Mirka Andolfo's Sweet Paprika: Open For Business

by Steve Orlando, Emilio Pilliu (Illustrator)

Genres: Graphic Novels, Ebooks

128 pages, Paperback

Expected publication June 30, 2026

Reviews

[libriconfragole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un Graphic che mi ha fatto scoprire un mondo, quello della Andolfo e del suo saper spiegare così bene le relazioni moderne, in questo caso tra due uomini consapevoli, ma che devono divenire consci di ciò che davvero li attraversa nell’inconscio. Un inno alla coscienza di sè, della comunicazione in amore zia e a quel manzo di Persica!!

[Rhiannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the art style used in this graphic novel, but the story itself was a bit dull and lacking in depth for my tastes. While I did enjoy seeing Aubrey grow enough to set boundaries for himself, both at work and in his relationships with Persica and Kren, things still stayed fairly surface-level. And, truthfully, by the end, I was a bit bored with how repetitive it had become. Each volume in this collection was largely a repeat of the previous one up until the very end, and didn't feel like a lot of character or story development was happening throughout so much as it all snowballed in the final volume.

Not a bad graphic novel, but not a favorite or one I'd be likely to revisit.

Thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Frank Chillura (OhYouRead) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m always down for a Mirka Andolfo book. The praise I give Unnatural for its spicy Zootopia vibes is nothing like the spicy Hazbin Hotel vibes of Sweet Paprika.

In Open For Business, we get the side story of two of Paprika’s queer employees who’re exploring an open relationship. There is some smut involved. It isn’t explicit, but we do see some peaches. And all the men are HAWT!!! Which just made me want to read it faster to see what (or who) they get into.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my gifted eARC.

[Laura R · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley.

Aubrey is an assistant editor, but when his boss Miss Paprika offers him a promotion to editor – and gives him the most demanding/demeaning client to work with, one who also happens to be the top-selling-writer for them, Aubrey will have to learn to balance his work life alongside his personal life. But when his relationship becomes complicated, he’ll have to figure out what exactly he wants before he loses everything.

This became very repetitive with the whole Durian being an absolute nightmare, Persica and Aubrey fighting because of Kren, Persica and Aubrey not speaking and just complaining about not speaking, Aubrey and Kren sneaking around, and Aubrey not wanting to make any tough decisions and grow a pair when it comes to any of it. That being said, I liked the way that the main focus of this was the idea of balancing personal and work life, because I feel like there’s a lot of people who struggle with this daily. I also like the fact that their open relationship – one that Aubrey didn’t want – became a huge issue, because it forced him and Persica to really consider what was important to each of them. There was a lot going on in the middle that got ridiculous, but I was entertained and enjoyed it. I loved the artwork and thought that it was well drawn. I wish the story was a little more edited as there were a few things that were repeated, a few others that were never addressed, and others that were missing overall. But I thought this was fun.

[K.C. Norton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like the blurb lied to me a bit. This was not what I expected, but the middle was silly enough that I started to get into it. And trust me when I say that I appreciated the burnout element of this story---my awful work-life balance is my toxic trait.

But I wanted something more... sincere in here. At times I understood where Aubrey was coming from, but for a story based on open communication, there's very little of it on the page. The last issue in particular was, like... what? How did we get from the beginning to the end? How does this resolution happen? Why is Aubrey upset at Kren for failing to do something Aubrey has been failing at for five consecutive issues? I appreciated the messiness of the characters, but they were so one-dimensional, and there was very little real emotion to balance out the chaotic weirdness of it all.

One star for beautiful, thirsty artwork; one star for Persica's friend group and wholesome circle of bros; one star because Aubrey's attraction to Kren on the basis of his own insecurities and a way to avoid conflict while also absolutely adding to the conflict felt very accurate and was the realest part of this narrative.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The artwork in Open for Business was striking, the color and detail gorgeous. It absolutely drew me in and kept me turning the pages! It brought to life this really cool fantasy world filled with demons and angels.

I appreciated the book for tackling challenging themes and exploring less traditional relationships. But I felt a little disappointed by some aspects. The main characters, Aubrey and Persica, didn’t work very well together for me. Their lives and desires just seemed misaligned. Since I didn’t fully support the couple, their relationship, breakup, and makeup fell flat. They seemed better off apart. I think this is because of how they were in conflict for the majority of the story, with Aubrey breaking the rules of their relationship in a way I would consider like cheating. There just wasn’t enough of their development for me to root for them. The ending felt surface-level and like they were just hurrying to get to a happy ending that didn’t really fit for me. So much of their conflict was realistic, but the abrupt makeup felt a little out of place.

Overall, the art was fantastic. The story was interesting and a neat exploration of how key communication is for healthy relationships.

Thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for the eARC!

[Carly Molinar · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Aubrey and Persica, who are in an open relationship, invite a third into their bedroom it sends their lives into a tailspin. Being overworked and dealing with a horrible client while trying to navigate his open relationship with Persica and the new feelings he has for Kern, the angel the had a three-some with, inevitably blows up in Aubrey’s face.

I loved this! Beautifully illustrated in an explosion of color- this graphic novel jumps off the page. I loved the nuances of their open relationship and how they grew and learned more about themselves and each other by exploring. Their communication, by the end, was so satisfying and I loved that Aubrey learned how to draw boundaries in his work and in his love life.


What you’ll get:
•Devil/Angel
•Open relationship
•Editor in publishing/Office Mail Carrier
•Texting/Catching feelings for a hook-up
•Boss trouble + Horrible client
•Love Triangle
•Overworking
•Learning to set boundaries in love and life

[Ella · Rating 3 out of 5]

First I would like to thank NetGalley, the Author and the Artist and the Publisher.

Let me say, I’m always down for a Mirka Andolfo book.
They are funny, beautiful art style, loaded with sarcasm and flirting.

But:
Either I don't remember or NetGalley censored some of the scenes. Cuz the Eggplant and the Sandwich.... 🤔
Also, I thought I read Sweet Paprika, but maybe I didn't read all of it???
And:
Durian is an absolute nightmare.
Persica and Aubrey fighting because of Kren was very predictable, especially due to the fact that Aubrey and Kren are sneaking around, and Aubrey not wanting to make any tough decisions and grow a pair when it comes to all of it, his job, his relationship, etc....

It is one of my least Favorite Mirka Andolfo's reads so far.
Anyway, this is a fun, easy and 18+ read.
The story wasn't that deep and rather predictable but nonetheless enjoyable.

[Lucsbooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not about cooking! I repeat: this is NOT about cooking. But there's plenty of eating ;)

This is a comically accurate story about an open relationship from hell, so it makes sense that half the characters are demons.

I had a lot of trouble sympathising with the character that looks like Jesse Owens, but once I figured out what this graphic novel was about, I enjoyed it for the hilarious, racy mess that it was.

Thank you to NetGalley, Image Comics and Simon & Schuster for this DRC.

[Corinne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Image Comics for this arc

3.5 stars

This was fine, my main issue with this is the lack of depth to it just because each volume is so short there isn't really time to get into more than just surface level.

If you want something sexy and looking into how two people struggle in their own ways with their open relationship then give this a go, but definitely for a mature audience.

[Katie | witchling_books · Rating 3 out of 5]

first off the artwork is absolutely STUNNING! so bright, colorful and kept me fascinated. I did love the demon and angels, the conversations about different types of relationship dynamics and the friend group of Perscia's.
It did get a little silly and lacked depth I needed to really enjoy it and feel like there was a real resolution.

Thank you to Netgalley and image comics for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young editor tries to balance his demanding job while navigating an open relationship with his boyfriend.

First, the good: the art is delightful! Emilio Pilliu's work is adorable and sexy, with sex scenes that are both hot and playfully rendered.

I'm less enthusiastic about Steve Orlando's writing. The scenarios are realistic, but I have a low tolerance for characters—and real people—who do not adequately communicate and then create drama when the people around them turn out not to be mind readers.

Received via NetGalley.

[Danielle Hilliard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the artwork but the story and characters were a bit meh. I didn't understand Kren's complete 180 over than it was needed for the plot point.

Thank you to Netgalley and Image Comics for the eARC and because I am currently in my pjs, I have left an honest review

[Bibliophile Dragon Ji-Li · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Image Comics and Net Galley for this e-arc for review.

Already a fan of Sweet Paprika before requesting this.
Very fun and very spicy queer story spin-off for Paprika's world. Amazing artwork!

[Khushi Arora · Rating 5 out of 5]

how many times do you find a queer graphic novel in the erotica section and end up having all your formerly nonexistent expectations surpassed? here's to another day of discovering a wildly underrated comic book series via Netgalley! love love LOVE ending the year with Aubrey and Persica <3

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Sweet Paprika so I was excited for a spin off. It was good, I enjoyed seeing Audrey's growth. I love the art style and hope for more from this series.

[Cadijah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had great illustration and a good plot. If your not use to reading comics the order in which you read dialogue might be a little confusing. I enjoyed it.