Hungry Heart is an ADORABLE contemporary romance graphic novel about a food writer & a chef. I think this book did such a great job depicting anxiety & the pressure of success. The illustration style was very cute, and I really loved the focus on food and included recipes. Definitely a fun read!

Thanks to NetGalley, Jem Milton, and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the chance to read and review. My opinions are my own!

That was beyond adorable! Like grown up Heartstopper. Sweet queer found family and dealing with mental health challenges around fame and food and race. The end felt a bit abrupt and unsure if it's supposed to have sequels.

I absolutely loved this graphic novel. The story touches on some heavy topics, but somehow the author manages to keep the story light somehow at the same time. It shows how complicated it can be to be famous and so many more things.

The art style is gorgeous. It is a style I really love.

Overall, this graphic novel touches on some important topics and I loved reading it.

A great debut graphic novel set in London about a famous biracial, pansexual celebrity chef and the nerdy gay freelance foodie reporter who is assigned to write a series of articles about him. This story focuses on some heavy topics, from fame, sexuality, anxiety, eating disorders and more plus features a great cast of found family secondary characters. The illustrations were fun and bright but some of the more anime style parts were a bit too cartoony for my personal tastes. Still a great read, perfect for fans of books like Chef's kiss by Jarrett Melendez. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. I hope there are more volumes to come in the future!

A nice enough graphic novel with less romance than I expected.
This first volume marks the beginning of a series that could turn out to be really interesting, but that I sadly won't be continuing. Like another graphic novel I recently read, Teleportation and Other Luxuries, Hungry Hearts suffers from wanting to do too much too quickly; it tries to discuss a plethora of important, complex issues, but doesn't allow them the space and time they need and deserve. At a certain point, it feels less like the author is meaningfully engaging with the topics presented, and more like they're going through a checklist, which I sincerely doubt was the original purpose. It also overshadows the characters'... well, character. They at times feel less like people and more like trauma vehicles.
The art is pretty good, even though not always to my personal taste.
I do think a lot of people could enjoy this, especially young adult readers - even though it might be worth checking the trigger warnings.

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

Tapas and I have a love-hate relationship but I absolutely loved this story. I read it twice during a work day before my work hours ended.

The story follows Laurie, a young writer who gets the chance to interview heartthrob chef Oryan Adjei. Laurie has always idolized Oryan but as he gets to know Oryan better, he starts to find a connection to him. As their connection grows into more genuine meetings, they start to lower their walls around each other and things begin to change around them.

Laurie and Oryan are the cutest characters and they both need a big hug. Both have troubling pasts that have left a scar on them. Although they are good with navigating around it, it hurts to see them going through it. I enjoyed how this story was able to incorporate these emotions and the subtle hints throughout. Their interactions were the sweetest and I enjoyed every bit especially near the end.

Both Laurie and Oryan are surrounded by predominantly good people and there is also a diverse set of characters. It felt realistic, both in the character designs and their dialogues. I enjoyed their conversations and how it didn’t feel awkward as well as their friendly supportive mess for each other. They aren’t a huge part of the story but they are always a welcomed sight and never annoying. I could probably read a separate story on each one because they are interesting personalities.

The artwork is amazing! It uses a variety of colors in varying shades and yet everything looks gorgeous. Oryan looked stunning in every look and Laurie looked honestly adorable. The facial expressions were on point and brought life to the words.

I loved how this story unraveled from an innocent interaction, to a friendly romance coupled with the complexities in each character’s personality. It expertly does this while noting the change of seasons. I loved how the relationship was positive and built on understanding and communication.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read and one I see myself re-reading multiple times. It’s unfortunately a short series on Tapas but I’ll be eagerly awaiting the next volume. I definitely recommend reading this lovable story!

This comic book is so cute! I started reading, and I couldn't stop. You could say I devoured it (sorry).

Hungry Heart is an adorable story about a shy guy that gets to interview a famous cook. Their first meeting is quite awkward but Oryan (the cook) feels like Laurie (our mc) really sees him, so he agrees for a few more interviews. What follows is a story about food and romance, but also some more heavy topics like anxiety, eating disorder and the pressure put on us by other people. The ratio of silly moments to the more serious ones is kept really well.

There's also a whole diverse cast of queer side characters which I love to see. One of them seemed to have a thing for Laurie? But maybe I was just imaging things since it wasn't mentioned.

I love art style. There are a few scenes that seem rushed, but it works really well. I really enjoyed looking at the art, and loved the colours (that pink hair was gorgeous!).

Thank you Andrews McMeel Publishing and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. Laurie struggle making ends meet in London. Luckily his best friend got him an interview with hot celebrity chef Oryan Adjei, which he’ll write for a magazine. Laurie realizes that there is more to Oryan than what other people see. When the magazine contracts more interviews the two will spend more time together. Oryan enjoys talking to Laurie because Laurie is the only person who seems to see past the celebrity. Laurie is trying to keep things professional but he can’t help falling for Oryan. However Oryan seems to be holding back. Also his boss at the magazine is pushing for more intimate details of Oryan’s life, Laurie doesn’t want to deliver them. Will something more develop between the two? Or will things end in disaster? This is a really sweet and charming story! Laurie is kind and caring and Oryan is humble and kind. I enjoyed the progression of their relationship! There’s also some good disability representation! The artwork is gorgeous and I love how it slightly changes throughout the story! Jem Milton did a fantastic job with this! Highly recommend if you enjoy graphic novels!

Absolutely lovely, 5 ⭐️s. Hungry Heart’s art is everything —I love author Jem Milton’s comic style. Their color, like their drawing, is beautiful: grounded in realism, yet loose and alive. The overall effect is vibrant, dreamy and emotional and *fun*, lifting the story up and letting it shine.

Hungry Heart is a queer, contemporary romance that brings together two young Londoners, Laurie and Oryan, both working hard in careers that demand more from them they want to—or should—give. They’re each struggling, too, despite their best efforts: Laurie is a food writer, working for a demanding (grasping) editor while struggling with an eating disorder he tries to ignore and hide from others, and Oryan is a young but successful talented chef dealing with sudden fame and the profound lack of privacy that comes with it, and a breakup that has the public giving him no space at all. They meet to discuss food for Laurie’s column, and things go surprisingly well—and keep going well. It’s a bit opposites-attract, as Laurie and Oryan have very different lives and personalities—Laurie’s eating disorder is rooted in unhappy family dynamics and poor self image, but he loves food and is an understanding, kind person. Oryan is literally in ad campaigns that play up his natural beauty but he’s being harassed in public & online, has difficulty making space to be himself, and is worried & struggling with his sexuality and acceptance from his family…but we learn Oryan too, is sensitive and kind, and like Laurie, needs a friend.

As Oryan and Laurie’s interview series progresses, they slowly tip into each other’s lives, and their attraction to and understanding for one another grows. With it comes complications—Laurie’s anxiety and poor self image clashes badly with Oryan’s hurting but entitled ex-girlfriend, Viola, who lashes out with mean girl claws at Laurie for daring to take up Oryan’s attention. Oryan doesn’t fully understand Laurie’s complicated relationship with food and eating (Oryan loves food and wants to share it with Laurie, but that’s easier said than done), and his easy confidence and acceptance of some measure of public awareness leaves Laurie terrified that a repeat of the body shaming & bullying he experienced in school is imminent.

As Laurie and Oryan slowly find that their connection could be something special, they realize they each have work to do on themselves and in their relationship—and find that they’ll have to stand up for themselves and each other if they want a future together.

While their romance—and love of food—is the center of Hungry Heart, Laurie’s flatmate Pepper, their queer, eclectic group of friends and his family/parent issues really expand the story, adding an entertaining (and sometimes frustrating!) view into why Laurie’s struggling and where he needs to grow. Oryan’s delightfully aloof cat, protective sister Amma and loving family flesh out Oryan’s inner life. Peeks into those conversations shed light on how he can be simultaneously so confident yet disconnected from his inner self, even a little afraid. It’s a visually and emotionally satisfying graphic novel, unique and lovely.

Laurie, a food critic, gets to interview chef of the moment Oryan. Despite a somewhat awkward introduction, they slowly grow closer together.

There is so much to love about this graphic novel! From a truly diverse cast to the warm and inviting art style that perfectly fits the story. I devoured it in one sitting. The natural flow to the story and dialogue just kept me turning page after page.

It is invaluable for any person with a marginalized identity to see (parts of) themself represented in stories. As a disabled, pansexual person with an eating disorder I have never seen so many of them come together in a single story. Just like Oryan feels seen by Laurie, I feel seen by the author, because of what they put down on paper.

“I would describe myself as pansexual.” “But explaining that to people... ….it's easier to let people think I'm bisexual than it is to correct them.”

The devil is in the details. From the lighter skin on the palms of the black people in this story, to the person in the wheelchair not being able to attend the rooftop party. These little inclusions show Milton is giving us true representation, and not just lip service.

The romance is very sweet and develops naturally over the course of the graphic novel. I found myself rooting for the main couple and even feeling some butterflies near the end.

Hungry Heart is perfect for fans of Alice Oseman's Heartstopper and N.D. Stevenson's Nimona.

TW: eating disorder, racism, queerphobia

Thank you Andrews McMeel Publishing and Jem Milton for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

A beautiful graphic novel that tackles some difficult topics. This is great for fans of Heartstopper and food. I love the development between the two mains and I hope to read the next volume!

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

This was a cute book with decent representation and discussion of queerness, race, and mental health. There's also a diverse range with other side characters (who I hope will be explored more in further volumes). I would have liked to see some aspects be explored deeper and the ending felt a bit abrupt, but this is a continuing series, so I hope to see this approached in further volumes. Overall, it's a cute graphic novel with lovely art.

I wasn't familiar with the comic prior to reading Hungry Heart in this format, so I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but I really enjoyed it. The art was very appealing, and I felt it complemented the tone of the story well. The story itself was lighthearted while also touching on some heavier topics, including eating disorders, homophobia, racism, and mental health. There was also quite a bit of representation in this book: a gay MC, a Black pansexual LI, a disabled Black lesbian SC, and several other queer and POC characters.

The romance between Laurie and Oryan was present but not necessarily the main focus. Instead, you're able to get to know both characters as individuals outside of their relationship with one another, which I found really nice.

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McNeel Publishing for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book sucked me in and I could not put it down! The characters felt so real and I became invested very quickly! I absolutely loved this and will be watching for more