This graphic novel is a standalone story, set in sunny Greece.

It’s very quick to read, a little too quick at times so the plot feels rushed. But the characters still shine through and the art is beautiful. The illustrator stole the show a here, especially on the two page Greek landscape spreads. Those were beautiful!

Rachel (good name) is a typical 16 year old with all the teenage drama that comes with this. There’s a short whirlwind romance in this book too, and a few secrets that I didn’t see coming.

Overall although this graphic novel is lacking some depth, it’s a fun way to spend an hour on a summer’s afternoon.

I did enjoy this story and the artwork was excellent in the way it conveyed the beautiful Greek island. It is supposed to be a YA graphic novel but it does come across as adult because of some of the themes in the story.

I did wonder if something awful was going to happen to sixteen-year-old Rachel whose parents’ glamorous friends unexpectedly invite her on a glitzy trip to Greece for the summer holiday. Her parents hadn’t seen these friends for years but quite happily packed their daughter off to Greece for a holiday with perfect strangers who immediately introduced her to wine, skimpy dresses, their partying friends and a young man called Benjamin.

This had ‘safeguarding’ alarms going off in my brain, but the story was quite surprising in the end. Rachel emerges as an excellent character despite the gossipy adults around her and the story is both engaging and surprising.

I also realised that it is high time I visit Greece and experience the sun and sea for myself. This is a lovely story with a courageous young woman as the main character set against the beautiful background of Greece.

Copy provided by Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

A swift and heartbreaking story of a summer romance, family, friendship and not fitting in. I really loved this. The illustrations really told the story well. Beautifully told, and I really felt every emotion.

I loved the art in this book; the illustrator did a great job of reflecting the beauty of Greece. I particularly liked the consistent colour palette.

There was an unsettling and eerie tone throughout the story, but the poor storytelling and unclear plot made it fall flat. I genuinely didn't feel any connection to the characters or particularly care about them, nor was the plot clear enough to actually understand what was going on. The ending was anticlimactic and disappointing. The only redeeming aspect of this graphic novel was the art.

I absolutely loved reading this Greek adventure. I was completely drawn into the topic and could not stop reading it.

The artwork in this novel was gorgeous and I fell completely in love with the depictions of the Greek island, with white and blue and beige colours everywhere! The main character was interesting and a very realistic depiction of a 16-year-old, however, I found the overall storyline to be lacking. The plot, ostensibly, is what happens when an English girl spends a summer in Greece, but I found it very vague and couldn't see any clear-cut beginning, middle, or end to the story, which is why I gave it three out of five stars instead of anything higher.

A coming of age story in a beautiful setting with a feeling of unease throughout.

I felt so uneasy reading this because I couldn't imagine parents saying yes to their 16 year old daughter going away with acquaintances they haven't seen in years.

I half expected this to turn into some kind of Get Out scenario but instead it was just bland.

What wasn't bland was the artwork, some of the most beautifully drawn scenes were just of the Greek island.

My favourite moment was actually post holiday when she prepared a meal for gager parents.

A big thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Coming of age with an unsettling twist, say less. I'm in.

Sunburn by Andi Watson and Simon Gane is a coming of age graphic novel that follows the average life of Rachel, who doesn't expect much out of her life. Until her parents' friend invites her to stay at their summer home in Greece, where she goes to party after party, and spends time with people she think she knows. Only to find out they have terribly dark secrets.

I really wanted to love this one. But the plot was a bit too predictable and the characters fell flat. It didn't slap in the way I wanted it to. Which was just a summer bummer.

I am not generally a Graphic Novel reader. I find it hard to enjoy on my phone where the images are to small to really appreciate.
I liked the premise of this story and really enjoyed the images. I think my problem was that words generate images in my mind that make a story very full. When I am looking at images (and this goes for movies, tv, etc.) I tend to get bored because I am limited by one static image.
The story line was also a bit confusing for me. I didn't really understand why she was invited on this trip and what happened.
I place all the blame on me as this is not a format I am as comfortable with.
I think other people will enjoy the artistry and story.

Thank you Netgalley and Image Comics for the ARC!

- the drawing and use of color is so well done! The limited color palate beyond the blue and tan colors really help set the scene.
- the plot is odd? There’s really not much to it, and I kept trying to figure out what to read into.
- it felt very YA at the beginning and then abruptly veered off that path.
- there’s this kind of ominous feeling throughout the book that never goes anywhere.

Recommend if you like: beach reads, romance, greek islands, slow burn, mystery, hot, graphic novels

Intriguing with summer vibes and lush illustrations; the blue of Greece.

Beautiful art and colour palette, with a really weird plot line. I really enjoyed how this said a lot without saying anything - I left this wanting to think and reflect, which is something I rarely find with a graphic novel. My only note was that the protagonist was very young, and the sexual indications were uncomfortable- but I think that this was part of the point.

Reading the synopsis, I thought this would be a murder mystery. But it isn't. It does have secret but you can figure it out pretty quickly.

I do love the color palette. The illustrator made good use of blue.

Thank you NetGalley and Image comics for giving me the opportunity to read this!

This is a coming of age story with an unsettling twist. Rachel is a teen looking to be treated as an adult living in a dreary English suburb. So, when some family friends invite her to spend the summer in Greece with them, she jumps at the chance to leave her boring life behind. The story is a typical love at first sight, teen crush story, where Rachel meets Ben at a party and they (really the only young people there) hit it off. Where things get a little weird is when Diane, one of the family friend Rachel is staying with, starts warning her off, stating she need to be careful around Ben. What actually is happening was a bit of a surprise, and not integrated into the story all that well. The plot point was dropped, and then...not much else happened with it, there was little conflict and not much resolution with it. While the plot was not great, the art was really good, I like the stylized forms and how well Greece and the surroundings were depicted.

This was a really great book! Loved the art style and the plot was interesting. Overall though, it wasn't for me.

This was very beautiful but I think some important plot was rushed or glossed over. It was lovely seeing Rachel blossom into a more confident young woman, but found the adult grooming ARC/commentary very disturbing and I don't think enough attention was paid to it.

While the art was very lovely and the expression of character emotion was superb, the storyline needed more exploration and attention. I recommend this if you can overlook this.

I was sent this book for free as an electronic copy for an honest review, all opinions are my own.

#NetGalleyARC This was a fun summer read with BEAUTIFUL illustrations. The color palette was perfect for the setting, Greece, and the illustrations were beautifully done. I wasn't sure what to expect from this story, it left me feeling a little uncomfortable at times and sad. An interesting summer read.

Sunburn depicts teenaged Rachel’s summer experience in Greece. She is invited to stay with friends of her parents—an older couple who have no kids of their own. She jumps on the opportunity for an out of country vacation, but things are not all as they seem as they spends time with them.

This book had fantastic pacing and intrigue. The dialogue and storytelling was great; it seemed to be leading up to the climax of the story and I just couldn’t take my eyes away from the page. Then, unfortunately, the ending fell flat and I’m not entirely sure what the resolution of the story was supposed to mean. This had amazing potential but it didn’t seem to commit to its sinister nature and explain the dark ending.

The artwork was really well done and fitting for the story. It had such a unique style, and expressions were captured beautifully. Even the coloring—all blues and very small pops of reds or yellows—was both symbolic of the character’s experience, and really interesting to look at.

I did enjoy reading this but I wish the story had resolved better.

Things I really liked:
1) main character was likable and strong, while still seeming like a true 16 year old
2) the ART!!! I’ve not yet visited Greece, but it felt very accurate in landscape and color.
3) the weird dynamics between her family and then between her summer family.
4) the puzzle pieces slowly coming together and still many question marks
5) quick read

I’m an optimist and it comes out when I try to review or critique anything. So know that.

I think Rachel’s transformation from beginning to end was noticeable and I’m sure that’s what they wanted you to notice. She goes from a “blah” life of being disappointed about her circumstances to taking charge and making breakfast for the family, realizing she doesn’t have to just let life happen to her, but she has a choice in it.

I think it’s a YA book because their are hints at sexual activity, but they don’t say those words exactly. And you have these question marks surrounding Ben and Diane’s relationship, but no one actually says the words, they only hint.

Lots of imperfect, messy relationships but in a beautiful setting. And are there only just older folks who live in Greece?! Why are there only two people under 20?

Bottom line: I really enjoyed this!

This soapy graphic novel paints a sardonic portrait of the morals of Americans vacationing in Greece in the 1950s. What starts out as a summer romp quickly turns a bit dark as a teen is used by her hosts in a way that, while not permanently damaging, is eye-opening and disenchanting.

I would not recommend this for use in schools.