How To Melt the Ice Lady

My Thoughts on How To Melt the Ice Lady

"How to Melt the Ice Lady" is a web novel that I've been following with a mix of fascination and frustration. It's a story that has a lot of heart, but also some noticeable shortcomings that keep it from reaching its full potential.

First Impressions

Initially, I was drawn in by the premise: a caring male protagonist trying to break through the icy exterior of a beautiful, kuudere female lead. The slice-of-life elements and the promise of a cute romance were definitely appealing. However, I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd seen this story before.

What Works Well

The core strength of this novel lies in its characters and their gradual development. I appreciated the balanced dynamic between the MC and the FL. It's satisfying to see them become closer, with the FL slowly opening up and the MC growing bolder in expressing his feelings. The official translation of the light novel is excellent, making the reading experience smooth and enjoyable. The side characters, particularly the MC's best friend and his girlfriend, add depth and provide valuable support to the main couple. I also found the small details, like the MC's cooking skills, added a unique flavor to the story.

Areas of Concern

Unfortunately, there are some significant issues that I couldn't ignore. The most glaring is the overwhelming similarity to "Otonari no Tenshi-sama" (The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten). From the character archetypes to the plot beats, the parallels are hard to miss. While some might argue that "How to Melt the Ice Lady" improves upon certain aspects of its predecessor, the lack of originality can be a major turn-off. Also, I found the MC's internal monologues repetitive and his hesitation to confess frustrating. I also noticed that the writing quality can be inconsistent, particularly in the web novel version. The shifts in narration can be jarring and the translation sometimes feels clunky.

Final Verdict

Despite its flaws, "How to Melt the Ice Lady" has its charms. If you're a fan of slow-burn romances with cute interactions and don't mind the similarities to "Otonari no Tenshi-sama," you might find something to enjoy here. However, if you're looking for a truly original story with compelling characters and flawless writing, this might not be the novel for you. I'd give it a tentative 3/5. It's a decent read, but it could have been so much more.