This book has an amazing representation of compulsory heterosexuality. Compulsory heterosexuality is an important topic not talked about enough and this book describes it graceffully. The art style is beautiful and complements the writing and plot so well. Honestly, even if I didn't like the plot I would have stayed for the art. This book was a perfect read for me and an amazing summer read that I would recommend to anyone especially if you're queer.

This is a beautifully told and beautifully drawn friends-to- boyfriend manga. Chiharu is the hottest guy at school. All the girls want to date him and he spends a lot of his time turning them down. Wataru is Chiharu's friend. They met by accident and found out that they both have a similar taste in movies. They're really good friends and looking forward to the summer, but all this changes when Chiharu tells Wataru that he has feelings for him. This changes the dynamic of the friendship and Wataru has to work through his feelings and decide how he feels. Meanwhile summer is here and there are movies to watch and places to visit together but what does this mean for their friendship. Both of them have the of summer holiday to figure it out.

This is a lovely story with a gentle romance and great artwork. It is funny in places, great to read and thoroughly enjoyable.

Copy provided by Kodansha Comics via Netgally in exchange for an unbiased review.

First of all, I would like to thank Netgalley for providing me an e-ARC of the book.

Disclaimers: All my reviews are my thoughts of the book and according to my personal preferences. Even though I had received a review arc, it does not affect my review and honest thoughts for the book.

Personal Ratings: 4.5/5🌟

Total No of Chapters : Chapter 1 - Chapter 5
Bonus Chapter : 3 chapters

Plot: 5/5
Wholesome : 5/5
Romance: 4/5
Easy to read: 5/5

Overall: Its a manga for those who wants a calm-paced story

A story of two boys who found friendship in the stories told in movies and an unexpected love that blooms.

Short Summary
Saeki and Wataru have nothing in common. They were not from the same school, they have never been in the same class but there was one thing that sealed their friendship was their love for eccentric movies. When a thunderstorm leads to a sudden confession, their friendship was put to a test. This is a story with a very calm pacing, about friendship found in the solace of movies, memories of a kind boy and fates that changed.

My Thoughts
I was genuinely surprised of how calm and wholesome this manga is. It has the elements of confusion after a confession but does not have that toxic injection and repulsiveness that comes with it.

I love the pacing of the story and how calm overall the manga is. Both Saeki and Wataru are characters that has so much depth but their friendship is just very wholesome. The trips down memory lane made me go 🥺 and tugged a string in my heart.

Overall, this is a manga for ones that needs a short but wholesome manga that leaves you smiling at the end.

This was a cute, lighthearted, and quick read! It's my first time jumping back into a manga after about 3 years, and I'm glad it was with this one. However, I didn't really "buy" the relationship or at least it did not resonate as strongly with me, and I found some events in the last chapter to be a little problematic with some harmful stereotypes which is the main reason for the star deductions. Despite that, the art is still lovely and it's easy to enjoy.

This was super adorable, the art work and meaning behind the story was great to look at and read. I would totally read more from this person in the future for sure.

Super sweet. I loved the faster pace of the book. It kept it interesting. A perfect summer romance. Very much captures the uncertainty of love.

This was really cute, and although it's only volume one of a manga series, it can definitely be read as a standalone and feels pretty complete. That being said, I will likely pick up the next volume, but I wouldn't say it ends on a real cliffhanger that'll leave you unsatisfied or dying for the next volume.

The Summer of You is the story of two high school students – Chiharu Saeki and Wataru Toda, who found themselves bonding together for their shared love of movies. One day, Saeki confesses his love for Toda. Toda was unbothered and just accepted it, and both boys continue to spend their summer going to film spots of their favorite movies. As time goes by, Wataru realizes that he may not be as unaffected by Saeki’s declaration.

I enjoyed reading this short (Boys Love) BL manga. I particularly loved the relaxed ambiance of the story. Every time that they were having a conversation, it feels like there’s feel-good music playing. I loved that there’s no villain here, and the boys were simply going with the flow. The easy acceptance of Wataru towards Saeki was lovely and kind. Both characters are likable.

That little backstory about Saeki’s childhood was a bit cringy, but I guess people like that exist. I thought the conflict was realistic, I mean, sometimes, you have to let go for you to move on, but most of the time, that is not always the case.

Reading this manga gave me a bit of a break from reading heavy novels with gore, ghosts, and family drama. It’s very refreshing, and I am looking forward to reading more about the boys and more about the author.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

This story was just ridiculously cute and cheesy. The characters are sweet and their chemistry is great too. Nothing about it was particularly mind blowing or ground breaking, but that doesn't really matter. It was very enjoyable

Every meme about how terrible queer folk are at picking up when they are being hit on? Paid off beautifully in this sweet summer manga.

I'm not especially familiar with the artists other work or if they have much of a resume but I jumped back into my first manga in nearly a decade for this cute cover and premise. Chiharu and Wataru are film nerds - and genre film nerds at that. As a queer nerd who does a mostly movie devoted podcast - I felt really seen there in the initial pages. The relationship between them as close but unlikely friends plays out well and I was genuinely invested as the story plays out over summer break and the touchstones of movies and their past.

With the exception of one slightly problematic trend in BL manga, I thoroughly enjoyed the story from beginning to end. Lots of long moments of bonding and relationship building is great. I love a slow burn that is actually given some time to be considered. The bonus stories at the end are also lovely and help give some context since the main story is over before you know it. I'm really eager to see what the second volume has in store.

Content warnings for potential domestic violence are the main reason for only four stars.

This is a really cute manga, and it really felt like a summer adventure to read it. I love the main characters and the way their friendship developed. Saeki confessing his feelings was super sweet, and then the way Wataru didn't immediately have any reaction but realized over time he also had feelings was sweet. Like, overall this whole manga was a super sweet story and I would love to see where Wataru and Saeki end up as their relationship continues and they have to navigate the long-distance. But I have complete confidence in them figuring out how to make it work and spending time together!

Very sweet friendship to love story.

There are a few twists when you realize they'd met as younger kids and how important Wataru is to Chiharu. The pacing of the development is realistic and unhurried.

Art is well done with proportional figures.

This book was ULTIMATE cuteness. I have cuteness overload at the moment.

This was amazing! I loved everything about it, it finished too quickly, I wanted more!! And it's only the first book too! I can't wait for the rest of the series to come out, I'll be waiting here, very patiently.

This reminds me so much of Heartstopper that I'm super happy!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the earc in return for an honest review.

Thank you ever so much to Kodansha Comics for this eARC of the first volume of "The Summer of You" by Nagisa Furuya. Although I have been gifted this ARC, my opinion is purely my own.

This has such high potential. The story is so lovely and I know its gonna be an amazing manga but also each character is relatable and I feel comfort with both of them. The art style is perfect and it works with the entire story. I am very excited to see the future of this manga.

I loved this story. It was sweet and gentle, and overall gave a feeling of promise similar to nostalgia.
The main characters are both wonderful, and I was really cheering for them both. Their slow romance is so special, and the art was beautiful!

5/5 stars