At the beginning of this book, I was very unsure of whether or not I would like it. It started off very juvenile, and in a few ways I felt like I was reading a children's book. As I got farther through the story though, I started liking it much better. It had a great message, and really showed how toxic social media is when pertaining to body positivity. I also enjoyed the art style immensely, because it was really unique.

A story of the intricacy of a young woman and her experience navigating through social media and its portrayal of women.

It's very relatable to current issues of body images, identities and self-love. Definitely, a good book to pick up.

Thank you NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group for giving me the opportunity to read this!

This graphic novel had a great theme of positive body image, but also dealt with issues such as eating disorders. I didn't love the artwork or panels much.

I truly enjoyed my time reading Sofia Szamosi's Unretouchable. I also learned new things about the fashion and marketing industry along the way. (Virtual models?! Who knew?) I couldn't ask for more than that. Enjoyment and education? Sign me up.

The main character was quite relatable and the art style was cute and interesting. I particularly enjoyed the conversations surrounding the ethics of one's work, the manipulative nature of marketing, and consumer culture.

All in all, I would recommend this graphic novel and I am looking forward to reading more from Szamosi in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital copy in exchange for my review.

Not a fan of the art style, though it does remind me of Persepolis, but the story is good. It's essentially an exploration of how one social-media addicted teen comes to realize how much of what she sees is completely far from reality, and how the at she loves to do (retouching and remaking pictures) can be hazardous to your health.

Great style of art that is different from a lot of graphic novels. The topic is something that hits close to home for many teens and young adults, so I would recommend it to anyone at that age. It was interesting to see "behind the curtain" how so many pictures are nothing like they started.

✨this was a short, solid coming-of-age story that focuses around the fashion industry and photo touching and the effects of photoshop on the brain and how we see ourselves.

✨with a bit of heavy-handed body positivity explanations, i think that this story is a good way to get your feet wet when it comes to how quickly people, especially women or female presenting persons, can spiral into thinking that everything is wrong with their body when being bombarded with constant reminders of their flaws when those flaws are absent in magazines and on the internet.

✨there is a basic understanding of what body positivity is really about when the reader finishes this story, enough to get the curious parts of ourselves working to find out more.

✨thank you NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group for allowing me to have an e-arc of this graphic novel in exchange for my honest review.

I am so sorry, I could have sworn I reviewed this in June when I read it! This graphic novel had a big impact on me. I could immediately see many ways to use this in my classroom. My coworker has already pre-ordered a copy because I kept gushing to her about all the applications I could see this story having in our classes. I’d love it if there was an advanced copy I could begin showing my School Board to start the purchasing process (it takes about a year for any new book order to be approved). Thank you for the opportunity to preview this text!

A graphic novel was the perfect medium to use for this story so I’m really glad I got to take it in this way. The story explores the reality of the digital content we receive in our daily lives whether it be social media or advertisements and TV shows. This story follows Olive, a recent high school graduate preparing to attend art school and is offered an internship before her classes start. Early on, we get a glimpse into her relationship with social media and explore it more deeply during her time as an editing assistant, her work including retouching model photos. At this point, we’ve heard the dangers of unrealistic body expectations and how they impact especially young women, so I could definitely see my self in Olive, especially when I was her age. The story follows her addressing her dependence on social media and how retouching her own photos. Overall, I think a strong message for teens especially to hear and creating it in a visual art form can only help.

A graphic novel reflection on fashion, social media, and their reflect on body image. I loved the art!

Truly enjoyed this book! Heavy triggers for body dysmorphia and eating disorders especially bulimia. Great and important book about finding your calling, making hard decisions and the battles we all face over social media. This totally brought me back to my freshman year of college and the pressure I felt to have everything planned and figured out without truly knowing what the world was like outside of the high school bubble. I’m excited to see how this is received!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review!

Thoughtful social media/image manipulation commentary, a believable and likable teenage voice, and a gorgeous art style! What more could I ask for?

A day late but, A big thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for approving me of a copy of an e-arc of this book!
I absolutely adored it! Such a great teen graphic novel!

First off, thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read an advance copy of this book.

This graphic novel follows the story of Olive, a teenager girl fresh out of high school enjoying her last summer before beginning art school. She loves social media and her life in the city and was ready to relax and enjoy her summer when her mother sent her to intern...at a fashion magazine. The awesome internship fulfills a dream of hers, but also lets her into the world retouching images.

It was a quick, fun read, and Sofia Szamosi's artwork is wonderful and whimsical. Olive's story is VERY relatable (I could see so many parallel thoughts from my own teen years). The messages on body image and social media provide a touching resolution.

A really good conversation about beauty standards, how we see ourselves and other people, and insight into this industry in a fun new way.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Lerner Publishing Group and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Cute, fun, entertaining and enjoyable.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group for the advanced reader copy.

This week’s headline? Love yourself

Why this book? Looked cute

Which book format? ARC

Primary reading environment? Bed

Any preconceived notions? Not sure I have any

Identify most with? No one

Three little words? “your favorite sweater”

Goes well with? Selfies

Recommend this to? People who like cutesy graphic novels

Other cultural accompaniments: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/body-positivity

Grade: 3/5

I leave you with this: “Even more refreshing was the idea that maybe, just maybe… that old “ugly” cloud that had been following me around for so long… was never really mine to begin with!”

📚📚📚

Unretouchable is a graphic novel about an eighteen year old aspiring artist named Olive who gets an internship at a fashion magazine. She learns how to edit photos and that not everything that’s presented as perfect actually is, we all have flaws that make us beautiful in our own way.

Overall, this was cute with the basic concept of self-acceptance. Do I think it’s groundbreaking? No. But I’m sure there are people who will get something out of it.

Unretouchable will be released on September 12, 2022.

A wholesome, inspiring and timely graphic novel about a soon-to-be-art-student's experiences with body image, self-confidence and her raging social media addiction. The art style of this graphic novel is SO unique, adorable and quirky and really lends this story a one-of-kind voice. The main character, Olive, is so relatable in her self-perception and I loved getting to know about her best friend, Toni, and her view of our capitalistically-driven world. There's so many little details in the art that really say a lot about the author's love for this story, and I can't wait to see what Szamosi creates next!

This incisive graphic novel follows Olive, an aspiring artist who scores a coveted internship at a glitzy fashion magazine but becomes increasingly disillusioned with the industry. I love how Unretouchable explores the double-edged sword that is social media and the internet, as well as consumerism and the emotional manipulation involved. It also highlights the role of digital retouchers and the complexities behind the job rather than just adopting a one-dimensional stance.

I liked the black-and-white art style, which reminded me of Persepolis. But for a book that discusses body positivity and related movements, it's strangely lacking in representation. Same for how it points out that "along with people in fat, black and disabled communities, queer communities were BoPo pioneers" but there's not a single fat, BIPOC or queer character.

Another issue I had was the casual handling of eating disorders despite alluding to them at least twice. I wish the book had expanded on it more for the benefit of those with similar struggles.

Nevertheless, this is a sharp and insightful take on very relevant topics. The book was an easy read and captured Olive's inner turmoil well. I enjoyed it overall.

An accessible look at the side effects social media has on a persons self-confidence and body image that teens and young adults should read. My favorite part was the mom. She didn't give lectures or force opinions on her daughter, just simple conversation and suggestions.


Thanks to NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group for providing a copy for an honest review.