Beka (1)

Not going to lie it had me in the first half with all the bimbo talk and the eye-roll-worthy “not all blondes are stupid. I like books, kay.” I had to remind myself the target audience is younger kids.


But the latter half had a good message without being preachy. For example, many times people are only in love with the idea of a person, love isn’t always enough and relationships end, and people that love you don’t throw you away.

I think this captured middle school drama well and Grace’s feelings about her parents. The artwork was also super cute. I enjoyed Adele as an addition to the team. She needed some genuine female friends.

2.5… (més)

BBFs Grace and Lola try to figure out the mystery of romance by observing those around them at their middle school.

This was cute. Was it the best story I’ve ever read? No. But, it’s middle grade kids figuring out what love means to them - it’s cute. Plus, the illustrations are vivid and adorable to look at.

The girls learn about all types of other female characters and their history. Even learning about their prejudgement of some simply based on rumors. The boys’ characters aren’t as flushed out, but since this is the first book of a series, I’m hoping to know more about them later on.

This book was originally written in French and set in France. Even though it was translated into English, I still thoroughly enjoyed the background, especially the lunch/park scenes as those are very French.

I’ll be looking out for the next book of this series to read for sure. It’s adorable and there is much room for the characters to grow.

*Thank you Astra Publishing House and Publishers Weekly for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review… (més)

I received this book in advance in exchange for an honest review.

The illustrations are sweet and Manga-esque. I loved the softness, the uniqueness compared to the typical bold lines of typical graphic novels.

That is where my enjoyment of this book begins and ends.

I know I am not the target audience of this book (which is middle schoolers obsessed with love and dating.) But good grief, dating isn't the be all end all. Unhealthy relationships are not good (you'd think that was a no brainer but nope.) The talking and gossiping about who likes who behind one's back.....ugh hate that behavior. It's also a book that if shelved in a children's section, I struggle with due to language and some of the images. (The sexual assault reference though is done tastefully--similar to Kimberly Brubaker Bradley's "Fighting Words" so I am okay with it)

I won't be recommending this one. Like at all.… (més)