Initially, in this comment, I weighed in on the vigorous debate down at the bottom. However, rather than get pulled into an unwanted debate for a story I'd like to still enjoy, I'd rather leave a review.
Despite this being a josei aimed at women, this has quirky vibes reminiscent of old fashioned shoujo. This is a refreshing and lighthearted story that I did not think I would enjoy as much as I did.
The setting of this book seems very much a shoujo one and the art style further adds to it, giving it that charming old fashioned shoujo vibe, but there's a certain degree maturity in the way topics like trauma are dealt with. It has a certain deftness that makes it suitable for josei.
The main character, Ripley, does give off
some Bakarina vibes, but the emotional depth given to her grounds her character in a way I rarely see in stories of this genre. Usually, you don't see their emotional issues from their former lives brought up in such a sympathetic and mature way.
She is warm hearted, silly, and a little immature, but she's also someone who thinks of others. In short, if you want a more perfect heroine with lots of resources and who tried to approach her problems strategically, then you won't find it here. Ripley is in some ways, a traditional protagonist. She is forgiving, good hearted, and stands up for herself and others when she has to. This is a heroine that tries to think of others.
The original male lead is exactly as advertised. He is cold hearted and seems to lack a certain degree of common sense when it comes to human relations. He is certainly as emotionally stunted as portrayed and as expected, it's due to his past. However, he is not without a heart and we see his genuine warmth come to the surface when it comes to the main character. The difference between the warmth of his feelings for Ripley and his usual self made this experienced reader's heart skip a beat.
The original protagonist is also not a bitch in sheep's clothing like you are used to seeing in books with this premise. In reality, she is a good hearted and modest girl, exactly as advertised. She is a supportive friend...and also more suited for the second male lead, who is a warm hearted, caring, and handsome man that volunteers at the local orphanage. The main character even comments on the second male lead syndrome she got when she read the book.
For me, reading this feels like a fun romp through a childhood storybook. It's mostly lighthearted, humorous, and sympathetic to others, but has some depth to it. Since I've experienced severe traumas countless times in my life and all the severe consequences that came with it, it is very nice to read a story where the world is forgiving of your mistakes. As of the 27th chapter, definitely recommend.
