Thank you to Kodansha Comics and Netgalley for allowing me access to this arc.

High achiever and always prepared Risa has the largest change in her life when she decides to save the rebel Zen after he gets attacked. Unfortunately, by saving him she grabs the attention of his enemies and is forced to accept the help that he wants to repay her.

The story is absolutely adorable and watching the transformation of Risa as she interacts with a charismatic Zen is hilarious. The art is on point and I can't wait to read the next manga in the series.

This was such a sweet love story. The bad boy getting the goody girl. Them both meeting the other persons need in the big world. Very much enjoyed and will be looking for the next Vol.

This twist on the delinquent boy/upstanding girl romance manga trope is fun, and I appreciated how gallant the male MC is. It didn't engage me enough to read further volumes, but it seems like a relatively non-toxic addition to the subgenre, which I'm very happy about.

Even though the characters themselves didn't truly enchant me, I appreciated their interesting dynamic and differences. The art was lovely. I could recommend this to manga readers who like slice of life/romance stories.

I give it a 5 million stars review.
The understatement is how much I LOVE this. I love this with all my heart.
Was so good, that I read this in just one sitting. Was perfection! This manga was made for me.

I have loved the characters, they were so unexpected. She is so strong willed, and do things on her own. And so bold.
And he is a delinquent. Need me to say more? He is so straight forward and cute.
I feel the characters and the love between them, so much.

Was so fun and hilarious to read with heartwarming and relatable moments that are conveyed to us through and amazing way to storytelling and beautiful drawings.

I need to reread this and put my hands on the second volume. ASAP.

It is a super light and simple read that has very beautiful art and a story that makes me understand that it has many other things behind it that this chapter reveals a little but not much more.

I liked the characters and although the protagonist seems to be the typical Bad boy, he never does anything bad against the protagonist and one realizes very quickly that he really is not that Bad boy that everyone wants him to look like.
I also liked the protagonist a lot because I felt reflected in wanting to solve and do everything oneself and there are times when one needs others, but many of those times you don't film with anyone. And that a person appears who selflessly helps you, it's nice.

I look forward to reading the second volume!

Firstly, I would like to thank Netgalley for providing the opportunity for me to read this manga before it was released.
Beware!!!! There will be spoilers embedded.
I had never heard of this manga. I just read the synopsis and wanted to give it a go.
I really liked this manga. Risa, the female lead, is an awkward, young girl; she has always had to take care of herself. Because of being conditioned to be responsible, she carries the weight off all of that, physically and metaphorically. Zen is exactly my favorite kind of male lead. He appears to be rough around the edges. He's FIERCELY loyal, and he's got a fairly straight moral compass. The best part is seeing that develop. We begin the story not knowing if he's going to be a good guy or not. Risa just so happens to be nearby when he needs help. That spirals into this whole thing. I think the romantic feelings between these two characters happens a little quickly. However, that is common for manga. So, I wasn't even mad at that. I think it's a really sweet story. The main characters are likeable. I like that Zen has this bad ass persona but is actually very affectionate. I even like the rivalry between the two groups at Zen's school. I look forward to reading more.

I am fucking obsessed with this book and I need the next volume tomorrow. Oh my god!!! It's so freaking cute and I love so much how this story plays out. AAAAAAAAh, why do I have to wait.

3.5 stars

A very solid start to a shoujo high school romance. I feel like Dessert titles are rarely ever a miss for me, and this one is no different. I like the bad boy with a heart of gold trope and Risa is such a relatable character to me, as someone who is also constantly worried about all the things that can go wrong and who spends way too much time and energy thinking through and preparing for all these possibilities. I am really looking forward to seeing where this romance and this series goes.

Straight-laced, over prepared student Risa is known for being steady and independent. One day, she saves a beat up delinquent named Zen. While she denies needing repayment, Zen is determined to do so, sparking a tentative friendship that causes Risa trouble when she catches the unfortunate attention of another delinquent from Zen's school. Risa is such a fun character, is nice to see a girl mc who's taciturn instead of the male lead. I loved the art, the style was well done and the designs were nice. The story progression is good, and I love the interactions between Risa and Zen, and look forward to seeing more of the series.

I am in LOVE with this. Firstly the art is mesmerising and so beautiful, you can really tell so much work went into every single page. Secondly the story is so cute, a bad boy and good girl romance, I love seeing them come together and learning more about our characters. This made me feel nostalgic for the more light-hearted sweet romances. I really have nothing bad to say about this it's perfect and I couldn't stop reading.

I loved this! A different take on the grumpy/sunshine trope with characters who are complete opposites of each other. I really enjoyed Zen's character being cute as hell to the girl but actually a tough macho gangster. I would definitely read volume 2.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free review copy.

This was a good start to what seems like it'll be a fairly typical shojo manga. I feel like it's more insta-lovey than most manga I read. The delinquent aspect features more heavily than I was expecting, which isn't something that I particularly enjoy and is why I won't continue in the series.

The art style is great and there's a decent amount of humor in it.

While this story doesn't quite work for me, I'm willing to try more from the mangaka.

Risa Amakawa packs her school bag for almost any situation. On her way to cram school, she stops and helps an injured delinquent. Now he (Zen Ohira) insists on paying back the favor. When Risa encounters trouble, Zen comes to her rescue. Slowly, she learns there is more to Zen than she originally realized.

Opposites attract; aloof and responsible girl and noble-hearted bad boy. I like this combination.

I really feel for Risa. She has a difficult time socializing and connecting with others. No one, except Zen, tries to get to know her. She wants to be more outgoing, but she just cannot break away from her nature.

I like how Zen does not allow her cool rebuffs and disinterest sway him.He steadily chips away to discover the true Risa beneath the frigid façade. I also like Zen’s nature to help others. He is a special kind of delinquent.

I cannot wait to check out volume 2 when it comes out. I also plan to include it in my personal collection once it is released.

Big thanks to Kodansha Comics for the ARC of this via NetGalley. This review is being given honestly and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have read from this author before (Lovesick Ellie) and really liked that series but have to say Love, That’s an Understatement is my favorite of the two so far! This new series features an overly prepared strait laced student who has a run-in with a notorious high school gangster that leads to him popping up when she needs help. I think this is such a cute series and I really loved this first volume and can’t wait for the release of volume two later this month!

This series is also seriously giving me the same vibes as Kiken Chitai Danshi: Kedamono Black & White which is a personal fave of mine and would totally recommend this series if you liked Kedamono!

Will definitely be keeping an eye out for the rest of this series!

(First of all, thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange of an honest review).

Risa Amakawa is a cool and collected high school student that has something in her heavy bag for every situation, and the last thing she needs—or knows how to ask for—is anyone’s help. When she saves a beat-up delinquent in the park one rainy evening, she refuses any sort of repayment. But it turns out that saving the notorious Zen Ohira buys her the attention of some unsavory characters. As Zen keeps swooping in to help her out of one pickle after another, her feelings about relying on anyone but herself—and her feelings toward Zen—slowly begin to change… A new rom-com from the author of Lovesick Ellie!

Okay, If you know Fujimomo you know she is the author of Lovesick Ellie (I've reviewed volume 1) and I didn't enjoy the manga because of a lot of red flags. But this one? IT IS GOLD. OH MY GOD, I'M 16 AGAIN. The badass vibe guy that actually is a cinnamon roll? P E R F E C T. I love him so much, I need them together NOW. This Volume is so good that you'll read it non-stop. She is so cute because all her life has stayed away from people thinking she had to fend for herself and not depend on anyone. BUT SHE IS LEARNING, SHE IS TRUSTING (WITH TINY STEPS) ZEN AND I'M HERE FOR THEM.

Sorry for the capital letters but I'm excited and I want you to know it. I need the next one ASAP!

This is sweet story between Risa and Zen. Risa help Zen when he get beat up. Risa always alone and straigh forward, people around always misunderstanding her. Zen the rebel guy who got attach to Risa after she help him, he protect Risa and want to date her. I enjoy reading this manga, swoon with any moment between them, so romantic.

Review to come May 19th on my blog/goodreads.

I received this manga from the publisher/Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

Kodansha had some new manga up on Netgalley and of course I couldn't resist this one! Deliquent/punk x girl who has it all together? Sign me up!

The story was fun, and I loved seeing Risa get out of her shell and slowly open up, started asking for help, and show another side to herself. I really found myself rooting for her. I also loved how much guts she has and how she is able to say no in a firm steady way. Or speak to people who most would avoid. She was quite a fun character. I did feel for her though at times, because we find out why she is like this and why she is always carrying that filled to the brim bag of hers.

The romance? It was quite good. In the beginning I wasn't sure (especially with the saving), but quite soon I found myself rooting for these two. So happy with several scenes. They really do have some chemistry and I love how Zen tries to bring Risa out of her shell.

OK, the saving was a bit much at times, did that guy just stalk her to know when he was needed? It was cute at first, but after a while I was like, eh....

Though that rival dude can F off. Get the hint. No one likes your bullying. And I just didn't get why he was so obsessed with Zen and his group of friends. It just got so weird at times.

The art was really good, I love the style!

But all in all, I did like this one and I would love to continue it to see if Risa and Zen get any closer. I mean with that ending? Things will have to happen!

The art on this manga was lovely. And the story was right up my alley.
Bad boy with a heart of gold is one of my favorite tropes.
I am sorry I read this one first, as I am sure it is going to be my favorite of this batch of ARCs.
Definitely recommend.

Thank you to Kodansha and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Coincidences of coincidences. I had artwork from this series as my computer background, and I had no idea it was from this series! Love, That’s an Understatement, Vol. 1 by Fujimomo is a shojo manga between the most unlikely of couples. Risa carries around a heavy backpack that contains everything. When delinquent boy Zen is beaten up in front of her, she patches him up, not expecting any thanks. But later, the boy finds her in school and tells her that he wants to thank her by owing her a favor. She soon cashes in on that favor when rival gang members come looking for her.

Overall, Love, That’s an Understatement, Vol. 1 is a shojo manga that will appeal to fans of Fruits Basket or Yakuza Lover. One highlight of this book is how beautiful the artwork is. As I mentioned above, I had an image from this series as my computer background for months. I'm so happy to finally read the series that it came from. Another highlight of this book is the adorable story. I especially like the romance is between an always-ready, granny-like girl and a gangster-like boy. The juxtaposition between the two characters was so entertaining to read. I will definitely be looking for the next volume when it comes out. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of shojo manga in general, I highly recommend that you check out this book, which is available now!