This book is about Mindy who has disordered eating and follows her along a journey to self-love. The message and topics within this book are heavy and relevant to a lot of movements today focusing on body positivity and the like, however I think this graphic novel just scrapes the surface. I felt the pacing was a little off, the characters flat, the motivations behind Mindy's actions unclear at points (like her tiff with her best friend), and a lot of tell not show within the dialogue. The journey through the story didn't bring out any depth in the plot, and the conclusion, while positive, didn't feel earned. I wanted more.

Overall I'm giving it three stars because it was still a fine read. I loved the art style, the concept was intriguing, Mindy was cute, and the topic important. I just wish the story and characters had been more fleshed out/developed so the weight of the topic could be fully felt.

This is a very raw and emotional look at a young woman struggling with her self esteem, mental health and an eating disorder. The magical chocolate bar takes her back to moments in her life which have shaped who she is today. The reader sees the way her parents have treated her and the very mixed messages they've given her about food. You see the unhelpful comments her friends make. You see her self-sabotage her romantic relationships because she doesn't feel worth loving. The book was very intense and moving, but didn't have enough resolution. I wanted to see Mindy fight back more, put up more boundaries within toxic relationships and see herself more clearly before the book ended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sweeney Boo for providing me an Advanced Reader Copy of Eat, and Love Yourself in exchange for an honest review! Pub Date: April 2020

TW: Body dysmorphia, eating disorders

Eat, and Love Yourself is a contemporary graphic novel that follows Mindy, a 27-year-old who struggles with body dysmorphia throughout the book and goes on a journey of self-love. Plot twist: there is a magical chocolate bar that allows her to witness her childhood memories when eaten!

Rating: 4/5 stars. I don't tend to read graphic novels, so I was immediately intrigued by the art in this book. The illustrations were stunning and made this book stand out for me! Although this book discusses a difficult subject matter, the author strikes an effective balance between informing readers about self-love and body dysmorphia without being preachy. I read this book within a day because I could not stop reading! The only thing that was kind of a let down for me was the ending, which seemed a bit abrupt. I would have liked some additional pages in order to get more closure from the main character's journey to self-acceptance. Overall though, I would recommend this book if you want a fast read, amazing artwork, and deals with an important subject matter.

This is a beautifully drawn graphic novel with strong themes. Throughout the story, the main character travels back to relive moments of her past as an outsider. We experience her current struggles with body dysmorphia and bulimia, as well as seeing moments of her childhood that contributed to the problem. The moments are very realistic and something that I can really relate to myself from my own childhood. An important graphic novel, with a hopeful air and ending! Would recommend this to anyone!

I really liked this. The graphics were amazing and the message was powerful. This is definitely something I would have loved to read as a teen (still loved reading it as an adult)

Thank you to Sweeney Boo and BOOM! Box for the ARC!

TW: Eating disorders, Fatphobia, body dysmorphia, Depression, Bulimia

I have been following Sweeney Boo on social media for a hot minute; so when they announced that they were releasing a book I couldn't have been more excited. Their artwork and style is so beautiful and I really hope they continue to produce graphic novels in the future.

This was such a thoughtful and beautifully well told graphic novel about the struggles of eating disorders and the really real way that they can effect someones life. I think that someone who struggles to accept themselves the way that they are would find themselves in Mindy and empathise with her struggles. As a chubby girl who has has a rocky relationship with food in the past I certainly did.

Make sure you read the trigger warnings before going into this as it could definitely be triggering for some; but if you can handle the topics I really recommend picking this up.

A thoughtful graphic novel following Mindy a young woman who is struggling with depression, bulimia and body image issues as she finds a chocolate bar that with each piece allows one to relive a part of their past.

Being someone with body image issues, I did see a little of myself in Mindy, but that was it. I could see this helping others with their own issues, but I think it doesn't do enough. There is almost an acceptance towards the end of the book, but not real hope or positivity which I think might not push the message forward, but that's just my opinion.

The topics this book deals with are very close to home, so I knew I was going to enjoy this story just based on the title alone. I was absolutely loving the unravelling of this story, the wide set of characters and the colorful animation style, but just as I was getting more and more invested, I reached the end of this graphic novel. I felt like the ending was a bit rushed and the chocolate-piece-flashbacks could've been explored until the chocolate was gone. This ending made me feel like she started loving herself only when her high-school sweetheart told her she was beautiful. Still, overall really enjoyed this book and I wish eating disorders and body dismorphia was more discussed in books.

TW: Depression, Bulimia, Body Dysmorphia, Eating Disorders

Here we are. I picked up this book right after I picked up a milkshake for myself, a mere 5 minutes after my mother made a comment about me needing to exercise during this self-isolation period. I waited until she left the house before I sneakily ordered food to the front door. I didn't even realize what I was doing or why I was doing it until I saw Mindy doing the exact same thing... turning to food for comfort, but then punishing herself for it right afterwards.

It's a hard to cycle to break out of. I have been struggling with bulimia on and off for about 10 years, and living with body dysmorphia for what feels like my entire life. This is not a happy story, but it brought tears to my eyes because I have never felt so seen. There is no quick fix, no instant recovery, no obvious happy ending, but Mindy is one step closer to addressing the root of her feelings by the last page. And sometimes just one step can be powerful.

I know other readers might find this story harmful or hurtful, but please know yourself and your triggers before you decide to pick this up. For me, it made me sad for my younger (and current) self, but also allowed me to view my own actions in an objective way. I believe this story may be important for younger girls who are dealing with internalizing body negativity or disordered eating habits. Part of me thinks that reading something like this at a younger age would have prompted me to get help sooner, and I think that's what matters most.

Also, the artwork is beautiful. I wouldn't expect anything else from Sweeney Boo.

Eat, and Love Yourself is a short graphic novel telling a story of 27 years old Mindy who feels that her life is full of disappointment. She always had a problem with her weight and self-acceptance, and it controls her life through the years. She has dropped her studies and is working at the café. Her social life isn’t interesting because she can’t find herself comfortable around people. She feels that everyone is judging her.

One they when she’s going to the supermarket where she finds new chocolate called “Eat, and Love Yourself”, the chocolate that will change your life. She bought one and discovered that one piece takes her to the hard times of her childhood to change her view on her life.

My thoughts:

I think this book is a perfect book for young readers. It takes us through the whole journey of a girl’s way of self-acceptance. Mindy was told her whole life that she is not good enough, that she needs to change to find love and happiness but, in the end, she finds out that it’s not a truth. There is a lot of more important things than that in her life and there are people that love her the way she is. The chocolate is only a small help on her way to stop hating herself and finally start accepting her life how it is and motivate her to change it however she wants.

I would recommend it to all young readers who also can’t accept their bodies and are anxious about their lives and future. I would like to thank Sweeney Boo and BOOM! Box for providing me this ARC copy. I was happy to read and honestly review it.

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.