lilithespark's manga / #Blackmail(20)

The title itself is dubious, and the romance starts off…. not so good. The MC is technically blackmailed by the ML, and you could argue a whole bunch about whether he consented or not, but I won't be doing that. Honestly, I think this is a pretty good romantic comedy, which is a little kinky at the same time. The ML is your average, stone-faced playboy, but you do see his character development and how he grows to dedicate himself to the MC. They get together relatively quickly, which means the reader sees mostly their established relationship and fluff. They're actually quite cute, though their relationship is not without its ups and downs. The qualms I do have about this manga, though, are one: the dubious consent at the start, two: the side couples, and three: the side characters in general. I could hardly give a rat's arse about the side couples, and they just felt like unentertaining filler. Most of the side characters are just there, and when they do contribute to the plot, they have to do it in the most annoying way possible. Anyway, I really think this has shown great potential and examples of a good romance. They communicate pretty healthily, banter, etc. I enjoyed reading.

Concept’s pretty interesting. Two beauty assistants. But the conflict was pretty mid. It all could’ve been avoided if some random hadn’t been petty and envious over the MC’s capabilities. The author tried to go for a teasing (?) ML, but they really just made him manipulative imo. Especially at the start because he quite literally raped the MC…. Great art. Smut’s good. Mid story. Not worth the read.

This starts off with blackmail, but it becomes cute near the end. Also, sexual assault? Like you don’t just kiss someone randomly and get off easily. I don’t know if it was the fast pacing, but I didn’t really enjoy this the way other people did. Mid.

yooo wtf was that plot twist in the last chap *sobs* pretty smutty. pretty weird. pretty cute? fluffy? this was one hell of a read.