evelynyle_88's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Alcohol
Moderate: Homophobia and Bullying
Minor: Addiction, Panic attacks/disorders, and Drug abuse
tsar's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“Crushes are stressful. Dating is disappointing. Every relationship, you either break up or get married & then divorced. Pies can't hurt you.”
I stumbled upon this graphic novel on Tumblr years ago when it was still only a free-to-read webcomic, and honestly, it's one of the best introductions to LGBTQ+ graphic novels I've discovered that year.
Ukazu has poured her heart and soul to write an authentic story about young adult boys in a college hockey team, which I prefer to call them as the "sports idiots" akin to those characters in the sports anime genre. It presents her extensive knowledge of the sports, giving tidbits of trivia through Bitty or occasional dialog boxes so the readers could understand and further engage with the story.
Moreover, the way it sets up to challenge the stigma that all hockey boys are stupid jocks with only offensive nature in their bones; in here, we meet Bitty, the former talented figure skater who turns to college hockey as the only option and starts out with no prospect of respect or even acknowledgment that he could be a formidable asset for the team due to his more pretty boy atmosphere and homemaking skills. Especially with the fact that he's hiding his sexuality from the eyes of his new teammates.
Writing this as a semi-personal vlog gives Ukazu a way to worm the story to the readers' hearts—it shapes the story as an intimate piece as if we are reading a true story from someone else's journey. It transposes as a reflection for the reality as well; that there are people who share the similar sentiment as Bitty, placing a mask in the public while hiding their true identities for the fear of rejection because they are different than social norms.
And adding the adorable and bright red-while-blue color-centric illustration? Ukazu has written a winning story for those who love to read romantic comedies in a college setting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol and Panic attacks/disorders
tcnysnark's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
I followed this book series as it was being posted as a web comic. It’s extremely well paced and well written. The author had expressed that she would write a lighthearted book that dealt with issues many queer teens and young adults deal with in life and she delivered.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Addiction, Drug abuse, and Suicide attempt
Spoiler
it reveals this pretty early in the book but Jack, after feeling extremely anxious for several years, attempts an overdose. This is more hinted at and brought up only through subtext. Jack suffers from panic attacks as well as Bitty for having PTSD from being called slurs growing up. This is not focused on heavily but brought up a few timesSpoiler
sfbookgirl's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
While working on my master’s project (I am happy to say it’s almost done!), I read my way through a few graphic novels as my mind was incapable of focusing on just text on a page. I started with Check, Please after seeing so many lovely reviews. I enjoyed reading about main character Bitty and his baking habits, starting freshman year of college on a hockey team, and making a few friends along the way.
I found Check, Please to be an absolute delight and was the perfect story to immerse myself in while I was drowning in deadlines. I know little to none about hockey but that did not deter me from reading this fantastic graphic novel - I even learned a thing or two about the sport! I also really enjoyed the illustrations - Ngozi Ukazu is a talented writer and artist!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing, Bullying, and Homophobia
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
spacecadelliot's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Cursing
Moderate: Drug abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicide attempt
emilywasbored's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Homophobia, Bullying, and Drug abuse
Minor: Addiction and Panic attacks/disorders
diifacto's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol and Homophobia
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Suicide attempt
half_bloodreader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
**Read for #LgbtqMonth, prompt: free, & Jordan Ford's Summer Reading Challenge 2020. Prompt: 21. A book written by an author of color**
The perfect blend of adorable, angsty, right in the feels and funny. Full of hockey and bro stuff, as expected, followed by pies, friendship, loyalty, love, shenanigans and college stress.
If this was on ao3 the tags would be:
- college au
- hockey au
- found family
- bros being bros
- enemies to friends to lovers
- lots of baking
- where are all the pies coming from
- seriously
- frat house
- minor angst with a happy ending
- hurt/comfort
- baby!Chowder
- Wicks and Ollie
- vlogging
- fluff
- a domestic frat house??
The perfect blend of adorable, angsty, right in the feels and funny. Full of hockey and bro stuff, as expected, followed by pies, friendship, loyalty, love, shenanigans and college stress.
If this was on ao3 the tags would be:
- college au
- hockey au
- found family
- bros being bros
- enemies to friends to lovers
- lots of baking
- where are all the pies coming from
- seriously
- frat house
- minor angst with a happy ending
- hurt/comfort
- baby!Chowder
- Wicks and Ollie
- vlogging
- fluff
- a domestic frat house??
Content Warnings
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
lunacurlypaws's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Heartwarming and funny, told in kind of a slice of life style. Made me nostaligic for my small new england college. Also, you will learn a lot about hockey. And very gay.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Homophobia
Both of the main characters struggle with anxiety and depression. The main character might have panic attacks - it's unclear if that's what's happening but it's a main part of the story.Spoiler
There's also a flashback of one character needing to be hospitalized due to a severe mental illness episode.betweentheshelves's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I absolutely loved this! Baking and hockey and fun characters. I liked the format this was told in as well; it felt unique for a graphic novel format. While I don't know much about hockey, I learned a lot in this story. I can't wait to read the second book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Bullying
Minor: Drug abuse and Panic attacks/disorders