I've probably read this manga over 10 times already. I always come back to it when I'm in need of some feels. If you enjoy mangas that give you an occasional heart squeeze, be it of pain or "awww", then go read it, this is my fav shoujo!

As for the review (no spoilers): what I like the most about Ao Haru Ride is the characters. They don't suffer from excessive bashfulness or embarrassment, like most shoujo characters. They all show their true feelings sooner or later and are very direct and honest with each other. That's something rare and that is sometimes used as plot device for romance. Not in this manga. The point in Ao Haru Ride is not to show girls being timid around boys, or boys having alpha-male complexes around girls. These characters and their teenage struggles are very real for a shoujo.

(names and relationships mentioned here)

I don't particularly love Futaba (seems kind of bland) but I can relate to her. I love Kou as he is. I love how his eyes reveal all his emotions and thoughts, even when he's being an ass. I like the rivals (well, it is a shoujo were you expecting none?). Both of them are real characters, especially Touma. You can see him developing feelings, is not just random infatuation because of plot reasons. Though he gets kind of pushy, but, again, he's too real. You can totally see it happening in real life.

What I also love but find somewhat exausting is that all the characters try their best all.the.time.

A negative point for me would be the lack of display of their personal preferences, hobbies, dreams,... But that's not the scope there. There's too much going on in the manga x)

Don't fool yourself, this IS a romantic shoujo. Be prepared for the feels. Enjoy the ride!