Novel - Better Than a Dream
Author: Raica Sakuragi
Illustrator: Katsumi Asanami
ISBN-13: 978-1-56970-734-0
Publisher: Juné Manga
English Translator: Kelly Quine
Comments:
Well, I can't say this book inspired me to read it very much. This book too me almost two weeks to read because I couldn't bring myself to open it and just simply read. Why? It was very dull. It only got interesting around the seventh chapter and this book only has ten chapters. There were a number of times in this book that simply left me confused as well. One minute, they were talking about the dead boyfriend, and next thing I knew, they started using the seme's name instead. I also felt as though, although a lot is known about Yuuki, the uke, you barely get to know anything about Kamishiro, the seme, until about chapter seven or eight. Up to that point, the uke's best friend, Shin, seemed to play a bigger role in the story than Kamishiro did. Sadly, this story seemed to also contain too much sex and not enough details on the plot and story development.
Summary
Late one evening, Yuuki, owner of the Fuuka cafe, is notified that his boyfriend, Tsukada, died in an avalanche during one of his expeditions with a tourist group. Yuuki closes his heart off, afraid to move forward but too hurt to continue living in the past. His long time friend, Shin, slowly helps heal the wounds left behind by Tsukada's death. Approximately one year after Tsukada's death though, a stranger walks into Fuuka and convinces Yuuki to hire him. Kamishiro is a professional chef with quite the resume, so why is he willing to settle for four hours a day at minimum wage? Perhaps there's more to this chef than his kitchen skills, enough to melt the frozen heart of Yuuki's.
Story Snippet
Snippet from Chapter 4 on Pages 94-96 (Page 95 is an Image)
Yuki thought he must be wondering why he was fondling his own chest, but Kamishiro was looking at Yuuki's throat.
"Hey!" Kamishiro said suddenly, stepping into the bathroom. Yuuki shrank bac, but he had no place to hide.
"What is this? Was it him?"
"It's...nothing."
For such a big guy, Kamishiro moved with remarkable dexterity. Yuuki shivered as Kamishiro touched the back of his neck.
"Is this a hickey?" Kamishiro asked, sounding confused.
His fingers gently stroked the surrounding area. A sensual heat began to bloom in Yuuki's body and not just because he was feeling stressed-out.
"You're bleeding!" Kamishirou gasped.
He pushed away Yuuki's hand and touched his nipple. Yuuki didn't think he was that hurt, but hearing about blood only amplified the pain.
"You're freezing. Get yourself into a hot bath. When you get out, I'll tend to your wounds," Kamishiro said firmly.
"I'm okay."
"You're not okay!" Kamishiro snapped. Yuuki swallowed hard.
The glint in Kamishiro's eyes and the way Kamishiro touched him were both frightening, yet Yuuki had a sudden desire to leap into his arms.
Illustration Samples
Disclaimer
Intoxicated Designs was created and is maintained by Megori as of July 2007. All game, animanga and doujinshi art belongs rightfully to their respective artists. Please be respectful and refrain from reproducing/duplicating the content here. Intoxicated Designs is part of the Zabimaru Network.
Intoxicated Designs Fourth Induldge features Hiroki Kamijou and Nowaki Kusama of the series Junjou Romantica by Shungiku Nakamura. Current layout credits include Shungiku Nakamura, MiniTokyo, Angryblue.com and Moargh.de.