Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha for an advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

The first volume of The Springtime of My Life Began with You has set up the story of Suehiro, a quiet, shy girl who keeps to herself with a nose in her book, really having no friends or connections at her school. She prefers it that way, she thinks, but that begins to change when popular student Takasago initially asks her out as a punishment game, but insists that it's real and he wants to date her.

This first volume sets things up for a very cute though predictable sweet romance story set in a high school and sure to have misunderstandings, figuring out who the characters really are, and other themes typical of the genre.

I think lovers of shojo manga will love this one too, and I look forward to reading the next one.

I have been having a lot of good luck with the first volumes of new series lately and this one was no different. Our main character Suehiro was adorable and relatable. I can understand wanting to fade to the background hiding behind a book. I’ve been doing it for years!

Takasago never hesitated to tell Suehiro where they stood. We love a male lead who doesn’t beat around the bush. The things he did for her really made me happy that he cared for her. I hope in the next volume we get more special moments between them!

I’m pretty sure that they are building up to have a certain someone as another love interest and I'm hoping that I'm wrong. Not just because I don't like love triangles, but I don’t want anything messing up the relationship between Takasago and Suehiro.

I enjoyed this and I’m super excited for the next volume!

Ironically, I don't like contemporary books or movies. I don't like romance books/movies, and I don't like slice of life.

Unless it's manga or anime.

I am literally a puddle from the pure sweetness from this story. As a fellow bookworm introvert, I relate to Suehiro so much, and I can't deny how much this story reminded me of me meeting my (now) husband for the first time and what our early dating life was like.

Suehiro is a super insecure girl who really needs a push to make her open up. That push is Takasago, a popular boy who was dared to ask her out as a prank and then dump her....except things don't go according to his friends' plans when he honestly asks her out and wants to spend time with her.

Suehiro has a favorite book that is kind of like her lifeline through school, and when Takasago shows interest in it, she begins to open up to him. It's just such a sweet story about these two teens and all of her dreams and how, deep down, it seems Takasago is just as lonely as she is. I cannot wait for volume two.

Loved this book . The story is about an introvert who falls in love with the popular boy . I think the story line was a little typical . However the execution of the story was beautiful , I loved the romance in it . The plot was fun and enjoyable although a little cliche . A very light , gun , romantic , lovely read .

This was absolutely adorable! Such a feel good contemporary romance about two different sides of high school life. We’ve got the popular boy and the shy, nerdy girl trope which is always a fun one to read about.

I especially loved this one because the love interest is so enamoured from the moment their eyes meet. Initially, him asking her out was a joke but he quickly realizes that he doesn’t want it to be a joke and goes the lengths it takes to prove that to her.

I just enjoyed the story and the characters so much! I loved seeing Suehiro bloom and to see a deeper side to Takasago, I hope we get to see these characters develop further in the next volume!

That little mystery element with the author of her favourite book!! Loved that, definitely excited to see where that plot leads to!

Overall, I had a great time with this and I highly recommend it if you like soft mangas!

4/5⭐️

TW: suicide, bullying.

Interesting Volume, A really good Shojo filled with cute and funny moments. Although the plot is kinda common "A Popular Guy dates an Introvert Girl", but it gets interesting with how gullible and innocent Suehiro-san is. Takasago-kun is a really kind and the way he is shown looking for Suehiro is really cute. Although it starts with a "Batsu-Game" (Dare Game) but the development is really kawai.

Great build up for Volume 1. Apart from the MCs, the side character of Class Rep is a shown mysterious, intelligent, nice and sensible, which is awesome.

At first I thought the plot here is very typical for a shoujo manga: the popular guy asks out a shy girl because of a bet but then he quickly develops real feelings for her. Typical, right? And then it hit me in the feels.
The main character, Suehiro, is very relatable. She is extremely shy and introverted and her face is always stuck in a book. And it's the same book because it calms her anxiety. Man, I can relate to that on a deep level. I enjoyed the development she goes through in this volume. By the end of the book she definitely opens up more and is excited to make more friends.
The guy, Takasago, had a lot more depth to him than I expected. He is going through some struggles of his own but that did not make him cruel. He even started a literature club for Suehiro! That was probably my favorite aspect, all the book talk.
At the end there is a little hint of a love triangle and it's with a character that I really liked, so I want to read more from this series sooner than later.
If you like sweet stories and shoujo manga I think you will really like this. Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Admittedly the premise of The Springtime of My Life Began with You is familiar, shy girl gets asked out by popular guy (initially because of a bet) and then their relationship goes from there but despite that, this is a cute story. Throwing a literally club as a main storyline in there obviously worked for me, because books are a passion, but I liked both characters.

Takasago might be the popular student, but he isn’t cocky. As reader you gain more insight into why he is drawn to Suehiro (something she hasn’t worked out yet) and as the story progresses, I think we’ll have more character development there. I also like the hidden author storyline.

What a cute and adorable manga that gave me all the fuzzies! It had the perfect amount of romance and humour, plus a lot of swoonworthy moments.

I love the romantic relationship because the two leads complement each other so well, especially when it comes to how Takasago helps Suehiro to build her confidence. Takasago sees her for who she is, understands her so well, and totally gets her love for reading. I also felt like Suehiro grew a lot as a character by the end of the volume.

Now that their romance has been established, I can't wait to see where the story goes next! Especially with all the mean girls and the club's newest member.

Thank you so much for an eARC of this manga. I am a huge fan who used to read lots of mangas and have been meaning to start again, but never found the right title. This manga was not only a perfect fit but also reignited my love for the genre!

Favourite quote: "You don't have to ask the stars to make those happen, 'cause I will."

This is perfect for fans of ‘wolf girl and black prince’ and ‘my little monster’. Suehiro is quiet shy girl thats is ignored by everyone in her class. She is thrown in the spotlight when Takasago asked her out as part of a punishment game.

It’s all fun and games when an extrovert adopts an introvert, right? “The Springtime of my Life Began with You,” follows the story of a timid, high school girl named Suehiro and her strange relationship with fellow classmate, Takasago. The story’s premise takes form when Takasago asks Suehiro to go out with him as a prank, but after speaking with her decides that he wants to be with her for real. I really wanted to like this story. I liked the description, the cover design, and the title. The main issue I have with this story is how pushy and obnoxious Takasago is towards Suehiro. He just sort of decides that they’re dating despite any hesitancy on Suehiro’s part. Get used to it though as he decides most things for her in this story. Suehiro’s thoughts and actions are questioned by him at every turn, and he never fails to tell her that she’s wrong. He criticizes her quite a bit, and it makes me very irritated.

“Keep your head up. I’m the one your dating after all.”
“I want to be the reason for all your different expressions.”
“I’m the only one you need, right?”
“You have me, isn’t that enough.”

All of these quotes come from Takasago, who seems bent on keeping Suehiro all to himself. For what purpose, I couldn’t tell you, and for some reason, the audience is expected to believe this story is endearing and romantic. I know this story will absolutely appeal to someone who likes reading about edgy boys paired with meek girls who worship them, but this just wasn’t interesting to me.

I know this is all fairly standard storytelling for shojo, but there are so many more interesting manga that deconstruct the cliches presented here. In light of more recent manga, with more progressive storytelling, this story just feels dated and dull. While the art is perfectly serviceable, I ultimately feel that this story doesn’t have a lot to offer.

Disclaimer: I received this manga as review copy, although my thoughts and opinions are all my own.

Thank you Kodansa publishing and NetGalley, for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

The shy introvert girl paired with the popular boy may be cliché and over done but I always love these plot lines and normally swoon at the adorable scenes. We start off with the two main characters meeting at school due to a dare put on Takasago to ask someone out and by a miracle, or maybe a well thought out plan, he asks out Suehiro. Even when she declines, Takasago persists and ends up following her around and getting to know her. Suehiro is quiet but when Takasago brings up a subject that he can see Suehiro is interested in, this sparks a light in her that he admires and continues to try and keep that spark going.

This is extremely lighthearted and very enjoyable. Slowly you can see how much of an interest he takes in her and his attention to detail. While the author does not divulge too much about Takasago’s background in the first volume, the only thing that I did not like about this storyline, we were able to see how romantic he is and how much he has opened himself up after spending time with Suehiro. She is a very relatable and I have enjoyed these characters and their interactions very much.

I would love to see more of Takasago’s past in the next volume and see how their relationship develops even more. I cannot wait for more romance scenes between the two of them and will be waiting till the next volume comes out.

Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha publishing for sending this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“Suehiro, you don’t have to ask the stars to make those happen, ‘cause I will.”

This is a sweet, lighthearted story about a shy girl hiding behind her books and a charming boy who is dedicated to making her dreams come true. Suehiro is a relatable character, and it was heartwarming to watch her open up more as her relationship with Takasago blossomed. The art is beautiful, and the ending opens the door for endless possibilities when it comes to the plot. I look forward to reading the next volume.

10/10, highly recommend.

What first pulled me to this book was the cover and I as soon as I read the description I knew I had to read it. It brings back a lot of similar feelings from school about feeling nervous about meeting new people and doing new things. The characters are interesting but I am hoping for much more as the story continues. It is off to a good start so far.

Holy sweet moly! Shojo manga was my bread and butter in my teen years, having dropped off for some magical girls and slice of life as I've gone through my twenties (what can I say, I like the classics). The Springtime of My Life Began With You has revived that love!

Suehiro has mastered the ability to go undetected in her classrooms, she's just another face hidden behind her book. That is, until Takasago asks her out. Both our main character and the class believe it to be an act but as the story goes on, you can see the affection and sweet romances blossoming around them.

I loved the art style in this book, beautiful and delicate, but not overly sexualized (which can be a critique of manga). The plot line is clear but so very sweet and such fun as well! IT really brought me back, thinking on first loves and high school. I also love that their romance is very sweet more focused on romantic attraction as opposed to physical attraction. We only meet a few other characters, but they stand out because they're aren't as many. I'm intrigued to see what class rep has up his sleeve.

A good length, compelling throughout, I couldn't put it down.

Overall, 10/10 would recommend this book to everyone.

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a cute and light hearted read, about a teenage girl who’s extremely shy, but gets approached by the popular guy. As a part of a game he asks her out, but it quickly turns into real feelings. I love that the main character Suehiro is a bookworm, it makes her super relatable. I hate that it ended on a cliffhanger because I’ll have to wait a while before the next one comes out, but it seems like it’s gonna be a love triangle which is exciting.

This was a super wholesome and cute comic about teenage love.

As a shy girl stuck behind a book, I can completely connect with the main character, which made this all the more wonderful to read. I loved that we follow a simple, beautiful journey of two people beginning to love each other, and I can't wait to read volume two.

I love how the story and illustrations fit perfectly together, not too detailed but just right (this is what I love most about romance manga). The story was good, kept me intrigued, and I really rooted for the main protagonist!!

I would have loved to see a little more about Takasago, but I'm hoping that's going to come in the next volume.

Overall this was a quick, simple but beautiful read that I would recommend to anyone looking for a calming romance about first loves.

First and foremost, thank you #NetGalley and #Kodansha for sharing an advanced reader copy for a review.. I am a huge weeb and being able to read this manga was a delight.

The story begins with the two MC; Suehiro, a nerdy girl who blends into the crowd, and Takasago, the outgoing, popular guy of their school. The two meet during a prank that is initiated by Takasago getting the dare to ask out one of the unpopular girls and he chooses Suehiro. Whether it's because he was genuinely interested in her or whether she was just the first girl his eyes lands on is debatable. In the beginning, Takasago seems like the pushy kind who doesn't take 'no' for an answer but as the story develops, he begins to warm up to Suehiro and she begins to grow accustomed to his antics. The warm butterflies in my stomach developed as I watched the story unravel and the feelings run free.

Suehiro begins to open up and become herself, letting the hidden bravery shine as Takasago shows her that she has the willpower to change and be herself no matter who is watching. I enjoyed this manga and know the next volumes of this story will be something to check out in the future.

Suehiro is such a relatable character and I found myself smiling as I read. The growth of Suehiro's self-confidence was beautifully depicted and I can't wait to continue to read and find out how the relationship continues between these two MC.

This sweet shoujo romance reminds me a little bit of Honey So Sweet, and here is why.

In this, we have a young woman who has been quiet the entire school year. The popular boy asks her out as part of a game that the popular kids play. She calls him on it, and he sticks to his guns, because he is so shocked that she stood up to him, let alone spoke.

He is now bound and determined to get to know her, and to get to know all the different sides of her. It's sweet, charming, and full of people who may get a bad first impression, but are truly amazing despite what people think.

3.5/5 stars


Takasago is popular and an athlete and out of the blue he asks out shy Suehiro who prefers to read books rather than socialize. Everyone assumes he approached her on a bet or some chivalrous impulse. Even Suehiro is skeptical about his motives and doesn't understand why he persists in befriending her. There are hints at some past events that seem to trouble him which he is yet to open up about with Suehiro. There is also a hint of a love triangle in the making. Another mystery is who is the student author of Suehiro's favorite book? I'd be happy to read more in this series. My only complaint was that Takasago tends to be a little too domineering in an old school Shoujo type of way and propels the heroine into the center of attentions rather against her better judgement.

Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.