To the Stars and Back, Volume Two

To the Stars and Back #2

by Peglo

Genres: Graphic Novels, Romance, Young Adult, Fiction, LGBT, Contemporary, Queer

448 pages, Paperback

Published May 26, 2026

Reviews

[Freefall (back on aug 2nd)]

I'M SO SAD I CAN'T UNLOCK THE WEBTOON EPISODES (ya girl is broke)

[Minna · Rating 5 out of 5]

BABIES 😭😭😭

I cry protect them at all costs 😭

[Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kang Dae and Bo Seon I will love you forever 😭

[Spens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so beautiful but I'm so sad this is the end of the story 😭😭😭 This belongs to my comfort reads shelf. Absolutely heartwarming!!

[Cee · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute, so precious. I bought this series for my library and picked them up on a whim today just to see if they'd be a good recommendation for some of my regulars and yes. I'm going to be recommending this to everyone.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I might be buying this one. Even for just the artwork. It is so gorgeous. But the story! Their continued story had me binge reading this one so fast and almost crying a few times. Amazing! Loved this so so much!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!!!!! The cutest couple ever!!!!! I love their relationship and how they work together and support each other!!!!! AAAAHHH!!! 😍😍

[Isabella · Rating 3 out of 5]

pacing of the first volume: 300 pages after we meet we finally realize we like each other

pacing of the second volume: what if we got married and had kids and grew old together?

[Rosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

As lovely as the first volume. I loved the Kang Dae and "shortie" relationship. They're too cute together. I was surprised by the ending, I wasn't expecting that 30 years jump in the future, but I loved it.
I also liked that as cute as this slice of life webtoon was, the author broaches hard themes too. Kang Dae bulling when he was a kid and his family abandonment, and Bo Seon abusive mother and how that shaped his personality. That part was especially hard to read. It's true that the author doesn't go into details, but you can tell a lot only looking at the panels.
I liked this story a lot, it's one of those that warms your heart. If you aren't sure if it would be for you, you can give it a try on Webtoon taking advantage of their free points program.

[Mariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a wonderful, heartfelt conclusion to the story. Volume 2 picks up a few months later—the characters have grown (literally, their hair is longer!) and their friendship feels much more established. Seeing Kang Dae and Bo Seon’s relationship evolve was incredibly sweet, but what I loved most was seeing the genuine maturity in their dynamic.

You can really tell how much the author likes and respects these characters. Since the first volume ended with Kang Dae taking the step to start therapy, he feels so much more settled and grounded here. Because he’s doing the work on himself, he’s finally able to be the rock that Bo Seon needs when things get heavy.

And things do get heavy. We finally learn more about the secrets Bo Seon was holding back, and the way it was revealed was a masterclass in visual storytelling. I’m a huge fan of "show, don’t tell," and this is where the graphic novel medium really shines. There are subtle details in Bo Seon’s behavior and character design throughout both volumes that you might not even clock unless you’re paying close attention. When the truth finally comes out, those small pieces click into place in a way that is absolutely devastating but incredibly well-handled. It’s that kind of intentionality that makes a story feel cohesive and real.

Kyo and Cindee continue to be the absolute best supporting characters, too. Their designs are great, their coordinated outfits are a vibe, and their unwavering support for the main pair adds so much warmth to the story.

The 30-years-later epilogue was the absolute cherry on top. It was the perfect, sweet ending this story deserved. It’s rare to find a conclusion that feels this complete and satisfying. I’m so glad I followed this journey to the end.

[Noemie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for providing me with the arc of this book . Make sure to pick it up when it releases May, 26,2026.

To the Stars and Back V2, picks up a couple months after, the events of the first book. This time following Bo Seon’s perspective instead of Kang Dae’s. Personally I love when authors do this because it gives you insight to both main charcters minds. In this volume I really appreciated how we got to see Bo open up to Kang over his struggles and past.zit makes the charcters feel fleshed out and real, like this a real confilt people would have. Showing how much trust and vulnerability it takes for him to fully open up. The way the story handles his mental health and fear felt validating. I appreciated seeing him slowly learn that he deserves support and care.

My only drawbacks were that the other charcters in the story felt very flat. They would show up a couple times and it was like you were supposed to remember what the conflict was from 100 pages prior, it just felt a bit disjointed, That being said I still feel like there was the found family ascpect I love so much. I also didn’t love that we don’t see them collaborating on their comic project or talking about it as much; since it’s such a big part of their connection, and story. I would have liked more scenes of them working on it together.

Overall, though, this was still a sweet, emotionally honest follow‑up, and I’d recommend Volume 2 to anyone who enjoyed the first book and loves slow burn romance that touches on mental health and healing.

[Amanda Shepard (Between-the-Shelves) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Ink for an advanced copy of To the Stars and Back Volume 2 to review! I read the first volume last year, and I was excited to finally get to see how the story ends. And such a sweet story it is! I'd definitely recommend this to fans of anime and of Heartstopper.

This is such a wonderful conclusion to Kang Dae and Bo Seon's story. They are so sweet together! The beginning of their relationship is a little bumpy, trying to figure out how to trust one another. This volume is more from the point of view of Bo Seon, who is trying to figure out how to trust Kang Dae with his darker past. The progression of their relationship feels realistic, and really shows the chemistry between the two of them.

The art is also really well done, with some absolutely gorgeous panels throughout. I appreciated that the side characters also got their own moment, getting engaged. They're so supported of Bo Seon and Kang Dae, and it was nice to see that they had people in their corner.

Peglo includes a look into the future at the end, with some extra comics that show how they got there. I appreciatted getting that bit of closure at the end.

All in all, if you're looking for a sweet graphic novel to start off your summer reading at the end of May, definitely check this one out!

[Raaven💖 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

Really glad I didn’t read this in public. I ugly cried so hard I couldn’t stop for a while. This is probably one of the sweetest most wholesome and adorable graphic novels I’ve ever read. I can barely remember the first volume but this one will stick with me for a while. Kai Dang and Bo Seon are everything to me. They are perfect soulmates and I love them so much. The fact this is the last volume hurts. Cindee and Kyo were also amazing. Where do I find friends like that? I also loved how they always matched their clothes. But that 30 years later epilogue. It got me. I wasn’t crying fully till then. There is child abuse and dealing with lasting trauma but there’s also trusting your partner and seeing you’re not a burden to the people you love and who love you. I’m aroace and I still hope that sometimes love like this will find me. Highly recommend this series.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kang Dae and Bo Seon's relationship is so sweet. Bo Seon finally shares his past trauma with Kang Dae, so there are some darker moments in this volume, but life is just like that.

The university sign vandal in volume one was hard at work in this volume. Unfortunately, due the quality of the files given to me from NetGalley I was unable to read what they were up to, I did catch that the university was trying to find the vandal. (I'm looking forward to reading the signs in the print edition. I'll be back later with thoughts about that.)

I loved, loved, loved the thirty year time jump. Immediately after that sequence there is a wordless sequence of their years together leading up to that moment. What a beautiful way to end this love story.

I received a digital ARC of this graphic novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[claire]

thank you netgalley and little, brown for the digital arc!

this story is very cute. the characters are incredibly endearing. the art style is wonderful. wholly recommend overall

HOWEVER…i am just confused at the audience for this? technically published by little, brown books for young readers and marketed as young adult yet…some truly harrowing mentions of abuse here? nothing explicitly shown aside from cigarette burn scars but still seems a bit heavy for that demographic? idk!! but also the most tame romance ever with bo seon and kang dae literally saying i love you to each other before having their first kiss LOL

and just nitpicking the actual reading experience of this digital arc — was the watermark on every other page really necessary? especially considering these same chapters are available for free on webtoon? just a bit overkill imo!!

[sammie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

volume two starts with a time skip of a few months after the ending of volume one.

volume two switches povs to bo seon where the first volume was mainly kang dae. this is a fun change up because now we get to see bo seon thoughts and experiences. i’ve been so curious to see more of bo seon’s character outside of his sunshine character trope. we do get to see more of bo seon’s dark past and get a better understanding of him as a character. i love that the book is not just cutesy wholesome romance but also touches on mental health and trauma.

I love kang dae and bo seon!! and the found family they’ve made!!

[Sesana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second half of this former webcomic switches perspective from Kang Dae, the grumpy one, to Bo Seon, the sunshiney one. To be honest, I preferred Kang Dae's POV, but I also feel like it was important to see Bo Seon's. There's a lot of hidden depths in his interior life, including his own past traumas that he's reluctant to open up about. I'm glad that those traumas didn't take over the book, and that the romance remains the main focus. It's a mix of fast and slow that I think actually works in this context. Sure, they move in together fast after they start dating, but there's a reason that's only minimally contrived and they keep separate bedrooms. Pacing aside, the romance remains very cute and very sincere, great for comfort reading.

[Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when I thought I couldn't possibly enjoy something more than I enjoyed the first volume, Peglo came out with "To the Stars and Back," which had me swooning and kicking my feet by the end of the epilogue. There's little that I love more than the concept of found family, and that trope was nailed on the head with this volume. Watching the progression of Bo Seon and Kang Dae's relationship was heartwarming, and the epilogue tied everything together with the perfect little bow.

This was a quick read, but worth every moment spent reading it. The art style alone is lovely, but combine it with a thoughtfully told story, and you have something worth adding to your bookshelf.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

E-ARC provided by NetGalley. Fans of Part One of Peglo's To the Stars and Back will be eager to see the "opposites attract" romance of Kang Dae and Bo Seon continue to grow and mature. The art is beautiful and accessible both for manga fans and those less familiar with the graphic novel style. Part Two of the story sees our MMCs growing in trust and vulnerability with each other so they can help each other accept and heal from traumatic pasts by loving and accepting each other unconditionally. Fans of Heartstopper will especially love the light spice and slow burn of this love story, along with the relatable awkwardness of crushes, first love, and first relationships.

[Krysta C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and netgalley for the opportunity to read this graphic novel.

This was absolutely such the cutest romance graphic novel! Two neighbors developed a friendship, and feelings, while living next door to each other. They both continued to tried to hide their feelings due to fear of ruining their friendship. But, feeling were confessed and they began navigating the dating scene.

Both have struggles in their lives, and are working on overcoming their pasts. But, with the support of each other as well as some friends. They learn to open up and trust each other.

Also, I will not add spoilers, but the ending was absolutely PERFECT.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, and Netgalley for an E-Arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Such a heartwarming conclusion to this graphic novel duology. I loved this characters and their friends are the best too. Loved that they finally started opening up to each other and figured out what they wanted to do. Love seeing the epilogue and seeing what they became after college. As the first book the story illustration and coloring are amazing. If you loved the first book you’ll definitely love this one also. Recommend to anyone that has read the volume one already and if you haven’t you should!

[another halima]

this is review for s2 on webtoon

this season a lot more emotional. i found myself crying both from joy and sadness. this just so wholesome. my biggest complaint about a lot manhwa is romance building and the lack of seeing characters dynamic. this was just that. seeing them being cute but also just learning to open up and deal with the traumatic past together. arkh so good.

that last chapter with the time jump i just cried through it all. i’m so happy for them. obvi i’m greedy and want more but man that was a satisfying ending.

[Isaiah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got an ARC of this book.

Part two really had the romance ramp up. They were able to admit their feelings. There was finally some backstory that hit the heartstrings.

My issue was, it still felt like it wasn't enough. I wanted to see more interactions between them. I wanted to see them at graduation, a proposal. There is a jump from only kissing to married with a kid. It felt like so much was missed for a couple I really enjoyed.

[Tippy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had pretty much forgotten what happened in volume one of this but was able to jump back into the story quickly. It was honestly a pretty cute end to the series, especially the look into their future. I'm still confused by the ghost storyline from the first volume, it only got a very brief mention in this volume, but everything else was wrapped up nicely. Overall just a really sweet story with a good ending.

[justyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

bawiłam się tak samo dobrze, jak na pierwszym tomie, a może nawet i lepiej. z przyjemnością i ciekawością obserwowałam rozwój relacji dwójki głównych bohaterów. urzekło mnie to, że im bardziej się przed sobą otwierają i stają prawdziwszą wersją siebie, tym ich wygląd zewnętrzny również zmienia się na bardziej pasujący do nich. piękna kreska, piękna historia, czytajcie!

[Zoe]

I absolutely love this graphic novel I had read it a few times when it was a webcomic and I absolutely loved it both times I've read it I want to eventually get the books to have them as trophies on my shelf. This was a heartwarming story I absolutely love how cute this is especially when they opened up to each other.

[Fio Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it, there wasn’t a moment that my heart wasn’t melting, I hadn’t the chance to read its final before and that made this even more special, however I didn’t like as much their relationship as a couple because it was almost the same that when they were just friends, but whatever I love this story.

[Jen M · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great final volume!! so sweet and really tied everything together without leaving any plot holes or questions. These characters showed growth and it was sweet how they worked through their struggles with zero drama or miscommunication. Having the book title as a book title within the book was really cute too lol

[Haunna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was this cute and adorable and sooooo lovely? Yes! Did it feel insanely rushed? Yeah also yes tbh. The art was beautiful and the humor was so fun I genuinely laughed out loud. I do think it could have been fleshed out a little from a plot standpoint.

[diamondinthepages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stoppppppp…… the art was so cute!! And I just loved them so much!
If you are looking for a cutie m/m comic I highlyyyy recommend this one!
The art is amazing, the relationship amazing, the story amazing.