Lightning and Romance // needs more plot

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Lightning and Romance, Vol. 1 by Rin Mikimoto
Series: Lightning and Romance #1
Published by Kodansha on 1 February, 2022
Genre: Graphic novels, Josei, Manga, Romance
# pages: 188
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
Rating: ★★★

Sumire wants to experience romance... but will she get the chance, when her new seat-mate is a 20-year-old with swirling rumors surrounding him?

• What did I just read?
• The romance in this manga is rigid. The female lead is bland and robotic, feeling a lot more like a list of check boxes than someone with substance. She lacks a personality and is more just about the guy.
• There are too many unanswered questions that would have helped to flesh out the story a bit and build the world. Why does she have a curfew? What exactly is her past? Because it would have helped paint a better picture of her love interest’s potential history as well.
• The romance feels like it exists solely because she’s a girl and he’s a guy, without any other context.
• Context really needs to be worked on.
• I’m interested to see what development the second volume holds.

This post will be updated with reviews of future volumes, as I explained would be my process for Falling Drowning.