Hungry Heart

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!).

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing a copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.

Hungry heart follows Laurie, a food blogger turned journalist and Oryan, a celebrity chef who gained notoriety through winning a cooking competition at the age of 19; as a work encounter blooms into the start of a romance.

"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"

Never before have I felt so heard from a singular quote from any book as that is exactly how I have felt in the past when coming to terms with my own pansexuality. Often it is rare to find genuine representation in books as opposed to labeling a character as queer and giving no true representation through them. This graphic novel contains a wide array of POCs and persons from the LGBTQ+ community as well as a disabled character whos disability does come into play within the story.

The romance between Laurie and Oryan is believable and not rushed. It develops nicely and you can tell they genuinely care for one another.

The artwork is gorgeous and the style combined with the steady story kept me wanting more. I devoured this in one sitting and would love to see more from these characters if a future volume was to be released.

I got this as an arc on Netgalley and it will come out in November. This beautiful queer romance was everything. The comic was entertaining, insightful and delicious.

a very queer, very diverse and very cute love story. gay friends, if you want to have a sweet read, this is a heartwarming, important and relatable story of self exploration and struggles with comforting outcomes — and I guarantee that you will at least like it.

though the story is overall gentle, it still touches on important and heavy subjects, primarily eating disorders. it's an aspect that is, in my opinion and as someone who deals with such issues, extremely well done and well portrayed.

the drawings were adorable with a very soft but colorful color palette, both to which I became addicted quickly. the main characters are attaching and their interactions natural.

this was so much fun! loved it

One of the key themes of the book is the idea that human connection is a fundamental aspect of the human experience. I argue that our relationships with others are essential to our well-being, happiness, and sense of purpose. I also explore the ways in which we can cultivate deeper, more meaningful connections with others, and provide practical advice and strategies for doing so.

The book is written in an approachable and accessible style, making it easy for readers to engage with the material and reflect on their own relationships and connections. I've included a range of examples and anecdotes to illustrate key points and make the concepts more relatable.

Uhhh this was sooo cute! Highly recommend giving this graphic novel a try!

The art style was fantastic and I loved the color palate.. Laurie and Oryan are so lovable. I felt like I could be either of their friends. Honestly, I would love to be their friend. The relationship was genuine and realistic. I loved seeing their friendship and relationship bloom and flourish. I hope this story continues so we can follow along with them.

Mental illness and LGBTQIA+ representation is very well handled. I will say that there is a graphic scene involving eating disorder struggles. Since this is portrayed through visuals it may be more triggering to some.

This was super cute! Laurie and Oryan are great characters and it was so satisfying to read this story of how they met. Sometimes you want something that just makes your heart happy, and this hit the spot.

Not only was the storyline fun and satisfying, but the artwork was beautiful as well.

If you are a fan of Heartstopper, I think you will enjoy this!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher/author for this copy of the book.

A Deliciously Romantic Journey of Self-Discovery and Connection

Hungry Heart by Jem Milton is a heartfelt story about love, identity, and overcoming self-doubt. Originally published as a webcomic, this LGBTQ+ romance follows Laurie, an aspiring food writer, who lands the opportunity to interview Oryan, a celebrity chef and his long-time idol. What begins as a professional meeting grows into a deep bond through late-night talks and shared love for food. Together, Laurie and Oryan face challenges that test their self-acceptance and courage under the pressures of fame and personal growth.

The relationship of the two has a natural, slow-burn quality, which feels both honest and endearing. The narrative’s warmth and Milton’s thoughtful approach to illustrating their romance, mixed with personal struggles, give the story an emotional depth that resonates. The illustrations are very charming and the dialogs have a very natural flow. The slow burn of the story enhances the emotional journey, making it a must-read for fans of graphic novels and heartfelt romance.

This graphic novel is ADORABLE. It also deals with some serious stuff.

The art style is fun, a loose manga inspired style. The artist and author has a diverse cast of characters and fleshes them out well, even the side characters have a lot of life to them despite the book being about our two mains. The book covers a wide range of topics in a natural and unforced way, living in the limelight, anxiety, recovery and a few other bits. Laurie has a history with food and is now a food writer who manages to score an interview with a chef who gained his popularity in a reality show. The book does not shy away from Laurie's struggles with food, but doesn't dwell on it either. It's part of the story but not the whole story.

This is the first in a series and ends in a satisfying way that still leaves the reader ready for the next installment.

Thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the arc.

Wow. I don’t know where to start. This was great and touched on some heavy topics. There are triggers for eating disorders and homophobia. There is talk of racism. Mental health.
The artwork was beautiful and I loved the characters.

I can’t wait to read the next and I will definitely be reading more by this author.

Vibrant, sweet and overall ADORABLE.

This was such a great graphic novel.

Laurie is a food blogger with his big break to interview his celebrity crush, Chef Oryan. Laurie is navigating his crippling anxiety and Oryan is figuring out his sexuality all while this new sweet romance is building.

Frickin adorable.

I loved the vibrant art. The font was great to read and the story was lovely.

Thanks to netgalley and Andrews McNeel Pub for an eARC

Very sweet story about finding out who you are and who you want to be as well as finding the courage to be your authentic self. It's a very cozy in a way. This is the first volume of a webtoon and the webtoon has more chapters so I hope the others eventually get published. That being said this volume does stop at a point where is this is all we get then it does have an ending of sorts and I can live with that.

Thank you to Netgalley and Andrew McMeel Publishing for the ARC! I loved everything about this book from the artwork to the plot. Genuinely enjoyed all of the characters and the representation throughout the book.
The storyline and the growth of the relationship was so fun to read. I need this to be a very long series.

Thank you Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this eARC!


This book was so incredibly sweet and easy to read, and had me hooked from the start till the very end!
The romance between Laurie and Oryan felt very believable and realistic. They are soooo cute together.
Another thing I loved was the little friendgroup and how queer and diverse everyone was. They aren't a huge part of the book but I really enjoyed reading their conversations.
This book does touch some important and heavier topics (like anxiety and eating disorder) but somehow the author still manages to keep the story light, which I thought was amazing.


So if you love graphic novels like Heartstopper, that are sweet and gentle reads but still touches heavier topics then this is 100% for you!

I loved everything about oryan’s and Laurie’s relationship and hope there will be a sequel. I loved the queer and POC representation. 10/10.

** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Copy received through Netgalley

~

Hungry Heart, by Jem Milton
★★★★★
256 Pages
Content Warning: mentions of anxiety, eating disorder, identity crisis, coming out
Reps: POV, trans, disables, pansexual, non-binary



Hungry Heart is a super-cute romance story between opposites.

Laurie is half-English, half-Scottish, from a “wealthy family” – the type with a big house that's too expensive to run/live in, but too deeply ingrained in the DNA to let go of. His parents are separated and he's dealing with an eating disorder he's trying (and sometimes failing) to recover from, as well as anxiety, poverty, and the threat of losing his job, not to mention a food blog with only 2-digit followers. Oryan is his polar opposite – from a regular, middle-class family, he won a UK Kitchen chef competition when he was 19 and became an instant star. Now, he's struggling under the weight of stardom, doing more celebrity appearances than cooking, and losing sight of who he really is behind the flashing lights.

Together, they are the cutest, most normal and messed-up couple. They start as strangers, then Laurie is offered the chance to interview Oryan for a food magazine he freelances for. Oryan's sister works with Laurie's roommate and that is the start of their meet-cute. And a budding romance.

I really liked how Oryan's life wasn't bright and shiny just because he became famous, and presumably rich, at a young age. Yet, conversely, I love how normal Laurie was – working a dead-end waiter's job just to pay the pills, yet maintaining his blog for the love of food and working side jobs, like at the magazine, to try to further his career. I also love how carefully, respectfully and honestly their problems were treated. How Oryan had anxiety he tried to hide, was losing himself because no one would let him breathe, and Laurie was grinding away like the rest of us in life, without getting very far. The exploration of internet/social media trolls was well done, too, and such an important issue to highlight.

I loved the artwork. Both MC's were equally drawn as sometimes beautiful, blushing and cute, and often times just regular people, with regular issues.

Although it ended a bit abruptly, in what feels like the middle of a potential second storyline involving Violet, I did enjoy what I read. There was no mention of this being a Vol. 1 when I requested it from Netgalley, but I wouldn't be mad if it continued. I liked that the entire thing was realistic, with no magic bow to tie everything up, no cure for their real life problems, just acceptance, love, friendship and fighting to survive another day.

I won't lie, I'd also love to see more of Laurie's friend, Hugo, who seems to have a hint of a crush on Laurie. I adored him, even though he was a bit of a happy weirdo, and I loved all the cute nicknames he gave Laurie.

For fans of Chef's Kiss, by Jarrett Melendez.

Oh my god I LOVED!! THIS!! I could not remember where I recognized this art style from, but when I realized it was the same author as the Flying Ship I SQUEALED!! The writing really makes my heart skip a beat and get invested emotionally along with the characters. I can't wait for more!

A received a review copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This novel is a fresh edition to what I like to call the sub-genre LGBTQ cooking graphic novels. Others in the genre include Basil and Oregano and Chef's Kiss. The genre itself tends to be light and bright, even when dealing with serious issues.

First let me address the story. Hungry Heart follows a enthusiastic young writer Laurie who gets his big break interviewing cooking show star and heartthrob Oryan Adiei, a British-Ghanaian cooking star who achieved fame at an early age on the competition show British Kitchen trials. For anyone who watches things like Masterchef, think those vibes.

At first Laurie is starstruck when meeting Oryan, but soon realizes that Oryan's life is more complicated than it seems on the surface. Oryan despite being famous feels more alone than ever and is worried people are seeing him as a object and not as himself. He also worries about the direction his career is taking and isn't sure he wants to continue.

Laurie takes the time to get to know Oryan as a person. The two bonding over their lives in London, their shared love of cooking, and their growing affection for each other.

What started as a work relationship over cheese stakes quickly becomes a whirlwind friendship of stealing hors d'oeuvres and hanging out at parties together. But each of them has something at risk. Laurie is being pushed by his editor to get the 'scoop' on Oryan. But Laurie doesn't want to push for more personal details about someone he's coming to care about.

Oryan is also feeling the heat, as he makes changes in his career after talking with Laurie about how he was feeling trapped. He is facing problems both professionally and personally as his change of direction lets down a former mentor and an old flame seeks to regain his attention. But will Laurie and Oryan's budding relationship prove strong enough to handle the searing heat of the life as a celebrity and the scandal that can come about with it.

Can Laurie get past his self doubt and let Oryan in? Or will the two of them flop like a souffle. The volume finishes up on a positive note, but it leaves the door open for future scandal.

The art in this graphic novel supports the story, with the food being pictured as bright and vibrant. Also whoever did the coloring for Oryan's different colored hair did a great job, it jumps off the page and creates almost like a halo about him when he appears on the page. It's an interesting contrast compared to Laurie's more muted color scheme.

Finally the content warnings, this book deals with some serious stuff including coming out, and a fairly important side plot about a former eating disorder with images that match visible on page. This is noted at the beginning of the graphic novel though and is approached in a sensitive and caring way.

This book is five stars, I can't wait to read the next cute Volume from the Jem Milton if they decide to produce another.

This story was a fun queer slow-burn romance story. The cast is diverse, but it's a casual diversity. The slowly developing relationship between the main characters was very fun to read about. This story focuses on developing Laurie and Oryan as characters first, before developing them together romantically, which I liked a lot. The ending felt odd and a bit abrupt, but that was mostly because I didn't know that this was meant to be a series! The book was shown to be a stand-alone novel on NG, so I was very confused by the ending until I found out it's a series. The art style I adored! It's a very soft style, it has a romantic feeling in general.


Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

I really enjoyed this graphic novel. It felt so fast, but I did enjoy the pacing.

I lovedddddd the art style. It was so cute and colourful! I love when romance graphic novels are colourful, and this one is so colourful. I love it.

The romance itself is slowwww burn, but also still didn't feel that slow.

I recommend this!! So cute

There’s something about queer POC graphic novels that feel so wholesome. Like this was the kind of content I wanted in middle school when I hated everything including myself.

Hungry Heart is a beautiful story about the developing relationship between Laurie and Oryan. As Laurie interviews the popular chef and media star, he learns that there is so much more to Oryan than meets the eye. For Oryan, the experience is eye-opening as Laurie seems to just "get" who he is and reminds him of why he loved cooking in the first place.
The story takes on some serious issues such as anxiety and disordered eating but in a way that is not overwhelming. There is a lovely balance between the light-hearted moments and the serious ones.

This was a really really terribly adorable graphic novel. It has such a cute and entrancing one.

It was a very simple, swoon story and of slowly opening up to someone and learning to trust yourself. I liked that this graphic novel had a good support system of friends and family in the back, along with society nasties.

The art was super cute and also well detailed. I loved the simple storyline of love and celebrity grief. The eating disorder theme honestly made me nostalgic of the heartstopper series, I wish that one thing could be different.

Two precious cinnamonrolls finding comfort and friendship with each other.
I went into reading this graphic novel without any expectations or prior knowledge, and it was such a pleasant experience.

Seeing as they're both not looking for a relationship when they meet the first time, their relationship initially develops as a friendship. I enjoyed watching the guys be their for each other with support and advice. On the surface, Laurie and Oryan seem to be in different places in their career. However, they both struggle with setting professional boundaries and who they are as individuals. It was interesting to see them navigate these situations and realise what's most important to them.

•••

Content warning: anxiety, disordered eating

This was such a funny and sweet story. The artwork was so beautiful and I cannot wait to share this with friends.

Did I read this sweet graphic novel in under 2 hours? Yes. Did I rush to Tapas to find the rest of the webcomic? Also, yes.
Beautifully illustrated and cleverly written, this is a tale of finding yourself and finding love. Laurie, a food critic with loads of self-doubt, clumsily interviews celebrity chef and heartthrob Oyran. Laurie quickly develops a friendship/crush that's reciprocated. This book ends with them exploring something more.
I loved the inclusion of expressive chibi-style art throughout. I can't wait to see what happens next!

Add this to the ever growing list of wonderfully queer graphic novels! Hungry Heart follows Laurie, a shy, sweet food blogger who gets a chance to write a series of articles about Oryan, who is a celebrity chef who got famous from a Masterchef-esque competition show. The two get along well in their first interview and their personal relationship blossoms from there in a slow-burn romance.

This was a sweet romance, and the soft but colourful palette gave it a dreamy, romantic vibe that paralleled the story well. There are some serious issues tackled here (see the warnings at the start of the graphic novel before reading), but it is done in a sensitive way. It very much reminds me of the later Heartstopper volumes in the sense that it follows a very cute romance while both characters are going through complex personal challenges.

I love slow-burn romance for graphic novels especially, which is what Hungry Heart has. Graphic novels can often feel fast and like we don't get to know the characters enough, but Jem Milton does a fabulous job taking time to develop each of the characters individually before the romance takes over. We get to see Laurie and Oryan with their friends as well, which helps give them more personality outside of the romance.

My only critique is there were some flashbacks throughout the story that I didn't realize were flashbacks at first, which left me a little confused. Maybe I missed it, but I felt like there could have been better visual cues when a flashback started.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a queer, diverse graphic novel who enjoys slow burn romance! I can't wait to read volume 2!

Thank you Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the eARC!

TW: eating disorder and vomiting; anxiety; alcohol use; discussions of racism and pressure of fame;

Laurie is a young writer who hopes to get his big break by interviewing heartthrob chef Oryan Adjei. He is a huge fan but as the interview progresses he realizes that Oryan has a lonely life and isn’t actually happy. As they meet for more interviews, they find that they are both falling for each other but will they have the confidence to take the next step.

This was a very sweet story that touched on a lot of heavy topics. Laurie is dealing with an eating disorder and anxiety. Oryan is dealing with the pressures of fame and coming to the realization that he doesn’t want to be famous, he just wants to cook. These two have a very cute friendship that builds as they slowly get to know each other through text and the interviews. I liked seeing them both overcome some of their issues and take the step to be together.

My one complaint is that Laurie’s eating disorder is not really discussed even though they are clearly still struggling with it. I was expecting more of a discussion between Laurie and Oryan about it but that never happened. The main focus of this book was mostly around Oryan and his issues and I felt like Laurie got overlooked a little. But, I still really enjoyed this story and thought it was a very cute graphic novel.

I thought the art was really well done in this book! The food looked so good I wanted to be able to reach into the page and eat it. Hungry heart is about an anxiety ridden journalist and the super famous chef that is only just getting out of a nasty breakup. The entire comic is a set up of the will they, won’t they dynamic that I can appreciate. This dynamic doesn’t go on too long or overstay it’s welcome which I deeply appreciate. A really well done story that I will come back to if I ever need a cute story.

While a bit abrupt I appreciated the ending being open ended. I also liked the diversity of the characters involved, who knew this many British people existed!

|| REVIEW || ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
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Length: 256p
Source: ARC - NetGalley, Andrews McMeel Pub
Release Date: November 19, 2024
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Uhhhh, do…do we get MORE? 🥹
Absolutely darling.
Quirky.
Emotional.
Raw and realistic,
Gorgeous artistry.

Y’all!
I adored this one so much!
Laurie is a blogger and journalist when he gets tasked with interviewing famous chef, Oryan.
He’s clumsy and awkward and he’s struggling, heavily, with eating disorders.
That poor sweetie.

And Oryan just wants to cook.
He’s overworked and depressed and sad.
The multiple text exchanges between these two really show their chemistry and deep pull towards each other.
Their little romance was slow burn but SO SWEET.

I giggled.
I teared up once or twice.
I felt completely SAFE reading this inclusive graphic novel.
And I need MORE.
Yes?

{I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook. All reviews are my own.}

This was such a well done graphic novel that touched on a lot of complex issues, while still being fun.

I loved Laurie and Oryan. They both are such adorable, flawed characters and they worked so well together. I really enjoyed Laurie’s friend group as well. The author did a great job at showing how even though they like him, he doesn’t feel like he fully fits in with them either.

I can’t wait to read the next volume!

THIS COMIC WAS SO FREAKING ADORABLE!!! My heart was so happy about how cute, awkward, and adorable these two are together. The best freaking part is that it’s not just the rosy cheeks and sneaking glances, but their conversations are so real and they treat each other like whole human beings in spite of their roles as journalist and famous chef extraordinaire.

I was so in my feelings throughout this whole beautiful comic. I loved the details like how it showed the way Laurie’s chest looks with the bit of sag from when he had an eating disorder, Kai’s top surgery scars, and Ari being a wheelchair user, but also her being for the girls and being confident and I loved her so damn much. Every single character felt three dimensional. They all have lives, wants, and personalities of their own and it made this comic feel like a snapshot of life itself.

Everything feels so real. The exploration of fame, burnout, and learning to live for yourself was gorgeously done. I loved that during the interviews Laurie made sure he had Oryan’s permission to write about certain things. Laurie, while an absolute fanboy, was nothing but respectful and because of that Oryan felt seen and heard and not sensationalized by him.

When they started texting organically it was this new and exciting thing for both of them. As someone who regularly has a major crush on her partner of 5 years even though we’ve been together so long I felt that cute aggression reading this. They were absolutely smitten by each other and it was soooooooooo cute.

I loved Hungry Hearts it’s beautiful, adorable, amazing, 10/10! Please everyone reading this add this to your tbr. It is a gem. Jem Milton’s writing is so so good. They’ve written something I will be gushing over the rest of my life.

What a glorious and diverse story.
It's a slow burn romance between a chef who was a teenage prodigy and an aspiring food writer with an eating disorder.
The art is great. There's a cast of diverse characters.
The two leads are both lovely but each has their issues. Laurie, the aspiring food writer, had an eating disorder as a teen which still makes an appearance occasionally, and Oryan was thrust into the limelight at a young age, and suffers with anxiety.
It was beautiful watching a friendship form between the two which gradually moved to more.
I've not read the webcomic this is based on but the volume 1 tag on this book implies there is more to come and I'm eager for it. That said it ends in a perfectly suitable place for a comic. The final panels full of joy and teasing possibilities.
I recieved this as an ARC from Netgalley. Would I buy it? Yes. I'd love a physical copy for my shelves.

A graphic novel full of queer and diverse characters centered on the love story between two boys

This story is also full of heavy topics that might trigger some people and in my opinion would have benefited from having more space with a second volume

I enjoied reading it and I'm very interested to read other works from the author

Thanks to the author and publisher for making it available on NetGalley

What an adorable, quirky graphic novel!

I loved how the story was more than just a rom-com. We really got to know the characters, like what they enjoy but also what they’re struggling with.

‘Hungry Hearts’ has lots of wonderful diversity and mental health rep. Trigger warnings for anxiety, burn out and ED!

I didn’t know there would be other volumes, so the abrupt ending caught me a bit off guard. I NEED MORE NOW!

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The cover drew me in at first, I just found it so cute! As I started reading the cuteness and warm feeling only grew and it dealt with more intense topics well.

A great big thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the e-ARC of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinions or beliefs of NetGalley and/or the publisher.

TW: please be aware that this series discusses the sensitive subject of eating disorders.

'Hungry Heart by Jem Milton' is a slow burn queer romance graphic novel and it's absolutely precious. I would recommend this over heart stopped, not gunna lie. This graphic novel just made me so happy. The beautiful art/Illustrations really make the whole story. Everyone is so beautiful!

The plot is a simple one. Laurie is a writer and Oryan a famous chef. They meet to do an interview and start a sort of whirlwind relationship starting with a really fantastic friendship that anyone would die to have. Supportive of each other, the two of them work through the chaos that is their separate and combined lives.

I ship these two so hard! This whole book is so wholesome and you really connect with all the characters. The characters are really inclusive and diverse.

So refreshing to have such an inclusive range of characters, I really respect that.

I can't wait to read more; I am invested.

"Hungry Heart" is a YA graphic novel by Jem Milton. Laurie is a writer who gets the chance to interview celebrity chef Oryan. He thinks he flubs the interview, but Oryan likes his honesty and agrees to do a series of interviews. As they get to know each other, sparks start to fly. Both of them are trying to figure out where they want to go in life and what makes them happy. Colorful and fun illustrations add to the humor of the story. A highly recommended purchase for YA GN collections, especially where other WebToon novels are popular.

This was such a cute read! I loved the art style, the characters, and the story line. It was such an enjoyable story and I appreciated that the author touched on some deeper topics (such as ED's and mental health). The relationship progression between Laurie and Oryan was paced well. It was slower to develop, but it made sense considering they each were going through their own struggles. They were content to being one anothers friends, which made it all the more satisfying when they decided to take the next step. I'm curious to see if there is more to come for this story. I am hopeful that we will get to see these characters again and learn more about their new relationship and how their lives are progressing.

This was a super cute, fun, beautifully written and illustrated story about anxiety, struggling under pressure, fame, food, queer identity, friendship and love. I really enjoyed the whole thing!

I also like that there was a small conversation about race and how Black people (and other people of colour) have a different experience of the same place than white people, and are held to different expectations.

A great cute graphic novel!

Side note: vegan empanadas with eggs wouldn’t be vegan, as eggs aren’t vegan.

I haven't previously read this web comic on Tapas, so I wasn't sure what to expect from it. I thought this was a really sweet story, and I loved seeing the romance slooowly build. The comic has such a lovely cast of characters. It was a pretty comforting read, even though it does deal with some heavier themes. I do think the way these heavier themes were dealt with felt a little haphazard at times - they were discussed in small bursts and I was missing some structure. All in all, I really did enjoy this though!

4.5/5 I thoroughly enjoyed this book! A beautiful queer interracial romance love story blossoming through food! I think the biggest takeaway from this is trying to be your authentic true self before loving someone else. Also, food is always a love/hate relationship with people! We can hate for many reasons but food always brings us together whether it’s family or love! The graphics were beautiful to look at while painting this beautiful story together!

Although light-hearted, this book touches heavy topics and social issues such as racism and eating disorders. The artwork is amazing and the story is very charming. LOVED the pansexual representation!

The romance between the main characters felt very natural and not rushed at all. We get to know them as individuals before they develop a romantic relationship. The author does a great job at interweaving difficult topics with the cute romance. Hope there is a second volume!

Thank you Jem Milton and Netgalley for the arc

Thank you, Andrew Mcmeel Publishing & NetGalley for an advanced ARC of this graphic novel.

The humdrum life of an aspiring food writer changes when he meets a celebrity chef. Based on the hit webcomic, Hungry Heart is a sweet, queer rom-com that explores self-discovery, identity, and acceptance.

This was a great read from start to finish, I loved that it was slow-paced and also hit on subjects other than a possible romance, the story was engaging & had you drawn in to care about both characters & showing that things are not what they appear to be when looking from the outside in on people.


The young and talented chef Oryan Adjei is not just a celebrity in this graphic novel to be all Starry-eyed over instead shows the young man behind the mask of fandom and also trying to find his way in a world where everyone is telling him what to do, how to be and pushing him into one thing after another...( it's a true saying when they say - your passion will die when it's taken out of our hands & ran around like a profit cow), and that's what we see happen here but also we see him facing what he wants and the ideas of urself being twisted by society on social platforms.

Laurie the freelance writer is a nervous wreck as well as a person suffering from his dilemmas of self-image, low self-esteem, an eating disorder etc... the one thing I liked and disliked at the same time ( but that's because I have my past with dealing in this field myself) was the eating disorder parts that where short sections but handled respectfully, showing that Laurie went from a binge eater fo hardly eating at all and at times throwing up if he thought he eats too much ... (this sort of thing -even though was not mentioned in the book looks like bulimia) I wish it was talked about a little more because I do believe it's an issue that needs to be addressed more so younger people are made aware.

But other than that 1 little thing, I loved the story, the characters, the friendships and the bond that was made between Laurie and Oryan and I think it was very sweet and adorable ❤️... i cannot wait for the next volume

Thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing and Netgalley for the e-ARC!

Cute and cozy, Hungry Heart is a very queer, very diverse graphic novel serves up joy on a silver platter as we follow Laurie, a food blogger trying to break into journalism, and Oryan, a celebrity chef and media darling, as their intertwining career paths bring them a budding new friendship... and something more!

The art is cute and dreamy, bringing a softness with the style and coloring that perfectly fits the cozy feeling of the writing. With natural sounding dialogue and fantastic pacing, the relationships between the characters feels realistic and delightfully not rushed. Each of the characters, too, feels very well-written and actualized without being one-note, and while the romance between Laurie and Oryan is a strong thru-line, the narrative takes its time to explore each of them as individuals and not just as static objects destined for romance.

The care and respect that the author puts into exploring the heavier themes of the narrative is also readily abundant without being heavy-handed. From questions of identity as a queer person to the lived experiences of Black, POC, and disabled folks living in London (particularly through the lenses of folks living with a measure of fame--and thus, scrutiny--that others might not have to contend with to such a severe level if they were white, able-bodied, etc) as well as the handling of eating disorders and complicated family dynamics... I feel these were really well handled, all while never losing its sense of levity and kindness.

The only mild piece of criticism I have is the depiction of a vegan empanada that has a whole egg inside of it; its a Very minor detail, but I know most folks don't consider eating eggs as being vegan-friendly, so it stuck out to me. It also ended quite suddenly, but I know that making the transition between webcomic and print media means there's not always a perfect place to leave off when portioning a comic into separate volumes.

Overall, I really enjoyed Hungry Heart and I can't wait to read any future installments to come!

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

This one was just too cute to pass up—The Great British Kitchen Trials! I’ve watched a few seasons of The Great British Baking Show, and Laurie is a food blogger/writer so this felt like a perfect fit.

Art Style: Beautiful, gorgeous, watercolors.

While this story is absolutely adorable, it does come with a touch of secondhand embarrassment—which, as it turns out, I’m very sensitive to! So, the counter begins.

Number of times I closed this and had to take a moment due to secondhand embarrassment: 1 <– I really thought this was going to be a lot higher…anyways…

This book was exactly what I expected—super sweet and adorable. But I was pleasantly surprised by how much I ended up loving the romance between Laurie and Oryan and how deeply I got drawn into the story. It also touched on some heavier topics, which I think were handled really well. As an extremely anxious person, I felt so seen—so all my fellow “pukey anxious” readers, will love this one lol

Everything about this was done so well—the art, the story, the writing, the dialogue. If you enjoy queer comics that focus more on story than spice, this is a must-read!

*full blog post scheduled for Nov. 13th*

Hungry Heart was so a sweet graphic novel that touched on so many realisties of the world around us such as sexuality, gender, and mental health. The story was beautifully written and you really get attached to the characters in the story. I would suggest this to anyone who enjoyed Heartbreaker.