There Are Things I Can’t Tell You is a boy love manga about childhood friends Kasumi and Kyousuke as they navigate adulthood and their complicated feelings towards each other.
I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
First things first, this is a mature manga with explicit content in it. So if that is not something you want to read, this is not for you.
The story is really good and these characters feel like real people. Kasumi and Kyousuke as characters are developed really well and they are both complex and multifaceted which is awesome. They are polar opposites that fit together and you can’t help but cheer for them. The highlight of this manga is the character development.
The plot is also really well done with twists and turns I definitely was not expecting. This isn’t a simple happily ever after story, and that makes it more realistic and interesting to read. I was visibly reacting to this manga as I read it, cheering the good things and being shocked by the unexpected. I would have enjoyed this as a longer series because the plot and characters are that good.
I am not a member of the LGBT community, so I don’t 100% know what the experience of being gay is like. I did appreciate that this manga explored the complex nature of being gay in our current world where it is considered taboo and “wrong” by many. This is a driving theme of the story and it is interesting how these characters approach and overcome this.
Overall, if you enjoy LGBT love stories, particularly boy love, and want complex characters and an unexpected plot you will enjoy There Are Things I Can’t Tell You. Again, however, it is a mature manga with sexual themes so keep that in mind before reading.
Have you ever read manga? Share your favorites in the comment below.
I love this- I keep meaning to get into manga so I’ll put it on the list 🙂