A review by ellelainey
Cherry Blossoms After Winter: Volume 1 by Bamwoo

emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was such a super cute story! The art is GORGEOUS! After seeing all the variant covers, this is one of those books where I'd want EVERY cover design!

Haebom lost his parents as a young kid, so their best friend took him in. Only, her son Taesung didn't want him to live with them.

There are some flashbacks to when they were little - cute, adorable munchkins who were drawn so friggin cute! - which shows some ambiguous wording taken out of context, they way kids can do when they're already nervous or upset.

Now he's a senior, Haebom is shocked when Taesung ends up in his class for the first time. Haebom feels like a burden on the family, so he doesn't want anyone - especially Taesung - to find out about the other kids who have been bullying him.

Taesung is popular and no one knows that they live together. They both believe the other one hates them, so they haven't been close since they took Haebom in years ago. Now they're in the same class, Taesung sees the bullying and tries to help.

I loved how blank, stern but composed Taesung is. He's quite unemotional at times, but Haebom brings out those emotions the way no one else can.

I'm SO looking forward to the next volume!

Bullying, Forbidden romance, Non-related brothers (?), Enemies to lovers, Grumpy / sunshine