I Liked Her First, but My Brain Was Broken, Then for Some Reason, I Became Friends With Beautiful Girls, So I’m Done My With Childhood Friends

My Thoughts on I Liked Her First, but My Brain Was Broken, Then for Some Reason, I Became Friends With Beautiful Girls, So I’m Done My With Childhood Friends

Okay, that title is a mouthful, isn’t it? But honestly, after diving into I Liked Her First..., I can kind of see how they got there. This web novel is a bit of a mixed bag, but it definitely has its charms. It’s got all the hallmarks of a modern harem romance with a slightly cowardly, loner protagonist who suddenly finds himself surrounded by beautiful girls. So, did it work for me? Let's break it down.

First Impressions

My initial reaction was a bit skeptical, I’ll admit. The premise feels well-trodden, and I was prepared for the usual tropes. However, I was pleasantly surprised by some of the character dynamics and how the story unfolded. It's not groundbreaking, but it's entertaining enough to keep you reading.

What Works Well

What I found particularly enjoyable was the protagonist’s development. He doesn’t just magically become a confident Casanova overnight. His growth feels relatively organic, and he actually confronts his issues instead of shying away from them. The relationships he develops with the female leads are also pretty well-paced. There's a believability to how they slowly fall for him, which is a refreshing change from some other novels in this genre. The childhood friend subplot is also handled maturely. It avoids the typical villainization of the childhood friend, which I appreciated. It's nice to see a more nuanced approach to these kinds of relationships.

Areas of Concern

While the relationships were well-done, I did find myself wondering about the initial catalyst for one of the relationships. There was something about the initial interaction that felt a little… forced, maybe? It felt like a plot device to get the ball rolling, which is fine, but it did stand out to me.

Final Verdict

Overall, I Liked Her First... is a decent read if you're looking for a lighthearted harem romance with a protagonist who actually tries. It’s not perfect, and it does have some minor issues, but the well-developed relationships and the relatively proactive MC make it an enjoyable experience. I'd give it a solid 3 out of 5 stars. It's a fun, easy read that's perfect for when you want to switch your brain off and enjoy some fluffy romance.