Hidden Heartbreak

by Emma Lee

Hidden Heartbreak follows the progression of a doomed relationship from blissful beginning to devastating end, capturing the all-encompassing and blinding euphoria of love as well as the crushing doubt and disappointment that accompany a breakup. In comics that are relatable, vulnerable, and often funny, as well as interactive pieces that invite readers to process their own heartbreak, Emma Lee charts a path forward, reminding us that the heart is a resilient thing.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Relationships, Nonfiction, Adult, Contemporary, Romance

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 8, 2019

Reviews

[Steph · Rating 2 out of 5]

it's no secret i'm a sucker for breakup books, so i really wanted to love hidden heartbreak. after a rough breakup, art was one of the coping mechanisms that author emma lee turned to, and her successful instagram led to the publication of this book. i have a lot of respect for her work because it's been so instrumental to her healing.

but i struggled with the art style itself. it's rather simplistic, and each piece is accompanied by a caption that is often cringingly cliche.

lee does make herself vulnerable with these personal comics, but i wish they were more raw. there's also not much cohesion, and the comics are often repetitious (both in the art itself and the underlying messages).

one of the things i really like about hidden heartbreak is that lee says she hopes other heartbroken folks will find solace in reading it, and there are some "fill in the blank" pieces that encourage the reader to reflect on their own breakup(s). these reflective questions can be so helpful! things like: what made you feel connected to your person? what moving on milestones have you already reached, and do you hope to reach in the future? what things can you reclaim now that they're gone? what memories and lessons can you carry with you despite the loss?

anyway. i didn't love this book, but i'm still glad i read it. i admire lee's vulnerability, and i commend her for creating something new while recovering from a toxic relationship. if your heart is hurting, i'd recommend this as an easy and cathartic read.

[destiny ♡ howling libraries · Rating 2 out of 5]

All I knew, going into this, was that Hidden Heartbreak was originally a woman's comics about the end of a bad relationship, and that it had been turned into this collection. I'm no stranger to crappy breakups or relationships with toxic people, so I figured I'd give it a whirl, but I can't say I enjoyed it enough to recommend it much.

The toxic relationship featured is actually incredibly similar to one I was in some time back—like, jarringly similar—so it isn't that I didn't relate or "get" the point, it's just that I couldn't bring myself to care. Fussing about how someone told you they were emotionally unavailable, proceeded to give you mixed signs for a while, and then ditched you in the end because you got attached anyways? Of course that's an awful, painful, brutal place to be in, but... how does one get 200+ pages of comics out of it?

I truly don't mean to sound so callous. I'm sorry the author was hurt so badly, and I genuinely do feel for her. Like, I'm a broken record here, but the relationship I was in was literally almost identical to what she details in this collection! But honestly... had I written an entire book about it, it would have done exactly what I think it did to this author: gave her an opportunity to mire in misery for a long, long time instead of moving on and recognizing that, at the end of the day, when someone tells you they don't want what you're offering in a relationship, at some point, you have to protect yourself and accept that they're probably telling the truth.

On a less preachy note, I also just really, really did not care for the art style. It isn't lacking in creativity or talent, it's just one that I'm very much not a fan of.

Thank you so much to Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Helly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent read to sum up in a sentence. I am a big fan of graphic novels and both the art and message matters to me in this context. Hidden Heartbreak is a relatable piece for anyone who has loved and lost, and got hooked to Ariana Grande's Thank You, Next. The artwork is not brilliant - the messages in the pieces are oft repeated on any romance related novel you may read. However, it still makes a good read if you want a light novel to accompany you on a journey or have some time you need to spend on books that don't require you to think much. I sincerely hope for better works from the author, for I see so much potential.

Thanks for a review copy by NetGalley.

[Aya · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay, so this little book in a comic format is about the author's experience of heartbreak and how she tried to move on.

Oh boy... It was supposed to be funny! I didn't laugh... not a single time! I found it rather sad and depressing which I wasn't hoping for.
Moreover, the art style was not my cup of tea. It was way too simplistic... to the point where I could draw them myself. (FYI, my drawings are so bad. -_-) You get the point...

I am really disappointed with this one, and to be honest, I can't recommend it to anyone.

*Thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review*

[Scarlet Cameo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, is ok, but the treatment of "how relations ships works and end..." is kind of lame and superficial, I honestly prefer how is made in "Todo lo que nunca te dije lo guardo aquí" (IDK if is translate), but I guess every break up is different so that's good, but for me this book doesn't start the race when is over and that's kind of patetic.

A digital copy of this book was provided by NetGalley

[Divine · Rating 2 out of 5]

"The hero was the villain all along. The hardest part is moving on."

I had never experienced the kind of heartbreak this graphic novel portrayed but I was familiar with its manifestations in my friends' lives. It was oddly unnerving yet it's also an unapologetic depiction of how ugly and YES, cringy it is to be in love and have your heart splintered into ragged cracks. The illustrations were simple yet creatively composed through the analogies and metaphors it used. It was cutesy but it never diminished its message After reading this, I realize that it just boils down with how each of us has our own love languages and the path to finding that partner who could complement our love language might be long and arduous. In the meantime, self-love is the only love we need.

[Eunice (nerdytalksbookblog) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Think of it as a comic form of a contemporary poetry.

[Dana Al-Basha | دانة الباشا · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad book

[Etienne · Rating 2 out of 5]

A love «story» through little scenes/events of everyday life illustrated in a graphic novel/cartoons way. It present lot of text/social media/modern life reference that didn't get too me... made me feel real old has a matter of fact, because I didn't see myself in this type of relation at all. Maybe younger person, from another generation, 25 and below might connect with that, but I didn't. And the «story»... well nothing really original there neither. Not for me!

[Sofie Schurmans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing illustrations with a lot of truth in them. I had this feeling of recognition throughout the entire book and it felt so good! When you are suffering from heart ache and feeling a little bit alone because life goes on and you are still hurting, read this book!

[Bunny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

Man, Goodreads, you are really not digging this book.

This is a comic collection about (you guessed it) a bad break up. Told in separate parts, it's the author meeting, dating, falling in love, and getting her heart broken by, Birdshirt. Yes, that's his name, why, is that weird?

I really enjoyed this, even if it has been a really long time since I had my heart broken by a boy. Though I have an ex I could send this to. I'm sure he'd enjoy filling out the red flag portion.

The artwork is simple but truly lovely, and there's sadness and humor mixed well together. Like I said above, there's even audience participation pages, for those moments where you read a page, think, "YES!", and start thinking of your own examples.

A quick, quirky, easy read.

[Cherlynn | cherreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

A relatable book that hits very close to home. I know that everyone's experiences are different but I feel like the author and I are exactly the same. The illustrations are simple yet so true and on point! Every page spoke to me and it's the kind of book that makes you feel less alone ❤️

Definitely a must-read if you are experiencing heartbreak (I'm not, but this was a perfect read on a lazy afternoon).

[Abantika(hiltonjenkin) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hidden Heartbreak is a graphic novel featuring the course of an affair that ends on a bad break up.
Though it claims to portray the “progression of a doomed relationship from blissful beginning to devastating end”, there was no blissful beginning to begin with! Only the “all blinding euphoria of love” that makes you ignore all the red flags that were present from the very start.

The illustrations were pretty good and definitely funny and relatable for anyone who’s been foolish in love. Who’s ever tried to nurse an emotionally unavailable soul and have been devastated when their love-potion did not work. It’s for anyone who has struggled over a break-up.

There were even activity sheets in-between for reader’s participation. It enquired from what were the first signs we ignored to what closure meant to us. I felt it was pretty thoughtful.
But the book was unnecessarily long that resulted in repetitive illustrations. Also, I felt the punch was missing somewhere. All over the book was nothing amazing to stick with you. But also, it was not bad. I’ll give it a 3.5 out of 5.

[Mikaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really, really loved this!! It’s all too relatable for me and I so enjoyed it. This book is so inspiring for what I’d like to create someday as well. You get to write in your own thoughts too which is awesome and so therapeutic. Love the concept, love the illustrations, love all of it! It definitely won’t be everyone’s style, but it was perfect for me.

[Bexx · Rating 2 out of 5]

All I knew before getting into Hidden Heartbreak was that there’d be a break up or broken-hearted. It was okay but I definitely could have been better. I didn’t care much for it, I was expecting for to it then there was.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this earc.

[Annie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have followed @HiddenHeartbreak since the beginning of her account on Instagram, and I was very excited for her book. The book does not disappoint! Emma Lee's drawings are full of insights about love, and she so accurately captures the highs and the lows of it. There were multiple instances when I laughed and teared up while reading the book, but the most dominant feeling was a sense of "YES, this is how it feels!" Heartbreaks can be extremely lonesome, and I deeply appreciated this artist for depicting the agony and the slow, winding recovery. I highly recommend this book, and I am so grateful for it.

[Lilithcarter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received the book from Netgally in an exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Absolutely adorable little book. For all of those who had loved and had their heart broken. Love how the images and text are telling the story even if it's just like another Instagram cartoon, the way they intertwine with each other page to page make this a very relatable quick food for thought kind of book.

[Karla Diaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este libro ilustrado es una compilacion de viñetas que la autora comparte sobre la evolucion del rompimiento de una relacion hastala sanacion mental.
La idea del arte en su vida nacio como un medio de sanacion para recuperarse de una ruptura. En la introduccion ella comenta que amaba mucho a un hombre y que ese hombre dejo de amarla en determinado momento.Asi que una manera de desahogarse fue el plasmar lo que sentia en dibujos que poco despues subio a instagram y con muy buena recepcion se hizo popular.

*Comienza contando las expectativas sobre una relacion, habla de las personas que aman intensamente que no reciben en misma cantidad ese amor, posteriormente pasamos a esa etapa en la que la relacion se enfria se vuelve las seria gracias a esto y que apesar de todas las advertencias que se muestran tu no les haces caso.
La parte mas duradera del libro es donde hay una ruptura y es que de esto se trata el libro, de la RESILENCIA.
Que es la capacidad para afrontar las situaciones traumaticas de la vida, como cuando nos rompen el corazon.

Es un libro increible que te hace reflexionar sobre la manera en que vives tus relaciones y que la mejor manera de amar, es amarse uno mismo y despues al projimo. Ademas de que si sufriste una ruptura, pueden desarrollarse cosas bellas despues de ese suceso ya que tienes otra oportunidad de ser mejor y amar mejor.

Gracias a Netgalley por la copia para revision.

[Liz (Quirky Cat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

I received a copy of Hidden Heartbreak through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Hidden Heatbreak was originally an Instagram project, believe it or not. It made it to print, which is something the creator, Emma Lee, should be extremely proud of. The project was designed to help the artist cope with a rough break up. It’s something we’re all likely familiar with, so it’s impossible not to sympathize with her there.
I was a bit surprised to see that the story itself actually covers the whole of the relationship, from the early stages (and early warnings signs) to the (in this case inevitable) downfall of the relationship. I don’t know why, but I was expecting the project to have started with everything being in the past; that seems like the healthy way to look at it?
However it’s clear that for Emma Lee she had to take the relationship apart in order to see what went wrong. I can understand that. Sometimes you can’t see how toxic a relationship is until it’s over. I hope that the insight proved useful, both for her and all of her followers and readers.
Some of the writing felt bitter and not helpful in terms of recovery or moving on, though we’re not all emotionless robots, so I understand where it’s all coming from.

[Fanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this because the idea was good: it's about a journey that leads to a pretty bad breakup. And even though I can't relate, because I haven't gone through a very impacting heartbreak, I do think it was meant for a more general audience who simply wanted a good laugh through this comic. But I was disappointed when it read too bland and I lost my interest at a few places. Usually, art is always a booster for me when it comes to comics but this one didn't win me in that aspect either. I won't comment on the technicalities of the art since I'm no expert in it but I didn't find it too engaging in the reader.

I received a digital copy of this via Netgalley. Thank you, Emma Lee and Andrews McMeel Publishing!

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[DeAnne · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received a digital copy of this book through NetGalley.

3.5 stars

I used to follow @HiddenHeartbreak's posts on Instagram as the art and story intrigued me, so when I found out that much of that story had been compiled into a book I was excited to take a look.

I was a little disappointed that it didn't seem to include much art that was new, though it was nice to see the entire story, or healing process, in one continuous stream.  

Hidden Heartbreak is a graphic representation of the author's relationship and where it went wrong.  It does take a look at insecurities some people may have, as well as glimpses of a toxic relationship and how the author worked her way back from it.

I probably would have gotten much more out of this book if I wasn't already familiar with the art, of if there had been more that was brand new, but I felt that this was a great collection of the art from the instagram account.

[Victoria Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book early from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, can i even say about this book? i'm not even going through a break up anymore, but it already helped with my past heartbreak and also possibly my next. her drawings make me realized how hard i really do fall upon meeting a love interest. going through a good majority of my break ups, i would go through them alone, i never wanted to bother anyone with my personal problems, but reading this, i finally realized i'm not alone in that. you really do need a support system, and my new support will be my friends and also this book. this is one hat will be read over and over again. and i love how the author tries to bring you into the book too sometimes, that will defiantly make things a bit easier for me to heal if its not ALL in the authors words. i have loved reading every page of this book.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

Hidden Heartbreak started as a series of cartoons Emma Lee drew to get over her own breakup. Instagram loved them, and soon, the collection grew to be this book. Readers are likely to see pieces of themselves and their past relationships in the cartoons. Lee has also left some drawings blank for the reader to fill in their own details of past relationships (e.g. a T chart of “What did you pay attention to?” and “What did you overlook?”), so that the book can be used for people to help get over a breakup they still struggle with.

Emma Lee definitely puts her feelings on full display in this book. I can't say that I laughed as the blurb said, but I can see this being very useful for those trying to get over a past relationship and wanting to know that they are not alone.

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Hidden Heartbreak' by Emma Lee is a book about the journey to love and the heartbreak that can follow.

Starting with the joys of first contact, then moving in to overlooking the early warning signs, this book takes a journey. Along the way, the reader is asked a few questions too. There are answers of a sort, mainly that it takes time, but you can survive a heartbreak.

I liked the candor of this book. The parts for the reader to fill in could have honestly been skipped. The whole thing feels pretty personal, but maybe that's exactly what someone else needs to help them out.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.

[Emily Ranofsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously this book is life-changing. I have never felt more understood, more safe or more soothed after reading something. I found myself relating not only to the individual drawings, but also the entire arc of the story, which goes from the first sparks of a relationship through the downfall and picking yourself back up. Knowing that someone else has felt how I feel (and drawn it so beautifully) means everything to me. I was even able to chuckle out loud at some of the ironies pointed out in the book; something I never thought I'd be able to do about such a serious, crushing subject. I'm buying a copies for all of my friends.

[Marta Boksenbaum · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was able to read this book thanks to Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This graphic novel is an honest and personal illustration of one person's breakup. It was both extremely specific but also universal in ways. The details don't match up with all relationships, but everyone has had their heart broken at times. I thought the comics were expertly drawn and evoked more feeling I think than just words alone could do. This book is the sort to gift a friend maybe in order to help heal and commiserate.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

A provocative, poignant surprise. It takes immense courage to be raw, especially in the face of love, but Emma Lee exceeds the challenge. Tender, humbling, gut-wrenching, poetic, Hidden Heartbreak is both edgy and relatable, and makes the climb into and out of love utterly real. If the head/heart Ven Diagram has ever caressed your life, this is truly a must read. It's a testament to reflection and retrospect, how the quiet moments make the largest impact. Subtle verse and illustrated mediums are the perfect relationship conduit: because sometimes, pictures really do paint a thousand words.

[Ilonita50 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this e-arc for an honest review, thank you!

Hidden Heartbreak has captured emotions one is going through a break-up, the illustrations are stylish and modern sketches, it is not depressive at all, its a good read and interesting, as graphics gives the visual impression what the author wants to create for the plot. It's funny at times, it is also touching sides of having a different relationship - when a relationship can be toxic. The Hidden Heartbreak brings the reader through the whole relationship process, from it's start till it's over and the leftovers.

[The Book Squirrel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I totally relate to this, unfortunately, but Emma's hit the stages of break up/loss and recovery on the head, and I'm pretty sure Emma's an overthinker like me.
The "dreams" spin-the-wheel was creepily relatable - I've had all those dreams, including the one where my ex moves in next to me (in one version of this dream, we get back together. Another time I had that dream, I had to put up with seeing his new gf over all the time).

If you're going through a breakup, or have ever been through a breakup and haven't not yet found your happily-ever-after, give this one a flick through.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

*netgalley review*

I'll be honest. I didn't really like the book. It wasn't really hilarious or original. I appreciate the author's effort but as a person who experienced an awful break-up, the book didn't really amaze me. Sometimes her consolidations, which in the first place had been for herself, were good. I just like the idea she came up when she experienced a heartbreak.

Worth reading? No, not really. Just a good time spender, that's all.