Dogs and Punching Bags

This is a quick and heartwarming read with some heavier moments that might make you tear up a bit here and there. There is definitely a more mature, nuanced take on the shōjo genre.

The characters are unique, have their individual quirks, and come together in interesting mixtures of personalities. Although this is a standalone serial, the characters are fleshed-out and complete, and I really felt like they all grow, change, and find redemption as the story progresses. I felt very comfortable with this non-toxic, beautiful love story (that may have had me alternating from giggling and kicking my feet to tearing up and back again).

To an extent, this was as much a roller coaster ride of emotions for me as it was for the characters. But it definitely comes together to be a rather fulfilling and interesting slice-of-life manga for a mature, thoughtful reader.

This was a great read. I loved the interaction between the leads and how their relationship grew over time. There were some weird moments, but they didn't ruin the overall reading experience. I loved the arc and how the story progressed from start to finish. It felt like a good feel-good movie.

Overall, highly recommended by me. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced review copy.