im so in love with this whole concept, although i dont like the title i would accept this is a funny and very real story

This was a lovely and heartwarming sapphic romance graphic novel.
It was really nice to read about TWO mothers living very different lives but helping each other out, caring for one another and their families coming together in a healthy way. They're still figuring out who they are in their late thirties which is refreshing to read about.

I must say there is one small piece of dialogue that slightly annoyed me, where a character kind of asks our MC how long she's known she's been a lesbian. The issue here is that the MC has never stated that she's a lesbian. She has been with men for all her life and is now falling for a girl. Although being a lesbian is great (the other MC identifies as a lesbian), this character shouldn't have pressured the MC to say she's a lesbian when it's just as likely if not more likely that she could have been bi, pan or not quite sure. And this assumption is never challenged. It felt like the MC falling for a girl erased the possibility of other identities like bisexuality.

Such a lovely exploration of relationships, identity, priorities, and motherhood. Trying to balance all of those things is not easy, but the themes of liberation, empowerment, and support runs strong through this story. The illustrations really capture so much emotion. Queer mid-life love is so beautiful. A great addition to a larger adult graphic novel collection.

I really really enjoyed this story. I don't often see queer stories focused on older women (or older folks in general) and I loved this. I enjoyed how intimate the protagonists got with one another before actually becoming romantically involved. They knew and appreciated one another inside and out before finally kissing.

I'd recommend this to any reader of queer stories, romance, graphic novels, or just anyone who wants a slow-burn story about two friends to lovers.

Motherlover is a fantastic and heartwarming queer graphic novel by Lindsay Ishihiro.

Technically, this is kinda a re-read for me, as I support Ishihiro on Patreon and read through the webcomic version as it was being published. Practically as soon as it was announced to have a print run, I preordered it from bookshop.org. I ate this up the first time I read it online in chapter-sized bites and I ate it up again in its full physical form. I just love Ishihiro's art style.

This delightful graphic novel follows two moms from their meet cute the first day of school drop-off through months and months of strengthening their bond of friendship into something more. Both MCs appear to be in their late 30s, and I always find it wonderful to experience someone realizing their queerness "later" in life. Both MCs also struggle, in different ways, to figure out who they are outside of motherhood.

I especially adored the breadth of diversity represented throughout this book. One of our MCs is a plus-sized stay-at-home mom of four. The other is Asian, lesbian, a single mom by design, and plays the cello for a local fancy orchestra. There are a wide variety of races, sexualities, and family structures throughout the wide cast of characters.

This was so good, and I highly recommend it.

Rep: queer MCs (one is a lesbian, the other isn't specified but appears to be bi/pansexual), plus-sized MC, Asian MC, queer side characters (trans, lesbian, gay)

Tropes: strangers to friends to lovers, forced proximity

CW: parental death (prior to book), emotional abuse (mostly prior to book), infidelity (not directly on-page), divorce

This story was an absolute ride, blending humor, heart, and self-discovery. I loved watching Imogen meet Alex and begin to question whether being a stay-at-home mom is truly all she wants from life, while Alex reflects on her complicated upbringing and the gap between appearances and reality. The friends-to-lovers element was sweet and satisfying, but what really stood out was how the author gave each character depth and space to grow, making their connection feel authentic and earned.

I read this in one sitting!!! I absolutely loved it and would read it again. I need more though like a second book!

Extremely wholesome and overall lighthearted romance. I really loved the art style and the characters. Could have been longer!

Uhm hello, this graphic novel had no business being as good as it was and making me feel all the feels?!
In a nutshell: it is never too late to change your life, discover who you are and do something about it.
And this is what I need to hear and see, now more than ever.

Imogen is a stay-at-home mum of four, married to the step-dad figure that provides for the family.
Alex is a single mom who just moved back to her parents' house after they passed away and she's Imogen's new neighbour.
Thus begins a friendship and the beginning of something new for both of them.

This is not what I was expecting at all. I thought it was going to be the story about two single mums falling in love - and not only was I wrong, it was so much more than what I could have possibly imagined!
We see what it's like to go through a divorce, not knowing whether you are giving up or doing what's best (if there is such a thing as "what's best"), seeing your life as you knew it (and as you always expected it was going to be) completely falling apart and having to put back the pieces; we see what it's like to be an adult who had "abusive" parents and didn't realize how (not physically) abusive they were until it was too late to speak up and how that has affected your life and the relationships with your partners; we also see a teenager transitioning and being embraced in her new gender, without being ridiculed or belittled or questioned in any way.
And we see what it's like to explore your identity, go through a queer awakening later in life, and take everything you deserve and that life has to offer you.

It was so much packed into a relatively long graphic novel and I loved every page of it :)

I loved the evolution of Alex’s and Imogene’s relationship and how Imogene learned the importance of self love and how Alex learned to overcome her childhood trauma and how she was able to love others through it.

This was so lovely!! What a sweet, soft, important story! I didn't want to leave the little bubble of this world but they got their happy ending so what else do we need! I loved the time spent on side characters too, how we got Lu's story and closure with Eris and the brother - and did i spy some noise cancelling headphones on Gavin at the end! What a nice touch; an inclusive and powerful read - know your worth and let the people who love you care for you! The art was beautiful and the way the reality of bodies and life were captured were wonderful to see! I will be buying this to spend a lot of time staring at the pretty art!

There are so few queer novels/graphic novels focusing on adult queerdom and coming out in your 30's or later. This graphic novel beautifully captures the emotion, love, and tenderness between the two main characters.

I loved this! 4.5 stars from me! I enjoyed the art style of this - the colors and everything were very comfortable to look at and the style as well went well with the story. I loved the character development and lessons that took place in this. I would definitely recommend to those in the queer community and allies. I loved the way it was all portrayed.

Motherlover is easily a 5-star read for me and hands down my favourite graphic novel of the year so far. From the first few pages, I was completely immersed in this beautiful, emotional, and heartfelt story.

The narrative follows Imogen, a stay-at-home mum of four, and her new neighbor Alex, a seemingly confident and stylish single mum by choice who’s just moved back into her childhood home. What starts as a simple neighbourly introduction quickly blossoms into something much deeper.

This graphic novel has some heavier themes like childhood trauma, homophobia, and parental death. But, the character growth, particularly around these topics, was genuinely inspiring. I also loved the layered storyline, including the side plot involving one of Imogen’s children, which added even more heart to the book.

The LGBTQIA+ representation was incredible, and I really appreciated the slow burn romance. It allowed space for the friendship and emotional connection to develop in a way that felt authentic and earned. The pacing and flow were just right, and I honestly felt like I could have spent forever reading about these characters.

The artwork is absolutely stunning, with vibrant colors that elevated every scene and emotion. I read this in one sitting, completely drawn into the world, which offered the perfect moment of escape.

Thank you to NetGalley and Iron Circus Comics for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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.