I Reincarnated As A Villainess, But Why Did I Become A Cat Butler Instead?

I really enjoy this! The male lead is adorable, with a subtle tsundere personality, and the author does an excellent job blending his feline nature with his humanity. He feels like a genuine cat without losing any depth or intelligence. Our protagonist is competent, although her character might be a bit平淡. She becomes more vibrant when pushed to her limits, which is interesting.

There's this intriguing aspect where she has an irresistible scent to cats, but it hasn't been explained yet – perhaps she carries catnip? My speculation is that it's a reward from the cats she cared for in her past life, making them fond of her. However, I don't particularly like the trope where the main character's attractiveness is attributed to some special power; it's just a personal preference.

Their relationship is healthy and developing positively, with no toxic dynamics. I'm excited to see how it evolves further, as they seem like a cute pair.

The story tackles important issues, like the discrimination faced by shape-shifters, who are often treated as slaves. I appreciate how the protagonist, being from a modern background, maintains a sense of respect and fairness, unlike many other novels in this genre where the main character collects servants for their own gain.

The translation is generally good, though there are a few awkward phrases that could use a proofreader's touch. The translators have done a commendable job, and I'm grateful for their efforts. Overall, this seems like a solid story, especially for those who love cats. I'm eagerly anticipating the next chapters.

This book is clearly written by an ardent cat lover, offering a delightful take on a contract marriage within a society of beast people. Unlike many works that delve excessively into the "bestial desires" of the creature kin, this novel focuses more on the behavioral aspects of the animals as portrayed through human characters, which I find much more captivating.

FL's backstory is masterfully crafted, making her a relatable and endearing protagonist. The feline traits she possesses give depth to the common Duke-with-childhood-trauma trope, by infusing it with unique cat-like tsundere characteristics. The author's decision to make the Duke's position seem more vulnerable, with vassals siding with the cruel stepmother, adds an intriguing layer of conflict.

Both main characters are exceptional, and despite the presence of numerous men fixated on her, the love story remains less clichéd than expected. The slow burn romance is a minor drawback, considering how the hero goes above and beyond to fulfill FL's wishes, despite his personal aversion. His character's development, including his well-deserved disciplining, contributes to a satisfying reading experience overall.

UPDATE: As I continued reading the first five chapters before deciding to drop or not (my rule is always to read five more), I discovered subtle hints of romantic moments. They were not abundant, but enough to make a difference. The tension and chemistry between the characters started to intrigue me, and I've decided to give the book another chance. I'm increasing my rating to 4 out of 5.

The original review below captures my initial frustration, particularly with the slow pace of the romance. The story itself is decent, with no unusual shapeshifter elements, and it's generally lighthearted. However, the primary reason I read romance novels is for the romance – the sweetness, the tension, and the development of feelings. This book, however, seems to be labeled as a slow burn, but it's more like a tepid simmer. There have been kisses, but the main character's reluctance to accept her feelings despite being attracted to the male lead becomes frustrating, especially since it persists long past a reasonable point in the story.

I expected more than just occasional sparks. It's not that the writing isn't good; it's just that as a romance novel, the focus on developing the relationship feels lacking. I even double-checked the tags and genre, ensuring I wasn't misunderstanding it – it's comedy, fantasy, and romance. But as a romance novel, it feels more like a slice of life with a thin layer of romantic elements.

If the rating remains at 3/5 after 30 days, I might have to reconsider and put the book down.

So far, it's been fantastic 😊 I appreciate the FL's wit and her engaging interactions with others. The author clearly demonstrates a deep understanding of animals, particularly cats, and the portrayal of ML is a work of art. There's a perfect blend of both feline and human traits, which is adorable 😹 The development of FL and ML's relationship feels organic and well-paced. For those who adore cats and seek well-crafted narratives, this is an excellent recommendation.

To be honest, I was hesitant to start this book due to its unusual title, but I decided to give it a shot on a whim, and oh boy, I wish I had done it sooner! The story is fantastic; the main characters have incredible chemistry, and I really enjoy their interactions. If you're a fan of cats, this novel is a must-read.

The female lead is a hilarious character – I couldn't help but laugh when she purposefully sat on the previous duchess's lap as a form of payback and embarrassment, what a delightful plot twist! The Duke, being a shape-shifter, displays all the traits of a feline, which I find absolutely charming.

Overall, for a heartwarming and entertaining read, I wholeheartedly recommend this novel based on its exceptional quality.

So, prior to this, I came across an intriguing story, which might have influenced my perspective. The narrative seems quite spontaneous, with no clear connections between events, giving off a disjointed feel. The pacing is peculiar as well; the main character, a grown woman, is suddenly weeping in the woods over the loss of her kitten years ago, followed by the sudden appearance of healing magic and an injury involving the male lead within the same context. Then there's the issue of her practicing her magic alone, which, in my opinion, she shouldn't possess such abilities given the circumstances. Frankly, I've had dreams with more coherent and engaging storylines than what I'm encountering here.

Soo quality of this novel is very high considering its a sm*t
plot was good but turned into mess for me
like initially mc and we readers were on same page which works great for many novels like lotm ss etc but later mc gets knowledge of entire world and we as readers are left behind for mc to appear mysterious providing little bits of info between chapters
secondy power up of the mc was way to big considering he found it on a random quest though it worked well but for it to become the foundation of world building...idk maybe I am being a b*tch
lastly harem becomes a mess it is very hard to hard to provide all characters screen time which author is handles very well
the fluff is nice and good but the character interactions became repetitive and not add anything to plot for me...and so is sm*t
enough yapping now good points
its well written
the world building is excellent
Venessa
Amelia
Rebecca
Mytho
the slice of life and fluffs
not cringe like most sm*t novel

rating 4/5 for me

When will be 385 is out I want to know the release time