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.

*Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!*

I still haven’t finished reading Perfect. World, not because I didn’t like it - I loved it - but it just kind of fell of the radar for me in the midst of other things like moving, switching around different jobs, and life in general. Working on building my own Perfect World, you could say. Regardless, I was very interested to see this manga created by the same person.

The introduction is captivating and heartbreaking and also offers a very insightful look into the systems in place for foster care/social services in Japan. I’m intrigued to see how the manga progresses in later volumes, especially given that the main characters struggle with things like anxiety, co-dependency, anger, and more. I know already from Perfect World that Rei Aruga is excellent at writing about sensitive topics so I’m looking forward to more. 3.5/5 Stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

In all the years of reading Manga (around 25) I can honestly say I have never once come across one quite like this.

A heart wrenching look at children in the system. How trauma has moved these beautiful souls together and how they try to navigate life. Lovely illustrations throughout I will be purchasing this issue along with the others.

Thank you for such a lovely book.

A cute story about dependence in the foster care system and learning how to cope when the world looks at you different. I am very interested to see where Volume 2 goes.

Unfortunately, I was unable to access the download for this book on the NetGalley app, but I would like to thank the publisher for the opportunity. I wish both the author and publishing team a great success.

I LOVED this book. If you’ve read Perfect World by this author you’re familiar with the way she is about to educate you while also entertaining you. She weaves together beautiful love stories. I would highly recommend anything she writes and this new manga is no exception.

I love how this manga was different from others by being set in foster care, it was like a breath of fresh air! The interactions between the main characters I found cute but the overall tone of the story is kinda dark! I still enjoyed it nonetheless!