Member Reviews

Hey! Are you depressed and trying not to think about the impending end of the world? This is a great read!

Was this review helpful?

A funny, somewhat cynical, but completely honest, graphic novel focused on blind dating, relationships, and marriage. The highlight of this collection for me was the dating profiles; I laughed at everyone of them.

I received a digital ARC of this graphic novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

OMG. This book is so adorable and yet so relatable. The simplicity of the characters just makes the fact that their thoughts are literally written on their faces just so much more impactful. I absolutely love the dating profile section! This book is sure to make you laugh.

Was this review helpful?

this was a refreshing, a quick read. basically portraying people as candy hearts that has words on the surface, and that words reveal their hidden thoughts. a funny take on mainstream everyday events. the humor was nice and smart. honestly i need it longer lol.

Was this review helpful?

I lived every minute of this hilarious book. I can’t wait to read more about this author. A quick and satisfying read.

Was this review helpful?

This was a fun collection of comics, some of which made me chuckle. I would probably prefer to see them one at a time on social media than read a whole book in one go though.

Was this review helpful?

This was so honest about the things that people don't really tell in their relationship. Not only the lovers, but everyone around them. It had humor and the characters were neutral to look at and that made it very acceptable.

The art was easy and simple for a graphic novel.

Thank you @netgalley for the ARC

Was this review helpful?

I received an electronic ARC from Andrews McMeel Publishing through NetGalley.
Most comics are single gags but a couple of series and multipage comics are included. This sequel continues to allow readers to see what candy hearts (and probably humans) are really thinking. The humor runs from subtle to obvious as you would expect.

Was this review helpful?

The Secret Lives of Candy Hearts is a collection of comics, focussing on the things that are left unsaid. There are two multiple-page stories, but most are single-panel. I thought most of them were funny and relatable, but I don't see them as real eye-openers.

Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for giving me access to an e-arc for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

A quick read.

Some funny moments.

An ok read for anyone looking for something light and easy to read.

Was this review helpful?

I love these cartoons! I'm so glad there is a follow-up to the Candy Hearts book, which featured a particular favorite cartoon of mine featuring The Beatles (worth a google).

This new book features more hilarious, keenly-observed comics. And a few steps into the absurd ("Please no, I have a frog wife" made me cackle with laughter). Siegel has a real gift for capturing small, unspoken moments, and making them funny (and sometimes depressingly accurate).

But there are also a couple of really genuine moments. There is a series on moving in together, which I'm sure every newly cohabiting couple will appreciate, and another about getting married. While there are some biting moments in these, both end on a sweet, optimistic note.

A short, enjoyable read, and an ideal gift for anyone taking a big step in their relationship.

Was this review helpful?

I have enjoyed the Candy Hearts comics since I first came across them on Instagram. I like how they are witty, relatable and entertaining, as well as so beautifully illustrated. This will make a nice coffee table book or gift. I just wasn't a fan of some of the language but otherwise a great read!

Thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This is a cute book that is a sequel to Candy Hearts. This author continued his collection and this book is more of the same dealing with candy hearts. They have hilarious saying on the hearts and it is a must read if you are someone who loves reading the little messages on candy hearts, like I do! Conversation Hearts are the best candy of the Valentine's season!

Was this review helpful?

Well, this is fun. If you're not already familiar with Siegel's work, it's time to go look him up (and if you *are* familiar with his work, well, you know what you're in for).

Most of the comics in this collection are a snapshot in time, though there are a couple of longer pieces. I'm not sure how many of the comics are new vs. republished (I recognized some but not all of them, though what that means...who knows), but reading them in this book format forces me to think a bit more about themes and structure. It's maybe worth noting that these are free of dialogue—the reader has a voyeuristic look into what each of the candy heart characters is thinking, but the other candy hearts in the picture may never have any clue.

More of a coffee table book than something to read and reread, but I really enjoy these comics; they're simple but witty and often deeply, darkly funny.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.

Was this review helpful?

I love the whole idea of this; it would be a great gift book! The secret lives of candy hearts aren't necessarily so secret, because their messages are used to tell the stories of their lives. Sometimes a little crude, but always funny, I found myself smiling through the whole book. My favorite part was the section that showed an entire relationship. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.

Was this review helpful?

This book had me laughing at every single page. This was a relatable and funny book, especially for someone trying to navigate the dating scene in 2024. It was so fun that I could not put it down until I was through the book.

This would be a great gift for a friend/family member or an addition to anyone's library.

Was this review helpful?

A quick read about some relationship moments portrayed through conversation hearts. It's a cute trope, and there were definitely some that had me exhale air a little too fast out of my nose. However, most of them were cringy, and not really in an incredibly entertaining way.

Was this review helpful?

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review!

The second volume of the candy hearts and I just LOVED every bit of it. I was so hyped when I spotted this book up on Netgalley. I really loved the first book back in 2020 and I am happy that after 4 years there is a new book full of these candy hearts. Full of humour, relatability, OMG that is so true, and more. I read this one partially at home, and partially while at the bar with friends (yes, my ADHD at times needs to tune out a bit, and my friends know this and don't mind). I shared some of these with my hubby and my bestie and it made both of them laugh and totally agree.
I love that the book is split up in various sections. First normal candy hearts and their stuff, followed by Tinder/dating app stuff, after that more candy hearts but now with dating/relationships, and it is time to move in together, some more candy hearts doing their thing, and then lastly time to get married! I had so much fun and I wouldn't have minded if the book was longer. Hopefully there will be many more books like this because I need more (and my hubby and bestie wouldn't mind some more either). Recommended!

Was this review helpful?

This short and sweet comic collection is full of funny and relatable tidbits. From online dating to marriage and everything in between, anyone will find humor in these pages. The candy heart concept is unique and fresh and is executed well. This would be a perfect gift for a friend or partner.
Thanks to Andrews McMeel and NetGalley for the ARC in trade for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I really loved this book! It’s funny, relatable, heartfelt, and I love how it speaks to so many truths about being human in general. A small number of comics were sad, but they really rounded out the book because I think they made me think more about the themes being explored and how we often hide truths about ourselves from each other in relationships. For the most part though, I laughed my way through the comics and even came across one I’d seen before in the wild on Pinterest! My favorites were Adam & Eve, IKEA, Long Distance, Smoke Alarm Cooking, and Just Boring Enough. 🥰 Would highly recommend as a coffee table book for a fun laugh to lift your spirits! I’ll be looking forward to revisiting it in the future!

Was this review helpful?