Thank you Chronicle Books and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review!
This illustrated dating guide by cartoonist Sarah Akinterinwa, rooted in her experiences as a Black woman in her late twenties, encourages readers to be introspective, honest, and practical in their love lives. Through vignettes with scenes from modern dating, the book's main character walks the reader through the ins and outs of being single, defining what you want in a partner, navigating dating apps, the value of therapy, contending with family expectations, and remaining optimistic about finding a relationship that's right for you.
Rating: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ (4)
This book was very helpful and I think also necessary for a lot of young adults. Society puts a lot of pressure on "finding the one". You end up endlessly swiping left and right, hoping that "McCharming" will suddenly appear.
This book is a fun guide, from the perspective of a cis-het Black woman, about dating and self-love.
Akinterinwa also takes time to acknowledge that your experience finding a partner can look different if you're not a cis-het white person, one reason being the European beauty standards that people of color are expected to fit into.
The art style was unique, but in a good way. I did have to get used to it at first, but I got used to it very quickly!
I do wonder if this book is really a graphic novel. Every chapter starts with about three pages of text, followed by a few pages of comics. I'm used to graphic novels being solely comic panels. So, keep that in mind when you want to pick up this book.
This book has definitely given me very useful advice