I had just about given up on the June line of novelettes after being, quite frankly, scared by the first one I tried to read and just not really liking the second. However, this one has redeemed my opinion that these can be understandable and enjoyable.

In this book we get what seems to be the popular "businessmen fall in love" type tale which seems prevalent in Japanese BL/yaoi stories. Katsuya has always had strong and fond memories of his fourth grade summer when he met another boy named Kizuki. That summer turned the boys into true and fast friends, a friendship that lasted through correspondence for the next 12 years. In addition to Kizuki that summer had also introduced Katsuya to his friend's older brother Shio, who unknowingly captured the young boy’s heart and never let go. Now, all these years later Katsuya has left his beloved country home to join a new company in Tokyo that Shio has an interest in, not even sure that he will see Shio or be remembered if they do see each other. However, as luck would have it, the company's president arranges for Katsuya to have housing with the reluctant Shio. Shio is as beautiful as he remembers, but neither wants or needs a roommate or a companion. For his part Shio tries to remain aloof from his new roommate but Katsuya's earnest personality, not to mention his culinary skills, soon have Shio seeing him in a different light. But, when Shio's youngest brother arrives on a scene it could serve to send a wedge between the two young men that could end their growing friendship almost before it is realized.

Despite what seems like a slightly rough translation in some places I really enjoyed reading about the growing relationship between these two very likable young men. I also find the cultural differences in how the company and employee personalities are from what you would usually see in an American business very interesting. The formalities and such are all so different from what I'm used to. Basically the story was all about the progression of the relationship between Katsuya and Shio with the snafu of Takamasa thrown in for conflict and was pretty innocent up until the last chapter or so, when it got pretty graphic. Overall this was a nice romance that I really enjoyed. ( )

Sweet Admiration by Yuuki Kousaka is a nice novel about businessmen falling in love, kind of similar to The Man Who Doesn't Take Off His Clothes. Except in this one, Katsuya and Shio already know each other from the past.

Katsuya and Kazuki were childhood friends who spent one crazy summer together, but became so close that they always kept in touch. Kazuki has a brother named Shio who is so beautiful that Katsuya's been in love all these years. When he hears that the company Shio works at in Tokyo is hiring, Katsuya jumps at the opportunity to get to know Shio better. But when they end up rooming together Katsuya finds out Shio has changed.

Shio's not the gentle brother who picks up Kazuki and Katsuya every day after playing outside. He's hostile about the living situation and doesn't seem to want Katsuya around. But no worries! Katsuya wins him over with his superb culinary skills and engaging dinner talk.

This novel was pretty short, pretty sweet. Shio is an icicle (we find out why), so Katsuya doesn't give up and works at it to make sure there's a friendly environment in their home. Eventually, Shio starts warming up to Katsuya and they find many things to talk about. Tension comes in the form of Shio's half-brother Takamasa.

That part of the storyline was a little predictable. I've always thought that the endings of romance books were generally predictable, but I'd like the events in the middle to be mixed up a bit. As soon as Takamasa started clinging to Shio, I knew right away how the rest of the book would go. I still enjoyed reading it though because it was everything a short story should be. It moved right along, with no side plots or anything else.

I loved Midori Shena's art style and I hope I see some works from her in the future. Her style was just right for the story.

Sweet Admiration is perfect for a short read and one to keep on the shelf for Sheena's beautiful artwork. ( )

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