This is a mature drama which develops slowly but in a way which is more expressive than the spoon-fed drama of many shoujo titles. There are few of the exciting but common tropes: no roller coaster ride between times of passion and complete misunderstanding, no love triangles, no burning sexual tension. Instead you have a kind young girl who as a result of growing up in an orphanage and her own nature is a born caretaker of children, who forms a familial bond with two toddlers and their father... which over time becomes a realization of love. A love story where the "family" bonds form before the romantic ones. Its told gently, the art is good as is the writing. It's only fault may be that it lacks the passion and action younger readers may need. But I think that's a nice change from the tendency of most shoujo to dwell on acute pain rather than it's healing. I see other comments mention "fruits basket" and the phrase "good for the soul." Those are apt comparisons.

People have problems with the manga's 'slowness' but I really enjoy how the focus isn't just on romance. Sure, the kids are perhaps unrealistically easy to manage but nevertheless the manga is very well done. Shiharu develops as a character and there are secondary characters you actually care about. It makes a refreshing change from the standard shoujo in that it doesn't depict women as constantly at each other's throats. Also, Matsunaga is not just a cardboard cut-out bishie and experiences reservations about being attracted to a girl so many years his junior, as you would expect in real life circumstances. Recommended for sweetness and escapism.

Plus: the main character is very much her own person: she has a goal, is never made out to be overly attractive or unattractive, kind and gentle rather than a "genki-girl" type, and yearns for family rather than love (the romance is very slow). The male lead is likeable and is introduced as a realistic (for a shoujo manga) attractive man (he's tired when he gets home from, he has family issues but its not something angsty its something that has shaped some of his decisions and choices in life just as it has his brother). And lastly the twins: basically what will keep you smiling every chapter. Also their outfits are to die for like are you for real. (move over gossip girl)

The meh (nothing too negative): The romance is slow. And while this isn't really a problem the attraction is (towards the end of the series) slightly stop and go. The pace is off because of the main plot (the twins).

Its still really good though. If you're expecting a heart throbbing romance you're out of luck but that much is pretty clear right from the get go. Thats not the main appeal of this type of manga anyway. Its been a little while since I read a chapter but this manga's one of the good ones.

However I must add that when it comes to babysitter type mangas I do prefer Gakuen Babysitter to this, but only by a tiny margin. Love so Life has a solid romance, while in GB its more a comedic thing, but GB is cuter and has more babies.

... Last updated on July 8th, 2015, 5:16pm

I really enjoy reading this manga and I have read it twice thought it's not complete yet , so sweet and makes me relaxed. I really love characters and their relationship. Waiting for next chapter every time I finish current chapter and I really want to see thair love blooms. I think it is one the best Shoujo manga ever.

It may be an exaggeration, but this manga truly fits into the slice-of-life genre without the depressing angst and soap opera-like plot twists. My favorite parts of this series is the natural development of events, where things don't happen just because there is a "chance" or "opportunity" to develop the plot. Like chapter 35: totally expecting some lovey-dovey moment, but in one page the author dispelled all hopes of THAT particular scene... Also, I can see the characters as real people. Matsunaga, for instance, is attractive and handsome but he has his shortcomings and bad points as well. Maybe because I'm closer to his age I feel a lot of empathy when it comes to him. Shiharu makes a great heroine, but she also has her strengths and weaknesses as a person. And Rio is amazing. Basically, this would make not only a great anime, but a great live action... if somebody could cast two-year-old twins.

Guys... why so harsh ? It makes it seems like you've only read it for the romance... I think you've missed the main point of this serie.

Let's be honest : what kind of fool only read shoujo/josei for the romance ? Are you telling me you've never read Natsume Yuujinchou or Sakamichi no Apollon ? Or if you have, you didn't enjoy them ?? Are you kidding me ??

When I read shoujo and josei, especially when it's a slice of life, I don't expect romance. I expect heartwarming stories.
I love witnessing characters' growth thanks to love and friendship but the thing I find the most interesting is how easily those kind of mangas can make you feel something. There isn't any explosions, war, overpowered enemies who need to be defeated... it's just life. Sweet life.
And it's amazing how such simple stories can get you so emotional, and make you feel so warm inside.

Does Love So Life manage to do that ? Absolutely !!
The twins are such adorable creatures, the drawings are so simple yet so beautiful, and the characters are all so sweet... I don't know how many "Awwww~" moments I had.
It's true the ending felt a bit rushed but anyway it doesn't mean the romance was bad. I really enjoyed their fluffy relationship. It wasn't boring in the least. It was so pure, so innnocent... Moreover, I really appreciated the fact that it was slow-paced. That way, the characters really grew on me.
But what I liked the most in this manga were all the characters' interactions. Everyone was so kind and endearing I couldn't dislike anyone. The story was so peaceful and cute, I feel like I've cleansed my poor fujoshi's soul...

Ahem. Anyway it really is a wonderful manga. It's a must read imo, especially if you're a fluff lover like me.
So don't pass it up ! I promise you it worths your time (the guys who wrote harsh reviews were just frustrated because they needed more )

... Last updated on March 20th, 2017, 2:26pm

I don't think this mangaka has kids or has even dealt with them for an extended period of time in her life. Her portrayal of how children behave is far too simplistic, and the kids are too well-behaved for toddlers. I understand that it's to make her seem like "the perfect babysitter" who never gets frustrated, but I would love for one of the kids to throw a huge tantrum and have her deal with some real problems for once, like *gasp* not knowing what to do, or having to actually punish them.
Also, the romance is so slow--

I like slow romance, but this is just too much.
I'll still keep following it though, because I have no life and I want to know how it turns out at the end. The art is cute too.

This manga is so cute! I usually don't like manga that focuses on little kids but this one is just adorable. The main character is strong and funny. The twins are so cute that they make me wish i could be their babysitter and their uncle is very huggable. The storyline is cute and easy to follow and i don't hate any of the characters. This is a great manga and i can't wait to see what will happen!

Heartwarming and nice, I see several possible obstacles for the romance part of it, but it doesn't seem like it will be too gloomy since the twins will defeat any gloom within one page of it occuring. a nice read for anyone that like reading about families

I rarely give comments to the manga, but this one very nice and cute. u won't be able to stand with the cuteness of the twins the art oso very nice and i like the girl main characters. she's not winny type but independent and not self concious. The news anchor guy oso very handsome en polite..like it. Can't wait to the new chapter