*Published 7/19/25

The manga had an interesting premise. I liked the reincarnation angle, but I did think it was a little strange that Pie/Lady Eleonora kept her memories. Her accent also threw me off a little. It was just so out of place and came off a little country. It made me laugh, but at the same time, I didn't like how it pulled me out of the story. I just felt like she could've developed a different quirk because this one seemed so... forced? It seemed hard to believe that she couldn't break the habit in all her years in her new body/life. 

I also didn't like that Pie kept her memories because it made the romance feel a little awkward. Pie and Ham/Alexei had a different relationship when they were in the forest. It felt more motherly from Pie's perspective, and I think Alexei felt that way too. It didn't come off as romantic. Plus, with Pie retaining her memories, it made her seem... older in a way? I don't know. It came off a little weird that she was older than Alexei mentally and I'm not sure I liked that. 

As for the plot itself, the pacing was rather slow. It was a cute story, but I felt like so much time was wasted repeating the same information rather than moving forward. Eleonora and Alexei were only meeting for the second time at the very end of the volume. So, I think it's a cute enough story that it piqued my interest, but I think if the future volumes are just as slow, it might not be the series for me.

A charming manga with an intriguing premise. The reincarnation trope is new to me, but I found it surprisingly compelling. The artwork is beautiful, and I’m already looking forward to reading more!

Ok this was actually super cute and I'm really excited to keep reading more of this story. I thought Ham and Pie were such sweet characters. I really hope that Alexei and Eleonora are able to continue on with a similar character path. I felt so much for Ham and the journey he went through after what his step mother did to him. And Pie just deserved so much more from her village. They never deserved her.

An interesting take on the reincarnation genre! I adored our main character’s little quirks that come with her past life. I’m nervous about how the author will develop the MC and love interest’s relationship with their shared backstory dynamic 😅

Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

As an ARC reader, I am so thankful I got to read this manga!
However, I was thrown off by the first two pages of the book because I had no idea what I was looking at or reading so I didn't like the beginning. Also since the two had a familial relationship in the FMC's previous life, it's a little strange that it is implied the emperor had romantic feelings for her, while she told him in her previous life to call her mom. I don't really know how to feel about that, but I do think its an interesting read. So I am looking forward to the second volume to know more about how the plot unfolds.

While this volume contained a lot of set up for the series as a whole, I really enjoyed the world building and the character relationships that were created. I'll definitely be reading the following volumes.

An interesting take on reincarnation romance with gorgeous art and uniqe characters. It's reminiscent of Cinderella story in a way. But I must say the past relationship between the main characters made things weird in my eyes for their current situation. I am curious about what happens next though, so I'll definitely be giving a chance to the second volume.
Thank you very much for the arc, Kodansha!

Beautifully illustrated and an cute promising start to a manga series that sits in the reincarnation genre, it's not a particularly unique premise in plot thus far but the aesthetics are truly gorgeous so I'd recommend it if only for that...

An interesting start to a short manga series; this duology features lush art and an interesting twist on a Cinderella - ish story. Looking forward to the second volume a great deal.

A compelling start to a promising series

This graphic novel is a captivating read that blends fantasy and romance with a touch of political intrigue. The story follows a young woman named Bekio who is betrothed to the once cheerful Emperor. However, the Emperor has become jaded and withdrawn since the loss of his beloved sister. Bekio's journey to win his heart is filled with challenges and unexpected twists.

What I liked:
- Engaging characters: Bekio is a strong and determined protagonist who is both compassionate and resourceful. The Emperor, despite his initial coldness, is a complex character with a tragic backstory.
- Intriguing world building: The world is richly imagined, with detailed descriptions of the palace and its surroundings. The political landscape is also intriguing, adding another layer of complexity to the story.
- Fast-paced plot: The story moves at a brisk pace, keeping you engaged from beginning to end. The twists and turns in the plot add to the excitement.

What could be improved:
- Character development: While the main characters are well developed, some of the supporting characters could use more depth.
- Pacing: The story could benefit from a slightly slower pace in some parts to allow for more character development and emotional exploration.

Overall, it's a promising start to a series. It's a captivating read with a strong female protagonist, a complex love story, and a touch of political intrigue. I'm eager to see where the story goes next.

"The Boy I Loved Became the Jaded Emperor" follows Prince Alexei, who lost someone dear to him at a young age. This traumatic memory turned the once cheerful boy to a bitter and jaded man. However, the woman who saved him back then was reincarnated, and the two soon reunite, neither being fully aware of their shared past. I loved the art of the manga and the backstories definitely carried the plot. I am intrigued to see their reactions once the couple realizes the full truth of their connection!

It was a fun read and it has nice art as well!

I would consider picking up volume 2 of the series! This would be good for readers who love fantasy romance, royalty, and josei manga!

This reincarnation romance has me hooked! The story was just getting exciting when the volume ended, leaving me eager for more. It’s funny, awkward, and refreshingly unique compared to typical reincarnation-themed manga. With its beautiful artwork and intriguing plot, I can’t wait to see how Alexei and Eleonora’s relationship develops in volume two!

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 was so good, and has me so excited for what is to come in the story. I love so many of the elements within the story. Thank you for the arc.

Here we go again, me falling head over heels with another beautiful manga series with pretty characters (*ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈)ꕤ*.ﾟ

I am always a sucker for tragic reincarnation stories, and this may sound wrong, but the level of tragic in this one thrills me ₊˚⊹ ᰔ A prince who was ‘murdered’ by his step-mother, and a girl who was born ugly as a monster forming a bond like no other, then being separated when she was murdered by the same people who caused Prince Alexei’s death. She was then reincarnated as a beautiful noble lady, but this story is no sparkles and glitters, as the prince had become a vengeful emperor, both of them unaware of each others’ identities.

I love the fact that both the characters actually got reincarnated/revived in some sense, though one of them stayed with their identity while the other became someone entirely new. Just from this one volume, we learned that both Alexei and Eleonora suffered through a lot of ordeals growing up, which prepared this story for more tragic things to come. And I am silently screaming inside my head and shaking impatiently because they finally reunited over pies and ham and they are so pretty aND I NEED MORE OF THEM ( ˶°ㅁ°) !!

These two have a lot of enemies and although I wish they would just bond gently in a soft bubble and get married and have pretty children– we know it ain’t that easy. I am all buckled for a wild ride, and I will be continuing this series definitely. Let me build my ship while I’m at it ⊹ ࣪ ﹏𓊝﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪ ˖

If you’re a fan of reincarnation stories, give this one a chance! 🩷

The characters were fun and I enjoyed the humor. Not a ton happened in this volume, but it was a promising star to the series. The art is gorgeous, I love it.

So The Boy I Loved Became the Jaded Emperor (volume 1) is a fascinating sort of taken on destined reunions and reincarnations and I was riveted once I got a few chapters in to see where it was going!

Prince (now Emperor) Alexei is in line for the throne-- until his family decides they'd rather get rid of him in a tragic "accident" so they can take their own path. But he survives (in a way) (or we'd have no titular Jaded Emperor) and comes to live in a forest with a malformed human who loves and cares for him and names him "Ham" after the food she most longs to eat-- and in turn he calls her "Pie," his favorite food. But when it's known the young prince may still be alive, that's when the real tragedy begins... which ends up in a reincarnation situation, and the passing of ~20 years.

I kept reading, intrigued by the developments on the Emperor's messy family and Eleonora's stepfamily situation, how they mirror each other yet are separate, and when these two fill find out who each other are/were! Plus the various hints that what the nobles are taught isn't what reality is like on the ground.... I'll definitely keep up with this series; it was pretty unique!

Thank you to Kodansha and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for review!

This was actually so cute and I cannot wait for volume 2. I found the story to be very unique and so interesting that I finished it in one sitting!

The Boy I Loved Became the Jaded Emperor Volume 1 is by Ii Oshikawa and focuses on Prince Alexie as he tries to overcome his childhood trauma of seeing someone he loved be killed in front of him, and as others attempt to marry him off. "Pie", the green monster that lovingly cared for Alexie while he was in the forest has been reincarnated into the body of Eleonora who has her memories and dialect from when she lived in the forest. Because she speaks in a "lowborn" manner, her family makes her an outcast and forbids her from speaking. Due to this, she is considered mysterious at court and highly eligible.

Most of this novel gives the backstory of "Pie" and "Ham" (Alexie's name when he is living in the forest) so there is not much in the way of relationship development. I really enjoyed the art and worldbuilding in this series, but there were times where I was confused what was going on. Having the characters in the flashbacks have not only different, but outlandish names was one of the things that made it difficult to follow along, especially when later on, the characters start talking about the food pie and ham!

I feel like the court intrigue in this reminded me of "The Apothecary Diaries," so if readers are a fan of that series, they may like this one too.