Loving You When the World Ended

by Gene

An apocalyptic event forces two strangers to navigate a world where the old order is shattered. Is it survival of the fittest or survival of the richest? Spoiled Nuowan can't stay alive in this new reality without the help of skilled hotel worker Yu Sen, whom he met only moments before the world ended. Yu's former military training comes in handy but is kissing out of the blue a survival tactic?

Genres: Manga, Romance, Boys Love, LGBT, M M Romance, Gay, Graphic Novels

146 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 6, 2024

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an unexpectedly funny twist on an end of the world manga. Nuowan has grown up in privilege, and when the world ends he finds himself quite incompetent in survival skills. Luckily he's stranded with Yu, a stoic former military man whose knowledge and skills keep them alive.

Yu finds he loves taking care of Nuowan, even as he grumps about it daily. And Nuowan is finally loved for who he is rather than what his money can do for others.

This manga is sweet and has some genuinely tender moments even as it delightfully doesn't take itself too seriously.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is supposed to be a romcom but I went into it for the dystopian setting, so I took it too seriously and therefore did not enjoy it very much. Once I realized it was never going to be serious, I liked it better, but I still wouldn't read it again. It was fine for a one-and-done if you're not too nitpicky.

UNFORTUNATELY, I AM. XD

The grammar was terrible in this book. It really needs better editing. Or any editing. There was a comma splice for every speech bubble, I swear.

It has been one year since the world ended and there are characters who have suffered from PTSD so badly they have lost the ability to use human speech and become cannibals. Like...I just don't feel that's plausible. Resorting to cannibalism in a crisis, sure. But forgetting how to speak and reverting to a feral creature after only a year? o.O

Remember how old Japanese yaoi manga would treat homosexuality like it was gross, and the male characters would declare "I'm not a homo!" while they were having sex with each other? Yeah, this is kinda like that. It's more toxic masculinity than homophobia, though. "I can't hold your purse! I'm a man!" type of thing. But also here and there some, "Ew! Don't touch me! You're a man and I'm a man!" Which made for a weird romance. I've seen it a million times. I just like to hope it's being phased out, then I see it again and it's not a shock, just a disappointment. This comic isn't Japanese, though. Wherever they're from, maybe they're still catching up. Guys, it's normal to be gay, okay? Let's move on and get new material. Homophobic dialogue in gay manga is so dated it's just embarrassing at this point.

Anyway, there's really not a lot of that stereotyping. I just had to mention it because it annoyed me.

There are some funny moments and if I had realized up front that this was meant to be a comedy, I would have been more lenient because the setting was pretty fun and not something you see a lot in BL manga. If I'm reading a romance, I need it to be in a genre other than contemporary or I'll get so bored. I need something supernatural or futuristic or apocalyptic, and this book did deliver there. And it was free from NetGalley so I can't be too mad. At least I saved my money because I'm usually quick to pick up anything labeled dystopia.

[Momo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 out of 5 stars

I am usually not a fan of the more humorous apocalyptic stories (or really apocalyptic themes in manga in general) but this one was so fun other than like two moments. The cover definitely gives off a completely different vibe but I am glad this one didn't take itself so seriously! There were two moments I had to put it down for because of the secondhand embarrassment and I could've gone my whole life without the pill scene, my god. I am also not a smut reader so I didn't enjoy the "spicy" scenes but they were thankfully short and I don't blame adult writing for having adult content in it. Overall, its unfortunately short but I had such a fun time reading it and I would definitely pick up more from this author.

Disclaimer: I received an arc digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[☽｡⋆ Shells (jlreads_) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's pretty cute and funny tbh. I was hoping that there would be more plot with what had happened and possibly more action? To make it more fun and engaging, apocalyptic BL series. Anyway, I do hope there will be another volume continuing this.

[Sophy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an apocalyptic book about two boys who think they are the last humans left alive. They have been together by themself for two years and eventually find out that there are others alive.

This was a good story. It does focus more on the characters than the apoclies itself. Would definitely love to see where it goes from where it ended but could also see it being a stand alone.

The art in this Manga was very well drawn. I really enjoyed the artwork.

[jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

was so excited to see a yaoi with a comedic take on an apocalyptic setting only for it to not be funny 🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀

[☆Jordan☆ {King Clit's vers.} · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhhhh. I loved this so muchhhh

[crybby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and YUZU Comics for the advance e-reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Imagine waking up after the apocalypse with the guy you randomly kissed to make your girlfriend mad! This post apocalypse story is (mostly) humorous and fun! The differences in the characters personalities really bring out their chemistry and make the book hard to put down once you’ve started it. There was quite a few non-con scenes for such a short manga and it doesn’t take any of them too seriously, which matches the overall tone of the story, but still had me cringing a little bit. Overall I’d say it was a fun time but not something I’d rush to pick up.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was not a fan of this title. It's got issues of dubious consent and sexual assault. The personalities of the characters were unbelievable and it just felt contrived.

I strongly disliked the rich kid main character and found his entitled attitude beyond irritating and unrealistic given the circumstances. There were parts of it played for comedy and it just fell flat.

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this manhua from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange of an honest review.


There were new manhua on Netgalley and I couldn’t resist. I mean, hello fujoshi here. XD And I decided the apocalypse one was definitely the first to go be read!

🥰 I love the little moments between Nuowan and Yu, yes the forced kisses at times were a bit eh, but the other parts? You are just hoping that they get together and become lovers. Seriously, despite their differences I just could see sparks between them all the time. So cute!
🥰 That it is set in an apocalypse setting, you don’t go on dates, you cannot just do all the fancy stuff you normally do before starting to date, plus you don’t know how long one can live. So you are really rooting for the couple.
🥰 Yu Sen was by far my favourite character. Not just because of how he looks swoon but also because he is capable, and despite being Nuowan being the way he is… Yu Sen sticks to him and helps him out. Though the dude is really dense about his feelings, haha, when he had that realization I was like, FINALLY boo. Now go get your guy!
🥰 I do love that the two characters were so vastly different. We have a rich boy who is suddenly finding out that no, your lambos and your fanciness aren’t working here and whose life was just all easy and we have a man who has been in the military for a big part of his life before ending up as a waiter. While Nuowan did get on my nerves at times, I just cannot help but love the helpless guy/strong capable guy trope.
🥰 The guy, firefighter dude, they met in the second part. I really liked him a lot. OK, saying it is consent when someone sleeps over is a no, but other than that he was really fun and sweet and I loved how he kept trying to find people. Try to help everyone.
🥰 That COVER!
🥰 I LOVE the chapter images. Oh my, those were just so well done! swoon
🥰 The ending was rushed, but I really liked it either way because it was just so cute and sexy!
🥰 The art was really pretty and I love the style!
🥰 I love that we got the after the apocalypse parts, or well, not technically after but more like a follow-up on what we saw in the last chapter. I am happy that these parts were added and that we saw how everyone was doing.

🤔 Confusingly the chapters are days, but after the first chapter a year has passed so I was very confused when the chapter mentioned day 2. I can kinda see that they wanted to be creative with the chapter names but don’t just go to a year later.
🤔 I also found the time skip a bit of a shame. I would have rather seen them get by first without them going from nothing (the hotel) to living in the wild and hunting animals. Not to mention that given how our prince reacted it never really felt like a year later, it is that the rest of the world is in more tatters and things are dire otherwise I would have thought it was just a few days later.
🤔 How is our prince boy still so incompetent after a year. I mean, in the second chapter he was all proud he captured a bunny. Hello? It’s been a year? I guess it is good that he has the help of someone because otherwise he would have died on day 2 (actual day 2). But in the second chapter he stupidly goes out and then gets captured, almost raped, and is totally useless. LORD.
🤔 Some of the drama in regards to Does he love me? What is love? Why is he jealous? Why won’t he do something? just got a bit on my nerves to be honest. I get it, we need more tension, and tension can be good, but at points it was just a bit much. I really wanted to just lock them up in a room and not let them out until they had talked.
🤔 We still have NO clue what happened in the apocalypse and the manhua ends on a strange note that made me more confused about things. I would have liked a bit more information on what the heck happened.

All in all though I really had fun reading this one and I am glad I got the chance.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one that slowly grew on me as the story went on. It starts off in a speed run that made it hard for me to find my footing. After being introduced to the characters, we are suddenly in an apocalyptic setting with very little details on what happened. But, I think the one year time jump is where I really struggled as that left out a lot their relationship and how it was built.

The characters are so different from one another that it really created a series of entertaining moment. Some were a little questionable, but over it was entertaining and even sweet at times.

Though, after a year, having on character still be so incompetent was baffling. It added humor sure, but doesn't make a lot of sense when you factor in that he had a year to learn a lot of things.

I do feel that by the time this really grew on me, it was over. It's so short that it leaves a lot out that could have really helped flesh out not only the character but the world too that really could have pushed this to being a compelling read.

Overall, I did enjoy it. Just would have loved more from it.

[Scientist's Reading World | Hugo Lapa · Rating 3 out of 5]

more like a 3.5*
The premise of the story is interesting but I think the time jump of 1 year without showing is a bit odd. at least a few scenes over that year would establish a better relationship between them. I like the dynamic between them but I feel it was a bit rushed everything I wish we had spent more time with them since the action is all compact in a few days.

[I live in your walls (real) (go check) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the only yaoi on Kindle Unlimited and I think that is just hilarious

[Hannah Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

very fluff oriented!

I expected this to be a rather angsty and gritty story, given the backdrop of the apocalypse, but it really wasn’t! I would have been down for that but I was still pleasantly surprised by how fluffy and adorable this was! I really enjoyed it!

[Emerson Toronto · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn’t tell you what this is about but heuheuheu

[Jenn Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not usually a fan of post apocalyptic type stories, but this one sounded like it was taking a more humorous approach and I did enjoy that. There were few spots where I got lost in what was happening, but otherwise it was a fun ride.

4 stars

[BookswithLydscl | · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25*

Thank you to NetGalley and Media Do International, Inc. / YUZU Comics for an eArc of "Loving You When the World Ended" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

I picked this up as I saw queer romance set in a dystopian cityscape and knew I wanted to try it. In this manga an apocalypse sees spoiled Nuowan and skilled hotel worker Yu Sen literally thrown together when the world very suddenly ends and tracks them over the coming year or two as they fight to survive in this new reality.

The premise is something that absolutely appealed to me, I love dystopian fiction and this was a new approach to it for me in a manga context. Unfortunately it just didn't work for me. I found Nuowan tiresome and annoying and there were some scenes that absolutely raised the cringe factor - the suppository scene.

I love darker manga so I think the mixture of humour and light-heartedness mixed with a dystopia/apocalypse theme was not one that I ultimately enjoyed.

This will absolutely find an audience who love all of these elements but for me it didn't work but I can appreciate what it is doing and the story that it is telling.

[Carmen Marin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.4 stars rated down.

This is a standalone manga by Gene on what happens when the world ends around you as you break up with your current girlfriend, and the only other person left alive is a hotel staff member?

I sorta expected this book to be a little bit more serious, but it really is just a kind of post apocalyptic rom com. Our spoiled and rich, but kind and clueless, protagonist, Nuowan was saved when the world seemingly ended, big explosions, and zero electricity or anything. The person who saved him? The guy who was serving him his last meal it seemed.

The worker was former military who was trying out the civilian life when this happened, and well, he kinda got smitten when Nuowan decided to kiss him and told his now ex (and dead) girlfriend that he'd rather spend the rest of his life with this stranger than her. It's a few days later when Nuowan wakes up to the news of the world ending and majority of the book is basically these two, thinking they're the only humans left alive, struggling to survive. Thank goodness one of them had survival training!

The pacing of this story is uneven, going from a few days, to a few months to a year, where we get snippets of these two trying to live together and survive. Yu Sen is your typical stoic and quiet type, though he's only slightly more buff than Nuowan, and always teases him about taking things to the next level. Eventually, they run into other humans, both good and bad, and well, finally realize the feelings for each other when someone else gets thrown in the mix.

It's cute, and funny and a pretty fast read. It's very unrealistic in every which way. There's the classic miscommunication trope issues and figuring out what love is, but considering the small page count, it's all figured out pretty quickly. There's no real graphic sex, but some close scenes near the end.

The art style is nice and similar to a lot of modern print manga, with the characters looking distinct and the backgrounds interesting. But, what gives this a low rating is that once they start to try and become a couple, Nuowan is drawn even younger than he looks and childish which made some of the scenes feel uncomfortable since both men are roughly the same age.

There's also no real chemistry other than the slapstick comedy variety, and since the book didn't take itself seriously, I couldn't either. It has a happy ending, especially for a post-apocalypse, but is rather a forgettable read.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this, and sorry for the late review!

The cover is rather busy, but I do like the font style for the title. It shows our couple at what they do best, one serving and taking care of the other who's posing for instagram. Not the most eye catching cover but it works.

[Jack Goff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loving You When the World Ended is the story of a spoiled rich boy and an ex soldier turned hotel waiter who suddenly find themselves thrust together after a strange and abrupt apocalypse event.

I had really high hopes going into this, thinking it was going to be a fun, maybe more lighthearted take on the apocalypse story. Unfortunately, what I got was a bit disappointing. We are introduced very quickly to our two leads without much preamble or development of character beyond this one is the spoiled brat and this one is the grumpy realistic one. I wish there had been a bit more of a set up before whatever happened happened. I feel like there was a kind of vague explanation at the beginning of what event caused the apocalypse, but I honestly did not understand what happened and after that one brief conversation, there was no other real mention of it.

Near the end, we do get backstory for the waiter, which explains what at first seemed to be insta-love, and I actually thought the backstory was really cute and sweet. I feel like if we had gotten that at the beginning, this would have been a much stronger story. We also could have done without the slight bit of someone trying to force themselves on the other lead and the weird, bordering on uncomfy representation of PTSD.

All in all, it was a pretty cute read. I feel like it would have been better if a few of the story beats had been moved around and maybe some of the others tweaked a little bit. The art was really super cute though and I am really happy to have had the chance to read it! Thank you to NetGalley and YUZU comics for allowing me a chance to read this early in exchange for an honest review!

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nuowan was breaking up with his fiance at a fancy hotel when the apocalypse hit. Knocked out for days, he wakes up to find that he’s being cared for by an employee who was with him when the apocalypse started. He and Yu Sen are complete opposites. Nuowan is a spoiled rich guy who has never had to put work into anything, while Yu Sen is an orphan and was previously in the military. Now that it seems like they’re the only two people left alive, these strangers must stick together to survive this new world.

I picked this book up expecting a cute read, and that’s exactly what I got! We follow Nuowan and Yu Sen starting right before the apocalypse starts. While they’re total opposites, they work well together, and slowly fall in love as time goes on. Yu Sen complains about how much work it is to take care of Nuowan, but since we’re privy to his thoughts, we also know he loves it. Meanwhile, Nuowan is not prepared to rough it for his own survival, but he slowly learns to adapt as well as he can. The duo bicker a lot, but it’s so cute to watch them slowly fall in love and see Nuowan find someone who loves him for him and not him and his family’s money.

If you’re looking for a book that dives heavily into the dystopian setting, this will not be the book for you. However, if you are looking for a cute and fun read that takes place in a dystopian setting, you should jump on it. It gets bleak here and there due to the setting as well as Nuowan and Yu Sen’s individual pasts, but it mostly sticks to the light side and will make you laugh. Plus, the artwork is beautiful and really helps bring the story to life.

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. It was as the author said "filled with pink bubbles" and crazy funny!

I did think it was a rather deceptive front cover. If you are expecting a lot of explicit scenes then you will be disappointed. It is a slow-burn type of story. If you were expecting more apocalyptic action or a serious, dramatic tone then this book may not be the best for you.

It is light-hearted and has gems of cute, hilarious scenes! I loved their expressions especially when in chibi form. This book shines for the reader that just wants a sweet apocalyptic boys' romance and is very different from the dramatic yaoi that often contain the same story elements.
I will say I was surprised by the author's choice in terms of the length of time within the story, but that may just be my thinking based on previous apocalypse-based graphic novels I've read. I think it's nice that while there is drama within the characters' lives, they've managed it well. I can only hope I would be as lucky in such a situation.

Thank you to the author for making this series, even with all the problems they had to go through! And thank you to the publishers.
There were some grammatical errors that were noticeable even for me (someone who doesn't understand grammar), but otherwise it was okay.
#NetGalley #NetGalleyReview

[Smut Report]

Heat Factor: Not much happens, but there’s a lot of non-consensual kissing/groping and characters not knowing what’s going on

Character Chemistry: I can’t deny that they’re kind of cute, but also kind of yikes

Plot: Nuowan is a spoiled rich boy and Yu is a gritty service worker when the apocalypse happens, and they end up in a remarkably dysfunctional relationship and can’t see they’ve caught feelings

Overall: I had more fun reading this one than most others, and it was cute, but the internalized homophobia doesn’t jive with me in this genre

Read our full review at The Smut Report

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

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[Wafflepirates · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review*

This book has an interesting set-up throwing two complete strangers together into a post-apocalyptic setting, but I didn't find myself liking it as much as I thought I would. Given that the series is just a single volume, there's not a lot of room to work with when it comes to fleshing out characters and plot points, so a lot of the story is streamlined to focus on the relationship aspects. The setting and any worldbuilding outside of the world ended and we think we're the last two people alive is not developed at all, which I was disappointed with. The relationship itself is rocky and developed way too quickly, especially with one character going from not interested to I think i'm in love in the span of a few pages. Had this been a slightly longer series, I think there would've been enough space to more fully develop this story into something great, as it stands right now, there's not a lot of satisfaction from reading this book.

[Susanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a compact, stand-alone Chinese manhua. Yu Sen is a waiter at a hotel and Nuowan Qian is a spoiled heir of a billionaire staying there. To annoy his annoying girlfriend, Nuowan declares that even if the world ended, he’d rather choose Yu, and kisses him. Just then, the world ends, and they’re the only two left alive.

Nuowan is completely useless in an apocalypse, but Yu is a former soldier with survival skills. For a year, they scavenge useful items and survive. Yu has a full-time job keeping Nuowan alive. But when they learn other people might be alive, Nuowan leaves to find them, which causes the pair to evaluate their relationship. It might be they’ve developed feelings.

For an apocalypse story, this was sweet and funny; for a romance, slow-paced and not at all spicy. But the ending was very satisfying. Illustrations were good.

I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a DNF. This book starts with a prissy man getting in a fight with his girlfriend while the room service waiter is setting the table. The girlfriend storms off, there’s a big explosion and now we’re in the apocalypse. The room service waiter who is military is taking care of the trillionaires son and things are not going well. Nuowan doesn’t want to live if life isn’t easy and he doesn’t have access to money. While in the first few pages Nuowan kissed the server now three days later when the server kisses Nuowan, Nuowan, calls him a pervert and runs off, almost killing himself because they’re in a ten-story building, and he’s forgotten it in Apocalypse. I find this is an enemies-to-lovers book. I have no desire to get there. I think the repetitiveness of the server being called a pervert, just for kissing a guy doesn’t make me want to see them together in the end. So this book is a no thank you.

[Ije the Devourer of Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute read and also very entertaining. The manga artwork is good and although there is an apocalypse it isn’t scary.

Nuowan is a spoilt and pampered young man. He has never worked a day in his life and expects to be pampered and served. He was staying in a hotel when the apocalypse happened and humanity is largely wiped out, but luckily enough he is rescued by a hero. Yu Sen used to serve in the military and he knows how to survive. He saves Nuowan and so begins a story of this couple who find love even though the world has ended.

It is a very amusing story with such loveable characters and even though there are some cannibals, the electricity and internet are restored by the end and our heroes fall in love.

Just the kind of manga I enjoy with both love and laughter.

Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loving You When the World Ended is part of a new batch of Taiwanese BL (MLM) comics put out by Media Do and Yuzu Comics. It's the story of a sudden end of the world (literally, the MC wakes up, "What's going on?" "Probably an apocalypse." had me chuckling) and two guys who find themselves alone. It's got the usual tropes of "we're both men!" "do I LIKE like him??" and another person coming onto one of the main dudes pretty strongly for the other main dudes to realize his ~feelings~, but it was pretty funny and I had a good time.

This title too is plagued by clunky translations and some sort of messy SFX in some places so I really hope MediaDo/Yuzu Comics fixes that in future Taiwanese comics licensing.

[Haley Ivey · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Loving You When the World Ended" was overall a funny & cute BL manhua read! I thought the humor was great and the main character's relationship was fun to read. The setup is a pretty off-the-wall one, but it absolutely peaked my interest and didn't disappoint! It was the perfect mixture of outlandish, funny and sweet from the first chapter. I loved the way Yu took care of Nuowan even before their feelings for each other were fully realized. I thought the art style was visually very pleasing and I would read more from this author! Overall, I felt super satisfied with the story, characters and art.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick, fun read with fantastic art. It follows two guys as they try to survive after the world ends. Yu Sen is ex military and Nuowan is a spoiled rich kid who can’t survive on his own. Even though it’s lighthearted and funny, there were a lot of really sweet moments. I really loved seeing Yu Sen take care of Nuowan, even if he could be annoying and ungrateful at times. There were a few things I found problematic and awkward, but overall I enjoyed the story. There were many times I felt emotional for these two and was rooting for their relationship.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

[Ingrid Stephens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh dear. I hate to be hard on this graphic comic because it was sweet and well drawn, but....
I'm not sure if the intention was to be a LGBTQ graphic novel or just show how at the end of the world we should all love each other. The interaction between the 2 main characters was at times "cringe worthy". I think the author may not have ever considered a same sex relationship or even been in love because the things the characters said to each other could be considered very offensive.
Not high on my list.
Thanks to @netgalley for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.