Review of 'She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat, Vol. 3' on 'Storygraph'
5 stars
It starts off right where volume 2 ended: on the balcony.
But takes a bit off a quicker pace, compared to the last two volumes, and leaves me with more mixed feelings than before. Still 5 stars, but there were some heavier themes here. As much as I appreciate the author for speaking up for these things, I did prefer the lighthearted vibe from the other volumes.
Not too bad though.
When I first read in the blurb that there will be 2 new characters joining their circle... tbh, I wasn't too excited about it. Even though there were time-skips in the previous volumes and it's safe to say they've known each other for a few months, it hasn't been that long for me (it actually has, since I started it in April, but it doesn't feel that long).
I want more of the two alone. I found it's a …
But takes a bit off a quicker pace, compared to the last two volumes, and leaves me with more mixed feelings than before. Still 5 stars, but there were some heavier themes here. As much as I appreciate the author for speaking up for these things, I did prefer the lighthearted vibe from the other volumes.
Not too bad though.
When I first read in the blurb that there will be 2 new characters joining their circle... tbh, I wasn't too excited about it. Even though there were time-skips in the previous volumes and it's safe to say they've known each other for a few months, it hasn't been that long for me (it actually has, since I started it in April, but it doesn't feel that long).
I want more of the two alone. I found it's a bit too soon for new friends to join the circle, even if they might not be love rivals or anything.
In the end though... it wasn't too bad. They did help them out after all, and, even though their friendship blossomed way quicker than Kasuga's & Nomoto's, they do have platonic chemistry and it works.
And – aaah, I loved the chapter where they talked about the aro-/ace-spectrum but also the spectrum of gay/lesbian!
"Just as aromantic and asexual folks have a spectrum, there's a wide range of lesbians too."
"As if being gay is solely about what is going down in the bedroom!"
Talking about spectrums, I gotta admit, I love the author for having diverse characters on the "food-spectrum". It is a Manga about food, after all, but at first you'd might not be expecting a wide range like that.
For example, Nomoto loves cooking, but she doesn't eat much herself. Kasuga loves eating, is plus-sized and a positive portrayal of a not-much-represented-body-type for women (sadly). Then, the new character has deipnophobia. And the other new character loves eating, although is the same body type as Nomoto, but doesn't like cooking and is basically married to a microwave.
Really love the diversity and different representations!
And I really really loved that cookie cutter reference from volume 2! Such a nice continuation from that message!! <3
It really is the little things, damn... when they made plans for Valentine's day, I felt like a teenager watching people kiss on tv for the first time (blushing and giggling uncontrollably) ... When Kasuga brushed Nomoto's cheek, I almost lost it! I feel like I'm way more nervous (in a good way) than Nomoto and Kasuga together, lol, but I just can't help it! The author's way too good at this slow-burn!!
~
Gosh, I really hate Kasuga's father, though. I mean, I already hated him in her flashbacks from the other volumes, but this... is too much.
I appreciate the author for bringing it up (although it's not a new trope), but... ugh. I just hate him personally. Why do people like him never get some karma? They deserve it the most.
A difficult chapter.
But the ending of that chapter was all the more worth it... <3
- 17.11.2023
