Embracing Love Book 3

Pouty boys kiss, fight and have makeup sex in this collection of short stories about a growing relationship. After finally admitting their love for each other, Iwaki and Katou have been having lots of sex. Iwaki wants a break from the physical strain, which puts Katou into a rejected huff. A simple misunderstanding of how Iwaki wants to spend his day off—relaxing or making out like bunnies—becomes significant drama, the better to attract the soap opera–loving female readers this type of story is aimed at. After overheated posturing and labored symbolism—inviting his sex partner into his room acknowledges Iwaki's opening his heart—come the explicit sex scenes, with penetration and visible erections. Although Katou is jealous of Iwaki's business meetings with other men, demanding reassurance when the two are together in bed, they plan to move in together. The boys are supposed to be attractive, working as models, but depending on the panel, they're either very pretty or their heads seem too small for their bodies. Yaoi manga is an acquired taste, but this series makes a good starting point, since it emphasizes love instead of forced sex. (Feb.)