📖Cuckoos Three

Such a cute graphic novel. I didn’t actually know what D.I.D but the book made it really to understand and I loved seen queerness on a more rural place. Loved it.

Murry lives on a farm in a small town. He is popular, easy to get along with and plays football. But none of his friends really know him.
One day he sees a new guy moving to the countryside.

Jacob has moved out of the city. His parents hope that with a change of place, he will get better.

He is homeschooled and instantly stands out. But Murry doesn't care about that.

Murry and Jacob hang out together a lot, and pretty soon feeling between them develop.

It's such a romantic story, full of just the sweetest moments between the two! Highly recommend it!

I think for those of us that hung out on tumblr in its heyday it’s nearly impossible to not pause to look at Cassandra Jean’s art. It just nudges even cynics like me to connect with the (presumably long buried) parts of myself that are primed to get into a shoujo manga mood at the slightest provocation 😂 the story is exactly what the cover art suggests it is: a boatload of beautiful art and a light-hearted romance, and a very appreciated addition of cute and derpy animals. I wondered what was behind the descriptor “troubled” that featured in the blurb, so for those of you wandering that’s a depiction of D.I.D. But overall — everything is wholesome farmboys and gay city boys in love and very little hurts.

Thanks to Yen Press and Netgalley for an advance copy of #CuckoosThree

This was so so cute. I would, and will, happily and enthusiastically read anything else by this author and illustrator.

i honestly loved this story!! plowed through it in one sitting. the characters were so lovable and had so much depth for such a short story. the representation in this story felt genuine and refreshing, mental illness is a strong theme but it’s never ever demonized and is handled really well in my opinion. this is the perfect little lgbtqa+ read for when you want some trials and tribulations but also a wonderful little feel-good story. i’d absolutely love to get more stories of these characters!! i definitely and wholeheartedly recommend this book. :’)

This was such a cute and beautiful graphic novel! The illustrations were just gorgeous and they really made the reading experience feel cozy. This story begins with Jacob moving from the city to across the way from Murray, the small town's football star and resident animal lover. The two become friends and then a bit more and as their relationship develops the more we learn about Jacob's past and the more Murray learns about himself.

I love a good coming of age queer romance and this was no exception to that. I found their friendship really endearing and the way that the two of them are so respectful and genuine about one another's interests and flaws was wonderfully written. I loved that we got to see the build up and the groundwork laid before they fell in love with one another.

I can't speak to the Dissociative Identity Disorder representation since I don't have it nor am I knowledgeable enough to say if it's accurate, but from an outsiders point of view it came across well intentioned and like a good general introduction to it. Overall I'd definitely recommend this and I really look forward to it's official release so that I can buy a copy.

This is one of the cutest love stories I've read.
There are bouts of homophobia, mental illness, and violence. But every bit of those things make this book even stronger and more appealing in the end. I am planning on buying this when it's released.

CONTENT NOTE: Dissociative episodes for a character with DID, ableism, homophobia, bullying, violence, self-harm, alcoholism, underage drinking, child abuse, transracial adoption

Cuckoos Three is a lighthearted slice of life romance about two boys in the countryside as they navigate the challenging complexities of life and the sweet simplicity of their attraction to one another.

What Worked for Me:
✦ I really loved these characters! They were each so sweet in their own ways and immediately endearing. Their care and kindness for one another was genuinely touching.
✦ I don't have dissociative identity disorder (DID) and definitely don't know enough to critique the representation in this comic; I'm definitely very eager to hear from readers with DID about their thoughts on this rep! For me personally, as a disabled person always eager for more openly disabled rep in media, I was pleased to see DID presented in a way that felt, to my uneducated self, much more positive than what I unfortunately see it portrayed as in other media. I was glad to see some of the acknowledgements at the end of the book from the creators and how they took care to express that they are not experts and that DID presents differently in each individual. I felt like this comic helped me to better understand DID, too!
✦ The illustrations are so charming! I really enjoy the way Cassandra Jean illustrates expressions especially. It's very playful and sweet and romantic. I like all the extra lines she includes on the faces that give them a stylized charm and texture.
✦ The romance between the two is also very charming. While I take a bit of issue with the dynamics shown (another story with the darker skinned character being the protective one over the lighter skinned one and the one taking most of the lumps without question 😕), I thought both characters felt like they could be real people with real lives.
✦ I will forever aspire to draw cats the way Cassandra Jean does in this book-- they were so cute and funny!
✦ I liked that Murry wasn't pressured and didn't feel the need to immediately figure out his queer identity. He just fell in love with Jacob, and that was that. It's nice to have these kinds of queer stories where characters can just fall in love with one another and not have it be a big thing.
✦ I appreciated that the creators also didn't shy away from showing the hostility of the other teens. I like having some books where this hostility doesn't happen, but I also appreciate when the comics are realistic. Having grown up in a small city deep in the Bible Belt where football and white cisheteropatriarchy are also king, I felt like the comic handled this in a fairly realistic way.
✦ I like the way the Cassandra Jean plays visually with the different sizes of Murry and Jacob, as well as their personalities. It was fun to see Jacob's playful sides represented in a catlike way and to see Murry's gentle nature shown in the ways he shows affection.
✦ I also really enjoyed the color palette for this book. It was warm and inviting and cozy, and there were a few scenes in particular that made me want to dive into the pages.
✦ The lettering was really well done. Easy to read, not overcrowded, well placed balloons-- very nice.
✦ I also thought the paneling and environmental choices were very nice in here, too. I appreciated the minimal backgrounds and use of the gutter space as much as the more detailed ones. I was introduced to comics through manga, and this definitely seems to have a lot of manga influences, so I found it very pleasant and easy to read.
✦ It's always nice to see an interracial romantic relationship that doesn't feature a white person!

What Didn't Work for Me:
✦ I have some questions about the ways Murry was illustrated and depicted as a character overall. With his darker skin, I would expect to see more characteristics that aren't so European: fuller lips, perhaps more textured hair, a lighter color skin tone on his palms, etc.
✦ As I mentioned earlier, I also take issue with the way Murry is shown to be an immediate guardian of sorts to Jacob. I don't think it's impossible that this dynamic happens, but it's so expected in narratives with a darker skinned character and a lighter skinned love interest. It feels like much of the comic devoted Murry's attention to protecting Jacob and supporting Jacob's needs, but that wasn't always reciprocated, which was disappointing.
✦ While I think the creators created a social environment with antagonistic characters that felt realistic to me, I think the way Murry comes out in the comic feels a bit out of sync with that environment. I think it's certainly possible for people in real life to immediately accept being queer, and I actually liked Murry's sweet and accepting personality being highlighted that way; however, I think it's unrealistic that a queer character immediately begins feeling comfortable showing that queerness around a very small town with zero qualms or forethought about how it will be received and their own personal safety. I think it was an odd choice for the comic to choose not to even discuss these things when it's still frequently an issue of safety even in "liberal" cities around the world.
To be clear, I'm not saying that Murry shouldn't have been immediately comfortable with their identity; I'm saying that I doubt Murry, who is shown to be finely attuned to the moods, attitudes, and habits of people in his life, wouldn't consider his and Jacob's safety even a little before choosing to go out together publicly. I also don't think I believe Jacob wouldn't also have some concerns about going out publicly as a queer person in a small town with a bunch of white men who have shown themselves to be even a little hostile to those who are different.
✦ I would like to know why Jacob's character is a transracial adoptee. I was uncomfortable with the white savior flavor to Jacob being (view spoiler)
✦ I also felt we needed more depth from the characters with their parents. It felt a bit odd to me that we didn't hear more about their relationships given how much the kids were dealing with. That doesn't mean I needed to see a positive relationship with the parents, just that it felt like there was more to the story than we were shown, and I think it could have been helpful and interesting to see how those relationships informed our main characters.

Overall
I give Cuckoos Three 4 out of 5 speech bubbles: This is a quick and very sweet read with lovable characters, lovely art, and queer disabled rep.

How to Read It
Cuckoos Three comes out August 22, 2023, and you can preorder a copy from Yen Press, Bookshop, and Barnes and Noble.

Read This Next
If you liked this, check out A Sign of Affection, Firebird, and Young Men in Love: A Queer Romance Anthology

If you enjoyed this review, I have a monthly comic review series called More Comics Please! on my website with interior page excerpts and additional information not shared here on NetGalley. You can sign up to receive them in your inbox by subscribing to my newsletter Into the Bramble at jbeoin.com/newsletter.

I thought it was really sweet, and I felt like I knew Jacob and Murray immediately. I loved no gay panic, and the easy way mental health was handled here. I think the climax could have gone a little longer, the whole story could have gone a little longer. honestly. But I think overall it was very good

I'll preface this to say Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this in advance in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved the artstyle of this one, but the writing accompanies it nicely. I loved the casual and informative discussion of mental disorders and conditions.

I read this in one sitting. The story was so good and I loved how Murray and Jacob just saw each other for who they were and didn’t judge the other for what they’d been through or their current struggles. I loved how they were total opposites but they just clicked immediately. I have been meaning to read this on Webtoon but haven’t gotten around to it and I was so excited to receive an ARC of this. Now I definitely have to go read more. Cassandra Jean also did an incredible job illustrating.

Murray is a gentle hearted teenage farm boy who is a well liked football player.. Jacob is an artistic, be-pierced homeschooled goth who moves into the house next door with his overprotective writer parents. Through Murray’s golden-retriever like personality, the two become fast friends, bonding over their love of animals and nature. They discover a mutual romantic love, and are able to overcome hostility from violent teenagers in their community.

I liked the art style in this book—there’s something sharp and attractive about the line work and coloring, and the way the characters are rendered. However, I ultimately found the charm couldn’t overcome my discomfort with the treatment of Jacob’s mental illness. We learn about it very much through observations of his behavior through Murry’s non mentally ill point of view. The story emphasizes Murry saving and comforting Jacob when he has an escalation, and glorifies him for accepting Jacob’s stigmatized mental illness, which is bare minimum behavior. With his big arms and upbeat attitude, Murray is Jacob’s savior. I’m not comfortable with a story that tells mentally ill teens that the only way to find acceptance is through romantic codependency. Jacob deserves people who see him as a whole individual with agency, not a tragic person to be overprotected. His mental illness especially felt exploited for melodrama.

Another note I have which felt strange is that race was not once mentioned in this book. At least one if not both of our protagonists seem to be people of color living in a small predominately white town, and it felt weird for a book where dealing with stigma is a major theme to not even mention it, especially for a US readership.

Wow, this one was so sweet with a great message! We have a character with Dissociative Identity Disorder, and I have not seen that represented in a graphic novel before. The art is lovely. (reminds me a little of the art in Heartstopper) Both characters were sweet and supportive of each other. I am hoping we continue to get stories like this in future!

Review to come in 14 days on my blog and then later on Goodreads.

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

OMG, I was just so hyped when I was approved for this book. I just love Cassandra Jean's work, like I really loved Reindeer Boy! So I was very excited to try out this one!

In this one a city boy and a smalltown boy meet each other when the city boy moves to live in the small town, even smackdab next to the smalltown boy. There is an instant connection, no so much instalove, but there is something and I was immediately rooting for these two. I loved it! I loved learning more about each of the characters, about what makes them tick. And Jacob (the city boy) has a lot going on which learn quite early on, but as the story continues we truly learn what is going on. Jacob has Dissociative identity disorder and that means that at times he is just not there. The first time we see it is when Jacob goes missing and Murry finds him in a barn. Jacob has no idea what he has been doing there and didn't know that hours and hours have passed. But as the story continues we see more and more of DID and what it entails. We learn that Jacob hasn't had the easiest childhood with his birthparents and that this is a reason why he is switching/why things happen. It was really well written and my heart broke, I loved that Murry stayed. That he tried to be there for Jacob, tried to help when he could, didn't get angry when Jacob switched and things happening. It was just so sweet, and it makes me happy.

Murry was such a fun character as well! A farmboy but also the star of the sportsteam at school. But he is also very sweet and adorable and I loved how he was there for Jacob. We really got two fantastic characters that you will really love and that will stick with you even after the story.

And of course these two will be dating! Which was adorable and made me squee many a time. I loved seeing them together and see them share kisses, lie in the back of the truck (which is such an American thing to do, haha) and watch stars. I love how Murry didn't care what people thought about him dating a guy. Sadly, we see that there are a couple of bigots in the town, I was definitely worried for my sweet boys, and sadly things do happen. I am glad that in the end Murry and Jacob got people on their side and that they weren't alone in this.

Oh, and I just love the smaller guy and big guy romance trope. Is it a trope? I would say yes, haha, and I love it.

I loved that at the end we got some more epilogue/short bits featuring Murry and Jacob, because these two kept on dating even in university years and beyond. So cute! And I was delighted that the author added some more information on DID by letting Jacob chat about it.

The art was, of course duh, fantastic and I loved every bit of it.

Ah, I would like to warn peeps that there is a mention of suicide, not very big, but I know for me seeing those wounds + hear him chat about it was more than enough.

All in all, I flew through this book, it was just adorable, sweet, at times heartbreaking and sad, but all around fantastic. You will love these characters and their bond/their romance. Highly recommended.

I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
For country farm boy Murray Summerfield, life, day to day, is the same repetitive pattern. Until a new neighbor arrives. For Jacob Durris, he needs a change of scenery for what he's going through. They meet, and sparks fly. With friends turned to bullies, Murray starts to fall for Jacob despite what his friends think. Jacob is going through something traumatic. Can both boys save each other before it's too late?
This graphic novel by Cassandra Jean is incredible. I just adore her art style, like the Shadowhunter ones she did. And those were gorgeous, too. Murray and Jacob's friendship turned into something more - it was just too cute! And I loved those extra epilogues at the end...and don't forget the cat!

THAT WAS SO CUTE!!!!!

In not used to MM relationship (more FF) but this one seemed so cute that I had to try it! And now I want EVERYONE to read it !

Jacobs and Murry relationship is just so cute ! They're so different but they just listen to the other feelings and needs and that's so cute!

Jacobs traumas are not a problem in their relationship because Murry listen to him and give him what he needs.
Just as Murry's needs are filled by Jacobs attentions and gifts.

Can't wait for it to be translated in French so I can offer it to my cousine (she gonna LOVE IT just as she loves yaoi)

I loved this! Cuckoos Three is such a sweet love story. It also touches on some pretty serious topics without dissuading the reader from the narrative. Thank you to Yen Press and Netgalley for the ARC!

I came across this webcomic on Webtoons thanks to some recommendations and read at once every episode that was available at that moment. So when I found out that the novel version was soon to be released I couldn't resist myself. It has such an unique art style that can perfectly capture the MCs’ moods. With only one volume it touches a lot of themes like mental health, acceptance and sexual orientation with a minimum amount of drama compared with all the hope it gives you when you finish it. Murry and Jacob’s relationship is so pure, it filled my heart to see that well deserved ending.
If you want to read a short YA romance story with lovable characters and a happy ending you’d definitely give it a try. I promise you won't regret it.

Cassandra Jean's art is so charming, the pastel colours and cute character designs make this such a calming graphic novel to get lost in. Cuckoos Three is a simplistic meet-cute romance between a farm boy and the new move-in, though it also briefly touches upon some more serious themes involving mental health and homophobia. Murry and Jacob are such sweet main characters, I just wish there was a little more development between them before they got together. This is a really cute graphic novel!

This comic totally had me hooked right from the start with its adorable art style and super engaging storyline. Seriously, Murry Summerfield, the sweet farmstead guy, meets Jacob Durris, this charming but complex new neighbor, and their friendship? Love? God it's everything.

Mental health issues and trauma-they're dealt with so darn well by the author. It's like you really get into the characters' heads And Watching Murry be there for Jacob through all the tough times? It's legit heart-melting.

The whole country vibes and Cindy & oswald? Talk about adding some serious charm to the story. It's like you're right there, part of their little community, feeling all warm and fuzzy.

And let's talk about the relationship stuff – whoa, the connection between Murry and Jacob is just so relatable and raw. Like, you genuinely care about their happiness and growth, especially when Murry starts sorting through his own feelings. It's a total rollercoaster of emotions.

I swear, I finished reading and I was like, "Wait, that's it? I need more!" I'm seriously crossing my fingers for a second book because these characters are like my new BFFs and I wanna know what's next for them. This comic seriously knows how to hit you right in the feels while keeping the vibe uplifting and heartwarming.

Bottom line? This comic is a total gem. It's got that perfect blend of heartwarming moments, adorable artwork, and characters you can totally vibe with. If they're cooking up a sequel, count me in – I'm all about continuing this journey with Murry and Jacob! 🌟