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Bingo Love, Volume 1: Jackpot Edition
2019, Texas Library Association's Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List
Amazon Book Review's Best Comics & Graphic Novels of 2018
NPR's Best Books of 2018
Newsweek's Best Comic Books of 2018
The Advocate's Best LGBTQ Graphic Novels of 2018
Book Riot's Best Comics of 2018
Autostraddle's 50 of the Best LGBT Books of 2018
When Hazel Johnson and Mari McCray met at church bingo in 1963, it was love at first sight. Forced apart by their families and society, Hazel and Mari both married young men and had families. Decades later, now in their mid-'60s, Hazel and Mari reunite again at a church bingo hall. Realizing their love for each other is still alive, what these grandmothers do next takes absolute strength and courage.
This Jackpot Edition contains over SIXTY PAGES of bonus material, including the talents of MARGUERITE BENNETT (Batwoman) and newcomer BEVERLY JOHNSON, SHAWN PRYOR (Cash and Carrie) and PAULINA GANUCHEAU (Zodiac Starforce), award-winning historical romance author ALYSSA COLE's comics writing debut with SHAE BEAGLE (MOONSTRUCK), GAIL SIMONE (CROSSWIND) and MARGAUX SALTEL (Superfreaks), and AMANDA DEIBERT (Wonder Woman '77) and CAT STAGGS (CROSSWIND), with illustrations from MEGAN HUTCHINSON (ROCKSTARS) and ARIELA KRISTANTINA (InSeXts). Plus a sneak peek of BINGO LOVE, VOL. 2: DEAR DIARY, with an afterword from GABBY RIVERA (America).
Amazon Book Review's Best Comics & Graphic Novels of 2018
NPR's Best Books of 2018
Newsweek's Best Comic Books of 2018
The Advocate's Best LGBTQ Graphic Novels of 2018
Book Riot's Best Comics of 2018
Autostraddle's 50 of the Best LGBT Books of 2018
When Hazel Johnson and Mari McCray met at church bingo in 1963, it was love at first sight. Forced apart by their families and society, Hazel and Mari both married young men and had families. Decades later, now in their mid-'60s, Hazel and Mari reunite again at a church bingo hall. Realizing their love for each other is still alive, what these grandmothers do next takes absolute strength and courage.
This Jackpot Edition contains over SIXTY PAGES of bonus material, including the talents of MARGUERITE BENNETT (Batwoman) and newcomer BEVERLY JOHNSON, SHAWN PRYOR (Cash and Carrie) and PAULINA GANUCHEAU (Zodiac Starforce), award-winning historical romance author ALYSSA COLE's comics writing debut with SHAE BEAGLE (MOONSTRUCK), GAIL SIMONE (CROSSWIND) and MARGAUX SALTEL (Superfreaks), and AMANDA DEIBERT (Wonder Woman '77) and CAT STAGGS (CROSSWIND), with illustrations from MEGAN HUTCHINSON (ROCKSTARS) and ARIELA KRISTANTINA (InSeXts). Plus a sneak peek of BINGO LOVE, VOL. 2: DEAR DIARY, with an afterword from GABBY RIVERA (America).
160 pages, Paperback
First published November 13, 2018
13 people are currently reading
1405 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 417 reviews
January 5, 2023
Reflectively, I want to lower this to a 4 based on how simplistic the writing is and how choppy the dialogue.
Then again, naw. The amount of tears I shed and times I clapped makes this deserving of a 5 star. I
m just so happy this exists.
This is black gay grandma's getting their happily ever after. What else could you want? That sentence alone should've had you adding-to-cart.
There is bisexual, gay and straight representation (possibly trans but never explicitly labeled). Also, a character in a wheelchair, mixed race couples, and one of the main characters is plus sized. It just really hit home that there are authors capable of writing these stories and they just aren't widely published. Even this started as a Kickstarter.
I adored it and while it may be a 4 upon reread, I highly suggest!!!
Then again, naw. The amount of tears I shed and times I clapped makes this deserving of a 5 star. I
m just so happy this exists.
This is black gay grandma's getting their happily ever after. What else could you want? That sentence alone should've had you adding-to-cart.
There is bisexual, gay and straight representation (possibly trans but never explicitly labeled). Also, a character in a wheelchair, mixed race couples, and one of the main characters is plus sized. It just really hit home that there are authors capable of writing these stories and they just aren't widely published. Even this started as a Kickstarter.
I adored it and while it may be a 4 upon reread, I highly suggest!!!
January 9, 2019
Oof, okay. I know everyone else loved this, so I'm very definitely the odd man out, but I'd really like my lesbian rep to be... better written? With fleshed-out characters, maybe some decent pacing, or a little attention to detail that doesn't have me squinting at a panel and thinking, "This is supposed to be the late 60s?"
This wasn't bad, but the fact that this was originally a self-published comic by a baby graphic novel writer really shines through. I ended up skimming through the last half, especially the extras, because the writing was almost painful - especially the dialogue, which mostly consisted of forced, stilted conversations that had no character to them and only served to rush the plot along.
And a 64 year old woman coming out to her husband as "pansexual" ... Look, that's a 90s term, and it's a 90s term that didn't even get popular until the late 2000s. Nevermind that it was so eerily convenient that this was such a well-adjusted family, with the wife going to therapy (without ever speaking to her therapist about her same-sex attraction and how miserable she was in her relationship? I guess?) and the family as a whole willing to pop into therapy together with no issues, that's the sort of writing that just screams to me that it was written entirely to please a modern audience. A young modern audience. I found it incredibly jarring to see her announce that without even a single panel dedicated to her exploring her identity or even researching terms.
Now, I'm still happy that this exists! More lesbian representation is a good thing, even the poorly-written kind! Clearly lots of other people enjoyed this, and that's great. But man. I think I'd almost rather reread Tipping the Velvet than read volume 2.
This wasn't bad, but the fact that this was originally a self-published comic by a baby graphic novel writer really shines through. I ended up skimming through the last half, especially the extras, because the writing was almost painful - especially the dialogue, which mostly consisted of forced, stilted conversations that had no character to them and only served to rush the plot along.
And a 64 year old woman coming out to her husband as "pansexual" ... Look, that's a 90s term, and it's a 90s term that didn't even get popular until the late 2000s. Nevermind that it was so eerily convenient that this was such a well-adjusted family, with the wife going to therapy (without ever speaking to her therapist about her same-sex attraction and how miserable she was in her relationship? I guess?) and the family as a whole willing to pop into therapy together with no issues, that's the sort of writing that just screams to me that it was written entirely to please a modern audience. A young modern audience. I found it incredibly jarring to see her announce that without even a single panel dedicated to her exploring her identity or even researching terms.
Now, I'm still happy that this exists! More lesbian representation is a good thing, even the poorly-written kind! Clearly lots of other people enjoyed this, and that's great. But man. I think I'd almost rather reread Tipping the Velvet than read volume 2.
March 2, 2021
2021 Read: Most of my thoughts haven't really changed. If you want a full review make sure you check out the link below. I will say that I thought the writing was a little more choppy this time around, but overall it's still such a heartwarming tale.
Update (5/23/19). Here's my full review: https://bookishrealmreviews.blogspot....
4.5 Stars. This comic book was phenomenal! I absolutely enjoyed every page of it. If you haven’t read it definitely give it a try. I’ll be posting the full review here when it goes live on my blog.
Update (5/23/19). Here's my full review: https://bookishrealmreviews.blogspot....
4.5 Stars. This comic book was phenomenal! I absolutely enjoyed every page of it. If you haven’t read it definitely give it a try. I’ll be posting the full review here when it goes live on my blog.
June 22, 2024
3.5/5 ⭐️
- Really loved this story so much!! I loved all the short stories because it really added so much to the initial story and I could really dive deep into every perspective of every character. I didn’t want it to end!
- This felt like such an accurate depiction of how tough it can be to truly follow your heart and be with who you love while disregarding societal pressure. Love that there were so many different themes in this story. Would be great to chat about with friends.
- The artwork is so vivid and I truly couldn’t get enough!! Really made it so easy to follow along with the story and visualize all that was happening!
- Really loved this story so much!! I loved all the short stories because it really added so much to the initial story and I could really dive deep into every perspective of every character. I didn’t want it to end!
- This felt like such an accurate depiction of how tough it can be to truly follow your heart and be with who you love while disregarding societal pressure. Love that there were so many different themes in this story. Would be great to chat about with friends.
- The artwork is so vivid and I truly couldn’t get enough!! Really made it so easy to follow along with the story and visualize all that was happening!
May 5, 2019
3.5/5
Bingo Love is a super cute second-chance f/f romance graphic novel. Our two main characters first met as teenagers at church bingo, had a short-lived romance, and reconnected again 50 years later at another church bingo to continue their relationship.
First of all, I want to say the art in here is phenomenal! The colour palette is beautiful, and I love all the details. I especially appreciated the realistic portrayal of female bodies-- stretch marks and all.
Unfortunately, where the art excelled, the writing did not. The writing and dialogue were very, very simple and frankly, not very good. I was constantly being pulled out of the story by odd or cringeworthy phrases and stilted dialogue. Further, there was so little character development. I'm an avid romance reader, and if you want me to get behind a pairing, I want there to be good, solid character & relationship development, but I didn't find that here.
The jackpot edition I read included extra stories by authors & illustrators not part of the original story. A few of them were good, but for the most part, I just skimmed them because I knew they weren't really part of the actual story. This edition also included a preview to the sequel to Bingo Love, which I'll probably continue with, and hope the writing has improved a little before then.
Bingo Love is a super cute second-chance f/f romance graphic novel. Our two main characters first met as teenagers at church bingo, had a short-lived romance, and reconnected again 50 years later at another church bingo to continue their relationship.
First of all, I want to say the art in here is phenomenal! The colour palette is beautiful, and I love all the details. I especially appreciated the realistic portrayal of female bodies-- stretch marks and all.
Unfortunately, where the art excelled, the writing did not. The writing and dialogue were very, very simple and frankly, not very good. I was constantly being pulled out of the story by odd or cringeworthy phrases and stilted dialogue. Further, there was so little character development. I'm an avid romance reader, and if you want me to get behind a pairing, I want there to be good, solid character & relationship development, but I didn't find that here.
The jackpot edition I read included extra stories by authors & illustrators not part of the original story. A few of them were good, but for the most part, I just skimmed them because I knew they weren't really part of the actual story. This edition also included a preview to the sequel to Bingo Love, which I'll probably continue with, and hope the writing has improved a little before then.
February 2, 2020
This is a graphic novel that focuses on a second-chance f/f relationship. I liked it but I have to say that I expected a little more from it. Maybe some better dialogues and also more explanations in some parts of the storyline. I read the edition that includes a lot of bonus material and in my opinion some of it was just boring. Other than these aspects, it was an okay read.
February 11, 2019
Originally posted as a bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/Btv24kjner9/
Bingo Love seemed like an ideal read for me: full of diverse rep with two grandmas reconnecting after fifty years of being apart and mourning the loss of the other person. The book isn't available locally here in Manila so a friend bought a copy in the US while she was there on vacation, that was how much I wanted to read the book. Unfortunately, this was badly a case of not the right book for me as a reader.
It's great that a book like this exists but I wish the story flowed better. It felt disjointed and choppy, with chunks of the story missing that should have been explained better instead of condensing fifty years' worth of complex lives into just a few panels. As a romance reader, I was rooting for the main characters to get together but the story had to make sense. I had to believe in their love. Sadly, there wasn't enough character development for me to have been invested in this love story. I could go on to explain why this title didn't work for me but I'm wary of mentioning any spoilers.
Bingo Love seemed like an ideal read for me: full of diverse rep with two grandmas reconnecting after fifty years of being apart and mourning the loss of the other person. The book isn't available locally here in Manila so a friend bought a copy in the US while she was there on vacation, that was how much I wanted to read the book. Unfortunately, this was badly a case of not the right book for me as a reader.
It's great that a book like this exists but I wish the story flowed better. It felt disjointed and choppy, with chunks of the story missing that should have been explained better instead of condensing fifty years' worth of complex lives into just a few panels. As a romance reader, I was rooting for the main characters to get together but the story had to make sense. I had to believe in their love. Sadly, there wasn't enough character development for me to have been invested in this love story. I could go on to explain why this title didn't work for me but I'm wary of mentioning any spoilers.
April 30, 2019
I wondered why this was designated “Volume 1” since the story comes to a pretty definite end, but then I started in on the bonus stories. And it became clear that, although Hazel and Mari’s story does come to an end, there are countless spaces within that tale where other stories can take place. Bingo Love contains worlds, as do we all, really.
Of course the elevator pitch for this one is Two Grannies in Love, and it delivers just fine on that premise. Hazel and Mari fall for each other as teenagers at a church bingo night, but are separated. Not forever, though, as it turns out. Has their love survived the decades, and can they at last be together? Honestly, just look at the cover of the book. Do you really think that's in question?
This is a warm, sweet, happy book. Yes, it's something of a fairytale romance. If you want something dark and realistic and emotionally harrowing, look elsewhere. This doesn't pretend to be anything other than a joyful, feel-good, heartwarming valentine of a book, and to expect otherwise is to be unwarrantedly Grinch-y.
Light and fluffy, sure, but very fun. Recommended!
Of course the elevator pitch for this one is Two Grannies in Love, and it delivers just fine on that premise. Hazel and Mari fall for each other as teenagers at a church bingo night, but are separated. Not forever, though, as it turns out. Has their love survived the decades, and can they at last be together? Honestly, just look at the cover of the book. Do you really think that's in question?
This is a warm, sweet, happy book. Yes, it's something of a fairytale romance. If you want something dark and realistic and emotionally harrowing, look elsewhere. This doesn't pretend to be anything other than a joyful, feel-good, heartwarming valentine of a book, and to expect otherwise is to be unwarrantedly Grinch-y.
Light and fluffy, sure, but very fun. Recommended!
March 28, 2019
This unfortunately wasn't my favorite. The art was perfection, I especially loved getting to see Tee show off so many amazing outfits and hairstyles as we traveled through the decades. For me, the storytelling and the dialogue were really lacking - I know its a graphic novel, so it relies heavily on visuals. I was really confused by the framing narrative as it did not seem to last the length of the story. I would HIGHLY recommend the Jackpot edition with adds in so may fun extra stories at the end in lots of different styles!
Read February 2019
Read February 2019
October 4, 2019
This was such an uneven comic book: the art is delightful; there are QUEER POCs front and center; OLDER QPOCS as the protags; fat rep is also present; the story takes a frank look at what it really means to grow old together (in both the good and bad sense).
THAT SAID, the pacing was ridiculously fast (I barely had a moment to pause and process whatever new plot twist happened). Also, the writing was sorta weak (something that was highlighted by the DRAMA that happened every few pages.).
The one thing that made me almost DNF this was that infidelity is a HUGE part of the story. Clarifying what I mean: when Hazel (who is the comic book POV) and Mari reunite many, many years later, they're both married with grown children. And yet, they go from "oh, wow, it's so good to see you again" to "OH EM GEE , YOU ARE THE LOOOOOOOOVE OF MY LIIIIIIIIIIIIFE" in about 3 to 4 panels?
And there are 2 other characters with cheating backstories as well.
To me, the story feels complete (since it covers Hazel and Mari's relationship to the grave) and I really have no idea what the second volume would include. Also, yeah, content warning for illness of a loved one & grief/mourning of a loved one.
TL;DR: A mostly sweet F/F story that worked more often than not despite the rushed plot, random drama, and cheating b-plot. I borrowed it from the library and feel mostly satisfied with the story. IF I find volume 2 in my library, I'll probably read it.
THAT SAID, the pacing was ridiculously fast (I barely had a moment to pause and process whatever new plot twist happened). Also, the writing was sorta weak (something that was highlighted by the DRAMA that happened every few pages.).
The one thing that made me almost DNF this was that infidelity is a HUGE part of the story. Clarifying what I mean: when Hazel (who is the comic book POV) and Mari reunite many, many years later, they're both married with grown children. And yet, they go from "oh, wow, it's so good to see you again" to "OH EM GEE , YOU ARE THE LOOOOOOOOVE OF MY LIIIIIIIIIIIIFE" in about 3 to 4 panels?
And there are 2 other characters with cheating backstories as well.
To me, the story feels complete (since it covers Hazel and Mari's relationship to the grave) and I really have no idea what the second volume would include. Also, yeah, content warning for illness of a loved one & grief/mourning of a loved one.
TL;DR: A mostly sweet F/F story that worked more often than not despite the rushed plot, random drama, and cheating b-plot. I borrowed it from the library and feel mostly satisfied with the story. IF I find volume 2 in my library, I'll probably read it.
December 9, 2018
5 STARS. I came across this novel when it was nominated for best GN in 2018 Goodreads choice awards. Graphic novel with lovely art, love story between black older characters- Check, check, check. Among the contributors - writer Gail Simone and artist Cat Staggs. Check Check. Here's my money and I'm very happy.
This is a lovely, sad, and happy story that is told from the point of view of Hazel. Hazel (Elle) Johnson and Mari McCray met in High School when Mari moved from California in 1963. They become fast friends, BFFs in today's lingo. Elle is attracted to Mari from the first time she spots Mari at a church Bingo game, but because of the times, family and culture they remain just friends. Four years later they discover their mutual love but it was short lived. They are discovered and their family separates them. Years pass and Elle marries and is a housewife with three kids and at least 2 grandkids, but she is not happy. Fast forward 50 years and they meet again at the same Bingo game. Their mutual love has not diminished with time.
This Jackpot addition added 6 shorts by various guest writers and artists (and the original creators). It is a great addition, adding stories that fill in a few of the blanks of the original love story of Elle and Mari. One of the writers is Gail Simone. I've been following her for years, even before she wrote professionally. She's written for Marvel, DC, Image and self-published. My favorites of hers was Birds of Prey and Wonder Woman. Cat Staggs is a fabulous artist. I have a few pieces of her original art. She is currently doing the art for Simone's Crosswind comic.
My only disappointment is not getting much of Mari's point of view and her children's reactions. We don't even meet them. However, it ends with a tease story "Dear Diary". Mari's children find her diaries... Unfortunately we will have to wait until 2020 for volume 2.
This is a lovely, sad, and happy story that is told from the point of view of Hazel. Hazel (Elle) Johnson and Mari McCray met in High School when Mari moved from California in 1963. They become fast friends, BFFs in today's lingo. Elle is attracted to Mari from the first time she spots Mari at a church Bingo game, but because of the times, family and culture they remain just friends. Four years later they discover their mutual love but it was short lived. They are discovered and their family separates them. Years pass and Elle marries and is a housewife with three kids and at least 2 grandkids, but she is not happy. Fast forward 50 years and they meet again at the same Bingo game. Their mutual love has not diminished with time.
This Jackpot addition added 6 shorts by various guest writers and artists (and the original creators). It is a great addition, adding stories that fill in a few of the blanks of the original love story of Elle and Mari. One of the writers is Gail Simone. I've been following her for years, even before she wrote professionally. She's written for Marvel, DC, Image and self-published. My favorites of hers was Birds of Prey and Wonder Woman. Cat Staggs is a fabulous artist. I have a few pieces of her original art. She is currently doing the art for Simone's Crosswind comic.
My only disappointment is not getting much of Mari's point of view and her children's reactions. We don't even meet them. However, it ends with a tease story "Dear Diary". Mari's children find her diaries... Unfortunately we will have to wait until 2020 for volume 2.
December 12, 2022
Bingo Love was everything. I full on ugly sobbed twice while reading because it was so touching and sweet. Highly, highly recommend but read with care - content warnings for Alzheimer’s and homophobia. The homophobia I was expecting but the Alzheimer’s came out of nowhere and hit me like a ton of bricks.
All in all, this was a beautiful story and I’m so grateful it exists.
Love sapphic books, too? Let's be friends! Booktok | Bookstagram | Twitter
All in all, this was a beautiful story and I’m so grateful it exists.
Love sapphic books, too? Let's be friends! Booktok | Bookstagram | Twitter
December 7, 2024
I SOBBED AND WHEEZED LIKE A FUCKING BABY!!
In happiness and sadness. I am so glad it ended the way it did. The best kind of love.
Those jackpot stories?? BEAUT ✨
In happiness and sadness. I am so glad it ended the way it did. The best kind of love.
Those jackpot stories?? BEAUT ✨
January 20, 2021
I love that this exists. Queer Black women in love? YES. ALWAYS YES. I'm glad I got the jackpot edition because the bonus content fills in some of the gaps in the story. I wish Franklin had spent more time on the family scenes. I knocked off a couple of stars because there were A LOT of gaps in the story and a lot of rough transitions from scene to scene. Bingo Love felt like a recap of a story rather than the whole story itself. All said, I am always here for queer Black content and I'm looking forward to picking up Volume 2!
February 25, 2020
So cute!!! 💜❤️🧡💛💚💙🖤🤍🤎
Read
April 13, 2021For those in the reviews saying this needed more, I can definitely understand where they're coming from. The dialogue at times is over-explained or was very chunky or queer terms were outdated conceptually, there was some strange pacing issues, there wasn't really a ton of character development and it wrapped up so easily. However, I think the intended audience for this graphic isn't adult. I think often in YA literature (even if it isn't labeled as such), adults will make the mistake of reading it and taking issue with themes or concepts for books not intended for them. It would be similar to reading Winnie the Pooh and saying "why is the sentence structure so simple?" because the intended audience is for new readers with a certain reading level. (Don't get me wrong, the scale can slide the other way as adults also have the issue of overidentifying with YA novels to a concerning degree, but I'll save my YA novel rant for another time).
As a book for teenagers, this graphic novel works really well. The over explanation, the easy wrap up, this is an optimistic picture for a teenager that might be struggling with their own identity, with communicating with their family, with the consequences of communication of their queerness, they may have visions of failure, heartbreak, loss and disappointment. I was really impressed with the healing possibilities of this narrative for people like that, who can envision a different set of circumstances for coming out. This graphic novel was very much a coming out love letter for black queer people.
I think the queer community as a whole has an obsession with the correct terminology, they can gate-keep words meant for a variety of identities, often leaving one conflicted and shut out. Coming out is so much messier than that, queer people get things wrong all the time, it's explorative and messy and confusing, with no clear coming out path. This graphic novel captured those mistakes and told its audience that it's okay to make mistakes (you don't know how you identify, you don't always know what to say to your family, you cheat multiple times in your relationships because you're unhappy) and you still deserve a happy ending. Yeah, okay, it was a little too tidy. It's probably not life changing for someone like me, a grown woman who has been around the gay block once or twice. But I prefer that over the heartbreak of some queer novels, especially for others who aren't quite there.
Loved of course that it was black women, but that's a given!
As a book for teenagers, this graphic novel works really well. The over explanation, the easy wrap up, this is an optimistic picture for a teenager that might be struggling with their own identity, with communicating with their family, with the consequences of communication of their queerness, they may have visions of failure, heartbreak, loss and disappointment. I was really impressed with the healing possibilities of this narrative for people like that, who can envision a different set of circumstances for coming out. This graphic novel was very much a coming out love letter for black queer people.
I think the queer community as a whole has an obsession with the correct terminology, they can gate-keep words meant for a variety of identities, often leaving one conflicted and shut out. Coming out is so much messier than that, queer people get things wrong all the time, it's explorative and messy and confusing, with no clear coming out path. This graphic novel captured those mistakes and told its audience that it's okay to make mistakes (you don't know how you identify, you don't always know what to say to your family, you cheat multiple times in your relationships because you're unhappy) and you still deserve a happy ending. Yeah, okay, it was a little too tidy. It's probably not life changing for someone like me, a grown woman who has been around the gay block once or twice. But I prefer that over the heartbreak of some queer novels, especially for others who aren't quite there.
Loved of course that it was black women, but that's a given!
February 1, 2023
It’s been a long time since a graphic novel made me cry but we’re here again.
If you want sapphic joy this is for you. Whilst it also looks at pain and trauma this novel is about healing and making the most of second chances. It’s about being yourself when it’s terrifying and taking a leap.
I got the jackpot edition and I would recommend it- it covers a lot of the story that was initially left out in the regular version and has the cutest short stories like their first time and also there’s an MLM short story in it. I personally think I would have had some unanswered questions with the standard edition as a lot was glazed over.
The only thing I wasn’t sure on was some of the time line accuracy like the use of the label pansexual before the term was widely used etc but this didn’t bother me too much, and if anything I think it may help a younger audience understand the story more.
This obviously does deal with some trauma (being queer way back then was simply not accepted at all) but we also get healing and one of the most beautiful sapphic love stories I’ve ever read.
Truly I loved this with every inch of my being.
Rep// BIPOC WLW MC’s, MLM prominent SC with short story.
TW’s listed below, please skip if you don’t want vague spoilers.
TW// Homophobia, Religious trauma, Forced marriage, Cheating, Depression, Sex (not descriptive and no nudity) & discussions of safe sex, risk of disowning.
If you want sapphic joy this is for you. Whilst it also looks at pain and trauma this novel is about healing and making the most of second chances. It’s about being yourself when it’s terrifying and taking a leap.
I got the jackpot edition and I would recommend it- it covers a lot of the story that was initially left out in the regular version and has the cutest short stories like their first time and also there’s an MLM short story in it. I personally think I would have had some unanswered questions with the standard edition as a lot was glazed over.
The only thing I wasn’t sure on was some of the time line accuracy like the use of the label pansexual before the term was widely used etc but this didn’t bother me too much, and if anything I think it may help a younger audience understand the story more.
This obviously does deal with some trauma (being queer way back then was simply not accepted at all) but we also get healing and one of the most beautiful sapphic love stories I’ve ever read.
Truly I loved this with every inch of my being.
Rep// BIPOC WLW MC’s, MLM prominent SC with short story.
TW’s listed below, please skip if you don’t want vague spoilers.
TW// Homophobia, Religious trauma, Forced marriage, Cheating, Depression, Sex (not descriptive and no nudity) & discussions of safe sex, risk of disowning.
July 18, 2022
So the first 90 pages are the same story that I already read in bingo love so that was disappointing. The rest were just short stories that were fine, but I’m not a big fan of them. I thought they were cute and I appreciated the topic of safe sex.
December 15, 2023
Most stories I liked. A few I skimmed. Was it worth the read for the bonus stories, yes! Alyssa Cole’s story was a favorite.
Heartwarming
Feel-good stories
Heartwarming
Feel-good stories
November 20, 2019
4.5 stars. I loved this. The story was sweet, the girls->grandmas were lovely and I loved their relationship. I also liked the short stories told by other creators of moments between the two women that take place within their larger story. And the artwork in the main story was fantastic!
November 22, 2018
This story was already good (some of the dialogue felt a little forced) but the addition of the other stories made this even better. You’re finding out Hazel’s husband’s secrets, stories from Hazel and Mari’s two month honeymoon, one of their first arguments, their “first time” and a glimpse at Vol. 2. At first I was trying to figure out how there’d be a vol. 2 but now I’m SUPER excited for it and sad I have to wait until 2020. I love love 💕
February 22, 2020
it was...meh. it had poc rep and lgbtq rep but it was lacking in something.
the story was really fast and wasn’t really fleshed out. it was too quickly paced and it really didn’t have any substance.
they fell in love so fast, they had to separate so fast, the grew old so fast, they got reunited, divorced their husbands and got married, SO FAST.
it wasn’t a well written story but the art work was nice. and so was the representation. :)
the story was really fast and wasn’t really fleshed out. it was too quickly paced and it really didn’t have any substance.
they fell in love so fast, they had to separate so fast, the grew old so fast, they got reunited, divorced their husbands and got married, SO FAST.
it wasn’t a well written story but the art work was nice. and so was the representation. :)
June 24, 2019
I wanted there to be more Bingo :(
I love Bingo
I love Bingo
February 24, 2022
I nearly started bawling at work while reading this book. The story of Elle & Mari is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. I'm excited for what the next book has in store.
June 11, 2020
Pride Month 2020
💜💙💚💛🧡❤️
I have only read as many graphic novels as I can count on my hands so I am not necessarily the best judge of this. But it is sweet and warm, and the artwork is lovely. I do feel as though the story wrapped up too perfectly with little attention to the details of what this woman's coming out story did to her family. Everything is a bit too perfect. Still I enjoyed the story and the art.
💜💙💚💛🧡❤️
I have only read as many graphic novels as I can count on my hands so I am not necessarily the best judge of this. But it is sweet and warm, and the artwork is lovely. I do feel as though the story wrapped up too perfectly with little attention to the details of what this woman's coming out story did to her family. Everything is a bit too perfect. Still I enjoyed the story and the art.
April 21, 2020
Oh my god I cried so much. This was so beautiful and heartbreaking and hopeful.
Definitely recommend the Jackpot Edition - there's extra art and stories that really add new layers to Mari and Hazel's story (not to mention James's).
Definitely recommend the Jackpot Edition - there's extra art and stories that really add new layers to Mari and Hazel's story (not to mention James's).
January 1, 2019
I LOVE this series so much
February 3, 2019
I'm so glad I read this for #readharder 2019 because that was the sweetest and most charming thing I've read since who knows when. Absolutely recommend!!!
February 17, 2020
black queer grandmas. i'll say no more.
April 4, 2020
A gorgeous story of finding love again.
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