Who is the "ghost" in Zylith's new apartment? After Zylith's abusive father throws her out for refusing to go to medical school, the only halfway decent place she can afford is purportedly haunted. That's fine with Zylith, but she's not sure what to do when she starts to see a young man about her age appearing and disappearing! As the story goes on, it becomes clear that neither Zylith nor Zenon are (probably) ghosts, just two people in very slightly different dimensions...I think. The mystery of what's actually going on is the major draw here (along with occasionally gorgeous art), and the story turns out to be less about wacky living situations and more about two people going through some very hard times trying to find a way to be happy. I'm worried that this won't <i>end</i> happy, because by the end of volume one I desperately need things to work out between them. But I'll keep reading, and if you're looking for something sweet that disguises itself as silly, I definitely recommend this.

A beautifully illustrated graphic novel. After being kicked out by her parents, eighteen year old Zylith has finally found an apartment she can afford. The only caveat is that it's apparently haunted, but that doesn't faze her. Especially when she sees how attractive her "ghost" is. Unfortunately he doesn't seem to he able to see her though. But maybe that can change?

This story has an interesting premise and the illustrations are gorgeous. Zylith is such a zany character. Her actions and reactions are quite funny- very anime. Both she and Zelan are sympathetic characters. I'm curious where the story goes next.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This paranormal romance reminded me of a book from the 90's called Griffin and Sabine. In this story, our two characters "share" an apartment, but live on different planes of reality. Beautifully drawn and captivating storyline. I can't wait to see how it ends!

I was approved for an arc, but I stupidly never downloaded it before it was archived. Luckily it was still up on the Webtoon website and I was able to read it there- hopefully not much changed between it and the finished published copy!
The artwork is gorgeous, I just wish the story had been comparable. It's actually pretty confusing, to be honest.
I was excited when I first read the blurb, thinking this was going to be a paranormal love story, but after finishing it I'm not quite sure what it is. Maybe magical? Supernatural? I'm really at a loss.
I tried to see if volume 2 was available on Webtoon, but it doesn't look like it so I'll have to keep an eye on here to see if it becomes available..

2.5 stars

Zylith moves into a haunted apartment and realizes it soon is inhabited by a handsome guy. Zelan is an Internet pop star and finds his apartment inhabited by a beautiful girl. The two are able to interact with each other, but if the other touches the flesh of the other, they will disappear and the two converge worlds will disappear. This is CRINGE. This was corny and embarrassingly bad at times, but I also couldn't stop reading and found myself entertained despite how dumb the characters were. I won't be continuing with the series, but this was an entertaining few hours of reading.

This was such an enjoyable graphic novel and the illustrations are so incredible. I am excited to see where this story goes next.

Dude, this BLEW me AWAY. I bought my own physical copy at NYCC because I NEEDED it NOW and couldn't wait for it to come into my store for me to own this.

The artwork is gorgeous, the characters are realistic and funny, the tone is nicely balanced being both serious and funny in good measure and I just want to read and learn more. I HATE the MC h's father, he is SUCH a jerk I CAN'T EVEN. I'm on the fence about the MC H, he has...moments where he doesn't seem overly trustworthy, BUT we haven't gotten a lot of backstory for him, so he's a tough read.

The biggest reason I want to read more is I want to know if this is a parallel world where they can interact only via the apartment and WHY. There are hints of romance, most likely tragic and sci-fi, taking place in what seems like our world or close enough to it to not have any majorly noticeable differences.

5, it's intriguing and I'm onboard for the next volume for SURE, stars!

My thanks to NetGalley and WEBTOON Unscrolled for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.

One of the problems with putting a long-running webtoon into graphic novel form is that it can be hard sometimes to figure out what makes a good stopping point. And that's pretty much my only criticism of this (now complete) paranormal romance story, as two haunted people discover that they're sharing an apartment with something unexpectedly otherworldly.

The book starts with Zylith, a young woman whose controlling parents refuse to let her pursue her dream of becoming an artist. She saves up enough money to move away, but the only place she can afford in the city is a furnished apartment that her landlady warns her is haunted enough to drive out numerous other renters. Zylith is desperate enough to say yes, so moves in with her cat Mr Purrfect and the support of her best friend Vera. Vera, alas, studies in a university three hours away, but is always on call for steadfast friendship.

When the promised ghost does appear, Zylith is nonplussed. The ghost, whom she learns goes by the name Zelan, isn't scary at all, but appears in the form a handsome young man just a little older than her. As he moves through his haunting seemingly unaware of her presence, she discovers that he's a popular singer (that she's never heard of) and that his mother is in the hospital. Also, for some weird reason, he can see and interact with her cat, but whenever Zylith herself tries to touch him, he disappears into fragments of crystallized light.

Despite herself, young, romantic Zylith finds herself catching feelings for Zelan, even as her innate sense of humor has her making fun of the absurdity of her own situation. But when her parents track her down and her father has a final ultimatum for her, will even her phantom love be able to save her from the heartbreak of knowing that your parents don't see you as a person but a pawn?

I really enjoyed the way Snailords flipped the script here, with quirky characters that seem more human for being weird and imperfect, and a plot twist that has me even more invested in figuring out what the heck is really going on in this story. The stopping point is a little awkward but also works well enough: it's almost at the 400-page mark when the book ends, which is pretty long for a manga! I did like how, despite the will-they-or-won't-they of Zylith and Zelan's relationship being the core of the story, the main emotional beats come from outside their romance. It's a solid foundation off of which to build a truly gripping love story.

The art is also really terrific! I had to read this on my phone via NetGalley, but that was still miles better than having to rely on my reading archnemesis Adobe Digital Editions. I have a pretty decent phone, so could enjoy the colors and lines on the single-page display quite easily. I'm not hooked enough to track the rest of the book down on Webtoon, but I did very much enjoy this twist on the usual paranormal love story. Freaking Romance, indeed. Is there any other kind, really?

Freaking Romance: Volume One by Snailords was published September 26 2023 by Webtoon Unscrolled and is available from all good booksellers, including <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/15382/9781990778964">Bookshop!</a>

What does one do when the cheapest, most affordable apartment you find also comes with a disclaimer it’s haunted? You move in and face your fears - just as Zylith does. But what happens when it’s “haunted” by a handsome stranger from another dimension who, if you touch him, disappears? Oh - not every relationship can be perfect…

I did think this was going to be more of a manga than a comic when I first picked it up. The drawing style did give that vibe off but with full color - at least on the cover, but then I began to read it and saw the difference (which I absolutely loved). The color palette especially grabbed my attention which is muted pastel.

This story has such an interesting premise and not something I’ve really seen or read before. As this is only the first volume, we don’t know quite how or why the couple are able to see each other the way that they are.

I will say the last bit of the volume fell a little flat for me, as it was repeating the same bit of story, but with different POV, some of that I wished we may have received quickly after it originally happened so we weren’t jumping back and forth at the end. It didn’t stop me from still reading it though!

Overall, this is a cute romance graphic novel with beautiful artwork throughout. I can see a lot of readers who enjoy those genres devouring this story as well.

*Thank you WEBTOON Unscrolled and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review

I really tried to get into this one and unfortunately I ended up DNFing. The art style was not for me and that makes it really difficult for me to connect to the story,.

"Freaking Romance Vol. 1" by Snailords is an exhilarating and whimsical journey into the world of supernatural romance.
**There is partial nudity and sexual innuendos, so I would not recommend this comic for middle school and would rate it YA to Adult for high schools*

In the story, we meet Zylith, a young girl who moves into a haunted apartment. Her parents had insisted she become a doctor instead of pursuing her dream of being an artist, leading to a falling out that resulted in her leaving home. Little does she know, her new living space is haunted by a strikingly handsome KPOP star with mesmerizing green eyes. Zylith's curiosity is piqued as she delves into the mystery of the ghostly inhabitant and begins to develop romantic feelings for him.

The trio of main characters, Zylith, Vera, and Zelan, adds depth to the story. Zylith is portrayed as an enthusiastic fangirl, while Verose, characterized by short hair and a rose tattoo, offers a dose of practicality and sass that complements Zylith's wild ideas. The romance between Zylith and Zelan unfolds gradually as they navigate their feelings for each other. Additionally, the friendship between Zylith and Vera is a highlight, as their witty banter adds an element of fun to the story, especially given the apartment's unique haunting situation.

Snailords' artistic talent is gorgeous, with beautifully rendered scenes that capture the essence of Zylith and Zelan's interactions.

Freaking Romance is a physical copy of the popular Webtoon. The plot of a haunted house is given new life in that both characters think the other is a ghost. Every character has a distinct personality and voice, and the romance is not rushed. Illustrations are beautiful and meticulous, and the steamy scenes give just enough details to tease readers.

Such a cute read!! I really loved this and the art style was amazing! I'm excited to read the next when it comes out . This one definitely set up a lot of plot line to come. So gorgeous!

In this book we follow Zylith who has just moved into a supposedly haunted apartment. As we progress through the book, she sees this spirit a few times and contacts the previous renter to see if he knows anything about it. He tells her that he had a housemate who disappeared after seeing a green-eyed guy - the same one that Zylith is seeing! Will she be able to figure out what's going on? Or will this spirit make her disappear too?

This was a really great first volume! I love the art style and I feel like the pacing of the book was pretty good too. I will definitely be checking out the second volume when it comes out.

Freaking Romance caught my attention early on, first by the cover, and then by the description of a paranormal spectral roommate and it did not disappoint. The main protagonist, Zylith, has a bubbly personality, a love of all things supernatural, and a desperate need to find a new place, which means when she finds a beautiful apartment at an affordable price, she does not shy away from the fact that it is supposedly haunted. What follows is a paranormal romance full of mystery and drama that keeps you hooked from the beginning. While this volume does unfortunately end on a cliffhanger, the rest of the story can be read for free on Webtoon using a daily pass. An excellent read for someone looking for a paranormal romance with thriller elements.

NetGalley Arc copy given for review

This is a popular webtoon adapted to graphic novel format, to be released in September. The story is a paranormal romance about a young woman who has recently moved into a haunted apartment. Snailords has a particular style of writing dialog using cute euphemisms, hence "freaking" romance. Having followed this author for years, I was familiar with their style, but those unfamiliar may find it juvenile. The audience is likely teen manga/webtoon fans, and those in their early 20s. Those looking for a soft story with a slow romance.

Major cliffhanger!!! I’m not going to go into details, but this why I have major trust issues! This story did not answer any of my questions at all! It was a very very good. I loved the quirky characters and the build up. I just wish I had answers in why all of this was happening! To be honest I loved the cliffhanger because the way it was presented I NEED to read the second one. It's not a matter of want.

This book seemed a little mature in parts for my middle school readers. The ending seemed abrupt and I needed a little more, but I guess that's the hook to read volume 2.

This is a fun little romantic from I’ve really enjoyed it. Love the art if I had two very cute I don’t love the title though. I could use some reworking, but other than that I thoroughly enjoyed this.

Freaking Romance Volume One by Snailords has an intriguing premise, but the storytelling itself was rather disjointed. I really, really wanted to enjoy this read, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. There were a lot of slightly-mistranslated idioms and a few typos that I assume will be corrected before final publication.