Haiga and Kanade are back! "Pink Heart Jam beat" follows "Pink Heart Jam," although one can still enjoy this volume without having read the previous one. (I first read "Pink Heart Jam" years ago on futekiya, when it was still separate from Mangaplanet.) If you absolutely need to know how a couple gets together, then you should read the "Pink Heart Jam" first. If you like stories where the couple acts like adults, puts effort into their relationship while still functioning in society, and actually talks things out, then this is for you. To new readers the story will just be a young couple who moved in together, an event that usually changes relationships. I am really hoping there's a volume 2 because reading about Haiga and Kanade is like a dopamine and serotonin story cocktail. "Pink Heart Jam beat" doesn't serve big drama, but for a slice of life romance it's like an ideal fantasy setting because they're pursuing careers in music, have affordable housing, and a supportive social network. Sometimes you just want to read about people who live different lives but are still living their best lives.

Pink Heart Jam beat 1 picks up where Pink Heart Jam left off, with some helpful flashbacks to fill in gaps. Haiga is navigating senior exams while Kanae is working long hours in a music studio. The two have finally moved in together but with both men so busy they struggle to make time for their relationship. These two so clearly love each other, which is why I didn't love the jealousy subplot, but luckily that was resolved quickly. I look forward to seeing how things evolve now that Haiga is also joining the workforce. Thanks to Viz media and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

This new series actually hails from the Viz Manga imprint SuBLime, specializing in BL manga titles. Shikke’s Pink Heart Jam beat is actually a sequel to her previous series, Pink Heart Jam. But you don’t have to have followed the original to dive into this new series. College-grad-to-be Haiga is lamenting his career path, considering working as a music teacher. Fortunately, his boyfriend Kanae is there for him. Literally, the two share an apartment. But Kanae also goes the extra mile to help his boyfriend do what he needs to pursue his new dream. As graduation approaches, Haiga finds himself with new difficulties. What about Kanae’s past love life, for instance? And why does Kanae push himself to the point of exhaustion to be supportive?

Pink Heart Jam beat is an explicit, rated-M title. Whether that’s a deal-maker or a deal-breaker is up to the individual reader. But do bear in mind that there are several “open-door” moments. The art is lovely throughout, and there’s a lot of story to go around. From college and workforce woes to the anxieties of a new relationship, this new title covers them all. If you’re not familiar with Shikke’s work already, this may convince you to explore more.

This is a continuation of the two part series Pink Heart Jam starring the same couple, Haiga and Kanae. Set shortly after Pink Heart Jam, Haiga and Kanae have moved in together and it's going surprisingly well, despite the long hours Kanae works as a sound engineer and Haiga's developing concern over his career prospects. Overall I really like the tone of the Pink Heart Jam series, because the characters really support each other. It seems like Haiga and Kanae's relationship is developing at a good pace.

this is such a good series! i enjoy every new volume. i always enjoy a series where the couple talks to each other and manages to work things out without relying on a miscommunication trope.

ARC provided by NetGalley. I originally received this ARC a with out realizing it was a continuing story. After catching up on the original, I was pleased to read this one and see how sweet the story continued. I loved how short and sweet the story is. Two boys falling in love and unlike a lot of BL, there wasn’t a HUGE climactic fall out between the two love interests. Which I like sometimes but can get very annoyed as they are always based in miscommunication trope (the worst trope). So I was pleasantly surprised that these characters actually brought their worries to each other and communicated. That doesn’t happen often in manga and even less in BL. Very sweet! Love these two and hope they have a happy life forever ❤️

I liked this volume even more the the previous two. This series is a continuation of Pink Heart Jam and has a slight time jump to Haiga being a college senior. He and Kanae now live together and I think their interactions are both cute and realistic. They have some struggles but it's nothing panic inducing. There wasn't a single moment when I thought they might break-up and I really appreciated that. Instead, they talk and work through their issues. Haiga being jealous was kind of comical but also understandable given what he was told. Kanae's brother is kind of an idiot but not in an annoying or malicious way. Overall this was a good read and I look forward to the next volume.

This was such a cute continuation! (That I didn't know we were getting!!!)

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the DRC.

We start off with them living together, with Kanae working in his desired field and Yuki in his senior year of college. I found it adorable how they cared so much for each other while they were busy as heck. Also, it's really refreshing to read a BL where both families know their child is dating the same gender and is open to meeting them.

Dynamics while living with your partner can get tricky but they quickly learned that communication is key. Even when Kanae's brother unintentionally stirs up some drama, it's resolved pretty quickly by them communicating.

Outside of them balancing their relationship and life, seeing the band come back together to not only perform but to also immortalize their songs for Yuki was damn near a proposal in my eyes.

It seems like we're getting another volume so I'm curious if it'll go the family route or skip a few years into the future.