Ruff Love (Yaoi) (Deux) (Paperback)

~ Tamaki Kirishima (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

If you like stories featuring a human guy who meets an animal hybrid, you'll love Ruff Love by Tamaki Kirishima.

I'm usually weary of this type of plot, but I have to admit Ruff Love grew on me. The story is simple. Taketora is a writer (not very good one) who has never been in love. His writing lacks the emotional appeal because he's doesn't express his own emotions. To make money he works at his uncle's restaurant.

One night he comes home and finds Shiba, the once-beloved dog of Taketora's grandfather, in his backyard. Shiba has come back as a human of sorts - he still has his cute dog ears and tail. All he wants is to repay the grandfather's kindness by giving his affection and appreciation on to Taketora. Well, that's all fine and good, but he's 'kinda' clumsy! Not a good cook, can't clean the house, what can he do? Let's just say it involves the bedroom.

The story picks up when Akatsuki shows up - a big, black human/dog. Not only is he scary, but he's loud mouthed and grouchy, and the perfect comic foil to Shiba and Taketora.

If you like a cuddly cute uke, cuddling up to the stoic moody seme, you'll enjoy Ruff Love. --Yaoi Rose

If you like stories featuring a human guy who meets an animal hybrid, you'll love Ruff Love by Tamaki Kirishima.

I'm usually weary of this type of plot, but I have to admit Ruff Love grew on me. The story is simple. Taketora is a writer (not very good one) who has never been in love. His writing lacks the emotional appeal because he's doesn't express his own emotions. To make money he works at his uncle's restaurant.

One night he comes home and finds Shiba, the once-beloved dog of Taketora's grandfather, in his backyard. Shiba has come back as a human of sorts - he still has his cute dog ears and tail. All he wants is to repay the grandfather's kindness by giving his affection and appreciation on to Taketora. Well, that's all fine and good, but he's 'kinda' clumsy! Not a good cook, can't clean the house, what can he do? Let's just say it involves the bedroom.

The story picks up when Akatsuki shows up - a big, black human/dog. Not only is he scary, but he's loud mouthed and grouchy, and the perfect comic foil to Shiba and Taketora.

If you like a cuddly cute uke, cuddling up to the stoic moody seme, you'll enjoy Ruff Love. --Yaoi Rose<br /><br />Taketora is an unsuccessful writer, making ends meet by working at his uncle s bar. A loner, he has no attachments to anyone, and lives a boring, solitary life, which is reflected in his tedious writing. When the half-dog, half-boy Shiba appears in his backyard, Taketora might have just found a reason to be happy. The reincarnation of his grandfather s beloved pet, Shiba has wished to be reborn so he could repay his debt to Taketora s grandpa. With his former master dead, Shiba vows to make Taketora happy, instead. Who could possibly resist such loving attention?

How can you not get caught up in the cuteness of Ruff Love? Shiba is such a sweetie, wishing to be reincarnated so he can pay back his debt to his beloved master. When he discovers that Takeyuki has died, he s broken-hearted. He wanted so badly to pay back the man who was so kind to him, who was there for him as he drew his last breath, petting him until he died. Not content to leave the debt unpaid, he impulsively decides to serve Taketora, Takeyuki s grandson, instead.

Taketora is one of those guys that you can t help but feel sorry for. He s going nowhere in life, he s never had a close relationship with anyone, and he s not the happiest guy on the planet. He longs to be a writer, but, like his life, his writing lacks emotion. Stir in one klutzy dog-boy, and maybe things will start looking up.

When Shiba crawls out of his doggy grave, transformed into an adorable young man with puppy ears and a fluffy tail, Taketora is stunned. Being the nice guy he is, he allows this overly cheerful, high energy creature to move in. Shiba just wants to make him happy, but all he ends up doing is making a big mess. He can t do anything right, try as he might, and so instead of Shiba taking care of Taketora, Taketora ends up taking care of Shiba.

Taketora quickly grows accustomed to having someone around the house, and can t help but fall in love with the loyal Shiba. Their domestic bliss is short lived, however, when the surly Atakasuki, another reincarnated dog, appears to wreck havoc. Atakasuki didn t have a happy previous life, and he was betrayed by his former master. How can two love-birds find any time for themselves with a grumpy guy like him moping around all the time?

Ruff Love offers up a fun mix of characters and situations, managing to be humorous and melodramatic in equal parts. Taketora is coaxed from his shell, finding a new joy in both his writing and his life. Atakasuki learns that not all humans are liars, and Shiba, though he continues to strive for perfection, remains a klutz to the end. --Julie - Manga Maniac Cafe

Product Description

Doggy style!

Shiba, that once-beloved dog of Taketora's grandfather, comes back in the form of a human (yet with dog ears and tail intact) to repay the kindness his master showed him. However, Taketora's grandfather passed away twenty years ago, so Shiba decides to focus his appreciation on Taketora. Shiba is clumsy, cute and eager to help around the house. How can Taketora not come down with a bad case of puppy love?!

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Aurora Publishing (August 29, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1934496413
• ISBN-13: 978-1934496411
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #106,107 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This hard core Yaoi is SO CUTE!, August 28, 2008

By	R.Parklane (Tokyo, Japan) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

I have a fun time reading this one. Shiba, the dog who comes back alive as a human, with cute dog ears, pointed canines and swishing tail, is simply adorable. Taketora, stone-faced but such a nice guy in need of someone in his lonely life, who gives his once grandfather's faithful dog a home, is equally likable. Shiba in human form is a clumsy but endearing klutz getting into all sorts of troubles as he tries to please Taketora. The developing romance between "dog" and "human" is delightful. Maybe this is not for anyone, especially when they get into the hard core sex. Afterall you do have the swishing tail around (chuckle..). For me it is just plain cute. Add a once black viscious dog reincarnated as a brooding man looking for his priest into the mix, these 3 characters and the plot are just pure fun. Delightful, amusing and light hearted this Yaoi is very enjoyable.
I enjoy this mangaka's whacky and refreshing style and the unique artwork. I hope more of her works get translated.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Givin' the dog a bone!!, November 17, 2008

By	Lauren Buchanan - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'll have to admit that this one didn't grab me right out of the gate; but once it got its hooks into me it didn't let go. The story is told simply; what i mean by this is some things happen that are not really elaborated on. You have to accept some parts of the story at face value, but that wasn't really a problem for me. It's a really cute story and i have to fess up that when Taketora told Shiba about the novel he was writing for him I lost it! (Really because I feared that I might not get the happy ending that I'm such a sucker for!) I also got a kick out of the one page story "A Simple Question". For me it was the idea that Akatsuki would submit to anyone, given his snarky demeanor! The surprise that Akatsuki recieves at the end was the cherry on top for me. If you like it sweet (I do!) it's worth the read.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another Kirishima Keeper, September 14, 2008

By	K. Canales (Austin TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am a follower of Kirishima's works, and so I jumped at the opportunity to get this title! I was not disappointed at all! It is funny and sweet ( a la "President's Time" manga). The only reason this is not getting a five stars from me, is because it is too short >.< Some of the issues are left unresolved ( like the "dogs" mortality ) and Akatsuki's story was under developed!!
I've only read it once, but could not find any glaring grammatical mistakes and the production quality is nice (soft, malleable with clear printing quality inside). A side not would be that the front cover shows Taketora and Akatsuki, not Shiba (who looks like a pre-pubescent boy, a word of warning for those who have some qualms about this issue). Other than that, don't expect too much on the way of plot or great story line, just pure fluff and lovable characters.
The only other thing that I have to add, is that this story (and especially akatsuki, Kuro anyone?!) reminded me of Man's Best Friend... even the art... what do you think?
If you enjoyed this tile, then these will also be up you alley:
The President's Time (Yaoi)
Man's Best Friend: Inu Mo Aruke Ba Fall in Love (Yaoi)