"Dreaming' Sun" by Ichigo Takano

OVERVIEW:

Shimana Kameko lives in a home where she feels she doesn’t belong. Her mother is dead, her father has remarried, and her six-month-old baby brother takes up everyone’s attention. Kameko skips school and runs away to a nearby park, where she literally stumbles over a mysterious man in a kimono. The stranger, Fujiwara Taiga, offers Kameko a place to stay—on three conditions. The first condition is that Kameko tells him why she ran away from home. The second is that she fetches the stranger’s lost apartment key (he is locked out!). The third condition is…to have a dream. Kameko meets the conditions, moves in, and begins a journey of romance and self-discovery.

REVIEW:

This cute, quirky story will have you laughing out loud as you follow Kameko through her journey of self-discovery, friendship, and self-confidence. While the undertones are romantic in nature, the overarching emphasis is placed on comedy with awkward and realistic situations that almost everyone can relate to at one point in their life.

There are points where the main character's inner dialogue goes on for a little longer than necessary, and the art style is a traditional shojo style; however, it's a fun journey with a relatable teen who really wants to be loved and accepted for who they are despite their rough luck.

INTERESTING FACT:

Ichigo Takano is also the creator and author of New York Times bestseller Orange and has written several books:

• START

• Ookami Shounen

• Itoshi Kingyo

• Shooting Star

• Bambi no Tegami

• Dreamin' Sun

• Orange

• Orange – (light novel)

• ReCollection

• Kimi ni Nare