Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book!

This is a promising start to an emotional and enthralling series. I appreciated the representation of foster care and the all-too-real emotions that come from people who are close to aging out of the system. I love the budding love story and I'm excited to see what comes next!

**Review of *Sheltering Eaves 1* by Rie Aruga**

*Sheltering Eaves 1* by Rie Aruga is a beautifully poignant and tender josei manga that deftly navigates the harsh realities of the foster care system while unfolding a delicate love story. From the creator of *Perfect World*, Aruga continues her exploration of complex relationships with this story, but with a fresh and impactful focus on the vulnerabilities faced by children in the foster system, blending this somber reality with a blossoming romance.

The manga centers on Yoru, a high schooler who has lived in a group home since she was ten years old, following the abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother. Alongside her, Tenjaku, a boy her age, has been a constant presence in her life, offering her a sense of stability and support. As the two approach adulthood and the looming deadline to leave the group home, Yoru finds herself wrestling with her growing feelings for Tenjaku—a love that has quietly taken root over their years of shared hardship. The story is both heartbreaking and heartwarming, with Aruga handling the characters’ emotional landscapes with great care and empathy.

One of the manga's strongest aspects is how it portrays the experience of being in foster care, a topic that often remains underrepresented in media. Aruga does not shy away from showing the difficult emotions and struggles that come with being placed in a system that is often neglectful and unfair to its most vulnerable members. The looming reality that Yoru and Tenjaku will soon be forced to leave the only home they've ever known creates an intense sense of urgency and uncertainty, which lends the narrative a quiet but powerful tension.

While *Sheltering Eaves 1* explores heavy themes such as abuse, abandonment, and the uncertain future faced by youth in foster care, it is also a story of resilience, love, and the desire to forge a connection in a world that is often unkind. The slow-burn romance between Yoru and Tenjaku is tender and nuanced, offering moments of sweetness and vulnerability amid the challenges they face. Their relationship evolves organically, as both characters are aware of the fleeting nature of their time together and are forced to confront their feelings in the face of an uncertain future.

Aruga’s artwork, as expected from the creator of *Perfect World*, is stunning and emotive. The illustrations capture both the delicacy of Yoru and Tenjaku's emotional states and the harsher, colder realities of their environment. The expressions of the characters are incredibly expressive, allowing the reader to feel the weight of their experiences without needing to rely too heavily on words.

What stands out in *Sheltering Eaves 1* is how it balances the delicate romantic elements with a realistic and compassionate portrayal of the foster care system. The manga does not shy away from showing the difficult circumstances Yoru and Tenjaku face, but it also offers a glimmer of hope through their relationship and the strength they draw from each other.

In conclusion, *Sheltering Eaves 1* is a captivating and thought-provoking read that will appeal to fans of josei manga and anyone interested in stories about resilience, love, and personal growth. Rie Aruga’s talent for blending emotional depth with a compelling narrative makes this manga a standout in the genre. It’s a beautiful exploration of how love can bloom in the most difficult of circumstances, and I’m eagerly anticipating the next volume in this heartfelt and powerful series.

This incredibly moving first volume, is about two children who find themselves in the foster care system in Japan. When they were young children, Yoru and Tenjaku were placed in the same group home. Yoru’s mother was abusive towards her and unable to take care of her. Tenjaku had the same experience with his own father, and he has deep burn scars to prove it. As the two children grow up together in the group home they find friendship with each other which will eventually blossom into love.

This is a coming of age romance story but is also based on the reality of growing up in the care system or foster care. The story gently draws on real experiences and research, in order to tell a story of love in a setting where children a young people cope with the emotional challenge of growing up without a family.

The drawings are great at telling this highly emotive story which draws the reader in. As you read it your hope for these two young people begins to grow. It is a beautifully told story.

Copy provided by Kodansha Comic via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

After reading Perfect World by Rie Aruga, I was so excited to hear they were releasing a new manga series! I love this author's unconventional approach to love because life isn't all cookie cutter love. This manga is about romance between two foster kids that live at a group home together. The story is very emotional, but constantly having me turn the page to find out what happens next. Then when the volume ended, I immediately googled when the next volume was coming out since I could not want to see how this story unfolds. The story is very emotional and I really enjoyed it so far. I seriously cannot wait for volume two!! This will be another incredible work if it keeps the same level throughout the entire series!

Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for this arc!

5/5 stars

This was a really sweet and sad story about kids living in group foster homes in Japan. Our main characters Yoru and Tenjaku meet there when they were ten, and are now 16 and what and where they will do and go once they turn 18 weighs heavily in their minds. I really enjoy this story so far, and am looking forward to reading more in this series.

I am a fan of the authors work from her previous series Perfect World so I knew going into this it would be the start of a really compelling story that is also heart wrenching. I can’t wait to see where their story goes and just learn more about children’s homes in Japan.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC. Although I missed downloading it before it was archived, I was still intrigued by the premise and decided to purchase a copy to read and review.

The story revolves around Yoru and Tenjaku, two high schoolers who grew up together in a group home. Sheltering Eaves is not an easy read, but it is a tender one. The bonds between the characters are incredibly strong, shaped by their shared hardships and attachment issues.

Their relationship, while compelling, is not a healthy one—at least not yet. As the story seems to be leaning toward a love story, I’m unsure if this is the best path for these characters, given where they are emotionally and mentally. However, the portrayal of their struggles and connection feels realistic, which makes it all the more engaging.

I am interested to see where this series goes. I hope the author continues to handle the story with care, allowing these characters to grow individually and reach a healthier place before fully committing to a relationship. It’s a story with potential, and I’m eager to follow it further.

Sheltering Eaves, Vol. 1 by Rie Aruga was an eye-opening, heavier fictional manga story about a couple of kids raised in a children's home. This volume delves into a bit of their backstory and challenges compared to what is considered a more "normal" upbringing. I really appreciate the stories this author chooses to tell about real-world issues, but it's definitely a bit hard to read long-term. I probably won't get back to it for a while, but I would still recommend it as long as you seek out trigger warnings in advance.

I like the connection that these two have. I'd like to read further in the series to see if things develop. I liked the exploration of their pasts. As always in graphic novels, the artwork is great.

Sheltering Eaves vol. 1 is a beautifully illustrated josei manga about two close friends, Yoru and Tenjaku, who first meet in a children's home while living in the foster system. A heartbreakingly accurate tale, we learn all about the foster system in Japan as we watch the pair (and many other kids!) grow up. The story goes into detail about the circumstances they must face, such as being seen differently from other kids and having to make difficult decisions regarding their futures.

I really enjoyed the friendship between Yoru and Tenjaku, and thought the sweet moments between them and the other foster kids were heartwarming and realistic! I especially liked Takanashi, one of the children's home employees who started working there at around the time Yoru came to live in the home. This manga shows that kindness is all around, even in the most challenging of circumstances.

This was sad but grounded in reality. The characters are in children's home due to various circumstances such as abuse. Seeing how much they suffered as a result from not being provided proper care from their parents is heartbreaking.

I really enjoy this volume. I had high expectations since I've already read Rie Aruga's last story and absolutely loved it. I have to say, this one has a very promising beginning. I hope to continue it soon.

Sheltering Eaves, Vol. 1 by Rie Aruga is a deeply emotional and beautiful story that would make an incredible Netflix anime. The bond between Yoru and Tenjaku, set against the challenges of the foster care system, is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Their relationship, filled with tenderness and emotional growth, would be perfect for animation, capturing the quiet moments and deep feelings of the characters.

The realistic portrayal of the foster care system, combined with a powerful romance, makes this manga a standout. It’s a story of love, loss, and hope that would resonate deeply with audiences, and I can already envision it as a stunning and moving anime series. A must-read and a future must-watch (fingers crossed)!

This story was very eye opening. I don’t know and have never experienced what it’s like to be in a foster situation but I know people who have. This was a rather heartbreaking look into what it must be like.

My only issue with the story is it felt very choppy. The scenes didn’t seem to flow smoothly from one moment to the next so it was a bit jarring at times.

I did enjoy the character work and have already developed a love for the MCs of the story.

I would be interested to continue the story to see how it unfolds.

I really loved the look at the Japanese group home system. It felt very well researched and informative. I really enjoy the characters and I really would like to see where the rest of this story goes.

Originally I was unsure if this would be the type of manga I would enjoy because it is not one of my favourite genres but I have to say Sheltering Eaves has made me change my view on romance manga. Although I have to say it is so much more than that. A poignant look at what children and young adults face in the foster system of Japan and the complexities it causes.

The art work was beautiful and suited the story so well. The layout on the panels was perfect for readability and enjoyment of the story and artwork. All in all this was a fantastic and touching manga.

As always thank you to Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for the copy to review, my reviews are always honest and freely given.

Summary:

Yoru went into a children's home at the age of ten. She may not have made it to adulthood if not for the protection of her best friend, Tenajku. He watched over her, taught her the ropes, and made sure she knew she was cherished.

Now, the two are teenagers and are weeks away from being sent from the house. They will have to make some major decisions - and soon. Yoru's biggest decision will be deciding what to do about her growing feelings for Tenajku.

Review:

Sheltering Eaves Vol. 1 is a sweet and endearing story about two childhood friends figuring out where they stand with one another. It’s a classic slow-burn friends-to-lovers romance with a few unique twists.

The story starts off pretty sad, I’m not going to lie. Both main characters, Yoru and Tenajku, have effectively been handed over to the local orphanage, albeit for very different reasons. Looking on the brighter side, it’s what allowed the two to meet.

I was surprised by the time skip partway through, though it does explain why the characters look older on the cover. This makes the concern of what to do when they turn eighteen more urgent.

If you’re looking for a slice-of-life style romance with lots of sweet little tropes, Sheltering Eaves Vol. 1 is the book for you.

Highlights:
Contemporary Romance
Shojo
Childhood friendship/protection
Slow Burn Romance

Please see my full review in Booklist for a full analysis of this work. Thank you! I appreciate the opportunity to review this manga professionally.

This is such a beautiful and emotional read! I loved the relationships Your has with the rest of the children, the author did an amazing job at portraying how abandonment affects children and the complicated feelings they have towards their parents.

I loved this book and will definitely be reading the next one!

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the arc

Going in seeing the romance tag on this, I was blown away by what this work actually is. This is not a will-they-won't-they, coy glances and butterflies kind of romance. Yoru and Tenjaku--two young people who have suffered more than anyone's lot--already love each other in a way most people never truly manage to achieve. There is no thought given to physical attraction, very little given to anxiously questioning their feelings for one another. This is a story about two people facing an unfair world who have decided, whether they fully realize it or not, to respond to their hardship by unquestioningly having each others back. There's a lot of pain and beauty and sorrow (all in a very oddly good way) packed into very few pages here.