This was the most adorable comic about a Sad Nuggie and the artwork is just so cute. Sad Nuggie works through depression, the anxiety of moving to a new place and starting a new job, making new friends. Nuggie works through everyday life’s obstacles and while there are setbacks, Nuggie strives to move forward and keep working on themselves and being nice and kind. Just great for anyone who needs a pick me up and to realize that adulating is hard.
Thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

This was so cute and a perfect read for whenever you need a pick me up or a reminder you’re not alone in this big scary, crazy world. 🥹🩶

I think how this was set up was perfect. I deeply deeply enjoyed this and for sure will need a copy to live happily in my shelves to read whenever my heart needs it.

I think the best way of explaining my newfound love for Sad Nuggie is by relaying the notes I took while reading this precious little book. So, please enjoy the following sampling of my thoughts.

(Contains very minimal spoilers).

1. Oh my god sad nuggie is so relatable but I also don’t want sad nuggie to cry!!
2. SAD NUGGIE IS HAVING ADVENTURES!
3. Legitimately scared the goose is going to eat Sad Nuggie
4. NOOOOO THE ICE CREAM
5. Nuggie, that’s not how therapy is supposed to work
6. Clearly mini-golf is a universal experience of either this or unparalleled success and there is no in between
7. Chicken nugget affirmations for success is something literally everyone needs to read
8. Having just come back from work, Nuggie’s office/work experience is excruciatingly correct
9. DON’T YOU DARE EAT SAD NUGGIE, SEAGULLS
10. Did not have Sad Nuggie accidentally making macabre statement art on my bingo card
11. Oh my god, how great would salsa class be if that’s what it was?
12. Omg not the dating app being called Tender
13. Am… am I Sad Nuggie?

In conclusion (to this extremely weird way of leaving a review), I have to say that this quick, lighthearted trip into the world of Sad Nuggie is truly delightful. It is so cute and irreverent, and the illustrations are precious. Either from just observing Sad Nuggie's progress in therapy or seeing yourself in Sad Nuggie (and realizing all the things you want Sad Nuggie to do to take care of themself also applies to you), I highly encourage anyone and everyone to read this. It's a very sweet romp that'll make you smile, and sometimes, that's all we can ask of ourselves.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Andrew McNeels Publishing for the digital ARC!

Rating: 4.75 stars

Review posted to StoryGraph: June 20, 2025 (https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/e07647f8-3cff-4fb6-934e-dea96cb5d500)

“Life Is Sweet and Sour” is a heartwarming and relatable comic about Sad Nuggie — a little chicken nugget doing his best to get through life. From moving to a new city to trying therapy and eating better, it captures the ups and downs of adulting with humor and kindness. Perfect for anyone who’s felt tired or overwhelmed, this book is a reminder to stay hopeful and keep going!


Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with the ARC of this book.
#SadNuggie #NetGalley

Thank you to NetGalley, Andrews McMeel Publishing, and the author for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sad Nuggie is such an adorable yet deep graphic novel that shows how adulting is a catastrophe, every single day, no matter the intentions and even if you are a small little sad nuggie you can still find happiness.

I loved how the big eyes are drawn on the nuggie, making him look like a wittle baby, because don't we all feel like we are just children? Why is this all expected from us?

This just didn't really hit with me. I love the Sad Nuggie comics, but they feel like something that belongs one in a while, not in a chunk where you just feel sad and hopeless. I know it's not the point, but it's still more of a downer downer than a "laugh at it" downer.

so cute I love little nuggie!! I love the art style of this as well, just like their socials! Would recommend this to anyone needing a little pick me up

I absolutely love Sad Nuggie! The art is cute and Nuggie makes it a little easier to get through the slog of life.

Sad Nuggie has been a favorite character floating around the internet for so long it is about time he appeared in his own book!! This book is perfect for all those naggy feelings that people have. I really enjoyed this book and I believe it sends a great message to readers that their feelings and anxieties are valid and that they are not alone. Thank you Sad Nuggie!

Sad Nuggie: Life is Sweet and Sour is a heartwarming comic book full of relatable moments. It includes two of my favorite things—chicken nuggets and a book! I really like the art style.

That said, the humor wasn’t exactly my style—but that’s more about personal preference than the book itself. I can definitely see others really enjoying it.

T his book was absolutely adorable!! I love sad nuggie and he’s definitely relatable in more ways than one. In less than 200 pages, this book made me laugh and almost cry but it’s definitely worth the read!

4/5⭐️

Sad Nuggie: Life Is Sweet and Sour is an adorably heartfelt and hilariously quirky read that takes on mental health in a way that feels fresh, accessible, and genuinely sweet. I loved how it explored big feelings—like sadness, anxiety, and self-doubt—with a light touch and lots of clever humor. The wordplay (like turning “Tinder” into “Tender”) was hilarious and spot-on.

Visually, the book is gorgeous—Anastasia Svetlyanova’s illustrations are expressive, fun, and bring so much personality to Sad Nuggie and his world. It’s visually engaging and full of charm from start to finish.

One thing that stood out (in a funny-but-strange way) was Sad Nuggie’s diet—chicken wings, chicken nuggets… it’s pretty much all he eats. Given that he is a nugget, it’s a little weird, but also kind of fits with the book’s absurd and playful vibe.

What I appreciated most was how the story communicated that not every day is perfect, and that’s totally okay. It’s all about how you frame those moments and find ways to cope—and that’s such an important message, especially for kids. I would definitely share this with my own kids to open up conversations about emotions and how we respond to tough days.

That said, one thing I do wish the book had addressed more clearly was the scene with Sad Nuggie and his therapist. He tells them he’s fine when he clearly isn’t—and while that’s a very real experience, I would’ve loved to see a moment later on where he opens up and shares the truth. For young readers, it’s so valuable to show that therapists are safe people to be honest with. A little scene of growth or vulnerability there could have made an already strong message even more impactful.

Overall, Sad Nuggie: Life Is Sweet and Sour is a fantastic read—funny, meaningful, and full of heart. I’d absolutely read more from this author and illustrator duo, and I think it’s a great tool for readers of all ages to talk about mental health in a relatable, warm, and creative way.

Love the online comics and now really enjoyed this in book form. Perfect gift book for adults and older teens.

I haven’t really followed sad nuggie before but really enjoyed this book! The art style is very cute and easy to follow. As someone currently experiencing burnout I truly resonated with the story.

I love Sad Nuggie and was excited to see that there is now a book. The comics are cozy and cute and relatable.

Book 115 of 350 ~ 2025

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I resonate with the sad nuggie as I have been very stressed out, feeling blue, and just been a downright Debby Downer.

Things have been rough at times, and I am looking forward to more positives in the money side soon as it seems to be heading in the wrong direction - out of pocket versus in cos of medicals.

Here is to manifesting more new projects and closing more hustles.

I feel you sad nuggie I do i do.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!

This is such a cute little book. Just a week in the life of a sad nuggie. Maybe I’m biased since it’s based in Toronto, but I loved how it showed off my city.

Maybe it's just my mental health journey of late, but this book made me CRY.

Not just a lil teary-eyed, not a little misty.

Sobbing.

Sad Nuggie is just where I, and many other people are, in life - walking through life, holding back tears, doing our best despite the horrors, feeling too overwhelmed/sad/anxious to figure out how to make your life better. I did feel bad that Nuggie was just on his phone the whole time, instead of taking breaks, and getting off the phone. I'm happy Sad Nuggie found his people, and I hope I will too one day.

Sad Nuggie is a quick and fun read for all ages sharing the hard parts of life in a humorous way. All of us can relate to Nuggie in one way or another, which is what makes these comics so great. I have read the sad nuggie comics for a long time, and I was so excited to see that there was a book that came out for it. I hope that there are more sad nuggie books released.

This was such a cute, quick read, and I totally relate to Sad Nuggie. I think the best way to make life a little better is to take it one step at a time, at your own pace, just like Sad Nuggie!