So I'm not going to write a full review on each manga volume because too much of it would be about the same aspects. I would like to mention some things which I liked about this volume in particular, however. I really love how we get to see so many character's back stories and character development. At this point in the story, Maria is getting a lot more development and I adore the sisterly bond that her and Kyoko have. Not only is this bond making Kyoko stronger, learning to make her own family she can love and depend on, but it is also strengthening Maria. Maria really looks up to Kyoko and Kyoko does her best to make Maria happy and show her a good example.

As of late, Kyoko has really been experiencing familial bonds for the first time. She has never had a father in her life and it appears that her mother has abandoned her so she has always just lived with and kind of for Sho. Now she is able to take her bad experience with Sho and make something good out of it in finding her own life- her own family, friends, career, passions, and identity. Recently Kyoko has found a father figure as well that she can really look up to in her acting career but also just as a person because he is very motivational, passionate, and an all-around good guy. He quickly took Kyoko in and fostered her passions for acting and her need for a parent figure she has never been able to have.

I won't lie that I missed Sho in the past couple of books, but the plots were amazing. I also have such mixed feeling about Sho because of what he has done in the past and I can't be sure whether or not he has truly changed or just changed for the moment or why he felt like he could treat Kyoko like he has in the first place, particularly after all she has done for him. It seems like of all the people in the world, Kyoko and Sho know each other best and it will be interesting to continue seeing the progression of their twisting bond.

Mokooooo though! Her and Kyoko's friendship is the cutest and I love it so much ( )

3.5 stars. Completely fluff. An entire volume of a christmas party. I remember reading this chapter by chapter as it came out and being sooo annoyed.

20:02 ( )

Although in general Skip Beat is a fantastic and entertaining series, I'd have to admit that volume 20 involved one of the weakest storyarcs in the series so far. Where as in volume 19, Kyoko was starting to focus on a new acting role beyond her range of experience, this miniarc, involving Maria and Christmas, acts somewhat as an interruption that makes it feel somewhat shoehorned. Things should be much more entertaining, come volume 21, with the Natsu storyarc. ( )