I think the best way to summarize this series is "refreshing." This won't blow your mind and it doesn't have crazy drama, but it's so cute and unique that reading this gives you the same feeling you get after watching your favorite romcom.

The main character, Shibata, a 30-year virgin who is also a doormat, is a lot better than she sounds. Even though she can make stupid decisions, she's not stupid per se, and it's almost endearing at times, like a puppy. Plus, it's hard not to relate to her extreme willingness to avoid confrontation. Moreover, even though she's a doormat, she isn't the standard weak romance protagonist; there are a lot of times she gives into puppy-dog eyes, but on the whole, she's a lively and argumentative protagonist. As well as that, she's always aware when she makes stupid decisions, and never writes off being taken advantage of to "he did it because he loves me," which is definitely refreshing for this genre. So, of course she's flawed, but she's flawed well, in the way that makes you feel "I'm not mad, I'm disappointed" when she messes up instead of "this fucking idiot."

Her love interest is her demon ex-boss, Kurosawa, who is nothing like you expect, especially in a romance manga with a boss-employee element. Even though he's rough around the edges, he's undeniably and uncommonly kind; tsundere in the truest sense of the word, not the shoujo manga borderline abusive "why hasn't she broken up with him yet" kind of tsundere.

My favorite thing about this manga is that you can feel them go from "weird ex-coworker situation" to "genuine friends" to "falling in love," and it's incredibly cute to watch. Being real, I found myself whispering "holy fuck, I can't believe love is real" to myself way too much when I read this. But they start to care about each other so quietly and organically; even though they banter and call each other names in every conversation, it's the kind of banter between best friends, between sibilings, between married couples, between two people who clearly care about each other a lot, and it is so pure. Watching them go to huge lengths and get passionate about helping each other with their problems for all the "four-eyed perv"s and insults written on omelettes was sweet enough to give me cavities.

And it's cute how it is about both of them falling in love. There aren't any arcs that are stupid or overdramatic or get too dragged out, and even though it's about a girl who's been treated badly, the optimistic and almost naive-feeling tone this manga warms my heart. When Kurosawa's girlfriend of eight years shows up and makes a scene, it turns out that she's just an overemotional, spunky girl who's doing her best. When Kurosawa's longtime love is introduced, we find out she's a really kind and friendly girl - exactly why he fell in love with her. Every time you think dumb, over-exaggerated, and overplayed drama is going to rear its ugly head, it's avoided completely and the situation is handled in the most uniquely refreshing way.

So maybe it's not mindblowing and you won't be preaching to all your friends about how this manga changed your life, but it's definitely well done. As someone who's read more romance manga than I can count, this is one of my favorite of the genre and something I'll reread on rainy days. If anything, give it a try.