The premise sounds pretty typical, but I promise this one is worth a read. The plot does have a pretty standard setup, but it really takes its time in setting up and following through with a variety of different threads. It doesn't do anything too out there but everything is incredibly well executed. It also does a great job in balancing story elements so as to keep you invested -- there was no point in the story where I felt bored or lacked the motivation to keep reading. It takes a lot for me to read anything more than one volume, but I knocked outall seven of this in one night. The final chapter was a bit messy, but it gives the closure and payoff that the earlier chapters promise.

All the characters in this story are pretty well executed without falling into major tropes. There are definitely times where it feels like a character might fall into some one-dimensional trope, but they are continuously fleshed out and broken from the standard formulas. The characters also consistently act their age, which is refreshing for this genre. The protagonist is especially endearing, which makes reading from her POV even more enjoyable.

The art is cute, simple, and used well in the story. The author does a very good job of conveying focus, emotion, and tone through the framing alone, which works well for subtle foreshadowing. There are also a lot of comedic elements that come through well with the art. My one complaint would be that the author de-stylizes a character as they become the main love interest, taking away the uniqueness of their character design in order to make them more generically attractive. As someone who enjoyed the original facial design of the character, this was a bit annoying.

In terms of overall tone, this is a great story for anyone who has dealt with loneliness. It hits a few different kinds -- the "everyone has a history without me" kind, the "everyone has a group except me" kind, and the "everyone is pairing off around me" kind especially. The author balances the sad parts with (tactful) comedy, and makes the lows pay off. I would consider this a feel-good story overall even with the less feel-good themes.

I think I'd probably give this an 8.5/10. The premise, art, and characters are nothing you couldn't find elsewhere, but every element is so well executed that this average story pushes above the rest.