My Scumbag Childhood Friend C**kolded My Girlfriend, but I Decided to Forgive Him Because His Doting Stepsister and Mother Would Make Amends

My initial interest in this was due to the stark contrast between 1-star and 5-star reviews, particularly because of the focus on NTR. However, upon reading, I discovered that the book has several issues. The main character lacks agency, as events unfold around him without any proactive action on his part for the first 60 chapters.

A significant problem lies in his relationships with his girlfriend and best friend. They consistently belittle him openly, almost treating him like a bully's target. This constant disrespect makes the protagonist appear foolish, especially since he seems oblivious to it. If portrayed from the girlfriend's perspective, it could actually make for an intriguing story – a seemingly helpless victim repeatedly taken advantage of, yet still clinging to a toxic relationship.

In comparison, "Girlfriend Swap" (Koi Bi To Swap) handles this situation more effectively. The cheating girlfriend in that story genuinely cares for the protagonist, which adds depth to the drama and makes her actions more believable. Here, the lack of tension between the main character and his ex-partner feels unusual, as they show no concern for each other, which further complicates the narrative.

To whoever is about to read this, I must caution against emulating the main character (MC). It seems he struggles to differentiate between acts of kindness and cowardice. The MC's tendency to逃避 his issues has left me with the impression that his behavior is on par with those who betray. Furthermore, I am displeased with the narrative structure, where a mere two-day timeline is stretched across 25 chapters, with many of these sections serving little purpose in advancing the plot. While I had anticipated a poorly written NTR (NTR stands for "nagito takara," which is a term used for stories involving jealousy or betrayal), this particular book sinks even lower due to numerous flaws in the writing.

The writing lacks maturity, and the main character (MC) appears weak and passive, even more so than the protagonist in "Rent-a-Girlfriend." The supporting characters, particularly the girlfriend and best friend, exhibit erratic behavior without clear motivation. The sister character also seems poorly developed. While it's not uncommon for light novel narratives to take unexpected turns, it would benefit from having more coherent characters.

The storytelling structure often involves extended buildup to reveal what a character will do or say, followed by a brief action, and then a return to explaining the reasoning behind it. This repetitive pattern, possibly due to the shorter chapter format, creates a cyclical reading experience that becomes frustrating.

The previous reviews have adequately addressed issues with the writing and character development. As someone foolish enough to finish it, I must mention that the climax is disappointingly insignificant. It拖沓地结尾, mirroring the拖沓 plot, failing to deliver any real impact. Moreover, it's simply a revenge tale; the protagonist, a one-dimensional jerk with no depth, gets his comeuppance while I, with a humble yet fulfilling family life, remain unscathed. There's nothing compelling or entertaining about this. The translator did an adequate job, but the original content falls short.

Does anyone know what the recent manhwa chapter would be in the novel? If so, i’d really appreciate the help.