In Love's Key, Reprised by Guri Nojiro

[reviews_and_ramblings]

 

Rural Respite for a Weary Heart

Forced by poor health to take a leave of absence, curmudgeonly conductor Kiri returns to his rural hometown for some much-needed rest. But on his very first night back, he comes dangerously close to freezing to death—until local grocer Osamu scoops him up out of the cold and into the warmth of his embrace. Can this younger man, a years-long fan of Kiri’s work, thaw out the ice in the maestro’s heart? Or will Kiri be doomed to a life of frigid loneliness forever?

My Rate: 7 (amzn.to/46PN2w7)

The plot isn’t particularly original—I’ve seen this trope plenty of times: the successful city guy returns to his rural hometown and ends up falling for the local heartthrob. So I didn’t go in expecting much, aside from some appealing artwork and maybe a few steamy scenes. And yes, this manga delivers on both fronts. If you’re not looking for anything deeper than that, it’s a pleasant read and a nice way to pass a few hours.