This was a really powerful story about a girl who deals with body dysmorphia and an eating disorder. But it’s also about her relationship with herself and those around her. It’s about self-love and how you allow others to treat you even when they think they have your best interest at heart.
I was very moved throughout the story and felt a deep connection to the main character. It’s a thousand percent worth the read and the beautiful and colorful artwork makes it all the more pleasant.

I have mixed feelings about this title. * LIGHT SPOILERS *

First off, trigger warning for eating disorders and bulimia. I know that's basically what the whole book is about, but just a heads-up to those who don't want to dive into that right now.

Mindy is a 27-year old barista with an apartment of her own, a lovely cat, and... an eating disorder. She regularly binges on junk food and then throws it up after. Then, she discovers a chocolate bar called "Eat, and Love Yourself," and subsequently begins addressing the roots of her eating disorder in a very up-close and personal manner.
On one hand, the strategy of viewing yourself and your childhood from a third person perspective, which Mindy does, can be a powerfully effective way to unpack and compassionately address trauma. It is a healthy strategy to pass on to readers, especially young women and girls that see themselves in Mindy's character. Yet, it feels like Mindy doesn't get anything from this experience. Her character grows a little bit (she doesn't throw up the ice cream she eats near the end of the story), but it doesn't feel satisfying. I know real-life recovery doesn't happen right away, but maybe her recovery could have had a bigger focus.
The ending threw me off a little. It felt anticlimactic and unsatisfying. Essentially, the end of the book focuses on a whole difference storyline - a romance - which is okay, except it happens to be with Mindy's ex. Yikes? Sure, he might have been a good guy but getting back together with someone just because they like your body seems like a message that isn't helpful to readers. Worse still, Mindy literally runs away from making new friends, and that plot line just gets forgotten more or less.
I really would have liked to see more growth from Mindy. A little bit more emotional development.
I do appreciate the representation for eating disorders in this graphic novel, but the storyline fell a little flat for me. I feel like it didn't do enough. That being said, it could have a whole different impact on a reader that has experience eating disorders and bulimia.
Overall, I think this title is skippable, but it could be useful in reader's advisory for teen girls.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

I’d first like to thank the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this graphic novel via Net Galley for an honest review.
~
As a fan of Sweeney Boo’s artwork for awhile I was ecstatic for the option to read this empowering graphic novel, written and illustrated by her. Sweeney Boo touches on difficult topics such as depression, body dysmorphia, and anxiety and illustrated it beautifully through her artwork.

This book is something everyone should definitely read. It follows the story of Mindy, a young girl who struggles about accepting how her body appears & looks. This story is so real and deep that you can actually feel the struggles Mindy goes through throughout her life. I love the idea of having a chocolate bar that can transport the protagonist back in time to view on different aspects of her life.
The story is easy to follow through its simple dialogue and how each page is illustrated and colored.

Overall this was a unique and important story that any one should read!

This graphic novel certainly tells an important story about eating disorders and learning how to love yourself and your own body. The artwork and the colours in this novel were beautiful, but I would have liked it a bit more if the main character would have been drawn differently. She looked beautiful and adorable with her curves and small waist, but I didn't really view her as a big girl. I also didn't like the ending of this novel. (Spoiler alert) I felt like it could've easily been made longer so I could've seen more of the main character's growth after she decided to finally try and love herself. Lastly, I would've liked seeing if she ended up with the cute guy :) . I would still recommend this novel because of its important message, but I do think it has more potential.

This was so powerful. It treated the topic of body dysmorphia and eating disorders with so much sensitivity and heart. I loved the idea of a magical chocolate bar that can show you childhood memories. All of the characters were fleshed out and designed really well. Overall this comic was really well done and people should read it if they’re interested in learning what it’s like to have an eating disorder.

Please note that this review is coming from someone who has continuously struggled with body image throughout her life but has been consciously working on it for the past year with the help of a registered dietitian and therapist. This story didn't fully align with all that I've learned on the subject thus far and could've gone further to help others who don't have access to the same resources I do.

With that being said, I clearly resonated with a majority of this graphic novel. I really appreciated the exploration into the roots of the main character's disordered eating and seeing boundaries being set with both friends and family.

However, I don't think this story managed to showcase the journey to loving yourself at a wide enough range. Mindy certainly took the first steps of this journey, but it was in large part due to a boy validating her appearance. She might immediately follow that validation by saying she wanted to break the cycle for herself, but she only arrived at that point from an outside source's approval.

How is Mindy going to break the cycle and work on her disordered eating? I have no idea because the story ended right there and didn't offer readers a valid solution. If this graphic novel was pitched as the first in a series, maybe I would've appreciated it more. The reality is that this appears to be a standalone which doesn't hold a strong enough message. Loving yourself and accepting the body you live in is a LONG journey and I would love to have a book that explores all of its ups and downs on a continuous basis.

Eat, and Love Yourself follows Mindy who is a 27 year old struggling with a eating disorder and body dysmorphia. One day, she buys a chocolate bar on a whim which turns out to be magical and it takes her back through her past every tie she takes a bite.

I love the message this book is sending out into the world. It’s empowering to see Mindy witness her past and decide that she is strong enough to continue fighting. The ending however, felt a little rush because it ended pretty abruptly. But all in all, I really enjoyed it.

Important, poignant and emotional.

Eat, and Love Yourself looks at the relationship a person can have with themselves when they're struggling with an eating disorder. this story is told in such a beautiful and meaningful way, accompanied by stunning illustrations. I couldn't put it down. I am so grateful I was able to review this early and will be encouraging people to pick it up.

If you are struggling, in any way, please reach out to someone.

The art in this is just beautiful. I follow the artist on instagram and it was really lovely seeing her make something like this with her incredible talent. This story is really nice. It's about an important topic and I think it shows her eating disorder in a really real way. I would've liked if it was a little longer so we could see more of her learning to love herself because without that at the end it felt a little negative. That being said it's obviously not a negative portrayal of the illness. Overall I think it's a really nice story.

not sure if this graphic novel is own voices or not, but this is so similar to my own experience with an eating disorder: developed from and fueled by comments by my parents and peers. of course, eating disorders are not the same for everyone, but i think this novel did a great job at depicting what it is like to live with one, and i enjoyed the aspect of "time-travel vision chocolate" or however you would describe that lol

this is also such a cute art style and i really enjoyed it! very quick read, too.

This is a beautifully drawn and emotionally engaging graphic novel. Mindy's relationship with her body and her experiences around food, body dysmorphia, eating disorders, and self-worth are so, so important to portray. I wish the ending had been a little less abrupt, but overall this story shines light on eating disorders in a way that is honest yet hopeful.

First of all, I'd like to commend Sweeney Boo for tackling such a difficult subject matter. Everyone experiences insecurities about body image, but for people with body dysmorphia and eating disorders, those insecurities can feel all-consuming. Mindy's story is told with sensitivity and I personally did not feel unsettled reading it, but I would recommend that readers who are triggered by depictions of disordered eating read this title with care or put it aside until they're in a less vulnerable mental state.

Sweeney's art perfectly captures Mindy's emotional state. Even in panels without words, her detailed expressions make Mindy's emotions clear. Her layouts are dynamic and easily captured my interest, which seems challenging to accomplish in a story told mainly through restrained conversations and depictions of difficult moments. Sweeney's use of color is also crucial to the story and effectively provides separation between Mindy's past and present.

I did find that my own experiences with body image issues were echoed in this narrative. Mindy's reflections on low points in her life felt authentic. The small yet biting comments she recalls about her weight are dispensed too often to children by those who don't realize the trauma those words can inflict. I felt that the vicious cycles Mindy fell victim to were also displayed accurately. Those are incredibly difficult patterns to break, even if the person is aware they're experiencing them. Mindy's less-than-helpful experience with therapy also ties into a central theme in the narrative that self-love problems must be solved by the self, and outside help can only supplement the growth we are ready to work towards.

This book does not end with Mindy healed from her body dysmorphia or eating disorder, but she is in recovery. As a child, Mindy could not heal because she could not bare to accept herself as she was. Now twenty-seven, Mindy has the wisdom and opportunity she needs to become a person who loves herself, and when we leave her, she's finally convinced she's strong enough to begin the journey.

As a woman who sometimes still struggles with weight and body image, Eat, and Love Yourself hit home. This would have impacted a younger me tremendously, but even now I found the story compelling to me personally, although I don't suffer from an eating disorder like the main character. Watching Mindy relive her old agonies and embarrassments, face her hurt and the people who hurt her, was such a cathartic experience. The art was bubbly and vibrant (not going to lie, that cover alone sold me), and the panels weren't jumbled and flowed together well. I would have liked to see more of Mindy's life after she finally began to love herself though, and the changes her new attitude brought about.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley for access to an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Wow. Just wow. This comic is a snapshot into Mindy’s world where she sees herself as a failure. Not skinny enough, not successful enough, not happy. Until she eats a mysterious bar of chocolate that allows her to see herself and why she feels that way. With an eating disorder and body dysmorphia she cannot see herself for who she is, but starts to one piece of chocolate at a time. This story is so beautifully written and illustrated, it pulls the reader straight into Mindy’s world and doesn’t let go until the story is over.

This ARC was provided by Boom! Studios.

I read the description of this graphic novel and really wanted to like it. I love promoting body acceptance and body positivity. However, I thought the book would promote fat acceptance and I don't think it did. The book was more focused on Mindy's binge eating. I find this problematic because I think it feeds into the idea that fat women are 1) tragic and 2) fat because they overeat. I wish there were more portrayals of fat women who are, for lack of a better term, normal people living their lives in a fatphobic world. Mindy is so sad for most of the book and even when she has her epiphany, she still seems tragic. I also hated the idea of the candy bar helping Mindy overcome her eating disorder. It felt trite. The art was lovely but I felt the story could have been fleshed out more.

CW: depression, eating disorders, body dysmorphia

This was a fantastic read. I relate a lot with the main character Mindy and some of her depression and body dysmorphia are things I’ve had to combat first hand. I really enjoyed the magical realism and the lessons this story is teaching. I hope this graphic novel reaches anyone who is struggling because this story is ultimately about self love and combatting negative ideas about yourself in a healthy way rather than through unhealthy means.

Unfortunately this story really resonated with me... Beautiful artwork, bittersweet story. Would definitely recommend for others who struggle with body dysmorphia.

Mindy has an eating disorder, but she is so used to it she can not see what is going on. She over eats, she throws up and moves on. She sees herself as fat, while those around her don't see that.

And this goes on until she takes a bite of a magic candy bar which sends her back to her childhood, when this issue started. How she tried therapy, how she thought having a boyfriend might change things, all the horrid things that happen in high school.

Nicely done story. Often eating disorders are hidden from friends.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

This YA graphic novel is about Mindy, a girl living with an eating disorder and low self-esteem. Her parents, best friend, and most other people in her life don’t seem to be a help either..

One day while out shopping she buys a new chocolate bar that makes her dream about a different past event in her life every time she takes a bite. Now she can see how she views herself and how the other people around her make her view herself, and she can learn to love herself.

The illustrations in this graphic novel are bright and bold, even though the subject isn’t. It packs a punch on the topic of how people treat the ones they love, and how an eating disorder can be life altering. I enjoyed the writing style and the message!

Thanks to Net Galley, Sweeney Boo and the publisher first this ARC!

Thanks to Netgalley and to the publisher for providing me with this arc. I loved the drawings, they are really nice, This theme is kinda tricky and I wish I could have seen Mindy's mind evolution a little better, it was a little abrupt. Still, I enjoyed it and I'll give it a 3,5 stars.