His life consumed by work, Nokoru is rocked by a single night of good sleep. And it’s this paradoxical freedom that finally alerts Natsu to her neighbour’s existence. I’ve been wary of the inevitable turn to pandemic stories but romance’s willingness to tackle it makes perfect sense. Romance is about discovery, about growth and the grounding and rooting of its characters. Nokoru’s rediscovery of his childhood loves – forgotten not because they stopped mattering, but because he was forced to prioritise other things overtop of them until they were lost. How fitting that he falls in love with an archaeologist!

I really enjoyed Natsu from the moment she swept in and upended his world with her cheer and friendliness. How could you forget someone saying your name ‘sounded tasty’? But without falling into quirky, manic pixie dream girl territory. In one of my favourite moments Nokoru apologises, sensing he’s said something that has hurt her. It’s sweet on his part but it also gives her an air of mystery that is followed through on. Nevertheless I do wish that we were allowed to get to know Natsu more.

Their courtship is so lovely. The reason I love his apology so much is because they have a great awareness of one another but it’s so hard to choose a favourite aspect of their relationship. There’s this wonderful little flow of gifts back and forth that shows they’re thinking of each other. I love fantasy and romcoms but once the great threat or the wacky shenanigans end, it can be hard to imagine what they’re like day-to-day but their relationship is so sweetly domestic. That said, there is an in-between of that and a first date being a visit to a grocery store, but to me this is perfect.

I believe she calls him proper at one point and it’s great for comedy. He can be totally wrecked by something innocuous and it’s as funny as it is sweet. I would call it a cosy read. Despite being a pandemic book its limited setting doesn’t come across as claustrophobic – though it does have its moments. The ability to mute and rage and an incompetent coworker is so satisfying. The way it makes you dwell on the little things. However that can just as easily be read as romance reasons.

Unfortunately, despite some good uses, when it does decide to engage with the pandemic is when it’s at its weakest. I loved its atmosphere dearly so the sudden pivot to higher stakes thrown in at the end did take me by surprise. It was an abrupt shift in tone and it also sped up the pace so it came across like a race to the end. But it ended in the perfect place. I still have it five stars and it’s one of my favourite reads this year.

Thanks to Netgalley and Kodansha for this review copy. I leave this review voluntarily.

First, thank you to NetGalley and the author for the advance copy.

This was so cute! A nice, standalone slice of life romance between two neighbors dealing with the pandemic. I read a lot of heavier stuff, so this was a breath of drama-free, cozy fresh air!

A cute romance happened during pandemi. Quite relateable to me bcs I met and married my husband during pandemi too, but ofc we didn't live at the same building as this book 😅

I enjoy this book a lot—how awkward the guy that I found it's cute, especially when he wanted to visit her girlfriend even though had to fly for hours across multi continents. It's warming bcs showing how big his love to her. So does with the female main character who never shy to clearly state her feeling since the beginning to the guy, which I think many women should do it too if we want to be close to the men we are interested to 😁

How simple things connected and made closer also felt sweet: talking about statue in the guy's house, sharing snack and books

I like this book! Thank you for making me read it!

I thought this was a lovely slice-of-life story about a guy falling for his neighbor circa the pandemic/social distancing period. While it was nice seeing him shoot his shot little by little with his neighbor and it working, I also laughed at the moments with his job and coworkers (short though they were, they were very relateable lol).

Very nice and quick read!

3.75 stars

When the pandemic prevented the ability to make connections with other humans, two neighbors were able to form a connection that would last a lifetime. Home Office Romance follows the love story of Software Engineer Nokoru Mitsuhashi and Archaeology Graduate student Natsu Izumi.

I found the dynamic between both characters intriguing as I haven't read many romance books with a dynamic similar to theirs. From the start of their relationship, I could tell they had developed an interest in each other. I appreciated that the manga was told from Nokoru's point of view.

I was also intrigued by the plot's believability and how lifelike the characters felt. Witnessing Nokoru's growth as a person with Natsu by his side was beautiful. I highly recommend reading this book to follow Nokoru Mitsuhashi and Natsu Izumi's cute and awkward romantic journey.

Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for providing me with this ARC.

This was such a cute read!

It takes place during the panini and I loved seeing their relationship grow from their small interactions. It was adorable and they were perfect for each other. Plus it remained drama free and sometimes you need a less chaotic book to read.

Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the ARC in exchange of an honest review!

This manga was soooo cute. I love the art style and the story was very sweet! I loved this author's other series Sweat and Soap as well.

Nokoru has been working brutal overtime at a demanding job when the pandemic lockdown finally gives him the chance to telework from home. This new situation (and the time he saves on his commute) lets him rediscover old passions and new hobbies. The lush garden he creates on his apartment balcony provides a chance to get to know his cute neighbor, Natsu, a graduate student in archeology.

How do two adults build a relationship amid "social distancing," when face-to-face interaction is frown upon, even dangerous? It feels like a tall tale to find an office romance at home, but these are strange times...

Loved it. Will recommend to others

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for letting me read this ARC!

Kintetsu Yamada is back with another manga, this one being Home Office Romance! This short love story is about two neighbors named Nokoru and Natsu. Nokoru is an overworked office employee that starts working from home due to the pandemic lockdown and Natsu is an aspiring archeologist in graduate school.

Nokoru is a very lovely character and we get to see his growth as he spends more time at home and with Natsu. Being home gives him a chance to decorate his patio with plants and statues and this gives him the opportunity to meet his neighbor, Natsu. The two grow closer over time and they have a lot of cute moments together. I really love how they interact with each other. Nokoru seems to be antisocial but he warms up to Natsu quite fast and it's very heartwarming to see. I also really enjoy seeing how hardworking Natsu is. She has a great school/life balance and she's really joyful. She finds joy in everything that does whether that's school or reading.

I know this was intended to be a single volume, but I really wish there was more. I loved their relationship and I craved more once I finished it. Kintetsu Yamada created another great story once again and I really look forward to more of their future works.

If you are a fan of office romances like Sweat and Soap, Vol. 1 , My Tiny Senpai , and The Ice Guy & The Cool Girl T01 then I highly recommend you check this out!

This manga was cute but I had trouble staying interested in it.
Not always a huge fan of when the story reveals the end in the beginning? Example in this the MMC says this story is how he came to know his wife. While we the audience may guess they will end up together there is something about that spoiler that feels like the mystery of will they won’t they out of it?
And I don’t think this is a case of how I met your mother and there’s another fmc?
Idk otherwise cute and read quickly. The art style is simple but effective.

Oh my heart, this was such a good read! This feels like a real strangers-to-lovers story and the setting of the pandemic added to the story! I KNOW there is someone reading this out there who found love and companionship during the pandemic, and as someone who got married during the pandemic, I can relate to some of the situations. I appreciate that misunderstandings didn't last long and that we didn't have to wait for the story and relationship to progress; their love grew in a brave yet enticing way, and I was rooting for them the whole time! I see my husband in some of Nokoru-san's mannerisms (and myself in Natsu) and I am left feeling warm and loved through this story.

Thank you Kintetsu Yamada, Kodansha Comics, and NetGalley for this ARC. I look forward to more!

I loved this book! Thank you so much for the ARC! I thought the characters were compelling and I really rooted for them.

This story is a good reflection of the times in lockdown, where people became more aware of personal DIY projects and of the people that live close to them. It is funny how lifestyle in pre Covid times was so fast paced and neglectful of home life balance.

This is a simple heartwarming romance of how a two people discover each other due to lock down. The characters are both awkward and adorable in their own way. You can’t help but root for both. There are many funny moments and the story of their love leaves you with a smile.

thank you netgalley for make it available to read! I like this kind of light reading and you guys should too....

My first ever Manga, I fell in love with Home Office Romance's simplicity of the plot. It features a romance build up between neighbors working and studying from home amidst the pandemic. I enjoyed how character development and I wish it had been longer so as to have a more detailed conversations and character arcs. Thank you for this lovely copy!

This is such a sweet little manga. It’s a one volume story but still captured my attention and held it through the ups and downs. It’s a beautiful love story and I enjoyed it. 💜

Me sentí transportada a la época de pandemia😅 pero me re gustó! El romance se cocina a fuego lento y él es el típico cascarrabias, lo ame 💕

I like this story mainly because of how the characters interact with each slowly falling in love with each other going through different challenges and overcoming them together.

Kintetsu Yamada simply does not miss! I was a big fan of Sweat and Soap and was so excited to see another release from them and this did not disappoint! I love a cute, awkward romance. So so good!

I’ve always loved slice-of-life manga's, and this one was easy to get lost in. The story follows neighbors Nokoru and Natsu as they juggle their WFH setups during the pandemic lockdown while their budding romance slowly unfolds.

The characters felt so down-to-earth and relatable, which is exactly what I look for in stories like this. Their interactions were adorable, and the whole vibe was just so cozy and uplifting. I liked how the story evolved over time, showing the gradual easing of lockdown restrictions alongside the natural development of their relationship.

Thank you NetGalley, Kintetsu Yamada, and Kodansha Comics for this Arc in return for honest feedback