I can't get over how beautiful this is. The story of their relationship. The way the art perfectly fit. Being able to hear the actual song. I love things like this. Where it's not just words or pictures, it's an experience.

A pleasantly-portrayed true story, of a young pianist and composer who is gifted the lyrics of an established songsmith that had died decades earlier, having cystic fibrosis. One song jumped out at him, and became his collaboration over the decades, that gives this book its title. However, this isn't really that great a book – it's fine and all, and certainly looks the part with great classiness to the visuals. But it also acts as an advert for the song, for without this chances are it really wouldn't have hit our radar. And I don't like my immediate assumption that, just because this is a public domain entity and created to be shared at will, this is some kind of loss-leader publicity for something else – but something about this tells me that is what I have here.

That aside, the story is a simple one, and might lead to discussion of inheritance, skills being passed down through the ages and the merits of old ideas and older people. Possibly, too, talk of what we leave behind when we pass on could result from this. But that's to ignore this is not some kind of entertainment that all children will immediately latch on to – the gaze is not young enough, here.

Would this sell a copy of the music? Perhaps. Would it jump out as a child-pleaser? Pretty much not. So for all the spread-the-love-and-share-the-thanks moral, this is three stars, that are no true reflection of the skills the creators here ultimately seem to have.

‘Honey, If It Wasn’t For You’ by Barron Ryan with art by Cali Ward is a graphic novel that tells a poignant true story.

Don Feagin was a talented songwriter and composer and his favorite person to write for was his wife Linda. When Don was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and died far too early, Linda was sure she’d never hear another song until she met a talented young musician and a box of forgotten lyrics.

It’s a lovely story and illustrated well. At 36 pages, it’s a really short story. The addition of a link to hear the song was a nice touch.

Wow, what an incredible story. I can't believe the way life works sometimes. For this song to be written forty years apart? By chance? Unreal. Just a truly touching story and an even more beautiful song.

Thank you so much Netgalley and Barron Ryan for the ARC!

Honey, If It Wasn't For You is a short, heartwarming and sweet read that will continue to live inside my heart. It showcases both Don and Barron's expertise and Linda's kind hearted nature to cherish Don the way she did and share with Barron some of her most treasured memories of her husband. The portrayal of Don and Barron's unusual partnership is done just right. I've already heard the song multiple times and it is genuinely so beautiful. My mom, who read a couple of lines with me while I was reading was equally impressed if not more. Highly recommended!

To be quite honest, I didn’t particularly enjoy. I thought having the QR code to the song at the end was an innovative and interesting way to link people to the connected project, but the story itself just fell flat for me.

2/5

I really liked the idea behind this, the problem was that it was 20 pages long and there's no story.
The summary is literally the whole story you will get with just beautiful art to accompany it.

Putting the qr code to listen to the original song was a very smart and appreciated move.
It should have been put at the beginning tho, considering "reading" this book takes literally the lenght of the song, just image living this experience with the music underneath... So much better!

Overall was a touching story to know, even if probably not necessary to have in a graphic novel format.

I REALLY wished there was more to this book! I would have given it more stars if it had more details however, the story behind the song is truly beautiful and has made my heart feel so full!

I really liked the book.
The story is very well told and is easily appreciated through the beautiful illustrations.
Is written by the author who wrote the music to accompany the lyrics, and
I think it is a brilliant initiative to share this song, an make it known just because of the background story.
Was just amazing. What are the odds?

The story is about the author singing and playing a song from a man who passed away before he met him (Dan Feagin) and the impact it had on him and Feagin's wife.
The art was fine, it wasn't anything to write home about, it felt very rushed so I can't say if I liked any of the characters. The story didn't grip me and I think it would have been better if it were longer. I definitly don't think kids would find this entertaining.
Basically, very basic and not all that interesting.

ARC from NetGalley.
**2.5 stars ⭐**

Really? Did this really need to be a book?
1) I am upset that this was categorized underneath "graphic novels/comics." Not sure if that is a publisher issue or an author's choice. Either way "Honey, If It Wasn't For You" is NOT a graphic novel. It's more like a children's book or a story I'd find in an primary schooler's reading textbook.

2) really? Why was this a book? The story doesn't have any significance really to be a story that anyone should or would want to read. Maybe to the author, yes, but it would have been better if he'd published the song, gave some money and royalities to Linda and then dedicated it in Don's name. I have no idea why the book was necessary and then a link leading to a 5 minute song I could not care to listen to was published. He made it seem like he sang and put music to several of Don's songs and was very underrated. I'm not sure, but the story format does not do a story like this justice.

What an inspiring story, This beautifully written and illustrated story tells of love, loss, and friendship all woven together through a song. A great read,

Thanks Netgalley and Barron Ryan for allowing me to read this short graphic novel.

It has a nice touch that this short 21 chapter novel was tribute to a lyricist named Don who wrote a song called “Honey if it wasn’t for you” and Barron Ryan performed this song. Unfortunately Don passed away very young and the song has a QR code which has a pretty nice song that’d make ya cry!

I would like to thank you for the ARC of this book which the publisher kindly provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I recently had the opportunity to read "Honey, If It Wasn't for You" by Barron Ryan, and while I always strive to appreciate the efforts of authors, I must admit that this graphic book did not resonate with me as much as I had hoped.

One aspect of "Honey, If It Wasn't for You" that I did appreciate was the artwork. The illustrations are undoubtedly skilful and visually appealing. The use of colour and the attention to detail in each panel were commendable, bringing the characters and settings to life. However, even though the artwork was a strong point, it couldn't compensate for my lack of connection to the storyline.

Yet, I encourage others to give it a try, as our tastes may differ, and they might find something in the book that I did not.

I Received This Comic ARC in exchange for an honest review, Thanks Barron, Cali, Don and Linda Feagin, For the opportunity and the emotional read.
This will come out 01 Aug 2023, It's actually a no rights reserved comic, so we can share it everywhere when the time comes, i ll put the link in the review in the promised day, Because right now the link has only the song, and not the comic, i would have liked to share the song now, But i believe it holds more emotional weigh after reading about Linda and Don Feagin.

<blockquote>♪I pray the words will come to me today♪</blockquote>
Hmmm, not sure where to start, that song was actually beautiful!
Barron Ryan is amazing pianist, not sure about his singing career though, but he managed to sing, Honey, If it wasn't for you beautifully, I applaud you man.
His voice carries a lot of emotion and in my mind it's Don Feagin who is singing in that sweet voice from the afterlife.

<blockquote>♪Honey, If It Wasn't For You.. There would be no song...♪</blockquote>
The first half was amazing, it was beautiful story of Linda and Don, To Marry someone you know isn't long for this world, it shows great love for one another, love so rare, i feel it's nonexistent anymore.

<blockquote>♪When every line's been said and sung♪</blockquote>
But then Linda meets Barron, it's a beautiful friendship and all, but at that point, the natural motion was gone really, everything after felt like it wasn't natural and coincidence anymore.
For a few pages it felt like the story was about how an amazing patron of arts Linda is, I want her to sponsor my reviews! lol
Luckily that didn't go for long, but that brief feeling of annoyance for me, made me pay more attention to the writing style, it's really simple, almost felt like someone who didn't really read much, or a style meant for a children's book.

<blockquote>♪For Surely it's hard work that writes the song♪</blockquote>
For Surely it hard work that produces beautiful art like this, The Artist did an amazing job, as usual i didn't like the human faces, and the smiles in some of these styles annoy me so much for some reason, even though she caught Barron perfectly, i saw many of his photos, But the real guy looks way more alive and his smiles are way more beautiful than this style of art conveys, But amazing job, it's really hard to impress me with human faces 😂.
I liked her backgrounds specially, they had a beautiful range of colors, like just draw background pictures and sell them or something they look beautiful!

<blockquote>♪That same old song keeps calling me away♪</blockquote>
Adios, i will go listen to this song a few more times!

I thought that this was a lovely book and the fact it is based on a true story made it an even more enjoyable read.

The story was easy to follow and I loved the style in which the story was told. The illustrations for the book are wonderful, they really suit the story and are subtle in their touch which really suits this one.

The code at the end to listen to the song too is a lovely touch.

It is 4 stars from me for this one – highly recommended!

A most beautiful tale of love and melancholy! Not to mention the most lovely illustrations by Cali Ward.