I Didn't Mean to Fall in Love

By Suzumaru Minta

TW: None

Rating: 18+ (NSFW)

Length: Single volume

Vibe: Cute.

Star rating: 4.5/5

Official Summary:

Inexperienced Yoshino is about to turn thirty. He's nearly given up on ever falling in love, let alone having decent sex--until one day he steels himself and goes to a gay bar. There he meets Rou, a charming, silver-haired college student who is everything that Yoshino isn't: mysterious, assertive, and experienced with both men and women. Yoshino finds himself hopelessly attracted to Rou, as their awkward courtship simmers into something more. But is it love?

Review:

This is just a quick, sweet, one-night stand that could be something more story. The characters are fairly flat but charming (actually both are true beauties) and I couldn't help but cheer them on. Yoshino deserves it all and we see Rou really having to grow to meet that fact, but there is added charm here since Rou is younger than Yoshino and this is likely his first real potential relationship. There are some recurring tropes here as Yoshino is a closeted gay man who is still a virgin because of lack of accessibility (thanks to society) and Rou is from a younger generation (and still in college) and can live out his sexuality (though we don't know how open he is in his world, we never see it). I think what's most interesting about this piece is the example of the importance of safe spaces, given these two are only able to be their full selves within the confines of their homes or a gay bar (again, thanks to society). A great leisurely read that I sometimes come back to.

(Be still, my heart!)