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.

This graphic novel had such an important message. The artwork was incredible and really worked well with the subject manner. This is about a girl who has struggled with herself all her life and her parents didn't exactly help or realise how harmful they were being.

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!

3.5/5

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eArc in exchange for an honest review!

TW: Eating disorder, body dysmorphia, low self-esteem

I was really drawn towards the art style and after reading the description I decided I couldn’t let this one pass by! First I want to have said that the artwork was absolutely fantastic. Though I realise everyone likes different styles, this was exactly right for me. I loved the colourful experience, and everything was just beautifully drawn!

I personally don’t necessarily think I would identify Mindy as having a ‘big’ body, though she is curvy, I wouldn’t say that. But then again, it really shows that body dysmorphia can start at any size and, which is important to remember too.

There’s this really cool and unique concept of a chocolate bar that let’s Mindy experience flashbacks to relationships she’s lost and mistakes she’s made. It gives her the chance to revisit her journey towards self-acceptance. I do want to say though that I would’ve liked more details from that journey. It kind of felt like I saw the start, and the older Mindy looking back when she was further on her journey, it was kind of an abrupt end too. Another thing that bothered me a little was that, how I saw it, Mindy started to love herself a bit more only after a boy validated her. I would’ve liked to see it not be an outsider’s approval but more of her own acceptance. However I was really happy with the fact that she did get there in the end. It showed some positivity that hopefully will help other people on their journeys as well.

All in all, this was beautifully drawn and emotionally engaging, and I’m really glad I got the chance to read and review this in advance.

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.

Firstly i will like to start with saying that the artwork of this book is great and I give it a 10/10. This is such a great book that is showing the experience of this lady having to view herself as what she is as a beautiful lady. This process starts with her getting a chocolate bar. This chocolate isn’t normal it brings you back to your past. In this case it is bringing the character t the points in where her eating habits of eating all the time she is anxious started. It’s great because it makes you see that your perfect just the way you are and don’t need a perfect body because your already perfect.

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.

A free copy of this comic was provided to me by the publishers for review, but in no way influences how I feel about it.

I absolutely loved this. first off, for a graphic novel, its pretty meaty. Many comics fall short to develop any of their characters and plot because of how short they are, but at 160 pages this has an abundance. I would read it many times over actually.

Mindy is a 27 year old who is struggling with an eating disorder and depression. The plot is sad, and it makes you feel for her, however it is a fun read. It explores her relationship with her best friend, boys, and her parents, all in unique ways. 

It explores exactly what could have contributed to her eating disorder, and really hits home that you should never comment on a persons appearance and body shape.

As far as the art goes, it is STUNNING. The colour palette is beautiful, and the drawings themselves are some of the best I've read. Even better than Saga.

Would definitely read more of Mindy's life if there was more.

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!

I want to start out by mentioning that the artwork for this story is absolutely amazing. I feel in love with it from page one and the use of color is wonderful. All of it came together to enhance the storytelling extremely well.

I quite enjoyed the story as well. It hard watching some of the mental disorders but nice to see the struggles of body dysmorphia plainly laid out. This is something I for sure want in my personal library.

I cried reading this to be honest. I have body dysmorphia and 2 eating disorders and this has reminded me of things I wanted o forget...  But in a way I'm happy it did..  Because now I can face them.  
This was a wonderful 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.