Amita4ever's manga / #Overcoming(587)

I'm sad BBV (Bed Before Vows) was a required plot device, but other than that, I have to admit it was a sweet, light hearted story about growing up and realizing you are the author of your own story, and you can change. And I also like the final 'justice' page. It wrapped it up nicely.

This is unique among HQ novels and I like it. We actually have a couple getting marriage counseling after hitting a solid divorce level impasse. And the issues are real. The advice is solid. These are the type of stories I really like. Instead of BBV (Bed Before Vows) and babies-before-wedlock lead to true love delusions that are contrary to real life, this story actually has something that might actually shed some light on the man/woman divide and actually help real relationships, because men and women really ARE hardwired to think and feel things differently. It gets a star just for that!

It felt a little rushed at the end, but it was a sweet tale about overcoming personal fear and challenges go after what(who) you want.

I enjoyed this. The FL is a little wimpy and the ML a little domineering, but they are character traits intrigal to the story and they aren't overplayed. There is also a bit of a mystery (not really. The culprit isn't well hidden), but the question of how far they will go keeps the drama going. I especially liked that there was no BBV (Bed Before Vows) as he spends more time building her up and encouraging her than seducing her, which is a good foundation for her confidence as well as their relationship.

The ML has the patience of a Saint and a gentlemanly control rarely, if ever, seen before in HQ. I was rather annoyed with all the beating around the bush and double speak. SPOILER: I'm not sure what he expected when he refused to be honest with her. Yes, he thought he was still competing with Steve, but did he never think that making her think he was in love with someone else would hinder her from coming to him. I'm glad she had more guts than him in the end or both would have lost out.

I sometimes wish these ‘marriage of convenience’ contracts included the provision ‘if, at any time, either party approaches the other about extending the contract indefinitely, and both are in agreement, this contract shall be null and void and the future relationship will be governed by the vows given during the wedding ceremony.’ There is so much heartache based around silence and deadlines that you wish people would occasionally consider the possibility that the relationship might evolve, at least in these mutual contracts. That said, this is one of the more realistic and enjoyable HQs. The characters are not over the top, the foibles are real (the FL’s almost seems ‘too much’, but it’s implied rather than stated that she was dumped more than once, and if so, it becomes understandable), the concerns are valid, and the resolution is heartwarming. It is satisfying because it could be real :)

Treasure is a term used in this story, and I rather think it also applies to the story itself. We have quite the unconventional FL, and an, initially, desperate ML, but it leads to a lasting relationship, and it's an enjoyable read. Circumstances put them together, and it is a contract marriage of convienence so there is no time for prenuptial fooling around, but it doesn’t happen after the vows either. They grow their relationship the old fashion way by finding commonalities and discovering what they appreciate about one another, going (and growing) through a few trials, and finally learning the importance of communication (verbal and non-verbal). That, IMO, is a far more romantic way to find love (and its more likely to last according to RL statistics). I liked this story enough to buy an official copy and might consider a hardcopy if I can find it.

I second the "Rebel Without a Clue" comment. You've never seen a ML blush as often as this one because he has no clue how to deal with support or praise. The tough rebel persona he lets persist around town keeps him safe and isolated, but certain people know better, and, of course, it's the heroine that manages to blow it wide open in the end.

I have never quite figured out how a person can AGREE to a marry a stranger, and not, at least initially, TRY and get along, at least until they have an actual reason to know they can't. It seems wholly illogical to me. For whatever reason the protagonists got married, for whatever reason they think the other got married, you would think they know any opinions they have regarding their partner are really assumptions even if they are based on second hand reporting, so is it really in anyone's best interest to start the marriage with antagonism and disdain? You are going to have to live with them. Forget discussions of love. Isn't attempting to create, at minimum, a civil relationship with this stranger while you get to know more about them going to be more pleasant than going out of your way to treat them like trash and reap the obvious negativity that sows? But where is the drama in that *rolls eyes*? I don't have a problem with the FLs forgivness, but I would have liked to have seen him acknowledge how cruel and hurtful his behaviour was a bit more before he received it.

I wonderfully sweet romance of love overcoming status, and then finding out it didn't matter. I especially loved it because their love foundation was started without BBV (Bed Before Vows).