Absolutely gorgeous book. The artwork is so well done and the story was just as well done. Loved it and the characters.

One of the best queer graphic novels out there! Stunning art, an incredibly moving storyline, and the most fantastic queer representation. Can't wait for the next one!

Thank you Oni Press and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

When Blanca runs away to New York, away from her mother, she has no idea where to go. Luckily, she meets the kind stranger Emile who takes her into his bustling home. Her new roommates inspire her to start chasing her dreams!

This was such a comfort read for me! It was light, sweet and fun. The characters were very likeable and each one had a different story. They really took their time to introduce each character throughout the comic. It didn't feel overwhelming, even though this book has quite a lot of characters to introduce. When I came back to the story, after stepping away it for a little (due to a busy schedule), it did take me a moment to remember who was who. But I feel like, once there are more volumes out, I'll get to know everyone more and I won't have that issue anymore.
This story also felt like a love letter to drag, highlighting the beauty of this artform multiple times!

If you love light-hearted, queer comics, this is the one for you!

"Eat Your Heart Out Vol. 1" is out now! Go get it!

I really liked the colours for the story specifically. It bought the characters really out and made everything so vibrant (which was nice given that it was all about the NEW and EXCITING Blanca experiences)

The story itself get's influenced by a looming and deeply complicated mother-daughter relationship that bought Blanca to New York, away from her mother and right forward to archiving her dreams of becoming a fashion designer!

We get introducted to so many different characters with their own passions, dreams, and romantic adventures. Ever one of them unique in their own way. I really liked them all and their bonding moment with Blanca. It made the friendships feel a bit more organic instead of throwing everyone just into one pit and calling it 'found family'.
I hope we get more focused moments with everyone in the next volumes ♡ cus i gotta say Volume 1 really packed in a LOT. So much (smaller) stuff happend, which i get is to introduce us to everyone, but it did take a bit away from bringing the main plot forward BUT my god i got to say, the end of volume 1 really hooked me in (kinda feel stupid for not getting that faster 😂)

A big queer tale of chosen family, hopes and dreams, and a lot of romance ♡

This was such a delightful read. The illustration style was done so well. The colours were so vibrant and beautifully done.

I really liked the different variety of characters even thought sometimes they were hard to keep track of. This gave aspect of found family. The dynamic between the character was quite cute and well done considering how short this volume was.

The pacing was what caught me off. Sometimes the change of scene was so abrupt and it got me confused.

The volume ended up in a cliffhanger, so basically I need the next volume right now!!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Was this comic the story I didn't know I needed? It's touching, funny, familial (aka chosen family), queer and inclusive. I found Blanca's character very interesting, with her desires, dreams and doubts. The other characters are also very endearing, and I really want to find out more about this little gang!

Rating: 4.5

Eat Your Heart Out was a wonderful graphic novel. The art style and colours were absolutely stunning–I really don’t think the cover does it justice. Now, I do think the cover is super fun and I love the character designs but something is a little off with it, for me. Thankfully, the style is a little more nuanced inside and every single page is fantastic.

There is so much joy and happiness throughout this entire graphic novel and it was such a great palette cleanser after a couple of not so great reads. The characters are so full of life and even though there were a lot of characters, they were all fleshed out and had their special moments.

The found family aspect was so lovely, especially as Blanca wasn’t feeling valued by her mom. I love a good found family trope and this family is a fun and interesting one. I’d love to learn even more about all of these characters as Emile’s backstory added a lot to the story.

The queer representation is an absolute treat. There are so many different types of people and I especially loved the drag queen scenes. The outfits were stunning, as was Thai Dishes, and it was lovely to see Blanca using her passion. I hope we get more dress making scenes in future volumes.

Usually when I read an ARC of a graphic novel, I’m not that bothered about sequels, but I’m really excited about this series. I can’t believe I had to wait an entire year to read more.

I’d highly recommend checking out Eat Your Heart Out. I feel like there is something for everyone, no matter what you are into. This is just a very wholesome graphic novel that is sure to bring a smile to your face.

An amazing first volume of this graphic novel. It felt so short but I’m in love with the characters annd artstyle already. Can’t wait to see where this goes.

The art was gorgeous but I wanted more from the story. It was a bit too slow, I loved the found family and all the representation I just wanted to feel more connected to main character and I just didn’t.

Thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for granting me access in exchange for an honest review.

This was archived before pub date, I never got to read it. Unsure why it was set up that way, why archive 3 weeks before pub day? I was planning on reading it this week but I guess I will have to find it after it’s released.

I am new to graphic novels, and have never read an LGBTQ book before. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and am looking forward to the next one!

The art work is stunning! And the story was sweet. Seeing Blanca find her people in a new city!

This heartwarming graphic novel is the perfect cozy read for those who feel like they don't belong anywhere and who would like to just move away to New York and start everything from scratch. In addition, I find that graphic novels are the perfect palate cleanser between more challenging read, and this one in particular felt like a breath of fresh air after reading many fantasies and mysteries.
The cast of characters is very diverse and I think that everyone would feel represented by at least one of the protagonists. I already see how the found family trope will reach its peak in the next volumes. In addition, the ending had me quite surprised and I can't wait for volume two to come out to find out how the plot will develop from there.

A great start to this series and a wonderful coming of age story. I liked all the characters and I loved how diverse they were. I'm looking forward to read more and follow their journey of self discovery. Can't wait for volume 2.
The artwork was absolutely stunning, I really loved it!

Thanks so much for the opportunity to read and review this title.

I thought it was cute with a nice art style but overall fairly underwhelming.

Eat Your Heart Out Vol. 1 is not your typical coming-of-age story about a group of teenagers helping each other to discover who they are over a wild summer vacation, or prom-posaling their way into their crush's heart. It's the kind of coming-of-age tale where one has to leave everything they know behind to build themself anew.

Blanca's life has been planned out meticulously by her overbearing mother who thinks she knows best about everything—but she didn't plan on her daughter running away after her graduation. When her mother leaves for a week-long business trip, Blanca—knowing that if she doesn't leave now she might never leave at all—packs her things and takes what little she can fit in her car to New York City, where she plans to start the life of her dreams.

Homeless and jobless, Blanca is taken in by Emile, and finds a new family in the brownstone he shares with his many housemates, including but by no means limited to: a) Evan, known by night as Thai Dishes the drag queen who performs at a local queer club, and can use all the help he can get with his costumes while he's battling the egos of NYC's divas, b) Nic the gym junkie who spends his work hours as a nightclub bartender and modelling for fashion house campaigns, c) Brady the editorial photographer who has his work on display at a local gallery, and co-owns the brownstone with d) his partner Reuben, and of course there's e) Emile, a baker with a dream of attending culinary school to become a chef like his late grandfather. The building is a refuge and home for all sorts, and now that includes Blanca—(who is seemingly the only straight person who calls the brownstone home?)
Surrounded by art, culture, and fashion, Blanca has all the inspiration she could dream of! Not to mention the interest of a cute redhead she met while taking her resumes store to store.

One thing I really enjoyed about Eat Your Heart Out Vol. 1 is the stress on the importance of running towards something rather than running away from something. When running away from certain situations, like Blanca with her home life and her mother's strict plans for her life, it's not always possible to get the kind of closure you need to move onto the things that you're running towards. While Blanca claims that she's only running towards her dreams, it's evident that she's running away from just as much, if not more. I'm interested in how that's going to play out in volume two, especially with that twist on a final page.

Speaking of twists, the authors have set a new standard. I'm not generally surprised by twists, but I didn't see this one coming at all, and while it surprised me it didn't materialise out of nothing, which is more than I can say for a lot of recent popular fiction. There's quite a cliffhanger too.

As for my three star rating, while I enjoyed Eat Your Heart Out Vol. 1, the story overall felt a bit lacking for me. The bones are there, but I don't feel much of anything for the characters. It reads a bit like the the aim was a Casey McQuiston-esque quirky cast, but there are so many characters crammed into one brownstone and only 112 pages that they're hard to keep a track of because they don't have that same oomph!. Unfortunately, I really need oomph! to keep me interested long-term. I read a lot of books and only some of them have enough star power to live in my mind rent free. By this time tomorrow I'll have forgotten most of the characters' names (admittedly I've already forgotten a few), and by next week I'll probably have forgotten most, if not all of the plot. It just doesn't have that something special that'll keep it bouncing around in my head. Although it's been a few hours now since I finished the book and I still have the "needle in a gay stack" line in the front of my mind.

All that said, Eat Your Heart Out Vol. 1 is clearly a labour of love and many years. It gave me the equivalent feeling of receiving a homemade birthday card. I could feel the love as I turned each page. I think it'll resonate with those in the queer community who feel like the only way to live authentically is to seek a home outside of the walls you grew up in, and I think it'll bring them a sense of hope and peace.

"Eat Your Heart Out, Vol. 1" by Terry Blas and Matt Newton is a delightful graphic novel that successfully blends elements of "The Great British Bake Off" and "Project Runway" into a modern, coming-of-age fairytale. This vibrant story follows Blanca, a young woman escaping her overbearing mother, Riena, to chase her dream of becoming a fashion designer in New York City.

Blas and Newton craft a relatable protagonist in Blanca, whose struggle between familial expectations and personal aspirations is poignantly depicted. Her journey is filled with realistic challenges, making her growth and determination all the more inspiring. Blanca’s character is a testament to the importance of following one's passion despite obstacles.

The narrative takes an uplifting turn when Blanca is taken in by Emile, a kindly baker, and their eclectic group of friends. The brownstone setting, with its quirky inhabitants, provides a warm and supportive backdrop for Blanca’s journey. Each character is distinct and contributes to the rich tapestry of this found family, making the story not just about Blanca’s pursuit of fashion but also about the importance of community and support systems.

The artwork is a visual treat, perfectly capturing the whimsical and emotional tone of the story. The illustrations bring New York City to life, highlighting both its grandeur and its grittiness. The fashion elements are particularly well-done, showcasing the creativity and hard work that goes into design.

While the plot occasionally dips into predictable territory, the engaging characters and heartfelt message keep the reader invested. "Eat Your Heart Out, Vol. 1" is an enjoyable read that emphasizes the value of perseverance, the courage to follow one’s dreams, and the joy of finding a place to belong.

Overall, this graphic novel earns a solid four stars for its charming storytelling, vibrant illustrations, and positive message. It's a great pick for anyone looking for a feel-good, inspirational read.

This was a very beautifully drawn and written graphic novel about following you dreams. The colour palette and the art style is amazing and shows that the authors have really thought about the way that they are going to present this story. We follow Bianca as she gets runs away from an oppressive life with her mother and goes to New York to follow her dreams of being a Fashion Designer. She meets a new friend and moves into a new house where she fits in so well and helps to encourage others to follow their dreams. It also handles the LGBTQ areas very well and is something that I can not wait to get the new episode .... but I have to wait till 2025.

I very rarely DNF a graphic novel, but I couldn’t get into this one no matter how many times I tried.

The art was cute but the story didn’t really grab my attention the way I thought it would!

I do appreciate NetGalley and Oni Press for giving me this arc in exchange for my honest review!

Blanca escapes her overbearing mother, Reina, to pursue her dream of fashion design in New York City. With the help of a kind baker named Emile and his eclectic group of roommates, Blanca finds love, support, and the encouragement needed to become a fashion designer.

This was ……. fine. Very queer, diverse cast of characters, none of whom I really cared much about. You can probably guess all the beats in this one. Blanca runs away and gets taken in by a large ensemble cast! She cuts her hair! She gives relationship advice! She meets a cute guy! She begins designing fashion for stars!

I honestly stopped reading about the 80% mark when I realized 1. I had no idea who one of the characters was and 2. I didn’t care.

Thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for an ARC.

4/5

This was an enjoyable graphic novel, but it didn't blow my socks off. I am interested to see where the story continues, but at the moment, I am not super invested in the characters.

Thank you NetGalley and Oni Press for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.