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!

This work is my second from this author and I was immersed in the story right away. This is about two children Yoru and Tenjaku who grew up in a children’s home and they have been each other’s person even up to when they became teenagers. This is a story about grief. This is a story about resilience and familiar heartbreak. I really liked how it showed aspects of how it feels like to be brought into the foster care system and the struggles children face. The author did an amazing job depicting the lives of the children’s in the home as well as supervisors as caretakers. This is a very good read for someone who likes stories about found family, familial dynamics in families, and coming of age. I can’t wait until the next volume comes out!

🏠 New homes for the children. Those who get abandoned end up in foster care.

🏠 They bond over trauma. The main characters, Yoru and Tenjaku, connect with one another once they meet at the Home. They both have one thing in common: they've been abandoned after being subjected to some sort of abuse.

🏠 Pretty artwork and thought-provoking topics.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

I requested and received this book from NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Every time I start writing this review I over share. It's difficult to explain why I loved this book without getting too personal. But I will try.

I loved "Sheltering Eaves vol.1" by Rie Aruga. It made me cry, enraged me, and gave me hope. It was disheartening to see how similar the foster system in Japan is to the one in the U.S. Even more so that the sentiment towards foster kids is also the same.

I knew when I requested the book that it was going to hurt, and I was right. However, it also gives me hope that it will inspire people to take action. Actions like giving kids in the system more protections. But, that feels like wishful thinking. I do hope, at the very least, that this story (and others like it) will help drum up social change. That the sentiment towards kids in the system will change for the better.

Overall, I loved the characters they're all realistic. The story itself is realistic. I want to read volume 2 and beyond. I want nothing more than to see the characters succeed in life and be happy. They've had a(n extremely in some cases) rough start. But they also have big dreams and hopes for the future. I'm excited and terrified for volume 2.

A sweet but quite sad series opener; lovely art. I don't know if I'll keep reading in this series, but it was an interesting introduction to the foster care system in Japan, which I wasn't at all familiar with.

A bittersweet intro to a story of two people who forge a connection after meeting and growing up in a childhood home. This is definitely a series that will deal with some heavy topics, though it does have some light hearted moments as well. Although it can be upsetting to hear and read about children who must be removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, etc., it unfortunately is the reality that many children face. I was quite drawn to the fact that the author sought to create a hopeful story for these characters, while still focusing on their experience as they navigate the very daunting situation in which they are about to age out of the system. Stereotypes are hurtful and also part of the reason why children who grow up in foster care are often perceived negatively. Nevertheless, I quickly grew to appreciate the way that Rie Aruga tries to approach such difficult topics with respect and makes an effort to conduct thorough research. In all honestly, that was one of the main aspects that hooked my interest in his first series Perfect World. Even after reading just a couple pages both Yoru and Tenjaku captured my heart, and I can't wait to see more of them in the upcoming volumes!
Content warning: Child Abuse, Child Neglect, Child Abandonment

Sheltering Eaves by Rie Aruga - A Thoughtful Review
Rating: 4.5 Stars

Sheltering Eaves by Rie Aruga, published by Kodansha, offers readers a heartfelt exploration of love and resilience within the context of Japan’s foster care system. This manga, from the creator of Perfect World, successfully blends a touching love story with an honest depiction of the challenges faced by children in group homes, making it a unique and impactful read.

The story centers on Yoru and Tenjaku, two teenagers living in a group home after enduring difficult childhoods. Their journey highlights the struggles these children face—from societal stigmas to the immense pressure of having to outperform their peers just to gain recognition. The depiction of how they are unfairly accused or judged simply because of their backgrounds is both heartbreaking and eye-opening. Yoru and Tenjaku’s bond, formed over years of shared experiences, provides a glimmer of hope amidst their hardships, making the love story all the more poignant.

One of the manga’s strengths lies in its ability to shed light on the systemic issues that foster children endure—being unfairly labeled as troublemakers and carrying a stigma they did not choose. It raises important questions about accountability, particularly concerning the parents who abandon their responsibilities without facing any significant consequences. This aspect of the story adds depth and realism, elevating it beyond a typical romance.

While it’s clear that Sheltering Eaves will develop into a love story, I hope future installments continue to delve into the societal and personal challenges these characters face. A happy ending for Yoru and Tenjaku would be satisfying, but it’s essential not to gloss over the obstacles they must overcome to achieve it. This balance of realism and hope is what makes the first volume so compelling.

I highly recommend Sheltering Eaves to anyone looking for a moving and thought-provoking read. It’s a promising start to what appears to be an ongoing series, and I’m eagerly looking forward to seeing how Rie Aruga continues to explore these themes.

Disclosure: Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha for providing me with a copy for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Oof, that was a tough read. The two MCs are foster kids in the system, with parents who were abusive due to alcohol abuse and mental health issues. They are in a foster home with other kids with their own issues as well, mostly stemming from parents who can't parent for whatever reason.

This is NOT a walk in the park, la-la-la we are so happy read. Lots of drama, some of which could be triggering to some readers, but might also be cathartic as well. I'm no expert, just be aware going in.

It is thought provoking and informative and you SO BADLY want the MCs to be happy. There is some hope, but very muted. I did not finish this volume feeling uplifted, though I don't think that was the point for this volume. Recommended for those who like dark realism in their manga.

3, not bad but serious and not quite what I was looking for, stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for an eARC of this book to read and review.

An interesting start to a manga series and I will definitely be continuing it as the next volumes are released!

I don’t tend to read straight romance all that much so went into it a bit apprehensive, but I’m so glad I did!

Thank you to Netgalley for my digital arc!