Shine on Me

Sweet and incredibly cute, it really healed my soul and changed my views of modern cdrama.

I donno what crack they put in this show but I WAS Blown away!! I was giggling, swooning over soo bad.

• The story in itself was nothing special, even a bit bland plot wise... But this was more about Nie Xiguang's journey to improving herself and reaching new heights in romance and career both.

• LIN YUSEN (ML)
Lin Yusen is THE Soulmate material. He loved her but waited for her patiently, told her to not be burdened by his feelings, always supported her, trusted her.
But he's not the cold, broody generic ML though on first impression he does seem so but as we get to know more of him, him teasing her, his hobbies all shine through pointing towards the presence of his personality!!
He's her mentor, friend, confidant, support- the ever present shore where she can rest on.

• ROMANCE
Their relationship development was amazing - it had this subtle sensuality to it while also being incredibly cute, they became close confidants, friends and then lovers, this slow and gradual progression gave the show it's unique charm.

I also didn't mind the initial few episodes which were about Xiguang's life in college, her past with THE crush (also eww man, you're gross for what you did), because it actually gave us insight into her character.

• VISUALS
As if the story wasn't cute & healing enough, the visual storytelling is done so well.... it's like being in a museum surrounded by beautiful artifacts without feeling overwhelmed because each artifact stands out on its own, telling it's story...a bit convoluted (meaning: everything is really gorgeous, but it doesn't feel too much)

The color grading followed this cotton candy kind of theme (incredibly sweet) like the story itself and I loved it.

• ENDING
This one had THE best ending I've ever seen in a Cdrama!! The way everything was tied up together so nicely with a bow, and the baby daughter..? So cute!!
It's Exemplary. That's the kind of ending I deserve from every show.

• Generally not into modern C dramas as I get bored easily with them, and the power imbalance induced by boss & employee relationship is not my cup of tea (tho here, its not a boss employee, but still a workplace romance, she's a novice at her job which leads towards power imbalance, but it doesn't happen). And this one changed my opinion, I really enjoyed this soo much.
Totally recommended.

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The right love will shine brightly

If you like the relaxed pace of slice of life dramas that are low on angst and big on character development with great acting, you’ll love this drama. It’s not for everyone, if you’re looking for high energy, angst and riveting plot twists, you’ll be disappointed. But it’s a solid drama with great acting, lots of character development and its underlying message comes through loud and clear.

Acting
The acting is quite good, the villains made me hate them and the good characters made me love them. The main leads were especially good in their emotional scenes. I really felt their pain. I have no complaints about the acting at all, it was way above average.

Storyline
The storyline was a bit cliche with two male leads fighting over one girl, but I liked the underlying message that was conveyed. The basic storyline was built around the three main characters different views on love. Each character had a different perspective on what love was and how relationships work. The second male lead thought being of equal status in life was most important in a relationship so he continually pushed the female lead away until he was ready, resulting in losing the opportunity to be with her. The main male lead knew that a good relationship is based on kindness, respect and trust. And an opportunity can easily be missed if you don’t take immediate action. His hard work, patience and loyalty paid off. The female lead thought love was invincible and that even if it’s one sided it would never change. She realized that love needs to be mutual for it to thrive and grow. I really like the depth of the storyline and the uniqueness of the job they did too. I don’t think I’ve seen a storyline built around solar powered energy before.

Characters
The characters had depth and were well fleshed out. You get to know all of the main characters families and their back stories. Just about everyone had lots of character growth, except a few villains (but they never learn do they?) I enjoyed seeing the female lead find herself and realize what she wanted to do with her life. And the male lead was a bit lost but found his way which was satisfying to watch.

Romance
This is definitely a slow burn romance, but once they’re together there’s lots of skinship. The main leads kiss, cuddle, hold hands, etc quite a lot. And you get to see them dating and together for a good while throughout the last few episodes, so it’s worth the wait. I really enjoyed the romance aspect of this drama, it was perfect.

Underlying message
The underlying message of how, when you’re with the right person, it’s like having a bright light shining brilliantly in the darkness and lighting up your life. You both become better people because you’re helping each other become the best version of themselves that they can be. The title “Shine On Me” was perfect for this drama. It’s a great drama I would recommend watching. My only complaint is that it’s a bit slow sometimes and things don’t progress as quickly as they should have. Stuff got drawn out for too long, the drama could have been shorter. But I loved the romance, I loved the underlying message, the character growth was great and the acting was really good. It’s not perfect but it’s a great watch.

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I hardly watch dramas when they air, but I read part of the novel this was based on and liked it. Shine on Me is probably an 8 or 8.5, but I rated it a bit higher, mainly because I like the chemistry between the leads.

This isn't for everyone because it's a slow burn where nothing much happens. A huge chunk of the plot also had boring information on the solar power industry. I know that talking about a specific area (gaming in Love O2O or aerospace in You Are My Glory) is a signature in Gu Man's novels, so I expected it. Despite not being as eventful, this drama came at the right time for me...I watched 2 plot heavy dramas before this, so the lighter fare made it a perfect comfort watch during the holidays.

A lot of positives here...a lot of focus on healing, successful career women, loving/supportive relatives, etc.. Mainly, the way the male lead looks at the female lead (ex: the scene where she's writing her name on his hand shows how much he yearns for her)...one can also tell he really likes her, even in the beginning when he is cold and distant. The couple here are not passionate or emotional like the one in The First Frost, but they have their own love language, which also works. The camera focuses a lot on the way the male lead always reaches out for the female lead's hands, their hand holding, etc. His gestures are very affectionate and protective- from the way he hugs her (completely enveloping her), kisses her forehead, the way he goes in front of her when one of the villagers (accusing her father of owing money) was leering at her, etc. They have a lighter, fluffier relationship full of sweet moments...it just takes awhile to get there.

One of the main things (if not the main thing) that makes Shine on Me work is the way the male lead is written. Lin Yusen is kindhearted, devoted and shameless when it comes to love. He cares for the female lead, Nie Xiguang, a lot, to the point that he does not mind pursuing her even if she may not reciprocate his feelings. He is also direct without being pushy and is very patient and considerate. A lot of viewers criticize the actor (Song Wei Long) for not being skilled enough. While I don't think he's the best in acting, I find him to be less robotic than say, Yang Yang (no offense to his fans), who gets far less criticism. There's nothing wrong with an actor going outside his comfort zone, but Wei Long strikes me as the type who fits specific roles. Much like Yang Yang and Ryan Ding, he tends to fit good guy roles better...but I'm guessing that he gets typecast into bad boy roles (which, IMHO do not fit him) because he has sharp features. In any case, I think he played Lin Yusen very well and that this character was a perfect fit.

I appreciate how the male lead was confident, but at the same time, vulnerable when it came to the female lead. There were a lot of moments where he appeared at a loss or uncertain (ex: when he was apologizing for confessing to her in ep13, his look of disbelief when she said she wanted to be with him at the end of ep24, etc). His character is ideal, but not perfect in that he also makes mistakes, like when he misjudged her. The good thing is that despite his initial coldness, he still treats her well and is able to overcome his resentment and let go of his prejudice. I think the writer must have watched a lot of shows with a jerk/cold/distant male lead and got second lead syndrome, which is why she created this character. Lin Yusen resembles a lot of second male leads...but there is an iconic knight in shining armor scene (if one does not mind that sort of thing) where he goes up the steps to rescue Xiguang from her toxic friends/ex-crush, which is rather dramatic, but effective. You just know* he is the male lead after this.

I also really like Zhao Jin Mai's performance as Nie Xiguang. She has a natural way of acting where she is able to portray the typical innocent female lead without being grating or annoying. Her speaking voice is cheerful without sounding like she sucked an air balloon. She is depicted as a privileged character and yet very down to earth. I like how the actress is able to emote/cry in certain scenes (ex: the hospital scene with Yu Sen after her accident and the scene where her father was hospitalized) without going over the top. I also love the intelligent and loyal way she reacts to situations. When her father accuses Yusen of being duplicitous, her immediate response is to defend him. She gets upset when he is slandered and when she hears rumors about him, she goes directly to him and asks him about it, instead of doubting him and making the problem worse.

I kept wondering why Zhuang Xu, the second male lead, had so many scenes...then I realized it was an effective way for the writers to show the contrast between him and Yusen. For the record, I don't think there is anything wrong with having a male lead with insecurities. What's wrong is if they take these insecurities out on others. Zhuang Xu's inferiority complex about his background was not the problem...the problem was that he attacked Xiguang's background because of it. Also, there is nothing wrong with Xiguang pursuing him or him rejecting her. This is the issue I had with that other drama, Everybody Loves Me, where the female lead grew angry with the male lead for rejecting her. No one is obligated to accept a confession if they are not ready or don't feel the same.

The issue is not that Zhuang Xu rejected her, but that he deliberately misled her into believing that he was with another woman...then grew angry later on when he thought she did the same thing with Yusen. The issue is not that he lacked directness (not everyone is direct) or was ambiguous, but that he expected her to read his mind, as if she were professor X- relying on weird grape analogies he expected her to interpret correctly. His attitude unintentionally created a lot of humorous moments, such as when he was sullenly looking on while Xiguang served Yusen fish soup during the wedding reception of their friend.

I also don't understand why he was so insecure. Sure, he came from a humble background, but so what? He came from a good school, is smart (at least in terms of IQ), was successful at work (made it to the top in just a few years), is good looking and practically half the female cast was in love with him. I couldn't figure out why he kept acting like a pandora's box of inner turmoil...he basically had everything and nothing to mope about. I hope the actor playing this role gets elevated into a more likeable male lead soon...because this Zhuang Zu was hated by readers years ago and now...10 years later, is disliked by a lot of viewers and with good reason.

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THE CHEMISTRY!

It's the first time that I'm watching a drama with either Song Wei Long and Zhao Jin Mai as I was never a fan of them, well, until now, that is. I've seen a lot of edits on TikTok with that specific show and it did not disappoint. The chemistry between these two is what makes the story more and more intriguing and there were many giddy moments that I replayed while watching it.

As far as the plot goes, it was not something that we didn't see before. The main leads are both coming from wealthy families that have close friends and families, privileged life, yet, they are not spoiled or entitled as it may seem from the beginning. They are hard working, often misunderstood because of their family wealth and kind-hearted. They fit each other quite well in that aspect. It starts from a misunderstanding between these two that took quite a while until it's solved to be honest, yet, the MML, even though he was hurt and lost his job due to an accident that cost his job, he fell fast for the heroine who was blamed for his accident in his head. Apart from some misc extra work that he put on FML's shoulders, he was the total gentleman. It was not, by any chance an enemies-to-lovers type of drama but it was more like he-fell-first-he-fell-harder.

I liked the SML's story quite a lot. I liked that he showed his pained and lost-chance POV just because he felt inferior to FML's life, yet, he was not innocent or a golden retriever boy. He actually threw shade to FML, made snarky remarks to her and often made her cry yet he was hurt the most in the end. It was a nice 'twist' of the original SML that we are used to see.

It was a very mature and well-rounded story and the chemistry between those two was top-notched. It was such a healthy relationship between adults, who are still figuring out life and exploring love with their own pace, learning about each other and spending time together without losing their focus on their work career. I liked that FML was not a pushover and actually defended herself and her friends when it is needed and actually gave up on the SML showing its course from falling in and out of love with the same guy.

I would definitely rewatch it!

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Infomercial for China's Photovoltaic Panel Industry Mixed w/ a Boring Romance

I'm perplexed thinking what did I just watch? It felt like a giant infomercial with so much tedious dialogue about photovoltaic panels, then layered in with a romance storyline that had zero foundation. I finished the series with lots of skipping and contemplation of dropping during each episode.

The Good (not much):
- Scenery is beautiful, especially the snowing scenes
- The parents, besides the FL's dad, the other parents and grandparents of the ML and FL were not controlling or toxic

The Bad (Oh so much):
- FL (Zhao Jin Mai) - I truly don't understand why she keeps getting lead roles. She's average looking with very mediocre acting abilities. Limited facial expressions and emotional range. In all her roles where she's supposed to be youthful, charismatic and feisty - it feels very contrived (this series, Our Generation, Amidst a Snowstorm).
- ML (Song Wei Long) - first time seeing this actor. His acting was so one-dimensional, almost robotic.
- SML - the worse character ever. Mopey, self-loathing pity party the entire series with no real validity in his claim to her love or devotion.
- The love triangle made absolutely no sense at all. They dragged on the first crush heartbreak way too long for a seemingly one-side crush. They were never in a relationship to justify the forlorn heartache.
- Support characters (the college friend group) and FL's co-workers...had no backstory, just props to discuss and add substance to the FL's relationships.
- Propaganda pushing how China excels in photovoltaic panels, neuroscience, etc was excessive

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A love story

Shine on Me" is a love story about a doctor who falls in love at first sight. However, due to a misunderstanding, he resents his first love until the truth is revealed. When he learns the truth, he is left dumbstruck. As time passes, he slowly recovers and eventually begins his love journey again.
The drama contains romantic and innocent moments where both the boy and the girl sometimes look naive and adorable.
I always feel bad for the second lead. He suffers heartbreak without any real fault. The girl hides her true feelings and keeps lying to him. When he discovers that she has hidden many things from him, he is shocked. She says she left the city, but she actually did not. They both love each other, but neither confesses their feelings. Meanwhile, she meets someone else and falls for him. Because of circumstances, she begins to love someone else.

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Great Start but Fell Flat

I went into this drama not knowing what the plot was but quickly found myself binging episode after episode. However, at some point (and as with many Chinese dramas), I started to feel it drag - unfortunately, I didn't really pay attention to which episode I really started feeling this, but I mostly had it playing on in the background while I did other things.

By the latter part of the drama, I was jumping around in the episodes, mostly skipping the parts related to their work. I'm certain there was a reason for all of this to be part of the plot, but it didn't catch my attention at all and I thought it could have been condensed significantly.

Aside from the main characters (+ FL extended family and coworkers), most of the side characters were pretty unlikeable and, by the end, pretty much irrelevant. Also, I do love a time-skip but it was a bit wild that they suddenly had multiple time-skips in the last episode. I thought things could have been cut out in earlier parts to perhaps spread this out a bit into two episodes. Anyway, by then, I was already watching the drama at 3x speed and just trying to complete it.

I'd be curious how the storyline compares to the book it is based off of. Song Weilong is always nice to look at on the screen, but in the end, the drama felt somewhat disappointing / lackluster.

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A Romance Built on Patience and Growth

As a big fan of slow-burning romances, Shine on Me feels like a masterclass in how to develop a relationship in a healthy, patient, and emotionally intelligent way. It does not try to reinvent the genre, but it stands out because of its warmth, emotional depth, and beautifully written characters. Instead of relying on shock value or exaggerated drama, the story focuses on growth, yearning, and the kind of love that helps people become better versions of themselves.

The pacing may feel slightly slow at first, especially with the early college arc and some business related subplots, but these moments serve as an important foundation. They show who Nie Xiguang is before love reshapes her life. We see her insecurities, her crush, her disappointments, and her gradual realization that she wants to stand on her own rather than rely on others. Her development is not sudden. It is layered, natural, and satisfying to watch. She starts unsure of herself and slowly grows into someone confident, capable, and strong in both love and career.

Lin Yusen is one of the best written male leads in modern romance dramas. Formerly a top neurosurgeon forced to step away from medicine after an accident, he carries quiet resilience and emotional maturity. He is a complete green flag. His love for Xiguang is built on patience, respect, and understanding. He never pressures her, never rushes her feelings, and always shows up when she needs him most. Watching him fall in love is gentle and powerful at the same time. His pursuit is not flashy but steady, which makes the romance feel realistic and deeply comforting.

What truly makes the drama special is the dynamic between the main couple. Their relationship is based on security, communication, and mutual support rather than misunderstandings. The chemistry between Song Weilong and Zhao Jinmai is outstanding. Their eye contact, subtle glances, and soft flirting make you feel like a quiet third wheel in the best way. Their scenes feel warm, natural, and full of yearning. The drama also does a great job showing the contrast between a love that makes you doubt yourself and a love that helps you flourish. With Yusen, Xiguang feels safe, confident, and encouraged to grow.


The supporting cast adds meaningful texture. Jiang Rui, Xiguang’s cousin, is a standout with his charisma, protectiveness, and warmth. Xiguang’s mother is another strong presence, portraying a capable entrepreneur who supports her daughter’s choices while navigating her own growth. The workplace family at Guangyu Photovoltaic brings sincerity and realism, and the show even manages to weave in informative details about the solar industry in a way that feels grounded rather than distracting.

Zhuang Xu, the second male lead, is one of the more complex and human characters. He represents missed opportunities caused by fear and insecurity. Coming from a less privileged background, he is intelligent but trapped by his own self doubt. His passive aggression and indecision make him frustrating, yet also strangely sympathetic. The drama does not romanticize him, and his arc becomes a painful study of how hesitation can cost you happiness.

Visually and technically, the drama is not perfect. Some green screen and background effects are noticeably weak and take you out of the moment. A few subplots are drawn out longer than necessary, and certain business arcs feel heavier than they need to be. However, these flaws never fully overshadow what works best, which is the emotional core of the story.

One small wish is that we could have seen more of the couple after officially getting together, since much of the drama focuses on the journey toward love rather than life inside it. Still, the conclusion delivers warmth and closure that many modern romances fail to provide.

What impressed me most is that I watched nearly twenty seven hours of content without feeling bored. Instead of feeling tired, I kept wanting to continue. That alone says a lot. The clichés exist, but they are hidden well enough that the story never feels predictable. There are no forced childhood fate tropes or exaggerated trauma devices. The drama chooses sincerity over spectacle.

Another strong aspect of Shine on Me is how well the female lead and her entire surrounding world are written. Nie Xiguang is not just lovable, she is layered. She starts off a little unsure and emotionally soft, but never foolish. What makes her arc special is how naturally she grows. You see her slowly gain confidence, learn to rely on herself, and become stronger in both love and career without losing her warmth, empathy, or cheerfulness. She is not suddenly “bossy” overnight, and she is not reduced for romance either. Instead, she matures into a woman who knows her worth, stands up for her relationship, and supports her partner just as much as he supports her.

Her family and relatives are equally engaging. Xiguang’s uncle, aunt, grandparents, and cousin all feel like real people rather than filler characters. Jiang Rui especially stands out as the protective, charismatic cousin who adds humor and emotional safety to the story. The older generation is written with care, giving depth to family dynamics instead of unnecessary conflict. Their presence adds warmth, realism, and emotional grounding to Xiguang’s journey.

The business side characters and senior cast are also surprisingly enjoyable. Instead of feeling stiff or decorative, they bring credibility to the corporate world of Guangyu. Their acting feels natural, their styling is appropriate and polished, and it suits their age, status, and personalities perfectly. From executives to relatives, everyone looks and behaves like they belong in the world of the drama. Good styling combined with strong performances makes the environment feel lived-in rather than staged.

What I appreciated most is that almost every side character feels intentional. No one exists just to create noise. Whether family, colleagues, or relatives, they all add something meaningful to the emotional or professional growth of the leads. That sense of completeness is part of why the drama stays engaging for so many hours without becoming tiring.

At its heart, Shine on Me is about yearning, healing, and becoming stronger through love. Lin Yusen and Nie Xiguang are both emotionally mature, considerate, and supportive, sometimes almost too good to feel real, yet incredibly satisfying to watch. Their romance is built on warmth, respect, and genuine partnership.

If you love slow burn romances with intelligent writing, healthy communication, and powerful chemistry, Shine on Me truly lives up to its name. It is not flawless, but it shines where it matters most, in the hearts of its characters and the love they build together.

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Good cast doesn’t completely make up for a mediocre script

Despite its talented leads and sweet, slow-burn office romance, “Shine on Me” gets bogged down by a rocky beginning and a business-heavy script.

The story follows Xi Guang (played by Zhao Jin Mai), a recent college graduate from a wealthy, well-connected family. She’s nursing a powerful (and painfully awkward) crush on her university classmate. Why is anyone’s guess — he has the personality of a wet blanket — and on top of that, he’s already rejected her.

But she can’t get over him — even after our male lead, Yu Sen (played by Song Wei Long) comes onto the scene — though the two get off to a pretty rough start themselves. In fact, neither of the leads are particularly likeable at first, and the setup of the series withholds certain key pieces of information, leaving the audience in the dark about why characters behave the way they do.

The FL’s pining over her crush seems foolish rather than sweet, and the ML acts so petty, even vindictive, that you wonder how she’s ever going to warm up to him. You want to shake them both by the shoulders and tell them to get a grip.

For the first 6 or 7 episodes, I was doubting whether it’d be a worthwhile watch, but suddenly circumstances arise that allow the leads to have some compassion for each other, and it’s like a switch is flipped that changes their dynamic.

That’s when the slow-burn romance starts. Both Zhao Jin Mai and Song Wei Long play their parts well and do a fine job showing the characters’ development, emotional struggles, and growing connection as colleagues and then as a couple, but I wouldn’t say this is a standout role for either of them. I’ve been hoping to see SWL in another role that rivals the complexity and emotional resonance of his performance in “Go Ahead” (2020), but this isn’t it.

Most likely because the script doesn’t give them a whole lot to work with. The first part makes it hard to feel invested in the main characters because of their unexplained tension, while the rest of the drama spends a lot of time on unlikeable side characters and business dealings that don’t add a whole lot to the story.

What to Watch For:
- The arc where Yu Sen is trying to win over Xi Guang is super cute and cotton-candy sweet. His patient and persistent pursuit is the probably the highlight of the series.
- The soundtrack

What to Potentially Skip:
- The tedious business discussions and solar energy hype
- The time spent on the second male lead, whose indecisiveness and insecurity is frustrating to watch (why do so many women like him?)

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Comfortable and Cozy

I enjoyed watching Shine on Me, but I don't think it's a 'perfect' drama.

Our two main leads were well cast and their acting was good, but I sometimes got the feeling that they were just being who they normally are as people instead of acting. Is that good or bad? I guess it depends on your point of view. Song Wei Long seemed confident in this role. In this series, he carries himself as someone who believes in his own abilities. Zhao Jinmai was also good as a young woman who starts out as someone unsure of herself and her place in the world and then grows to become a CEO . They were convincing as a couple, in my opinion. Both of them are good at using facial expressions to convey their feelings. There are some heart fluttering moments between them as the characters get acquainted with each other. Both of them handled the technical vocabulary well, and were able to present themselves as scientists and successful business people.

Unfortunately, the SML was a different story, but I don't think that was his fault, but rather that of the script. His character doesn't really have much to do except stand around and look upset. In fact, I began to wonder why the SML was even a part of the story except to show how greed can prevent someone from truly achieving happiness. A lot of his actions didn't make sense, and he didn't really have a huge impact on the story except to make the FL realize that the ML was a keeper.

The idea that greed is destructive was a common theme among our 'less desirable' characters. The FL's father and the ML's cousin both embody the idea that seeking profit at the expense of friends or family can create problems.

Some of the other secondary characters also suffer from inadequate writing, especially those from our FL's college years. The 'mean' girl who picks on the FL is written as shallow and rude at the beginning of the series. However, towards the end, she see the error of her ways.

The story is fairly basic and probably could've been told in fewer episodes if some of the solar energy jargon was eliminated. However, it seems that part of the purpose of the story was to point out China's growth in that area as well as other technologies. If the country has improved that much, good for them.

I have read a lot of reviews saying that the story is boring. I will admit that when I re-watched it, I skipped a lot of the PV jargon, (and I'm a former science teacher.). However, I thought the relationship between the main characters was refreshing in that they took their time getting to know one another and were honest with each other about their feelings and what they wanted. To me that's more realistic. I like the way they teased each other, and when they were finally together after working out the ML's misunderstanding over a case o mistaken identity, they were together for good.

I also liked that our two main characters were intellectual equals and both were driven to succeed in their chosen field. I appreciated that our FL lead is allowed to grow from a somewhat silly girl into a woman capable of running a major corporation.

The major time jump at the end of the drama is a little extreme, since there was no attempt to 'age' the actors, but it gives the viewers a happy ending.

If you want to watch something that doesn't require a huge amount of thought, you might enjoy this series. If you prefer a heavy hitting, serious series with a lot of angst, this probably isn't for you.

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