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There's No Freaking Way I'll be Your Lover! Unless… Manga #1
There's No Freaking Way I'll be Your Lover! Unless... Vol. 1 (There's No Freaking Way I'll be Your Lover! Unless...
A high school yuri comedy about fake dating, real dating, competitive dating–and one very overwhelmed girl who’s accidentally doing all three at once?! Don’t miss the original light novels, also from Seven Seas!
After a lonely three years as a junior high outcast, nerdy Amaori Renako vows to reinvent herself as a cool kid and attain her ideal high school life. She soon finds herself suffocating under the pressure to keep up appearances, but an encounter with school superstar Oduka Mai grants her an unexpected confidante and best friend. That is, until Mai suddenly confesses her newfound love for Renako and “friendship” flies out the window! Friends or lovers—the battle for the future of their relationship begins!
After a lonely three years as a junior high outcast, nerdy Amaori Renako vows to reinvent herself as a cool kid and attain her ideal high school life. She soon finds herself suffocating under the pressure to keep up appearances, but an encounter with school superstar Oduka Mai grants her an unexpected confidante and best friend. That is, until Mai suddenly confesses her newfound love for Renako and “friendship” flies out the window! Friends or lovers—the battle for the future of their relationship begins!
196 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 16, 2020
44 people are currently reading
304 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
April 25, 2023
There’s no freaking way I’m leaving a review… unless
February 2, 2025
3.5 rounded down? This was very cute but it’s “read from the library charming” not “buy with my money charming.”
April 12, 2023
Now that she’s in high school, Renako’s out to reinvent herself and that leads to her friendship with the ultra-stylish and popular Oduka freaking Mai. But when the pressure gets too much for Renako, Mai confesses and they decide to start fake… no, they’re actually dating. Well, they’re halfway there anyway.
I bet the light novel is better. That’s my initial reaction to this manga, which is a series of occasionally rather charming and silly moments that are hung together on a framework that feels like it could use a bit more effort.
There’s a welcome attempt to do something new with the dating angle, as the arrangement between Renako and Mai looks primed to literally split the difference between friends and lovers in an effort for each to get their viewpoint across. It’s a fun change, certainly.
And if you enjoy Renako’s flustrations (she is equal parts flustered and frustrated most of the story) at the confident overtures of the perfect-to-a-fault Odura freaking Mai (yes, I love every time Renako says this, why do you ask?), then you’ll probably enjoy the heck out of this.
It’s decent yuri fluff, honestly, and the way Renako loses it (and vague suggestions that this is five seconds away from becoming a yuri harem) is pretty funny. It’s once we get down to the fine details that things start to become a little less cohesive.
For all that she was a loser in middle school, there’s nothing to really convey what Renako was like, nor does it really show how badly she’s struggling to keep up with a more popular crowd. We’re told this is happening, see a couple panels of it, but things feel a little rushed to get where they’re going.
As a result, the narrative gets the job done but is very workmanlike, but also frequently makes exactly zero sense. Okay, I know the coffee shop date is an excuse to get Mai in a bikini (just trust me here), but it’s not exactly a logical conclusion, whether it’s seeded ahead of time or not.
While Renako herself is a lot of fun, I wish Mai was a little more than she comes across. Despite lip service to her reasons for wanting Renako, she feels like a list of bullet points for characterization rather than an actual character proper.
So, it’s all over the place, basically. It’s kind of a shame since the structure of this premise suggests a lot more clever than we actually get, since Mai is frequently skirting the boundaries of the deal (although this can get pretty amusing at times).
There’s subsequently not a great deal of chemistry here, really, although it gets a bit better towards the end of the volume. I’ve certainly read worse romances, but I wish this was doing basically every single thing better than it actually is.
And, yes, special shout-out to Eku Takeshima, of Whisper Me A Love Song fame for their character designs. I was impressed that I noticed their style even before I realized that they were behind them and they did great work as always.
3 stars - it’s a simple truth that as the yuri supply increases we won’t be graced with winners every time. This is definitely enjoyable and I’m certainly going to keep reading, but it’s sure not a patch on Bloom Into You or Failed Princesses.
I bet the light novel is better. That’s my initial reaction to this manga, which is a series of occasionally rather charming and silly moments that are hung together on a framework that feels like it could use a bit more effort.
There’s a welcome attempt to do something new with the dating angle, as the arrangement between Renako and Mai looks primed to literally split the difference between friends and lovers in an effort for each to get their viewpoint across. It’s a fun change, certainly.
And if you enjoy Renako’s flustrations (she is equal parts flustered and frustrated most of the story) at the confident overtures of the perfect-to-a-fault Odura freaking Mai (yes, I love every time Renako says this, why do you ask?), then you’ll probably enjoy the heck out of this.
It’s decent yuri fluff, honestly, and the way Renako loses it (and vague suggestions that this is five seconds away from becoming a yuri harem) is pretty funny. It’s once we get down to the fine details that things start to become a little less cohesive.
For all that she was a loser in middle school, there’s nothing to really convey what Renako was like, nor does it really show how badly she’s struggling to keep up with a more popular crowd. We’re told this is happening, see a couple panels of it, but things feel a little rushed to get where they’re going.
As a result, the narrative gets the job done but is very workmanlike, but also frequently makes exactly zero sense. Okay, I know the coffee shop date is an excuse to get Mai in a bikini (just trust me here), but it’s not exactly a logical conclusion, whether it’s seeded ahead of time or not.
While Renako herself is a lot of fun, I wish Mai was a little more than she comes across. Despite lip service to her reasons for wanting Renako, she feels like a list of bullet points for characterization rather than an actual character proper.
So, it’s all over the place, basically. It’s kind of a shame since the structure of this premise suggests a lot more clever than we actually get, since Mai is frequently skirting the boundaries of the deal (although this can get pretty amusing at times).
There’s subsequently not a great deal of chemistry here, really, although it gets a bit better towards the end of the volume. I’ve certainly read worse romances, but I wish this was doing basically every single thing better than it actually is.
And, yes, special shout-out to Eku Takeshima, of Whisper Me A Love Song fame for their character designs. I was impressed that I noticed their style even before I realized that they were behind them and they did great work as always.
3 stars - it’s a simple truth that as the yuri supply increases we won’t be graced with winners every time. This is definitely enjoyable and I’m certainly going to keep reading, but it’s sure not a patch on Bloom Into You or Failed Princesses.
November 22, 2025
nejsem závislá
January 4, 2023
Absolutamente 0 expectativas de este manga ligerito y ha sido una catapulta de risas y situaciones de sentirme exposeada continuamente. Esperando con ganas el tomo 2.
January 26, 2023
Interesting idea, but the execution is so bad. Cringe over 9000
December 8, 2023
It’s so fluffy and cute, I love both Mai and Renako’s characters along with how they interact together, definitely going to be reading the whole manga series, totally recommend!
January 11, 2024
why is there so much sexual assault?
February 19, 2025
I received this book from the publisher/Edelweiss in exchange of an honest review.
This was quite funny and I am curious if the two really start dating eventually~
My loves:
😍 Love the cover! It is so dynamic and fun and you can instantly see the way each of them feels about things. Rena shy, Mai all happy and open to it.
😍 Love the premise/idea of them trying dating but also trying out friendship and that depending on if Mai’s hair is up or down it is friendship or dating day.
😍 The art is fun, and I like the style, the character designs, the facial expressions.
😍 I like Rena and love seeing her try out new things even though she wasn’t always sure what to think of the situation + the fact her energy meter wasn’t that happy because she is a gamer girl and this whole new her for High School takes things out for her.
😍 The girlfriend/friend parts were fun (and seeing Rena warm up to the idea of a girlfriend).
😍 I already loved that Rena was fine with having a girlfriend. That isn’t always the case in books/manga, so that one made me smile.
😍 I loved that Rena was a gamer girl!
🤨 I just got a bit annoyed at Mai and how she didn’t seem to really care what Rena wanted which is very important in a relationship. She just had a one track mind and it got a bit much. Plus, I am just not a fan of characters who can do things perfectly. I would have rather seen her flail at things, like the gaming. Not instantly think of sexy things to do, but take things slowly and not instantly make Rena worried she is going to get things done to her. Mai needs to chill. I get she loves Rena, but this is too much.
But all in all, I am going to keep on reading because I had fun reading it. I am curious if Mai will chill a bit and things will settle.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
This was quite funny and I am curious if the two really start dating eventually~
My loves:
😍 Love the cover! It is so dynamic and fun and you can instantly see the way each of them feels about things. Rena shy, Mai all happy and open to it.
😍 Love the premise/idea of them trying dating but also trying out friendship and that depending on if Mai’s hair is up or down it is friendship or dating day.
😍 The art is fun, and I like the style, the character designs, the facial expressions.
😍 I like Rena and love seeing her try out new things even though she wasn’t always sure what to think of the situation + the fact her energy meter wasn’t that happy because she is a gamer girl and this whole new her for High School takes things out for her.
😍 The girlfriend/friend parts were fun (and seeing Rena warm up to the idea of a girlfriend).
😍 I already loved that Rena was fine with having a girlfriend. That isn’t always the case in books/manga, so that one made me smile.
😍 I loved that Rena was a gamer girl!
🤨 I just got a bit annoyed at Mai and how she didn’t seem to really care what Rena wanted which is very important in a relationship. She just had a one track mind and it got a bit much. Plus, I am just not a fan of characters who can do things perfectly. I would have rather seen her flail at things, like the gaming. Not instantly think of sexy things to do, but take things slowly and not instantly make Rena worried she is going to get things done to her. Mai needs to chill. I get she loves Rena, but this is too much.
But all in all, I am going to keep on reading because I had fun reading it. I am curious if Mai will chill a bit and things will settle.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
September 22, 2025
A good adaptation of the LN that doesn't really do anything new that isn't also represented by the anime. I would recommend those two versions (especially the LNs) over the manga, but that is just personal preference.
September 5, 2022
Renako desperately wants to have a best friend (親友) when she transfers to high school, and her popular classmate Mai seems like the perfect match. Renako's plan seems doomed to failure, however, because Mai confesses her love to her shortly afterwards and would much rather be her girlfriend (恋人). After a short discussion, the two make a deal: they meet both as best friends and as girlfriends and try to convince each other of the benefits.
No furigana in this manga, but actually quite easy to read as a humorous romance manga set in a high school. The whole concept of the manga is just very entertaining and the characters are all well-written.
Full review: http://dokushoclub.com/2022/07/30/n2-...
No furigana in this manga, but actually quite easy to read as a humorous romance manga set in a high school. The whole concept of the manga is just very entertaining and the characters are all well-written.
Full review: http://dokushoclub.com/2022/07/30/n2-...
May 15, 2025
I actually had high hopes for this book. However, the whole premise of this book was not something I could get behind. Mai and Ren start off the book as sorta friends. Ren is looking down the school roof one day and Mai comes in, scaring Ren. Ren somehow falls off the roof because that is what yuri protagonists do. Mai jumps and falls with her because she's just dramatic like that. Luckily, they are unhurt because they are the main characters. They land in a bush which later turns into a tree for some reason (for the plot). Falling off the school has somehow turned on Mai's love radar. She is now hopelessly in love with Ren for some reason???
Mai confesses to Ren and Ren is NYATT happy. Ren does not want to be girlfriends. She wants to be friends. Mai keeps pushing her to be girlfriends so Ren agrees to a plan because Mai is such a persistent lil bulldog, she can't take no for an answer. Red flag alert. Anyway, the plan is that if Mai wears her hair up, they will be friends for the day. Hair down is girlfriends. The plan gets off to a bad start because Mai proceeds to wear her hair down for three days, making them girlfriends for three days and not giving Ren a chance to be friends. Mai says she will take Ren for a coffee date in a cafe somewhere. Little does Ren know that this cafe is actually a community club of sorts and it has a pool. Mai shows up in a bikini and makes Ren thoroughly uncomfortable. Later on, Mai tries to kiss Ren but Ren says no. At least Mai respected her though, I'll give her that.
Mai then gets invited over to Ren's house and they play games together. The next time she comes over, Ren's mom is there and Mai embarrasses Ren by introducing herself as Ren's girlfriend. It's obvious Ren is still getting used to all this so Mai could at least be a little understanding of Ren's misgivings about love. But nooooo. Mai is a freak and must be satisfied. When Ren wanted to know more about Mai wanted to do, they both wrote lists about what they wanted to do. Ren's was very nice. Go to Disneyland and play more games. Mai's was freaky. Mai basically wanted to do unholy things to Ren. Ren did not like that. The least Mai could do was make her list PG for Ren who IS STILL UNCOMFORTABLE BEING GIRLFRIENDS!!! And rightly so!! If I was being chased by a freak like Mai, I'd hope I had enough sense to block her and stop interacting with her. But Ren is a yuri mc so she can't do that. She has to stay in this series and be Mai's girlfriend for the rest of her high school years.
Overall, I did not like this book because most of this was about Mai manipulating Ren to be her gf and she would kinda gaslight Ren to do things she wanted or to make her feel that it was okay. Ren did not know anything about boundaries or else she wouldn't have even gotten into this mess. Overall 1 star because this book could have been better if it didn't have this power dynamic thing in it.
Mai confesses to Ren and Ren is NYATT happy. Ren does not want to be girlfriends. She wants to be friends. Mai keeps pushing her to be girlfriends so Ren agrees to a plan because Mai is such a persistent lil bulldog, she can't take no for an answer. Red flag alert. Anyway, the plan is that if Mai wears her hair up, they will be friends for the day. Hair down is girlfriends. The plan gets off to a bad start because Mai proceeds to wear her hair down for three days, making them girlfriends for three days and not giving Ren a chance to be friends. Mai says she will take Ren for a coffee date in a cafe somewhere. Little does Ren know that this cafe is actually a community club of sorts and it has a pool. Mai shows up in a bikini and makes Ren thoroughly uncomfortable. Later on, Mai tries to kiss Ren but Ren says no. At least Mai respected her though, I'll give her that.
Mai then gets invited over to Ren's house and they play games together. The next time she comes over, Ren's mom is there and Mai embarrasses Ren by introducing herself as Ren's girlfriend. It's obvious Ren is still getting used to all this so Mai could at least be a little understanding of Ren's misgivings about love. But nooooo. Mai is a freak and must be satisfied. When Ren wanted to know more about Mai wanted to do, they both wrote lists about what they wanted to do. Ren's was very nice. Go to Disneyland and play more games. Mai's was freaky. Mai basically wanted to do unholy things to Ren. Ren did not like that. The least Mai could do was make her list PG for Ren who IS STILL UNCOMFORTABLE BEING GIRLFRIENDS!!! And rightly so!! If I was being chased by a freak like Mai, I'd hope I had enough sense to block her and stop interacting with her. But Ren is a yuri mc so she can't do that. She has to stay in this series and be Mai's girlfriend for the rest of her high school years.
Overall, I did not like this book because most of this was about Mai manipulating Ren to be her gf and she would kinda gaslight Ren to do things she wanted or to make her feel that it was okay. Ren did not know anything about boundaries or else she wouldn't have even gotten into this mess. Overall 1 star because this book could have been better if it didn't have this power dynamic thing in it.
April 4, 2024
Amaori Renako is reinventing herself! She will be popular and have friends starting in high school. There she meets popular Oduka Mai. Being social is taking a toll on Renako, and see seeks repreieve on the rooftop where she meets Mai. The two have an honest conversation, causing Renako to feel like she has finally found a friend, someone to be talk with after years of not having anyone.
Imagine her surprise when Mai confesses her love the next day. Renako just wants to be friends while Mai wants to be girlfriends. The two form a comprise of showing the other how great being friends/girlfriends can be, depending which one fits them best.
One days when Mai has her hair up, they are friends but on days Mai had her hair down, they are girlfriends.
Renako enjoys playing videos games with Mai, and having someone who understands when she is burnt out of being around people, but it is possible that she may have romantic feelings for Mai, or starting to. There interactions are funny and how pushy Mai is but also respectful of Renako boundaries.
I have a suspicion that Koto Satsuki, rival-friend of Mai's may have feelings for Mai, but based off the cover of the third volume of the manga, she could have feelings for Renako. Because of her reputation in middle school, she has trouble believing that someone could actually love her in a real sense.
Mai and Renako have fun going to a VR arcade, unfortunately it starts to rain and the volume ends with Mai calling her Mom, before telling Renako that they are going to a hotel nearby.
I may read the light novels at some point, since it will have more information, however I enjoyed this and looking forward to volume 2.
Imagine her surprise when Mai confesses her love the next day. Renako just wants to be friends while Mai wants to be girlfriends. The two form a comprise of showing the other how great being friends/girlfriends can be, depending which one fits them best.
One days when Mai has her hair up, they are friends but on days Mai had her hair down, they are girlfriends.
Renako enjoys playing videos games with Mai, and having someone who understands when she is burnt out of being around people, but it is possible that she may have romantic feelings for Mai, or starting to. There interactions are funny and how pushy Mai is but also respectful of Renako boundaries.
I have a suspicion that Koto Satsuki, rival-friend of Mai's may have feelings for Mai, but based off the cover of the third volume of the manga, she could have feelings for Renako. Because of her reputation in middle school, she has trouble believing that someone could actually love her in a real sense.
Mai and Renako have fun going to a VR arcade, unfortunately it starts to rain and the volume ends with Mai calling her Mom, before telling Renako that they are going to a hotel nearby.
I may read the light novels at some point, since it will have more information, however I enjoyed this and looking forward to volume 2.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2024
Another manga that I recognized at the library as one I had read in scanlation before, though I initially mistook it for a different yuri manga. It is light and enjoyable enough read. And I know that it is not really a focus of the plot, but Renako's tendency to make nerdy references that maybe don't quite translate culturally makes me wish for Wotakoi's extensive end-notes. It would probably be more of a distraction than a help, but Japan's collection of stereotypes and archetypal characters doesn't quite map onto American equivalents. Oh, well.
May 18, 2024
Your work is nice and the story is kinda cute though in some ways it feels a little contrived I wish instead of one character is instantly confessing their feelings for the other that they would’ve kind of drag it out a little bit more the characters are likable. So I’ve read so many similar types of yuri manga that there’s nothing really super to stand this one out I mean I’ll probably read the rest of the series though I’m not gonna be any really big rush if you’re looking for a yuri Manga to read this is actually not that bad.
September 12, 2023
It was very cute! And fun. I was worried the forced-dating thing would bother me more, but here it’s clear it is more an issue of miscommunication/anxieties than lack of attraction. I’ll gladly keep following along with this story.
November 22, 2024
Una serie MUY divertida con situaciones bastante locas y dos chicas: una empeñada en que Mai se convierta en su mejor amiga y otra empeñada en que Renako se convierta en su novia: ¿Quién ganará el duelo? Pues parece que la cosa se va a complicar mucho...
December 28, 2024
So freaking good. Funny, insightful about the differences (?) between relationships and friendships, and has such cute character designs. I can't wait until the anime. Renako is a god-tier character already.
December 28, 2024
It wouldn't be wlw manga without a bit of... Problematic stuff, but it's not that bad in this one (sadly it's still sliiiightly there, not sure how to feel about the pushy blonde). Other than that and the rushed beginning it is very cute, and I can't wait to read more!
September 28, 2025
This was fine and could have been cute if the entire set up of the story didn’t mean that Mai couldn’t give less of a shit about Renako’s feelings. It’s not fun to watch Renako be conflicted because all she wants is a friend, but Mai keeps trying to force a relationship on her. Not continuing on.
January 28, 2023
2.5 out of 5
I don't know how to feel but I am going to read more.
I don't know how to feel but I am going to read more.
April 18, 2023
Funny and fun
Cute girls fight ing about what a relationship means, questions we ask on the daily before we have the "talk"
Cute girls fight ing about what a relationship means, questions we ask on the daily before we have the "talk"
May 3, 2023
This is super cute!! And I need to continue the series. I think it just released recently.
May 9, 2023
nooo that's so cute
May 26, 2023
trying to get out of my reading slump: an effort
July 13, 2023
Interesting…. They are both idiots cause they want the same thing but they don’t know how to express that desire. ٭(•﹏•)٭
August 6, 2023
A bit problematic but somewhat entertaining
September 17, 2023
A very cute start to what's becoming a common troupe in modern yuri: semi-unrequited love/mismatched relationships where only one of the girls wants to date.
Time will tell if this one pans out.
Time will tell if this one pans out.
October 3, 2023
like the idea of it
I like so much, like the idea of how she want to confess her friend to love her, i believe in love after friendship.
I like so much, like the idea of how she want to confess her friend to love her, i believe in love after friendship.
December 28, 2023
laska zakochała się w drugiej po 2 dnaich znajomości z potem robią jakiś zakład i w jeden dzień są besti a w drugi para
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews