First Crush

The New Girl #2

by Cassandra Calin

Cassandra Calin returns with this charming and comical follow-up to The New Girl, her long-form graphic novel debut that became a New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Indie bestseller! This middle-grade graphic novel about crushing and being crushed is the perfect next read for fans of Guts by Raina Telgemeier, Fruitcake by Rex Ogle and Dave Valeza, and Parachute Kids by Betty C. Tang.

Lia is finally feeling settled into her new life in Canada. Her friends are amazing, her French is improving, and her periods... ugh, those are still terrible. But Lia's crush, Julien, is noticing her. Lia thinks he likes her, but she can't tell for sure. And while she's obsessing over him, Lia's not noticing another person's growing crush on HER. With so many big feelings and even bigger changes, could things get any worse? In this follow-up to the breakout hit The New Girl, Lia's relationships -- with her friends, her crush, her mom, and even herself -- are all tested like never before.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Romance, Comics, Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens

272 pages, Hardcover

First published May 5, 2026

About the author

Cassandra Calin is a Romanian-born Canadian artist. Based in Montreal, she's a comic artist, illustrator, and a graphic designer. “I draw comics inspired by my life and experiences,” Calin writes on her website. “I enjoy laughing at my awkward self and ranting about silly misfortunes such as being born with curly hair.

Reviews

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been looking forward to the second edition to this series for about year and it didn’t disappoint! This series is like a warm hug. I think the scene and conversation around Lia’s period and doctors appointment is such an important topic because it shows medical gaslighting starts young. As a woman with endometriosis the scenes at the doctors office where incredibly real and relatable, and I do hope this conversation continues into the 3rd novel.

[SH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fell in love with this series last year and the second installment did not disappoint!! A fav

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second volume in this graphic novel series by Cassandra Calin is as great as the first! Lia struggles with growing pains - takes bad decisions, disappoints people, is jealous and petty - but she learns from her mistakes. As usual, I appreciate the painful menstruation rep and the difficulty in getting a proper diagnosis.

[Meliss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first one, but a cute read. And the girls in this graphic novel are the best dressed 12 year olds in the world.

[Lucy Grace]

YO WHAT MY PRE HOLD ON LIBBY IS GOING UP RN

[Amelia Willes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh this series has my heart🥹💕 It’s the perfect middle-grade contemporary graphic novel and I wish I could have read this when I was younger. I will be eagerly awaiting the next one!!

[sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never seen such an accurate depiction of middle school

[Leesdromen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reallly enjoyed this second book! I just loved to be in this story and with these characters!

I know I’m gonna be re-reading these Graphic Novels a lot!🥰

[Book_Haven (KNICKS WIN) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know what she saw in Julian, cause that guy was UGLY

[Carolina C santos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had this book available when growing up. I'm glad now I can read it through my kid who LOVES the series. The story and the drawings are so good.

[Yolotzin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second-hand embarrassment was insane. CHILD!!!!!!!!!!! WHY ARE YOU SO DESPERATE FOR THIS KID??!??! It was a hard read. And the sobbing after?? Please. The 'heartbreak' was so dragged out.
It's hard to relate because I was never so boy-crazy at that age. And my mom was always very honest about boys/men. Grew up watching plenty of Lifetime movies, so to cry over a boy? Unfathomable. I get the insecurity, but, oof, it was hard to read her getting jealous over a friend and then trying to control him. Clearly not ready for a relationship, so stop.
Also, FUCK that doctor! I kinda thought there'd be more build up/continuation there.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teenage angst and navigating first crushes. I enjoy that this book doesn’t paint sunny rainbows over everything, it’s important for kids to have access to stories that show the complex and imperfect reality of relationships. I don’t think Lia truly learns or makes up for her mistakes in this book, it’s nice that her friends forgave her but I’m not sure why they did. Especially Wan Yin, poor thing. Cassandra Calin always blows me away with her technical ability at comics, everything from the colors, to character designs, to page layouts was perfect and I hope to one day draw this well.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This graphic novel picks up where The New Girl left off, but I do think it can be read as a stand alone without having read the first book. Sure you miss some of the back story to the friendships and her periods, but that doesn't prevent you from understanding what happens in this book and the challenges LIA continues to face. The story centers in her figuring out how to be less self conscious, to believe in herself more. She may not get there but that's ok for a middle schooler.

I did feel that Lia was a bit of a narcissist for the whole book. And I don't think this got resolved in any way. Even when she's giving her friend boyfriend advice, it quickly pivots to a very "me" focus. Unfortunate because it made me dislike Lia for most of the book.

But still a good follow up and still an engaging read.

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Middle grade graphic novel about friendships and first relationships. Main character Lia starts a relationship with her crush, which she immediately torpedoes with her jealousy and insecurity. I liked how the writing doesn't make her crazy or excuse her behavior, and she isn't able to completely fix the damage she caused. At the same time, she's being a lousy friend. She's kind of self absorbed and thoughtlessly blabs a friend's secret. And although the narrative is sympathetic towards her, at no point does it excuse her. She's able to learn to be a better friend, but it takes serious work and a lot of sincere apologies.

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guyyys this book is sooooooo good I almost cried because Lia thought Julien liked a girl named Jade and I was sooo shocked that Ean Yin said that she liked Lia and I really wanted Julien to date Lia but he didn’t also Lia is moving back to Romania which I really sad because her friends are going to miss her but at least she let her friends sign her shirt. Anyways I really loved this book and I think everyone will love it.

[Kam · Rating 5 out of 5]

best coming of age graphic novel series! The main character, Lia, and her cast of friends are so well done/fleshed out. They feel like a real group of girls—along with the issues that arise!

The art is a standout always! Each panel is so well thought out and detailed. I love whenever there is a page with a specific Canadian reference! This series is oh so endearing, wholesome, and fun!

Would 10/10 recommend !

[Aubriana Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Similar to the first of the series, this sequel is a quick and mostly light-hearted read. I knew from reading the first that the author was likely to continue the plot point of the main character’s female friend having a crush on her, and I was correct. I still enjoyed the rest of the book for its beautiful art, open discussion of periods, and depictions of friendship, that one facet of the story just kept it from being four stars for me.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great Installment!

I've said it before and I'll say it again: these are the kinds of graphic novels I wish I had during those turbulent years after 10. Solidarity, acceptance, a change in perspectives... Learning and pushing past mistakes. We've all gone through our own versions of this, but it's rarely brought to light with such judgment-free honesty. Seeing the genuine concern of the family was moving: the father's support, the mother's medical concerns, and the little brother who has his sister's back just as much as her friends. I hope it reminds younger generations that they aren't alone in their suffering and that they can never truly know what others are going through until you take that chance ro really hear them out. Bravo!

[Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took a star off of this one for outing, even though it was accidental. Wan Yin is forced to be the bigger person again and I didn't think Lia really reflected on how big of a deal that was. The friends continue to be the best part of this series for me. I think the author is doing a great job of showing healthy relationships and coping skills. If there are more of these, I would continue to read them.

[Eliana Peach · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, so good! ❤️

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this series is so sweet, and authentic to what it's like to be a pre-teen girl. The awkwardness, the earnestness, the hard truths and all.

[Katarina · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️

[yurdacim · Rating 5 out of 5]

onları ve arkadaşlıklarını çok seviyorum ✨️🫂❤️‍🩹🍓🎉

[jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

cheeks hurt from cheesing so hard

[Meri🧋 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need more!

[ೃ࿔ amarah ༄ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️

#finishedthisinonesitting✌🏽 (aka 1hr)

i’m too old for this (obviously) but not by much lol so the plot was jeuvenile but i liked how lia actually learned from her mistakes and had to wallow in her shame instead of her problems being fixed a chapter later

the message was pretty corny but you can’t win em all

I LOVE THE ARTSTYLE OF THIS SERIES SO MUCH ITS SO CUTE AND SATISFYING AND I LOVE THE ATTENTION TO DETAIL WHEN DRAWING EVERYTHING

anyways this was a super easy and quick read, mostly for tweens tho (but not me cuz i’m a teen 🥹🫰)

buh-bye twins ✌🏽

[Sydney Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the first book but was genuinely disappointed with lia in this book.

[CyberBookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Crush captures the second half of Lia's first year in Montreal with the same honesty, heart, and humor that made the debut so easy to love. Cassandra Calin once again pulls heavily from her own life, and it shows. Everything here feels grounded and real, down to the smallest details.

Lia makes a lot of painful but believable mistakes in this volume. Everything from a new relationship that begins to unravel because of unchecked jealousy to accidentally outing a close friend. These are the mistakes of youth, of someone doing all of this for the very first time. It doesn't help that she also has to deal with getting dismissed by a male doctor who won't take her period pain seriously and a new "mean girl" getting between her and her crush. It's tough, but by the end Lia owns her mistakes, learns from them, and makes amends where she can.

I enjoyed the Wan Yi storyline in particular, and the slow repair of that friendship is one of the volume's most satisfying threads. Although, if I'm being honest, I was hoping that by the end Lia would drop Julian and get together with Wan Yi instead. The dynamic with Lia's mom is lovely too. She gives Lia the space to make mistakes and feel things, even when it's clearly painful to watch from the sidelines. I won't go into too much detail on how the mean girl and crush storylines end, but both show real and satisfying growth.

Calin's artwork remains a highlight. The character designs are still beautiful and I adore Calin's library of facial expressions. There are several scenes that say everything that needs to be said without a single word bubble. The art also moves expertly between heavy emotional moments and lighter, sillier ones without losing its truth or beauty.

By the end, Lia is no longer "the new girl." She's just another girl in Canada, living her life. If this is where the series ends, it ends on a genuinely satisfying note.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Alerte aux légers spoilers!*

Le premier tome de cette série de BD pour préados/ados avait été un gros coup de coeur pour moi, et je ne suis pas du tout surprise que j’aie tout autant aimé ce deuxième tome! Il y a tellement de thèmes abordés super importants et qui ouvrent la discussion.

Par exemple, les crampes menstruelles de Lia sont récurrentes dans l’histoire, à un point que sa mère l’amène chez le médecin. Et que lui dit le médecin? Apprends à gérer la douleur, prends des midols. N’est-ce pas assez réaliste ça, se faire « gaslighter » par des médecins parce qu’elle est une femme et que tout problème de santé part de l’utérus? 😑 Je pense que c’est une excellente critique de notre système de santé défaillant.

Ensuite, l’intégration de Lia dans son nouveau pays est aussi un thème bien présent, mais comme elle a acquis les bases, on suit plutôt ses relations sociales : ses amitiés et son premier amour! : elle fait des erreurs, elle se met les pieds dans les plats, elle blesse des gens, mais elle finit par apprendre et gagner de la maturité. Je crois vraiment que Lia est un beau modèle pour les jeunes.

Pouvons-nous aussi parler de la scène qui se passe dans une boutique de vêtements, où toutes les filles essayent la même robe et que leurs corps différents font en sorte que la robe ne ressort pas bien sur personne. J’avoue que j’ai un peu eu le motton! Il y avait un message d’acceptation de soi si puissant, et de si belles paroles de la part des filles. J’aimerais que plus d’oeuvres jeunesse aborde l’image corporelle de cette façon!

Cette série mérite sa place dans toutes les classes de 3e cycle du primaire et dans les bibliothèques du secondaire. @cassandracalin a visé plus que juste avec tous les sujets qu’elle a abordés!

Aussi, je l’ai lu en français. Cette BD est disponible dans les deux langues!

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in Calin's middle grade graphic novel series about Lia- a Romanian girl who moves to Canada in the first book and now in the second book having sort of ditched her "new girl" status now has her first crush on a boy named Julien. But jealousy rears its head when Julien befriends a catty and pretty girl on the newspaper team too. He chooses to hang out with the other girl but also likes to spend time and plan outings with Lia, though her self-esteem takes a hit and she not only fumbles with a secret from a good friend but also with Julien who decides he needs a little space when she gives him an ultimatum.

It's the kind of story that helps a reader navigate and understand the normality of these experiences with the range of emotions from embarrassment to anger to romance. There's also her family life and navigating her periods which was present in the first book as well. With the signature style from the first graphic novel carried over to the second one, it moves through the school year including Valentine's Day with the warmth and coziness but also fantastical roller coaster that is adolescence.