Yuiko Takamura

This is basically a romance with an office setting, or if you need to get specific, a secretary and boss affair, only with guys. Not saying that lightly. For all the controversy a title like this can have (and I am speaking for a moment as a librarian), this is basically a romance novel, fairly heavy on the sex that involves two guys instead of a heterosexual couple. What I am trying to say is that is that is is not a big deal as some people would make it out to be. Now, leaving that aside, let's look at the book itself.

If you like yaoi romances, you may or not like this one. Yes, you have the two handsome boys. First, we have Tsukasa, the male secretary just dumped by his boss who is marrying the company president's daughter in order to further his career. Then we have the new "hired gun" for Dai Tech. Takemisha, who is brought in by the venerable (but apparently starting to slip) father of the company's president to save a very important account. The reason I say many readers of this genre may not like this book is that Tsukasa, the secretary, is an extremely insecure guy. His constant worrying and other insecurities do get irritating for the reader after a while. Mind you, Tsukasa is not some hack without skills; he is very good at his job, very skilled, so on, a great worker. However, he is also seen by others as a "cold beauty," where others see him as an object of admiration, but not necessarily affection.

The story starts when Tsukasa meets a mysterious stranger at a bar. They have a one night stand, which over time becomes a regular affair. Only problem is the stranger never reveals his name. However, Tsukasa comes to look forward to his encounters with the stranger.

Like any other romance, there are some twists, revelations, so on. The kind of thing fans of the genre will likely enjoy. It is a very light read, but as I mentioned, Tsukasa's insecurity can get a little irritating, even for fans. And no, I do not say that because this is a yaoi novel; if this was a "garden variety" romance, and the heroine was a constant worry wart, I'd probably be irritated too. I think it is a flaw in this novel, not of the genre. And if you like your romances steamy, this is certainly up your alley. The book does feature illustrations, which is why I tagged it for the manga, etc. tag (that, and it is published by a DMP imprint). And who says romances do not offer insights. Look for the small remark Takemisha makes about large family owned companies; he may have a point.

In the end, I gave it two stars mostly because it was ok. I can see where it falls within the formulas of the genre, and readers who really like this may enjoy it. However, the character of Tsukasa, especially his high level of insecurity, did make the reading a little irritating. That may be more a reflection of me as a reader (romance is not one of my favorite genres, though I will read a good yaoi or yuri novel or manga now and then). Anyhow, amusing, but just ok.
… (mais)

Tsukasa is a 'cold beauty' (I think this should be a typical Japanese stereotype, since it's the second time I found it in an yaoi novel...). He is so beautiful that people around him think that he doesn't need to be properly loved but only admired, and when someone dares to reach for him, he finds a totally different guy, a guy who is not so selfish and selfcontrolled as he seems, and also a guy who needs to be cherished and protected, and above all romantically loved. Yes since Tsukasa dreams of the perfect lover and the perfect life they could have together. And instead, he is just dumped by his last lover who wants to marry a rich girl to have an advancement in career.

Tsukasa is mourning in the bar of a posh hotel when he is cruised by an handsome, and apparently, wealthy business man. He is so sad and lonely that, even if he is not is usual behavior, he accepts to follow the man in his room and they spend a night of sex. Another surprise for Tsukas, who, in his previous relationships, has never really appreciated the sexual part of the relationship, always suffered it as a duty to please his partner. And instead this handsome stranger takes care of Tsukasa, and of his body, and brings him to high sexual level he has never reached before.

The morning after Tsukasa is surprised, but pleased, when the man asks him a repeat performance the next week. They start a long relationship, meeting every week at the same hotel and in the same room. Tsukasa is addicted to this man, a man he even doesn't know for name.

The story is pretty simple and there is a twist in the middle that turns it in a classical of the romance genre, the boss and secretary's relationship. It's pretty clear that for Tsukasa is love, since for the first time he has found a not selfish partner, who not only see his beauty exterior, but also sees the man, and his needs. The story obviously is pretty erotic, but not so graphic details of other in the same genre. There is a lot of sex, but I think Tsukasa's character has a right development. Maybe the 'handsome stranger' could be a bit more explained, his reasons, his feelings, above all in the second part, when he is also given a real role.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1569707359/?tag=elimyrevandra-20… (mais)