Back in Business

Curlfriends #2

by Sharee Miller, Luke Healy (Colorist)

The Curlfriends are back and hitting the dance floor in Sharee Miller’s NAACP image award-nominated graphic novel series.

Nola Washington has never met a problem she can’t solve. She’s a fashionista and an honor roll student, and she knows her way around a comb. When she’s not helping her mom at their family’s hair salon, Nola’s hanging out with her besties, the Curlfriends! This time, Ella has signed them up for the school talent show, and who better to lead them in a dance routine than Nola, with her amazing moves? All she needs is a stylish new outfit to perform in, but when one of the salon’s hair dryers breaks down, Nola finds out her mom is having money trouble. If they can’t pay the bills, will the salon go out of business?

Not on Nola’s watch! She’ll do anything to help, but her mom keeps shutting her out. It’s hard to focus on dance practice with her girls, let alone school, when life at home is nowhere near perfect anymore. This doesn’t feel like something Nola can fix on her own, but with the Curlfriends by her side, there’s no problem they can’t solve together!

In the Curlfriends series, follow four inseparable Black girls who show what it means to lean on one another when times are

New in Town
Back in Business

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Graphic Novels Comics, Family, Fiction

228 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 7, 2025

About the author

Sharee Miller has a BFA in communication design from Pratt Institute. She lives in Brooklyn, where she enjoys spending time with her two cats and illustrating fun stories.

Reviews

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't fond of the plot of the first book in this series, but I do believe Sharee Miller is talented, and I am happy to give her another chance.

The focus shifts this time to another friend in the Curlfriends group, Nola Washington, and I find her story much more engaging. She's an upbeat problem solver and is ready to prove it to her friends by helping them prepare a dance routine for their middle school's talent show. But not all problems are so easily tackled. Her single mother's hair salon is struggling, and Nola is starting to unravel from the uncertainty and lack of communication brought on by all the stress.

The ensuing little moments of family and friendship drama are well-paced and lead to a satisfactory conclusion.


Disclosure: I received access to a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.com.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story about the girls prepping for the school talent show and Nola's mom keeping her business up and running. It has a great message of "When we work together shit gets done."

One of the girls' dads basically offers to help Nola's mom budget is one of the outcomes of her financial struggles with the salon. This was super sweet! It was maybe a touch unrealistic in that I feel like it kind of glosses over how awkward it can be to have basically your kid's friends' parent going over your finances with you.

I assume at this point we'll see graphic novels from the perspectives of all four Curlfriends and I look forward to it.

[SH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crying at this series until my last day on earth. Everything I could have ever hoped for.

[Monique B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continued this series with my daughter! This graphic novel is so cute - the pictures are what make it stand out. My daughter just loves the fact that all the girls in the book are brown & have curly hair just like her. 🤭

We really pay attention to detail when reading this. We're looking at hairstyles, outfits, the expressions on their faces, everything! I just love that my daughter loves this series and we hope it continues on!

This book focuses on Nola, whose mom is having a hard time keeping her hair shop open due to financial reasons. Nola and her friends decide to jump in to help out. I love the themes of how parents struggle & stress! And sometimes when that happens, our children see and feel the shift in our stress. Also, the theme of family & teamwork are shown throughout, along with middle school struggles & concerns 😅

[D.T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really loving this series. It is so cute!

This is also very relatable; as adults, we don't want the kids in our lives to worry, but it's not that easy. Older kids are more perceptive than you think, especially when it comes to financial problems, which Nola's mom faces here.

I distinctly remember feeling stressed as a child when there were money issues at home, and no amount of "don't worry about it, I got it" could erase it.

The message here, besides financial stewardship, is ... don't be afraid to ask for help. a closed mouth don't get fed.

I'm ready for the other girl's stories. :)

[Diana Flores · Rating 3 out of 5]

The storyline was pretty good - problem solving with friends and family. I wasn't a fan of the art style, especially the font used for the speech bubbles. As a whole, it felt very "blocky" and stiff. Middle-grade girls may enjoy this series, especially if they are looking for representation in their books. Curlfriends does a great job of being inclusive.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. Publication date October 7, 2025.

[Alexius · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that finally!!! There’s a graphic novel for children of color with normal slice of life problems and solutions. Everything from the plot to the style of the pictures and hairstyles are relatable.
Definitely sign me up for the next one in the series!!!

[Dev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for this ARC copy of Curlfriends: Back in Business in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a cute book! I really loved seeing the love and care Nola had for her mom. Even though the salon was not technically Nola’s responsibility, her love for her mother motivated her to take an active approach and figure something out. This book was a beautiful display of friendship as well. While navigating her situation, Nola consistently had her friends by her side, something we can all benefit from. Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not mention the artwork, it was amazing. Overall, a good story, and I hope this series continues.

[Megan Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the first one and I loved this one too! I love that the message here is to rely on your community and those around you. Bottling everything up and not asking for help is the quickest way to never get yourself out of a bind and it teaches young readers the importance of not doing that.

Do I wish that Nola wasn’t such a perfectionist? Sure, I don’t love that aspect of the story, but we see her make mistakes and her friends remind her that you can do something just for fun.

I’d be excited to read a third one!

[Jaelynne Wormenor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only downside of this sweet book in the series is that I read it too fast! Now I need to wait again for the next one. Beautiful story of friendships and community. I absolutely always love the detail in the pictures!!!!

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite graphic novel friendship series! Sharee Miller has created this incredible group of characters that feel so real both in the problems they face and in their support of one another. In the middle of all the drama our tweens are going through, I am so happy that they have these wonderful books to enjoy. Now that Charlie is solidly in the friend group, this story center Nola who lives with her mom and dreams of taking over the family hair salon one day. Only Mom is facing serious challenges and ends up closing the salon until she can update its equipment and safely care for her customers. The stress of the situation affects Nola as she's a natural problem solver and can't see a way through this one. But with the support of her own friends, she encourages Mom to reach out and ask for help, even though it is hard to admit she needs it. I think kids will be delighted to see the parallels in the friend groups in the older and younger generations. There is also a super fun talent show! Highly recommend!

[Precious Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Graphic Novel, it was enjoyable & very relatable.You’ll definitely love it, if you love straight to the point books. I truly enjoyed the lessons in this book, teaching children about budgeting, to be there for each other, & the importance of not judging. She was the “popular smart friend” but meanwhile still had problems going on at home. This shows when changes happen in kids life it really does cause change in them & their behavior. Great story on true events that are happening everyday in our society, many kiddos could relate & maybe a good reminder to talk to mom & dad, because communication is key. While reading SOME of the wording would throw me off.. like cringe? The illustration, eh. Like I said, I don’t read graphic novels so..

I don’t even know, but other than that.. great book for the older children.

Also, I wasn’t able to read it on my kindle, the layout was very weird.

Overall beautiful book, so many lessons & beautifully outcome all in one!

Thank you NetGalley & Sharee Miller for opportunity to read this cute informative Arc!

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second Curlfriends story was great! I liked that we got the POV of a different Curlfriend, this time from Nola.

Nola is smart, a hard worker, and has a close relationship with her mom. It was hard to see her worry when she became aware that her mom has been struggling to keep her hair salon financially open and how she doesn’t want to ask for help.

This may be a “grown-ups” problem but Nola can’t help feeling anxiety about the situation and it’s not going to magically go away by just being told to not worry about it. I totally understand those anxious feelings and fear of failure. I also liked how the story shows that it’s okay to ask for help.

The story’s not all doom and gloom with Nola’s Curlfriends having her back. This friendship group is friendship goals and something everyone could use to get through the highs and lows of life.

I really enjoyed book two and hope the other two girls in the group get a book as well.

[Diana of Shelved by Strand · Rating 2 out of 5]

Curlfriends #1 was about new girl Charlie and the friends she found as a new student. The quartet returns for Back in Business, this time to focus on Nola's story. Nola is your typical middle schooler wrapped up in her own life until she realizes her mom's business troubles at her hair salon mean she can't have all that she's accustomed to. Her growing realization of the seriousness of her mom's financial problems cause stress and anxiety for both Nola and her mom. Once they can finally face their problem together, things improve.

The first book is a favorite graphic novel in my classroom, but I don't remember it being as saccharine as this one. Idealistic, yes, but this one is so syrupy sweet, I wonder if my students will enjoy it or complain how unrealistic it all seems as a whole package.

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown for the digital ARC.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

The crew from book 1 of the CURLFRIENDS series returns in book 2, BACK IN BUSINESS. This book focuses on Nola, whose mom owns a hair salon that her grandmother started. When Nola finds out that the salon is facing financial trouble, her mom shuts her out, telling Nola she can handle the situation. Worrying about this distracts Nola, which compromises her schoolwork and commitments she’s made to her friends. Once her friends are aware of the situation, they pitch in to help come up with a solution.

Great artwork accompanies this story about friendship and the power of community framed in a real-world situation that may be like what some readers may be experiencing themselves or have experienced. Fans of the first book will enjoy revisiting their favorite characters, too. I know this one will be popular with my school’s readers—they’ve been asking for a sequel!

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Curlfriends are back in book 2️⃣ of this MG graphic novel series.
💇🏾‍♀️
Nola Washington is ready to hit the dance floor at the school’s talent show, but when her mom’s salon runs into money trouble, Nola has to juggle school, dance, and family secrets. Can she save the salon and shine on stage?
💃🏾
I loved returning to this world! @coilyandcute has created such an amazing cast of characters and stories filled with friendship, fashion and problem-solving because when the Curlfriends stick together, there’s no problem too big! This title releases October 7!

CW: classism, grief, death of a grandparent (recounted)

[Lindsay McDella · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5⭐️

From my 10 year old:

“I thought CurlFriends was a pretty good book. I really liked how the story showed the characters working together to find help and money for the salon, and how it built up to the talent show where they did a dance. That part was fun and exciting!

I also liked the mystery around the main girl not knowing what was happening with the salon. She got little hints along the way, and I thought it was interesting that her mom was hiding the truth from her, even though they are very close. That made the story feel more real.

I don’t think there was really anything I didn’t like. Overall, it was enjoyable to read and I would recommend it.”

[Relena_reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Until I reached the point when the main character identified herself as 12 years old, I really thought that this was a title for a much younger audience. Unfortunately, the "easy-reader" style sentence structure and the page-layouts are both repetitive in a way that took me out of appreciating the otherwise thoughtful storyline. I really wish that the author had just chosen to make these characters 8 to 10 instead of 12 because this might be a 5-star review for a book that wasn't trying to convince me this was an early middle grades story. It really is a lovely story if I just try to forget the dating subplot clearly puts this in MG territory.

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this middle grade graphic novel as a Christmas present for my daughter because she loved the first book so much, and we read this together twice, back to back! This second book is from Nola's perspective (the first book is Charlie). When her mom starts having money troubles, Nola wants to help, but her mom gets angry every time she brings it up. Meanwhile, she and the other Curlfriends are preparing a dance for the school talent show. I liked the take of money troubles, and how home problems can bleed into school and friendships. My daughter loved it just as much as the first, though I think I prefer the first a smidge. We are looking forward to book 3!

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Netgalley

The first book in this series is VERY popular in my library, so I'm sure my readers will be happy to see more adventures. I couldn't quite believe that the mother's business problems could be so easily solved, or that she would try so hard to keep these problems from her daughter (with whom she has a really close relationship), but that won't bother younger readers. I appreciated that the friends all had very specific hairdos, glasses, etc. so I could tell them apart easily.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d like to thank netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. The curl friends are back and this time they need to save the hair salon! Nola’s mom is hiding something from her about the shop and it starts to bother her. She can’t concentrate at school, she’s not catching onto the dance for the talent show and she’s worried about her mom not being able to pay bills. What she needs is a little help from her curl friends. A fun addition to the series and can’t wait for the next one.

[Sheba Hector · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this arc!


This book follows Nola and her friends. Nola's mother is having some financial issues with the salon. She tries to tell Nola that she can handle it. However, Nola sees how it is affecting her mother. This situation affects Nola's performance at school and her dance practice. It was nice to see Nola expressing herself to her mother. It shows that you can ask for help. I love the artwork, and I hope this book series continues.

[Amber Wessies Owrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept of this book is important: worry about money and the effects of worry on your life. Nola's mom owns a salon and is having money trouble. Nola is very worried, but her mom keeps shutting her out. Friendship is another important aspect of this graphic novel. All of Nola's friends are very supportive of each other. The dialogue was very simple since Nola is in middle school, and the plot line was not very complex, but the ideas and themes are portrayed clearly.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book about friends and community and growing up and family! The art work is of course amazing. Sharee Miller is absolutely the freaking best. I am so glad that she has expanded her storytelling from picture books to graphic novels. There are so many good lessons. I just love how these girls are there for each other. I liked how family isn’t always easy, but this one doesn’t give up on each other. Beautiful, important, and so good.

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love this series. In this one, Nola's mom is having financial issues with the salon. The mom tries to protect her by hiding it, but its obvious and Nola carries the worries. I loved seeing her friends step up for her and just how sweet the girls are. They are prepping for a talent show in the background, but I loved the conversation on how stress/worry can impact everything. Love her relationship with her friends and her mom. Definitely going to pass this on to my daughter.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graphic Novel.
The four friends are back and learning some hard lessons about grown up life. When the salon seems close to failing, they rally to help Nola's mom let go of pride and accept help. At the same time, they work together to perform in the sixth grade talent show. I appreciate how Miller shows Nola struggling and listening to her friends for support and the courage to talk with her mom. The artwork captures the details and fleshes out the story.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Another cute entry into this series. I wish the financial struggles and how it impacted the mother and daughter relationship had been more developed, but I liked seeing it portrayed. We spent a lot of time on the lead up for the story, but the solution happened so quickly. I wish we had seen more of the labor that went into the solution.

This continues to be a cute, entertaining series and I'm looking forward to the stories for the other girls.

[Simon Says Hellooo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this one! So much fun to read the next part in this series! I'm hoping for a third book! I loved the artwork as well. The story was very uplifting. If you like great art, hair, and encouraging and supporting your friends you'd love this one!

Thank you Netgalley for providing this book! The opinions are my own.

[Geiosh A · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love seeing all her friends come together and help her save her mom's salon I love the mother-daughterly bond in the grandmother Bond but I really don't think it should be worrying about bills and stuff and eating vegan food at at 12 years old but I get she was trying to be helpful and I love friendship s

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't remember the first book much, but my review seemed to be kind of lukewarm about it. This second book was super cute, I'd say a 3.5 star rounded up. I liked Nola as a main character, I thought her story was interesting - this is definitely a fun series, and I'll happily read more Curlfriends stories!