I would like to thank NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this ebook.

Eat, and Love Yourself by Sweeney Boo is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel where Mindy faces her past and finding the seeds of her eating disorder. The author does a very good job in dealing with this delicate subject. It is a must read!

Perfection Perfection Perfection Perfection Perfection Perfection Perfection Perfection Perfection Perfection Perfection Perfection

I definitely teared up while reading this. What a strong message. I can relate with the struggle of body positivity so hard. I really loved this and I want to read more from the author.

Unfortunately, I did not finish this book because it expired before I was able to finish.  However, what I did read, I thoroughly enjoyed!

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

3 stars ⭐

Trigger warnings: body dysmorphia, depression, eating disorder (bingeing and purging), fat-shaming.

Unfortunately, this book was not for me.

Disordered eating is a matter close to my heart as it is something I have struggled with for a few years, so I thought I would really connect to this story as it deals with hurdles I have struggled with. However, I was not able to emotionally connect to the main character despite seeing some similarities between her experience and mine.

On the other hand, I really liked the art style and the concept is definitely very interesting and original. I believe it would be great for those readers who like a magical twist on their contemporary stories.

Overall, I understand why people would love this graphic novel, especially if they can see themselves in the protagonist and connect with her as, in my view, there isn't anything inherently wrong with this book. Had I been able to do either, I would have enjoyed it a lot more, but I think that might be more of a "me-problem" than the book's.

TRIGGER WARNING: Depression, Body Image Issues, Mental Health Issues, Eating Disorder

I requested access to the eARC because I was on a Graphic Novel kick, and I am honestly glad that I did. Eat and Love Yourself takes an important mental health issue that most young teenagers tend to suffer from without even understanding why; the impossible beauty standards that society put on the youngsters and the off hand comments about their weight that seems like pointed barbs - all of these issues were handled quite wonderfully within the pages of this graphic novel. 

Mindy is highly relatable character - her issues, her anxieties, and her feelings could seem like they were a part of you, even when it's Mindy's life you would reading about! 

The art is gorgeous - and when I say gorgeous; I mean its smack dabblingly eye catching; and while the plot hit some pot holes at different times; it was the art that kept me hooked right till the end.

Eat, and Love Yourself is an interesting comic that focuses on body image. Mindy is a young woman struggling with her weight. She has the best intentions of eating better and losing weight. Yet she continuously comes against barriers that seem to set her back from reaching her goal. Then, she purchases a strange candy bar that unlocks her memories with each piece she eats. This mechanic, while wholly unrealistic, is also really fascinating. It serves as an opportunity to delve into Mindy's past and see how she got to where she is. It also allows her to more fully understand and accept herself. This gives the book a positive and hopeful message.

I loved the art that accompanies the story. It works with the character, especially in those flashback moments. There are a couple scenes that could be difficult to read because of what is shown, but there isn't anything too explicit. The colors really popped for me and helped tie everything together.

Only was able to read like the first chapter before it got archived, but the first half started out well. I appreciate the art and coloring! Definitely recommend!

<i>MAJOR trigger warnings for eating disorders, body dysmorphia, depression, and anxiety.</i> 


<b>If I wasn’t currently on antidepressants that make it impossible for me to cry, I would’ve been in tears by the end of this.</b> I didn’t think I’d ever come across a piece of media that mirrors my own experiences and feelings with an eating disorder but this one did and it blew me away.

Mindy, the main character, doesn’t struggle with the same ED as I did/do but the thoughts, feelings, and triggers are so similar that at times I felt like I was reading my own story. I wasn’t sure if the magical chocolate bar story line was going to work for me but it’s actually a brilliant narrative device and works perfectly in this story. 

This graphic novel does such a wonderful job of showing how severely comments, innocuous ones or intentionally hurtful ones, from the people around us can affect us and our psyche to the point where we don’t believe it when people tell us good things about ourselves. Like Mindy, I too grew up with family members always commenting on my weight. Every time I saw my grandmother, one of the first things she said to me was how I needed to lose weight and she was saying this to me when I was only seven or eight years old. Comments like this, along with the harmful viewpoints about fat people/bodies we see in media, are what cause people like Mindy and I to end up in this dark place. This graphic novel shows that in an expertly crafted way. 

As for the art, it is equally as striking and beautiful as the story itself, filled with original character designs and vivid colors that shift to match the mood of what is currently happening in the story.  

Overall, I cannot day enough positive things about this book. I wish I had had it when I was younger. I’m so glad I have it now. I’m so glad other people will be able to have it to turn to in the future.

Absolutely gorgeous art. The story explores how relationships and past experience inform our attitudes toward our bodies and food. It's a thoughtful portrayal

I enjoyed this book, but I wasn't really able to read it as an ACSM file. I tried, and did get it and read it through once, but it was archived too soon. I was new at reviewing then (I still am!) and so I didn't get back to it . It was great and I would recommend it to those who love to read manga, and stories of empowerment. The book was beautiful, I enjoyed the story of a young woman with an eating disorder who finds a way to deal with her issues by finding a little bit of magic that may not be what it seems to be.  I look forward to  reading  it again when I find a copy.

CW: Fatphobia, Eating disorder

When I saw this book offered on NetGalley, it looked perfect for me. I'm a fat woman, and like anyone, I experience the struggle of self-image. I read the description, and I couldn't wait to jump into this book. Unfortunately, this graphic novel wasn't anything like I expected. 

 I loved the idea behind it, but the execution didn't work with me. The graphics were colorful and well done, but the story left a lot to be desired. I expected to see Mindy change and grow as a person, but unfortunately, no growth left me unsatisfied. There were some good moments in this graphic novel, but it was a solid three-caffeinated-star read for me.

I really enjoyed "Eat, and Love Yourself." Boo does a wonderful job of looking at the complicated relationship we have with our own bodies and all the factors that can play into it. The exploration of the history of Mindy's body issues in context of her current life really pulls her eating disorder and contributing factors together. Boo shows how seemingly innocuous comments can trickle into your conscience and have lasting effects. I loved how Boo takes Mindy on a journey through her history in order to heal her and set her on a better track with her body relationship. The art is wonderful and it is just a great story. I'll definitely be looking forward to what Sweeney Boo drops next.

Not gonna lie, I'm pretty impressed with this one. It wasn't that much about the plot/storyline, but it just gave such a powerful representation. We got a complex character dealing with things such as body dysmorphia and eating disorder. To me it was just on point on so many level. 

Pretty simple but effective, I liked the device (a chocolate bar that makes you go back in time) they used for Mindy to reflect open herself, her past and what made her who she is today. I thought it was quite powerful and helped in making her see the hardships she's gone through from an exterior eyes that helps better understanding her problems and what she can do about it.

My main critic is that it was too short. In the end, Mindy wakes up and want to act for herself and fight. She will work to gain in self-esteem, to tell off her family and a friend that hurt her with their comments (they think they are well meaning but are actually hurtful) and to give herself the chance to open up to others romantically. But the comic is over before you know it and you don't get to actually see that growth or the results from it. It think it would be important to portrait the hope and positive aspects she'll gain by working on her self-esteem, standing for herself and opening herself to others. Without that door opening it can paint a portrait that is suffocating and feels very helpless.

Lovely comic that deals with really important theme, eating disorder. I fell in love with main character of this comic, and especially with the drawing style that was so colorful and cute! The plot of this comic was also amazing, it had so many important thoughts in it! It's a must have for every fan of YA comics!

It was a fantastic read. Honestly, I loved the story and the premise behind it. I thought it would be a bit on the bland side as these stories and plots can be watered down, but this was unapologetic and fantastic.

I adored this graphic novel. The main character was so cute but she had some very real problems that a lot of girls and even guys face in thjs world.

This book is a beautiful reminder that YOU are the most important person for YOU. We all need to be loved without conditions, without judgements, but we don't love ourselves like that. At all. It's hard to love ourselves unconditionally when there's negative reinforcement all around us (negative comments, pictures in magazines...).

Eat, and Love Yourself is a chocolate bar that Mindy discovers while shopping for food. In eating it, she rediscovers periods of her life that shaped her eating disorder. In experiencing that, she understands a lot about herself, and how she is the key to finding happiness, and that she IS beautiful, inside AND out, no matter what people say about her.

I'm not used to reading graphic novels, but when I saw this one on NetGalley and read the synopsis, I jumped on the opportunity, and I'm glad I did. I'm not fat, never have been, but I've been skinny-shamed pretty much all my life. I am the way I am, I can't help it, so I learned to love it. But oh how I tried to change it, how I tried to gain weight to stop them calling me names...

TW for bulimia, anorexia, fat-shaming, body dysmorphia. If those subjects are tough for you, I would not read this book, because they are approached in a hard way.

Many thanks to BOOM! Box for the complimentary e-copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Love yourself enough to accept the love you deserve.

Mindy is always making excuses not to date. Lately, even her best friend annoys her from trying to get on her vulnerable side. How long can Mindy survive by eating her emotions?

I wish we would've had more insight about bulimia. Why is started, if she ever got caught, the dangers of bulimia....

Just not deep enough for me.

This book is a beautiful reminder that YOU are the most important person for YOU. We all need to be loved without conditions, without judgements, but we don't love ourselves like that. At all. It's hard to love ourselves unconditionally when there's negative reinforcement all around us (negative comments, pictures in magazines...).

Eat, and Love Yourself is a chocolate bar that Mindy discovers while shopping for food. In eating it, she rediscovers periods of her life that shaped her eating disorder. In experiencing that, she understands a lot about herself, and how she is the key to finding happiness, and that she IS beautiful, inside AND out, no matter what people say about her.

I'm not used to reading graphic novels, but when I saw this one on NetGalley and read the synopsis, I jumped on the opportunity, and I'm glad I did. I'm not fat, never have been, but I've been skinny-shamed pretty much all my life. I am the way I am, I can't help it, so I learned to love it. But oh how I tried to change it, how I tried to gain weight to stop them calling me names... 

TW for bulimia, anorexia, fat-shaming, body dysmorphia. If those subjects are tough for you, I would not read this book, because they are approached in a hard way.

Many thanks to BOOM! Box for the complimentary e-copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.