Once again, I want to say what a delight it is to lose myself in the beautiful illustrations of these romance manga comics. I love how the illustrations bring the characters to life and tells me a story. And I love that sometimes these stories leave me wanting more and I looking for the original book to read. That has happened quite a few times to me.

Book Review
Title: Lover’s Reunion
Author: Chikae Ide
Genre: Manga
Rating: *****
Review: The opening to Lover’s Reunion introduces us to Marco after his helicopter crashes in the jungle, and he is severely injured and all he can think about as he is dying is his lost love and childhood friend Sophie. We then jump forward a year where we learn that Marco didn’t die and was the sole survivor of the accident and Marco is brought back into Sophie’s life. Despite them dating 5 years before they ended up breaking up when Marco left for an expedition in Africa and left Sophie behind.
As these old flames learn to see each other for the people they are now not the people they were 5 years ago both realise that they never stopped truly loving the other and they do want to be together, but Sophie knows that Marco despite his injuries will never give up on his dreams and doesn’t want to be hurt again so she pushes him away. It is only when Marco truly proves himself to her and confesses that he does love her and will never abandon her the way he did before that she lets him in again.
The ending of Lover’s Reunion was heart-warming, tear-jerking and beautiful all at once. Sophie and Marco’s relationship has real world flaws and issues that they have to overcome together, and it just leaves you with a happy feeling in your heart after you finish this manga.

I enjoyed this one but it's not exactly my favorite. I don't really like it when the Hero didn't get his head together and keep on going hot and cold with the heroine. Especially when the heroine's nothing but kind to him. But overall I liked it. I also feel the heroine, I can't help to want to pat her in the head. Hehe. I can't wait to read more from this author and the illustrator!

Sophie and Marco had such a complex relationship being six years apart and also being close enough to be siblings. However, their love proved strong despite the issues. I enjoyed seeing Marco's growth and how Sophie continued to love him. The art work was absolutely stunning as well. Truly enjoyed this manga.

This manga was romantic and sweet and both characters were great. The only thing I didn't like was that Marco left for such a long time and didn't have it in him to visit, write, or call Sophie. That was a loser move on his part, other than that I liked the story and I enjoyed it.

**Received this ARC for review from the publisher via NetGalley**

This manga began with a very nice punch scene in which I feared the worst. But as the story continued I realized that despite the attempts to find a common ground there was too much not needed drama. I think that without the back and forth in their emotions and insecurities this one could have been stellar. The ending was a compromise, as in all healthy relationships there must be.

Review to be posted on all sources mentioned on my profile in a few days.

I received this manga in exchange of an honest review.

Number 4 in our Harlequin party is here, and I just fell in love with this cover. Look at the details! Look at that fabulous dress! I just adore the characters (though the dude looks a bit creepy). Then I read the blurb and I knew we had a story full of romance (and hopefully not so much drama).

The story begins with Marco lying in the jungle all broken and battered. I had a bit of a laugh at this monologue of his: "Sophie. Why didn't you try harder to stop me? Why did you let me go on this trip?" Um, because she loves you, and she probably doesn't want to stand in the way of your dreams. I know I would do the same for my fiance. Or I would follow him, if that is possible. But if he really wants to fulfil a dream, go ahead. I will be sad, and sure, I will talk to you, but if you are determined, who am I to stop you?

We hop back to a year later, and of course mom can't help but spill the beans that Marco is back again. Though why she called him a misfit? That is just harsh. Though, given that he hurt her daughter... maybe truth? Eh. Tricky. Of course, Marco conveniently walks (or hobbles) into the kitchen at that moment. Dang, that was too convenient. Sure, there was a need for confrontation, but now? So soon after that one conversation? No.

Oh, we finally get a flashback to how Marco and Sophie met and fell in love. Eh, I had expected a bit more. Sophie seemed very much in love, but Marco isn't showing it that much. From what I can see they only had a dates, one time sex, and then he left.... Ehm. I had thought their romance was more entwined, stronger, more love. Also: Marco: "Stop me. Please beat your hands on my chest and wail asking me not to go. No, I'd still go. I'm choosing an adventure over you. I'm sorry, Sophie. Please forget about me." Um, dude. You said in the beginning of this story that Sophie should have tried harder, but now I am confused due to how your love/romance was with her, and that apparently she wouldn't have been able to stop you.
Oh, good grief. Sophie. Please. *rolls her eyes* Wow, how convenient, I know this sounds harsh, but I found it a bit too convenient that that happened to her marriage. :|

Urgghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!! That is such a dickmove of Marco. Why are so many of the guys in these books dicks? You can't just pay a girl to go on a date with you. Their argument following that was just cringy and I hated it. Also: "I admit I slept with women. I'm a man after all." What the fuck? Sorry, but really what?

Also, isn't that rape? She is clearly saying no, clearly pushing him away. Though sure, her mind is a different field, but her whole body was saying no. She even cried.

And then everything moves way way way too fast for me, and of course there is more drama. Stupid drama. Things that could have easily been avoided if PEOPLE TALKED FOR ONCE. Oh yes, go out in a storm, while crying, while feeling crap. What could possibly go wrong? URUGHGHHGHG.

Ewww, that truth about Juliet. That is so wrong, in so so many ways.

Here we go, happy ending. With of course a wedding. And sure, I was happy with things, but mostly I found it all highly ridiculous. 2 stars. And that is for the art, and because, I have to be honest, they did make a cute couple.

Have you ever made a mistake in your life? When he narrowly escapes death Marco knows for sure he made one big time when he did not heed the plead of the Young woman who had fallen in love with him and spent her first night in bed with him before he left for a 5 years tour around the world as an Explorer.

Marco goes back to his hometown a different and wounded man with one hope: win Sophie back. But she has struggled to forget him, so much she had married a kind man who had then died of cancer barely one year after their marriage. A widow with a wary heart, a fallen hero who has much to ask for forgiveness. Their path to a second chance is paved with mines and yet their hearts don't seem to mind… A heart-breaking romance about second chances that you will read twice in a row just for the pleasure of keeping these two lovers close to your heart.

📚I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) from NetGalley and Harlequin/SB Creative as the publisher in exchange for an honest review📚

Book title : The Twelve-Month Marriage: a Harlequin Manga

Author : Anne Marie Winston; Illustrator : Chikae Ide

Release Date : 18 November 2018

Sophie and Marco Esposito are teenage sweetheart. Their family live next to one and another. Marco was also Elena’s first man whom she gave all her heart, body and soul. However, after a night of passion, Marco decided to end their relationship and joined a field work as a geologist, leaving Sophie heartbroken. Ah man! You were her first and you left in the morning because you were afraid of being tied down? Five years have passed and so many things happened.

Sophie was also married to a nice guy for a year after reading the news that Marco had a relationship with another female geologist. Sophie’s husband passed away because he was seriously ill. And after a tragical accident that happened, leaving Marco with severe injuries and wounds, Marco decided to come back.

Right after our couple reunited, the love-chemistry started to spark. Our Marco has changed tho as he started to value life, Sophie and their love in a serious way. Unfortunately, Sophie was being more logical. It’s understandable because she was left by our-cute-macho-yet-lame-in-love-hero. However, the conflict started when the female competitor arrived! Sophie found them hugging and comforting each other. Ah, I am not going to spoil all the details here but I am sure you won’t regret reading this story.

Review https://literatureisliving.wordpress.com/2019/01/01/lovers-reunion-a-harlequin-manga-by-anne-marie-winston/

'My love is deeper than the ocean and higher than the mountains.'

This is such an excellent manga romance. There is love, passion, drama, hurricanes and adventure, all brought together by excellent drawings and graphics which flowed with emotion over the pages.

I think this is one of the best Harlequin mangas that I've read so far and I really enjoyed it.

Sophie had a big childhood crush on Marco but Marco was always a few steps ahead and totally focused on his career. He was determined to become a geologist and go on exciting expeditions. Sophie was a caring person and Marco was her first true love but he took that love for granted and five years ago he broke her heart and then left for an exciting career.

When Marco left, Sophie picked up the shattered pieces of her heart and finished her university degree and became a social worker. Eventually she met someone and got married but alas the marriage was shattered by illness and death. Now Sophie is a young widow pouring her life and soul into the care of others.

When Marco returns home to recover from a plane crash, Sophie is unsettled because she still has feelings for him and surprisingly Marco still has feelings for her but there are a lot of unresolved issues between the two of them and Sophie feels that Marco can't be fully trusted. There is also something beautiful between them, something that shouldn't be ignored but which is just so fragile.

Can Sophie and Marco come to terms with the past so that they can have a future together?

This is a great story. I liked the fact that Sophie was actually quite a strong individual with a career of her own and yet she recognized her own vulnerabilities. This didn't stop her from making a life for herself and dealing with those vulnerabilities but at the same time she was prepared to take a risk on Marco.

Marco was also a great character in the story because although he was pretty arrogant and annoying at the beginning, he eventually takes the steps to build a new relationship with Sophie recognizing his own vulnerabilities and love.

I thought it was really great to see this story in pictures because the artwork brings the story to life. We get to see the character's vulnerabilities, their fears and also their courage. All of this enriches the reading experience.

There's so much drama in this manga story that I actually feel like reading the written version. I think this is what a good Harlequin manga should do. It should push the reader into being so engaged by the story that they want more and I think this book actually does that.

Copy provided by Harlequin via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.