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Lovely Recipe
In this savory and sweet sapphic YA Romance graphic novel, a klutzy high schooler strives to learn her grandma's recipes and ends up falling for a no-nonsense classmate whose family owns a restaurant.
What does cooking have in common with falling in love? They're both matters of chemistry!
It's Sofia's last year in high school. All her friends are getting ready to go to far away colleges, but she doesn't know if that path is right for her. What Sofia does understand is that, ever since her grandma died, her mom has been distant. But maybe, if Sofia can learn how to make one of grandma's most cherished recipes, she and her mom's relationship can go back to the way it used to be. The only problem with that idea? Sofia is terrible at cooking.
Enter Anna Marie, Sofia's super cute classmate who's everything Sofia isn't-- driven, disciplined, and a gifted chef. Despite getting on each other's nerves, Anna Marie starts teaching Sofia how to cook in exchange for her help around Anna Marie's family's restaurant. And soon enough, they discover that the sparks between them are more than just stovetop flames.
But can love blossom when Sofia's and Anna Marie's lives are changing so much? Or will the impending pressures that come with graduation break them apart?
What does cooking have in common with falling in love? They're both matters of chemistry!
It's Sofia's last year in high school. All her friends are getting ready to go to far away colleges, but she doesn't know if that path is right for her. What Sofia does understand is that, ever since her grandma died, her mom has been distant. But maybe, if Sofia can learn how to make one of grandma's most cherished recipes, she and her mom's relationship can go back to the way it used to be. The only problem with that idea? Sofia is terrible at cooking.
Enter Anna Marie, Sofia's super cute classmate who's everything Sofia isn't-- driven, disciplined, and a gifted chef. Despite getting on each other's nerves, Anna Marie starts teaching Sofia how to cook in exchange for her help around Anna Marie's family's restaurant. And soon enough, they discover that the sparks between them are more than just stovetop flames.
But can love blossom when Sofia's and Anna Marie's lives are changing so much? Or will the impending pressures that come with graduation break them apart?
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
April 11, 2026
This is a very sweet graphic novel and a great read for teens. It follows Sofia who is a senior who is not so great at school and is sad about her best friends moving away soon for college. She's obsessed with being able to cook her family's old recipes, hoping to keep her grandmother's memory alive. Only problem is Sofia needs a teacher and her mom is too busy with work. She connects with a girl from school named Anna Marie whose family owns an Italian restaurant. Soon the two girls are bonding as they struggle with the tough decision of what life will look like after graduation.
February 25, 2026
okay hands down best graphic novel i’ve read yet
March 21, 2026
This was so darn cute.
I loved every single inch of it!
I loved every single inch of it!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Absolutely adorable art style and even cuter storyline. I sped through this in an hour, that's how hooked I was. Thank you Netgalley and Random House Children's books for the arc in exchange for an honest review<3
April 11, 2026
Very sweet!
March 29, 2026
A bafflingly bad book. It feels like it's hitting a lot of plot beats common in romantic stories without actually... understanding what makes them tick...? Very oddly paced and poorly characterized.
I think a major failure of this book was the protagonist, unfortunately. I just didn't ever want to root for her.
It wasn't offensive or anything. It was just... bad.
I think a major failure of this book was the protagonist, unfortunately. I just didn't ever want to root for her.
It wasn't offensive or anything. It was just... bad.
November 29, 2025
4.0 / 5.0 stars
the art style and illustrations were so cute!! sofia and anna-marie were just so endearing and i loved how they helped learn to overcome grief and learn to trust, love, and uphold family traditions again.
i couldn’t stop giggling and twirling my hair while reading this. i was captivated from the start. my only complaint was the pacing but i truly did overlook it for the most part because i loved the story overall.
special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Graphic for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
the art style and illustrations were so cute!! sofia and anna-marie were just so endearing and i loved how they helped learn to overcome grief and learn to trust, love, and uphold family traditions again.
i couldn’t stop giggling and twirling my hair while reading this. i was captivated from the start. my only complaint was the pacing but i truly did overlook it for the most part because i loved the story overall.
special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Graphic for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 5, 2026
my body woke me up a little early this morning so i decided to read a whole graphic novel! this was sweet and had some nice messages for people graduating hs. i liked the food stuff as well. art style is nice but not like my fav ever. mc gave me terrible second hand embarrassment in the beginning
February 5, 2026
Thank you to Random House Graphic and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of Lovely Recipe! As always, all opinions are my own and this review is being left voluntarily.
✨ Young Adult Romance
✨ Graphic Novel
✨ Standalone/Single Volume
✨ Rep: sapphic
I recommend if you enjoy…
- Full Color Graphic Novels
- Sweet YA Romances
- Cooking & Family
- Coming of Age
Content warnings after review.
General thoughts…
I was super excited to read this because I’m a big fan of graphic novels. I thought it looked really cute and like the kind of book I would’ve liked to have read when I was a teenager. Plus, the art and colors on the cover definitely drew me in. (I can’t help judging books by their covers!)
Some things I loved…
- The artwork is gorgeous, and the color choices for the panels were well done.
- The story was really well paced. I didn’t feel like things were rushed, and there was enough depth for me to feel connected and invested in the main characters. The conflict played out well and felt believable.
- I enjoyed the overarching themes of family and growing up (the end of high school) as a compliment to the romance.
- The romance was so sweet and felt genuine. I loved seeing the girls blush.
- The dialogue was well written and the characters were easy to distinguish from each other.
Some things to consider…
- The main characters are seniors in high school, so if you aren’t a fan of young adult books this might not be the best fit for you.
- While there is depth to the story, this is overall a pretty fluffy romance. If you prefer darker graphic novels, this might not work for you.
Final thoughts…
This is probably one of the sweetest and most well rounded YA graphic novels I’ve read in a long time. It can be difficult to pack a full story into a standalone/single volume graphic novel, but I felt the author succeeded! I highly recommend for those looking for something cute that isn’t pure fluff.
(beware potential spoilers below)
Content Warnings
(may not be all inclusive)
loss of a grandparent
✨ Young Adult Romance
✨ Graphic Novel
✨ Standalone/Single Volume
✨ Rep: sapphic
I recommend if you enjoy…
- Full Color Graphic Novels
- Sweet YA Romances
- Cooking & Family
- Coming of Age
Content warnings after review.
General thoughts…
I was super excited to read this because I’m a big fan of graphic novels. I thought it looked really cute and like the kind of book I would’ve liked to have read when I was a teenager. Plus, the art and colors on the cover definitely drew me in. (I can’t help judging books by their covers!)
Some things I loved…
- The artwork is gorgeous, and the color choices for the panels were well done.
- The story was really well paced. I didn’t feel like things were rushed, and there was enough depth for me to feel connected and invested in the main characters. The conflict played out well and felt believable.
- I enjoyed the overarching themes of family and growing up (the end of high school) as a compliment to the romance.
- The romance was so sweet and felt genuine. I loved seeing the girls blush.
- The dialogue was well written and the characters were easy to distinguish from each other.
Some things to consider…
- The main characters are seniors in high school, so if you aren’t a fan of young adult books this might not be the best fit for you.
- While there is depth to the story, this is overall a pretty fluffy romance. If you prefer darker graphic novels, this might not work for you.
Final thoughts…
This is probably one of the sweetest and most well rounded YA graphic novels I’ve read in a long time. It can be difficult to pack a full story into a standalone/single volume graphic novel, but I felt the author succeeded! I highly recommend for those looking for something cute that isn’t pure fluff.
(beware potential spoilers below)
Content Warnings
(may not be all inclusive)
loss of a grandparent
September 7, 2025
A YA sapphic graphic novel about preserving family traditions and making new ones.
🍝
Senior Sofia isn’t ready for the future. She’s not sure she wants the future her mother has mapped out for her. Ever since her grandmother died her mom has been distant and won’t spend much time with Sofia. When she gets the idea to make family recipes, she needs a teacher and a kitchen. Enter Anna Marie. A cute classmate who is very serious and not at all like klutzy forgetful Sofia. At first the two working together is a disaster, but once they get into a rhythm and learn more about each other, they find they have more in common than they thought.
👩🏽🍳
Preziosa!!! I just adored this story. The artwork was gorgeous and both characters were relatable and my heart went out to both of them. We need more #books that focus on family traditions, getting in touch with one’s roots and, of course, romance! This title by MRN releases February 3!
CW: emotional abandonment, grief, death of a grandparent (recounted)
🍝
Senior Sofia isn’t ready for the future. She’s not sure she wants the future her mother has mapped out for her. Ever since her grandmother died her mom has been distant and won’t spend much time with Sofia. When she gets the idea to make family recipes, she needs a teacher and a kitchen. Enter Anna Marie. A cute classmate who is very serious and not at all like klutzy forgetful Sofia. At first the two working together is a disaster, but once they get into a rhythm and learn more about each other, they find they have more in common than they thought.
👩🏽🍳
Preziosa!!! I just adored this story. The artwork was gorgeous and both characters were relatable and my heart went out to both of them. We need more #books that focus on family traditions, getting in touch with one’s roots and, of course, romance! This title by MRN releases February 3!
CW: emotional abandonment, grief, death of a grandparent (recounted)
March 29, 2026
4 stars
December 7, 2025
Lovely Recipe is a super-cute sapphic cooking romance between two high school seniors with polar-opposite personalities. I was hooked and read it in one sitting! It examines important themes, like growing up, grief, and family traditions, in a sweet and cozy way. The art is so cute and complements the story very well. I loved it!
Sofia, the main character, is having trouble navigating her final year of high school. She's having to make hard choices about her future and feels like all her friends are leaving her behind. It doesn’t help that Sofia’s fondest memories center her late grandmother and the way her cooking brought their family together. Sofia misses the love and care that the family tradition of cooking provided. Lucky for Sofia, her classmate Anna Marie is an excellent cook who can help her revive her lost traditions. Despite a rocky start, the two work well together, with Sofia helping Anna Marie learn to enjoy herself and Anna Marie helping Sofia be more intentional. Their relationship is so sweet; they help each other be better people, learning to lean on and love each other. Together, they work towards a future that doesn’t seem so scary anymore.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the eARC!
Sofia, the main character, is having trouble navigating her final year of high school. She's having to make hard choices about her future and feels like all her friends are leaving her behind. It doesn’t help that Sofia’s fondest memories center her late grandmother and the way her cooking brought their family together. Sofia misses the love and care that the family tradition of cooking provided. Lucky for Sofia, her classmate Anna Marie is an excellent cook who can help her revive her lost traditions. Despite a rocky start, the two work well together, with Sofia helping Anna Marie learn to enjoy herself and Anna Marie helping Sofia be more intentional. Their relationship is so sweet; they help each other be better people, learning to lean on and love each other. Together, they work towards a future that doesn’t seem so scary anymore.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the eARC!
February 6, 2026
“I don’t make these foods because of some generational guilt. I make them because I miss the people I made them with. I make them because these memories will be precious someday. And she will always need memories.”
It’s Sofia’s last year of high school, and all her friends are leaving for faraway colleges, but she’s unsure what she wants to do after graduation. One thing she is sure of is her mother’s avoidance of cooking and distance from Sofia since her grandmother died. Fearing being left alone, Sofia is determined to learn her family’s recipes in hopes of bringing her and her mother closer again. The only problem is that Sofia doesn’t know how to cook. But once Sofia discovers that her driven and disciplined classmate, Anna Marie, works at her family’s restaurant as a gifted chef, she convinces Anna Marie to give her cooking lessons despite their differences. In return, Sofia helps out at Anna Marie’s family’s restaurant. As the two cook for the restaurant, they get to know each other and realize they have more chemistry than they initially thought. But with graduation approaching, Sofia is unsure whether or not she can save their romance.
This romantic and wholesome graphic novel was one of the sweetest books I’ve read. I absolutely loved Sofia’s character and her drive to fix the issues in her family. Even though it took Sofia longer to learn how to cook, I admired her spirit and Anna Marie’s patience. I completely adored the family flashbacks, and I thought they were so special to Sofia’s character arc. The story reflected some coming-of-age themes, which I also enjoyed. I would’ve liked to see a bit more of Sofia’s friends, since she was devastated about them leaving for college, and we didn’t get many scenes where she’s talking to them. I liked Anna Marie’s character the most, especially given how driven and helpful she was to her family and Sofia. Their romance was a sweet slow burn, and I absolutely loved how they would choose each other over “big life events” like prom. I did not like Sofia’s mother, though, for the majority of the story. I felt like she was selfish at times, and like she revealed her ignorance of her own daughter in a specific fight they had, which didn’t sit right with me. But I did grow to like her more in the end when she tried to cook for Sofia and comforted her when she came home crying. The illustration colors were mostly bright pastels, which made the book feel magical and cozy, and I loved the usage of pink and sparkles whenever Sofia was looking at Anna Marie. Artistically, I loved the story and the drawing style. If you’re looking for something cozy, wholesome, and romantic, I recommend this story!
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Graphic for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
It’s Sofia’s last year of high school, and all her friends are leaving for faraway colleges, but she’s unsure what she wants to do after graduation. One thing she is sure of is her mother’s avoidance of cooking and distance from Sofia since her grandmother died. Fearing being left alone, Sofia is determined to learn her family’s recipes in hopes of bringing her and her mother closer again. The only problem is that Sofia doesn’t know how to cook. But once Sofia discovers that her driven and disciplined classmate, Anna Marie, works at her family’s restaurant as a gifted chef, she convinces Anna Marie to give her cooking lessons despite their differences. In return, Sofia helps out at Anna Marie’s family’s restaurant. As the two cook for the restaurant, they get to know each other and realize they have more chemistry than they initially thought. But with graduation approaching, Sofia is unsure whether or not she can save their romance.
This romantic and wholesome graphic novel was one of the sweetest books I’ve read. I absolutely loved Sofia’s character and her drive to fix the issues in her family. Even though it took Sofia longer to learn how to cook, I admired her spirit and Anna Marie’s patience. I completely adored the family flashbacks, and I thought they were so special to Sofia’s character arc. The story reflected some coming-of-age themes, which I also enjoyed. I would’ve liked to see a bit more of Sofia’s friends, since she was devastated about them leaving for college, and we didn’t get many scenes where she’s talking to them. I liked Anna Marie’s character the most, especially given how driven and helpful she was to her family and Sofia. Their romance was a sweet slow burn, and I absolutely loved how they would choose each other over “big life events” like prom. I did not like Sofia’s mother, though, for the majority of the story. I felt like she was selfish at times, and like she revealed her ignorance of her own daughter in a specific fight they had, which didn’t sit right with me. But I did grow to like her more in the end when she tried to cook for Sofia and comforted her when she came home crying. The illustration colors were mostly bright pastels, which made the book feel magical and cozy, and I loved the usage of pink and sparkles whenever Sofia was looking at Anna Marie. Artistically, I loved the story and the drawing style. If you’re looking for something cozy, wholesome, and romantic, I recommend this story!
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Graphic for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
October 30, 2025
Squealing, giggling, and kicking my feet! I absolutely adored Lovely Recipe.
Sofia is attempting to learn how to cook as a way to reconnect with her family’s traditions. Enter Anna Maria- Sofia’s classmate who (begrudgingly) offers to help. Both teens are dealing with grief especially grief as it relates to cooking and family traditions.
I loved the art style, depictions of grief, and LGBTQIA+ representation (with supportive friends and family). 4⭐️
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read Lovely Recipe.
Sofia is attempting to learn how to cook as a way to reconnect with her family’s traditions. Enter Anna Maria- Sofia’s classmate who (begrudgingly) offers to help. Both teens are dealing with grief especially grief as it relates to cooking and family traditions.
I loved the art style, depictions of grief, and LGBTQIA+ representation (with supportive friends and family). 4⭐️
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read Lovely Recipe.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
So! I loved this! A sapphic YA cooking focused romance? Sign me up! Sofia was so interesting to learn about and there were twists and turns with her and her friends. Anna Marie was well defined and we get both of their stories. The romance came naturally. The art reminds me of an indie cartoon. I would read more from this author!
(miscommunication trope)
I will be posting a video about this book @simonsayshellooo on TikTok.
Thank you Netgalley for providing this book! The opinions are my own.
(miscommunication trope)
I will be posting a video about this book @simonsayshellooo on TikTok.
Thank you Netgalley for providing this book! The opinions are my own.
November 10, 2025
Thank you to Random House Children’s Books and NetGalley for this ARC of Lovely Recipe in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this book!! I was blushing the entire time. The story was so cute and refreshing. At times, the time jumps were a little confusing (especially around pages 210–211), but it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a fun, lighthearted read.
I loved this book!! I was blushing the entire time. The story was so cute and refreshing. At times, the time jumps were a little confusing (especially around pages 210–211), but it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a fun, lighthearted read.
January 13, 2026
This graphic novel was quite the *lovely recipe* for a good, sweet time! The story follows young Sofia as she navigates her final year of high school and the stress of her close friends growing busier and getting accepted to colleges hours away, while she struggles with academics and a desire to connect to her family history through cooking. After she convinces a classmate, Ann Marie, to teach her to cook in Ann Marie’s family restaurant, the two gradually grow closer and start to develop feelings for one another. This sweet YA novel explores themes of coming of age, fitting in, and family dynamics in a lovely way.
The only challenges I had with the novel were a few pacing issues towards the start, as it was a little hard to track at the beginning of the story, feeling like the plot was jumping around a bit without explanation. But once it settled in, I couldn’t put the book down.
Thanks to NetGalley for an early access ARC of this book.
The only challenges I had with the novel were a few pacing issues towards the start, as it was a little hard to track at the beginning of the story, feeling like the plot was jumping around a bit without explanation. But once it settled in, I couldn’t put the book down.
Thanks to NetGalley for an early access ARC of this book.
November 16, 2025
Representation: lesbian Usian-Italian protagonist, lesbian Usian-Italian secondary character, Usian-Italian secondary and tertiary characters, Black secondary character, secondary character of colour, Black tertiary character.
Content Warning: none.
Very cute, but I really think it needed more time to prove.
Content Warning: none.
Very cute, but I really think it needed more time to prove.
September 4, 2025
This was so sweet! I feel like the ending was lacking just a SMIDGE as it felt really rushed, but I still enjoyed this so much!
It was such a great look at family and first love and finding your own path in a way that wasn’t preachy. I really, really liked this.
It was such a great look at family and first love and finding your own path in a way that wasn’t preachy. I really, really liked this.
April 8, 2026
this is a super cute sapphic cooking graphic novel about two girls loving their family traditions and trying to keep them going.
I liked this one quite a bit. the story is good but the art is beautiful.
I liked this one quite a bit. the story is good but the art is beautiful.
Read
September 6, 2025Adorable.
March 21, 2026
such a sweet sapphic graphic novel!! <3
April 29, 2026
Super adorable read!! I really needed something lighthearted right now and this did the job for me <3
January 2, 2026
Thank you Netgalley for the arc!
this was very cute and heartwarming and the art style was very pretty :)
this was very cute and heartwarming and the art style was very pretty :)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you so much to Netgalley for sending me an early copy of "Lovely Recipe" in exchange for an honest review!
All thoughts are my own:
2.5 stars ⭐️
First off, let's talk about the good things. I really liked the art & the queer representation. We don't get much lesbian representation in media and it is SO important for lesbians to have their moments too and that was the whole reason why I even requested for this book.
Now, let's get into things I just personally didn't like. First, I wasn't really a fan of Anna-Marie. Their whole romance felt really forced to me and I felt like she was just straight up mean to Sofia and then all the sudden they were in love. Another thing I didn't really like was the lack of food in this book. This book is supposed to be centered on cooking (which it is) but I feel like we didn't get much imagery of the foods if that makes sense? I just feel like for a book that is about learning to cook it should really be focusing on the food. Lastly, I just didn't feel connected to any of these characters which is really upsetting to me because as a bisexual person myself who loves women it makes me sad when I just can't connect with our characters. We didn't get to know them very well especially our main character and that is something I just really wanted from the story.
Overall, I would still recommend this! It is just a very quick YA graphic novel and a fun time & I know there will be a lot more people who will enjoy this more than I did.
Much love to the author & thank you again for sending me an early copy! I couldn't be more grateful ❤️
All thoughts are my own:
2.5 stars ⭐️
First off, let's talk about the good things. I really liked the art & the queer representation. We don't get much lesbian representation in media and it is SO important for lesbians to have their moments too and that was the whole reason why I even requested for this book.
Now, let's get into things I just personally didn't like. First, I wasn't really a fan of Anna-Marie. Their whole romance felt really forced to me and I felt like she was just straight up mean to Sofia and then all the sudden they were in love. Another thing I didn't really like was the lack of food in this book. This book is supposed to be centered on cooking (which it is) but I feel like we didn't get much imagery of the foods if that makes sense? I just feel like for a book that is about learning to cook it should really be focusing on the food. Lastly, I just didn't feel connected to any of these characters which is really upsetting to me because as a bisexual person myself who loves women it makes me sad when I just can't connect with our characters. We didn't get to know them very well especially our main character and that is something I just really wanted from the story.
Overall, I would still recommend this! It is just a very quick YA graphic novel and a fun time & I know there will be a lot more people who will enjoy this more than I did.
Much love to the author & thank you again for sending me an early copy! I couldn't be more grateful ❤️
January 11, 2026
Thank you Random House Kids and Netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts are my own.
This was such a cute, lovely, emotional graphic novel. The romance felt so natural and it was so incredibly sweet and the art style really added to that.
I found Sofia a little annoying at the start but she quickly grew on me and I ended up really loving her and her journey.
Anna Marie teaching Sofia to cook was such a lovely bonding plot and I adored the way Anna Marie’s family welcomed her, especially her grandpa.
Sofia’s dealing with so much emotional upheaval but I really liked the way she worked through it, especially with her mum.
This was such a cute, lovely, emotional graphic novel. The romance felt so natural and it was so incredibly sweet and the art style really added to that.
I found Sofia a little annoying at the start but she quickly grew on me and I ended up really loving her and her journey.
Anna Marie teaching Sofia to cook was such a lovely bonding plot and I adored the way Anna Marie’s family welcomed her, especially her grandpa.
Sofia’s dealing with so much emotional upheaval but I really liked the way she worked through it, especially with her mum.
November 30, 2025
Very cute and heartwarming graphic novel! I loved how much it showcased how important keeping traditions and saving family recipes are!
The illustrations were beautiful!
Thanks NetGalley, Myra Rose Nino, Random House Children's Books and Random House Graphic for the ARC!
The illustrations were beautiful!
Thanks NetGalley, Myra Rose Nino, Random House Children's Books and Random House Graphic for the ARC!
November 18, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!
Unfortunately I found this to be a really disappointing read. The story felt dull and vague, a lot of the internal elements that could have brought the girls’ struggles to light were just not there. From the way Sofia talked about her being the only one willing to make dishes, I fully thought her and her mom were the last of their family. Only to find out actually she has a pretty big family and they just? Never featured in her efforts to revive her grandmother’s recipes? Ok weird! Same with Anna Marie, her family ran that restaurant (?) but it was only ever her or her mom doing the cooking? And only a one at a time? Why were they selling jars of sauce that one time? What kinda restaurant is this??? THERE WERE NEVER CUSTOMERS IN THE SHOP ITSELF? Why did it feel like a mafia front 😭
My biggest struggle however was with the art and storytelling itself. I was BAFFLED by so many of the decisions Myra made in paneling and pacing, so much so that it repeatedly took me out of the story. There was one scene in particular where Sofia was on a group call and there was no emphasis placed on her being on speaker phone so for a couple panels it just looked like all the girls were in the same room getting ready. And then on the next page was a WEIRD series of panels where the two friends were in stacked panels and their dialogue in the box next to them but instead of the speech bubbles indicating back to each of them, one of them just fully went off the page into the void? If you’re going to make the effort to show two different people talking then why make it impossible to tell who is saying what?
Finally, for being a story that focused on food, there was hardly any special artistic treatment given to the food itself. There was a panel of desserts in a case and everything was SO SMALL and far away you couldn’t see any details. Adding sparkle to a panel when we could have seen intricate close ups of desserts instead was an odd and disappointing decision. There was one point where Sofia was watching her mother and grandmother make the pastry that is the central focus of this book, the main thing that is driving Sofia. And we don’t see the pastry not even once. It’s all out of frame. The emphasis is put on mom and grandma’s conversation while Sofia sparkles at something off screen. WHY! WHAT A MISS OPPORTUNITY.
Overall I feel Myra did not have a good grasp on storytelling in general and comic making in specific. I wish I could say there was even one thing I liked about it, but I think Myra needs to go back to basics and study up on how paneling and storytelling works, because it’s not as easy as drawing boxes on a page.
Unfortunately I found this to be a really disappointing read. The story felt dull and vague, a lot of the internal elements that could have brought the girls’ struggles to light were just not there. From the way Sofia talked about her being the only one willing to make dishes, I fully thought her and her mom were the last of their family. Only to find out actually she has a pretty big family and they just? Never featured in her efforts to revive her grandmother’s recipes? Ok weird! Same with Anna Marie, her family ran that restaurant (?) but it was only ever her or her mom doing the cooking? And only a one at a time? Why were they selling jars of sauce that one time? What kinda restaurant is this??? THERE WERE NEVER CUSTOMERS IN THE SHOP ITSELF? Why did it feel like a mafia front 😭
My biggest struggle however was with the art and storytelling itself. I was BAFFLED by so many of the decisions Myra made in paneling and pacing, so much so that it repeatedly took me out of the story. There was one scene in particular where Sofia was on a group call and there was no emphasis placed on her being on speaker phone so for a couple panels it just looked like all the girls were in the same room getting ready. And then on the next page was a WEIRD series of panels where the two friends were in stacked panels and their dialogue in the box next to them but instead of the speech bubbles indicating back to each of them, one of them just fully went off the page into the void? If you’re going to make the effort to show two different people talking then why make it impossible to tell who is saying what?
Finally, for being a story that focused on food, there was hardly any special artistic treatment given to the food itself. There was a panel of desserts in a case and everything was SO SMALL and far away you couldn’t see any details. Adding sparkle to a panel when we could have seen intricate close ups of desserts instead was an odd and disappointing decision. There was one point where Sofia was watching her mother and grandmother make the pastry that is the central focus of this book, the main thing that is driving Sofia. And we don’t see the pastry not even once. It’s all out of frame. The emphasis is put on mom and grandma’s conversation while Sofia sparkles at something off screen. WHY! WHAT A MISS OPPORTUNITY.
Overall I feel Myra did not have a good grasp on storytelling in general and comic making in specific. I wish I could say there was even one thing I liked about it, but I think Myra needs to go back to basics and study up on how paneling and storytelling works, because it’s not as easy as drawing boxes on a page.
August 30, 2025
What Sofia wants most in the world is to learn her family recipes. After her grandmother passed away, her mom stopped cooking, and Sofia is the only person in the family who doesn't know how to make their family recipes. With all of her friends leaving for far away colleges in the fall, she's desperate for something that will make things go back to the way they used to be. Unfortunately, she's terrible at cooking. That's where her classmate Anna Marie comes in. They make a deal where Sofia will help out in Anna Marie's family restaurant in exchange for help learning how to recreate the recipes in her family's recipe book. As the two work together and start to become much closer than Sofia ever expected, she'll have to come to terms with whether or not she can handle yet another important person leaving her in the fall.
This was a super cute sapphic graphic novel. I loved Nino's art style, and she does a beautiful job of mixing the romance in with everything else that Sofia is dealing with. We see Sofia struggling with not knowing what she's going to do after high school since she doesn't really have the grades to get into the kind of schools that her friends are going to, and it was refreshing to see her take some agency and decide what she wants to do by the end. I also found myself getting hungrier and hungrier the further I made it into the book, but that's probably just because these character are talking about and cooking different Italian foods on almost every page, and I am nothing if not addicted to a good Sunday sauce.
I'd recommend this to anyone who maybe doesn't know what their next step is and lovers of Italian food and cute romances.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
This was a super cute sapphic graphic novel. I loved Nino's art style, and she does a beautiful job of mixing the romance in with everything else that Sofia is dealing with. We see Sofia struggling with not knowing what she's going to do after high school since she doesn't really have the grades to get into the kind of schools that her friends are going to, and it was refreshing to see her take some agency and decide what she wants to do by the end. I also found myself getting hungrier and hungrier the further I made it into the book, but that's probably just because these character are talking about and cooking different Italian foods on almost every page, and I am nothing if not addicted to a good Sunday sauce.
I'd recommend this to anyone who maybe doesn't know what their next step is and lovers of Italian food and cute romances.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
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