This looked like a beautiful graphic novel and I plan to read it in the future as a paper copy. Unfortunately, the downloaded e-arc was difficult to navigate and froze up. Will be giving it 5 stars in the meantime since that problem was with the NetGalley version.

Juliet needs to figure out where she fits in her world. Before heading to her summer internship on the other side of the country, Juliet comes out to her family. She is a lesbian. Once she has met her idol, Harlowe, Juliet is challenged with a break up and coming to terms of who Harlowe really is, but Juliet also makes friends and learns to express herself in many ways.

I enjoyed the story and found the message moving and relatable. The graphics are a bit explicit for a school library, but I may recommend it to my students to find it at the bookstore or local library.

Thank you for providing me with an advanced copy.

Absolutely beautiful, in literally every sense. Beautiful art, beautiful characters, beautiful story. I will definitely be picking up the novel version of this and recommending it to everyone. Can't wait to buy my own copy.

I have to confess that I haven't read the original novel, but the graphic novel version is GORGEOUS and definitely stands on its own! The art is absolutely beautiful and it's a very moving coming-of-age story -- not quite YA, but positioned in that immediately-post-YA zone that has a lot of crossover appeal. There's sex scenes and frontal nudity, in case that will help anyone with deciding which shelf to put it on!

I really enjoyed this graphic novel adaptation of Gabby Rivera’s queer coming-of-age story, Juliet Takes a Breath, adapted for this new format with artist Celia Moscote. What a joy to accompany Juliet on her journey to accepting and loving her amazing self, just as she is! The colorful artwork perfectly evokes Portland, Miami, and one magical summer when our main character learns, grows, and evolves (and realizes when others need to do the same). I especially love the self-confidence Juliet displays in the sparkling cover image!

I received an ARC copy of this today perfectly timed with a free moment to read. I thought this was a great QBIPOC graphic novel with beautiful illustrations and does an excellent job encouraging dialogue on the intersectionality of race, sexuality and identity. The illustrations are diverse fully showcasing Black and Brown bodies in shape, curves and of course hair!
I will try to find the time to read the original novel as I felt I missed out on truly understanding Juliet's characters through internal dialogues that are missed and edited down in a graphic novel.

Juliet Takes a Breath is an exquisite novel that centers around a kick ass young woman who wants to find her purpose and the dangers of white cis feminism. The graphic novel is an amazing adaptation that will make consuming Gabby Rivera's work possible for some folx. The illustrations are breath taking and quirky - they capture the essence of the main character!

I forgot I read this years ago. I very good slice of life about a woman finding out who she is and trying to get over the problems she had in the past. very good Latinx and Lgbtq representation.

I loved the art style of this one. The characters all looked like goddesses. I've been wanting to read this book for awhile, so it was exciting to see it coming out in graphic novel format. I haven't read a contemporary that's been translated into graphic novel before, and I really enjoyed it!

The graphic novel of Juliet Takes a Breath is a fabulous rendition of the original novel. After having read (and loved) the novel, I wanted to see how the graphic novel adapted itself from the original work, and it did not disappoint.

The art style across the graphic novel is beautifully done – I loved being able to see the various character designs for the whole cast, and the vibrancy and warmth of the colour palette used (pinks, purples, yellows) not only brought the characters to life, but also added to the overall hopeful and inspiring nature of the narrative. I loved the contrast between the colours used for Juliet’s character design (purples and pinks) in comparison to Lainie (blue), as it really emphasised the distance between the two characters both physically and emotionally, and made Lainie as a character feel distant to the reader, which adds to the story and what happens between the two characters.

However, personally I would have enjoyed a little more variety with the panelling structure of the novel. Most of the panelling occurred in square/rectangle boxes, blocking the narrative across the pages. I would have liked to see a bit more blending of boxes, some images taking over or dominating the page – overall something slightly more visually stimulating. It isn’t a big issue, and doesn’t affect the reading experience as a whole, but some of my favourite pages/spreads were when the panelling became more adventurous (e.g. when we were learning about Lolita Lebrón and her image capitalises half the page, or when Juliet is in the bath and the images are swirling around the page), and I would have loved to see more of this.

Altogether, I enjoyed the changes made in this adaptation. I loved that we got to learn a bit more about Phen in this version (e.g. why they were in Harlowe’s home) and that they actually formed a mutual bond/mini friendship with Juliet instead of seeming rather arrogant and dismissive of her – it definitely made them a more likeable character and easier to read. However, I also slightly missed that version of them from the novel because I valued the reason for Phen’s characterisation when originally reading. They needed to be quite condescending in the original to represent the contrast between someone who patronises others for not being as educated on certain topics (Phen in the original novel) and someone who actually takes the time to explain what things mean and help you become further educated (in the novel’s case, this was represented through Ava).

Other changes that were made I also enjoyed, including being able to see more of Zaira and Maxine’s relationship. The relationships in general was an aspect I really loved, especially those between Juliet and her brother at the beginning and the relationship between Juliet and Ava which we got to see in the latter half of the book. Seeing Juliet so supported by the majority of her family and seeing the illustration of their familial bonds was beautiful.

I really enjoyed the exploration of Juliet’s queerness and development of her realising what she wants feminism to mean to her (developing it away from Harlowe’s purely white feminism) being a beautiful, common thread throughout the book to read about. I really loved Harlowe’s characterisation and how the graphic novel showed how white feminists can often speak over BIPOC about queer and feminist issues, and think tacking them on at the end of speeches equates to allyship. I would have preferred to see some aspect of challenging to Harlowe’s transphobic feminism (e.g. womanhood = genitalia/body parts) since that never really felt addressed, and the pacing in the last 20 pages of the book felt slightly rushed, however these are minor critiques.

Overall, this is an incredibly gorgeous graphic novel in both art and storytelling and a beautiful ode to the original novel. I am sure this is one that can be enjoyed regardless of whether you have read the original or not, and I liked that the two aren't identical but rather follow the same storyline with individual differences, as this allows them both to stand on their own.

Enjoyed the color scheme and layout of this. The story is conveyed well in graphic format and for those who haven't read the novel they would not be missing much in terms of detail.

I started reading this without previously reading the original novel but I really loved it. The art style is amazing, the main character is so relatable and the whole story is wonderful.

In less than 200 pages author succeed to point out so many problems queer people and/or POC are dealing with, this is a must-read.

(Also, I was so happy when I saw a character with they/them pronouns)

I will certainly read the novel this comic is based on soon!

Thank you for allowing me to read an ARC copy.

Wow, wow, wow! This review won’t do it justice I am SO HERE for this fat, queer, Latina, protagonist, and all of the representation covered throughout the span of this graphic novel. I haven’t read the original novel, but I own it, so that’s next. Homophobia, racism, white savior complexes, sexual assault, gender, sexuality, there is so much covered here in a fun (sometimes), sweet, empowering story and absolutely phenomenal illustrations. I loved so much. I can’t wait to read Juliet’s full story in the novel version.

Thank you NetGalley, author and publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Writer: Gabby Rivera
Artist: Celia Moscote
Colors: James Fenner
Letters: D.C. Hopkins

I can say without almost certainty that I am not part of the target audience for Juliet Takes a Breath. Because of that, it was honestly nerve-wracking to go into this for review purposes. But part of 2020, when I originally read this, was about broadening my horizons when it came to entertainment. So, while I wasn't the target audience for this graphic novel, I still enjoyed the hell out of it and truly believe that most of us can find something to relate to in it.

The story follows a nineteen-year-old Juliet Palante, a freshly out lesbian and feminist. Coming out to her family doesn't go exactly as smoothly as she'd like and ends her time in the Bronx on a sour note. She heads to Portland, Oregon for an internship with Harlowe Brisbane, a popular white feminist that Juliet looks up to. This is where the story picks up comes into its own as Juliet learns more about herself, queer life, and the people around her.

Gabby Rivera weaves a wonderful story with compelling characters. Juliet Takes a Breath's titular character coming of age story is full of emotional growth and personal development. Rivera isn't afraid to tackle scenes that are traditionally looked at as taboo by society. But it's the honesty of these scenes—from Juliet masturbating and getting her period to crushing over girls and having sex—that makes you feel your own emotions.

Tender Art





The scenes Rivera wrote hit as well as they do in part to the beautiful art of Celia Moscote and the colors of James Fenner. It's soft, tender. It made me feel like I was nineteen and the warmness to it filled my heart with genuine joy. When Juliet was sad, you felt it. Confused? Felt it. Angry? Yep, felt that too. I don't know that I've ever been so moved while reading a graphic novel.

It would be criminal for me to not give some details on the supporting cast, who all help shape Juliet in some ways. Max, a Black, polyamorous lesbian who counsels our hero, along with her partner Zaira, another Black queer person. The conversations had with these characters are moving and range from romance to false allyship. This leads to the reason Juliet is even in Portland: Harlowe.

I love that Juliet, throughout the course of the story, is able to discover who Harlowe really is on her own. Sure, she is warned, but she is allowed to fully witness the flakey feminism Harlowe preaches and make her own conclusions. And she does it without making it about Harlowe.

Conclusion

As I said, I'm not the target audience for Juliet Takes a Breath. But that's the beautiful thing about coming of age stories, isn't it? We've all been or will be, teenagers who feel like we don't belong. Who thinks we know one thing, but we really don't know anything. We're just trying to figure life and ourselves out.

Score: 10/10

Please see my review rubric for grading.

For full transparency: I received a review copy of this work from NetGalley. That said, this is an honest review, and receiving a review copy has not influenced my thoughts and rating of this work.

What a wonderful graphic novel adaptation! I had not previously read the book of the same title that this is based on, so this was my first time reading Juliet's story and I absolutely loved it! The representation, the queerness, the beautiful illustrations - it was a joy to read!

I loved this! It's cute, inspiring, hella queer, and the protagonist is a gorgeous fat WOC. A stunning and enjoyable read and an emotional rollercoaster in the best way. Loved it to bits.

This was certainly a good graphic novel. The illustrations were beautiful and I loved being able to see all the characters. Because I haven't read the original novel, I think I struggled with this a bit more than an individual that did would have. I had a little trouble following the plot when there were time jumps in particular. I think I *personally* am going to be a bigger fan of the novel because that's just who I am as a reader, but I think the graphic novel version is going to make this accessible to a whole new demographic. Either way, I'm planning on reading that version too so I consider that a success.

// thank you to the publisher and author for the eARC !

note : this story is ownvoices for queer latinx rep

tw : homophobia, fatphobia, sexual assault.

rep :
🌈 fat + lesbian + latinx ( puerto rican ) mc
🌈 side bi + latinx ( puerto rican ) characters
🌈 side black + nonbinary character
🌈 side afro-latinx + queer character
🌈 polyamorous relationship ( mentioned )
🌈 side trans character ( transwoman, to be exact )
🌈 side queer black characters
🌈 queer half - korean li
🌈 side minor gay character
🌈 side queer characters

*

i honestly don't know where to start.

juliet milagros palante is the fat and asthmatic puerto rican lesbian you never knew you wanted to read about.

THE STORY
↳ we got to explore not just what it meant for juliet to be a lesbian, but also what it means to be a lesbian of colour living in a world that seems to want to put her down.
↳ the white saviour complex in the form of harlowe brisbane was portrayed brilliantly, as was juliet's character arc regarding her idolization of harlowe. white feminism leaves behind women of colour, and it severely affects queer womxn as well. white feminism and the white saviour complex is unfortunately very much real and thriving sentiments in today's world -- something which was depicted with finesse by the author.
↳ on the topic of harlowe, i LOVED the way zaira called her out on her white feminism. zaira is a badass and we love her.
↳ i loved the dialogue between juliet and her cousin ava as they talk about sex and gender.
↳ i love how elements as serious as cultural appropriation to the little things like menstruation and masturbation were depicted. you don't see a lot of novels these days which portray menstruation and masturbation, so kudos to both the author and the artist for that !
⇢ now, admittedly i haven't read the original novel on which this is based on ( Juliet Takes a Breath ), but as far as this graphic novel is concerned, it feels like she isn't taking any action of her own to advance the plot. basically, it felt like the plot was this big current which was carrying juliet along -- she was thrown into different situations to which she reacted.
⇢ the ending was also a little too perfectly happy for my taste, but what the heck, qtpoc deserve perfect happy endings too.

THE ART
↳ i love that juliet was drawn to be fat. her body shape isn't ambiguous or anything -- it's just very clearly fat and i love that
↳ i love how other characters have normal bodies too. not everyone is skinny and white and that's awesome !
↳ i love, love, love the fact that harlowe had legs which actually had hair on them !
↳ i absolutely ADORED the colour palette for both portland and miami.
↳ i especially loved the character art of juliet, maxine, zaira and luz.
⇢ i just wish the art had a little more variation, though. there was a change in the colour palette when juliet reaches miami from portland, but other than that i do wish there was a change in atleast the tone of the colours used in accordance with, say, juliet's moods or the different people she meets.

would recommend if you want to gush about a graphic novel as much as i did in this review ( and more ). i mean, it's got a lesbian of colour as the mc, subtly shades cultural appropriation, calls out white feminism and features a refreshingly diverse cast of characters !

another note : this graphic novel is based on the novel Juliet Takes a Breath by the same author, but you don't need to read it to understand this.

// 4 stars

While I’ve not read the actual novel, Juliet Takes a Breath, I can say without a doubt that the graphic novel adaptation is awesome! The artwork is stunning, bright, and colorful. The characters are in different sized beautiful bodies. The story is one that many teens will enjoy and learn from.
A main theme is that white feminism and queerness often does, but should not, exclude people of color, that safe spaces for queer pocs are therefore important, and that when you do make a mistake as a feminist or a queer spokesperson, apologize. I liked that the story also casually and conversationally touched on a lot of important buzz words in the queer community, subtly educating or suggesting what to research.
It was an engaging fast-paced read about first break-ups, self-love, queerness, and coming-of-age.

This is such a joyful, exuberant, colorful adaptation of the novel. It's everything that makes a graphic adaptation like this so worthwhile. I loved the way the colors and the art added to the overall feeling of the story, one of continual discovery. I loved reading this a few years after reading the novel.