Member Reviews

A beautiful love story depicted in a very well illustrated graphic novel.
The story is about two teenagers, one is struggling at school and feels lost, the other has a degenerative eye disease. Together they help each other.
There is a moment in the story that sort of comes a bit out of left field and I wish it had some growth to get to that point but it was still a lovely story.
I still want to know what Hussein said though - will we ever know?
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

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Such a beautiful and warm story! As I progress through my reading, I really liked how Victor and Marie brought positive changes into their lives with other presence. They evolved and embraced life. Thats what I liked the most!

I enjoyed a lot!

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This was a short and sweet graphic novel about Victor and Marie-Jo. Victor is brilliant when it comes to vintage cars, but struggles in school and often says the wrong things. I’m pretty sure he has undiagnosed ADHD or a learning disability. His classmate, Marie, starts helping him study and everyone sees an improvement in him. Marie has a secret she’s entrusted to Victor, and he’s happy to return the favor. They also bonded over music; Victor is in a rock band with his friends and Marie plays the cello. Their friendship was so sweet and I loved watching it develop into more. The artwork was truly beautiful and I felt that it captured the heartwarming essence of the story very well. The only downside was how short the story was, and the ending felt abrupt.

Rep: blind MC

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"My Heart in Braille" by Joris Chamblain
4/5 📖

Thank you, @netgalley and @europecomics for an ARC!

This graphic novel was so cute 💕 I loved that Victor and Marie-Jo had different tastes, but music was something that they had in common, even if they played completely different instruments. They were such good friends, helping each other with their assignments and spending time together ❤️ It is inspired by another book, so I'm trying to find it because I really want to read it now!

📚 YA
📚 Friends to Lovers
📚 Comic
📚 Fast Paced

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This was such a cute, heartfelt graphic novel. The art style is just *chef's kiss*. The two leads were just doing their best and caring for each other so well in that... I just want to protect them both!!! Definitely recommend for a quick & sweet coming-of-age read! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy!

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This was cute but it fell short for me. I don't know why, but it just lacked any real emotional pull for me and I didn't always mesh with the characters.. Strange for me because I usually love graphic novels so much more than normal novels and they can hardly do wrong for me. Something was lacking and I didn't care that much by the time I got to the end.

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My Heart in Braille is a graphic novel based on the novel by Pascal Ruter and translated from French to English. The art in this is absolutely beautiful. The scenes of Marie playing music felt truly magical, it was something I would print off and hang up if I could.

As for the story, I haven’t read the original, so I’m not sure how it compares, but this definitely felt like a story that would be better as a novel or movie. There just wasn’t enough time to become emotionally invested in the characters as everything moved so quickly.

I kind of wish this story would have been told from Marie’s perspective, I think it would’ve been 100 times more interesting. This book was listed on NetGalley as teens and YA, but I think it’s best targeted towards middle grade.

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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this was such a cute story! the artwork was fantastic, and i loved the message behind it, even though the story itself was a little clichéed at times. i’d particularly recommend this for middle-grade students!

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⤷‧₊˚4⭑
a great story about two kids with their struggles that end up helping each other. It was told in such a great way. The illustrations are *perfect* and the whole book was great to read because it was really heartwarming yet important.

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Amazing art work…
A story about two kids that have there own struggels, but find a way to help they other tru it…
I loved to see that sometimes you dont learn like all others, but whit some help it Can be better.

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Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this graphic novel.
Title: My Heart in Braille


The novel follows Emma, a spirited and determined protagonist, who navigates the challenges of her new reality after losing her sight due to an accident.
What makes "My Heart in Braille" truly special is its portrayal of the power of empathy and understanding. As Emma forms unexpected friendships with those around her, the book beautifully depicts the importance of compassion and the impact that small acts of kindness can have on someone's life. It reminds readers that true connections can transcend physical barriers and that love and understanding can be felt even without sight.

The illustrations are a perfect complement to the narrative, adding a visual dimension that enhances the reader's connection to the characters and their experiences.

"My Heart in Braille" is a book that touches the heart and leaves a lasting impression. It sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals with visual impairments, while also highlighting their strength, resilience, and unique perspectives. The story encourages readers to embrace empathy, appreciate the small joys in life, and recognize the beauty that lies in human connection.

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I’d like to say thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for approving me for the e-arc. This graphic novel is one of the best ones I read so far this year. The artwork and story were just so beautiful to read.

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A struggling student meets the seemingly perfect, straight-A making, cello playing, Marie. They discover secrets about each other and change their lives for the better. I adored the characters in this book! I really loved the father son relationship. The chess playing friend was the perfect supporting character. As a fellow cello player I fell in love with Marie's character. She reminded me slightly of Rosalind from Netflix's Sabrina, and also gave me "your lie in april " vibes. The illustrations were absolutely captivating. I really appreciated the writing style of the dialogue and descriptions, it made this feel like a graphic novel that all ages could read and get something meaningful out of it. I enjoyed the formula one reference. The only thing I can think of that could be changed is that our main character never reveals to Marie that he is in a band. She reveals so much of herself and yet he remains closed off until the end, and resorts to self-harm and avoiding his friends rather than opening up to her about being a fellow musician. Overall I adored this one! cawpile: 8.4

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Such a cute and heart-warming story! Couldn´t stop reading, charmed me right away. The characters are cute and well-developed, each with a sense of individual personality. The story was well-paced and intriguing, making me want to keep reading till the very end. And the art! so lovely, so expressive!

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This book feels like things seemed to be happening behind the scenes and we only saw the final result of it on page, which, certainly, doesn’t helps the reader feel anything towards the characters, plot, or anything else (other than the beautiful art) at all. It’s me, I am the reader. It’s really a shame, the story sounds [a bit unrealistic, but] so wholesome and lovely, I wish we were able to experience it fully.

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I was mostly captivated by the stunning illustrations that adorn its pages, which managed to grab my attention exceptionally well. However, despite this standout aspect, I found the graphic novel to be somewhat unsatisfying.

While the visually appealing and detailed artwork provided a charming complement to the story, I felt that the plot didn't fully develop. Some elements of the story seemed rushed and lacked a satisfying resolution. Additionally, certain characters and subplots were left unattended, leaving a sense of disconnect and unanswered questions.

Although 'My Heart in Braille' captured emotional and tender moments in the relationship between the main characters, it would have been desirable to see further focus on their development and depth. The story left loose ends and didn't fully leverage its potential to explore important themes such as the protagonists' learning challenges and illness.

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I came across 'My Heart in Braille' on NetGallery, and its striking cover immediately caught my attention, leading me to delve into its pages with high expectations. However, regrettably, the graphic novel fell short of meeting my expectations. Despite its promising premise, I found that the story presented certain deficiencies in its development and execution.

In 'My Heart in Braille,' we meet Victor, a student who doesn't particularly enjoy school and often finds himself daydreaming in class, resulting in poor academic performance. However, he finds joy in playing guitar in his rock band and discussing mechanics with his father.
Everything changes when Victor cheats on an exam by copying answers from his neighbor, Marie-José. His exceptional score causes quite a stir, and he becomes terrified of revealing his cheating and disappointing those around him with his subsequent poor grades.
That's when Marie-José proposes a deal: she will help him improve his academic performance in return for his assistance in hiding her worsening illness, which is causing her to go blind.
Marie-José's dream is to attend a music school, but she fears her parents would prevent it if they knew about her deteriorating condition.

The unlikely friendship between Victor and Marie-José begins to blossom as they embark on their agreement. Victor strives to excel academically with Marie-José's help, while also grappling with the weight of keeping her secret.

However, amidst their journey, certain plot elements and character arcs feel underdeveloped. Victor's learning difficulties and his involvement in a rock band are briefly touched upon but not explored in depth. Similarly, the presence of a bully and the misunderstanding of Victor's alleged infidelity are introduced but quickly fade into the background without proper resolution.

The artistic style of 'My Heart in Braille' is visually pleasing, enhancing the storytelling experience. Nevertheless, certain scenes and secondary characters feel underutilized, detracting from the overall cohesiveness of the narrative.

Despite these shortcomings, the novel captures moments of tenderness in the relationship between Victor and Marie-José. Their connection, built upon trust and mutual support, showcases the power of friendship in the face of adversity.

Overall, 'My Heart in Braille' by Joris Chamblain presents an engaging premise but falls short in fully exploring its potential. While the book addresses themes of friendship, personal growth, and the weight of secrets, the execution lacks the necessary depth and resolution to truly satisfy readers. Nonetheless, those seeking a heartfelt story with glimpses of romance and the struggles of teenage life may still find enjoyment within its pages.

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I loved this! The art style is fantastic and fits the story perfectly. This story is short but a very enjoyable and captivating read. The characters were perfect for each other and I love how they balance each other out. I haven't got loads to say about the story bit I highly enjoyed it and really recommend it. The ending was perfect and I love the France setting.

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STUNNING. I also didn't realize that I have been following the artist for literal years and so when I started this book I was like hmm I have seen this character before for sure. I just wasn't sure where. And then bam it hit me. The art is stunning, the story is adorable and good. A very good graphic novel.

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Review to come early September on my blog/goodreads. I am sorry, my blog is mostly on vacation in August and July is all full for now. September is the only place I still have some spots.

I received this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange of an honest review!

PHEW! I am so happy! I applied for 4 ARCs by Europe Comics and 2 were duds, I was so worried that this third one would also be a dud, but oh no, this one was actually really fun!

In this graphic novel (with gorgeous art btw) we follow Victor and Marie-Jo. Victor is our MC, but through him we get to meet Marie-Jo, a sweet girl who is very smart... but has a big secret. She has an eye disease which means she will go blind. But will it be months? Weeks? Or years? As we read the book we see her struggle with her vision more and more. Victor on the other hand misses his mom who left him and his dad a lot, doesn't know what to do about school, always says the wrong things, he is very unsure about it all. But we see that thanks to Marie-Jo that he is getting better and better at things. He just needed a bit of love and someone he could connect with. I really loved seeing these two together and see them get closer. From just friends to much more and I was so happy because they make a cute couple. I loved the topics they talked about from science to school to what makes them tick.

I did feel for Victor, he loves Marie-Jo a lot but he is still very unsure about how to deal with her going blind. He really wants to be with her, but he struggles on how to do that, especially if Marie-Jo would go to another school. Plus, will they be able to keep it up, not showing anyone that Marie-Jo is actually already going blind NOW. School won't be easy.

I loved Victor's friends, Hussein especially was just a sweet boy who tried to be there for his friend. And the twins gave me strong Ouran High School vibes, haha. Their enthusiasm, the way they act and want to do things.

But the miscommunication trope stuff at around 50? I get that she was hurt, I GET IT. But he didn't do that on purpose. She was drunk, he was just oblivious and slightly tipsy. She forced herself on him. Someone made the photographs, clearly to get a reaction. JUST FUCKING TALK. I hate it when things like this happen. LORD. And then to do that to get out of something? WTH. I also felt things were just a bit too easily resolved. *sighs*

The parts that happened after everything came out, yes, what did you think that these two could keep it up? It is pretty noticeable if you see how Marie-Jo walks and does her things. But what happens next was so YA that it kinda made me laugh. I was a bit over the top, but I could definitely understand why our couple has chosen that. I mean, HECK, if my parents were like that I would have also done the same.

The ending brought us back to how the graphic novel started and I loved it. I loved seeing her play and I wish I could have had sound so I could also have heard it. It was a bit sudden, I would have loved an epilogue of some sorts, but I am at least happy with the ending.

The art, as I said in the beginning, is gorgeous. I love the style!

All in all, sorry for the long review, I thought I wouldn't find the words for this one, but eventually it all just flowed out of me, I would recommend this graphic novel to all. Finding yourself, love, friendship, and being blind. It was fab.

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