4 stars *may change
Trigger warnings: transphobia, fatphobia, harassment

This was a nice, heartwarming story that managed to be cute while dealing with hard conversations on transphobia. The main characters are a Latina trans girl dealing with microaggressions from the people around her and her ex-friend who needs to join a club to get into a good college. The story follows them as friends and as something more, and it was really so touching to read. Not to mention that the art style is pretty and goes along with the story well.

It definitely has...more difficult subjects. The transphobia coming from almost every character was really sickening to read about and made me uncomfortable, although I suppose that was the point, no?

My only issue is that there are some parts where I wish the story had given itself more time to say what it wanted to say. In one instance an entire plot point was resolved within a 2-page conversation, leaving me confused as to why it was important in the first place. But I also understand that the graphic novel genre has its limits.

Overall just an enjoyable book to read instead of paying attention in class.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader's copy.

This was such a sweet and fluffy graphic novel! If you're a sucker for wlw characters done right, I highly recommend you pick this up.

Not only is the art style pleasant, the story is heartwarming and delves into a lot of issues trans people experience as well as being fun and light-hearted as well. I am a very big fan of (seemingly) polar opposites slowly starting to get along and grow as people because of the other and you can very clearly see that steadily start to happen as the story progresses.

Despite being just over 100 pages, it does a very good job at pacing. It doesn't feel rushed and the world doesn't feel empty at all.

Overall, I give it a 4.8/5. This was very well-written, the characters feel relatable and the art style adds to its charm as well.

THIS WAS SO CUTE. I love how lighthearted the comic is, but also still manages to cover important messages in the plot. Annie and Bebe were both such strong characters, and it was a joy to read their dynamics in the story, and their development through out the comics. The illustrations were also so amazing, this book was just a whole blast to read and I'm so glad that I got to read this early!

Omg, I was not expecting this to be so sweet, and loving and just overall a great graphic novel! Well I mean I knew it would be great, but I didn't expect for it to hit me right in the heart! Such a wonderful story about friendship, stereotypes, and all around fun. I would say this is more about Bebe then Annie, but there is a good balance in the story that turns into THEIR story. Such a fun read and really recommend it to everyone.

This was just so wholesome and cute! I loved the two main characters and how they brought out the best in each other, and the squad took criticism and stood up for each other when it mattered.

This was an okay read. I didn't like how many of the characters wedre the same design but i love this concept and the overall art! Well done

"Seeing you go first let me know I could do it too."
And that folks, is why representation matters.

This graphic novel follows a biracial trans girl welcoming an angry fat girl into her cheerleading team. The girls rekindle a closeness they used to have while helping each other deal with microagressions and teen life.

I really appreciate this brilliant rep and how the characters (our MCs and the rest of the team) stuck together and helped each other out.
Our main characters were very loveable.
I am, however, a little over the fence about how other girls on the team themselves were throwing transphobic language without ever being put in their place, officially, and without them apologising...

Altogether it was a fast and nice read, almost would have preferred it longer!

This graphic novel was super cute! With LGBTQ+ rep (especially lesbian, trans, bi/pan and non binary rep).
The illustrations were adorable, all the characters were great and an all around very good, quick read! I only wish it would have been longer and would have explored some themes a bit deeply than what it did.
Overall it was a feel good, fluffy and cute romance that I truly enjoyed.
4/5 stars

I really truly adored this book. The art is absolutely GORGEOUS and reading it felt like a big hug. Wow.

Cheer Up: Love and Pom-Poms follows Annie, a strong, plus-size lesbian, and Bebe, a sweet, trans girl. They were so so amazing and I want so much more! Watching them reconnect and their relationship become something more was beautiful.

While this book is incredibly sweet, it also tackles difficult topics like transphobia. Not only does it show Bebe's struggles with her parents, but also the little things that took such an emotional toll on her. At the same time, the book is light-hearted and fluffy. In a little over 100 pages, <i> Cheer Up </i> allows us to get to know and love the characters, who were so relatable and sweet. I loved getting to see them grow and become closer!

This book is everything and I hope everyone reads it, especially those who love LGBTQIA+ representation! I haven't found many books that give me this overwhelmingly happy feeling; I promise it's worth the read. Hopefully there will be a sequel!

This book manages to be light hearted and warm while discussing very serious topics. The characters are incredibly loveable. This is easily one of my favourite reads of 2021

This was super cute! The art is stunning and the story is heartwarming:)
My only complaint is that the pacing is very strange. The progression of the friendships and relationships is a bit confusing because barely any mention is made for how much time is passing.
That being said Annie and Beatrice have such a cute dynamic— they are complete opposites in so many ways and I think that helped their character development.

This was so freaking good! I wasn't ready for the mushy good feelings but jeez this one delivered. I really loved both Annie and Bebe and really hope there will be a sequel! Queer Rep: trans MC,. lesbian MC, nonbinary side character, sapphic romance

4.5/5🌟: this was so adorable, i loved every second of it! the art is bright and beautiful and while the story and the relationships might be a bit rushed, you'll enjoy this one too, if you're into fast-paced reads.

for once, characters are shown, who are not all skinny and not all white and who look like real teenagers and not 25-year-olds with a lot of money to buy expensive outfits.

one of the main characters is a trans girl of colour!! this is, sadly, so very rare, so it made me so happy to read about her experiences. we need more trans rep in general, but even more so, we need more trans girls in books!

on top of that, she's falling in love with another girl!! how awesome is that! we love to see that!!

Thank you to Netgalley and Oni Press for making this available...

Oh my word!

I don't think I could put into words how much I loved this. From cover to cover this was a beautiful wholesome read. I'm so happy that we finally have a well explained, mainly positive and sweet graphic novel with Trans, non-binary and lesbian characters, we really need more like this!

Beebee and Annie are really cute together, and to see Annie stick up for Beebee when it comes to people trying to belittle and take advantage off her was nice. I enjoyed seeing Beebee go from shy quite girl who hates being the center of attention to someone who knows her worth and to look after herself instead of trying to be a people pleaser.

I liked that it also showed how some of her 'friends' used her for their own gain, especially so it looks good for them and looks even better on a college application. Knowing that happens to Trans people in reality is horrible but I like that they showed the gain and glory others get from someone else's journey and pain.

This was a cute and sweet read. I liked Annie the most. She doesn't really care what anyone thinks but then again she didn't really have anyone to judge her. Annie runs into her old ex-friend Bebe who is starting to transition. They reunite when Annie tryouts out for the Cheerleading squad, who Bebe is the Captain. Bebe doesn't really like the attention nor the title but everyone seems to know what she needs, so they think. In this short story, Annie helps Bebe find her voice to say what she really wants.

Thank you Netgalley, Crystal Frasier for the chance to read Cheer Up in return for an honest review.

This adorable graphic novel follows Annie, a high school student who needs to join a team in order to improve her college applications. When former friend, Bebe, takes a stand to get Annie on the cheerleading squad, the two of them find themselves bonding once again.

When I say this is the loveliest thing I’ve read in a while, I mean it. This story is just so nice and uplifting. With a trans main character, it does delve into the everyday transphobia that Bebe has to face, but it shows how good communication and an open mind can go a long way.

Annie and Bebe are complete opposites, which is exactly what I love when it comes to romance. Despite their differences, the two of them have such respect and compassion for each other. The two of them warmed my cold, dead heart.

We also get to see how the other members of the team learn to think about how they treat Bebe, and how their words, which they think are harmless, might actually hurt her. Their learning curve was another heart-warming aspect of this story.

I devoured this in one night and I’ll definitely be purchasing a physical copy of this when it’s released because it’ll be perfect to reread whenever I need a little serotonin boost. The characters are loveable and the story is fun, whilst bringing up some important conversations. I’m so glad I had the chance to pick this up!

This was an incredible and heartwarming read! The characters are so well fleshed out, and their struggles are real. I loved watching Bebe's confidence in herself grow and become more comfortable being herself in public. I also loved how the cheer team is portrayed in this graphic novel. So often they're the bullies or antagonists in media, so it was refreshing to see a work that portrayed them as real people. Annie's character was also adorable, and I loved seeing her interact more comfortably with other people. This is such a great read that really builds upon the importance of having the support of great friends!

The illustrations and the colors in this one are so beautiful. I loved how Annie and Beatrice complement each other well and help each other grow. I also loved how Bebe got to stand up for herself and her friends always being there to give their support to her whenever she needed it. Reading about her overprotective and sometimes rude parents is so hard, though, since I can relate to that back when I was the same age as the main character, Beatrice.

Cheer Up was a lovely sapphic coming of age graphic novel that left me wanting more of this awesome characters. Anyone who has ever gone through high school will relate to Bebe's struggle to fit in and Annie's don't care attitude, and what a classic rom-com combination that is. The art is so much fun and adds a lot to the story, I might have to reread this book in order to catch all of the details. I cannot speak to the representation Bebe, the trans character, however it felt genuine and did not fall into harmful tropes. Cheer Up is a great book for anyone who just wants to escape into these two teen girl's world, it's a story about first love, self-discovery and having the courage to stand up for yourself.

I loved every little thing about this book!

Cheer Up is one of the most refreshing books I've ever read, and absolutely one of my favorite graphic novels. Bebe and Annie are such loveable protagonists, who grow so much throughout the book. I felt like I learned a lot by reading about Bebe's struggles with being trans, and how she feels like she has to act a certain way to be accepted for who she is. The exploration of micro-aggressions was so respectively handled and was obviously done with a lot of care and consideration. Everyone can learn something from reading this book.

I also loved that while it dealt with some more serious issues, the book also treats 'teenage girl problems' with a lot of respect, and shows girls coming together to support each other and learning how to be better along the way. The romance that developed between Bebe and Annie was so adorable, and I really enjoyed how they supported and helped each other become better people.

I will absolutely be buying a physical copy of this book when it's released in August!