Motherlover by Lindsay Ishihiro

Overall Vibes: emotional, funny, hopeful, lighthearted with past trauma, reflective, sad, heartwarming, fast-paced, gorgeous art, relatable
Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes, but for minor characters - no
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Star Rating: 4.5 / 5.0

I really loved the art and story of this graphic novel. It’s not something that I would normally pick up, but it was incredibly good and had a satisfying ending too. It’s great to see more adult queer stories that center the relationship growing with time naturally, over spice/sexual content and/or only YA romance. I also really enjoyed the diversity of the FMCs (cultural, interests, history, lifestyle, body shape inclusivity - that being plus sized was not once mentioned, and it was just real). I found it so comforting that there was no body shaming, even though the relationship was after a marriage ending. It was honestly such a refreshing to read! Though there were some parts I would have liked to explore more re: character development, I felt the story was cohesive and relatable as is. Even the side plot about Ginny’s daughter was so heartwarming!!! It could have been another 200 pages and I would’ve still been so invested. I hope the best for Imogen and Alex too! I’d definitely read more from this author! :)

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this eARC!

***Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gaslighting
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, Infertility
Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Death of parent

Well, I cried. I rarely cry at graphic novels, but this one hit me for some reason.

It's a story about life and female friendship and motherhood, but also about standing on your own and queer awakening even later in life. It was sweet, and I wanted more. It's especially powerful in its portrayal of life and how things don't have to be perfect for you to grow as a person and heal yourself even. Why do you think I was crying by the end of it? (Although I started somewhere in the middle.)

It was sweet and heartwarming, while also featuring harsh themes. Which I why I think I wanted it to be longer - to be serialised maybe?

This was absolutely delightful. I loved seeing older queer characters with different family dynamics — mom of four going through a divorce and a single mom. There was no fatphobia!! Both characters were dealing with their own shit and I’m glad they found each other. The art was also fantastic, so bright and colorful!

This graphic novel is a must read must have. Alex comes in and shakes up Imogen's world just as much as she shakes up hers. It was a pleasure watching this slow burn romance unfurl across the pages, but I think where this book really shines is in Imogen's journey from stay-at-home mom to realizing how much she gave up to support her lazy husband who can't even do the bare minimum for the family. These characters support each other and grow together until they realize just how much they need each other to push the other to be the best that they can be. Beautiful story of queer friendship, love, and supports.

Full disclosure: I follow Iron Circus Comics and they are by far one of my favorite publishers. Always publishing great stuff.

I got an ARC of this book.

It was a wonderful and quick read. I was suprised at every turn. It was a slow burn romance, that was easy to see coming. What was surprising was how it happened and just how everything played out in a way that allowed for more complexity than a lot of slow burn romance allows for.

The biggest side detail that made me so happy was the oldest child's plot lines. The way that it was handled. The way that it was just what it was. There were some bumps, but those bumps were one line that could easily have been missed if you were reading too fast. It was just a wonderful little plot that fleshed out the world and made me love this story more than expected.

It felt like there were some plot holes around one of the characters. By the time things really got going, they clearly were together before they realized it. Somehow they just got together and it worked. It felt like there was so much build up, that there was not enough room for the payoff. There were cute scenes throughout, but the photographs at the end really made me smile. I just wish there was more after they got together that was actually told instead of that feeling like the very end of it all.

If you are looking for a mildly angsty, slow burn romance, then I highly recommend.

What a great book to kick off Pride Month with. I literally was tearing up at the end. It's never very often that I get to read queer stories featuring older characters. This was a delight and a much needed entry in queer fiction. 10/10 - no notes.

“You’re still you, even while you’re changing.”

Motherlover was a very enjoyable read. Imogen and Alex’s story was incredibly cute and comforting, like a warm and fluffy blanket during winter. It was soft, sparkling and colorful, just like the arts on the pages.
I loved that second chance in life for Imogen, all the changes happening when her new neighbor –Alex– erupts into her life, how she decides to do things for herself and understands that it doesn’t mean she fails her other duties. This is a very positive –and relatable– arc, and this book feels super empowering. Inspiring. Imogen gains self confidence, prioritizes herself. Alex grows too in the background, a bit more passively. The way they come closer is super natural and cute, and I loved to see their friendship –and maybe more– grows page after pages.
A great feel good read!

Thank you to the author and Iron Circus Comics for the eARC on NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

This story is so real but so sweet and heart felt. I loved the characters and I was so interested in how everything would play out. It was filled with queer joy<3 Lu’s plot line might be my favorite. I would have liked to dive deeper Alex's family stuff and commitment issues, but the author was still very good at keeping things real and honest. I absolutely loved it.

Mother lover by Lindsay Ishihiro
arc from Iron Circus Comics
release date : May 6th 2025
-omg this was so cute and refreshing, You see so many love stories of a single parent romance but never a sapphic romance of two mothers with children trying to handle everyday life and more this is too cute.
-I loved seeing the mom friend group and the interactions with the kids
-ahh their meet cute and friendship blossoming 🥰
-Alex’s hair cut in the back and tattoos 😍
-Imogen’s red hair 😍, I just want to hug her she does so much, this made me appreciate my mom even more for everything she’s done for me
-I loved seeing how their friendship grew and you really get connected to each character, what their going through and how they become one
-Alex’s past made me so sad but also shows her strength
-Jonathan can catch these hands
-I loved seeing both of their growth while being mothers, figuring out their life, finances, marriage , career etc.
-omg i love them so much 🥹
this graphic novel was a beautiful masterpiece and a perfect book for mothers day
rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Single mom Alex has just moved back into her deceased parents' home, and meets Imogen, a "happily" married mother of four who lives next door, and the two form a fast friendship. When Imogen discovers her husband is cheating, she moves in with Alex, taking the kids with her. This one is a slow burn, not so much "sparks-fly", as embers are nursed over the course of the book as the two women deal with their figurative demons and grow closer in the process until it blossoms into a full-blown romance. Friends to lovers, u-haul lesbianism subliminally realized in a cozy suburban atmosphere.

This graphic novel was such a good, slow burn, middle-aged sapphic romance. It explores a wide range of themes, including grief, friendship, love, motherhood, identity, and fresh starts. I found myself chuckling one moment and feeling a bit melancholic the next. The art is truly stunning. It’s vibrant, expressive, and brings so much warmth to every page. I loved how it balanced the humor with those deeper, emotional moments so perfectly. Definitely one that left me smiling by the end.

Thanks iron circus comics and NetGalley for the arc.

thank you netgalley for the earc

a well written slow burn sapphic story with a colorful and appealing art style and a lot of different reps. Loved it!

I have to admit, going into this graphic novel, that was clearly a romance of a formally straight mother of four, with another woman, that it was going to be an instanta romance, which I loathe. I was happy to find that it was a slow and realistic build, which was wonderful and sweet.


Alex is the lesbian in question, and her daughter goes to the same school that Imogen’s four kids go to. Imagen can see that Alex is clearly out of her depth at the school drop off, and befriends her, and then discovers that they live next door.
This is such a heartfelt novel. I loved the feelings of everyone. I love that although Imogen is “just a housewife” she has aspirations, and things she wants to do beyond that. And Alex has trauma from how her parents raised her, and has trouble being close to anyone.


I love all the twists and turns, and eventual outcome. I would highly recommend this romance for making both the protagonists not perfect in any way, and having baggage galore, but that you still end up rooting for them.


All the stars. Really. Right down to Alex’s catty friends, who can’t believe she is dating a straight girl.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is being published on the 6th of May 2025.

What an absolutely sweet and honest story! I wasn't expecting it to take place over multiple years but I thought it was done really well and made me that much more invested in the characters and their relationships. I loved the natural progression of friendship as well as the feelings and romance between Alex and Imogen. Without spoilers, there is more about Imogen's eldest child and that part of the story made me tear up (happy tears!). If you are looking to read something heartfelt and uplifting, this is a great choice.

Alex is new in town and meets Imogen, her neighbor and mother of four. They become fast friends, and when Imogen discovers her husband has been cheating on her, Imogen and her kids move in with Alex. As they live together, the families mix and start to form something new. Alex and Imogen grow into stronger versions of themselves, and their friendship becomes something more.
I literally could not love this book more. I have no notes.

It’s always nice to see queer romance between characters who are over thirty, and the fact that both our leads are not only mothers but love being moms is a welcome change. Ishihiro’s art is bright and detailed, giving each character a distinct design.

A sapphic love story with middle aged women coming to terms with their lives and losses. I couldn't have loved this more. You so rarely see love stories like these with such real, flawed, a human characters. One MC, plus size nurturing Imogen, has been a full time mother her whole life and as she realizes some ugly realities that have been hidden from her she's forced to start over again and finds herself realizing things about herself that she's never even allowed herself to consider. Alex, our other MC, is moving back into her childhood house after her controlling and emotionally distant parents pass away after a long time of her being their caregivers. Both women find solace and friendship with the other and as things get more complicated they begin to get closer.

This story was elegantly told, very relatable, and I loved it all entirely. There is excellent character growth and a rainbow of queer main and side characters. Highly recommend this one!

Ich habe Motherlover absolut geliebt! Diese Graphic Novel erzählt auf berührende Weise von Mutterschaft, Freundschaft und den unsichtbaren Herausforderungen des Alltags. Imogen, eine vierfache Mutter, und Alex, eine erfolgreiche alleinerziehende Mutter, könnten nicht unterschiedlicher sein, doch ihre unerwartete Bindung wirkt authentisch und fesselnd.

Neben der herzlichen Geschichte ist auch die Kunst beeindruckend. Die ausdrucksstarken Illustrationen erwecken die Emotionen der Figuren zum Leben und machen die Geschichte noch immersiver.

Das Buch zeigt die Herausforderungen und Opfer der Mutterschaft auf eine ehrliche Weise. Es hat mich zum Lachen gebracht, zum Nachdenken angeregt – und meine eigene Mutter noch mehr wertschätzen lassen.

This was a beautiful graphic novel. I loved the main characters and their different stories of how they came to be mothers. I also loved the way they both grew over the course of the story and dealt with their personal struggles. The art was really beautiful, and I liked how each character was designed. It was just a wonderful story to read.

This is for the moms who figure out that they are a little queer, a lot later in life. And for stay-at-home mothers who realize that they want a little more in life than just being known as a good mother.
Motherlover is a love letter to older queer women. This graphic novel is adorable and beautifully written. I enjoyed the slice-of-life aspect of the piece. Readers experience the two main characters as they adjust to their new lives together. A super cute must-read.