(I received this book from the editor and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
This was just the cutest reading. I really enjoyed the diary format and the little scribbles that the main character, Tuva, uses to highlight some special aspects of what she is telling the reader about.
As a middle grade graphic, I thought Cross my Heart and Never Lie was really interesting in its way of telling a story that has been told a thousand times before. Being as it is originally Norwegian, it was also intriguing to see things that might not be as universal and others.
And, as coming-of-age story, I thought it touched in all the important topics with mesmerizing simplicity and naturality. No need for any more drama than the one twelve years old could create. It felt organic.

This graphic novel was hilarious and well-drawn, definitely worth the money and the hype, and I hope will be successful!

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Cross My Heart and Never Lie follows 12-year-old Tuva as she develops her first crush, gets into disagreements with her best friends, and starts to question the right way to grow up. Presented as a diary that Tuva is writing and drawing in, this graphic novel brought me right back to Tuva's age when I too would write countless entries about everything that was going on at school and in my life as a whole (including lists of boys and debating which of them I had a crush on... the repressed lesbianism of it all). The handwriting, little doodles, and spelling mistakes are all wonderful touches. I related deeply to Tuva as a girl attracted to other girls who struggled to figure out which of the two groups my two best friends were a part of was the right fit for me (spoiler alert: life is more than just two groups!). I wish I had been able to read this when I was going through my own preteen crises.

I love when stories acknowledge that friendships are just as important as crushes or romantic partners and this did it wonderfully. A smaller but still lovely part of this story was Tuva's relationship with her single father. There's one scene in particular where the two are talking about what Tuva's been going through with her friends that's incredibly sweet.

The one thing that disappointed me was when Tuva does some Googling online about girls who like girls and comes away with the idea that these girls are either lesbians or bisexuals, ignoring pansexuality and the fact that you don't have to prescribe to any label to be valid.

Besides this, I enjoyed Cross My Heart and Never Lie. It's a beautiful exploration of the trials and tribulations of preteen life and the complications of friendship at that age. I can definitely see myself giving it to my future child when they're the right age.

Thank you to Astra Publishing House for providing me with an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

This was such an adorable middle grade graphic novel about a 12 year old girl growing up, experiencing changing friendships, and having feelings for a girl for the first time. The artwork was so gorgeous. I loved the colors and the way the book used both more traditional comic panels as well as illustrated diary entries. The book is translated from Norwegian, so it was interesting to see which parts of daily life were unique to the setting in Norway and which parts are more universal experiences.

I definitely recommend this for people who love queer middle grade stories. While the main character Tuva does encounter some difficult situations, the book as a whole never gets too heavy. And it ends on a positive note!

This is a really lovely coming-of-age story wherein Tuva negotiates the transition between childhood and becoming a teenager. Her friend group is split down the middle based on their allegiance to 'cool girly things' or having fun as they always did. To top it all off, Tuva achieves her goal of falling in love but surprises herself by it being a girl.

The illustrations here are phenomenal and full of little details that really bring the character of Tuva to life. Sure to be a hit in the senior primary classroom.

This story was so sweet, and I can fully understand the Heartstopper comparison. But what stole the show for me in this graphic novel was the loving relationship Tuva shared with her dad. I will never tire seeing supportive parents in literature and Tuva's dad was one of the best.

This story felt real, it showcased that scary transitional period in nearly becoming a teen but not quite and orchestrated it wonderfully. People can say what they like but being 12, finding my place in the world and struggling with understanding what being queer meant was always one of the most difficult time periods for me. And for others to have a graphic novel like this, to give them hope, show them their story may be unique to them but the path has happened before... it could change lives.

The art was also very cute! And as it was told in a diary narrative, fit perfectly to Tuva's character. A really enjoyable read!

4.5⭐️
Cross My Heart and Never Lie is a graphic novel that follows 12 year old Tuva as she has navigates the transition from being a kid to being a teen.

I really enjoyed this! I am so overjoyed to see queer rep in books geared towards younger kids, I wonder how different my life in school could’ve been if I’d had a book like this where it was so casual.

This novel is told through diary form which I don’t think I’ve seen before and I really loved it! The color scheme also changes along with Tuva’s mood which I think is super neat.

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Read this in one sitting, absolutely love the artstyle. This book is an extremely relatable coming of age story and i loved every second of it. Very charming.

A sweet little graphic novel about becoming a teenager, falling in love, breaking and mending friendships.

Tuva is not sure which side she wants to be on when the only thing she really wants is to talk to her crush and hang out with her two best friends.

This is a quick call back to growing up and the struggles that come with it.
I loved Tuva, her diary voice was so adorable and really funny. I genuinely chuckled over some of the passages and was sad over others.

I can very well see my younger self in this. Struggling to keep your childhood friends together when really you're growing in different directions.

I also really liked that Tuva was getting raised by just her dad. Him not knowing what to say but still doing little gestures to show his daughter he's here for her.

Now, most importantly, the art.
This whole book is beautifully illustrated. The drawings look child-like but were so nice to look at. It's the complete charm of the book.
The colors and the dark/mundane colors during Tuva's down phase UGH it's so good and thought through.

If you want a fast, little, heartwarming graphic novel, keep an eye open for this one.

I loved this graphic novel! The format was unique and refreshing. I loved the extra character that was added to the story by seeing it through the lens of Tuva’s diary. The little ‘typo’s’ and scribbles added a charm to the story that I adore.

I appreciate that this story tackles common issues that humans face as they transition from childhood years to teenage years. I think it is important for adolescents to see stories like this (especially stories with queer representation!)

I loved the art and I loved the story. I highly recommend this book!

I absolutely loved this graphic novel! The art style and way the story is told is so cute and heartwarming, but it also deals with the tough issues that so many kids deal with when they’re growing up and in that weird stage between being a kid and being a teenager. It really brought me straight back to that part of my life, but in a way that let me know that I was not alone in having those feelings like I once thought I was. Highly recommend for both young readers and adults who could use some healing of their inner child!

I love reading coming-of-age stories that deal with heavy topics. This felt almost too close to home while I was reading it. The main character is at a pivotal point where love and identity are questioned. They are not sure whether it will make or break their life. If you have ever been in this situation, this book will remind you that it's essential to follow your heart. I am excited to see how audiences will receive this book and hope to recommend it to the teens in my life. Please check it out when it publishes in September and thank you to NetGalley and Astra Publishing House for the early e-book copy!

If you like Heartstopper and coming of age stories, this is for you!

This story is about 12 year old Tuva and her struggles as a young girl. We read about her life in the format of her self drawn journal. It deals with topics like growing up, being gay and when it‘s the right time to stop playing in the woods and be more mature. I wish I could‘ve read a book like this when I was young.

I really enjoyed reading Tuvas story and could see myself and my childhood in her. Her relationship with her single father was heartwarming and the whole story felt very real especially when it comes to her relationship with her two best friends.
The art style is lovely too.

I can only highly recommend this book to young people and adults alike!

4 out of 5 Stars

A beautiful story about the ups and downs of friendship, self discovery, and growing up.