This was a very cute, queer, grumpy/sunshine graphic novel. It's a light-hearted graphic novel with likable characters that make you hope things work out for them. I especially liked Bo Seon's character, a character that was equal parts generous, funny, and kind. I enjoyed watching Kang Dae realize that he had feelings for Bo Seon, despite spending most of his life refusing to let people get close to him. This is definitely a graphic novel that I would recommend to young adults!

Thank you Little Brown Books for Young Readers and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. This was so cute!! Kang Dae doesn’t really like people, he prefers to be on his own. Especially given what things were like for him growing up. Then he runs into his neighbor Bo Seon, who just moved in. Bo Seon is annoyingly chipper and no matter how rude Kang Dae is nothing seems to bother his neighbor. As the two keep running into each other, literally in Bo Seon’s case. A friendship will begin to grow. But Kang Dar will quickly realize this isn’t like any other friendship, everything about Bo Seon sets him on fire. Could he possibly have romantic feelings towards him? He’s never felt that way about a boy before. And if he does is it even possible that Bo Seon likes him back? A slow burn, grumpy/sunshine, neighbors to friends to maybe something more that I quickly consumed! Peglo does an excellent job with this queer graphic novel that is funny, sweet, charming, and heartwarming! Plus I adored the artwork! Excited to see what’s next for Kang Dae and Bo Seon in volume two!

Honestly, there was a lot going on in this first volume. I thought it was just going to be a cute college classmates BL but there is a definite gritty undercurrent. But MCs have a, presumably, sad background but so far we only know some of Kang Dae's. Other than the fact that he and Bo Seon met prior to college, we know pretty much nothing about Bo Seon's past. Also, there is a scene of paranormal activity thrown in for some reason. So far, it's not my favorite and I wonder if this is another title that didn't translate well from webcomic to book. It does have potential though, so I'll probably keep reading.

3.5 Stars

This was a super cute slow burn introduction to the “To The Stars and Back” series. I remember first reading it when it was first published on Webtoon, so it’s so nice to see that it is getting a print version. I really liked the art style and it was so cute watching him slowly realize his feelings. I’m excited to read the next entry.

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

Kang Dae is a little bit of a black cloud hanging over a blue sky. He feels like things always go wrong for him, so he pushes everything good away to try and avoid the disappointment. Enter Bo Seon, a friendly new neighbor who’s a little too bubbly for Kang Dae to handle. But each encounter between them brings Kang Dae a little closer to accepting that sometimes he can have nice things.

This is an adorable slow burn neighbors to lovers romance. And I do mean slow burn, but it is only Volume #1. I love a good grumpy x sunshine pairing, and these two definitely fit the bill. It’s so heartwarming, and a little bit inspiring, seeing Kang Dae gradually open up to new people and experiences. I’d definitely recommend it to readers who love Heartstopper. It has a good vibe with a cozy art style and just a little bit of angsty backstory.

4⭐️s out of 5.

Thanks the NetGalley, the author, and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the eARC.

My baby boys are published <3 I absolutely loved reading this story when it was on Webtoon and now seeing it published, I could cry. The journey between Kang Dae and Bo Seon was heartwarming and I am so glad I got to read it again.

I got an ARC of this book.

I really enjoyed this. It had the manhwa feeling over a manga feeling. It was a really slow burn romance between two men. It was very much grumpy sunshine, but only the grumpy side was shown. So watching him slowly come to terms for falling for a man, a man that used to annoy him so much, was so heart warming.

The story was fun. There was a weird ghost interlude. It didn't make any sense, but it was a cute distraction from the main angst. Gave a bit of distance so it wasn't too much about the men just not understanding they have feelings for each other. Instead it built their characters and gave some levity to the story.

This is only volume one and again, this is a slow burn. There is no resolution. There is a set up for a bit more angst and hopefully a happily ever after.

Overall, I liked it and I would glady read volume 2. I just sort of wish there was a bit more developed for the side characters or for the relationship.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!!

Ok but this is adorable. I loved Bo Seon. As someone who always feels like a lot, I love characters who embody the yapper mentality. The black cat/golden retriever friends to lovers is very heavy. Kang Dae kind of irked me a little in the beginning and then he seemed to flip super quickly. Like he went from dislike to like so fast. The whole backstory seemed random, but I loved their development. They are such cuties! Can’t wait to see more!

I've always found that webtoons are hit or miss with me, particularly because some of the MCs can be toxic or the ML ends up being borderline abusive towards the MC. But Peglo broke those stereotypes with this BL manhwa, which endeared me to their writing from the start. Even though Kang Dae is the grumpy one in this 'grumpy/sunshine' trope, he's still never cruel to Bo Seon, which was refreshing and something I wish more writers would take into consideration. Just because your character is a little fussy, it doesn't mean they have to abuse the sunshine character!

In any case, this story was adorable, and the illustrations were nicely done. I look forward to seeing more from this author, and with no smutty scenes, I can recommend this one to any of our teen patrons!

I really hated this? I am so surprised myself, I thought I would've loved it, but it was too boring and predictable and unoriginal.

That said, that was my experience and it doesn't mean someone else could enjoy it.

Ahh I loved this! This was such a great slow burn. You could really feel the romantic tension between these two! And I really loved seeing them slowly get to know each other and watch their feelings develop. I can’t wait to read more and see where their relationship goes from here.

This was really cute.

I liked the characters and how well the character development was done. The dynamic between the main cast was great, as was the beginning of the romance arc.

The art style was very pretty.

Overall a good read, I’m already looking forward to reading the next volume.

To the Stars and Back follows an introvert whose social anxiety has led him to push others away, only to find himself unexpectedly drawn to his relentlessly sunshiny new neighbor. This warmth and connection slowly begins to chip away at his self-imposed isolation, a change echoed in the soft, sunrise hues of the story’s palette. The narrative touches on themes of mental health, self-esteem, bullying, body dysmorphia, personal growth, and first love, making comparisons to Heartstopper unsurprising.

Peglo’s slice-of-life storytelling shines brightest in the quiet, intimate moments between Bo Seon and Kang Dae. The latter’s journey, from apologizing for past rudeness to seeking therapy and ultimately learning to open up emotionally, is depicted with tenderness. His developing attraction to Bo Seon unfolds subtly yet profoundly; for example, when Bo Seon’s hand brushes Kang Dae’s chest, Kang Dae’s stoic reaction evokes the iconic hand flex from the 2005 Pride and Prejudice. By the end of the first volume, it’s gratifying to see Kang Dae stepping into his own identity, embracing a new sense of style, and showing trust and protectiveness toward Bo Seon’s brightness.

While the main story is compelling, some arcs feel less cohesive. A brief paranormal subplot, although offering opportunities for side characters like Kyo and Cindee to shine and adding some playful banter between Kyo and Kang Dae, feels somewhat out of place. Similarly, the coincidental shared history between Bo Seon and Kang Dae strains plausibility, though it ultimately helps bring their story full circle. Kang Dae’s gradual recovery of lost memories reveals a deeper layer of past trauma, adding complexity to the overall narrative.

I’m invested in seeing these characters reach their happy ending and will be reading the next installment.

Thanks to Little, Brown Ink and NetGalley for providing an advance reading copy.

Took me a bit to get into this one. There is a lot of internal dialogue from the MC with very brief interactions with others. I was also confused by the flashbacks at first but that might have just been me due to reading this on the netgalley app on my phone.

Anyway, after about the halfway mark I was very invested and I’m looking forward to reading the next one. These two characters are very cute together!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this ARC
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW
This was literally so cute!!! I love reading stories where the characters find out they used to know each other when they were little. It always adds some depth to it I feel. I also really enjoyed the art style and the dynamics in the friend group. It didn't seem like Kang Dae would get along with any of them at first but I'm glad he did!

I am obsessed with this story! Nice artwork and, most importantly, relatable characters. I see similar problems and traumas in my students' lives, so this was realistic to me.

A sweet, funny, romantic story with just enough angst to flutter your stomach-This book was a delight. I had so much fun!

The first twenty pages were iffy, I didn't think I was connecting with the story very much. But after those twenty pages I was locked in! It was everything I wanted it to be when I had requested it. The characters, side characters included, all had personalities and humor. The two main love interests had real, raw tension and affection towards each other. And the art was a perfect fit to the story.

There's also an element of the paranormal? There's a ghost that lives inside the university they attend and they actually go ghost hunting in one of the chapters which ended up being my favorite part of the book-I laughed out loud through the entire sequence. The author did such a good job at adding good tension while breaking bad tension all in one perfectly formulated comedic ghost hunting scene.

If there's a second volume (Pretty please!) I will be purchasing immediately! (I say as the first volume isn't even officially released yet.)

Such a cute story! I really enjoyed reading this and will finish reading the story on Webtoon. I love the characters and the story. I highly recommend this book! I will be picking up a copy in September when it comes out along with the sequel when that comes out. Thanks the NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers | Little, Brown Ink for the eARC.

A super sweet slow burn romance featuring neighbors-to-lovers and just an adorable story. I absolutely adored this story. The romance is so sweet and the friendships in this book is amazing. I had so much fun reading this and I would highly recommend this for fans of Heartbreaker and of queer cute romances. I can't wait to read volume 2!!

Release Date: September 30, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers | Little, Brown Ink for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I forgot how much I enjoyed this series as a WebToon! A sweet, slow-burn and very underrated BL romance.