Those Not-So-Sweet Boys, Vol. 1 by Yoko Nogiri

 

THOSE NOT-SO-SWEET BOYS kind of has elements of a reverse-harem romance. It's about a poor but positive girl named Midori who ends up getting involved with three semi-delinquent rich boys, two of which are the heirs to wealthy families (doctor, businessman) and one the son of a mob boss. Midori gets voluntold by the chairman of their school to get them to stop playing hooky and take the exams after she does something that violates the terms of her scholarship. If she can manage to get them to show up to school, her misstep will be forgiven.

Manga has REALLY changed since the shoujo of my youth. The guys in here are actually pretty nice and so far there is no girl-on-girl jealousy, hate, or bullying. One of the guys saves her from an attempted assault but the person who does it is pretty terrible already, so it's not at all apologistic like some manga I've read that definitely has problematic undertones (like Peach Girl or HYD).

This is short and sweet but it ends up feeling a little bland. Anyone who likes cute feel-good stories with heroines who are nice without coming across as doormats will like this one. It picked me up when I was feeling kind of sad and I'm passing it along to my sister next, who loves manga as much as I do.

Thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review!

3 out of 5 stars