Stranger Than Friends

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When I started to read Stranger Than Friends (STF) it was just a surface level and generic BL. It was the classic trope of childhood friends to lovers. As I continued to read, however, things took an insane twist. To avoid spoilers, I won't put much detail, but what I will say is this: Not only was there a genuinely shocking twist, but there was also real-life commentary about closeted queers and marriage culture in Korea. I was so shocked I think I actually screamed. Shitty sex aside, the plot is actually crazy when you get to that point. The side story is also pretty ... good, but definitely holds nothing to the commentary that's just hidden in the middle of a random yaoi. It's pretty great, though if you're not a fan of this sort of genre in the first place I wouldn't recommend it (Coming from someone who mostly just skips the smut).

A common theme, childhood friends to lovers, and has some genuinely funny moments so far. But somewhat like the type of yaoi I avoid, there is the frustrating and honestly stupid imo, "I hate this! You're/I'm a perv or jerk for liking this... PLEASE do it some more!" We know it's fiction, but it should be believable, and the sex scenes aren't. I'm an actual gay guy. Despite the clean, good looking art, I would not continue reading this except other reviewers thankfully shared there's at least a significant twist to look forward to. Otherwise, I would drop it 100%.

I'm tired and disappointed by the ... "book" knowledge of male anatomy, but not how actual sex between guys works, yet they keep cranking out chapters that also have homophobic content....but it's still labelled BL. Yes, calling someone a pervert or jerk because they are gay is homophobic. Sure, a character might be homophobic, this is believable and what we face in life, but making it a repetitive part of the dialogue isn't okay, in my opinion. And there's pages and pages of the same. The characters are coming off as quite shallow so far.

(Note: I mention Your Wish is My Command because I read that one first, then I heard there's a part that's similar or like you can see them in the background at some parts so then I read Stranger Than Friends.)

I liked Stranger Than Friends but the side/other couple (the relationship happening between like the side characters? they had like a part focusing on them so it's like the other main though) was kind of very dubious (..I feel like I'm sugarcoating this but also I binged a part of this and then I forgot what happened after I stopped for a few days 💀) ... for awhile which is oh... I think both of their designs are very pretty though (also main couple reminds me of the designs of Your Wish is My Command). Maybe Your Wish is My Command kinda ruined how I rated things but like I just kept thinking, at least it's just stolen kisses and not actual intercourse without the other party's consent or their awareness on what was being done to them??? Cause that was WILD to see in Your Wish is My Command. But anyway most of the sexy times are consensual, and there's like this one guy who wants to be with someone from the main couple and gropes him while he's drunk but didn't go any further cause he was called by the wrong name (making it clear that the drunk protag was only reciprocating because he was of the idea that it was his partner) so that's kind of it. I think there's a line that implied that he would've wanted to non-con protagonist (or that he's done it before? I don't know I forgot, but like to break him and see how he reacts but decided not to cause he'd never see him smile again if he did) but nothing actually comes out of it and he hires probably I think a sex worker that looks like protagonist. He's not happy but also he's kind of an asshole who intentionally hit protagonist's mom with his car to get her in the hospital. Like. WHAT.??? Like I don't know man I thought he was pretty but he's kind of a dick and I'm so glad nothing actually happened between them- Well. He did kiss protag and choked him so he couldn't stop it (also that guy is his BOSS so it's like protag can't just punch him off!?!?!?) but UH that's it.

All in all it was an enjoyable read and while main couple is kind of unhealthily dependent on each other they're both happy and not traumatized (well kind of, one had this guilt for thinking that he's the reason protag's mom left, but also kids are unfiltered, and also he literally just made her realize that she was gay for her best friend who is married, so protag's mom couldn't take being in an unhealthy [and probably implied non-con because it was an arranged marriage] relationship and left. which isn't his fault because it doesn't make it not true and that she would've realized sooner or later. He was also terrified of seeming weird or not normal because he was very possessive as a kid and the protag also as a kid called him weird (after he said that protag was his or something) and that stuck with him his whole life so uh. poor guy.) but so like they don't do something really shitty to each other. Don't get me wrong there are some problems but they talk it out and get together for good.

..I think this is very biased since Your Wish is My Command was kinda a toxic trainwreck and so in comparison this is significantly healthier, so I can kind of skip over any issues I might have. But uh, yeah.