Review: We're Not Cut Out to Be Lovers, Volume 2

Hello hello! After I finished the first volume, I wanted to take a look at We're Not Cut Out to Be Lovers, Volume 2, by Kou Hirokawa. While it wasn't my favorite reading, I still enjoyed some of it, and I wanted to let you guys know what I think. Hopefully you will like it! As always, many thanks to the publisher for the review copy!

• Print Length: 208 pages.
• Publisher: TokyoPop.
• Publication Date: March 10, 2026.
• Genres: Contemporary, Drama, Gay, Manga, Romance.
• Rating: 3/5 stars.

It's been six months since broody auto mechanic Kumazawa moved in with his boyfriend, Koichi, a streamer who once claimed to be an expert on love. Now Koichi’s ready to share their relationship with all 400,000 of his followers, but Kumazawa? Not so much.

As Kumazawa struggles with the idea of coming out, Koichi does his best to respect his wishes… even when his new video editor turns out to be Kumazawa’s estranged brother—and an old classmate with a not-so-subtle crush starts sniffing around...!

Between secrets, surprises, and steamy interludes, can these two learn to open up to each other without risking everything they’ve built? Because the real challenge isn’t sharing a home… it’s sharing their hearts.

There's already a good deal happening in the synopsis, so I was very excited for this volume. The characters had some development, indeed, after the events in the first one, having a more solid relationship, and things look much better. However, things get more and more complicated as you progress, so it's easy to see how some of their mistakes could come to happen.

Some people have complained about the art, but I didn't notice anything different, honestly. For me, it was just the same clean style that I like, so I might be biased but We're Not Cut Out to Be Lovers, Volume 2 still looks pretty good if you ask me. However, the script felt more convoluted than before, especially towards the middle. Many things were happening, and while the art style reflected the characters' emotions, it wasn't enough space for everything to work out as it could.

I also had problems with those scenes, one which I wasn't sure if it was abusive, but then the second one was much more explicit in that regard. It was another turn off for me, especially because both Kumazawa and Koichi had several tender moments in between, so I'm confused why the creator would try to include things like that in a manga that could be so sweet.

All in all, and considering this is Kou Hirokawa's first serial, I still think readers can enjoy it if they are mindful about that. We're Not Cut Out to Be Lovers, Volume 2 is not a perfect result, but it is still a good one. It shows how complicated things can get in a relationship when there's a disagreement about visibility, about being public, and how this can affect the relationship. If you want a balance between reality and humor, this might be a good pick for you.

Connect with me on Instagram and Twitter!

Review: Fated NOT to Meet, Volume 1

Another week, another manga I want to tell you about. This was more bittersweet in the end for me, but I still enjoyed a good deal of the story, so if you're interested in plots that are really different, realistic, and intense, you might want to check Fated NOT to Meet, Volume 1, by Ei Eijou. Thanks to the publisher for the copy to review!

• Print Length: 224 pages.
  
• Publisher: TokyoPop.
• Publication Date: April 22, 2025.
• Genres: Contemporary, Drama, Gay, Manga, Romance.
• Rating: 3/5 stars.

Izumi, the sales ace with excellent grades, good looks and great communication skills, has someone he absolutely cannot lose to.

His name is Sendo, the most unlikable man who took the top spot from Izumi.

Izumi was the top salesman and fan favorite amongst the girls in the office... that is, until Sendo came along.

When a friend recruits him to be a plant for a gay dating app, Izumi agrees, so long as he never has to meet anyone in person. But when he makes a connection with "Kei", the temptation to meet his new friend becomes irresistible. After all, even if they meet, it's not like they actually have to start dating... right?!

Well, turns out "Kei" is none other than Izumi's rival, Sendo! Moreover, what Sendo has in mind for Izumi isn't exactly "dating," and the intense pleasure that awaits them both might just be worth defying fate.

This was a story I liked a lot. The characters lived up to my expectations just as the plot did. It had a nice pace from beginning to end, playing a lot with the reader about what you could expect and what might happen, so kudos to Ei Eijou for doing it right for Fated NOT to Meet, Volume 1. I ended up sympathizing with Izumi a lot because I understand his insecurities, so that was another good point for the manga.

Sendo was more of an acquired taste. He seems to be a typical character in yaoi stories, the bad boy, to be more specific, so I didn't get my hopes too high about him. But later you see there's more that meets the eye. However, it does take time, and while the wait is worth it, it did influence how I look at him. As a couple, these two work together very well.

My only real issue with this story is a scene closer to the ending, which seems to downplay a lack of consent. It was a big turn off because the story had been so wholesome, so fascinating, but that scene at the end was unacceptable, it didn't fit the narrative at all. Even if it was all "okay" at the end, this is not how a good, healthy sexual encounter works, so big disappointment on that side.

I am still interested in reading the second volume and see what happens next because the chemistry between Sendo and Izumi was real for a long time. I enjoyed Ei Eijou's style so far, so I still want to insist on it and see what happens next. If you like stories that explore unconventional relationships and power dynamics, then Fated NOT to Meet, Volume 1 might be a good pick for you as long as you're mindful of that scene at the end.

Connect with me on Instagram and Twitter!

Review: We're Not Cut Out to Be Lovers, Volume 1

Hello hello. Anyone in the mood for a silly romance manga? This was a first for me, so I did my best to keep an open mind and enjoy We're Not Cut Out to Be Lovers, Volume 1, by Kou Hirokawa, and translated by Dylan Jekels. If you like grumpy x sunshine relationships, but still with a dose of reality, make sure you grab a copy. Thanks to the publisher for the copy to review!

• Print Length: 176 pages.
• Publisher: TokyoPop.
• Publication Date: April 22, 2025.
• Genres: Contemporary, Drama, Gay, Manga, Romance.
• Rating: 4/5 stars.

A large, animal-like mechanic x a Shiba Inu-like streamer!

Introducing the noisy neighbor of your nightmares: a Youtuber.

It's been six months since broody auto-mechanic Kumazawa moved in next door to Koichi, a streamer who claims to be an expert on love. After one too many loud recordings, Kumazawa finally snaps and shows up at Koichi's door... only to shut him up with a passionate kiss!

Kumazawa has no interest in pursuing a straight guy, but Koichi stops by night after night and won't leave until he's "satisfied." Coming off the heels of a traumatic breakup in which his partner cheated, Kumazawa is convinced he and Koichi won't work out, but Koichi is determined to persuade him otherwise. Can a physical relationship between two people who are totally NOT "meant to be" turn into something real...?

This was a different read for me because I don't usually get grumpy x sunshine pairings, so this one took me a while. However, it presents the reality of streamers and content creators: not everything is real, not even the persona you see on the screen. There was a dose of reality with Koichi when he started a sort of confessional live with his followers that I enjoyed a lot because of this.

In any case, the dynamic is what you would expect from this type of pairing. It wasn't the best for me, but I still liked how funny some of the scenes were along with the push and pull between them. There was some real chemistry between them, not to mention that the ending was fitting; it had some dark romance, a new side of Kumazawa that I liked a lot.

Now, because I'm not familiar with the trope, I didn't enjoy some of the scenes. There were times when Koichi seemed to be too pushy, sometimes even tone deaf of abusive towards his then-neighbor. This took me out of the reading time and time again, so it was a push and pull between the story and me as well. I'm not sure if that's how it's supposed to work with this trope, so that's just my impression as someone not familiar with it. Take it with a grain of salt if you like those stories.

All in all, We're Not Cut Out to Be Lovers, Volume 1 is a cute manga that made me smile more than once. I liked how the characters evolved while still remaining themselves, a good portrait of growing together and that no couple starts perfect. There is a new volume, so I will definitely take a look at it to see how things go for these two because they've grown on me. Grab a copy, smile, enjoy, and tell me what you think.

Connect with me on Instagram and Twitter!

Midnight Thoughts: About Classics and Pagan Elders

Hey everyone. I recently abandoned a book, which made me think a lot about how we, as readers, should be critical, especially when it comes to Pagan classics and elders. In short, I think we need to do better at times.

This is a book that has been fundamental to a lot of people, a classic, one I was excited about, but it fell flat for me. I couldn't finish it after almost a quarter of it, and I insisted on it for long. However:

• 

  Photo by UMUT 🆁🅰🆆 from Pexels.

  It was disorganized: included rituals before explaining what a ritual is; started talking about important and fundamental people within Wicca and witchcraft, when talking about the Wheel of the Year;
• It was socially irresponsible: assured the reader that all illnesses come from spiritual causes;
• Had wrong information: said that Warlock was completely dropped by the 2000s, when now there's a resurgence of the term;
• And was culturally appropriative: it talked about animal totems, which are not part of Wicca or witchcraft, but Native American spirituality.

These are just some of the problems I had with this book, because there were more. And while it's true this one made Wicca and witchcraft available for many, it was a light when there were few options, I had better expectations about it.

Some time ago, I started reading another book, this time about queer witchcraft, from another author who I love and who is an instant buy for me. If I see that name on a cover, I get it. Period. I admire the work this person has done, and had high expectations for this book, but this was a first for me. There were mistakes about mythology, lack of sources about historical events and explanations, to the point of leaving me frustrated.

When I talked with a friend about this book, they told me "if an elder says X happened, and in reality it didn't, then it happened. That's the power of an elder" (I'm paraphrasing here; this was some time ago). No, that's not power. It's a mistake, plain and simple. People make mistakes, young and old alike. Sometimes it seems like we cast elders under this magnificent light because of the tremendous work they have done. The merit is there, the respect is there, as it must. But this doesn't mean they can do no wrong. Again, people make mistakes, it's part of our nature.

Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay.

Also recently, I started frequenting a group of Wicca and witchcraft on Discord, but I started noticing a lot of AI images in there. When I asked about it, one of the moderators, a high priestess, told me she was fine with AI and others were not. Even though she said she was going from AI to Canva, that it was a slow process, her stance bothered me a lot, so I'm out of there.

Just because someone has had so much experience doesn't mean we shouldn't be critical. In fact, we should be much more than with others. These are the people who paved the way and continue to inspire a lot of us, they have done a lot of firsts in their careers, yet they are also human. If we want to learn from them, that means doing better, not because this is a competition or out of spite, but because that's how progress happens.

As extreme examples, Gerald Gardner was homophobic, Scott Cunningham was culturally appropriative, and Zsuzsanna Budapest was transphobic. Their work is still important, what they did before matters, and because it matters we see it for what it was: imperfect, human, product of their times. We learned from this, we do better now, and we need to keep doing so.

There are two proverbs that I like:

“Ask the experienced rather than the learned.” — Arabic.

“When an old man dies, a library burns to the ground.” — African.

The knowledge we get from this people is incomparable, they have done a lot of work for us, so I think it's only fair we do also a lot of work so the legacy can keep going. People do what they can with what they have, with what they know, and they do their best. As readers, we should do as well.

Kinky regards, K!

Connect with me on Instagram and Twitter!

Remember this blog lusts after your comments and shares to grow healthy!

Review: Fairy: The Otherworld by Many Names

It's been long enough without talking about the fae, so shall we? More specifically, let's talk about the land of the fae, usually called Fairy, Elfhame, Elf-land, and so on, because a lot can be said about its inhabitants, but people usually don't think about the place itself; I know I haven't until now. So, let me tell you everything about why you must read Fairy: The Otherworld by Many Names, by Morgan Daimler.

• 
  Print Length: 128 pages.
• Publisher: Moon Books.
• Publication Date: April 1, 2024.
• Genres: Fae, Folklore, Non-Fiction, Paganism.
• Rating: 5/5 stars.

The world of Fairy has intrigued humanity across folklore and literature for as long as we have written records and into the modern period. This book seeks to detangle the convoluted history of the world of Fairy by looking at the various cultural beliefs that form the basis of the wider view and explore how those beliefs interact and impact each other. We will explore the Irish Soal Eile, Scottish Elfland, English Fairy, and Welsh Annwn before delving into modern and popcultural understandings of this Otherworld so intrinsically bound to our own.

The author explores not only what different authors have to say about the Otherworld, but also groups each of these ideas by country of origin, which makes it easier to follow along and compare ideas. Defining Fairy is not easy, however, so don't expect a straight-up definition when you read Fairy: The Otherworld by Many Names. Like its inhabitants, the Otherworld defies all definitions.

For witches and other spiritual practitioners interested in the topic, this book explores in depth what you might expect when exploring the Otherworld. Morgan Daimler is already one of my favorite authors, so I'm happy to read anything and everything they write. This book was another confirmation of their expertise on the topic, keeping with the detailed yet easy-to-follow structure that has characterized their writing since I first read them.

However, don't expect exercises of pathworking in this book. This is only the theory that will enhance your future practice. It's a required reading if you're interested in getting in more in touch with the fae, know what to expect, and better understand what you're getting involved with (and who!) Morgan has included a lot of exercises and pathworking examples in other of their books; I liked Pagan Portals - Fairy Queens very much, but there might be better options in earlier books.

Short enough to be an addition to the Pagan Portals collection, Fairy: The Otherworld by Many Names is a book that shines a light in one of the most confusing and contradictory aspects of the Fae world, which is the world itself. Don't expect straight answers, as with anything that has to do with the Fae, but enough food for thought to make your own conclusions about it. Excellent, as you would expect from Morgan Daimler.

Connect with me on Instagram and Twitter!

Review: A Witch's Guide to Fetch Work

Hello hello! Fetch work has been an elusive topic for me for a long time. It's a topic I was very confused about because of the lack of material regarding it, along with the fact that many materials that I read contradicted each other. Enter A Witch's Guide to Fetch Work: Rituals, Spells, & Practices, by Blake Malliway, to change this once and for all. Thanks to the publisher for the copy to review!

• Print Length: 200 pages.
• Publisher: Crossed Crow Books.
• Publication Date: February 25, 2025.
• Genres: Folklore, Non-Fiction, Paganism, Psychic Development.
• Rating: 5/5 stars.

The witch’s fetch is the etheric spirit helper often found to manifest within the framework of old witch lore. Despite its popularity in myth, however, very little has been written about actively working with one’s fetch in magical practice. A Witch's Guide to Fetch Work seeks to bridge the gap between myth and lore and authentic magical practice. Part 1 of this book explores the mythological and folkloric origins of the fetch, while Part 2 presents a new grimoire of active and intense magical practice designed to help you weave a web of magic in partnership with your fetch.

This book delves into the heart of the witch’s fetch, encouraging readers to explore their relationship with their fetch to reveal the potent magic that resides therein. Through a blend of history, folklore, and personal narrative, A Witch's Guide to Fetch Work reveals the art of forging an intimate and fulfilling bond with one’s fetch, a relationship built on mutual respect, empowerment, and the sharing of ancient knowledge. Accessible to witches just starting on their path but serious enough to cater to the more seasoned practitioner, A Witch's Guide to Fetch Work will prove to be a fantastic and engaging resource.

Blake Malliway has a clear, concise style throughout the three parts of the book, even when explaining the contradictory ideas regarding the fetch. He kept a tone perfectly balanced between friendly and professional while going through all the details concerning this topic, making A Witch's Guide to Fetch Work an accessible addition to everyone's bookshelves.

What I liked the most was the humor with which he explained it all, even when it came to difficult topics that he treated seriously, but still added appropriate jokes here and there to lighten up the reading. Just kidding. While that is a huge bonus for me, the initial meditations and exercises are top-notch, full of ideas, recommendations, and grounded in many of the myths and beliefs explored earlier.

The stories included also give you a lot of ideas about what to do and explore when it comes to fetch work, not to mention the grimoire that serves as the third, final part of the book. Full of spells and rituals, it provides a breath of fresh air by showing new techniques, new ideas, and different points of view that enrich your practice. I'm struggling to be critical here because, quite honestly, there's nothing to be critical about.

A Witch's Guide to Fetch Work is straight-up one of my favorite books of this year because of its simple, approachable style, how well researched it is, and the huge amount of exercises, spells, and rituals that give the final touch. Excellent from beginning to end, whoever reads this review is required to read the book as well to have their witchcraft membership renewed. I don't make the rules, I just enforce them.

Kinky regards, K!

Connect with me on Instagram and Twitter!

Remember this blog lusts after your comments and shares to grow healthy!