The manga started so good I forced myself to read the novel, something I've never done.
And, to be honest, the story is going pretty good. The pacing is good, the character development is solid, the narrative doesn't feel overly contrived. The series can feel a bit generic, but the wholesome aspect that the series has developed right now makes it unique and interesting.
In a time where most promising mangas end up with clichéd fanservice-ish harem or(and) pedo/incest fantasies that japanese mangakas seem to fall head-over-heels to, this feels like a breath of fresh air.