This was a very emotionally resonant and powerful book. As someone who's struggled with body image issues for much of my life, it meant a lot to read this. Will be recommending to anyone who's looking for.a book with a strong portrayal of body dysmorphia.

I don't think I can eloquently put into words how this graphic novel made me feel, and sent me back to moments of my childhood I might otherwise not want to remember. But then by the end, this book made me feel whole.  This story's strengths were how subtly it illustrated fat-shaming and I especially loved the colour scheme of the artwork. I don't usually pick up graphic novels, but it helps when they have stunning colour palettes that keep me engaged. If you're sensitive to purging or disordered eating proceed into this with caution.

3.5 stars. A good message about loving yourself in this graphic novel with a fantasy/time travel twist. It didn't have the emotional punch I was hoping for from the flashbacks and the book in general. This was realistic in that there's no blame assigned for Mindy's eating disorder, and there's no miracle resolution. There is positive movement towards self-compassion and personal insight which is always good. (TW: Eating disorder, purging)

So, there is absolutely no surprise that I am going to RAVE about the artwork in Eat and Love Yourself. If I was a person to have an aesthetic, this graphic novel is it in a nutshell. The entire style was calming and cool and emotional. It fit everything that the story was.

This story follows Mindy, a young woman kinda lost in life and struggling with body dysmorphia and bulimia. While the book deals with these tough topics the entire story is woven into something soft and dream-like.

This is something that could easily have felt glorifying or underplaying the severity of the topics. But instead, it felt respectful and gentle. This was played out from some mildly fantastical elements which help our MC discover and reflect on herself and the impact of her past.

My one issue with this story was the lack of a solid storyline. It is clear that this is a book that takes us through an internal journey – something of self-discovery and insight. But it felt a little airy-fairy. There was something foundational missing in the storyline for me which took away from this being a fantastic and important read.

This is my first time with these authors/artists and I’m really happy I have uncovered them (NOTE: I discovered Sweeney Boo also collabs on Rat Queens which is a long-time TBR for me). I enjoyed the book while I was in it and it will definitely be a recommendation on hand for mental health graphic novels.

But overall, I would have liked something more with this one.

Thank you NetGalley for this E-Arc 

I really enjoyed the subject matter and how our main character found herself and her confidence through the novel. The art was absolutely incredible, I couldn't be more in awe as I flipped through the pages. It was a quick read that I absolutely devoured.

An excellent and slightly magical look into very serious topics such as eating disorder and body dysmorphia.

**I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.**

"The point I'm trying to make is...there's always a moment when you become aware of who you are, and it hurts. Really bad."

*This book contains topics that may be triggering to some*

Sweeney Boo and Lilian Klepakowsky tell an important story in "Eat, and Love yourself". This story shows us the life of a young woman who is struggling with an eating disorder and is trying to learn how to love herself as she is. One night while on a snack run our main character, Mindy, buys a magic chocolate bar that transports her to the past when she eats a piece. I thought this was an interesting way of showing us her past, but it wasn't my favourite. "Eat, and Love yourself" did a wonderful job of showing us a different side of what we might be used to seeing. The art style is really wonderful, however, it isn't my preferred style and I found it slightly harder to read because of that. Overall I did really enjoy this book. This book does cover some sensitive topics and I don't think it is for everyone, but I do recommend it if you are able to handle the topics it talks about. 

"Eating won't fill that hole, you know? It'll just make the void inside you bigger, and your need to fill it stronger."

I could not open the copy to my eReader so there is no actual review for this. Just notes for publishers.

Well I'm generally not the demographic for this comic, I really enjoyed it and can wholly relate to a lot of her experiences. The artwork is great and the writing is good, too.

I think this is trying to send a good massage; love yourself.

Content warnings: fat-shaming, bulimia, bullying, eating disorders, body dysmorphia

I was apprehensive about going into this graphic novel as these topics hit close to home. Which is why I initially didn’t give it a star rating on Goodreads. I needed time to process my thoughts and feelings and come to a non-emotional conclusion.

The art style in this book is so beautifully done. I love the colours and the style used. I loved Mindy’s hair, especially.

The story itself was simple – Mindy needing to learn to love herself for how she is, and to live with that love.

The chocolate called Eat, Love Yourself helped her on that journey.

There were parts of this book that made me have to walk away a few times, as they made my heart hurt a lot.

On the whole, I think this story is a great, simplistic way, of looking at the eating disorder Mindy has, and how the outside opinions of others can affect them.

<strong>The book delivers a great discussion of body image and self-worth</strong> ➽ The main character lives with an eating disorder and relives her past when she tries out a new 'magical'<strong> chocolate bar that promises to bring about self-love</strong>. This little magical element was perfect to convey her experience with fat-shaming and her eating disorder that forged her into what she is struggling with right now. It broke my heart to see her endure a lot of snide comments about her weight made by classmates that wanted to see her hurt. Mindy is however also hearing a lot of harmful misconceptions about what her body 'should' look like from her friends at high school and her parents, though neither of them means her any harm. I liked that the <strong>book showed what an impact our words can make on people</strong>, especially if they are supposed to be well-meaning. Mindy's parents love her, but their comments about her eating habits and body further her hurt and insecurity, as she feels singled out, shamed and not understood. Even years later she has a hard time talking to them but later confronts them with how their actions have made her feel. This was definitely a nuanced discussion about how it's possible to <strong>love your body and learn to be comfortable</strong> in it, accepting the past and being able to move on. The positive messages made this book such an important read 💕

<b>I loved the main character and the supporting cast</b> ➽ Mindy not only struggles with her body image but also feels aimless about her future. She is 27 years old and working as a barista, but it seems like she never finished school, prompting her parents to ask what she plans to achieve further down the line. <strong>I honestly loved Mindy</strong> and really felt for her as she was so realistic in her struggles. She's also got a cat named Jabba and you know how much I love cat content!! I also loved her relationship with her <strong>high school friend Shae</strong> who tries to bring out the best in her, but sometimes can say careless things that hurt her. Their friendship felt so sincere, but sadly we barely got to see what happened to them after they had a fight 😞 Then there's also <strong>Elliott, a boy Mindy liked back in school</strong> and who she pushed away because she feared that he'd reject her. They meet again and manage to reconnect a bit. I loved their interactions, though it wasn't the focus of the book. A last shoutout goes to Mindy's coworker who she talks to frequently and who seemed to be very understanding!

<b>I loved the art style in general!</b> ➽  It's hard to explain why but the art really spoke to me and was aesthetically pleasing! Sometimes you just<strong> really click with an art style</strong> and this was right up my alley. It had some nice dark scenes but also a lot of warm colors that looked really calming and made this the perfect comfort read 🥰

<strong>IN CONCLUSION.</strong> ➽ <i>Eat, and Love Yourself </i>is a fantastic <strong>graphic novel about learning to love your body</strong> and find your way in life. I loved the art style and relatable main character so much! I just wish this had been longer or had further volumes, as there was great potential for it to be a bigger series.

This was a great graphic novel. I liked the inside look at eating disorders and how things might affect you that people might not think is important enough to. As a child overhearing your parents discussing you could lead to hang ups as an adult. Flippant remarks from friends who mean no harm might hurt. Also in order to improve your self esteem you have to understand where your problems lay and face them head on and it was moving to see Mindy do just that. Plus the art was beautiful! I’ll be looking into other graphic novels by this author.

Eat, and Love Yourself by Sweeney Boo is a free NetGalley e-comicbook that I read in late March.

The mortifying act of measuring yourself to your self and the inertia of maintaining, yet becoming who you feel you should be. This is the story of Mindy putting introspection aside, downplaying her size and shows of affection, but scrutinizing herself in every moment. A bite of a chocolate bar puts her into a kind of Back to the Future mode where she can retread the events in her childhood that link her parents’ opposing views on body image to food hoarding, gorging, and stop and go, irregular meal patterns. It cuts off a little short, a too briskly at the end. Maybe a Part 2 is in the works?

I loved the message of the importance of self-love portrayed in the story! The illustrations were also good!

I was provided an ARC by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Throughout her life, Mindy has struggled with body image and eating disorders. One night on a late-night grocery run, she finds a new line of chocolate bars called “Eat and Love Yourself.” To her surprise, each square of chocolate brings her back to a moment in her past and eventually, these trips teach her to love herself for who she is.

EaLY was a heartwarming story and quick read! I definitely related a lot with Mindy and there were moments i had to metaphorically put the book down and think. The book definitely made me re-evaluate some of my own life choices and how I view myself. It has definitely achieved its goal of trying to teach readers about self love and how to find it. 

I would definitely recommend this book for people who want to get out of a book slump and/or can relate to the protagonist's struggles.

I finished this whole thing in one go. It was brilliant! 

I saw a lot of myself in this with my anxiety and depression, although I don't have an eating disorder. But this was just... so good. It helped me understand a bit more. It was emotional. The art was perfect. Mindy is amazing. The trips into her past are just wonderfully raw - and a bit painful.

This really sheds some light onto eating disorders, although it only scratches the surface. Yet it is powerful and loud, without screaming at you. It felt honest and real. How many times have I wished there was a chocolate bar that would make me love myself entirely? I am telling you: a few too many times. 

And I'd like to see another comic like this from Shaé's perspective. She seems to have some things buried in her past she should deal with as well.

All in all: Go read it! But be cautious, if it you have triggers that could appear in this story.

This is a story about a woman who have an unhealthy relationship to her body and to food - eating disorder and body dysmorphia. I think it was illustrated well, how it isn't a choice and how this was something that had been with her since childhood. Like, how even the smallest things, when said enough, can have catastrophic consequences. Both the description of her eating disorder, the way she handled it and how she couldn't for the life of her understand how someone would find her attractive were really well done.
Then there was the chocolate and the way it gave her flashbacks, and the luxury of hindsight, was a great way of showing how her life had developed and what had led her to her destructive ways.
The artwork was amazing, I loved it.

One thing I would have appreciated was a longer ending. Like, just a glimpse into her life after her journey of loving herself. Now we just know (hope) that she's going to try and nothing else.

Still, solid work!
Thanks Netgalley and Boom! Box for letting me read this beauty in exchange for an honest review. 

4 of 5 chocolate squares

/ Denise

⚠ Alerta de Gatilhos: o livro aborda assuntos como bulimia, transtorno dismórfico corporal, depressão e distúrbios alimentares.

 Eat, and Love Yourself (Coma, e ame a si mesma em tradução livre), da canadense Sweeney Boo, é uma graphic novel que aborda vários tópicos importantes relacionados a distúrbios alimentares e ao TDC. Com um pé na fantasia, a trama acompanha a protagonista enquanto, após encontrar um chocolate "mágico", revive memórias de infância a cada mordida.

 São vários pontos positivos a serem destacados nessa graphic que me surpreendeu mesmo com altas expectativas, mas vamos começar com a protagonista. Mindy é uma garota de 27 anos que iniciou sua independência recentemente. Logo no começo ela expressa vulnerabilidade e sinceridade ao narrar a própria história, o que cria uma conexão instantânea com o leitor. Essa relação vai ficando mais forte conforme seu passado retorna, até chegar em um ponto onde você não somente entende, mas VIVE a Mindy.

 Essa conexão é importante não apenas para conscientizar sobre o assunto, mas também para ajudar a entender quem sofre. Os sinais nunca são claros como para quem vê de fora, e uma abordagem indelicada pode ter sérias consequências. Eat, and love yourself não é sobre o problema, mas sobre quem o enfrenta. É uma visão privilegiada, honesta, dos impactos da visão distorcida que a sociedade tem sobre o corpo humano.

 A obra não recebeu minha nota máxima por um fator; a linearidade do enredo. Não acontece muita coisa durante essas 160 páginas, e, se fosse um livro, eu poderia ter ficado entediado a ponto de abandonar a leitura. Por mais que ação não seja o intuito da autora, ela deve pelo menos manter o leitor entretido. O êxito do livro em abordar assuntos sérios não foi o suficiente para a obra se sustentar por completo, apesar de ter agregado bastante á leitura.

 Quanto á edição, não há o que reclamar. Consegui a prova antecipada do e-book pela netgalley e fiz uma leitura rápida e tranquila. Os traços dos desenhos são lindos, a palheta de cores segue um tom ideal para a trama, e não encontrei quaisquer erros no texto ou nos desenhos. Sem dúvidas vale o investimento, e a edição física deve ficar maravilhosa.

Eat, and Love Yourself has a 27-year old woman with an eating disorder who has been in an endless cycle of hating her body, and trying to fill the hole inside herself. Mindy has trouble with seeing her self-worth, even when others point it out to her, and her dissatisfaction with her body is affected both by her dysmorphia as well as the 'well-meaning' comments of the people around her. When she buys a new chocolate brand, she starts having these vivid visions of significant moments in her past that point to where her self-hate started - her parents' and relatives' comments on her body, the schoolgirls who made snide remarks, and other such events in her life. As she goes through her current life, and is remembering those moments, she starts noticing the obvious remarks and comments that have continued the attack on her self-worth, and has a better understanding of where it all started.

The artwork is vibrant and aesthetically pleasing, like most of Boom Box works, and with a clean lineart with a solid coloring style. The depiction of her dream states, as well as the storyboarding describing her eating disorder, and emotions therewith are done wonderfully. I only had an issue with the ending of the book - since this seems like a standalone, the ending feels abrupt. She has an understanding of what has lead her to this point, and makes a promise to be better to herself, but that is it. It doesn't even show the 'after', like, you know, at least even the attempts for 'love yourself' part. Just, even a few panels of her stopping the urge to weigh herself before eating, or her having a better relationship with food, would feel like it left it on a positive note, rather than the incomplete feel of the ending.

On the whole, it is a well-rendered graphic novel about the things we hurt ourselves with, as well as how the people around us can feed into that, despite their self-professed 'well-meaning' comments.

*Special thanks to Boom! Box for letting me read an advanced copy of Eat, and Love Yourself in exchange for an honest review.
**Content warning for discussion of eating disorders, body hatred, and fat phobia.

Eat, and Love Yourself by Sweeney Boo is a 164 page graphic novel published by Boom! Box and funded through a successful Kickstarter campaign. The graphic novel follows the life of the protagonist, Mindy, who struggles with her self-esteem due to her weight and eating habits.

Personally, as someone who struggles with her own body image, I really enjoyed reading this book and the message it ultimately portrayed. I felt like it dealt with heavy topics such as eating disorders and self-esteem issues in a respectful and beautiful way. The book begins with a spread of candy wrappers each titled with affirmations such as “You Matter”, “You are Worthy of Love”, “You are Amazing”, and a dedication to “everyone who struggles to love themselves.” I think that Sweeney Boo, and all the creative team involved in this book, did an awesome job and I applaud them for bringing this book to life. Eat, and Love Yourself is available now on Amazon and I would recommend this graphic novel to anyone interested in reading a journey towards self-love and re-parenting of the child self.

My Rating: 5/5