EN Title: Yankee & Carameliser
JP Title: ヤンキーとキャラメリゼ
Author/Artist: Chiuko Umeshibu
Publisher: Yen Press
Publisher Rating: Older Teen
Status: Ongoing (a sequel is serializing in Japan)

Content Notes: Sexual content (epilogue chapter only)

Story Overview
High school student and social media influencer Yasokawa knows that Maki, his delinquent classmate, is secretly a baker. When the opportunity arises, Yasokawa convinces Maki to make him a dessert. He subsequently ropes Maki in to turn his simple social media account into the next viral sensation! With Yosokawa as his manager, Maki’s new videos and recipes take off. And as the two spend more time together, both of them find themselves with unfamiliar emotions.

Review
Yankee & Carameliser is a sweet single-volume BL with an opposites-attract storyline. I honestly did not expect it to take the route of the two making a social media cooking account, which I found intriguing when I read the premise. Delinquent characters who have a sweet, hidden side to them is a trope I have seen in BL and other manga genres, and it’s one I enjoy. Maki is no exception, especially when he gets flustered by Yasokawa! I was also touched by his backstory mentioned in chapter two, as the story is more lighthearted. Hiding your interests and true self because others ridicule or reject you is tough. so it was sweet to see him allow another to see him as he is. Yasokawa really is a great match for Maki. His persistence allows him to hang out with Maki and eventually get him to reveal his feelings. And while he pushes Maki out of his comfort zone, he does it out of admiration and caring for Maki. While he initially joked about exposing Maki’s hobby on social media early on, he’s really not the type to post something on social media at another’s expense.

With the story ending as they get together, I found myself wanting to see what kind of future is in store for them! Will Maki keep baking and making videos with Yasokawa? Which is why I’m so happy to see there’s a sequel currently serializing in Japan! This time, Yasokawa is in university while Maki now aims to become a patissier. Hope to see second bake in English in the future as well.

Thanks Yen Press and Edelweiss for the DRC. Yankee & Caramelizer is available now~

EN Title: I Don’t Know How to Love
JP Title: 恋の仕方がわからない
Romaji: Koi wo Shikata ga Wakaranai
Author/Artist: Yu Machio
Publisher: Yen Press
Publisher Rating: Older Teen
Status: Complete

Content Notes: Sexual content

Story Overview
Aimi is known to be willing to date anyone, as long as they agree to his condition. Since that includes meeting up with women, many of his relationships don’t last. But his junior Kaede is happy to agree the open relationship! Aimi thinks Kaede will be like the others but is surprised Kaede genuinely respects his condition. As their relationship continues on, Aimi begins to have seemingly inexplainable feelings, but surely he can’t be falling in love!

Review
When Aimi’s friends eventually point out that he’s acting like an elementary school boy, I wholeheartedly agreed. But rather than be irritated at the story progression, I was amused by his attitude and overall. The way he checked his phone, looked out for, and just constantly thought about Kaede throughout the story was adorable. So when he finally admitted his feelings, the goofiness of it was endearing for me. I do think this only worked because the story is in his point of view. If the story were from Kaede’s side, Aimi really would just look like a jerk for the most part. And because Kaede wanted to respect Aimi’s condition, the story would have a bit of a different tone. But I do wish there was a little bit more of Kaede’s inner thoughts in the story. I loved how he would brighten up whenever Aimi showed up, so it would have been nice to know more about him! In general, having more details of the characters would have been nice and give them more depth.

I Don’t Know How to Love is a quick, silly romcom with low stakes. The story’s pretty straightforward, so I recommend it for those who want something light and sweet. The book is out now!

Thanks to Yen Press and Edelweiss for the DRC.

EN Title: If It’s You, I Might Try Falling in Love
JP Title: 君となら恋をしてみても (なら恋)
Romaji: Kimi to Nara Koi wo Shitemite mo (NaraKoi)
Author/Artist: Maru Kubota
Publisher: Yen Press
Publisher Rating: Older Teen
Status: Ongoing (5+ Volumes)

Content Notes: Volume 4 has sexual content

Synopsis
Set on the island of Enoshima (not too far west of Kamakura in Kanagawa prefecture) If It’s You, I Might Try Falling in Love tells the love story of two high school classmates. Amane, a gay teen whose relationships have been strictly physical, prefers not to fall in love. But his chance meeting with Ryuuji just after he arrives turns his plans upside down. The next day, they find out they’re classmates. Having been hurt in the past by a friend after coming out, he jokes to Ryuuji about his sexuality to see how he’ll react. But to his surprise, Ryuuji calmly accepts it. After getting to know Ryuuji better and seeing his kindness toward others, Amane begins to realize his attraction has turned into something more.

Review
With soft artwork and a steady story pace, If It’s You, I Might Try Falling in Love is a very sweet high school romance BL. While I’m honestly not one to gravitate towards a high school setting, I’ve liked the light yet grounded feeling of the story. I think Maru Kubota does well in introducing the main characters, especially Amane, whose point of view is the most prominent in the first volume. Through his thoughts, actions, and words, readers get a rather clear picture of who he is. I also love the artwork! Even with a simpler art style, her character art is expressive. I especially adore the extra simplified and exaggerated expressions of the characters sprinkled throughout the volume! In addition to character art, the pacing of the panels to story beats keeps the story flowing smoothly.

Volume one is available now, with the next releasing in August. I started reading this story after hearing about it on social media, getting the digital volumes in Japanese. Volume one’s exposition of the story drew me in to want to continue reading on. And if you’ve seen the blurb for volume two, it doesn’t take much longer for Amane to confess! The story then follows them navigating their new relationship, and the sweetness from volume one definitely continues on. Seeing Ryuuji also fall for Amane is a treat, so I’m excited for it to release in English! For those who want an a heartwarming romance story, I definitely recommend If It’s You, I Might Try Falling in Love.

Thank you to Edelweiss and Yen Press for the DRC for volume 1!

A few weeks ago, there was an exhibition for Hanamaru, the BL magazine If It’s You, I Might Try Falling in Love is in. Amane and Ryuuji were two of the characters featured in the event, so here is an illustration Kubota Maru drew a week into the event! (The thread below this post introduces some of the illustrations that were displayed.)