curiousmadra's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
Thanks Netgalley and publisher for allowing me to read this romance graphic novel that’s set in Paris. I was really gone on the colour decision with it being only gold grey. However art wise, it’s actually pretty alright on the eyes. It’s just I would’ve liked it more colourful. The story was pretty nice as well as decent enough with the girls realtionship blossoming but with an abrupt ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
reading_meg's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you Netgalley and Image Comics for the ARC!
- This book is definitely more for ~vibes~ than plot, especially with how short it is.
- I was thrown off by the French that Juliet and her friends use throughout their conversation, especially as she's American. If you're not familiar with French, that will be a little bit of a barrier to reading parts of this book.
- Juliet seems to be using some vaguely slang phrases, but a lot of it comes off as forced and not accurate
- the whole plot line with the fiance needs way more development. Everything felt very out of the blue.
- This book is definitely more for ~vibes~ than plot, especially with how short it is.
- I was thrown off by the French that Juliet and her friends use throughout their conversation, especially as she's American. If you're not familiar with French, that will be a little bit of a barrier to reading parts of this book.
- Juliet seems to be using some vaguely slang phrases, but a lot of it comes off as forced and not accurate
- the whole plot line with the fiance needs way more development. Everything felt very out of the blue.
allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The comic Paris sets the tone with a clear visual ambiance even before the story picks up. Everything is grayscale with a sort of blocky, angular approach to all kinds of subjects, including the characters. Busy, full-page scenes were my favorite. The lack of color and the riot of patterns and shapes create a visual game of sorts. There was so much to see that I slowed down to snoop out every detail. The lack of color forced me to be extra focused so as not to miss anything. My favorite find was a dog peeing on a crying girl in the background of a scene where everyone is bustling around in the bridal suite before a wedding. Another interesting visual aspect of the comic is the references to paintings, made possible because art is what brings our characters together. While maintaining the comic's signature style, classic works appear in the background as our characters walk through museums, fancy houses, art galleries, and studios. Famous feats of architecture stand tall behind and around them as they walk Paris' streets.
So what's the story? It centers on Juliet, our artist, and Deborah, her muse in 1950s Paris. Juliet lacks family money and support for her less-than-practical dream of studying to be an artist. She wants to learn professionally even if the classical training doesn't suit her vision. Meanwhile, Deborah has led a claustrophobically sheltered life, so it's no surprise she's not satisfied, even though she dutifully fills her expected role. When Juliet's teacher hires her out to do Deborah's portrait to cover part of her tuition, they light a fire within one another, and a romance ensues that's characterized by yearning and forbidden attachment. Juliet's fiery roommate provides comic relief as she rails against the bourgeoisie and commits crimes.
My only complaint is that the comic seems more focused on the visual components than the story. Our characters-- their struggles and their triumphs both-- have stories with only a few main beats in contrast to the complexity of the art. I would have liked a bit more depth so the characters feel less generic. All the same, we love to see sapphic love surviving and thriving no matter what. Thanks to Image Comics for my copy to read and review!
So what's the story? It centers on Juliet, our artist, and Deborah, her muse in 1950s Paris. Juliet lacks family money and support for her less-than-practical dream of studying to be an artist. She wants to learn professionally even if the classical training doesn't suit her vision. Meanwhile, Deborah has led a claustrophobically sheltered life, so it's no surprise she's not satisfied, even though she dutifully fills her expected role. When Juliet's teacher hires her out to do Deborah's portrait to cover part of her tuition, they light a fire within one another, and a romance ensues that's characterized by yearning and forbidden attachment. Juliet's fiery roommate provides comic relief as she rails against the bourgeoisie and commits crimes.
My only complaint is that the comic seems more focused on the visual components than the story. Our characters-- their struggles and their triumphs both-- have stories with only a few main beats in contrast to the complexity of the art. I would have liked a bit more depth so the characters feel less generic. All the same, we love to see sapphic love surviving and thriving no matter what. Thanks to Image Comics for my copy to read and review!
monkeymouse113's review
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
4.0
rachelsread's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This was a short and sweet story. The ending felt rather abrupt and there were a lot of loose threads and things left unexplained, which is why it didn't get more stars. The artwork was interesting and unique, although difficult to see at times since everything was in the same shade of beige. But overall, it was lighthearted and quick to read and perfect if you have a few spare moments on a bus or in a queue.
allbookedupwithrosie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I enjoyed this graphic jovel. The pictures designs are picturesque of Paris and kind of remind ne of the old Madeline book designs.
It was quite difficult at times for me to get through as the language from switch from English to French back to English. I had to go backwards in my mind pulling on my grade 9 french class knowledge to get me through.
Would definitely recommend for anyone who enjoys Paris, artwork or LGBTQ+ related books.
Special thanks to Netgalley & Image Comics for providing me with a copy of the graphic novel.
It was quite difficult at times for me to get through as the language from switch from English to French back to English. I had to go backwards in my mind pulling on my grade 9 french class knowledge to get me through.
Would definitely recommend for anyone who enjoys Paris, artwork or LGBTQ+ related books.
Special thanks to Netgalley & Image Comics for providing me with a copy of the graphic novel.
booksteastories's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The novel follows Juliet, an American art student in Paris who does commissions on behalf of her teacher to aid her educational expenses, and Deborah, a British debutante who is constrained by the old-fashioned traditions of her upper class family. After Juliet is asked to paint Deborah's portrait, both begin a journey towards self-awareness and each other.
The art within this novel is detailed to the extreme, covering the entire page to make the readers feel as though they really are in Paris in the fifties. Cityscapes and rooms seem to come particularly easily to the illustrator. Everything is exaggerated which is both a good thing, as it makes the novel distinct, and a bad thing, as it becomes a little difficult to take the story seriously.
It feels as though the story itself was underfleshed -- there is a lot of filler which doesn't fully add to the progression of the story. Graphic novels, without the advantage of narration, are already at a disadvantage in this regard, and the filler panels burden the novel further. This also leads to any twists feeling sudden, as though they didn't have any pre-laid groundwork which is never a good thing.
The characters all speak in very stereotypical ways. To be honest, the novel is generally full of stereotypes but this fact was especially evident in the dialogue. There were so many country-specific expressions that it makes you wonder how on earth the characters understand each other at all.
The romance was also a little insta-lovey for my taste, it didn't feel as though the characters had connected over much. Although Juliet and Deborah experience some semblance of character growth, Paulette and every other side character was entirely one dimensional, which was unfortunate as they seemed very interesting.
The ending was also very ambiguous, it very much felt as though the point A and B were not connected, like there were scenes missing.
Overall, a decent novel with a standard plot and interesting artwork.
The art within this novel is detailed to the extreme, covering the entire page to make the readers feel as though they really are in Paris in the fifties. Cityscapes and rooms seem to come particularly easily to the illustrator. Everything is exaggerated which is both a good thing, as it makes the novel distinct, and a bad thing, as it becomes a little difficult to take the story seriously.
It feels as though the story itself was underfleshed -- there is a lot of filler which doesn't fully add to the progression of the story. Graphic novels, without the advantage of narration, are already at a disadvantage in this regard, and the filler panels burden the novel further. This also leads to any twists feeling sudden, as though they didn't have any pre-laid groundwork which is never a good thing.
The characters all speak in very stereotypical ways. To be honest, the novel is generally full of stereotypes but this fact was especially evident in the dialogue. There were so many country-specific expressions that it makes you wonder how on earth the characters understand each other at all.
The romance was also a little insta-lovey for my taste, it didn't feel as though the characters had connected over much. Although Juliet and Deborah experience some semblance of character growth, Paulette and every other side character was entirely one dimensional, which was unfortunate as they seemed very interesting.
The ending was also very ambiguous, it very much felt as though the point A and B were not connected, like there were scenes missing.
Overall, a decent novel with a standard plot and interesting artwork.
lpreads22's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
alexfromistemor's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thanks to Image Comics and Netgalley for this eARC.
As others have noted, this story is light on many areas, namely any deep dives into characters. The art does a lot of the heavy lifting, but it can only do so much. What's there I liked very much, but I wanted there to be more. Let the girls speak a little more than they did, something.
3.5 stars.
As others have noted, this story is light on many areas, namely any deep dives into characters. The art does a lot of the heavy lifting, but it can only do so much. What's there I liked very much, but I wanted there to be more. Let the girls speak a little more than they did, something.
3.5 stars.
nicktomjoe's review against another edition
5.0
An American art student in 50s Paris finds herself commissioned to paint the portrait of a young Englishwoman. Both of them are trapped - and find in the hesitant beginnings of a relationship a way out. But the path of true love is thwarted by expectations of class and they separate...
The artwork is richly evocative of a scruffy Paris (and genteel England and artsy New York), and the characters range from clearly depicted to (deliberately comic) caricatures: Juliet and Deborah, the protagonists contrast brilliantly with the nasty English chaperone and the naked, smoking French guy, and Simon Gane's artwork is wonderfully central to the storytelling.
Andi Watson tells a story of loves lost and found that would not be out of place on a movie storyboard, and has twists enough to make you raise eyebrows in each episode. Who will get together with whom? When the protagonists part, will bit-part characters intervene? I was genuinely engrossed - and want to go back to Montmartre and draw...and draw... and love.
The artwork is richly evocative of a scruffy Paris (and genteel England and artsy New York), and the characters range from clearly depicted to (deliberately comic) caricatures: Juliet and Deborah, the protagonists contrast brilliantly with the nasty English chaperone and the naked, smoking French guy, and Simon Gane's artwork is wonderfully central to the storytelling.
Andi Watson tells a story of loves lost and found that would not be out of place on a movie storyboard, and has twists enough to make you raise eyebrows in each episode. Who will get together with whom? When the protagonists part, will bit-part characters intervene? I was genuinely engrossed - and want to go back to Montmartre and draw...and draw... and love.