Nakamura Yoshiki - Skip Beat, vol. 01-03 (Eng. trans.)

[oyceter]

Mogami Kyoko has dedicated most of her life to her childhood friend Shotaro's dream of being an idol, including moving to Tokyo with him to basically act as a combination housekeeper/secretary/babysitter. When she overhears Sho telling another woman that he brought her along only to help himself out, she decides to become an idol and smash him down

Comments

[meganbmoore]

"Also, there's a plot through vols. 2 and 3 that involves what I hate the most -- two women pitted against each other. "

Don't worry, that doesn't last very long, and pretty much gets completely turned around.

[oyceter]

Yay! I just finished 4 and 5, and they are much better.

[meganbmoore]

The main relationship focus of the series(at least in the 9 volumes I've read) is Kyoko/Kanae, not Kyoko/Ren. Ren also seems less and less perfect as the series goes along.

[sarasusa]

two women pitted against each other

I agree with meganbmoore--the above (a trope I, too, hate) really isn't a dominant theme in the series. To me, the manga just gets funnier and funnier. Tsuruga becomes progressively more interesting too. And the scenes involving Bo are my absolute favorites (you aren't that far yet, I believe).

[oyceter]

I just got to Bo! I will post soon!

[rayechu]

I had the same problems with the early volumes, but was completely hooked by volume 5.

[oyceter]

Yeah, I just read 4 and 5 and they are much better!

[jinian]

I agree with everyone -- keep going! It gets way better.

[oyceter]

Following everyone's recs, I read 4 and 5 and now have the next six or so on hold at the library.