Ambrosia's manga / #Slow burn(4)

list - enemies to lovers, webtoon 60+ Angst with a well deserved happy ending. Man I felt so bad for Skylar and everything he went through. I wish he could have had a nicer resolution with his mom, but I guess it just wasn't possible with where they were at with each other. I definitely don't forgive or sympathize with her though, because even if her husband cheated, it does warrant all the abuse towards Skylar, and she never even recognized her wrong in the end, never apologized or made any effort to get better besides cutting him off completely and he deserved better than that. The characters and their struggles were well written, frustrating but realistic in that it wasn't something melodramatic but each were struggling with themselves, with their pasts, with each other. Things weren't magically resolved, they struggled with trauma, they worked to find happiness despite that, worked to better themselves on their own and together. It was really well done and really pulled at my heart strings. I was a bit confused and frustrated with the characters actions at first, but it all falls into place as you become more familiar with them and their dynamics and their past. Reread it now and agree with everything I wrote in the past, it’s much more well articulated than my thoughts now. The beginning unfolding of their history can make you confused at first, as things are revealed later by layer. We find that while Yeonduk had always loved Skylar, it was the same for Skylar. In fact, Skylar probably loved him first. The misunderstanding and subsequent mistrust and hatred brewing between them for almost 10 years was regretful, and Skylar felt that regret and agonized over his past behavior towards Yeonduk. While it was instigated by his mother’s deceit, Skylar’s actions did hurt Yeonduk. And Yeonduk was young and naive, blind to Skylar’s situation and how he was being used by the mother. I’m proud of both of them and how they were able to overcome their challenges and grow. Skylar really showed a lot of remorse, and while he chased after Yeonduk he also allowed him the appropriate space and freedom to make his own decisions about his feelings. They were quite affectionate once they got together, and really supported and cared for each other. I’m still upset that till the end, Skylar’s mother showed not one bit of remorse or care towards Skylar, and did not have any growth whatsoever. She tried to kill him twice, and would be happier off if he died and it makes me so sick and sad for Skylar. I wanted him to tell her off just once, to talk back and show her all her faults, but even in his hatred he loved his mom and just wanted to be accepted by her. I hope Leo is safe with her bc she is still unstable, though she may improve with a change of pace. I was glad the siblings were able to get a bit closer in the end, but hope they can stay in each others lives and stay close. I worry bc Skylar’s mother is a manipulative narcissist, so she may cut Skylar off from Leo and poison Leo’s mind to make it seem like Skylar doesn’t care about him. But it’s reassuring that Yeonduk will be there for him no matter what struggles he may face in the future. I wish them both happiness, they deserve it.

list - enemies to lovers, hidden gem, 9.5+

list - hidden gem, opposites, masterlist Wow fascinating read! Same author as A Declaration of Revenge. Wonderfully well written work with a very realistic tone exploring the tumultuousness of youth and love. Finding your path at a young age is difficult (something I currently even struggle with) and Gilsung's struggles with the crushing pressure of not living up to his parent's well meaning expectations, the reality of averageness as you grow up when you were gifted at a younger age, and a parent living vicariously through their child. All sensitively and realistically handled and depicted, with an initial introduction of a rebellious youth wanting to drop out of school and run away from it all. Jungwon's story takes on a bit of a darker and less relatable take, but with the same refreshing realness that carries this story and sets it apart. His relationship with the homeroom teacher is always depicted as what it truly is - a predatory and pedophilic relationship where an adult preys on a vulnerable child. It even addresses the fact that while Jungwon was the initial pursuer (and top), it is still the adult's responsibility not to engage with a minor. We clearly see that the teacher took advantage of Jungwon's vulnerability and loneliness, as a child that was a victim of domestic abuse and living alone away from any family. The entire situation was handled brilliantly, from Jungwon's initial yearning, to Gilsung's horror and frank denunciation of their relationship, to the school's handling of the situation and his mother's support. Even as a cancer patient, they never gave the teacher any excuse for his actions, and though Jungwon blamed himself he had wonderful support from his mother, teachers and friends that made it clear he was the victim. He was allowed space and time to heal and overcome it, even if it was in the form of running away from Gilsung. While I understand how upsetting and frustrating that would be, and the time lost between them, I truly think it was needed and they both grew more mature and feelings grew stronger with the time apart. An example of distance makes the heart grow fonder. The relationship itself was wonderfully developed. From apathetic classmates almost enemies, to a bickering support and friendship, to blossoming feelings, to deep love. It's unfortunate that they were ripped apart so soon after they got together (they had literally just gotten together), but the establishing friendship and how deeply they touched each other was enough to last through the years until their reunion. I would have liked more of them together, a few more extras to show their relationship and lovey-dovey moments, but even without that you can see the depth of their feelings and understand their relationship. Model student Jungwon and athlete brained Gilsung.

list - shounen ai, cotton candy, opposites This was SO ADORABLE!! Omg I love them so much?!! A slow build up of their relationship but it was a nice pacing. Nerd and delinquent but the delinquent is actually a good guy misunderstood. Both are very sweet and innocent, both new to love to they try to figure it out together. Nerd can see red string and realizes his feelings first, but doesn't dwell to much and is honest and confesses. Yankee takes his confession seriously and thinks things over, but in the meantime they grow closer as friends. They are both so sweet and innocent that we don't even get a kiss scene, and while I would have wanted maybe one more volume of them being lovey dovey, it was quite a lovely story. Enjoyed it a lot, very fluffy with no unnecessary drama.