Awkward

Ye Mu knew that Yan Chen didn’t love him, but he always simply thought that accompanying him meant declaring one’s love in the long run. For eight whole years, he had been revolving around Yan Chen’s world, believing that he could just keep going like this. But when Gu Huai came back, everything changed. Yan Chen dumped him, the reason his whole family’s property went bankrupt, and his father suffered a heart attack in a fit of anger. He was in a tight spot, he was deeply hurt and under despair decided to give up. In the end, he went to another company and shed his last ounce of strength to work. He unexpectedly met his boss, Chen Mo, who hated gay men the most. A lot of interesting things happened between the two. Yan Chen had always been disgusted and irritated by Ye Mu, thinking that he was just a cheap person. After breaking up with Ye Mu, he decided to marry Gu Huai. But after marriage, he always remembered every little detail of being with Ye Mu, and felt that he must have been too disgusted with this person. He started to look for Ye Mu time after time, and Ye Mu always refused. Yan Chen felt that it was nothing, this was merely another cheap trick of the other party by playing hard to get. But one day, when he found out that Ye Mu no longer loved him and was with Chen Mo, Yan Chen felt strange. Why did he feel so tight in his chest? Why did he feel so angry? Then things became very awkward (ˉ▽￣～)

Original Publisher

jjwxc

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on Awkward "Awkward" is definitely a rollercoaster of emotions, a real dog-blood drama as some readers have described it. I went in expecting a mature yaoi with all the associated angst, and it certainly delivered on that front. While I enjoyed certain aspects, particularly the beginning, the story definitely has its flaws. It's the kind of novel that will keep you reading, even if you're sometimes yelling at your screen in frustration. ### First Impressions Initially, I was hooked. The premise of Ye Mu being betrayed by his long-term partner, Yan Chen, in favor of his "white moonlight" was instantly compelling. The setup is classic drama, and I was eager to see how Ye Mu would navigate the fallout. The introduction of Chen Mo, the ex's illegitimate brother, as a potential love interest added another layer of intrigue. The first half of the book really shines in this regard. ### What Works Well The initial interactions between Ye Mu and Chen Mo were fantastic. Their "enemies to lovers" dynamic had a comedic undertone that I found genuinely funny. I also appreciated the author's willingness to portray the complexities of moving on from a long-term relationship. Ye Mu doesn't instantly forget Yan Chen, and that felt realistic. Many have said that they appreciated that the ex also had development and didn't just regret everything instantly. The story does a good job of showing the slow burn of feelings, especially Chen Mo's gradual realization of his attraction to Ye Mu. ### Areas of Concern However, the second half of the novel lost some of its luster for me. The relationship progression felt rushed in some areas, and I started to question the characters' motivations. Some of the plot points felt forced, and the coincidences piled up a bit too high. While some enjoyed the angst, others felt that the characters lacked emotional depth. I also saw some complaints about the ML's behavior being borderline abusive, particularly concerning consent. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Some readers may want to skip this section to avoid spoilers. There are several points that might be triggers for some. The ex-boyfriend cheats on the MC with his white moonlight. The MC is taken advantage of while drunk by the ex. The ML also forces himself on the MC while the MC is under the influence of medication. The MC helps his ex cover up illegal activities and would have gone to jail if the ML had not intervened. ### Final Verdict Overall, "Awkward" is a mixed bag. While the beginning is strong, with engaging characters and a compelling plot, the story falters in the second half. The pacing issues, questionable character choices, and potentially triggering content make it difficult to wholeheartedly recommend. If you're a fan of dramatic, angsty yaoi and can overlook some of its flaws, you might find it an enjoyable read. However, be prepared for a bumpy ride. I'd give it a tentative 3 out of 5 stars.