Bloom

by Kevin Panetta and Savanna Ganucheau

Savanna Ganucheau (Illustrator)

Though he loved working there as a kid, Ari cannot fathom a life wasting away over rising dough and hot ovens. But while interviewing candidates for his replacement, Ari meets Hector, an easy going guy who loves baking as much as Ari wants to escape it. As they become closer over batches of bread, love is ready to bloom . . . that is, if Ari doesn’t ruin everything.

Writer Kevin Panetta and artist Savanna Ganucheau concoct a delicious recipe of intricately illustrated baking scenes and blushing young love, in which the choices we make can have terrible consequences, but the people who love us can help us grow.

• ISBN10: 1626726418
• ISBN13: 9781626726413
• Publish Date: 1 February 2019 (first published 29 January 2019)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
• Imprint: First Second
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 368
• Language: English

Reviews

[alindstadtcorbeax]

Star Rating: —> 5 Stars

*phewww* thank GODD the “official” star rating is on record, because guys...

*tryingSOhardtostaycalm&composedrnnnn*

*failingmiserablyyyy*...

THIS DESERVES ABSOLUTELY ALL THE STARS! EVERY SINGLE ONE IN THE WHOLE UNIVERSE!

I F*CKING ADORED THIS! it was SOCUTE!
I can’t E-VENNNNN!
I could not get enough of this beautifully executed— both visually AND in written word— queer lovvveeeee story!!

Seriously—
Bloom gave me vibes of a sort of vague mash-up of Aristotle & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe and Heartstopper mixed with a backdrop of adorable bonding over baking yummy things.

OKAY.
Does it get much better/cuter than that?
Let me tell you— no. no it does not.

Plus the yummy glaze on top is made of some fantastic family dynamics & great, healthy
friendships.

The thing is, too, that it had so much more to it than being a “falling for you” story... albeit that WAS undeniably my favorite part (I mean come ON ! What isn’t to love about Ari & Hector?!
*grins*).

I mean, this story takes place when both characters are at a crossroads in their lives, & are trying to find themselves as individuals. They just so happen find each other as well! The author does a wonderful job of making sure the balance between loving yourself & loving another is realistic, which is wonderful.

AHHH there really was so much to this book that only made it more & more exceptional as it progressed.
It WAS fluffy and sugary sweet to a degree, but it was balanced out JUST RIGHT!
Like Goldilocks would TOTES approve.

There are really full back stories/ and personal troubles for each of the main characters. There are some pretty deeply emotional scenes where I couldn’t help but cry, & everything truly is very realistic (including the ending) and I loved that. There are a lot of very real problems, as well, along the way, like dealing with some pretty manipulative people— exes and *ahem* bad friends -___- (just one, mayybeeee sort of two? but still. As you will see juuuust below in my rant specifically about that character lol).

*rant warning*
(Reminder! rant is in no way in regards to the book itself; my God I couldn’t love this gem of a graphic novel more!

[moraa]

3.5 stars

An okay graphic novel, lots of fluff and coming-of-age stuff to enjoy. I read it in one sitting and didn't particularly feel any... extreme like or dislike for it, just something along the lines of... meh. A good meh though.

WHAT I LIKED MOST:

The art! Just look at this gorgeous palette:



AAAAND:

[dragononabook]

This was a really sweet graphic novel, although I've gotten to the point where that's what I expect from First Second.

It follows Ari, who wants to leave the family bakery and go to the city with his band, and Hector, who is going to be his replacement. It explores themes of belonging and love in a delightful art style, and in a delightful way.

There's a lot of bookending, which worked super well, and the art added a lot thematically to the story, enhancing in a way that wouldn't have worked in another medium. The art choices also really helped reflect emotion, especially the use of flowers as part of the frame.

I really enjoyed this, and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a really sweet story in a really sweet format.

[leahrosereads]

What a super cute freaking story. Hector was hands down my favorite character. He's just the sweetest, most pure gentle boy I've met this year. Ari grew on me but there were times that his teenage-ness wore at my nerves. He was really realistic though, so I'm not faulting it. Actually, most of the characters felt very dynamic and real, and they brought this story to life.

Thoroughly enjoyed this and will absolutely be looking out for other books by this author!

[jeannamichel]

Can every graphic novel be this cute? Bloom is the epitome of an amazing, wholesome summer romance.

[Stephanie]

This was SO CUTE and SO WONDERFUL.