I loved the art in this graphic novel! The color and style were so expressive. I enjoyed the story and the fact that all three of the main characters had very distinct personalities. However, I found one of them to be rather one dimensional and difficult to like.

I wish the story had been a bit longer to see more of the developing romance and maybe see some character growth in the more problematic character. I would have also loved if a triad situation had emerged instead of "we're done, you're turn." However, as the book was, I still really really enjoyed it and will recommend this book for older teens who like wlw romance.

This was too cute! I loved the art style and diversity this story brings. I loved how the three main girls were characterized (wlw girls often get so muddled or the 'urge to merge') as their distinct personalities. The pacing was a bit slow initially, but I ended up really invested in these girls' relationships! I will definitely be giving it a reread!

4.75 stars

This was such a fun, cute, and all-around enjoyable graphic novel. I loved the art, including the colour palette, the plot was a nice mix of angst (love triangle!) and joy (ren faire!), and I appreciated the range of characters. I also loved how the ending was happy for all of the major characters and that romantic love wasn’t presented as the only path to contentment. I’ll definitely be looking at getting a hard copy of this book for my classroom.

The art of this comic is really cute and expressive! The characters all felt very real and three dimensional but it was hard to sympathize with Regina sometimes. Both Chloe and Regina's brands of stubbornness were a little difficult to not get frustrated with but Belle's personality and charm helped through the parts where I struggled to feel for Chloe and/or Regina. I'd love to see more of Chloe and Belle's relationship and maybe see Regina grow as a person and form a genuine friendship with Belle and reconnect with Chloe with respect.

Belle of the Ball is a fun, cute story about a group of teenagers navigating romance, college admissions, and their own future goals. It’s funny with a lot of heart, and good friendships that aren’t overwhelmed by disagreements.

I 👏🏻 love 👏🏻 cute 👏🏻 queer 👏🏻 graphic novels!!

Hawkins, Chloe, and Regina are very precious to me now. Costa did a wonderful job creating these characters and bringing them to life. They are my babies now. No going back. The art style of this graphic novel is adorable, and I plan on reading more of Costa's work!

If you are looking for a cute, fun, high school rom-com-y comic book, this is it. While it had it's serious-angsty moments, it was overall a very breezy book for when you're not looking to get too down.

All of the characters were a blast and felt like real high schoolers - not always something easy to achieve, especially in a graphic novel.

This was a really cute queer graphic novel! We follow Chloe and Hawkins as they are pushed together by circumstances out of their control. Only to find out that they were the best of friends in kindergarten. A sweet friendship starts to form and with it comes romance! A lovely book and I look forward to checking out more from Mari Costa!

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review!

A cute read! Gorgeous art and colors. I've been dying for another fun rom-com-y sapphic graphic novel, and this hits all the right notes.

This book is fun and very adorable! I think there were quite a few moments where I thought characters were being too mean or maybe that they were being treated too badly to recover, but I was satisfied by the end and everything did feel earned!

Thank you to netgalley for a free e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved this graphic novel. It had great coming of age LGBTQ themes and had romance and angst. I loved the illustration style and the simple pink colors. This story was very well done, I loved all the characters, Chloe, Belle, and Gina, and I thought it was very well rounded. I would definitely recommend this book.

I thought this was super cute! I loved the second chance-ish and nostalgia of it all for them! There were a few moments that I felt didn’t flow properly, but that’s fine. I thought it was endearing throughout!

I enjoyed the story part of this book. Realize what you want in life I’d difficult for teenagers. Friendship and relationships are also difficult. I like the way the author went about the relationship. The characters all remained friends. The illustrations were not my favorite part of the book. They seemed fuzzy and that may be the type of art that the illustrator likes, but just not my style.

Thanks to NetGalley & First Second for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, what a fantastic story! I especially liked that it really focused on the three main leads rather than adding a large cast of characters--the story was more down-to earth that way. These three protagonists all felt real and authentic in their feelings and navigating the chaotic world of high school. Not to mention, the artist, Mari Costa, has a wicked sense of humor and knows how to use the facial expressions to her advantage which made many situations in the novel absolutely hilarious.

Highly recommend for fans of Heartstopper!

This book was funny, adorable, and a great representation of all of the different societal pressures that we feel in high school.

Really cute sapphic graphic novel that defied stereotypes about different types of women. Enjoyable story and art style.

Belle of the Ball by Mari Costa is currently scheduled for release on March 21 2023. High-school senior and notorious wallflower Hawkins finally works up the courage to remove her mascot mask and ask out her longtime crush: Regina Moreno, head cheerleader, academic overachiever, and all-around popular girl. There’s only one teensy little problem: Regina is already dating Chloe Kitagawa, athletic all-star, and middling English student. Regina sees a perfectly self-serving opportunity here, and asks the smitten Hawkins to tutor Chloe free of charge, knowing Hawkins will do anything to get closer to her. And while Regina’s plan works at first, she doesn’t realize that Hawkins and Chloe knew each other as kids, when Hawkins went by Belle and wore princess dresses to school every single day. Before long, romance does start to blossom…but not between who you might expect. With Belle of the Ball, cartoonist Mariana Costa has reinvigorated satisfying, reliable tropes into your new favorite teen romantic comedy.

Belle of the Ball is a great young adult graphic novel. First off, I really enjoyed the art style and think it was well done throughout the entire book. I loved the details and choices that were made to move the story forward with the images. I also greatly enjoyed the characters. There were surprises with each of them, and many aspects of each that were continuously relatable and engaging. I liked that each character grew and changed as people, and that readers got to see bits of their pasts as their relationships and sense of self shifted along the way. I think this is a great story about figuring out what you want and who you want to be, and how that can change. I think that this book will strike a chord with many readers and become a favorite. I cannot wait to see what the author does next.

Belle of the Ball is a wonderful graphic novel that I think will resonate with many young adult (and older) readers.

This was honestly such a cute read all about loving yourself and finding people who will only help you grow into that fun and odd side of yourself.

I will admit, I'm bummed it didn't end in polyamory but in terms of love triangles, it was honestly one of the better ones I've seen. Belle and Chloe's love story warmed my heart and made me smile as the two slowly grew used to each other, got excited to be around one another, and inevitably got to be together.

The art style and expressions cracked me up. They absolutely perfected the moods and matched the fun tone of the story.

Loved it!

A mascot for the cheerleading team asks out the head cheerleader, only to find out that she's not broken up with her girlfriend. Instead, the mascot ends up tutoring the girlfriend and becoming closer and closer to her as a result. What's the worst that could happen?

I ate this graphic novel with gusto and joy. Every bit of it was a delight and a wonder. Gene, Hawkins, and Chloe were completely fleshed out, flawed, and wonderful. The romance and friendship was stunningly built and very honest.

What a cute book! I am both a little sad and pretty happy that it isn’t nearly as much about sportsball as the cover might lead one to believe. It has not one but two school dances and a Renaissance faire (my fave sequence)! This all-pink-all-the-time graphic romance is about a love triangle between three high-school seniors: a soccer player (Chloe), a cheerleader (Regina), and the mascot (Hawkins). In addition to being adorable, this story has queer characters experiencing self-discovery that has to do with issues other than their sexuality, which is refreshing. Self-esteem, popularity, “coolness,” acceptance by peers and self, pressures of unrealistically high expectations, toxic/manipulative behavior in relationships—it’s all here. The fact that the characters are pretty much all girls who like girls is just the backdrop on which the drama plays out. Well done, Mari Costa! I will be requesting this title for my library!

Review live on Goodreads now. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5363812181