with alcohol and its purpose soured what could have been a four-star rating for me.
A definite 18+ manga, this one left me a bit conflicted because I truly did adore the main leads, had it not been for that eepy-cray moment.
And so begins their love story.
I was absolutely smitten by the premise. Any romance that revolves around food or people who make said food has my heart and my attention. And honestly, this could have been a wonderfully funny and engaging read. But that one uncomfortable (and frankly surprising, considering Kaoru’s personality till then) scene involving chocolates laced with alcohol and its purpose soured what could have been a four-star rating for me.
A definite 18+ manga, this one left me a bit conflicted because I truly did adore the main leads, had it not been for that eepy-cray moment.
February 20, 2023
Lo vi en tiktok y fui de una a leerlo. No me gusta lo corto que es, pero disfruté el arte
July 21, 2021
Tokyopop continues to release oneshot romance manga that is super adorable and self contained, which is nice since I'm already way too invested in other series that have a million volumes (ಥ﹏ಥ) The pacing is a little quick, but I thought it was cute and well done. There are two parts to this volume, which I'm rating separately below:
* The main story: ★★★★★ Sweet enemies-to-lovers trope, with a bi main character and lots of delicious looking pastries and desserts. Art is (´꒳`)♡ and the scene where they finally kiss is swoonworthy.
* The 'finale' (read: spicy scene) and extra stories: ★★★ Would be 4 stars, but the finale has some questionable consent (they're in a relationship, but one character uses some whiskey bonbons and the knowledge that his partner is a super lightweight to initiate some smexy times). The other shorts are adorable and not problematic in the slightest.
Averaging this out to 4 stars as a whole. Will definitely be reading it again!
* The main story: ★★★★★ Sweet enemies-to-lovers trope, with a bi main character and lots of delicious looking pastries and desserts. Art is (´꒳`)♡ and the scene where they finally kiss is swoonworthy.
* The 'finale' (read: spicy scene) and extra stories: ★★★ Would be 4 stars, but the finale has some questionable consent (they're in a relationship, but one character uses some whiskey bonbons and the knowledge that his partner is a super lightweight to initiate some smexy times). The other shorts are adorable and not problematic in the slightest.
Averaging this out to 4 stars as a whole. Will definitely be reading it again!
June 10, 2021
Cheri, My Destiny! is a comedic yet soft story about a French dessert chef, and a Japanese one. I absolutely adored the parallels between the two as they're not usually compared. Furthermore, Cheri, My Destiny! gives such cafe vibes, it's honestly the best thing ever! My only complaint is that it was a bit too insta love-y for my taste. Overall, if you want a rivals-to-lovers story about two chefs that'll make you laugh out loud, I highly recommend this book!
(Thank you Tokypop and Netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)
(Thank you Tokypop and Netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)
September 11, 2021
This was a cute and adorable story with French and Japanese desert chefs. The premise was interesting and the art is really beautiful too.
It's very short manga and the relationship progressed at a rapid pace. I liked the parallels between each of their confections and the whole manga gave off café vibes.
The one thing that put me off was how Kaoru gave alcohol to Sojiru without his consent and then had sex. I felt it was unnecessary to include the sex scenes as it didn't flow well.
*ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review
It's very short manga and the relationship progressed at a rapid pace. I liked the parallels between each of their confections and the whole manga gave off café vibes.
The one thing that put me off was how Kaoru gave alcohol to Sojiru without his consent and then had sex. I felt it was unnecessary to include the sex scenes as it didn't flow well.
*ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review
July 15, 2021
This was adorable. It did move a little fast, but I enjoyed their dynamic. Also the end switched up real quick. It was so cute and fluffy then suddenly the spice. I love. Not my favorite, but still really cute.
June 18, 2022
While a tad bit rushed, this was nevertheless sweet, funny, and sexy.
July 11, 2024
Cute, comedic, super rushed and didn’t leave a lasting impression. Quick little BL honestly (and quick in bed ammiright???)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2025
saw this at vault of midnight and am glad I didn’t buy it lol. short and fast paced and interesting in a hmmm way not an oh! way
December 14, 2025
genuinely was enjoying this until the MC put alcohol in the love interest’s food to get him drunk after he told him he didn’t want to drink bc he’s a lightweight….. weird
June 28, 2026
The premise/beginning was really cute, but as other reviewers have mentioned, the scene towards the end where one character drugs the other was uncomfortable and unnecessary.
April 28, 2023
1/10 really disappointing.
May 30, 2021
Pretty typical fluffy story. The relationship goes from 0 to 100 real fast. It's fine for a light read, but it doesn't stand out.
July 4, 2021
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Copy received through Netgalley
~
Chéri, My Destiny!, by Okoge Mochino
★★★★☆
160 Pages
This was a super adorable, sweet-as-pie story. I loved everything about it, except for one thing – sometimes the characters looked more like teenagers, and that would have been fine apart from the sexy-times.
Kaoru is a single-minded, over-confident pastry chef who makes western style chocolates. He's gutted to learn that his customers are going to another chocolate shop nearby. So, Kaoru heads to the shop to discover it sells classic Japanese sweets. The owner, Soujirou, is sweet and charming, but believes there is enough room for both their shops to succeed. Their first meeting is really funny, with Kaoru being over-confident and arrogant, then being charmed by Soujirou's innocent charms.
The relationship was quite insta-love, with Kaoru falling for Soujirou on the first meeting, though it took Soujirou longer to fall for Kaoru in return. I really loved the LGBT+ rep, and how Kaoru being bisexual, and Soujirou falling for Kaoru for his personality, was easily accepted by the main characters. How they simply accepted each other as they were. And the little extras at the end were really cute, even if only a page.
Each segment of the story – Bataille 1, 2 and 3, as well as the Bataille Finale – presented one whole story, that traversed the relationship from first meeting to being settled together in a solid relationship.
Negatives?
I didn't love the sexy times. I felt they really weren't necessary, considering how sweet the story was until that point. It would have been an awesome YA story. But, the fact some of the time, the characters looked like teenagers meant I was uncomfortable through most of those parts.
I also wasn't comfortable with Kaoru putting alcohol into the chocolates, to get Soujirou drunk, when he knew Soujirou was a light-weight with alcohol. He intended to have sex with Soujirou after getting him drunk. If it had been an accident – without knowing Soujirou was a light-weight, or without realising the effect it would have had – I could have bought it. But that made it uncomfortable.
I saw some other reviews that class this instance as their first time, but it's actually not. It's stated that they first have sex in Bataille 3, after Kaoru confesses his feelings. For that reason, and that reason only, I didn't remove a second star from my review for the whole alcohol-chocolates situation.
Overall, I enjoyed the full story and the characters. It was super sweet, charming and lovely, with minor instances that bothered me. If it hadn't been for those issues, this would definitely have been a 5* read.
Copy received through Netgalley
~
Chéri, My Destiny!, by Okoge Mochino
★★★★☆
160 Pages
This was a super adorable, sweet-as-pie story. I loved everything about it, except for one thing – sometimes the characters looked more like teenagers, and that would have been fine apart from the sexy-times.
Kaoru is a single-minded, over-confident pastry chef who makes western style chocolates. He's gutted to learn that his customers are going to another chocolate shop nearby. So, Kaoru heads to the shop to discover it sells classic Japanese sweets. The owner, Soujirou, is sweet and charming, but believes there is enough room for both their shops to succeed. Their first meeting is really funny, with Kaoru being over-confident and arrogant, then being charmed by Soujirou's innocent charms.
The relationship was quite insta-love, with Kaoru falling for Soujirou on the first meeting, though it took Soujirou longer to fall for Kaoru in return. I really loved the LGBT+ rep, and how Kaoru being bisexual, and Soujirou falling for Kaoru for his personality, was easily accepted by the main characters. How they simply accepted each other as they were. And the little extras at the end were really cute, even if only a page.
Each segment of the story – Bataille 1, 2 and 3, as well as the Bataille Finale – presented one whole story, that traversed the relationship from first meeting to being settled together in a solid relationship.
Negatives?
I didn't love the sexy times. I felt they really weren't necessary, considering how sweet the story was until that point. It would have been an awesome YA story. But, the fact some of the time, the characters looked like teenagers meant I was uncomfortable through most of those parts.
I also wasn't comfortable with Kaoru putting alcohol into the chocolates, to get Soujirou drunk, when he knew Soujirou was a light-weight with alcohol. He intended to have sex with Soujirou after getting him drunk. If it had been an accident – without knowing Soujirou was a light-weight, or without realising the effect it would have had – I could have bought it. But that made it uncomfortable.
I saw some other reviews that class this instance as their first time, but it's actually not. It's stated that they first have sex in Bataille 3, after Kaoru confesses his feelings. For that reason, and that reason only, I didn't remove a second star from my review for the whole alcohol-chocolates situation.
Overall, I enjoyed the full story and the characters. It was super sweet, charming and lovely, with minor instances that bothered me. If it hadn't been for those issues, this would definitely have been a 5* read.
June 15, 2021
This one was extremely cute (Right up until the last chapter, but I'll get to that). The main character, Kaoru, is really fun and rambunctious, and is nicely balanced by the calm and honest Sojiro. The art is cute and has some good personal style flair to it, and the illustrations of the confectionary are divine! I want to be eating sweets right now!! Anyway, a very fun bl manga here.
The premise is that a French patisserie owner/chef gets mad when he hears about a nearby traditional Japanese sweets shop, and goes to check out the competition. Trying to prove to the Japanese baker that Western sweets are great turns into more and more visits and eventual courtship. It's very fun and pretty funny.
The downsides: First, there's no real conflict -- it's pretty much smooth sailing and even the attempt to introduce a misunderstanding is cleared up with no actual actions having to be taken. Second: The last chapter introduces alcohol into the seduction in a way that, in the narrative itself, is played clearly for laughs/doesn't bother the characters, but is definitely a situation of one person deliberately lowering the other's inhibitions regardless. I figure readers should go into it aware of that.
The premise is that a French patisserie owner/chef gets mad when he hears about a nearby traditional Japanese sweets shop, and goes to check out the competition. Trying to prove to the Japanese baker that Western sweets are great turns into more and more visits and eventual courtship. It's very fun and pretty funny.
The downsides: First, there's no real conflict -- it's pretty much smooth sailing and even the attempt to introduce a misunderstanding is cleared up with no actual actions having to be taken. Second: The last chapter introduces alcohol into the seduction in a way that, in the narrative itself, is played clearly for laughs/doesn't bother the characters, but is definitely a situation of one person deliberately lowering the other's inhibitions regardless. I figure readers should go into it aware of that.
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