RATING: 4.5 stars rounded up

Thank you to Kintetsu Yamada, Netgalley, and Kodansha for an opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Now that enough time has passed since the end of the COVID pandemic, it was only a matter of time before stories that took place during this era were released. Home Office Romance took a contemporary romance approach that managed to capture the semblance of a realistic relationship developing between two working adults.

The one-shot manga follows the story between engineer Nokoru and and archeology student Natsu. The pair, who become unexpected neighbors in their apartment building, get to know each other through the limitations of physical communication. From small conversations through their respective balconies, to messages exchanged online, to occasional visits to one another’s living spaces, Nokoru and Natsu grow from casual acquaintances to eventual lovers.

I really wished that this was a limited series over a one-shot manga. All the little moments that developed between the main couple were both adorable and offered a solid pacing that executed the friends-to-lovers dynamic perfectly. It was also satisfying to see Nokoru go from an introvert who enjoyed the seclusion that the pandemic brought to a man who found comfort and joy with every interaction he had with Natsu, as well as see Natsu emotionally open up to Nokoru despite her extroverted personality.

I highly recommend giving this manga a read and hope to see more wholesome COVID-centric settings for stories come out in the future.

Me gustó mucho, me costó un poco entender el orden de lectura pero la historia es muy bonita y entretenida, me encantó!

Not something I would normally read. But I did enjoyed it. I would read the next one.
I found it interesting how they met and what happened between them.

Here's an excerpt from my full review on my blog https://allthefujoshiunite.com/.

"I found the characters here absolutely charming. Nokoru is an analytical thinker through and through. As a systems engineer, he thinks in pie charts and algorithms in his daily life as well. Izumi’s forwardness leaves him dumbfounded a lot of the time and this kind of intimacy is a new experience for him, but he’s never the stereotypical, obnoxious, ohemgee-I’m-such-a-virgin, nerdy guy. You can tell a lot of thought went into his character. I think it also helps that we read the story through Nokoru’s viewpoint and get to hear his inner thoughts."

4.5 stars

A charming manga with likeable characters. I used to read ten mangas a month but got into a manga slump a year ago and this just cured it! Very quick and straight to the point. I found the characters so interesting and fun, it was cute and wholesome and got sexy at some point which i really enjoyed. Quite surprised at the easiness i flew through this!

A lovely slice of life of two neighbours who might never have connected if the pandemic hadn’t forced them to stay home.

Nokoru is an overworked software programmer who welcomes the chance to stay at home more. He can finally rest properly and do something about his home that’s mostly decorated with carboard boxes. He’s especially proud of his balcony that looks like an ancient jungle temple. It draws the attention of his neighbour, Natsu. She’s a grad-student in archaeology and she admires the atmosphere. They start talking, which leads to neighbourghly help and to shared meals and holidays, and finally to a romance.

The two are very different. She’s extroverted and he’s an introvert who agonises over every step he takes. Luckily for him, she takes the initiative in many steps of their romance. Little by little, they fall in love, until Nokoru is ready for an extravagant display of his emotions.

This was a good, calm read told from Nokoru’s point of view. Nothing much happens, and there’s no high drama. Both characters are nice and their romance is believable. And I like how it helps Nokoru to turn his life into something he enjoys more. It’s a stand-alone story, and good as is. Art is good, although I didn’t catch that he’s supposed to be a bit older.

I loved this so much! Natsu and Mitsu are both so adorable as characters and together! I love the reversal of the usual portrayal of gender roles; and it’s Mitsu who’s the awkward and overthinking type, and Natsu who’s very confident and outgoing. I found myself rooting for both of them the entire time.

I totally recommend this as a chill, romantic read.

Full review and links to social will be posted as soon as possible.

I'd like to thank the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a lovely, quick read. An easy 5 stars for me, thanks to the good art and realistic, down to earth plot.

I loved how human the plot was and the way the main characters didn't have to become someone different to be together. They complemented each other and grew together, supported each other and shared their happiness.

It was a stress-free read and really refreshing.

This was so cute and what I hope for from a fluffy josei. It is adult but still very light-hearted and that it is kind of told by the now husband as a flashback to the beginnings of their relationship just makes it very wholesome. I also very much enjoy the artstyle.

Highly recommend! 4.5/5

Who knew remote work could spark an office romance next door? A Home Office Romance is my first dive into manga, and it did not disappoint! Set during the pandemic, this charming story of neighbors finding love while WFH is just what the doctor ordered. The pacing is spot-on, and the chemistry between these two is filled with just the right mix of sparks and shyness. From side-glances through Zoom meetings to coffee runs that feel like first dates, these characters bring all the pandemic-era romance vibes with humor and a touch of sweetness.
Their awkward yet adorable connection is so relatable—especially for anyone who’s tried to flirt from behind a screen! It’s a feel-good read that keeps you rooting for them all the way through, and it makes you wonder if love really does find a way, even in the weirdest of times. A fun, breezy story that’s perfect for unwinding after a day of WFH!

You can find the detailed review on the blog: https://kohleyedme.com/2024/11/11/home-office-romance-by-kintetsu-yamada-bookreview/

I really loved sweat and soap! Yamada has a talent for very sweet and endearing romance and it was so amazing to see this again. I really appreciate pandemic fiction because it's a thing that happened and it's cathartic to read about other experiences and fiction within that ephemeral time. Highly recommend!

Divertido, leve e que trás uma sensação de pertencimento. Os personagens são pessoas comuns, que passando por momentos de solidão e incertezas em meio a pandemia (assim como nós) encontraram novos propósitos, auto descobertas e um amor bem fofo. Gostei muito da leitura, 4/5.

EN: Fun, light, and brings a sense of belonging. The characters are ordinary people who, while going through moments of loneliness and uncertainty during the pandemic (just like us), found new purposes, self-discoveries, and a really cute love story. I really enjoyed the reading, 4/5.

This was so cute! Lighthearted, fast paced and funny. I really liked the art style and the short chapters kept the pace flowing well.

Actual rating: 4.5

Fans of Kintetsu Yamada’s Sweat & Soap series will love this new manga. It’s only a single volume, but it packs in much of the same unexpected heart and sweetness that Sweat & Soap did.

Home Office Romance takes place at the height of the pandemic lockdown in Japan as two young professionals start interacting from their balcony. Nokoru is your classic overworked company man, but he has his own quiet personality too that encourages him to make his living space his own little safe haven by making a garden on the balcony. This is when his neighbour, an archaeologist, Natsu begins to speak with him and from here we get a slowly blossoming and honestly super wholesome relationship.

The story is told from Nokoru’s point of view and I love the growth we see from him. I did miss having Natsu’s POV though and would have appreciated her side of the story, however, I can see why the choice was made given that this is a standalone.

Overall, I think fans of Yamada will absolutely devour this soft, sweet story. And perhaps it will guide new fans to Sweat & Soap also!

*I received an eARC from Kodansha Comics & NetGalley. All opinions are my own*

I enjoyed a lot this drama-free romantic manga. The story is cute and comfy. Reading a smooth and easy flowing love story was a good change of style for me. The art-style is so beautiful.

Home Office Romance by Kintetsu Yamada is an absolute gem for anyone in need of a sweet, heartwarming story. This stand-alone manga is the perfect blend of romance and slice-of-life, with zero drama—a true breath of fresh air. The relationship between the two leads is both tender and refreshingly genuine, offering a glimpse into the simple, comforting joy of companionship. It’s an ideal choice for a cozy evening read, and the warm, easygoing pace makes every page feel like a treat. By the end, my heart was melting! Highly recommend this to anyone looking for a feel-good romance.

This is my first book from Netgalley and it is such a great book to begin with. I've been reading a lot of mangas this year. As we all know, the story building for most mangas takes multiple volumes before we get hooked. But, this one is one of the best one shot stories that I've read in years.

What I like:
- Both MC are authentic and have their own personality
- Great art style
- Easy to follow dialogues
- Can read in one sitting
- Very good for beginners in manga

What I hope will improve/suggestions: (Please note that I am a Kindle reader and I own a Kindle Paperwhite 4.)
- Some panels are grainy or faded in my Kindle
- Another one shot from this couple please!

Overall, I will highly recommend it to someone new to manga. If I ever come across a physical copy of this books, I will buy it.

Congrats, author!

A very cute story about love during an incredibly difficult couple years for the world. The little romance story was so cute and sweet, definitely a 5/5 stars!

"Home Office Romance" was a nice reading experience. In terms of pace, it was pretty fast as it usually happens to me in regard to mangas. I wish it was more of a slow burn romance, but that's just a preference of mine. Considering that the whole story takes place in one volume, the action was well paced. It did not feel necessarily rushed. Overall, it was a wholesome love story. Thank you for the advanced reader copy!