Wow I really wasn't expecting a show titled "Romance is a Bonus Book" to be so good. I'll start off by admitting my bias with noona storylines since I just appreciate how many opportunities for trope subversion it provides. The noona angle, along with the fact that our protag is an older divorcé needing to get back into the workforce just felt so real.

This show is much more character driven than plot driven. It's great to see how the characters develop (mainly Dan Yi) throughout the series. It also has such a colorful cast that it never feels boring, despite not a lot necessarily happening plot wise. I will admit that Eun Ho doesn't feel like a character that ever changes, but to me I'm very okay with that. Despite the description of the show, it is about Dan Yi ONLY in my eyes. It's about her journey figuring herself out despite everything set up against her (namely, being a divorced mother with over a decade gap in her career). It's an issue that is decidedly female in the sense of societal pressure for women to quit their jobs to be the homemaker. It's just a refreshing show in so many ways, with the protag, the writing (Dan Yi actually talks casually about her sex life which is just amazing), and the conflicts (never feeling like a melodrama, just real sh*t that happens). ** MINOR SPOILER One extremely minor issue I have is how sidelined her daughter is... like they could have at least had one ep where she makes an appearance and bonds with Eun Ho, but it's a very small qualm.**

Guys, just trust me and push your way past the first episode which has a different tone than the rest of the show. If you like shows that focus on well developed female characters you'll like this one. Just overall a very warm, unassuming, quiet, and REAL show (while also being very cute lol).