Yankee & Carameliser by Chiuko Umeshibu

[reviews_and_ramblings]

 

Take one influencer and one bad boy extraordinaire, whisk in a sprinkling of sweets, add a scoop of social media, and you get…? Maki and Akito’s love story, hot out of the oven! After all, even though Maki has a bit of a bad rap, the guy must be just as gooey on the inside as the glorious goodies he posts on social media. So when Akito gets a taste of how dangerously delicious his desserts are, he can’t help wanting a taste of the man himself…

My Rate: 7 (amzn.to/3WvGA96)

If you're looking for a plot with high stakes and deep complexity, look elsewhere. But if you're in the mood for a story that is simply adorable and sweet, Yankee & Carameliser is a delightful treat! The plot is admittedly thin, but it serves perfectly as a backdrop for the truly engaging main characters. This manga shines brightest thanks to its central duo: The Yankee with a Secret: Our first protagonist is a "yankee" (the Japanese term for a high school student with a bad-boy aesthetic: bleached hair, piercings, and a rebellious attitude). Yet, underneath the tough exterior is a boy who has always loved "pretty things"—and he's a talented, self-taught pastry chef. The Sweet Vlogger: Our second lead is a perfectly average high school student who happens to be a video blogging enthusiast with a serious sweet tooth. The story truly clicks when the vlogger discovers the yankee's incredible culinary secret. He basically "forces" the yankee into the spotlight, turning him into an internet sensation by filming his at-home baking videos. Beyond the initial setup, there isn't much more to the story than the slow, charming transition from schoolmates to boyfriends. Their relationship develops with moments that are smooth, sweet, and tender—truly living up to the sugary promise of its title. This is a quiet, comfortable read that unfolds gently, just like a perfect piece of caramel cake. It's the ideal recommendation for fans who love lighthearted, pure-fluff boy-meets-boy romance.