Hm. Well the art was 5/5 the plot was kind of lacking. Like I’d probably read volume two because volume one had a lot of build up but didn’t really go anywhere yet? A lot of side stories that didn’t seem like they connected but I am curious to see where the story goes.

Thanks to netgalley and oni press for an eARC

**5 stars for the art, 3 for the story**

Ah, this one is a tricky one to review, I really like the concept and think there's a lot of potential in the story but Vol 1 just didn't do it for me. The whole volume felt like just an intro to a story and nothing much actually happened, so I was honestly a little bored. I also wrongly assumed that because this was listed as a queer book our main character was sapphic (which it doesn't seem she is), there is a LOT of queerness in this book but I just couldn't really get into the romance plot because it was mxf.

I just didn't feel very connected to the characters and the lack of substantial plot just made it tricky to connect to this book.

However oh my god the art is STUNNING, this is such a visually beautiful graphic novel and easily the best art I've ever seen in any graphic novel. The style, the colours in combination are just gorgeous and it works so well for the characters i.e. the drag queens.

I would be tempted to pick up the next volume just to see if the story actually starts to develop and oh my god the art really is just so pretty!

Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

(Also oh my god graphic novels are so hard to read on the NetGalley app).

I love Blanca! I need vol. 2 of this story now. It pulled me right in and the plot twist at the end was great, the friendship between the characters is close-knit and I love that, as it’s relatable.

I loved the art style also.

i love reading graphic novels and as soon as i saw this, i had to read this! i really enjoyed the graphics, the latina/latino community and the characters as well!

Blanca's journey to New York City in this graphic novel is a heartfelt exploration of finding oneself and forming unexpected bonds with a diverse group of queer roommates. The story beautifully portrays the challenges and triumphs of pursuing dreams and building a chosen family away from home. With vibrant artwork and compelling characters, it's a joyful and hopeful read that leaves you eager for more.

This was a fun modern fairytale with much needed representation! I can’t wait to read volume two!! I’ll definitely be on the lookout for it.

Found family, New York, LGBTQ+ rep, and a Mexican main character; what more could you ask for? As soon as Blanca graduates, she leaves her hometown and her authoritarian mother’s demands for her to take over the family business in favour of pursuing her dreams of being a fashion designer in New York. Just one issue…she doesn’t know anyone. Or have a house. Or a job. Okay, so maybe a few issues.
Luckily, she just so happens to find herself welcomed into a brownstone with a bunch of queer men, from bakers to models to photographers. And a meet cute with a redheaded suitor has Blanca thinking everything is working out in the Big Apple. But is everything working out a little toooo well?

I really liked this book! The characters were fun and vibrant, the atmosphere felt warm and sparkling. I would love to visit that house - though I’m not sure I have the stamina to keep up with the whirlwind of events Blanca is invited to by her new roomies.

My main complaints fall into two categories:
1.) Too. Many. Characters.
2.) Blanca is…blank-a.

Starting with the first, there are just too many characters introduced too quickly. I finished it about 15 minutes ago and could probably name maybe 2 of Blanca’s housemates. Nic and…Andy? Reuben maybe? But they’re all introduced in such rapid succession that it’s really hard to keep them all straight (ironically…)

Secondly, Blanca doesn’t seem to really have any flaws. She rushes to the rescue, she excels at everything, she’s just too perfect. If anything, her only downfall might be that she’s a bit naive but hey, who isn’t when they’re 18?

Still though, I enjoyed this book a lot and will definitely be reading and reviewing the next one if I’m given the opportunity to. There are lots of plot threads I’d like to tug on a little and see where they go. Besides, I want to see some more of the gorgeous fashion illustrations the supremely talented Lydia Anslow has created.

At this point I think it's fair to say OniPress is the leader of queer rep in comics!

I loved this and how unapologetically queer it is. Can't wait for the next volume!!!

Eat Your Heart Out is a story about Blanca, who runs away from home to follow her dream of becoming a fashion designer in New York. There she meets Emile and moves in with him and his queer roommates, who welcome Blanca into their wonderful family filled with friendship and support.

This was great! I enjoyed it from the beginning. Found family is one of my favorite tropes and I definitely loved it in this book too. The large cast of characters were amazing, they’re all so well written. I can’t wait to read more about them in volume two. Blanca is such a great character too! I can’t wait to see how her story develops.

Thank you Netgalley and Oni Press for the e-ARC!

"Eat Your Heart Out Vol. 1" by Terry Blas and Matty Newton is a heartwarming and inspiring graphic novel that blends fashion, dreams, and found family in a beautifully illustrated package. Blanca’s journey from a small town to the bustling streets of New York City is both touching and relatable, capturing the essence of chasing your passions despite the odds. The art is vibrant and expressive, perfectly complementing the story’s mix of humor, heart, and inspiration. I loved Blanca’s character—her courage to pursue her dream of fashion design, despite her mother’s disapproval, is both admirable and authentic. The supportive and quirky group of roommates she finds in New York adds a delightful charm to the narrative, creating a sense of community that feels both magical and real. Blas and Newton have crafted a story that’s as uplifting as it is visually stunning, celebrating the importance of following your dreams and finding your place in the world. If you’re a fan of coming-of-age stories with a creative twist and a touch of whimsy, "Eat Your Heart Out" is a must-read that will leave you eagerly anticipating the next volume.

To escape an overbearing mother, Blanca moves to NYC and falls in with an eclectic group of people who encourage her to follow her dream to become a fashion designer.

I want to begin with the art - it is beautiful and crazy and loud - and evokes a sense of the city. There is a huge cast for this one - so it was a little difficult to keep track of all the characters, but Blanca is very well defined and vibrant. I look forward to the next volume.

This was such a cute graphic novel!
I adored almost all of the characters and the art style was very fitting (aka adorable). I also love that, while this is Blanca’s story, we get backstories for most of the other characters as well.
As this was very much an introductory novel, where we get to know the characters and setting, I can’t say much regarding the plot other than that I saw the plot twist coming the second they met. This is not a bad thing though and I’m excited to see how the story continues to unfold.
I also found lots of fairytale parallels, especially to Snow White, and it was fun looking for them while reading.
All in all a great first volume.

What a delightful graphic novel. I love the illustration style and the vibrant colours in this story. The plot itself was also engaging.

This book was so good! Queer joy/love/found family forever holds a soft spot in my heart and this fully delivered. I deeply enjoyed the art style as well as the characters themselves! Despite there being many characters they were all unique and didn’t seem to trample over each other. With how this Vol. ended Im already hyped up for the next one!

Slay! Where to even begin. I need Volume 2 now. This was so enjoyable and inspiring to read. I couldn’t put this down.

Blanca ran away from an overbearing mother to pursue her dream in NYC. She meets a group of amazing people. Each person in this story is brilliantly written and show case many different people and lives. I have so many good things to say about this book. I also enjoy that it has so much representation and doesn’t make all the characters fit in one specific niche. I also enjoy that even though there are so many characters you really do get time with almost all of them to get to know them instead of it just being focused on the main character. I promise it’s done in a good way and where it doesn’t take away from the main story.

I need the second volume like yesterday. I can’t not wait to see more from Terry and Matty.

The artwork in this story is amazing. Each page was so beautifully drawn, it was such a treat to read. I liked all the different characters and only wish it was longer so it could all be nutted out.

The one thing that was a bit unbelievable was that she arrived in NYC, made a friend and then moved in with them all in the one day… 🧐

Thanks to #NetGallery and publisher for a copy of this book.

Themes / Representation:
LGBTQIA+ Characters
Drag Shows / Culture
New York
Fresh Start
Found Family
Queer Culture
Mexican MC

Blanca runs away to New York as soon as she turns eighteen. Away from her old life, her overbearing mother, and the life that was planned out for her. She moves into a share house and learns about the city and queer culture of New York. With her big dreams of being a fashion designer, will she find her way around this new city, and new life?

This was an interesting slice-of-life graphic novel filled with an amazing cast of queer characters and a refreshing story. Nothing in particular really grabbed me, but I can see future volumes bringing more to the table. I’m hoping to continue on and see if the next volume captures my attention! Although unfortunately I can see this story being quite forgettable by the time Vol. 2 comes out.

If you like the Found Family trope, queer books and stories about starting fresh in a new city - this one could be for you!

The art in this looked good enough to eat. It's so gorgeously designed - the people, the clothes, the food, the backgrounds, the house! The setting is beautiful, vibrant, and cosy.

I loved the story too, with Blanca running from home and being absorbed into a friendship group of queer men and women. There are many characters, but each manages to come across as fairly distinct. Full of acceptance, tenderness and resistance.

My only complaint is that, because of the wide cast of characters introduced, the story doesn't feel like it moves a lot (though I enjoyed the cliffhanger at the end). I wanted more!

Thank you to Oni Press and NetGalley for the e-arc.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

This is a wonderful coming of age story about a young girl who just wants to get out from under her mother's thumb. She moves to New York without telling anyone and meets a wonderfully diverse and queer cast as she moves about the world.

i want more! this queer romance captured my heart from the very beginning. i fell in love with our main couple, with the art style, with the story. it's a quick read but a very fun one. the ending made me super excited to see what happens next!