"Best friends Agnes and Daisy must learn to say goodbye in this coming-of-age YA graphic novel perfect for fans of Booksmart and Pumpkinheads from debut creator Victoria Evans.

Daisy and Agnes have always had each other.

And that's all they've ever needed - or wanted, at least. So when Agnes's mom drops the bombshell that she and Agnes are moving at the end of the summer, the girls are crushed.

All seems lost until the pair unearth "The History of Everything," an old friendship scrapbook with the ultimate bucket list to make their last summer together unforgettable. But when Daisy starts dating a charming drummer, her social calendar suddenly has less room for her best friend. Insecurities bubble to the surface, and Daisy and Agnes begin to question if their friendship is meant to last the summer, much less forever.

In this tender graphic novel debut, Victoria Evans delves into the heart of a best friendship and explores what it means to grow up without growing apart."

It's hard to hold onto friendships as circumstances change, but if it's meant to be forever it will work out.

The History of Everything is a quick, engaging story about two teenage best friends spending their last summer together. Agnes and Daisy have been friends for what feels like forever. They're both outcasts at school and rely heavily on each other's friendship. When Agnes finds out that she'll be moving away at the end of the summer, the friends decide to make a summer bucket list to complete all the things they've always wanted to do. Things quickly change when Daisy meets a cute boy at the mall and they start dating. Suddenly, Noah seems to be tagging along on all of their adventures and Daisy is quick to change plans to accommodate him. Agnes wants to keep working through their list and feels left behind by Daisy's new relationship. Unfortunately she waits to long to express her feelings and ends up letting her anger take control.

I really enjoyed this story. I think it's a realistic portrayal of friendship and love as a teenage girl. Everything is messy and complicated and feels like the end of the world. Agnes and Daisy have different approaches to life, but both show the struggles and joys of young adulthood. While they both experience ups and downs over the course of this summer, they ultimately come back together and resume their friendship. I liked the art style a lot as well and look forward to reading more from this author!

The story follows two best friends, Agnes and Daisy, trying to navigate their summer together, but things get complicated when Daisy starts spending more time with her boyfriend, Noah. From early on, I could tell this was going to be one of those plots where a friend prioritizes their romantic relationship over their friendship, and honestly, it’s not my favorite trope. It’s frustrating to watch someone disregard their friends just because they’re in a relationship, even if it’s somewhat understandable—she’s a teenager and it’s her first boyfriend. Also, Agnes never really expresses her feelings clearly, which makes it harder for Daisy to realize she’s hurting her—but at the same time, Daisy should’ve just *known*. Friends shouldn’t have to spell it out for you to stop neglecting them.

That said, the friendship between Agnes and Daisy felt very realistic. Their dynamic, the misunderstandings, and the emotions all rang true, even if it annoyed me. Noah, surprisingly, was a decent character—he didn’t fall into the usual annoying boyfriend category, which was a nice change. I also really liked Agnes’s mother and their relationship; it added a grounded, heartfelt element to the story.

I liked the character design, the art was great overall—Agnes’ room in particular, I loved her room.

In the end, I was happy that things worked out, but this kind of plot just isn’t for me.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

The History of Everything is a graphic novel about best friends Agnes and Daisy. Both punk, emo, goth besties that have grown up together and can't wait for an amazing summer. Sadly, Agnes gets the news that her mother got a new job and they are moving and this is her last summer with Daisy. She is angsty, depressed and just overall in a bad mood so they decide to make a summer bucket list like when they were younger, scrapbook and all. The problem is - Daisy isn't taking it seriously.

This is a book about saying goodbyes, growing up, and friendship. It was full of hard lessons, emotions raging, and a heartbreaking story of dashed expectations and jealousy.

Agnes fills these pages with her emotionally charged outlook on how things are going and should be going, while depressed, angry, and jealous that Daisy is seemingly moving on.

Daisy is falling in love, completely smitten with a guy but feeling guilt and some forms of resentment for/around Agnes.

This plot was so well done. It was engaging, intense, and wistful at times. It was lovely. I loved the illustration, they were on-theme with a darker palette for our emo/goth MCs. The details around their rooms and overall settings were easily recognized and fun. The overall feel of the story was so good; the tensions and angst felt so accurate to the teenage plight/ crisis. I really enjoyed this one so much. It was such a great representation of growing up and how friendships evolve over time and how you and others change. If you are looking for a good coming-of-age graphic novel, this would be a fun one to grab.

Really sweet and realistic coming of age about two best friends making a summer to-do list before one moves away, and a first boyfriend who gets in the way. Very realistic and I really liked the art style it felt very gothic/emo which was fun, and different for a graphic novel.

Nothing too deep or life changing though, so I'd say I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it but I did enjoy. I thought there was going to be more of an admission of feelings between the girls and it felt anticlimactic without that.

I overall liked the message that if things seem hard, it's best to just start with one small thing to make yourself feel better.

Agnes and Daisy have been bffs since they were at least 8 years old. As the beginning of summer approaches, Agnes’ mom drops a bomb by telling Agnes that they’re moving away at the end of it. It feels like their whole world has shattered into a million pieces. Agnes and Daisy try to make the best of the time they have left together and plan to reutilize a friendship scrapbook they made when they were 8. When your friends move away, whether you’re a teen or older, it is never gets easier. Follow the friendship of these two. It is worth the read.

#ThxNetGalley #VictoriaEvans

"The History of Everything" is a book about friendship, and it does do that quite well, but it doesn't bring much else to the story. The main characters absolutely act like the teenagers they are and have all the messy, complicated relationships that come with that, which could be very validating and relatable to someone of a similar age, but can be somewhat grating to read as an adult. Overall, this book isn't bad, but doesn't have enough uniqueness to it that I would recommend it for anyone that wasn't looking for something very specifically similar to it.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperAlley for an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review. 3 ⭐️ A classic coming-of-age graphic novel centered around the friendship dynamics of two teenage girls navigating one of their impending moves. The art was fun and funky, to the point where I questioned when the story took place- ha! Agnes’s character was at times a bit too whiney for me and SUPER mean to her mom but I’m sure that’s realistic of some teenage girls. All in all just OK.

This was such a good graphic novel about something we all experience, a friendship changing and growing as we grow. The art is lovely, the color palette is perfect for the emotions on page. I wish there was a part two as I want to see how this friendship continues.

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

This graphic novel gave me all the Daria and Jane vibes in its aesthetic. Two outsider best friends in high school - so familiar. The struggle of maintaining a friendship through the impending move of Agnes and the romantic developments for Daisy during the summer. The illustration style was reminiscent of Cartoon Network shows. This will appeal to teens and adults alike for nostalgia!

i really enjoyed this one!!! i loved the art style and how relatable this was for us girls who have a long distance best friend.

Moving is never easy, especially when you have to leave friends behind. No matter if it's an hour away or five hours away, the last few weeks or days you can spend with your friends are special and important. Daisy and Agnes have had a long friendship so Anges moving hits pretty hard, however they are still teenagers, which means they're dealing with not being with each other everyday on top of growing into their own person. Daisy begins to change her style a little bit, no longer the exact same as Agnes, but still goth/alternative. Agnes grows a little too by being a part of the change rather than fighting against it. In the end, they're still important to each other and no matter the fights or changes in their life, they'll always try to be there for the other.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for the eARC of 'The History of Everything'! This review is my full, honest opinion.

Evans’ ‘The History of Everything’ has artwork that is aesthetically satisfying in color and craft. This graphic novel follows the story of childhood best friends Agnes and Daisy. Agnes receives the news that her mother accepted a job offer that requires Agnes to move away and to make the best of the last summer together, they compose a list of things they’d like to do before Agnes leaves. Their summer plans get a bit disorderly when Daisy gets a boyfriend and her attention is divided between the two, her boyfriend and her best friend.

In previous graphic novels I read, the story is told through art and leaves the dialogue neglected. Evans does a fantastic job of having the art and the dialogue SHOW AND TELL the story. Agnes is a character that uses facial and body expressions to tell her part of the story and Daisy uses her words and language for hers. During a shift in the plot they become reversals of each other and as a reader, seeing and noticing the balance that Evans displays with this work truly expresses how incredible it is!

I was thoroughly amazed at how the page margins were used to signify a change in setting and/or time of day. Once I noticed it, I went back to the beginning and focused on it more, saying, " This is so smart! I love that!”

I will admit the ending of this story made me cry! This story is incredibly well-paced and amazingly crafted. The dialogue and art go together hand-in-hand perfectly. It’s a great read, but an even better experience.

"The History of Everything" is a teen/YA graphic novel by Victoria Evans. Agnes and Daisy are high schoolers who have been friends forever. When Agnes learns that she and her mom are moving a 12 hour drive away, she and Daisy decide to enjoy the summer to the fullest. They get out and old journal from years ago where they had a summer to-do list and create a new to-do list for this summer. Unfortunately, Daisy getting a boyfriend leads to Agnes feeling rejected. A fairly realistic portrayal of teen friendships and emotions with lovely illustrations. A recommended purchase for YA graphic novel collections.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read The History of Everything.

I absolutely adored this beautifully illustrated graphic novel about friendship. Agnes and Daisy are childhood best friends but as they are getting older, everything is changing. I really loved this story and how real it felt- so many readers can relate to different aspects of this story. 4 stars

I love graphic novels! This was very good. I enjoyed it very much. the complexity of Agnes and Daisy's friendship really kept me intrigued. It brought me back to when I was younger and the prospect of a friend moving away really felt like the end of the world. The art style was amazing, i really enjoyed it and the overall color theme.

15 year old me would have given this a full 5 stars but now i'm 30 and can't relate too much to it. But overall, it was an amazing read and i can see myself coming back to it.

Such a bittersweet story about two best friends. I loved the artwork. The story was relatable along with the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the e-ARC of The History of Everything!
5 / 5 ⭐

With a gorgeous art style and tender themes, The History of Everything tells a story of two teen best friends sharing a last summer together before one is forced to move cross country. They gather their childhood scrapbook - The History of Everything - and decide to make a summer bucket list to complete before Agnes leaves. As plans change and fall apart, they struggle to enjoy their last few weeks together, risking their long distance friendship for after.

Oh My God!!! I went into this blindly, and I did not disappoint myself one bit. This is a GRAPHIC NOVEL about a teen who finds out her mother is moving away. Heartbroken and thinking she’ll never find another friend, she decides to create a list of things to do with her bestie before the summer is over and she has to move. At the same time, her bestie meets a cute guy and their romance begins to grow, interrupting her friend’s list. Irritating and annoyed that nothing is going right for her, she doesn’t understand until it’s too late that she could have moved things around in her list to make room for her besties happiness. Overall, I finished this in one sitting because it was just that good! I loved the relationship between the friends and how things just sort of fall into place when the timing is right.
I’m definitely buying myself a physical copy because the artwork is amazing. The friends connections are strong and I was obsessed with this book!

Summary:

Daisy and Agnes have been best friends for as long as they can remember. Unfortunately, Agnes is moving away, and they’re worried about what this will mean for their friendship.

So, the two decide to make the best of the summer by completing their scrapbook - “The History of Everything.” It includes the ultimate bucket list, which the two want to complete before the big move. However, life and drama are about to get in the way.

Review:

Man, The History of Everything hits hard. If you’ve ever had a friend move away or even a fight with a friend, this book will feel so real to you. It’s basically about two friends doing their best to stay connected while finding themselves in the process. It’s a whole vibe.

I love the overall concept of their journal, too. It’s such a cute idea, especially since it includes things to do in the future. While that is the foundation for this story, it is far from the whole of it. There’s family drama, moving drama (duh), boyfriend drama, you name it.

There is so much personality in The History of Everything. It’s easy to enjoy the characters and their stories here, as they feel so human and alive. Their adventures may not be grand, but they are relatable.

Highlights:
Young Adult Novel
Best Friends
Moving Drama