Love Mode: Volume 2

The cover artwork kept me away from this series for a very long time...I'm glad I finally gave them a chance. Although there's less smut than I usually prefer, the story lines more than make up for it. The characters are fully fleshed out and very evolved. Each story draws you in like a good romance should. Volume 2 tells the story of Aoe-San and Naoya. Aoe reluctantly rescues poor Naoya from an incredibly tragic life and the romance begins. Don't be like me and miss out on a wonderfully entertaining story just because you "judged a book by it's cover"!

I enjoy Reiji's and Naoya's story immensely, which is much more than just a "man-meet-boy" love story. Surprisingly Reiji and Naoya is a compatible couple, and to have Reiji, the tough guy, treating Naoya so "sweetly" does provide touching yet comical moments. Reiji was introduced in Vol 1 and for me, this interesting character outshone the 2 protagonists in Vol 1. Vol 2 featuring Reiji finding his love is simply a delightful read. Shimizu is amazing, expressing Reiji's and Naoya's feelings for each other so well that I do not mind the missing explicit sex scenes between the couple. Hopefully these will happen soon in this series. I have to admit I was not too impressed with Vol 1 but Vol 2 changes my mind completely. I now understand why Love Mode is a popular long running Yaoi series in Japan. Looking forward to Vol 3 which should be just as good as it concentrates on another interesting character who seems to have a tormented past.

If u have read book 1 then trust me. Book 2 is MUCH MUCH better. It introduct the 2 main character and the best couple in the book.