A Love So Beautiful

Television and novels label us boys and girls who are friends, and live awfully close together since young as “childhood sweethearts”, moreover, they generally divide it into two categories: One, the “in love with each other” type. Two people who are close together like siblings, poking honeycombs and getting stung by bees together, stealing sweet potatoes and getting beaten together. By the time the two would look back, only then would they realize that the friendship from long ago has slowly blossomed into love. The other one is the “sees and hates each other” type. Two people who opposes the other with equal intensity, already itching to rush ahead to bite the other when spotted from a distance. When they get the chance, they’d pull the tire valve of each other’s bikes. But later on, when the two would grow up, they would suddenly realize — ah! this is true love. Unfortunately, Jiang Chen and I are neither of the above mentioned. In a very long time, me and him were simply just neighbors who live across each other. Him playing his piano daily, me watching Chibi Maruko-chan with gusto. Occasionally, when I forget the content in our homework, I would press the doorbell of their house. He would always mock me, and impatiently ask why I didn’t remember. Probably, because I’m seeking out a favor, so I never bickered with him. Of course, it might also be because I don’t like to argue with people since young. I’m someone calm and collected, a little bit extraordinarily.

Original Publisher

jiangsu phoenix art publishing house

Original Language

chinese

Type

Published Novel

## My Thoughts on A Love So Beautiful "A Love So Beautiful" promised a light and fluffy romance, and for the most part, it delivered. I dove into this novel expecting a sweet story of rekindled love, and I wasn't entirely disappointed. It's a quick, easy read, perfect for when you want something undemanding and heartwarming. ### First Impressions Initially, I was charmed by the female lead, Chen Xiaoxi. Her quirky inner monologues and "girl next door" personality made her instantly relatable. Her shamelessness and self-deprecating humor were definitely highlights. I also appreciated the setup of exes finding their way back to each other after youthful pride got in the way. This premise had a lot of potential for both humor and heart. ### What Works Well The humor is definitely a strong point. Chen Xiaoxi's antics had me chuckling, and the novel excels at portraying the awkwardness of first love and the sweetness of a developing relationship. Many readers praised the translation quality, and I agree – it's well-written and easy to follow. I found myself invested in seeing how Jiang Chen and Chen Xiaoxi would navigate their feelings and overcome their past. I also enjoyed the side stories that delved into Jiang Chen's perspective, offering a deeper understanding of his character. The lack of heavy drama and excessive misunderstandings was a welcome change from some of the more angsty romance novels I've read. ### Areas of Concern While I enjoyed many aspects of the story, I did have some reservations about the male lead, Jiang Chen. Some readers felt his behavior bordered on manipulative, and I can see where they're coming from. At times, his coldness felt less like aloofness and more like indifference. The power dynamic between him and Chen Xiaoxi was also a bit unsettling. Some found his expectations of her after their reconciliation, such as expecting her to do his laundry, off-putting and suggestive of a servant-like relationship rather than a partnership. ### Final Verdict "A Love So Beautiful" is a mixed bag. While the humor and fluffy romance are appealing, the problematic aspects of the male lead's character and the uneven power dynamic in the relationship are worth considering. If you're looking for a lighthearted, easy read and can overlook some of the less savory elements, you might enjoy this novel. However, if you're sensitive to potentially manipulative characters or unequal relationships, you might want to proceed with caution.