I can't even begin to tell you how much I enjoy these Harlequin romance mangas. I love the illustrations. I love the stories and since the stories are from actual books, sometimes it even motivates me to go and read the book for more details. Love it.

This Mills and Boon/Harlequin manga’s plot isn’t quite as crazy as the others I’ve read.

It must have originally been a romantic suspense. Our heroine was married to the head of a Columbian cartel when she had an affair with the hero, who now runs a security firm but previously worked for the heroine’s husband as a bodyguard. Now, a few years later, our lead couple meet up again and they quickly discover their sexual attraction is still strong. Obviously, though, there is the usual misunderstandings and misinterpretation of situations which means they also distrust each other.

This manga is the most graphic of the ones I’ve read. There’s lots of sex scenes and violence depicted. The illustrator might have been over the top at times (especially with the drawing of the ex hubby, LOL) but it was still fascinating to see the way she interpreted the scenes.

Although I haven’t read the original version of the book, I’d say this manga had the illustrator’s own sense of style most definitely stamped upon it. I liked this and it crept up my rating.

3 1/2 out of 5

I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) from NetGalley and Harlequin/SB Creative as the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Book title : Claiming His Secret Son: a Harlequin Manga

Author : Olivia Gates ; Illustrator : Takako Hashimoto

Release Date : 2 April 2019

Isabella Sandoval is a former wife of a Colombian bandit. Eight years ago, she met a hunky named Richard and had a little fling with him. When Richard asked her to leave the bandit and escaped with him to the U.S, she rejected Richard completely. The rejection leaving a huge emotional scar in Richard's heart.

Their new encounter later is pretty interesting because Richard finds out that Isabella is working for her sister Rose. Curious of her motive, he decides to find out who the new Isabella is. He starts to gain some information on her and in the end, finds out that he has a son from Isabella. He surely wants to be a part in Mauri, the son's life. Yet it is something uneasy because of the shadows from the past that keeps haunting him.

The ending of the story and the whole plot make this story as an interesting manga to read. Ah it is super sweet. 

Full review: https://literatureisliving.wordpress.com/2019/04/13/claiming-his-secret-son-a-harlequin-manga-by-olivia-gates/

I'm usually not into mafia romances, but this time both author and manga art surprised me into liking this story a lot. It may not start a trend, but it was definitely stimulating. Kudos.