Oh, boy. Knowing that this is even somewhat autobiographical does make me feel bad for rating it so low, but I just did not enjoy it at all.

One of my biggest issues with this graphic novel was the pacing. It was confusing and hard to follow, and the book ended without any real resolution. Beyond that, however, I just kind of disliked every single character, including Georgie, the MC. She seemed to have a lot of internalized misogyny and came across as a pick-me, which are qualities I find extremely off-putting in women, fictional or otherwise. There was a lot of toxicity in this book, including sexual assault and disordered eating among others, and rather than being addressed, those topics were sort of glossed over and not taken very seriously.

I thought the premise of this was interesting, and I did enjoy the illustration style, but overall it wasn't for me and not something I'd recommend to others.

I did not expect to enjoy this graphic novel about wrestling, relationships & growing up so much! Starer presents this (semi-autobiographical?) tale and its extremely sensitive topics with great candor and honesty. We follow a pretty big cast of characters, but they're all extremely distinctive and fully fleshed out - even the minor actors are unique and they don't melt into the background of the main character's story. They all feel very human, flawed and interesting (especially our main character, who is kinda unlikeable).
Ornella Greco's art is lovely, colorful and apt to the story.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review!

Drawing its title from a difficult, dangerous, and mostly illegal, wrestling move, “Total Suplex of the Heart " is an engaging and nuanced semi-autobiographical tale that portrays a young woman who navigates family dysfunction, eating disorders and serious self image issues as she is drawn into the world of wrestling. Expect a relatively light hearted narrative, a cast of colorful wrestlers, an extremely effective illustration of body dysmorphia, a troubled yet deeply likable protagonist and a deeply personal final essay from the author.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Humanoids, Inc., for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

1.5 Stars.
I simply did not like this book. The ending was the worst thing of it all. I feel a lot of pity for Georgie.

I wanted to love this more than I did but unfortunately, the cover was misleading to the material that was inside. I was hoping for a love triangle romcom but the plot was lost. There was a lot of potential.

First thank you net galley for giving me access to this arc! There are spoilers ahead!
Honestly Georgie broke my heart. She dealt with so much crap and I just felt so sad for her. The only part I really smiled at was when she put pink highlights in her hair and when J.Ts mom came to her show. That made me really smile. I’m glad she had such a good friend in J.T because a lot of other people were not very good to her and I’m glad she could smile in the end.

While I understand that this book was bioautographical, I really did not enjoy how some of the big topics seemed to just be glossed over. The red flags for Stephen or whatever his name was started to become very obvious, and while I understand that it is difficult to see that when you are actually in the situation, I felt bad that the main character chose the guy over believing her friend. And while I love messy and slightly problematic women, this book really annoyed me because the main girl seemed like a pick-me. Also, the sexual harassment and abuse was not really dealt with, it was treated like it was okay at some parts which was really disappointing. I gave it 3 stars but I might change it to 2 since the more I think about it the more annoyed I get. Also the pacing was super confusing and make it difficult to stay connected to the book. Some of the times the events were confusing simply because of how the pacing was done and it also really made me less connected emotionally to the characters.

Total Suplex of the Heart begins as a promising story about ambition, relationships, and personal growth. However, as the plot progresses, it takes a darker turn with themes of abuse, disordered eating, and trauma from the main character’s past. Flashbacks reveal an abusive, controlling mother, while the main character’s boyfriend becomes physically abusive — without warning. The lack of trigger warnings for these heavy themes was troubling, especially as they are introduced abruptly. The unresolved and uncomfortable ending left me feeling unsettled, and while the book has its moments, it definitely requires content warnings to prepare readers for its more intense subject matter.

Review posted on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6851104294?book_show_action=false
Review posted on Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/b60ba86c-160e-4c33-b475-b12c3deacfa3?redirect=true

So this was definitely more autobiographical than fiction, and I think if I had realized that going in, I maybe would have had a better time with it. Overall it was enjoyable. I felt like there were chunks of storyline and context that were missing from the story though and it sort of jumped ahead too far each time.

The characters were all.. not great people? Which once I read the bit at the end of the book about it being true to the authors life, it made more sense. But as I was reading, not knowing that, I was like, "am I supposed to like these people??" Guess not!

The story is ultimately about finding yourself and your voice.

TW: Domestic Violence, Misogyny, Sexual Content

Fun, funny, well illustrated graphic novel about a girl getting into wrestling and getting into booking her own shows, plus a touch of drama

Joanne Starer’s Total Suplex of the Heart brings readers into the vibrant, chaotic world of local wrestling, blending elements of a coming-of-age story with the high drama of the wrestling circuit. However, while the premise is promising and there are moments of genuine insight, the novel struggles to find a balance between its more thoughtful themes and the often superficial drama that dominates much of the plot.

The protagonist, Georgie, is a young freelance journalist trying to make a name for herself by going undercover in a local wrestling scene. Starer gives her a relatable backstory—once a nerdy girl who loved watching wrestling with her dad, now a confident, attractive young woman navigating adulthood. Georgie’s journey from the sidelines of fandom to the center of the action is one that many readers, especially those with niche passions, can appreciate. Her attempt to prove to her mother (and herself) that she has a "real job" is also a driving force behind her decisions, adding some depth to her motivations.

However, the novel’s execution is uneven. Georgie’s dive into the wrestling world is packed with intense drama, from girl fights and casual hook-ups to questionable relationships with older men. While these situations are meant to explore the highs and lows of her experiences, they often feel more sensational than meaningful. The romance subplot, while present, doesn’t develop with much emotional depth, leaving some of the potential for real connection and growth untapped.

Georgie’s inner struggles, particularly around body image, toxic relationships, and the pressure to succeed in a male-dominated industry, are compelling but somewhat underdeveloped. The novel touches on serious issues like eating disorders and self-worth, but these themes don’t always get the attention they deserve. Instead, the focus shifts back and forth between Georgie’s emotional growth and the high-octane drama of the wrestling scene, leading to an imbalance that prevents the story from fully delivering on its potential.

The wrestling world itself is portrayed with a certain grittiness, and fans of the sport will appreciate the behind-the-scenes look at the life of local wrestlers. The action in the ring is well-written and exciting, offering some of the book’s most engaging moments. However, for readers unfamiliar with wrestling, the novel doesn’t delve deeply enough into the intricacies of the sport to make it feel essential to the plot. Instead, wrestling often feels like a backdrop for Georgie’s internal journey, rather than a central part of the story.

Where the book shines is in its unflinchingly honest portrayal of Georgie’s messiness and mistakes. Starer doesn’t shy away from showing her protagonist’s flaws, from her insecurities to her questionable decisions. This rawness gives the novel an edge and a sense of authenticity, though it’s also part of what makes the book difficult to fully embrace. Georgie’s lack of direction and her often self-destructive choices can be frustrating, and while this is true to the character’s arc, it doesn’t always make for an enjoyable read.

The pacing also falters at times. While the book starts strong with Georgie entering the wrestling world, it begins to lose momentum in the middle as the constant cycle of fights, drama, and romantic entanglements becomes repetitive. The final act picks up slightly as Georgie begins to reassess her life and make more grounded decisions, but by then, the emotional impact is somewhat diluted.

Final Thoughts:
Total Suplex of the Heart offers an intriguing concept and explores the pressures faced by young women in male-dominated spaces, but its execution falls short of its potential. While the wrestling scenes are lively and Georgie’s struggles feel raw and real, the novel’s reliance on drama and its uneven pacing hold it back. A 2.5-star read, this novel will appeal to fans of wrestling and those who enjoy messy coming-of-age stories, but it may leave others wanting more depth and emotional resonance.

I wanna start this off by saying I understand this was a biography graphic novel and I do feel bad giving it a negative review but it just wasn’t well done in my opinion.

The idea and concept I really enjoyed but the way it was written and executed wasn't for me. It lacked a lot! Don’t read this if you’re wanting more of the journalists aspect since it was maybe present for about 5 pages and then it was never mentioned again. The plot didn’t feel like it flowed, the story line jumped around like years at one point which left me confused for a few pages.

The story ended before we were able to see any resolution or growth. Everyone in this book are incredibly toxic people and they don't change at all throughout this. Abuse and eating disorders were just brushed off and joked about.

The cover makes it seem a bit like a potential cute wrestling rom com, but it just left me feeling icky and uncomfortable.

The art was the saving grace here imo! The art was stunning and incredibly done!

"Total Suplex of the Heart" is a graphic novel about Georgie, a journalist that gets involved in the wrestling world, and how it changes her life.

The story is somehow autobiographical so I'm willing to ignore some things beacuse it takes courage to share this experience.
But overall, the plot feelt disjointed. It was like reading an incomplete book that is missing the ending. I think I would enjoyed more if more aspects were fictionalized to give us some closure. There are so many situations and plot points tha are simply there, it makes sense it's not resolved if it's based in the authors life, but it made for a lacking reading experience.

On the bright side, the art and color use is beautiful.

It's worth mentioning that I was not expecting so many trigger warnings in the story. It would be great to have a list in the firs page because some heavy topics took me by surprise.

Overall, it's a good book, but it's not what I expected. I think it needs more pages to be able to tell the story properly and explore the themes it includes.

Content warnings for physical violence, bullying, anorexia, domestic abuse, familial abuse.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Humanoids Inc for the opportunity to read and review this graphic novel. Content warnings for physical violence, bullying, queer slurs, at anorexia, domestic abuse, familial abuse, and miscarriage. I will be honest this graphic novel was hard to read with both the subject matter and formatting (I felt like some of the story flow was very choppy and confusing). The art is beautiful, though, and I also appreciated the authors note at the end(don’t ignore it if you read this). Because of these points, I have to give this 3 out of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Humanoids Inc. for the e-book copy!

Total Suplex of the Heart is a fun read about Georgie, a journalist who joins a wrestling circuit for a new article. I liked that this book did not shy away from discussing Georgie's mental health as it related to her work and personal life. I did wish it was a bit longer or maybe two books so it could have had a slower pace. Overall, this was still a good read and if you wanted to know more about wrestling this has you covered.

3.5 rounded down

It was fine, but kinda jumpy story-wise. Didn't really work for me but I appreciate the willingness of the author to put her story out in the world

I don’t usually read graphic novels, but I was hooked by the description, so I decided to give it a try—and I actually ended up liking it a lot. Georgie’s story is honestly amazing, and the way it portrayed her struggle with mental health really hit me. It made me feel seen in a way I wasn’t expecting. Even though this isn’t the type of book I normally pick up, I’m really glad I did.

I was honestly surprised by how much I enjoyed this one. Total Suplex of the Heart is a great story of a woman who joins a local wrestling team with a fascinating cast of characters. I really liked the storytelling in this one, and it made so much sense to find out that it was somewhat autobiographical at the end. For a book that looks pretty fun, it does cover a lot of serious topics like eating disorders and domestic violence so go into it with care.

Thanks to NetGalley, Joanne Starer, and Humanoids Inc for the chance to read and review. My opinions are my own.

I really liked the initial concept of this story. Who doesn't love drama and wrestling? Also a fabulous title. I feel like the pacing was so fast that nothing made sense. I enjoyed the storyline with real life aspects that were based off true life experience, but felt this would be better suited as a longer work where there would be more time to really masterfully get the feelings wanted out of the reader. The jabs are there, just could have been done better!

"Have you ever discovered your true calling in an unexpected place and felt compelled to pursue it?” In Joanne Starer’s darkly compelling graphic novel, *Total Suplex of the Heart*, the protagonist, Georgie, does just that. A seemingly simple decision to write a web article about female wrestlers propels her into the heart of the highly misogynistic wrestling world. As Georgie navigates this challenging environment, she forms complex relationships—both uplifting and toxic—that shape her journey in profound ways.

The writing in *Total Suplex of the Heart* is raw, honest, and unapologetically profane. Joanne Starer doesn’t sugarcoat Georgie’s experiences, instead opting to portray the harsh realities with unflinching authenticity. The pacing is brisk, with the narrative frequently leaping weeks or even months ahead. This approach works well, given the novel's expansive timeline, allowing the story to focus on the most pivotal moments in Georgie’s journey. However, if Starer had chosen to delve deeper, this could have easily evolved into a captivating series.

The setting, though niche, is all the more intriguing for it. As someone who never had much interest in wrestling, I found myself learning about the scene in a way that was accessible and engaging, without being overly complex.

The artwork by Ornella Greco is stunning and perfectly complements the movement-heavy theme of the story. The dynamic visuals bring the world of wrestling to life, enhancing the impact of each scene.

Starer’s expertise as a graphic novel author is evident throughout this edition. The seamless blend of writing, art, and plot kept me hooked until the very end. I laughed, cried, and celebrated alongside Georgie, and I would highly recommend this graphic novel to anyone who appreciates raw, real-life stories that confront trauma and pain head-on. In the end, you’ll find beauty and a deeply satisfying payoff.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and Humanoids Inc for providing this review copy.

**Triggers**

Anorexia, domestic violence, child abuse, depression, toxic relationship, profanity